Volkswagen Golf 1996

• Recall 12341 [USA]: Unexpected opening of the hood could occur obstructing the driver's view of the road while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The bolts securing the front hood latch can loosen over time. The latch would move causing disengagement of the hood striker from the latch.
  dealers will inspect the hood latch and securing bolts and replace them if necessary.
  owner notification began october 15, 1998.Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact vwoa at 1-800-822-8987.Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

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• Recall 1998158 [Canada]: Structure
  The bolts securing the front hood latch may lose their specified fastening torque over time. Should this happen, the latch could move out of its design position and cause disengagement of the hood striker from the latch. In some vehicles the latch may not have been properly aligned during production. Repeated opening and closing of the hood with an improperly aligned latch could result in damage to the latch. Either condition could result in hood fly up and obstruction of the driver's vision. Correction: hood latches and securing bolts will be inspected and replaced if necessary.

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To ensure accuracy and for your safety, it is recommended to do a free VIN recall check here or here [USA] - UK - Canada.

Bulletins are notices put out by manufacturers in conjunction with the NHTSA to notify the public of manufacturing issues or changes.

• Hood latch failure investigation # PE98037

  Odi has received three reports, including the petitioners, regarding alleged hood latch failures.All of the odi reports indicate the hood flew up while driving.Following a telephone inquiry, volkswagen provided odi with some limited information regarding six additional reports of hood fly-up for model years 1995 and 1996.This investigation was opened to further study this issue.Defect description:"it is possible that on some of the affected vehicles the bolts securing the front hood latch may lose their specified fastening torque over time.Should this happen, the latch could move out of its design position and cause disengagement of the hood striker from the latch.In some vehicles the latch may not have been properly aligned during production.Repeated opening and closing of the hood with an improperly aligned latch could result in damage to the latch.Either condition could result in unexpected opening of the hood and could obstruct a portion of the drivers view of the road while driving, and result in an accident."remedy: "volkswagen of america, inc. Will initiate a voluntary safety recall instructing its authorized dealers to check the hood latch and securing bolts and replace them if necessary."
  

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Tl*the contact owns a 1996 volkswagen golf. The contact was driving approximately between 65 and 70 mph in rainy weather conditions with the windshield wipers engaged when suddenly, the windshield wipers stopped working and smoke began emitting from the steering column. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The engine was turned off. Within a few minutes, the smoke subsided and the contact was able to continue driving normally. The vehicle was repaired by replacing the ignition and the windshield wiper switch. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Dt*: the contact stated that recall # 98v160000, which refers to the hood latch, applied to the vehicle. However, the service dealer refused to perform the recall. After speaking with the service manager, the contact called the manufacturer, who referred the contact back to the service dealer.

While driving 55 mph the vehicle's hood flew up without warning. As a result the windshield glass was shattered. Please provide additional information.

Consumer started vehicle and heard a loud popping sound. Then, saw smoke coming from under the hood. He shut off engine and opened hood. Battery had exploded. Battery was factory replacement part installed by dealer. *ak the battery had been replaced three times. Consumer was burned from the battery acid. *yh

Oil is leaking from connector sensor and this is getting down into engine. *ak

After consumer turned vehicle off and then started it back on car alarm came on and stayed on.Consumer looked under hood to see what was going on. Then, consumer smelled smok, and realized that wiring system burned out nothing that was motorized was working. Contacted dealer and dealer was willing to fix problem at owners cost.*ak

Door lock cylinder- separated from inner assembly , #2. While in hyway traffic, radio failed, followed by ,in approximately 10 seconds, engine cutting off ( fuel/water guage functioned), coasted to roadside. Attempted to start engine, acted as if battery dead. After 1 hour wait, attempted to restart engine, starter turned slowly but did not start engine. However, standard alarm system sounded. I turned of alarm by inserting key in door (standard procedure). Tow truck gave boost at battery. Vehicle immediately started . The battery low power thing, occurred about two weeks prior, in vw dealer's customer pick up area, after dealer had replaced a headlight fuse/ aligned headlights/wheels. When alarm went off and starter did not turn over engine, service manager immediately arrived w/booster unit and started car. He said battery probably got low from technician holding down brake pedal for extended period of time? Duh? I did not think anything more about problem at the time(denial). Problem h. *ak

With less than a year of purchase, the vehicle would leak inside on floor on passenger side. Twice taken to dealer for repair. Car was taken in due to engine check light not turning off, and was wrongly diagnosed and therefore wrong part was fixed. When complaint was made that the light continued to light up, the car was once again taken in and throttle body was to be changed. Vehicle now makes a loud noice which was diagnosed to be an engine block.

Drove into parking lot. Heard a noise & vehicle stopped. Smoke came from under hood, then flames shot out. Fire department arrived and put out flames. Gave indication of electrical problem, causing fire. Prior to problem ,had taken vehicle to dealership 11 times for engine check light coming on/ door locks, and windshield wipers. Dealership was not honoring extended warranty that was sold.*ak