The "check engine" light came on at 3000 miles. The oxygen sensor was replaced.
The "check engine" light came on at 3100 miles. The other oxygen sensor was replaced.
At 27000 miles, just out of warranty, both oxygen sensors and the Mass Airflow Sensor went bad.
The heated mirrors and heated washer jets have never worked to my satisfaction, if, at all. The dealer can find nothing wrong.
The Monsoon stereo was replaced with a Sony unit because the CD changer quit.
The right hinge broke on the glove box door (I think the manual storage bin is too small and it puts stress on the door).
The headlight bulbs keep burning out.
There is a Horrible mildew smell when the a/c is off that will not go away until the fall.
Overall I have been happy with VW of America, the dealers and the car. I would buy another, but this time I'll take the extended warranty when offered.
The most offensive thing to me is that dang mildew smell. I had it with an Audi and I have it with this car.
Buy the one's made in Germany before they moved production to South America should you ever be looking for a used one.
A follow-up on my own car...
The headlight bulb problem got fixed by buying a european headlight switch and doing a little creative "snipping" to disable the daytime running lights.
The mildew smell was fixed through the use of a spray bottle of clorox sprayed into the fresh air intake (don't forget to remove the HEPA filter first) and a can of lysol sprayed into the vents.
The broken hinge on the glovebox (I was working on my third) was taken care of by the dealer by replacing the little hydraulic cylinder (dampner, I think they call it). I pointed it out to the dealership after they had repaired the glove box again (they had missed it) and they basically did the labor for free after I bought the part. It was something they didn't have to do and I applaud them for it.
A nagging issue concerns these big springs under each seat. The passenger one broke a year ago. Two weeks ago (3/22/05) the driver's side broke. Darned if I know what they do as the seats work fine... To fix that issue would require me to replace the seat. I'll live with it...
The car has never been really garaged. At 89K my biggest complaint is that the trim around the doors is starting to fall off. Go to the local auto parts store and buy a tube of auto weatherstripping adhesive. You'll need it...
After the initial complaints most of the problems stopped at around 50k. Stuff wears out. I have found myself an exceptional dealership here in Kansas City as well as some really good independent shops.
I would buy another. If one seeks used, I would recommend one made at the plant in Germany. Parts may be parts, but it's the assembly that makes the difference.
D.
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