My positive expierences with VW:
I registered my complaint with the NHTSA and hope everyone will do so.
I guess we need to let them know that we won't give up. It is sad that
VW reacts this way, because my experience thus far has been very
positive. I have had two experiences with VW.
1. Two years before the heater cores on the Jetta were recalled I had
changed a leaking one on my Jetta. When the recall arrived I had it
done, but also wrote to VW complaining that I had spent a lot of
money--two years prior to that--on an obviously faulty heater core.
They asked me for a receipt of the part (which I had kept) and the labor
performed. Since I had put it in myself (no fun) I did not have a
receipt, but I informed them that I had done the work and that my time
is also worth something. A few weeks later I got a check for the $85 of
the core and $120 for labor. I was impressed.
2. Last February I tried to pop out the radiator on my 93 EV. (I had
done this several times before). I pulled on that handle on top of the
big black bar, which is attached to the radiator by two rubber pieces.
I pulled and suddenly one of the rubber pieces broke, causing the heavy
metal bar to hit my forehead. The blow caused a 2 in laceration. I
went to the ER and got stitched up. Then I took pictures of the part,
the entire van, and my ugly swollen forehead and sent them to VW,
blaming their poor design for my injuries and requesting compensation.
I also contacted every product liability lawyer in the area. Not one of
them was willing to take on VW. Well, a few weeks later I received a
letter asking me to explain what I consider fair compensation. I
thought a 99EV, but they did not go for that. I then asked for three
times the amount of my medical bills, (which is permissible under NC
law) and they counter-offered to simply pay all my bills, as a good will
gesture, even though 80% was covered by insurance. I received a check
for almost $750--no forms or disclaimers to sign. I suppose I could
still sue them.
I think it is important to do the complaining in writing since anything
they write can be used against them. I will send a letter explaining
the situation and the possible dangers, and hope that they will respond
positively. I am probably on a black list and can never ever buy a new
VW. I would also like to know if the same problem exists in Germany and
other European countries, where the Caravelle is the #1 selling van. I
just don't know how I could find out, or who keeps track of complaints
and problems in Germany.
On another web site I learned about hidden warranties--when there is no
official recall, but the dealers fix the problem for free, if you tell
them you know about the hidden warranty. Dealers don't like this since
VW pays them much less than they would charge us. Well I hope the
problem will be resolved soon.
Eckhard
