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Sedans Volkswagen Jetta Volkswagen Jetta Brakes and Rotors
177 messages, Last post on Nov 29, 2009 at 2:45 AM
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Replying to: stevenstm1 (Mar 27, 2008 8:43 am) I'm new addition to this forum and here's my case--new 2008 jetta, 3-4months old, 4200 miles, both rear brakes completely GONE. Grinding metal on metal. Rotors damaged. Locking up and jumped the median b/c my brakes caused me to lose control. This is not a routine overuse problem nor maintenance problem unless I have used my brakes to slow me down as I reentered the atmosphere from space on my last trip to the space station. Mechanic at the dealership tried to strongly insinuate that this was my fault as the driver because I used the emergency brake for parking and that I didn't downshift as much as he thought I should have been. My car is in the shop right now being fixed so I'll have to update this thread after they tell me what they think. I have researched this extensively and most cars, including most VWs, don't change brake pads remotely often and NOBODY...NOBODY...has to do it at 4200 miles. If I end up having to fix the brakes in another 10000 miles as it seems others have had to do on this forum then it's a lemon--no two ways about it. Not happy about this and If you're reading this I would make a point of asking your dealer when you're shopping and immediately seeking service for squeeking/grinding/squealing brakes. (I thought mine was just a rock and it was only grinding for the last week) Good luck, will let you know Tom 
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thanks tim for your post, i myself was considering a 08 jetta for my next car purchase...however,i have been reading owners reviews on this website for the 05-08 model year jetta's trying to get a good idea of the jetta's reliabilty...it's obvious now that the only thing i have learned during my research is that i need to avoid the jetta like the plague...issues such as premature brake wear such as your brakes issues,electrical problems,ect.....the premature brake wear seems to be a common thing with all jettas and they are not cheap to replace...iv'e owned cars in the past where i didn't have to replace the brakes for 80,000.00 miles let alone have to replace the rear brakes at under 5000 miles as in tim's case....steve
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Replying to: trepine (Jul 03, 2008 4:32 pm)
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Replying to: steven39 (Jul 03, 2008 5:42 pm) http://www.forbes.com/home/2008/05/02/best-small-cars-forbeslife-cx_jm_0502cars.- html |
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Replying to: handiman (Jul 03, 2008 7:02 pm) This is a design flaw/defect though, no two ways about it, and that raises some big concerns for me as a car owner. The fact that there is a forum thread about my problem is proof of principle. The other fact that bothers me is my service people's response--no brakes burn out from wear...no matter what you are doing..at 4200miles. I explicitly asked them too if there was a known problem like this with jettas/VWs and they denied it, but took me about 2 secs to find this theme on the internet. VW is notorious for their great service and this should be addressed in that manner. Oh, and if it is related to your brakes VW may want to be a little more concerned since it's a safety issue and not just a cosmetic one. I want to see what they say after they take a look at it and get back to me--that will tell me whether or not I'll be keeping/buying a VW in the future. more to follow Tom
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Replying to: trepine (Jul 04, 2008 5:41 am) |
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Replying to: trepine (Jul 03, 2008 4:32 pm) So I talked to my dealer service representative today and here's what they (HOY-FOX in El Paso, TX) said: "It's driver habit" that caused your brakes to wear prematurely and we aren't paying for anything. You need to pay 270$ more to fix your brake pads and replace both rotors and everything else was working perfectly. It's your fault and we aren't responsible." Needless to say, I'm flabbergasted. I said before how I felt they were trying to find a way to blame me for this and that they insinuated that it was my fault right from the beginning...well, now they've made it official. And for the record, they stated this is what VOLKSWAGEN told them not them as the dealers. When I mentioned this forum, the other people who reported early brake failure on the web, the other people who drive the exact same route I do to work (which is over a 5000 ft altitude mountain pass called Transmountain Drive x about 15miles each way) who don't have brake problems, the other 3 manual transmission cars I've had that didn't burn out their brakes, and the fact that no mechanic that has seen this car nor any of the lifelong mechanic friends/family that I know have ever heard of a car completely burning out its brakes at 4200 miles, they reassured me that I was wrong and that is was my fault and that they wouldn't pay for it. Furthermore, they told me I was wrong to not bring it to them immediately upon hearing the brakes grinding--even though I only heard it for 1 week and by the time it was grinding it was ALREADY metal on metal and that I did call to make an appt and they told me it would be 1 week for me to see them even though I described having brake problems. Then they said that I screwed up by taking it to Meineke first. Meineke about 1mile from my house and I pass it on the way home every day. When I took it to them, I was still convinced it was just a rock, after all "it was still practically brand new and ONLY HAD 4200 miles". I figured i'd just get a quick look and hopefully fix a simple problem and when they took off my rear wheels they (the whole shop of mechanics) couldn't believe that I had metal on metal in both rear brakes. They stated they'd never seen this before even in cars with 10000 miles. I made the mistake of letting Meineke replace the brake pads right then for 150$ out of pocket already before I got my act together and called Hoy-Fox and told them that I was bringing my car to them THAT SAME DAY no matter when they would see it because it wasn't safe to drive. I brought the car to the VW dealer the same day I had a mechanic tell me that I had serious problems with my brakes...not a rock. I actually thought they might even reimburse me for already buying the brake pads, dumb ol' me--they felt that having Meineke inspect my car and change the brake pads should void the warranty, which they were already saying didn't cover my brakes anyway. That's service huh! So, I have lots of sympathy from people who aren't the ones working for Hoy Fox, Volkswagen, or the auto service industry in general, and I don't have a lot of appreciation for how I've been treated so far. I complained directly to VOLKSWAGEN on their hotline at 1-800-822-8987. They are looking into it directly and I expect to know more from them tomorrow. I've challenged them, and ask you all too, to come up with another example of a car with total metal on metal brake wear in 4200 miles that they think is from driver habit...excluding monster trucks and Indy 500 cars I guess. How far do you think you could drive without ruining the brakes with the parking brake on? Not sure what I can do now. I think they should pay for new brakes and I've told them that directly. If they do, then I'm still not sure what the future will hold--maybe I can ask them to plough Transmountain drive flat so that my driving habits don't endanger my car's health. If the brakes burn out every 4months, ...assuming that I don't die in a fiery wreck with no brakes,...then that should be about 250-500$ a pop. I am looking into my options for legal action and contract violations on the part of the lease, but this is almost always a losing battle it seems. If Volkswagen decides that they aren't going to fix this car, then I'm not sure even more. But that would be one step closer to recommending to the known universe every chance I get not to get involved with VW. This company is renowned for its service?  Tom |
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Do they have break problems TOOOOOOOOOO 
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Replying to: bobtrav (Jul 07, 2008 4:38 pm) |
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Replying to: jeffyscott (Jul 08, 2008 7:34 am) 
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