Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen owners have reported 4 wheel related problems since 1996. Table 1 shows the 1 most common wheel problems. The number one most common problem is related to the vehicle's wheel (4 problems). For details of each of the problem category, use the links in the table.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Wheel problems |
While about to drive my vehicle to work which had been parked in my driveway for about 48 since the last drive made a horrible grinding noise in both drive and reverse moving a few feet. I immediately put the vehicle in park to find the rear driver side suspension collapsed and the tire was pressed against the wheel well. Additionally unidentified parts from either the brake system or wheel well had abraded off. The car was jacked up in place and it was immediately apparent that the spring had broken and had shattered in a section. The spring was properly installed as a replacement for another spring failure by a ase mechanic using genuine oem parts from a vw dealer. While it is unknown at this time how much additional damage this faulty failed part caused, it is evident that had the car been driven at any speed when this happened, loss of control would be guaranteed and possibly death. I am retaining the failed part as evidence and plan on contacting an independent investigator or attorney as this could have certainly been fatal and is the most heinous example of metallurgical malpractice.
For two years prior to August 2016, I went into my vw dealer once a month because the check tire light came on. Each time they just put air in the tires and said there was no problem, and each time I asked them to check the rims. Once or twice they inspected and cleaned the rims and said there was no problem. In June 2016 I asked them to check again because I planned to drive from chicago to new york. They assured me I would not have a problem. But driving back from new york in August 2016, the car was not handling well, so I checked the tires even though the check tire light had not come on. I didn't spot a problem, so I continued to drive, but on the expressway just outside of youngstown, ohio, the left front tire suddenly went flat, and I barely was able to steer the car to the side of the road. With the help of a state trouper I finally got a tow truck and had the spare put on. The next morning I drove to the closest vw dealer in youngstown. They replaced the tire, which was damaged beyond repair. They said that they found two small indentations on the inside of the rim that probably caused the tire to leak air and go flat. They fixed the indentations. Back home at the vw dealer in glenview, IL, they again assured me there was no problem, and they reimbursed me for the repairs. But just a couple weeks after that, my car began to handle poorly. I put air in the tires, and a few hours later on the expressway the check tire light came on. I asked vw to replace all the rims and tires for by back the car. They refused. Online I see others with this complaint. I have decided to sell the car myself, at great loss, and buy a Subaru. This was a safety issue that I took to the highest levels at vw, but they wouldn't listen to my claim.
Spring failed on pass front strut at highway speed, smooth road, causing tire to blow-out and wheel bearing to fail. Family in car including 6 week old. Barely could control car to safe stop. Lucky. Repairs will run over $1500. Dealer informed us that many vw and Audi cars are experiencing this, that they are worried and have informed vw they have a problem. He showed me three other failed springs. I kept mine. It has no signs of corrosion prior to failure - metal fatigue probably related to bad metallurgy, according to my dad who's an engineer. Classic spiral fracture. Had to have car towed to vw dealer 150 miles from home - rent car for 2 weeks until repaired.
I have 39000 miles on my 2009 vw sportwagen se, in that time I have replaced 5 alloy wheels that were damaged by small to medium sized pot holes. Every pothole I hit, even small ones, dent the wheels and they need to be replaced. I have stopped buying the alloy wheels and now replace the broken wheels with black steel wheels, none of them have been damaged.