NHTSA Complaint #747357 — 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

SEE ODI 746847: CONNECT ERROR ON FOLLOWING. MY NEW 2001.5 PASSAT WAGON HAS A PERCEPTIBLE DISTORTION, OR RIPPLING EFFECT, IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD; E.G., WHEN SEEING POLES, TREES, OR BUILDING SIDINGS WHILE MAKING A TURN, OR WHEN VIEWING PARKWAY EXIT SIGNS WHILE PASSING THEM. THERE'S AN ACCORDION EFFECT; VERTICAL OBJECTS INCHWORM; LETTERS EXPAND AND CONTRACT. JUST MOVING MY HEAD FROM SIDE TO SIDE BY A FEW INCHES CAN PRODUCE THIS EFFECT. I CAN'T SAY YET THAT IT'S HAZARDOUS BUT IT'S CERTAINLY DISTRACTING. MEANWHILE, I CAN'T GET THE DEALER TO EVEN SIT IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND TELL ME IT'S MY IMAGINATION. WHEN POSTED TO PASSAT USERS GROUP FOLLOWING MESSAGES RESULTED:  (1) I'VE SEEN SEVERAL REPORTS OF THIS. TIME TO GET A NEW DEALER. YOU SHOULD GET NEW GLASS UNDER WARRANTY. (2) MY '99 WAS 5000 MILES NEW WHEN I REALIZED THE WINDSHIELD HAD A DISTORTION AND RIPPLE EFFECT. THEY REPLACED IT NO CHARGE, BUT THE SECOND ONE IS AS BAD AS THE FIRST ONE. (3) HAS ANYONE WITH A '99 B5 NOTICED DISTORTIONS IN THE FRONT AND REAR GLASS? I'VE HAD MY WINDSHIELD AND REAR GLASS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE NEW GLASS IS ALSO DISTORTED - ALTHOUGH NOT QUITE AS BAD AS THE ORIGINAL. (4) WHEN I RECENTLY HAD A GENUINE NEW VW WINDSCREEN INSTALLED AFTER DAMAGE I NOTICED AN OPTICAL DISTORTION RIGHT OF MY STRAIGHT AHEAD VISION. THIS IS DISGRACEFUL QUALITY CONTROL FROM A MAJOR MOTOR MANUFACTURER AND THEIR AUTHORIZED REPAIR DEALER. (5) THERE APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. A WAVY, VERTICAL LINE. THE SERVICE MANAGER LOOKED AT MINE AND FOUND IT RIGHT AWAY, HE ALSO TOLD ME IT WAS NOTED ON SEVERAL NEW 2000'S ON THE LOT, AND THAT ANOTHER CUSTOMER HAS A REALLY SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH IT. CHECK THE WINDSHIELD BY LOOKING OUT AT A STRAIGHT LINE, THE SIDE OF A BUILDING OR A POLE, AND MOVING YOUR EYES UP AND DOWN AS WELL AS RIGHT AND LEFT. VW IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. IM NOT HAVING THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED, ESPECIALLY AFTER THEIR MESS MADE ON A SIMPLE OIL CHANGE.