Faults:

September 1999 - Brand new GLS 2000 VR6 2.8L Manual purchased.

December 1999 - AC Switch would not turn off AC system. Replaced under warranty. Mileage = 5903.

January 2000 - Key falling apart. Dashboard instrument cluster replaced to defect. Replaced under warranty.

March 2000 - Engine rough during idle and missing. Checked, no repairs. Mileage = 9783.

Late March 2000 - key shatters again. Replaced again. Under warranty. Mileage = 10,010.

Late April 2000 Oxygen sensor replaced. Brake light switch replaced. Mileage = 12,398.

June 2000- Head gasket is blown. Leaking coolant while in middle of long vacation trip in Catskills. (Middle of nowhere). Mileage = 15,408.

Middle of June 2000 - Key does not work again. Replaced under warranty. Mileage = 16,152.

September 2000 - New repair shop - back to original dealer reseller versus closer VW dealership. Malfunctioning engine light - Oxygen sensor replaced again. Computer reset. Mileage = 21,286.

Late October 2000 - Malfunctioning engine light - Oxygen sensor replaced again. Mass Air flow sensor boot is reset. Computer reset again. Mileage = 21,443.

November 2000 - Malfunctioning engine light - Oxygen sensor replaced again. Mass air flow sensor boot is reset. Computer reset again. Mileage = 22,209.

February 2001 - Glove compartment box disintegrates. Dealer says part not in stock (I wonder why LOL). Replaced under warranty.

April 2001 - Window regulator is disintegrated. Window would not raise up and close. Regulator replaced. Mileage = 30,171.

June 2001 - glove compartment box is on national backorder - still. Finally replaced. Mileage = 37,302.

December 2001 - Oil pan and related gasket replaced due to leak. Mileage = 41350.

January 2002 - Replaced strut bearing caps. Mileage = 46,792.

March 2002 - Brakes are creating excessive noise. Rotors are scored, but no need to replace at this juncture. Mileage = 47000 (estimated as dealership has wrong mileage listed on receipt).

September 2002 - Driver side window, once again, falls thru as regulator is faulty. Running light lamp replaced. Regulator replaced, under warranty. Mileage = 58000.

April 2003. Lower right control (suspension rod) and bushing replaced inner and out tire rods are replaced as well. Mileage - 70,621.

March 2004. Replace oil pan again. Learned that the pan screw and gasket around screw must be replaced every time (discount oil places do not and over torque) - thus a second replacement. Mileage 97,789.

April 2004. Catalytic converter is replaced by non-dealer. Mileage 99,839.

May 2004 - Both outer tie rods are loose and need to be replaced. Mileage is approximately 103,000.

May 2004. Replace V belt. Replaced brake light switch due to recall. Mileage = 104,837.

June 2004. Left mirror switch disintegrates. Catalytic converter recalled. Both oxygen sensors blown. Strut mounts need to be replaced. Left seat latch disintegrates for rear seat fold down. Both inner tire rods need replacement, again. Approximately $2500 to $3000 for repairs. Mileage 106,343.

October 2004. New repair shop for 2/3 of labor rates with better service. Tie rod assemblies and mass air flow meter replaced. Mileage = 113,435.

Mid October 2004 - Massive coolant leak. Breakdown in NY State. Coolant system gaskets, pipe and O rings replaced. Mileage = 114,839.

Mid November 2004 - Coolant housing gasket replaced, flushed. Mileage = 115,204.

February 2005. Engine light is still on due to catalytic converter. Oxygen sensors need to be replaced. Inner tie rods need to be replaced. Front strut assemblies need to be replaced.

May 2005. AC need to be recharged. Mileage 127,662.

September 2005. Induction service and flushed out brake system, engine, coolant and fuel system. Mileage 132,515.

June 2006. Replace radiator and condenser. Mileage = 150,338.

July 2006. Brake reservoir has slow leak.

August 2006. AC receiver/dryer assembly replaced. AC sensor replaced. AC compressor replaced. Mileage = 154,421.

February 2007. BG flush for brakes, coolant system, power steering, engine. Mileage 166,330.

April 2007. Replaced belt dampener, vbelt, coolant and temperature sender. Brake light switch recall repair. Mileage = 172,223.

Late April 2007. AC is causing major noise and buzzing.

July 2007. After repeated attempts for VW of America, Inc. to reimburse for the recall of catalytic converter, they finally responded with a check for $334.08 The total cost for repair of Oxygen Sensors, and converter and resetting computer is approximately $2000.00 A drop of water in the bucket. Mileage 179,000.

November 2007. Trunk will not open. Actuator replaced. Mileage = 185,908.

March, 2008. Trunk will not open again. Wiring to trunk lids has short replaced.

April 2008. Rear fuel line leak. Fail (as always) vehicle emissions testing (7 years running). Replaced line. Mileage = 195,160.

January 2009. Car will not turnover/start. Ground to fuel pump. Power supply relay is burnt. Replaced. Mileage = 211,292.

Later January 2009. Replaced emergency brake line/cable. Replace strut mounts, sway bar bushings. Mileage = 211,621.

April 2009. Replaced (again - 3rd time) window regulator on driver side. Replaced leaking valve gaskets (impressive, considering age/mileage). Mileage = 217,071.

November 2009. Replaced lower control arm bushings, thermostat housing and crossover pipe. Mileage = 238,835.

January 2010. Replaced exhaust system. Mileage = 239,885.

Late January 2010. Car will not start. Symptom for past 1+ years is during damp/rainy mornings, car engine would start and engine would misfire. Electrical coil replaced. Mileage = 241,325.

Mid-February 2010. Clutch and related assembly, fly wheel replaced. Water pump replaced. Front head light replace. Mileage = 241,825.

General Comments:

This is a German vehicle and must be maintained with strict adherence. BMW parts and service costing are similar. Secondly, this car was assembled in Mexico, thus the many problems with quality for the lifetime of the vehicle.

The price of admission to own this car is a fine balance between owning a German vehicle with performance and handling. If the owner is not ready to maintain a fairly needy vehicle, do not purchase. However, I love the way it handles, and miss driving the car whenever I drive an American or Japanese model. This car really moves and is a pleasure to drive WHEN it is running right.

Faults:

Driver and passenger window fell in, interior lights broke, interior door handles peeling, around 10 recalls.

Head gasket at 40K, turbo most recent - blew.

The check engine light was on for about 10K and they could not fix it.

Exterior paint chips very easily, cup holder broke off.

General Comments:

The car was a lemon from the day we drove it off the lot. With every repair, the service department at VW takes absolutely no responsibility for the crappy cars they build. The car is fun to drive when it is not in the shop, but the repairs are not nearly worth the price tag. Would never ever ever ever buy a VW of any kind again.