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http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/
This does not cover "silent" recalls though.
Right now, it's been two weeks since I dropped the car off, and they still have it. I still have the rental car that they are paying for though. It's that 2004 Jetta that I am becoming strangely attached to. It's the base model with 0 options (but the Jettas come pretty loaded as is). However, it doesn't have things like the MFA computer (outside temp, mpg, average speed, etc.), alloys, or sunroof. The engine is a tad noisy, but it is a good little car.
Anyway, I stopped by the dealer last Friday to get our car seat out of my wife's car. The tech showed me our car (yes they have it, and it is in one piece). He said they still have not been able to make any headway on solving the cam chain tensioner problem. It with the tensioner on the driver's side. As long as they keep paying for my rental, I will be content.
But I figure at some point this has got to start costing Jim Ellis some money. The tech told me he was losing money on this repair. I believe I heard that they are given a set number of hours based on the diagnosis. If they get the car done more quickly, they pocket the difference. But then it also appears they lose out if it takes them longer. If that's the case, I can't see what incentive the tech has to fix my car if he's now exhausted the hours VW will give him for the repair. I can only assume that somehow Jim Ellis will get VWoA to pony up extra dollars once the final determination of the problem is made.
Oh well. I'll let everyone know how this turns out.
And to emphasize the point markcincinnati made- If you were getting a VW for long term ownership, I would definitely research a long term comprehensive warranty. If I had it to do over again, I surely would. I must say that after this sedan and the wagon go out to pasture, we will avoid VWs for awhile. Yeah, I like the ride and the feel of the car, but I need something that'll be easier on the pocketbook. We have son #2 on the way, and I need to save for college!
Take care all, and happy holidays.
I am on my third VW and have never purchased any extended warranty. A friend of mine just put a $650 alternator on their Chevy Monte Carlo SS, I guess that is an inexpensive domestic car to service.
All cars are expensive to repair now. I will argue with anyone that keeping a VW and paying for repairs is always less expensive than a car payment. As I have said before, a $350 dollar car payment is $4,200 a year. No way that you will spend over $4,000 each year in repairs on your VW.
I heard this same argument from people before I purchased my first Land Rover, you can't afford to keep them running. That was incorrect as well.
Drive your VW, take care of it and enjoy it for many years.
Toyotas because German parts are more available(like Bosche).
Besides, after 5-7 years your Passat won't be worth much. Would you really spend $5k or more on a new engine or transmission? Extended warranties buy piece of mind, provide protection for those buying a car known to be unreliable, or are for those who can't afford a repair bill once in a while.
It's a crap shoot like all insurance, but don't think it's like buying health or fire insurance, unless, of course you just bought a 12 cylinder Phaeton. Then a million dollar umbrella policy might not be enough...
Your points are well taken, however.
And, VW's are very expensive to repair -- moreso than many and, of course, less than the hyper rare cars.
Any thoughts on this one??
Thanks.
I would call your dealer and ask. They should do it for free. Last I heard, most automakers were doing it for free.
Hope this helps.
Thanks
The blades do not clear the windshield of ice/snow (MN) and make a lot of chatter! SO very frustrating!! I was told that the dealer needed to call Volkswagen next week to find out what to do. DAH!! Perhaps installing new blades might be an option!! This would be the 3rd pr of blades in 18 mos. Are others experiencing wiper problems?
I have found wiper blades at a local auto parts store and I am going to buy a pair & install them myself...since my dealership doesn't seem to be able to figure it out! What do they think I am supposed to do in the meantime? Not drive the car whenever it snows outside? Gee, thanks...but this is MN!!!
I just heard back from my dealer, regarding my wiper blade problem! I was told that "currently, there are no reported problems with Passat wiper blades". (I find this very difficult to believe!)
Therefore, my options are to bring the car in and they will clean the windshield with some type of 3m cleaning product, or I can purchase new blades - as there are NO inserts, (according to my dealer) for the "small" price of $60.00!! OUCH! For WIPER BLADES?? I did swap the passenger blade with the driver and appears to be working better now. We'll see what happens once it starts snowing!!! Any ideas what else I can try?
I have tried 5 different auto part stores in the Mpls, MN area. They all tell me that my Passat wiper design is the "NEW" version and NO inserts or blades are available, at least not for now.
If anybody knows where I can get aftermarket wiper blades, let me know! Thanks!
Anco was one of the top rated wipers in Consumer reports.
I, too, have been told by many autopart stores, that there are NO inserts for the wipers. They also suggested I treat the windshield with Rain-X. However, temperature here is too cold now to do so. Drive home tonight should be interesting....it's snowing cats and dogs here today!!!
I will try both of your suggestions!! Thanks, again!
The problem has been posted on other forums:
>>My 2002 Passat has been back to the dealer 5 times for a fuel tank problem, sometimes when I get gas, the pump clicks off before it is full. The last few times it has been shutting off and $2.50. I've had the fuel tank replaced twice and my fuel sending valve replaced once. The fourth and fifth times the service manager and the field manager told me they could not duplicate the problem and that my car was fine. I know it will happen again and I refuse to take it back there. Has anyone had the same problem or heard of this? It is so frustrating!!!!!!!!!<<
But I can't find a final solution. In these other forums, people have even had their fuel tanks replaced, to no avail.
