1997 Volkswagen EUROVAN problems and owner complaints

I BELIEVE IT WAS FUEL LINE RELATED AS THE MAJORITY OF THE FIRE DAMAGE WAS CENTERED AROUND THE CLUSTER OF FUEL LINES ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE ENGINE, ABOVE THE DISTRIBTOR.

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WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE OVER TO INSPECT ENGINE, AND NOTICED FRAGMENTS OF ENGINE COOLING FAN UNDER THE HOOD. DEALERSHIP WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. *AK

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ON JUNE 13, 2003 BOTH OF OUR RIALTAS ELECTRIC COOLING FANS SELF DESTRUCTED AFTER STARING THE DESCEND DOWN EAGLE RIDGE MOUNTAIN IN TN. AFTER A FEW SCARY MINUTES MY WIFE SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATED THE RV TO SAFETY WITH MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN AND SISTER ABOARD. BECAUSE OF THE MISSING BLADES THE UNIT CONTINUED TO VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY FOR FIVE MINUTES UNTIL IT COOLED DOWN. TWENTY MINUTES LATER MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND EVERYTHING APPEARED TO BE WORKING IN IDLE UNTIL THE COOLING FAN ATTEMPTED TO START ITS COOLING FUNCTION AGAIN. MY WI…

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RADIATOR FANS DISINTEGRATED WHILE DRIVING AND MADE A HOLE IN RADIATOR. THIS IS A VW EUROVAN 2002, AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS FOR MODEL YEARS 1998-2000. VW HAS REFUSED TO INCLUDE MINE IN THE RECALL. THE REPAIR COST $2060. *NM

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MY 1997 VW EUROVAN CAMPER CAUGHT FIRE ON DECEMBER 8, 2002 AS IT WAS BEING DRIVEN ON INTERSTATE 10 NEAR REDLANDS, CA. IT WAS TOTALLY LOST. APPARENTLY THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. VW, AFTER INSPECTION, DENIES RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE AN AFTER MARKET RADIO WAS INSTALLED. THE FIRM WHICH INSTALLED THE RADIO HAS INSPECTED THE CAR AND REPORTS THAT THE FIRE WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS GOOD EVIDENCE OF MUCH MORE HEAT ON THE RIGHT SIDE. WIRE INSULATION JACKETS ARE BURNED OFF THERE AND NOT NEAR THE RADIO. NO WIRES WE…

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CONSUMER STATED THE 3RD SLIDING DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE UNLESS IT IS HELD SHUT AND LOCKED AT THE SAME TIME.*YH

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WE HAVE EXPERIENCED REPEATED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH 2002 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN. MANY ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, INCLUDING GENERATOR, BATTERY, THROTTLE CONTROLS, AND AN ABS SENSOR. THE PROBLEMS PERSISTS. *AK THE MOST DANGEROUS IS THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY, APPARENTLY FOR NO REASON. WE CANNOT TELL WHETHER THERE IS A BRAKE FAILURE, OR ERRONEOUS WARNING. THE DEALER HAS LOOKED AT THIS PROBLEM MORE THAN FIVE TIMES, AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT. TODAY THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AND AT THE SAME TI…

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FAULTY SEAT HEATER IN DRIVERS SEAT CAUSED FIRE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IT IS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN. IT WAS WARMING IN THE DRIVEWAY OF OUR HOME BECAUSE OF RECENT ICE STORM. WE MANAGED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT AND IT WAS CONTAINED TO THE ONE SEAT BUT THE SEAT IS BADLY DAMAGED AND THE INTERIOR OF VAN SMELL OF BURNED WIRING. *TR

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200000. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR NHTSA RECALL# 00V039000, REPLACING PART NUMBER 701201363E FUEL LINE, FEED AND PART NUMBER 701201363C FUEL LINE, RETURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS 1995 HAS THE SAME PARTS ON IT, BUT ARE NOT EXPERIENCING ANY PROBLEMS AS OF YET. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD RECALL THE 1995 AND ANY VEHICLES THAT ARE USING THESE PARTS. THE CONTACT WANTS TO GET HIS 1995 REPAIRED BUT VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT SELL HIM THE PART.

