Faults:

Rear tail light out within 1 week. replaced by me.

Replaced entire wiring harness, shorted out. Replaced at no cost.

Temperature Control sensor, kept blowing out the fuses. Part on order.

Check engine light keeps coming on currently being diagnosed.

Front seat loose, finally replaced, bad bracket.

Driver side window broken, shot down to the bottom of the door, fixed with out cost.

General Comments:

I at first loved the car, the handling and the comfort and so forth. This car has low miles since I car pool, with this in mind I cannot understand what the heck is going on with this car?

Everything that is going wrong with the car at this point is costing me due to the stingy 2 year warranty.

What is in store for me in the future? One thing for sure NO MORE VOLKSWAGEN products!

Faults:

Front Doors rattle a lot on uneven surfaces.

Got stuck in Park twice, I couldn't move the shifter (and I'm pretty strong), dealer had to replace some switch which tells the transmission that the brake is pressed so it can move out of park.

Brake started making weird sound every time it was pressed, sounded like a spring! can't remember the problem, but cost $100 to fix.

Strange engine sound when I accelerate, especially on hills, dealer claims he can't hear the sound, but car sounds like a tractor. Best description is it sounds like you stuck a pen in a fan. At one stage this went away after the oil was changed, but now it's pretty consistent.

The upholstery is a joke, everything sticks to it, impossible to keep clean.

General Comments:

I wanted this car for a very long time, wish I had researched more. Am thinking of buying a Honda Civic Hybrid, it's cheaper and uses way less gas. But I have to say it's a very fun car to drive (if you can ignore the engine/door noises)

Faults:

To start off, I am still happy with the car. It drives really well especially after the modifications have done which have nothing to do with the problems.

Here are the modifications: (~ 2000$)

1. Garrett Performance EPROM

2. K&N air filter

3. Electrodyne Cat back Exhaust

4. Bilstein Shocks and Struts

5. Neuspeed Sport Springs.

The car handles very well, however there is a lot of road feel (I like that) and its probably running about 20 HP more than stock and its noticable. I won't spend any more on modifying this car due to the recent problems that magically seem to surface right after the car is out of warranty (2 yr for the 2001's)

Here are the problems that seem to intermittently happen.

1. EPC light (Electronic Power Control). The service manual says the light comes on when there is a malfunction with the Electronic Throttle system (its probably the module).

2. ABS and ASR light - I will have to take in b/c I heard there is a recall on the ABS control unit.

3. Window Regulators - just the front (a $500 repair!!). The backs haven't gone out yet, but will cost just as much to fix.

I will have to take it to the dealer and pay them to fix (especially b/c of the recall part), otherwise I would take to the shop I always go to. I am frustrated b/c I love the car and its paid for. I had the same issue with the 1995 Saab aero I had and I sold it to get a more reliable car (VW - I have learned a lesson.. I should have gotten the Acura Integra GSR instead).

General Comments:

The car is fun to drive, its handles well (after the suspension mods).