The only think I can say is to try to put the fuel nozzle on the slowest dispensing speed, and see if that helps. Sorry...
My local price club will install for free and do lifetime rotations/balancing if you buy the tires through them.
I bought mine at Autozone.
If you don't want to buy from them ask your local dealer if the will match the price.
Unlike CR, Edmunds seems to rate cars based on the same things many of us look at besides high reliability numbers - style, fit and finish and performance in various price levels. Note they also consistently pick BMW and MB in the higher end categories. CR makes reliability a key element for recommending a car even if they believe it rates high in other areas.
A lot of people use CR to pick cars so when that publication jumped and stayed on the Passat band wagon many former Japanese car owners bought Passats. I believe those are mainly the people lighting up these forums with complaints.
I have an 89 Volvo 240 with 236K on the odometer and believe if I totalled up the maintenance I probably paid for it twice. Also had an Audi 100, VW Variant, 3 Bugs, a Vanagon and an Opel. The latter used to stall when I hit a mud puddle.
Those of us who have owned European cars for years went into the purchase of the Passat with eyes wide open hoping that reliability had improved - which it has.
My biggest complaint about VW is they continue to use parts sales to boost revenue and in doing so gouge the end user. A friend of mine worked for VW management in the US and said he saw the parts prices accelerate when VW lost car volume in the US. Unfortunately. car sales are way up but parts remain abnormally high priced.
says, one of the most unreliable cars. CU's new
2004 yearbook rates the VR6 with 3 stars (above
average)for 2002, the latest year they report.
I have a 4 cylinder 2002 Passat that has 24,000
miles and is 2 years old. The ONLY problem I have
had is one burned out headlight and a ruined tire
when hitting a road obstruction.
Of my previous 5 Accords, only 2 could I consider
to be highly reliable. CV boots, auto tranny
issues seemed to hit 3 of them. The best Accord
by far was a 1987 5-speed. No electronics, no
power windows, no troubles. I am very happy with
my GLS '02 wagon.
The Passat's 6 is not a VR design (narrow V), it's a traditional V-6 layout. Sorry, just picking nits!
Oh, and Autoquandary's post has definite troll-like qualities (IMHO).
I just received a letter from VW that they are extending the warranty on the mass air flow sensor to 7 years or 70,000 miles because it has been a problem.
The letter states that if you have already had one replaced, send them the details and they will review it to reimburse your expense.
Not bad. Now I am glad I had the work done at a VW dealership. That has to make it easier to get my money reimbursed.
Assume these are the Energy MXV4 Plus, 195/65/15. That size is also avail in 89H and 89V - slightly lower weight limit (Max Load). Might not make a big difference, but always useful to know What you are buying.
Didn't think much of the Energys - got good gas mileage while running them (hence the name, presumably...), but they were at best just "competent" in other areas - and Not a lot of "fun."
Without going to a larger wheel size (ran a set of 16" Dunlops on the Passat for 20K - by which time they were down to wear bars, but they were a lot of fun while they lasted!), you might consider running 205/60/15's. Probably give up a bit of mpg, but should stick to road better.
Have ran a set of HydroEdges in that size for past month+ as "winter tires," and have been very impressed (with disclaimer that we haven't had much snow yet). Much better then stock Energy's in all areas (expect mpg....), and although not up to overall performance of Dunlops they are just as good on wet roads - and feel more secure around corners than Energys did.
Alas, the HydroEdges are only "T" rated - service description is 90T, so a slightly lower Max Load rating - but this is still better than most Real Winter Tires, and rationalization is that we don't have all that much deep snow in SE MI, mostly just slush followed by wet pavement.
A H-rated tire that looks very interesting now is the Traction T/A by BFGoodrich - avail in both 195/65/15 and 205/60/15, with 91H Svc Desc and 60K mileage warranty. These are not avail nationwide yet, but Tire Rack has them and Discount Tire can get - but not local membership club (yet).
(Discount shows the Traction T/A in western states, but not yet in MI. Mgr at local store says he can "special order.")
In any event, good luck in your tire shopping! And if you come across a set of Reasonably Priced 16" "HiPerf" Summer Tires let me know - will be in the market next spring...
Thanks.
Now another one: i am wondering about winter, oil, and friction. I don't know much about heated dipsticks (as opposed to block heaters) but am wondering about getting one or the other for my 1.8T, given the cold winters around here.
Anybody got any advice about these things? If they're worthwhile, what's the price range and where do you suggest getting them from?
Thanks!
There's a European company,
http://www.defa.com/
that has a comprehensive list of heaters, but they don't appear to have a US distribution base. Last time I looked, I didn't see a listing for the AWM (current iteration) 1.8T engine.
Personally, I just went with synth oil in the recommended grade. Even on my coldest mornings, I start the engine, buckle up, get my music going, and off I go.
Thanks,
Carrie
? isn't is possible that if one heats the engine oil its viscosity actually thickens ?
Some syn or at least syn blend oils would appear to have such low viscosity at low relative temps that it could render the heater unnecessary.
Good gas, good battery, syn oil (should) = trouble-free starts in Winter temps.
What Specific warning light comes on? (My manual shows several potential "Brake" warning lights, but doesn't identify any as "Front Disc...light" - perhaps simply because mine is an older model?).
Precisely what did the dealer do when he "redid" the brakes?
Ought to be a clue somewhere; problem is in finding it!