Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | |||||
| 00 9706 | 07/31/1997 | 53633 | Chart identifies which transmission control modules (tmc) are available for various states. *ak | 12/02/1999 | |
| 9704169709F | 04/16/1997 | 53608 | Subject on the automatic transmission control module can additionally recognize two diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) not currently shown in the repair manual. *yc | 03/30/1998 | |
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||||
| 00 9706 | 07/31/1997 | 53633 | Chart identifies which transmission control modules (tmc) are available for various states. *ak | 12/02/1999 | |
| 9704169709F | 04/16/1997 | 53608 | Subject on the automatic transmission control module can additionally recognize two diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) not currently shown in the repair manual. *yc | 03/30/1998 | |
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) | |||||
| 34 9703 | 04/11/1997 | 53605 | Transmission pops out of gear/shifter feels like it has a double detent when shifting into gear, and will not maintain shift adjustment. *ak | 12/02/1999 | |
| 9704109702F | 04/10/1997 | 53606 | Difficulties with shift lever and transmission is hard to shift into reverse gear. *yc | 03/30/1998 | |
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - COLUMN SHIFT | |||||
| 34 9703 | 04/11/1997 | 53605 | Transmission pops out of gear/shifter feels like it has a double detent when shifting into gear, and will not maintain shift adjustment. *ak | 12/02/1999 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||
| 09/02/2005 | 78000 | 2 | 09/30/1996 |
| On sept 2, 2005 and sept. 6, 2005, under two circumstances involving quick acceleration with moderate load (two adults and one kid. about 50 lb load in trunk), the engine kept high revving after the gas paddle had been fully released, thus pulling forward hard unintentionally; it kept so doing for seconds, even after braking was applied for the first few seconds, and pumped. it recovered back to normal responsiveness after hard braking for at least five seconds in the first incident and about three second in the second. another problem is the cruise control never worked since the purchase in 1996. | |||
| 07/12/2001 | 1 | ||
| All problems have reported to manufacturer to no avail. no safety defect listed. *ak | |||
| 07/10/2001 | |||
| There is a crack in valve body which causes transmission to burn out.*ak | |||
| 08/02/2000 | 5 | ||
| The vehicle has experienced continued problems with hard shifting, the transmission cooler ruptured internally and was repaired, however the vehicle continued to shift erratically, final diagnosis is to replace the throttle body, pcm and ecm, however the parts are on backorder, consumer is requesting help. *mjs | |||
| 01/15/2001 | |||
| Transmission would not shift properly. would make whinning noise, fluid would be leaking. took to dealer & mechanic tried to repair it. claimed would work fine. transmission seized up, and vehicle was hit by another vehicle. vehicle was totaled.*ak | |||
| 6 | |||
| Since i bought my car, i have had a problem with the automatic transmission where the car will shift hard when changing gears(2nd-3rd, 3rd-4th ect.). i have had the car go through diagnostic testing several times which revealed that an adjustment had to be made to the transmission. these adjustments seem to correct the problem temporarily for a couple of months and then the car will slip back into poor shifting mode. it seems to me that the transmission is defective but the dealership and vw of america claim that these diagnosis' are not considered failures by the manufacturer and therefore replacement is not warranted. it is extremely inconvenient for me to have these adjustments made periodically. obviously there is a problem that is not being permenantly corrected. | |||
| 05/24/2000 | 1 | ||
| Was driving on expressway and vehicle failed to go past 45mph. would not change into either 3rd gear. *ak transmission failed and replaced. *yh | |||
| 09/15/1996 | 2 | ||
| I am dubious about the safety of a well maintained car when the transmission fails in the first 6 months. the manufacturer's serviceman jumps the battery against owners manual recommendations and blows the internal fuse for the radio and sets off the airbag sensor (neither repaired by the dealer at no charge. also,) tires needing replacement at less than 20,000 miles - lock cylinder fallling out of driver's side door- and all the power locks failing, resulting in having to go to the dealer just to get out of the car. *ak | |||
| Two wires of the rear defroster do not work which obstructs view--automatic transmission clicks loudly when shifting gears--radio/cassette player becomes extremely hot while driving--wheels make funny vibrating noise at certain speeds--paint job on body of vehicle has been scratching and peeling easily | |||
| 10/21/1996 | |||
| Consumer experiencing several problems with vehicle. when driving in wet weather conditions the windshield wipers will cut off. this problem is intermittent. at times, will not function at all. consumer has contacted the dealer . also, replaced transmission/ throttle body and alternator. in addition, front brake rotors failed and front pads cracked/engine idles/bucks and stalls. engine check light comes on/off. *ak | |||
| 01/01/1997 | |||
| Engine runs at high rpms when the vehicle is at rest. transmission jerks violently when shifted into gear. | |||
| 03/10/1998 | 4 | ||
| Transmission failure causing hesitation and jerking when shifting. | |||
| 3 | |||
| Transmission module failed. | |||
| When backing in reverse, noticed loud squealing noise, dlr hasn't been able to correct and concluded it's normal. *ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) | |||
| 01/24/1998 | |||
| When driving at highway speeds the vehicle jumps out of gear . the dealer has been notified. *ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - PARK/NEUTRAL START SWITCH | |||
| 02/12/1998 | 2 | ||
| The multi-shift switch that changes the gears automatically while the vehicle is being driven at 60 mph, shifted the vehicle into the 3rd gear, causing a powerful downshift in the speed. dealer has been contacted. *ak *ml | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY | |||
| Bolts that hold axle in place on driver's side to wheel have fallen off. dealr has been contacted. *ak | |||
| 08/29/1996 | |||
| While driving vehicle's rear wheel and axle assembly fell off. consumer was driving (60) mph at the time of incident.*ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY - AXLE SHAFT | |||
| 03/01/2000 | 3 | ||
| Loud noise coming from front of car, wheel bearing had to be replaced; trunk release inside car works occasionally, never when the car is turned off; engine check light comes on yearly, never turns up problem, have to clean oxygen sensor, told not to use cheap gas; | |||
| POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | |||
| 06/02/1999 | 1 | ||
| Transmission clutch pack failed. *et | |||
| POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT | |||
| The cv joints disintergrated, causing axle to separate from the drivetrain. also destroying the front right tire. dealer has been contacted. *ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION | |||
| 02/01/1999 | 3 | ||
| Transmission jumps when switching from 1st to 2nd, and 2nd to 3rd, transmission was replaced by dealer at 43k, however problem is recurrent.*et | |||
| Transmission failed at 43000, linkage is still not correct. nlm | |||
| 6 | |||
| Multiple transmission failures. dealer and volkswagon america refuse to recognize state and federal lemon laws. | |||