2000 Volkswagen Cabrio problems

Filed Jun 16, 2008 · Engine, Transmission · 83,300 miles · NY

Purchased a 2000 vw cabrio from a used car dealership in new jersey (that was my first mistake as I am a new york resident.) test drove and visual inspection appeared great. Drove the car off the lot and within 3 miles, check engine light came on. Checked fluids, proceeded with our trip home. Within 10 miles, the car's manual transmission jumps out of fifth gear while going 65mps on a 4 lane highway. With the dealership closed (and being the car was sold "as-is", we limped home. The 2 hour trip ended up taking nearly 3 hours. Mechanic found the transmission had been replaced but not refilled with transmission fluid. Brand new tranny installed only to find the starter was also malfunctioning. Meanwhile, the check engine light was on due to a $409.00 secondary air pump failure. I hadn't even owned the car 2 weeks and had already spend over $2000 in repairs. I finally got the car back from my mechanic, drove it for one day, and now we appear to have a timing belt issue and have been advised not to drive the car as there is a potential interference with my pistons if the timing belt breaks while driving. Oh, and to boot, I need a new set of rear brakes. Bottom line, if anyone ever dreams of buying a cabrio, don't do it unless you have unlimited funds and a back up car to drive. This car should be considered a hobby and not a reliable form of transportation.

Filed Oct 16, 2007 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · CT

Manual transmission in 2000 vw cabrio went bad sept. 05, replaced car garaged for winter driven very little approx 15oo miles in april 06 transmission went again - same symptoms problem - transmission replaced again oct 07 - transmission bad again after approx 5000 miles. Gears chipping accused of driver error. Have had 3 other cars with manual transmissions that I owned for 10 years never a problem.

Filed Dec 29, 2005 · Electrical · MN

The speedometer and tachometer in the dashboard fail intermittantly.

Filed Aug 2, 2005 · Electrical · CA

I have had various electrical problems with this car the speedometer freezing or the since it was under warranty. Sometimes my air conditioner won't start. Check engine light, ABS or the check trunk comes on has been doing this since the car was under warranty. They told me it was just the summer heat. Recently last march I took it to freeway they said it was one part that was failing. I bought the part from volkswagen and had it installed. The light still came on. I took it to volkswagen riverside they said it was a fuse yet I had already paid for the other part. I also bought a turn signal switch because freeway said that is why my hazards come on instead of a right turn signal. It still blinks hazards till this day. Even after I took it to volkswagen riverside since freeway volkswagen could not figure it out. Volkswagen riverside took my car apart and still could not find out what was wrong with the electrical. The mechanic was looking for the problem all day and when he put my car back together he forgot to put the light fixture back into the right side of my car. Because of that a bulb melted some plastic and it won't fit back in so it's hanging in my trunk. This is hazardous because I drive to work on the freeway every day. I should not have to pay for these problems anymore. I just want someone to figure out what is really wrong and fix it. I have spent approx 1,000 -2,000 dollars in repairs that didn't seem to even be what the problem was . So now I have a new turn signal switch and some other part that was like 300. Not to mention the fuses I have bought and water pumps, relay switch and many other parts. I have been paying fixing problems that have existed since it was under warranty and they told me there was nothing wrong just the heat. Yet, after socking all of this money into the car the problems still exist. Just the other day my check engine light went on again.

Filed Feb 12, 2004 · Body · 30,000 miles · TX

Water continuously enters into the compartment of the vehicle through poorly designed rubber seals along the convertable top, permenantly deformed due to poor door design. Replacement seals excessively priced (500 per seal, 4 seals total, plus labor).

Filed Nov 26, 2003 · Transmission · 50,500 miles · MA

While cruising on the highway, manual transmission broke. 5 th gear disengaged. When attempting to shift back into gear it behaved as if in neutral. Car de-accelerated to a halt.

Filed Aug 4, 2003 · Engine · 49,000 miles · FL

My entire exhause system all the way up to the manifold was completely rusted out. I have had the main part of the system replaced but now am told that the pipe leading to the manifold and the heat shield are also bad and are vibrating badly. I was told by the vw dealer-where I have my warranty that this is not under warranty that this is routine maintenance. The muffler place that did the work told me that they have done more than 10 cabrio's with the same issue. I will have to have the remainder of the work done at vw as the engine will need to be dropped...this does not sound like routine maintenance.

Filed Apr 16, 2003 · Transmission · 20,000 miles · NJ

I purchased a cabrio 2000 from joe heidt in ramsey new jersey the car did not start one morning it was towed then within months it would not start again , it was towed twice now it hardly accelerates it goes very slow when you press the gas pedal. They refuse to repair the power train.

Filed Apr 4, 2003 · Acceleration · NJ

The vehicle experienced sudden acceleration.

Filed Apr 4, 2003 · Transmission · 2,000 miles · NJ

The vehicle failed to accelerate, the dealer repaired/replaced the transmission, however the problem recurred.