2009 Volkswagen Rabbit

Problem:

The steering tends to bind/stick. The natural self-centering (castoring) of the steering system is insufficient to override this binding/sticking. The result is that continual left/right corrections are required to AVERAGE a straight path via an ongoing series of very shallow "S" turns. This differs from a properly operating system where a vehicle will tend to seek out a single track (normally straight ahead), requiring the driver to use only slight pressure as needed to compensate for any currently existing environmental and road conditions to MAINTAIN a straight path.

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2009-08-07 Odometer: 221

Took delivery from Tynan's Volkswagen, Aurora, CO.

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2009-10-07 Had Tynan's check front end.

From Tynan's invoice:

-- Date/time in: 2009-10-07 15:20 Date/time out: 2009-10-07 16:09 (49 minutes) Odometer in/out: 957/960 (3 miles)

"CUSTOMER STATES THE STEERING SEEMS TO WANDER & FOLLOW THE RUTS, STEERING FEELS VERY STIFF, MOVE STEERING WHEEL A LITTLE & SEEMS TO STAY IN THAT POSITION SO ARE ALWAYS HAVING TO CORRECT, CUSTOMER WOULD LIKE ALIGNMENT READING IF PUT ON MACHINE"

"road tested vehicle found steering operating to specs. checked alignment found alignment still in specs. steering and suspension operating to factory specs at this time" --

Service writer stated verbally that an alignment reading was not available for me because the alignment was not actually checked, but that they could tell by driving it that it is "normal".

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2009-10-16 From Tynan's invoice:

-- Date/time in: 2009-10-13 15:41 Date/time out: 2009-10-16 12:31 (2 days, 20 hours, 50 minutes) Odometer in/out: 987/987 (0 miles)

"CHECK & ADVISE ON STEERING IS VERY STIFF & DOES NOT SEEM TO RETURN TO CENTER, ALWAYS HAVE TO CORRECT STEERING WHEEL"

"NORMAL OPERATION TEST DROVE VEHICLE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER. IF THE WHEEL IS STRAIGHT THE VEHICLE WILL GO STRAIGHT THEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED LEFT THE VEHICLE WILL GO LEFT UNTIL IT IS CORRECTED. TEST DROVE VEHICLE NO PROBLEM FOUND." --

I then took the service writer for a drive, showing him the problem. He then drove the vehicle and acknowledged the problem. We then drove an equivalent 2010 model and agreed that the problem did not exist, or was, at least, less apparent in that vehicle. He said that he would do some research on the problem and call me back.

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2009-10-16 12:38 Called Tynan's to speak to service manager. Per receptionist: In meeting, will have call. Never did.

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2009-10-16 15:22 Emailed Tynan's service manager requesting contact. No response.

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2009-10-16 Tynan's sales manager offered to buy car back for $5500 less than what I paid for it.

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2009-10-17 Emailed Pete Tynan requesting assistance. No response.

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2009-10-19 10:42 Tynan's service writer called to explain that he had found out that the problem with my vehicle was due to the system design, and is considered by Volkswagen to be acceptable. He further stated that the reason the 2010 vehicle felt better was due to a partial redesign of the steering system for that model year.

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2009-10-19 14:00 Called Volkswagen of America. Explained the problem to Chris. He said that I should receive a call back within two days.

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2009-10-19 16:20

Received a call from Ryan at VoA (2 hours, 20 minutes after my initial call to VoA regarding this problem). He stated that he had talked to Tynan's, determined the problem to be within acceptable limits, and that the case would be closed.

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