I was driving in the city. Heard a grinding noise in the rear of my vehicle. Brought car to mechanic. Was told rear caliper froze due to wearing of brake pads. The calipers had damaged the rear rotors. The car had to be towed to dealer. Rotors were replaced for a cost of $500, and I was told none of the repairs were covered under warranty.

- Worcester, MA, USA

I own a VW Jetta 2001 VR6. I have had to replace my rear brake pads at only 20,000 miles to me a very premature wear problem. The dealer refused to repair them at no cost to me due to the premature wear of the brake pads. The repairs to the brake pads cost me $200. The check engine light has come on on the same VW Jetta. To find out I know have to pay $292.20 to have the maf sensor replaced on a car that has only 22,500 miles. I am trying to seek reimbursement from VW of America for these expenses. In addition this year I also had to pay $300 to have the passenger door latch repaired as the spring broke that allowed me to open the door with the door handle. Regardless, my car is kept in pristine condition, and in no way should I be incurring these type of repairs on a vehicle that has only 20K miles on the odometer. Please help me.

- Highlands Ranch, CO, USA

I have had nothing but problems after purchasing my brand new 2001 V.w Jetta. I had vehicle only 6 months and it left me stranded due to malfunction of emission control sensor. 5 months after that, ignition lock cylinder was inoperable, needing them to repair. 2 months later, owned for 1 yr 1 month, car was burning a lot of oil so consumption test was done and determined to be true, that the car was in fact consuming abnormal amount of oil. As "a courtesy to me, the customer" Volkswagen replaced piston rings, rod bearings and deglazed cylynder walls. They had my car 6 days to rebuild engine. 6 months later car was shaking really bad when driving on the freeway, took it in and service technition discovered that rear brakes were warped and rear brake pads had "premature wear." Those were replaced. Throughout this course of time the passenger brake light had been replace 2 times, air condition vent was not working and had to be remove and install new center air outlet, armrest broke and had to be replaced, glove compartment latch broke, and the brake lights have gone out and been repaired numerous times but are still faulty, not working at this time. Volkswagen has treated me as though I was the one inconviencing them!! I regret purchasing this vehicle and will continue discouraging anyone from ever buying a Volkswagen! I don't feel safe in this car!! after doing some research I see now that I am not alone. Knowing there are many other VW's on the road with the same mechanical problems my car, I'm concerned with the safety of others as well as myself!

- Fremont, CA, USA

Read brake pads wore out prematurley. When taken to the dealer for service and notified them of that we heard grinding and boise in the rear, they were quite surprised. This resulted in $283.05 in parts and labor to replace the pads. Parts 1J0-615-601-C (2) and 160-698-451-D (1)

- Irving, TX, USA

Vibration and grinding when coming to a stop the rear brake pads had to be replaced and the rotors.

- Augusta, GA, USA

Consumer complained about a rear brake problem. Consumer heard a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. It was metal to metal grinding of the brakes. Pads and rotors were completely worn out.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

After only 20,000 miles on my 2001 Jetta, a loud grinding noise began from the rear driver side wheel. There was no warning light, and no squeel prior to the grinding. After taking it to the dealer, they informed me that the rear pads and rotors would need to be replaced, at a cost of $375. They seem to want to blame it on me using the brakes too much. This is ridiculous. I also own a Toyota with 75,000 miles on it. The brakes on it are still the original.

- Nottingham, MD, USA

Last year I took my car to the dealer becuase my brakes were grinding. They could find no issues. Today I took the car for a recall service on my ignition coil, and they tell me my rear brakes are bad and need to be fixed. So I got it done. Problem is, I only have 20,000 miles on the car. I have had it since August of 2000 and I do not drive very far in a year.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

I have just purchased a 2001 VW Jetta. In the last month since I have purchased the vehicle. I have had boh of the rear brakes failed since purchasing the vehicle. I have had to replace all pads and calipers on the rear brakes. They were both defective and had to be replaced. I am very disapointed in the quality of this vehicle. I dont know if this is a common problem but I thought I would report it and find out some more information on the subject.

- Reston, VA, USA

At appr 30,000 my D/S rear brakes locked until the pad was gone. The vehicle operation did not change. Upon hearing a metal to metal noise I drove immediately to my dealer. I replaced the rearpad and declined replacing the rotor as it did not have any grooving. I have nad an an occasion were my ABS did not kick in and one were the ABS was activated upon regular braking. This is VW #3 and last VW for me. This along w/ having an electrical problem that resulted in a new computer, new wireing harness and 2 new sets of glow plugs is unacceptable.

- Derry, NH, USA

See similar complaint #8000894 rear brakes wore to bare metal with no warning at 2500 miles. No audible warning, and the prior service at 2000 miles revealed no imminent wear problem. Seems to be common problem based on web searches on this problem. Vehicle was made unsafe by this aggressive brake wear and reduced stopping ability. Would like to see VW add some sort of warning device. Lack of warning lead to rotor damage and replacement (unnecessary expense).

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

Volkswagen of America knows about a brake problem with 2001 Jetta's. they are soft brake pads, wearing out before it's time with no indication what so ever. The brakes grind into the rotors, which need to be replaced. VW has replaced both pads and brakes with some customers (outside of the warranty problem) but continues to deny it in others - such as myself.

- Kensington, CA, USA