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U.S. public vehicle records

Volkswagen EUROVAN electrical problems

15 complaint narratives mention electrical terms.

Key facts

219 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

61,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1992 to 2004 model years. Data updated: . 81 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Electrical and battery issues evidence

15 of 219 complaints match this topic (6.8%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.

Owner report 975282 · 1995-11-21 (November 21, 1995)

THE CAR DOES NOT TURN OVER ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. TT

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 975282 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 974080 · 1995-10-27 (October 27, 1995)

BUTANE LEAKS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF CAMPER; COULD CAUSE EXPLOSION; CAN NOT USE ANY OF THE ELECTRICAL DEVICES DUE TO THIS PROBLEM; CAUSES HEADACHES. TT

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 974080 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10033493 · 2003-08-25 (August 25, 2003)

DRIVING UP THE MOUNTAIN DURING AFTERNOON AND PRIMARY COOLING FAN SELF DISINTEGRATED INTO PIECES WHICH KNOCK OFF SECONDARY A/C FAN AND CAUSED OVERHEAT. AFTER LETTING ENGINE COOL OFF, RECONNECTED SECONDARY FAN AND CONTINUE ON TRIP FOR ANOTHER 30 MILES, THEN AAIR CONDITIONING FAN ALSO SELF DISINTEGRATED. VEHICLE IS A 2000 VW EUROVAN CONVERSION TO WINNEBAGO RIALTA 2001 WITH 15,000 MILES. IF REPLACEMENT ARE DONE BY DEALERSHIP, THE SAME PROBLEM WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN UNLESS THIS FAN PROBLEM ARE INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA AND MANDATORY RECALL ISSUED AND R…

Owner-reported narrative. 14,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033493 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10040310 · 2003-10-21 (October 21, 2003)

COOLING FAN BLADE BROKE INTO PIECES, CAUSING A PIECE TO WEDGE BETWEEN THE SERPENTINE BELT, CAUSING LACK OF POWER INSIDE OF VEHICLE. *AK PIECES OF THE COOLING FAN BLADE ALSO CUT THE ELECTRICAL WIRES AND VACUUM LINES. *PH *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10040310 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10041938 · 2003-09-30 (September 30, 2003)

POWER WINDOWS FAILED TO OPERATE. THIS WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE WIRING HARNESS THAT BURNT THE INSULATION.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041938 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

219 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

37.0%Usable mileage81 / 219 records
89.5%Valid incident date196 / 219 records
100.0%Valid filing date219 / 219 records
89.5%Ordered incident and filing dates196 / 219 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component19921993199519971998199920002001200220032004
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

3036.6%
ODI 711170

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.

Look up ODI 711170 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

317.6%
ODI 10083835

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

Look up ODI 10083835 at NHTSA ↗

1040.0%
ODI 10023632 · 19,440 mi

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…

Look up ODI 10023632 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

720.0%
ODI 10162741 · 64,300 mi

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

Look up ODI 10162741 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

17.1%
ODI 10000297 · 45,500 mi

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…

Look up ODI 10000297 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

15.9%
ODI 785948

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

Look up ODI 785948 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

617.1%
ODI 10102633 · 31,570 mi

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…

Look up ODI 10102633 at NHTSA ↗

213.3%
ODI 10383060 · 125,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 10383060 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

911.0%
ODI 10190702

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.

Look up ODI 10190702 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

17.1%
ODI 520200

FUEL LEAK FROM KINKED FUEL LINE.

Look up ODI 520200 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Tires
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

33.7%
ODI 489691

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

Look up ODI 489691 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

214.3%
ODI 606560

TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW. YH

Look up ODI 606560 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

14.8%
ODI 10093043 · 60,000 mi

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 …

Look up ODI 10093043 at NHTSA ↗

25.7%
ODI 10286160 · 69,000 mi

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 …

Look up ODI 10286160 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 11647042

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…

Look up ODI 11647042 at NHTSA ↗

Unknown Or Other
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

33.7%
ODI 10033504 · 60,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 10033504 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

17.1%
ODI 718113

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

Look up ODI 718113 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

15.9%
ODI 11377065 · 70,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 11377065 at NHTSA ↗

14.0%
ODI 8020950

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

Look up ODI 8020950 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

12.9%
ODI 770470

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…

Look up ODI 770470 at NHTSA ↗

213.3%
ODI 10820699 · 145,000 mi

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…

Look up ODI 10820699 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

11.2%
ODI 718056

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

Look up ODI 718056 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

15.9%
ODI 10197239 · 50,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 10197239 at NHTSA ↗

14.0%
ODI 10040462

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

Look up ODI 10040462 at NHTSA ↗

29.5%
ODI 10088781 · 5,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 10088781 at NHTSA ↗

25.7%
ODI 10213840

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…

Look up ODI 10213840 at NHTSA ↗

16.7%
ODI 10421889 · 58,000 mi

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.

