NHTSA Complaint #767090 — 2000 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

ON MARCH 27, 2002, AT 26,795 MILES, I REQUESTED A 30,000 MILE SERVICE FROM ROSEVILLE VOLKSWAGEN. ROSEVILLE VOLKSWAGEN IS LOCATED AT 830 AUTOMALL DR., ROSEVILLE, CA 95661-3023 AND THE PHONE NUMBER THERE IS (916) 774-2777. DURING THE 30,000 MILE SERVICE, THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED ON THE MAINTENANCE WORKSHEET THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS HAD 95% REMAINING WHILE THE REAR BRAKE PADS HAD ONLY 25% REMAINING, INDICATING A SERIOUS BRAKE SYSTEM ANOMALY. THE TECHNICIAN "INSTALLED NEW BRAKE PADS DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR" AS NOTED ON INVOICE #VWCS28623. I WAS NOT CHARGED FOR THE BRAKE PADS EVEN THOUGH I WAS OVER MY 24,000/2 YEAR WARRANTY. THE PREMATURE REAR BRAKE PAD WEAR NOTED COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS HAZARD FOR ME, MY FAMILY, AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. I BELIEVE THAT THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM THAT RESULTED IN THE PREMATURE BRAKE PAD WEAR WAS NOT ADDRESSED AT THE TIME OF SERVICE AND THAT THIS REMAINS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN IN THE FUTURE. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT THERE MAY BE MORE VW GOLF VEHICLES ON THE ROAD THAT MAY BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THIS IRREGULAR BRAKE PAD WEAR. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED NO EXPLANATION FOR THE IRREGULAR BRAKE PAD WEAR AT THE TIME THE SERVICE WAS COMPLETED. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA HAS BEEN CONTACTED BY PHONE AND IN WRITING IN AN EFFORT TO FIND OUT HOW COMMON THE PROBLEM IS, WHAT THE EXPLANATION FOR THE IRREGULAR BRAKE PAD WEAR IS, ETC. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA HAS RESPONDED TO MY QUESTIONS WITH A LETTER SUGGESTING THAT I TAKE MY QUESTIONS UP WITH MY PREFERRED VOLKSWAGEN DEALER. AS I HAVE NOT MADE ANY PROGRESS IN THIS MATTER, I AM FORWARDING THE INFORMATION TO YOU. IF ANY FURTHER INFORMATION IS REQUIRED, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME. THANK YOU.*AK