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FUEL LEAK FROM KINKED FUEL LINE.

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LEFT FRONT GOODYEAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, ALSO R/FRONT AND REAR TIRES WERE CUPPED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE NOISE WHEN WHEELS TURNED. *SKD

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TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW. YH

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I PURCHASED, NEW, A 2001 VW EUROVAN WINNEBAGO CAMPER. IN 31,000 MILES, THE VEHICLE IS NOW ON ITS' THIRD SET OF BRAKES. MY LAST VEHICLE, A 1992 MAZDA NAVAJO; I FINALLY REPLACED BRAKES AT APPROXIMATELY 72,000 MILES. MY DRIVING IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH THE VW. EACH SET OF CAMPER BRAKES COSTS, RIGHT AT $1,500.00. VW PICKED-UP THE COST OF BRAKE SET #2 AT 17,000 MILES. AN AWA, AS THEY ARE ONLY WARRANTEED FOR 12,000 MILES. RIDICULOUS, TO BE SURE. WE HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING THAT THE BRAKES ARE "GOING OUT". ONCE THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON - YOU …

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I WAS DRIVING ON I-94 NORTH OF DETROIT WHEN I EXPERIENCED A MAJOR SHAKING OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND AS I HIT THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE THE SHAKING DECREASED. IT WAS A SCARY EXPERIENCE BUT AFTER THE INITIAL SHOCK I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. HAD THE TIRE BLOWN OUT THE OUTCOME MIGHT HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. UPON INVESTIGATION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE REAR RIGHT TIRE HAD A MAJOR DISTORTION. IN ONE AREA OF THE TREAD, ONE SIDE OF THE TREAD PROTRUDED BY ABOUT ONE INCH. A TIRE DEALER LATER DIAGNOSED IT AS A 'BROKEN BELT'. THE …

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205/65R16C 107/105T Achillies Mulitvan Both front tires on vehicle failed along the entire inside sidewall approximately 1” from the rim. They cracked all the way through the rubber about 1/4” wide exposing the sidewall ply's. The tires were purchased in March of 2023 and have roughly 6000 miles on them. The outside sidewall was in perfect condition. The cracks were observed during a routine pre trip inspection. The cracks are so deep that the tires sidewall could blow out catastrophically. The fact that both inside sidewalls were c…

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FUEL/TEMPERATURE GAUGE ONLY WORKS OCCASIONALLY. I WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $700.00 TO REPLACE AT DEALER SEVERAL YEARS AGO BUT I KNOW OF THREE OTHER VW EUROVANS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND I JUST FOUND AN ARTICLE STATING THAT REPLACEMENT DOESN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM, THE EXISTING BOARD HAS TO BE SOLDERED. I THINK VW SHOULD COVER THIS AS IT IS DANGEROUS FOR ALL CONCERNED TO TRAVEL WITHOUT KNOWING THE CAR TEMPERATURE OR HOW MUCH FUEL THERE IS. *NLM

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WE HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. WE WROTE A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF MANY OF THE PROBLEMS AND SENT IT TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA CONSUMER RELATIONS. THEY WERE NOT THE LEAST BIT INTERESTED IN ANY OF OUR PROBLEMS. WE CALLED THEM SEVERAL TIMES AFTER SENDING THE DETAILED LETTER AND THEY SAID "TOO BAD, NOT OUR PROBLEM." NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

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RECALL FOR SAMSUNG MICROWAVE MODEL M5491G. KEY PAD DOESN'T WORK. RANDOMLY TURNS ON. COULD CATCH FIRE. CALLED SEVERAL TIMES, ON HOLD FOR OVER 8 HOURS, REFUND PROMISED BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT

