Volkswagen Golf wipers problems

Filed Dec 13, 2016 · Visibility · 71,000 miles · VT

White metal used in front and read windshield wipers and also rear hatch door latch flake apart and crumble making wipers and latch unusable. Replaced front wiper assembly june 2012, rear wiper does not work, same with rear door latch. Front wipers stopped working suddenly while in a summer downpour causing a major safety problem.

Filed Apr 12, 2012 · Electrical · 4,250 miles · SC

Volkswagen of america fails to provide their customers a fuse diagram, making it impossible to safely identify and replace a simple blown fuse. *tr without a basic fuse diagram, the only choice for vw owners needing to replace a fuse is to pull fuses one-by-one as they search for the blown fuse. With many unused slots, should a fuse be inadvertently replaced in the incorrect slot, a critical safety system such as brake lights, tail lights, headlights, ABS brake control, windshield wipers, horn, etc. Can be accidentally disabled without any immediate knowledge on the part of the owner. This happened in my case when I was trying to locate the 12-volt accessory fuse. All other automobile manufactures provide fuse assignment diagrams either in their owner's manuals or, more typically, on the back of the fuse compartment covers. This enables the owner to quickly identify the correct fuse, pull and inspect it, and replace it with a new fuse. I contacted volkswagen of america's corporate office and spoke with a special assistant to the president and ceo who was unwilling to give me any explanation whatsoever why vw refuses to provide this important safety information. Vw's advice is to "shine a flashlight on the end of the flat fuse and try to determine which one is blown." it is impossible to identify a blown fuse in this manner. Since this represents a very real potential safety hazard to each and every vw owner who needs to replace a fuse, the federal safety agency should immediately issue a recall on all vw models, going back to the date vw instituted this ill-advised policy. The federal safety agency should require the company to place fuse assignment diagrams on the interior of the fuse boxes. This will immediately and completely correct this safety defect.

Filed Aug 23, 2011 · Electrical · 88,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen golf. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact noticed that the air conditioner, windshield wipers and headlights became inoperable, as well as the turn signals. The contact performed repairs to the vehicle himself and replaced the ignition switch. The contact detected the ignition connector housing had overheated which caused the plastic to melt. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000. Updated 09/27/11*lj updated 2/23/12

Filed Jul 23, 2010 · Brakes, Electrical · 192,285 miles · MI

2001 vw golf with 192285 mi experienced loss of electrical power to systems that are mounted on the rear hatch back door, (third brake light, rear defrosters, and wiper). Upon inspection of the wiring harness found the wiring chaffed and or broken at point where the harness passes through the harness shield. (where the harness passes from the car body to the lift gate)

Filed Jul 7, 2010 · Electrical, Visibility · 110,000 miles · IN · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 volkswagen golf. The contact was driving approximately between 65 and 70 MPH in rainy weather conditions with the windshield wipers engaged when suddenly, the windshield wipers stopped working and smoke began emitting from the steering column. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The engine was turned off. Within a few minutes, the smoke subsided and the contact was able to continue driving normally. The vehicle was repaired by replacing the ignition and the windshield wiper switch. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Filed Jan 19, 2010 · Visibility · 72,000 miles · CA

I have a 2001 vw golf gls. One day my car's truck door can not be locked, I took it to vw dealership for inspection. Initially I though it was just some wiring problem, but after the certified vw technician checked every possible things that caused the truck lock malfunction, it was so called "comfort control module" not sending signal and electricity to the truck lock. No big deal, it's just a truck lock, no need to worry, so I refused the $900 estimated repair amount for a new comfort control module (ccm) replacement. The vw technician further explained that it was ok not to replace it if it is just the truck lock malfunction, but if anything that is acting funny such as windshield wipers not moving, doors lock by itself, power windows can not roll down, or dashboard light going on and off by itself, then it is important to replace it. No major problem for a year, then suddenly driving in the rain at night, the windshield wipers malfunction, they will not move at all. I can barely see what was in front of me in high speed on freeway in the rain. I tried to open the windows so I can see better so that I can pull over safely. I tried to lower the windows , but the windows didn't come down. I slowed down and pulled over by guessing, luckily no car was behind me or next to me. I got out and checked if there was anything wrong or what obstructing the windshield wipers. I found nothing, it just simply stop working along with my power windows. I went to the dealer after the rain and again they were caused by the malfunction ccm. Since it is not safe to drive a car without a pair of functional windshield wipers and windows, I was recommended to have the ccm replaced. I went online and found that many vw owners have some similar ccm complaints and concerns and I personally think that the ccm is a big safety concern, this is why I am filing this complaint to see if it can minimize the danger and safety. Thank you for reading.

Filed Dec 3, 2008 · Electrical · 118,000 miles · MI

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen golf. While driving approximately 70 MPH on normal road conditions, the brake lights failed. The glow plug warning indicator illuminated intermittently on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure was related to the wiring circuit in the brake system. The technician ordered the parts for the repair. The vehicle has not yet been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 118,000. Updated 1/6/09 *cn the consumer stated there were wiring bundles that pass from the body into the rear hatch for the center brake light, windshield wiper and electrical locks. The wires bend whenever the hatch is opened or closed. The opening and closing of the hatch, caused the wiring to crack and eventually LED to a short of a fuse. Updated 01/14/09.

Filed Nov 22, 2007 · Visibility · 86,000 miles · MI

Windshield wiper failure.

Filed Oct 11, 2004 · Visibility · 78,000 miles · MA

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.

Filed Jan 16, 2003 · Electrical · 57,000 miles · PA

Ignition switch failure causes switched devices to loose power while driving. The devices I have personally identified that loose power are: headlights, drl, ABS, windshield wipers, interior fan, fog lights. With the ignition switch in the on position, it is posible to rotate it slightly to the left and turn the above mentioned devices off while the car continues to run. This can easily happen (and does happen) while driving. Searching your database of other complaints of this and other similar models which probably use the same ignition switch reveals 15 switch failures (865957, 897162, 876280, 899086, 608861, 609016, 758101, 888070, 8014837, 733016, 607392, 8021547, 869601, 750653, 743422) and 5 possible switch failures (733430, 9002207, 861456, 754763, 750545). This failure has been identified as recurrant enough by members of www.vr6.org for one member to issue a step-by-step procedure for replacing the ignition switch. I feel this is a severe safety hazard as headlights and fog lights turn completely off while driving (including drl's) rendering the driver blind at night. If failure occurs durring daylight, the failure is not as obvious but renders the ABS system disabled and could cause the driver to loose control if required to stop quickly while thinking the car is equipted with an ABS system. Volkswagon USA has been informed of this via their website and I am waiting for a reply. Other members of www.vr6.org and similar sites are beign encouraged to file similar complaints.