2025 Volkswagen Jetta

I am the owner/operator of a 2025 Volkswagen Jetta S and am submitting this complaint regarding recurring optical distortion in the windshield within my normal driving field of view. The vehicle has undergone four windshield replacement attempts for this same condition, yet the distortion remains present. The distortion appears as a rippling or “funhouse” effect that can cause objects and straight lines viewed through the windshield to appear distorted while driving. The dealership and Volkswagen have inspected the vehicle on multiple occasions. Although the condition has not been consistently reproduced by every inspector, I continue to experience the distortion during normal driving. Following the most recent replacement, I believe the distortion is more noticeable than before. Volkswagen has been notified of the problem and has assigned corporate case number REF 07697200. The dealership has documented my continuing complaint and Volkswagen Customer Retention is currently involved. I am requesting that NHTSA document this complaint and consider whether recurring optical distortion in the driver’s field of view in this vehicle or windshield application may represent a safety-related defect.

Description of Safety Defect The vehicle has experienced significant optical distortion in the driver’s primary line of sight with three separate replacement windshields. The distortion has included noticeable rippling, warping, and a “funhouse” effect that causes straight objects and the surrounding environment to appear distorted when viewed through portions of the windshield directly in front of the driver. Component or system that failed or malfunctioned The affected component is the windshield/front windshield glass, specifically its optical quality in the driver’s field of view. The vehicle has had three windshield replacements, and visual distortion has been present with each replacement. The current windshield is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle is also available for inspection. The concern is not simply cosmetic variation at the edges of the windshield. The distortion occurs in the driver’s normal viewing area and is noticeable during ordinary driving. How was safety put at risk? The distortion affects the driver’s ability to clearly and accurately perceive objects and road features through the windshield. Straight objects can appear wavy, bent, or distorted, and the image can appear to move or change shape as the vehicle or driver’s head moves. Because the distortion is located directly within the driver’s normal line of sight, it can interfere with accurate visual perception while driving and can be distracting. This creates a potential safety risk because the windshield is the primary viewing surface through which the driver observes traffic, road markings, vehicles, pedestrians, and other hazards. The concern is particularly significant because the distortion is present in the driver’s primary field of view rather than being limited to a peripheral area. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed? Yes. The optical distortion in the current windshield was personally demonstrated to and confirmed by the dealership service ma

My driver side mirror is over-corrected/magnified. If I need to navigate to left lane, the magnification makes the vehicle in my blind spot appear too close. Same in a situation where I am performing a zipper merge to the left. I have driven 50 years in different cars, including Volkswagens, and never in an accident. This mirror seems hazardous and dangerous because trusting the instrument for left visuals of oncoming cars isn't accurate in a 1:1 ratio. The dealership replaced the mirror and it appears the same. All VW service techs, and other drivers who I have asked for evaluation, agree the mirror is not right.