2001 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg review from North America

· BRAKE FAILURE: (Nov. 13, 2002) – I was driving 55 miles-an-hour on a main road, with moderate traffic. I attempted to use my brakes and found that I did not have any stopping ability.

· NO BRAKE LIGHTS: (Jan. 23, 2003) – A woman in her car pulled along beside me at a stop light, rolled down her window and shouted that she almost rear-ended me because I did not have any brake lights.

· TRANSMISSION REPLACED: (Jan. 30, 2002) - Inspection the technicians stated that the manufactures forgot to put transmission fluid in the transmission and that it needed to be replaced.

· CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED: (Feb. 22, 2003) – My check engine light came on. Upon inspection the technicians found that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced.

· FAULTY IGNITION COILS: (June 6, 2003) – Check engine light came on again. They replaced four ignition coils and reset the basic engine settings.

· STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN BRAKING: (April 12, 2003) – Every time I applied the brakes the wheel would shake profusely.

· BRAKES MAKING NOISE: (Jan. 23, 2003) – I took the car into the shop and discovered that the rotors were scored and the front brake pads had to be replaced. Changed at 42,562 miles.

· WINDOW’S FALL DOWN: (Sept. 11, 2002) – Anytime I attempted to roll down the windows, they would fall off track and slam down into the door.

· DOOR LOCK BROKE: (Nov. 13, 2002) – Driver’s door lock would not open or close. Technician stated that the attaching rod was loose and reattached it.

· ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS MALFUNCTIONS:

1. Electric rear-view mirrors will not move

2. A/C lights on dash don’t work.

3. Plastic material on door handles is peeling off.

4. Plastic on radio is peeling off.

5. Armrest lock popped off when I attempted to open it.

6. Door lock still does not lock properly when I try to lock it from the inside.

I spent nearly $1,000 out of my own pocket on repairs.

I cannot afford to risk the safety of my life and constantly wonder if this car is going to be reliable enough to make the 110-mile-a-day round-trip I am required to make to and from work.

I am aware that I put approximately 28,000 miles-a-year on my Jetta. And if the problems I were experiencing were items such as the clutch or the timing belt needing to be replaced then I would fully understand that it was the amount of miles I was putting on the car that led to the constant, needed repairs. However, this is not the case. A transmission does not need to be replaced at 15,831 miles, brakes just don't malfunction at 36,628 miles and door locks, electric mirrors, brake lights and dash lights don't break regardless of the amount of miles a vehicle's engine has on it.

I am a responsible individual. I have my vehicle serviced according to Volkswagen's standards. These malfunctions have not occurred because of some error on my part. This car is faulty. It has malfunction in the past and continues to malfunction on a regular basis.