The car is perfect with the exception of one thing: Randomly, about every 2000 miles, the engine shuts off. It just dies. The problem is that each time it has happened (4 total times), I was going 65mph in the fast lane. Each time I had to coast off to the shoulder avoiding accidents and come to a complete stop. Each time I am able to restart no problem and drive off with no problems, no symptoms, or indication of it happening. No one at VW has any idea what it is, nor could they reproduce it or find any clue indicating the cause. I ended up exchanging it for a brand new 2003 Golf. 2500 miles into the new one, the same thing happened. Does anyone have any idea what is going on??
This is an excellent car in my opinion in terms of features, comfort, power, safety. I have had bad luck with a very mysterious random bug in the engine.
Have you installed an aftermarket stereo system? I've been having a similar problem with my 2001 GTI ever since I put in my system. I'm going to buy a capacitor to see if that helps at all...
The 1.8 turbo engines (if that is what you have) have a recall on the ignition coils that have left many many people stranded when they fail.
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