I bought this car used in 2003 and had problems with it since. ESC light comes on all the time. Replaced ignition coils, mass air flow sensor, oxygen sensor, and spark plugs multiples times to try and fix the check engine light that keeps coming back on. It keeps spitting out random cylinder misfire codes. Passenger side window broke. The arm rest hinge broke. The glove compartment hinge broke. Brake lights need replacing constantly. Water pump broke while driving in the middle of freeway and the temperature gauge shot through the roof. A random tube/hose in the engine broke. Transmission problem, could not shift from park to drive. Interior cabin smells like crayon. Very rough idle, need to warm up the car for at least 5 mins every morning or else the car will stall. I noticed if you do not warm the car long enough, you have to press the brake pedal very hard to get it to stop. I can cope with all the above issues but I cannot tolerate the car randomly stalling/engine dying while driving around the city. Lately the car is making weird noises like it ran over a pothole. I gave away the car and will never again own any cars made from Volkswagen.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

While driving on the highway at 65 mph my car lost all power and the engine shut off. I was almost killed by highway traffic. I had repeatedly taken my car to the dealer for a check engine light that kept coming on more than 8 times. Finally my warranty expired and the VW dealer told me they could not fix the problem. I was repeatedly charged for this same problem and even had the check engine light come on as I drove it away from the dealer within 5 minutes after having it "fixed" and charged again without them honoring their previous work. I do not feel safe in this car.

- Sacramento, CA, USA