Issue ID | 363639 |
Internal NHTSA # | 762607 |
Manufacurer | VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC |
Brand | VOLKSWAGEN |
Model | GTI |
Model Year | 2001 |
File date | 06/11/24 |
Component | AIR BAGS |
Product type code | VEHICLE |
Description of the problem | Due to the "airbag" symbols displayed on the a- and b-pillars of my car, i and my dealer assumed that curtain airbags were installed. The monroney sticker listed only front and side airbags. Volkswagen customer service informed me that curtain airbags were a running change during the model year and that my vehicle did not have curtain airbags based on its date of manufacture, despite the "airbag" symbols indicating that curtain airbags were installed (curtain airbag installation began in march, 2001, while my vehicle was assembled in february, 2001). The vw customer service operator was unconcerned and suggested that i contact my local dealer if i was dissatisfied. My local dealer subsequently "confirmed" the installation of curtain airbags through the vehicle computer diagnostic system. While i have chosen to rely on my local dealer's information rather than information provided by volkswagen's corporate customer service and the monroney sticker, i am troubled by volkswagen's ineptitude and lack of concern in providing information on a critical safety system. Most troubling, volkswagen customer service was unconcerned that the vehicle interior trim badging indicated installation of curtain airbags where their records showed that none were installed. Of lesser concern to me is that the monroney sticker omitted an important safety feature. At least i think it did. If i'm ever unfortunate enough to resolve the debate between my local dealer and volkswagen experimentally and find that no curtain airbags are in fact installed in my car, i or my heirs will be contacting you again.*ak |
Vehicle Mileage at Failure | |
Number of Occurences | |
Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
City and State | PARKERSBURG, WV |
VIN pattern | 9BWPG61J914XXXXXX |
Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | |
Was vehicle involved in a fire? | N |
Was incedent reported to police? | N |
Was medical attention required? | |
Was part original equipment? | |
No. of injured persons | |
No. of fatalities | |
Date of purchase | 01/07/01 |
Was original owner? | Y |
Anti-lock brakes | Y |
Cruise control | Y |
Number of cylinders | |
Drive train type | FWD |
Transmission type | |
Vehicle speed | |
DoT tire identifier | |
Tire size | |
Location of tire code | |
Type of tire failure code | |
Was defective tire repaired? | |
Date of manufacture | |
Type of child seat code | |
Type of restraint | |
Dealer's name | |
Dealer's telephone number | |
Dealer's city | |
Dealer's state code | |
Dealer's ZIP code |