Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
304/01/2001621608Information in this technical bulletin supplements and updates previously published wiring diagram, troubleshooting and component location information. *tt09/27/2001

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
02/11/200542100410/03/2002
 My car's electrical system started to fail two weeks ago. the directionals, interior lights, all exterior lights and heater did not work. i was told by a vw dealership in ma that the car alarm system malfunctioned and has caused the switching gear and other various electrical components in my car to malfunction. after informing that the cost to repair this problem would be around $1,000.00 i decided to look into these issues only to be surprised to find that my vw 1999 cabrio is notorious along with all of the other makes of the vw line to have faulty and problematic electrical systems. my car is under warranty, but was told, sorry this is not a covered item there are various resources out there to learn that over and over again, this happens to the consumer of their cars. when you pay $35000 for a car you expect it to not have any problems like this before 50k miles. *ak
10/31/1999400407/26/1999
 About three months after the purchase of a new 1999 volkswagen cabrio the entire cruise control system had to be replaced because it quit working. in july 2001 the emergency brake cable went bad. three years later, the cable has gone bad again. in october of 2001 a computer chip went bad and the car wouldn't start. in january 2003 the front exhaust pipe had to be replaced. in addition to those problems, there are a number of other problems such as the check engine light coming on and staying on but no one can find anything wrong with the car. buttons, like the lock button, fall off the car. my taillights frequently go out and come back on by themselves but no one can find a loose wire. the car was in an accident in january 2004. the auto shop ordered parts and they didn't fit. it turns out even though the car is a 1999, there are some 2000 parts on it. *la
02/24/200403/10/2000
 The check engine light keeps coming on & stays on, as does the abs light, the drivers seat heater shorted out, the cars battery exploaded, the drivers power window malfunctions, the volume control on the radio has a malfunction, the hydrolic pump for automatic top malfunctioned & needed to be replaced as well as some other more minor problems.
07/29/2002360001004/30/1999
 Convertible top accumulating some kind of black substance that hardens and cannot be removed. at the three year mark, the car just began to deteriorate very quickly. timing belt, convertible stopped working, abs brakes kick in when not supposed to, exhaust system had to be replaced at 40k miles. key lock button fell out, cannot get it to stay in. seat belt assembly fell apart. interior door handles not made well, loosened and feel as if they may fall off. cd changer has never worked properly. *nlm
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
02/11/200542100410/03/2002
 My car's electrical system started to fail two weeks ago. the directionals, interior lights, all exterior lights and heater did not work. i was told by a vw dealership in ma that the car alarm system malfunctioned and has caused the switching gear and other various electrical components in my car to malfunction. after informing that the cost to repair this problem would be around $1,000.00 i decided to look into these issues only to be surprised to find that my vw 1999 cabrio is notorious along with all of the other makes of the vw line to have faulty and problematic electrical systems. my car is under warranty, but was told, sorry this is not a covered item there are various resources out there to learn that over and over again, this happens to the consumer of their cars. when you pay $35000 for a car you expect it to not have any problems like this before 50k miles. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER
02/11/200542100410/03/2002
 My car's electrical system started to fail two weeks ago. the directionals, interior lights, all exterior lights and heater did not work. i was told by a vw dealership in ma that the car alarm system malfunctioned and has caused the switching gear and other various electrical components in my car to malfunction. after informing that the cost to repair this problem would be around $1,000.00 i decided to look into these issues only to be surprised to find that my vw 1999 cabrio is notorious along with all of the other makes of the vw line to have faulty and problematic electrical systems. my car is under warranty, but was told, sorry this is not a covered item there are various resources out there to learn that over and over again, this happens to the consumer of their cars. when you pay $35000 for a car you expect it to not have any problems like this before 50k miles. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE
02/11/200542100410/03/2002
 My car's electrical system started to fail two weeks ago. the directionals, interior lights, all exterior lights and heater did not work. i was told by a vw dealership in ma that the car alarm system malfunctioned and has caused the switching gear and other various electrical components in my car to malfunction. after informing that the cost to repair this problem would be around $1,000.00 i decided to look into these issues only to be surprised to find that my vw 1999 cabrio is notorious along with all of the other makes of the vw line to have faulty and problematic electrical systems. my car is under warranty, but was told, sorry this is not a covered item there are various resources out there to learn that over and over again, this happens to the consumer of their cars. when you pay $35000 for a car you expect it to not have any problems like this before 50k miles. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH
09/22/2006108932209/01/1998
 I have a 1999 vw cabrio, which is the convertible model of the golf. there is a recall of vws because of faulty brake lights due to faulty ignition parts. i called vw to register my complaint. they say that my vin is not under their recall list. however, in september 2006, i had the exact same brake light mal-function, including the total melt down of all the lights on december 14, 2006 while i was on a highway in my state. i had to have the vehicle repaired and the garage used authentic vw parts from a dealership down the road. my cabio has the golf chassis but called the cabrio which is the convertible version. all my car care books address the golf version. i am at a loss as to why vw will not reimburse me for the parts and labor for this same repair. the recall notices are just going out even though they knew about this problem in 2006. *jb
02/11/200542100410/03/2002
 My car's electrical system started to fail two weeks ago. the directionals, interior lights, all exterior lights and heater did not work. i was told by a vw dealership in ma that the car alarm system malfunctioned and has caused the switching gear and other various electrical components in my car to malfunction. after informing that the cost to repair this problem would be around $1,000.00 i decided to look into these issues only to be surprised to find that my vw 1999 cabrio is notorious along with all of the other makes of the vw line to have faulty and problematic electrical systems. my car is under warranty, but was told, sorry this is not a covered item there are various resources out there to learn that over and over again, this happens to the consumer of their cars. when you pay $35000 for a car you expect it to not have any problems like this before 50k miles. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
02/24/200403/10/2000
 The check engine light keeps coming on & stays on, as does the abs light, the drivers seat heater shorted out, the cars battery exploaded, the drivers power window malfunctions, the volume control on the radio has a malfunction, the hydrolic pump for automatic top malfunctioned & needed to be replaced as well as some other more minor problems.