While driving my 2000 VW Golf, with 78000 miles, I squirted my windshield with fluid to clear it, and the wipers, instead of the usual 2-wipe cycle slowed down, struggled and then, without warning, ceased to operate, stopping halfway on the upswing. I was unable to physically move the wiper back to rest position. Luckily, it was not raining and I was driving on a city road where I could pull over safely to the curb. I did drive the car home that day, as it was clear, but was unable to use the car for the next few days, as rain threatened, and obviously I could not afford to be driving in even a light rain as the front wipers were non-operational. I had the wipers repaired at minuteman VW, bedford MA, on September 14. They found that the wiper linkage on the passenger side was completely in a bind and were physically unable to move it, while the driver's side moved freely. They replaced the wiper linkage, part # 1J1-955-603-B, at a total cost of $169.64. They found no signs of external influence, and have noted such in writing on my service slip. I am in possession of the old part. I contacted VW customer service, and was told that "VW does not consider wiper operation to be part of the safety operation of the car",and that I was too far out of warranty. I disagree. I feel that the mechanical operation of the wiper is directly contributing to safe operation, and should last the lifetime of the car. Had I been driving on the freeway in a rain storm, having the wipers become suddenly inoperative would well have caused a major accident with loss of life or serious injury.

- Arlington, MA, USA