Look up ODI 10421889 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1100.0%
ODI 755200

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

Look up ODI 755200 at NHTSA ↗

33.7%
ODI 500529

SERPENTINE BELT FAILED, CAUSING ENGINE NOISE.

Look up ODI 500529 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

17.1%
ODI 559523

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

Look up ODI 559523 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

14.8%
ODI 10105760 · 27,000 mi

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…

Look up ODI 10105760 at NHTSA ↗

12.9%
ODI 10206177 · 52,000 mi

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…

Look up ODI 10206177 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan21,605–58,500 mi42,000 mi18
ODI 10127173 · 34,020 mi

VEHICLE: 1999 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN CAMPER WITH APPROXIMATELY 34,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS 2 ELECTRIC RADIATOR FANS. BOTH PLASTIC FAN BLADE ASSEMBLIES FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERWAY, RESULTING IN SEVERE IMBALANCE. MULTIPLE PLASTIC FRAGMENTS WERE SHED, WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURY IF IT HAD HAPPENED WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICLE WITH THE HOOD OPEN. BOTH FANS WERE REPLACED BY A VW DEALER AT A COST OF $962.69. VW SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INVESTIGATED A POSSIBLE RECALL BUT SAID IT DOESN'T APPLY TO THIS VEHICLE. FAILED PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. NHTSA …

Look up ODI 10127173 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10164363 · 51,000 mi

THE AUXILIARY FAN BLADE ON MY EUROVAN CRACKED AND FLEW APART INTO SEVERAL PIECES. AFTER POSTING ON A VOLKSWAGEN WEBSITE, I LEARNED OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS PRESENTS A SERIOUS HAZARD AS IT COULD INJURE ANYONE IN THE VICINITY WHEN THE BLADE BREAKS. ALSO, IT CLEARLY SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING ON A FIVE-YEAR-OLD VEHICLE. HOWEVER, VOLKSWAGEN HAS DECLARED THAT IT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY AND WILL CHARGE $600 TO REPAIR IT. I RECENTLY SAW THAT JEEP HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM, AND WAS WONDERING IF IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE TO ENCOURAGE VOLKSWAGEN TO C…

Look up ODI 10164363 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10023632 · 19,440 mi

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…

Look up ODI 10023632 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System59,125–118,750 mi100,000 mi6
ODI 10000297 · 45,500 mi

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…

Look up ODI 10000297 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10102633 · 31,570 mi

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…

Look up ODI 10102633 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10266376 · 100,000 mi

HEATED FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SMOLDERING. NO FIRE. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT CORRECT. OUT OF WARRANTY. PASSENGER SEAT HEATING ELEMENT PREVIOUSLY REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED VEHICLE WARRANTY. HEATING ELEMENT BURNED THROUGH CLOTH FABRIC. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT DOES PRESENT A FIRE DANGER AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

Look up ODI 10266376 at NHTSA ↗

TiresToo few reports for a range64,500 mi2 (sparse)
ODI 10093043 · 60,000 mi

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 …

Look up ODI 10093043 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10286160 · 69,000 mi

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 …

Look up ODI 10286160 at NHTSA ↗

Unknown Or OtherToo few reports for a range85,000 mi4 (sparse)
ODI 10033504 · 60,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 10033504 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11377065 · 70,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 11377065 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10820699 · 145,000 mi

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…

Look up ODI 10820699 at NHTSA ↗

Engine And Engine Cooling50,000–61,000 mi58,000 mi5
ODI 10197239 · 50,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 10197239 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10088781 · 5,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 10088781 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10436086 · 103,550 mi

ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADE FAILURE. THE LARGER OF THE 2 FAN BLADE WHEELS HAS A LARGE MISSING PIECE WHICH HAS SOMEHOW DISINTEGRATED WITHOUT ANY REASONABLE EXPLANATION. I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION OF THE EUROVAN ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADE, HOWEVER A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED, WHILE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE RIALTA, WHICH USES THE SAME FAN AS THE EUROVAN. *TR

Look up ODI 10436086 at NHTSA ↗

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:GasolineToo few reports for a range39,500 mi2 (sparse)
ODI 10105760 · 27,000 mi

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…

Look up ODI 10105760 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10206177 · 52,000 mi

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…

Look up ODI 10206177 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-031None
ODI 11647042

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…

Look up ODI 11647042 at NHTSA ↗

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 23 reports

2003: 3 complaints · 2004: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2003233
2004000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
20031500
2004100

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentFuel System, Gasoline:DeliveryEngine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:FanElectrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsTiresUnknown Or OtherEngine And Engine CoolingEngine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery—0000000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan0—000000
Electrical System00—00
1
ODI 10995746 · 100,000 mi

THE HEATING ELEMENTS IN THE SEAT WHICH HEAT THE SEAT WHEN TURNED ON (SEAT HEATERS) CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT, ALMOST BURNING MY BACKSIDE. CAR WAS STATIONARY. WARMING UP THE ENGINE FOR ABOUT 8 MINUTES IN THE MORNING BEFORE DRIVING TO WORK.

