What's the biggest problems you have seen in Volkswagen cars?

Question

==the biggest maintenence/mechanical/engine problem you have seen?

Answer 1

The single most common complaint about VW's has always been the electrical system. VW has always used "single return" type of technology for the negitative side of any circuit.

In other words to light a bulb you have the positive side of the circuit coming from the battery which goes through a wire to a fuse then to a switch then to the bulb. From the ground side of the bulb it returns via another wire to the battery negitive side. Most of these returns are taken to a central grounding post then use a body return to the battery ground cable.

Unfortunately this leave way to many places where the current can be interfered with by loose connections. The first place most mechanics look at when looking for intermittent electrical problems are the grounding post points.

Answer 2

ive owned a vw new beetle for 6 years (its a 2000 model) and the biggest problems ive had are with the censors. it seems like i always have a light coming on on the instrument panel and the crappy thing is that usually volkswagon dealerships are the only ones that can correctly identify and fix the right censors and some of them are expensive. another big problem ive experienced is that when something does need fixed, or replaced (such as the battery or a headlight or taillight) you HAVE to take it to a garage to have it done. you cant do it yourself because of the way the car is built. im told that with other vw models you can change your own battery, just not on the beetle. ALSO, if you need vw parts, they are not easy to come by. most places like pep boys, auto zone or advanced auto do not carry many small replacement parts (i.e. windshield wiper arms) in stock. they have to be ordered then they are usually expensive. those are really the only recurring problems ive had. other than that, they go great in the snow!!

Answer 3

I have a 2000 Jetta. The windows constantly fall off the tracks and burn out the motor. They say they put in a permanent fix after it happened to me about 9 times. They fix for free, but it is still a pain in the butt.

Maintenance is also quite expensive, I just had my 40k tuneup done and it cost me $650.

Remember, a VW is an import and therefore parts and maintenance will cost you.

Answer 4

My brother the mechanic of 25 years says all vw's suffer from lock outs in the winter. The doors are designed where water gets into everthing and then freezes.

He says the "new" bug is number two on his list of the biggest piece of mechanical crap on the road.

#1 is the Chrysler PT cruiser

Answer 5

unsightly