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The '07 Rabbit we drove off the lot only 45 days ago has already been back to the dealership twice for battery issues. When we first bought the car, the morons running this place took us for a test drive in a Rabbit with a dead battery. How'd that happen? Well, as we perused the lot looking for one to test drive, our "salesperson" couldn't get a certain gray Rabbit (that looks just like ours) to start. After we went inside to run numbers, he came back with a gray Rabbit, running and waiting. Turns out they just jump started the thing we originally passed up...and we eventually bought it. He didn't bother telling us we had the car with the dead battery. So guess what? One week later we're stranded because the friggin' battery took a dump.

After an aggravating run around and some calls to the dealership, we got the car jumped and drove it back there. We called them on their BS regarding the battery and the floor manager agreed to have it replaced. I'm no mechanic, but I do know that a battery that won't hold a charge for more than a week is trouble waiting to happen. So two days later we pick it up. Roughly three weeks go by...dead battery AGAIN!. Hmm. A bad alternator on a brand new car? I doubt it. My guess is that they charged up the ruined battery and gave it back to us. Again, we're left stranded. Again, we give up part of our weekend to get the *** thing back to the dealership. THIS time, we drive it over to drop off and the sales manager says he can't give us a loaner. This is after our salesperson told us we would get one for all our troubles. So, believe it or not, here we are, stranded at the dealership and they could care less. I could understand NOT giving us a loaner if this wasn't a brand new car. But c'mon! We paid for an extended warranty. We even brought a relative in on the same day to buy a Rabbit, too. And this is how they take care of the customer?! I've already written a letter to VW America in hopes that they will do something about all of this.

Understand that these people don't care about customer relations or return buyers -- it's all about the sale and commission. Once you sign your life away they will make you jump through hoops to resolve any issues your new car may have  

VWoA was ZERO help despite our complaints. All they do is listen to you and apologize -- again and again and again -- nothing more. Useless. All they are is a gripe line.

Service department finally called us back stating the electrical problem is actually a voltage draw at one of the power windows (better believe I'll be testing for this myself once we get the car back). Reasonable explanation, but it doesn't undo what could have been prevented by selling us a car they knew was screwed up to begin with.  

We've officially owned our '07 Rabbit for THREE months. It has been in the dealership's shop for almost 24 cumulative days for an ongoing and unsolved electrical issue. We are on our fourth breakdown with this car. The previous stay in the shop was nearly three weeks long, with the service department claiming they resolved the problem. We'll be having it towed or jump-started once again to get it over there.

We anticipate the dealership will exceed its 30 days worth or repairs, which at that time we will invoke our rights to the Lemon Law in California. Because of the poor quality standards built into this car by VW and its uncaring company standards, we will seek a full refund and shop for a different make and model altogether.  

Thanks for sharing your experience. Sounds like yet another unhappy Volkswagen owner that SHOULDA-GOTTA-HONDA. Hopefully, you can dump your sick VW Rabbit and get a reliable Honda Civic.  

SHOULDA-GOTTA-HONDA  

Of course the possibility of a lemon is relevant with ALL makes and manufacturers...I own a '04' VW GTI 1.8T and I'm telling you that it's the most dependable solid precision engineered car I've ever owned and feels stronger the more I drive it...sooo...if your a reeeally tiny person where precision isn't an issue...then, 'Oh Boy Golly Gee'...a Honda is for you. I have NO choice but to hit my head getting in AND out of those things.  

WOULDA-COULDA-DIDN'T