Look up ODI 10995746 at NHTSA ↗

00
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings000—0000
Tires0000—000
Unknown Or Other00
1
ODI 10995746 · 100,000 mi

THE HEATING ELEMENTS IN THE SEAT WHICH HEAT THE SEAT WHEN TURNED ON (SEAT HEATERS) CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT, ALMOST BURNING MY BACKSIDE. CAR WAS STATIONARY. WARMING UP THE ENGINE FOR ABOUT 8 MINUTES IN THE MORNING BEFORE DRIVING TO WORK.

Look up ODI 10995746 at NHTSA ↗

00—0
1
ODI 500529

SERPENTINE BELT FAILED, CAUSING ENGINE NOISE.

Look up ODI 500529 at NHTSA ↗

Engine And Engine Cooling000000—0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline00000
1
ODI 500529

SERPENTINE BELT FAILED, CAUSING ENGINE NOISE.

Look up ODI 500529 at NHTSA ↗

0—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

7 patterns with matching reports.

Fuel smell or leak mentions

14 mentions · 6.4% of complaints

Median mileage: 91,823 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 513743

FUEL LEAK IN RUBBER HOSE CAUSING VEHICLE FIRE.

Look up ODI 513743 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 711289

THIS IS AN ADDENDUM TO THE EARLIER VOQ I POSTED ON 9/10/99. EUROVANS WERE RECALLED IN CANADA FOR THE VERY SAME FUEL LEAK PROBLEM - CANADIAN RECALL # 1994072. THE RECALL IS IN 1994, THEREFORE VW WOULD NOT HAVE HAD ANY NOTICE OF THE PROBLEM UNTIL 1994, AFTER THE 1993 MODEL YEAR PRODUCTION HAD ENDED. THE FUEL SYSTEMS BETWEEN 1992 CANADIAN AND 1993 US EUROVANS ARE IDENTICAL, THEREFORE THE PROBLEM IS COMMON TO BOTH. *AK

Look up ODI 711289 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 711294

THE FUEL LINE LEAKED AS I STARTED THE CAR. I SMELLED GAS, TURNED IT OFF AND INVESTIGATED. FUEL WAS DRIPPING FROM THE FITTING. THE FITTING IS RIGHT ABOVE THE DISTRIBUTOR AND CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. A FIRE WAS LIKELY IF I HAD DRIVEN THE VAN. I REPLACED THE LINE, PAID OUT OF POCKET SINCE VW DOES NOT SEE THIS AS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I HAVE REPLACED LINE BUT A GAS SMELL PERSISTS AND IS PROBABLY LINKED TO A BAD VAPOR RECOVERY SYSTEM. THIS VEHICLE HAS PROBLEMS WITH FUEL LINES, AS OTHER OWNERS CAN TESTIFY. THERE HAVE ONLY BEEN 10 000 …

Look up ODI 711294 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

7 mentions · 3.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 48,137 mi (6 usable records).

ODI 10808895 · 180,000 mi

THE ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE IS THAT AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE AND HEAT BUILDS UP INSIDE THE GAS TANK WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND TO EVEN A GREATER EXTENT WHEN IN STOP-N-GO TRAFFIC OR SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT IDLING. THE RESULT IS THAT WHEN OPENING THE GAS CAP FROM HOT FUMES AND FUEL SPRAY OUT AFTER RUNNING THE VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN AN HOUR. THERE ARE NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR CHECKS IN PLACE TO WARN OR PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN! I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE VW DEALER FOR OVER ONE YEAR NOW BUT STILL NO…

Look up ODI 10808895 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10050779 · 36,273 mi

WE ARE DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED IN VWS PRACTICE REGARDING THE RECALL OF IGNITION COIL FAILURES ON THE 2001 VW EUROVAN. IT BELIES THEIR POLICY AS STATED ON THE INTERNET THAT THEY NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE PROBLEM, HAVE SUFFICIENT PARTS IN DEALERSHIPS, AND OFFER ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION AT NO COST. INDEED OWNERS SHOULD BE ALERTED OF POTENTIAL FAILURES AND VW SHOULD HAVE PLENTY OF PARTS ON HAND TO FIX THE PROBLEM. TO DATE WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION FROM VW OF AMERICA. WE DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM WHEN THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIT UP…

Look up ODI 10050779 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10093043 · 60,000 mi

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 …

Look up ODI 10093043 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Brake response concerns

5 mentions · 2.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 70,000 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 601542

HORIZONTAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL 1 3/4 INCHES, CAUSING BOTH PEDALS TO BE DEPRESSED SIMULANTEOUSLY/ACCIDENT. *DH

Look up ODI 601542 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 755576

DEALER SAID BRAKES DID NOT FAIL - DESIGN PROBLEM - CAR MUST BE STARTED WITH BRAKE ON - I PULLED OUT DOWNHILL AND BRAKE PEDAL FLOORBOARDED - DEALER SAID TO EFFECT I HAVE TO PUMP BRAKES BEFORE USING THE FIRST TIME!. *AK

Look up ODI 755576 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10102633 · 31,570 mi

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…

Look up ODI 10102633 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b

Stalling or loss of power

5 mentions · 2.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 20,375 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 484320

VEHICLE STALLS WHEN DOWN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 1ST DUE TOTHROTTLE POSITION SENSOR FAILURE. *DSH

Look up ODI 484320 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 724124

A RECALL ON FUEL LINES WAS ISSUED IN MARCH OR APRIL. UP TO THIS DATE VWOA REFUSES TO PERFORM THE REQUIRED FUEL LINE REPLACEMENT. I HAVE HAD TWO APPOINTMENTS WITH A DEALER (AFTER VWOA AUTHORIZED THE REPLACEMENT OVER THE PHONE) AND BOTH TIMES I WAS SENT HOME. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER CLAIMED THERE WAS NOT RECALL. AFTER VWOA CALLED HIM HE CONSENTED TO PERFORMING THE RECALL. AS I PICKED UP THE VAN I RECEIVED A STATEMENT THAT THE LINES WERE PERFORMING ACCORDING TO WV SPECIFICATIONS. WHEN I CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD I REALIZED THAT THEY HAD NOT CHANGED…

Look up ODI 724124 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 963101

16 EPISODES OF STALLING, DEALER AND MANUFACTURER SAY THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. TT

Look up ODI 963101 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Hard or delayed shifting

4 mentions · 1.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 65,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 708710

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION JERKS/LURCHES VIOLENTLY UPON UPSHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE FOR A FEW SECONDS AFTER DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR - VERY SCARY WHEN ON EXPRESSWAY ENTRANCE RAMP! DEALER INSPECTION DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT WAS FAULTY (THIS IS AN "ADAPTIVE" AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM - LONG WAIT REQUIRED! CAR IS DRIVEABLE BUT WE ARE VERY CAUTIOUS. *AK

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ODI 770401

THIS VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY HAD MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND OTHER DEFECTS, THOUGH THIS HAS BEEN THE WORST, THE MOST SCARY THING THAT HAPPENED WITH THIS CAR, AND THE THINK THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, POTENTIALLY INJURING OR KILLING OURSELVES OR OTHERS. FORTUNATELY, IT HAPPENED AT A DESERTED INTERSECTION ON A RURAL ROAD. BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT STOP RACING, BUCKING, WITH THE CAR LURCHING FORWARD UNTIL THE KEY WAS TURNED SO THAT ENGINE STOPPED ALTOGETHER. UPON STARTING THE CAR AGAIN, THE SAME THING HAPPENED. WE THEREFORE HAD TO …

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ODI 770470

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…

Look up ODI 770470 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(hard shift\w*|rough shift\w*|delay\w* shift\w*|shift\w* hard|jerk\w*|lurch\w*)\b

Steering assistance concerns

2 mentions · 0.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 25,750 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10040462

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

Look up ODI 10040462 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10088898 · 25,750 mi

AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR FAILURE AT JUST OVER 25,000 MILES. OTHER VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN DRIVERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR FAILURES, INCLUDING SEIZING OF THE COMPRESSOR, IMMEDIATE LOSS OF THE COMPRESSOR DRIVE BELT, AND A RESULTING LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.*AK

Look up ODI 10088898 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Battery drain and no-start mentions

1 mentions · 0.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 49,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10049411 · 49,000 mi

SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE OF INSULATION ON MANY WIRES IN DRIVER'S DOOR WIRING HARNESS CAUSED SPARKS, AND ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION OF POWER WINDOWS, POWER LOCKS, DASH LIGHTS, AND LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS. HEAT FROM EXCESSIVE CURRENT AND SPARKS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN FIRE. ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY DRIVER LEANING OVER TO PASSENGER SIDE IN ORDER TO OPERATE PASSENGER WINDOW. OTHER PROBLEMS SUCH AS DEAD BATTERY, ENGINE FAILURE, OR SECURITY FAILURE COULD ALSO BE CAUSED BY DEFECT.DEFECT APPEARS TO BE IN DESIGN OF WIRING HARNESS WHICH FLEXES AT THE …

Look up ODI 10049411 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(parasitic drain|battery drain\w*|dead battery|won.t start|would not start|no.start)\b