1999 Volkswagen EuroVan Complaints

THE REAR SEAT FEMALE BUCKLE APPARATUS BREAKS WHEN A CAR SEAT IS INSTALLED. THE BASE PLATE OF THE BUCKLE BREAKS OFF, ALLOWING SPRINGS AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE ASSEMBLY TO FALL OUT, AT WHICH POINT THE ASSEMBLY IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL.

WINSHIELD WIPERS FROZE DURING VERY LIGHT SNOW,CAUSING THEM TO STOP WORKING. *AK

THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THAT THE THREE-POINT SEAT BELTS ARE DESIGNED TO HOLD A CHILD'S SAFETY SEAT IN PLACE. TO DO THIS, YOU EXTEND THE BELT FULLY UNTIL YOU HEAR A CLICK, BUCKLE THE BELT, THEN LET IT RETRACT. YOU SHOULD HEAR A RATCHETING NOISE. THE BELT SHOULD NOT EXTEND. THIS IS IN FACT WHAT HAPPENS. HOWEVER, MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THIS DESIGN DOES NOT COMFORTABLY ACCOMODATE A CAR FULL OF ADULTS. I DO NOT HAVE ANY SMALL CHILDREN. WHEN ANY OF US, SITTING IN A PASSENGER SEAT, LEAN FORWARD TO PICK UP SOMETHING OFF THE FLOOR OF THE CAR, OR OFF THE DASHBOARD, THE CHILD SAFETY FEATURE ENGAGES, AND WHEN YOU LEAN BACK, YOU ARE LOCKED TO THE SEAT. THIS CHILD FEATURE IS DANGEROUS TO ADULTS, BECAUSE IT, BECAUSE THE MANUAL SAYS TO DO IT, MAKES YOU UNDO THE SEAT BELT TO RESET THE SAFETY FEATURE. ALSO, I WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY AGENCY OR AUTO INDUSTRY ADVOCATING THE PLACEMENT OF A CHILD SAFETY BELT IN A FRONT SEAT, WHEN THERE ARE BACK SEATS AVAILABLE. I WOULD LIKE VW TO PUT A DRIVER SEAT TYP...

REAR PASSENGER SHOULDER BELT LATCH WILL NOT STAY FASTENED WHILE USING A CHILD SAFETY SEAT. THIS CAUSES THE CSS TO MALFUNCTION, AND CHILD TO FALL FORWARD WHENEVER BRAKES ARE APPLIED. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

DESIGN OF BUCKLE IS NOT SAFE. CAR SEAT BECAME UNBUCKLED FROM THE SEATBELT, AND WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED QUICKLY, THE CHILD FLEW FORWARD AND WAS INJURED. DEALER CONTACTED AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK *ML