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Steven of Portland, OR, writes:
I'm an attorney in Portland, OR. My clients purchased a new 2001 VW Cabrio in June. Since then, it has been in the shop for various repairs eight times for a total of over 50 days. The last 5 visits were the result of problems with the ignition system. The dealership seems to be trying their best, but admits they no longer know what to do. My clients appear to qualify for relief under Oregon's lemon law, and I have written to VW to request action. I am writing again tomorrow to demand arbitration under VW's mandatory procedure. Do you have any suggestions for dealing with this particular company?

Steven seems to be following the proper procedure for his clients.

Barbara of Virginia Beach, VA, writes:
I purchased a new Cabrio last June and have had constant problems. On my first out-of-state trip the engine lights kept going on; the acceleration would fail and the lights on the control panel would all reset. After five trips to the dealership for service, they finally replaced the control panel and some wiring, but they did not fix the acceleration problem. On numerous occasions I called the dealership, but my calls were not returned.

Later the knob to put down the roof fell off, the trunk latch failed and the upholstery on the seats started to crack badly. The acceleration continues to be a problem. The car is unsafe. And the left front tire keeps going flat. Volkswagen maintains that the car meets manufacturer's specifications.

I contacted Better Business Bureau and upon speaking with the representative was assured that Volkswagen would fix my car within thirty days, but within the week I then received a call from Volkswagen saying that the representative was unavailable and they would contact me sometime in the future. What I thought would be a great driving experience has turned into a nightmare. Now I have an annoying rattle in the door on the driver's side as well. The car continues to be unsafe to drive. The acceleration problem is sporadic so I am never sure if it is safe to pull out into traffic or not. The car has been in the garage approx. 10 times in the last 7 months. I am fearful of taking long trips because of its condition.

Jessica of Washington, DC, writes:
I hold a four-year lease on a 1996 Volkswagen Cabrio. My lease runs out in two months. In the last 9 months I have spent $1,500 on repairs to the car for one malfunction or another. I July I had the knock sensor replaced, at a cost of $200. But in September, the engine light was on again. That led to having the oxygen sensor replaced last December, at a cost of $600. Then the electric window regulator on the passenger side failed in December -- $200 more dollars. Now, the drivers side electric window has failed, and the dealership is telling me this will cost another $500 in parts and labor.

All of this for a car I will have to give up (or purchase -- fat chance) in two months. I contacted Volkswagen and they looked at my blankly, told me my warranty is expired and that they couldn't help me. Aside from the financial burden of this, the greatest fallout from this episode is the stark, raving sense of injustice that comes with the realization that I am being forced to put money into a vehicle in which I have no equity. It is as if the car was designed to manifest these defects in the waning months of the lease. If nothing else, I feel that people should be aware of the problems associated with this vehicle so that they may avoid AT ALL COSTS leasing a Volkswagen Cabrio.