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CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING IN THE DAYTIME, THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO READ THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THIS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS PROBLEMS DUE TO THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THE PANEL. MR THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DRIVER CAN'T DETERMINE THE SPEED, LOCATE THE GEAR POSITION, GAS, TEMPERATURE, AND SWITCH TO JUDGE MILEAGE. SCC

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I CAN NOT FIND THE COMPLAINT WHERE I ALREADY DESCRIBED A DANGEROUS EVENT WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RACE, BUCK, LURCH THE CAR FORWARD AT AN INTERSECTION, BUT PLEASE CROSS REFERENCE THIS INFORMATION WITH THE VIN NUMBER OF THE PREVIOUS COMPLAINT. I HAVE NOW PROVIDED MORE INFO ABOUT PREVIOUS ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL FAILURES IN THIS CAR. WE BELIEVE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, A DANGER TO US AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE. WE WANT VW TO TAKE THIS CAR OUT OF SERVICE AND PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. THANK YOU FOR INVESTIGATING. THE CAR IS PRESENTLY IN OU…

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THE COVER OF THE COMPONENTS UNDERNEATH THE STEERING WHEEL FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. IT LANDED RIGHT ON TOP OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND GAS PEDAL. AT FIRST I DIDN'T REALIZE WHAT HAPPENED, I JUST BECAME AWARE THAT SOMETHING WAS BLOCKING MY FOOT FROM REACHING THE BRAKE PEDAL. FORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT, THANKS TO A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER WHO WAS ABLE TO LOOK DOWN AT MY FEET TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND PULL THE COVER AWAY. BUT IF IT HAD HAPPENED AT A TIME WHEN I NEEDED IMMEDIATE BRAKE ACCESS, I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO…

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THE HORNS ON MY VEHICLE HAVE BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES AND ARE AGAIN NOT WORKING. THE GAS AND TEMP GAUGE ARE NOT WORKING AND A LOCAL DEALER SAID THIS IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH EUROVANS. THE AIR CONDITIONING HAS GONE OUT SEVERAL TIMES. THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR FROZE ONE TIME AND MELTED THE SERPETINE INTO ALL OF THE ENGINE PULLEYS--COST TO REPAIR $4,000.00. HEADLIGHTS FILLED WITH WATER. REAR HEATER FAN CLANKS LOUDLY. EXCESSIVE NOISE IN VEHICLE. *AK

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE COOLING FAN OVERHEATED AND SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE FAN WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SAW NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME FAILURE AND BELIEVED IT TO BE A SAFETY DEFECT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 53,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 08/07/07. *JB

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CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS DRIVING COOLING FAN DISINTEGRATED AND BROKE INTO A THOUSAND PIECES, AND A PIECE GOT LODGED IN THE POWER STEERING FAN BELT. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE POWER STEERING. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT COULD NOT GET HELP. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE HIM AT THE TUNE OF $1000.00 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.*AK

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VW USED PLASTIC IN THE EUROVAN'S OIL FILTER HOUSING. DURING TWO OIL CHANGES (5,000 MILES AND THEN AT 64,000 MILES) THE PLASTIC OIL FILTER HOUSING WAS CRACKED DURING ROUTINE OIL CHANGES WHICH THEN CAUSED OIL LOSS AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE/FAILURES. AS A RESULT OUR EUROVAN HAS SPENT 5 MONTHS IN THE SHOP FOR ONE ENGINE REBUILD AND THEN ONE ENGINE REPLACEMENT!*JB

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 VW EUROVAN OVER A CAUSEWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. A WARNING LIGHT FLASHED SEVERAL TIMES THEN WENT OFF. I BELIEVE IT WAS A COOLANT LIGHT. THEN A STRANGE THUMP, THUMP, THUMP NOISE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD FOLLOWED BY SMOKE. SMELLED LIKE BURNING RUBBER AND SOUNDED LIKE A BELT BREAKING. I PULLED OFF AS SOON AS POSSIBLE (ANOTHER MINUTE OR 2) AND CAR DIED AS I COASTED OFF THE RAMP. I OPENED THE HOOD, BUT COULDN'T SEE PAST THE BLACK PLASTIC ENGINE COVER AND DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO REMOVE IT. AFTER SEVERAL PHONE CALLS, ABOU…

