2016 Volkswagen Passat

WHEN I WENT TO START THE CAR THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STATED "ERROR". ALL THE FUNCTIONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT WORK, THIS INCLUDED THE HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, RADIO SYSTEM AND AIR BAG. I WAS AFRAID THAT EITHER THE AIR BAG COULD JUST GO OFF OR WOULD NOT GO OFF IF I GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. I ALSO COULD NOT USE MY HORN IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE REPAIRED. SUNRISE VOLKSWAGEN IN LYNBROOK,NY REPLACED THE CLOCK SPRING.

MY CLOCK SPRING AND SWITCH BROKE AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I WAS IN MOTION MAKING A TURN WHEN A CRUNCHING NOISE WAS MADE. MY WARNING LIGHTS WENT OFF CLAIMING AIR BAG ERROR, ACC ERROR. I COULD NOT USE MY TURN SIGNAL OR HORN. I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT AND CALL THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MOST LIKELY THE CLOCK SPRING BUT I HAD TO GET IT EVALUATED. I TOOK IT IN AND IT WAS. I FOUND OUT THAT VW HAD PREVIOUS RECALLS FOR SUCH EQUIPMENT BUT NOT MY YEAR. MY CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND THE CLOCK SPRING BROKE. I HAVE NEVER HAD ONE BREAK IN OVER 30 YEARS OF DRIVING.

THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CLOCK SPRING. I BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE AND IT GOT REPLACED 10/7/15. IT SNAPPED AGAIN 5 MONTHS LATER WAS REPLACED 3/8/16. IT SNAPPED AGAIN 6 MONTHS LATER. NOW VOLKWAGON OFFERS A 12,000 MILE 12 YEAR WARRANTY ON PARTS. I BRIGHT THE VEHICLE IN 10/18/16 AND THEY TOLD ME IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE SEEING THAT IT CONTROLS MY HORN AND WILL NOT LET MY AIRBAG DEPLOY. I HAVE CONTACTED VW HEADQUARTERS SEVERAL TIMES CONCERNING THIS ON GOING ISSUE. THEY REPLACED THE PART UNDER A 'GOODWILL' WHICH IT SHOULD'VE BEEN REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL & THE WARRANTY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER IN THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER AND WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED FOR THE BODY DAMAGE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE VIEW MIRROR INDICATOR FAILED TO DETECT THE ONCOMING VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.