2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA Structure Problems

The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the splash guard detached from the vehicle and damaged the radiator. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to his destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

STANDING WATER IN THE WHEEL WELLS TRACED TO SUNROOF DRAINAGE HOSES NOT ATTACHED TO DRAINS BECAUSE THE CLIPS MEANT TO HOLD THE HOSE IN PLACE MALFUNCTIONED AND ALLOWED THE HOSE TO "BACK OUT" OF PLACE. THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY APPARENT AS CAR IS USUALLY KEPT GARAGED. BODY SHOP, INTERNET DISCUSSIONS AND DEALERSHIP HAVE ALL REPORTED THEY BELIEVE THIS IS DUE TO A VW DESIGN FLAW. THIS IS NOT A RESULT OF CONSUMER NEGLECT, MILEAGE OR AGE OF CAR. THE CARPETING AND SOUND-DAMPENING UNDER PAD ARE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO MOLD AND MILDEW CONCERNS. TO REPAIR, THE HOSES WILL BE RECLAMPED INTO PLACE. TOTAL REPAIR COST ~$1700. VW WILL COVER PARTS CITING "PART FAILURE," BUT DECLINES TO COVER LABOR COSTS. PURCHASE OF "PLATINUM" LEVEL EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH NEW CAR WILL COVER ONLY 1/3 THE LABOR. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2011 VW JETTA S SEDAN ON 1/24/2011. AT APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES, THE CAR BEGAN MAKING A WHISTLING NOISE FROM UNDER THE DASH NEARLY ALL THE TIME. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE ON 2/16/11 AND AFTER A FEW DAYS, I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS ISOLATED TO THE THERMAL EXPANSION VALVE IN THE AC SYSTEM. THIS WAS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER, THE SOUND RETURNED. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN AGAIN ON 3/29/11 AND AGAIN WAS CONTACTED A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER. THE DEALER SERVICE REP TOLD ME THAT THE VW FACTORY TECH REP LOOKED AT THE CAR AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. HIS DETERMINATION IS THAT IT IS OPERATING ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATION. I CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA AND THEY CONFIRMED THIS AS THE OUTCOME AND THAT IF I REMAIN UNSATISFIED I COULD CALL THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AUTO...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY, THERE WAS A LOUD WIND SOUND INSIDE THE VEHICLE AS IF THE EXTERIOR WIND WAS BLOWING IN THROUGH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS. THE WINDOWS IN THE VEHICLE WERE CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE AIR WAS ENTERING THROUGH THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE THE FAILURE WAS CONSIDERED A DESIGN FLAW. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,900. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 5/9/11 *CN UPDATED 06/20/11