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I HAVE A 2003 RIALTA QD. TWO DAYS AGO IN A VERY REMOTE AREA MY RADIATOR FAN EXPLODED AND TORE UP THE SHROUD, RADIATOR, HOSES AND BELT. I UNDERSTAND THESE FANS HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM AND ARE ON BACKORDER AROUND THE COUNTRY. I GUESS THIS IS A VW PROBLEM. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON PRIOR YEARS BUT WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL ON OTHER MODEL YEARS AS IT APPEARS THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM? IF I HAD OPENED THE HOOD IT IS VERY POSSIBLE THAT I COULD HAVE BEEN BURNED, BLINDED OR WORSE.

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GOOD AFTERNOON FROM GERMANY! LOOKING FORWARD TO GET MY ORDERS (MILITARY) TO NORFOLK, VA, NEXT YEAR. INTENTION IS TO BRING ALONG ONE OR BOTH OF OUR CARS, BOTH VOLKSWAGEN 2.4 LITER DIESEL ENGINES, STANDARD "GERMAN" EDITION. THE QUESTION IS WHETHER THERE ARE MAJOR PROBLEMS TO GET A U.S. LICENSE FOR THOSE CARS, AND IF, WHAT WOULD HAVE TO BE CHANGED BEFORE ENTERING THE U.S. . MAYBE THERE4S A LEAFLET CONTAINING ALL THE INFO I NEED, PLEASE SEND IT TO THE APPROPRIATE ADDRESS GIVEN ABOVE. THANKS, FRANK REININGHAUS, LIEUTENANT COMMANDER GERMAN NAVY. *AK

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SERPENTINE BELT FAILED, CAUSING ENGINE NOISE.

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OIL LEAKING, NOT A PROBLEM UNTIL AFTER TWO YEAR WARRANTY SERVICE WAS PERFORMED, SOME BOLTS WERE TIGHTENED BY ANOTHER DEALERSHIP, THIS WORKED FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS, NOW OIL IS LEAKING AGAIN. CJ

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INTERMEDIATE DRIVE GEAR WHICH CONTROLS CAM SHAFT AND VALVE TRAIN FAILED DUE TO NON HARDENED METAL . TOTAL FAILURE OF ENGINE WAS TO ENSUE, ACCORDING TO VOLKSWAGEN(MAKER OF VEHICLE), IF DRIVEN FURTHER. THE CAR WAS BEING USED TO TRANSPORT MY FAMILY TO SEATTLE ,WA FROM SANTA ROSA,CA. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 500 MILES FROM HOME AND 75 MILES FROM NEAREST DEALER. WAS ADVISED BY VW THAT A VW DEALER MUST SERVE AS THE DIAGNOSTIC CENTER . THE FAILURE OCCURED IN WINTER AND WITH VIRTUALLY NO WARNING--THE "CHECK ENGINE " LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE MADE A…

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WE JUST EXPERIENCED A EXPENSIVE ($4500) PROBLEM WITH THE VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN/WINNEBAGO RIALTA. ACTUALLY THE PROBLEM WAS RELATIVELY MINOR BUT BECAME MAJOR BECAUSE OF THE VW ENGINEERING. A SPROCKET THAT PART OF THE CAMSHAFT CHAIN DRIVE ASSEMBLY WAS WORN TO THE POINT THAT IT WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY ROUNDED. THIS CAUSED THE TIMING CHAIN TO JUMP. THE WARRANTY IS 50,000 MILES. THE PROBLEM STARTED AT 52, 000 MILES. I HAD IT REPAIRED AT 55,000 MILES. A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THE WEB SHOWS IT TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM. THE SPROCKET APPARENTLY WA…

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