I bought the car in August 2003, I noticed a repair docket from previous owner for left lower ball joint and left tie rod assemble w front end alignment on 5/29/03 at 34383 miles. I had a lot of noise under the engine. VW capistrano checked it out and said it was driver side ball joint. I bought car from a Ford dealer who did not want anything to do with it. Finally, VW capistrano forced their hand and processed it through my then current warranty. At the time, I had 45K miles on the car. I thought it shocking that a car so young should have such a major problem (for the second time). When I picked car up, a couple of days later, I heard a loud crunching noise in the front left hand side of the motor or wheel. I thought nothing of it, drove it another 5000 miles, had to replace 4 tires, and asked the tire tech to check it out. He said it was the steering knuckle and it was in bad shape. I contacted VW who said, bad luck, it's only covered for 24K miles or 2years. I again am shocked, firstly because that's impossible one of these should go out so early, added to that, if the ball joint was replaced, then isn't the steering knuckle, moved in some way shape or form, so there should be some sort of recourse. This car is a lemon, however, ca law states it isn't. I was ripped off by theodore robbins in costa mesa and wouldn't recommend anyone buy from them, they were suspect from day one once I drove my car from their lot. Also, the back right seat belt is fixed to the seat and is unusable, I complained it was dangerous, Ford said too bad, you bought it that way fix it. Since then my horn has gone out because the car 'lost' it's under wheel cover and water got into the horn. This car reportedly had a 100 point inspection, which I believe to be not true. The radio has never worked a day, it's always 'fuzzy'.

- Dana Point, CA, USA