Volkswagen Jetta Complaints
10,351 consumer complaints on file.
- #11617892October 3, 2024ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
The contact owns a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving with the front driver’s side seat heater activated, the seat became extremely hot. The contact started smelling a burning odor coming from the seat. The contact felt a hole in the seat, which burned the contact's middle finger. The contact immediately pulled over and turned off the vehicle. The contact’s back started burning due to the extreme heat of the seat back. Upon inspection, the contact discovered a hole in his jacket and approximately four holes that had formed in the front driver seat due to the seat heater failure. The contact was not treated for the burns to his back. The contact stated that two dealers were notified of the failure but neither provided immediate assistance. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 489,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11617764October 2, 2024ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While in operation the dash cluster goes completely black. Aprox 45mph. Dealer had to replace entire dash cluster
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11617567October 1, 2024EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT:VIDEO (TOUCH)SCREEN/MONITOR/UNIT
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that on several occasions while the vehicle was started, the infotainment touch screen occasionally went black and did not respond to touch commands. Additionally, the side buttons of the infotainment screen did not respond when depressed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the infotainment screen was inoperable. The vehicle was not repaired. The mechanic advised the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11617140September 29, 2024STRUCTURE:BODY, SERVICE BRAKES
I have a 2022 VW Jetta and my breaks lasted 13,400 miles, I have a daily commute of 11 miles and I believe this is not a normal condition on a car. The delaer refused to replace the breaks despite the eviden condition of low quality. In addition I have a problem in my door where the door does not close in case of really cold weather. I have a video but it I cannot upload.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11617038September 28, 2024ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Unknown, very complex. Multiple issues. Have been addressed as well as parts been replaced however other issues arised that are definitely safety concerns between electrical issues engine motor etc
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11616723September 26, 2024FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
2013 Jetta TDI with 92k miles. I am the third owner of this car which has been regularly maintained since new with all service records, including a 2019 emissions modification per VW recall. I bought this vehicle less than a year ago. My son was driving to work when the car shut off without warning. He was able to restart it and park safely and had it towed home. After replacing the battery and a fuse, the car continued to show a code for the ECM Power Relay Load Circuit . We took it to the mechanic to have it inspected, and learned that the high pressure fuel pump had imploded and metal shavings were found throughout the entire fuel system. This is evidently a common and very costly issue that VW has an obligation to fix. They knowingly continue to use a defective part that is essentially a ticking time bomb without regard to the owners safety and the financial ramifications of the repair. All VW vehicles with this defect should be covered by VW, not just selected model years and models. This causes catastrophic damage and VW is completely negligent by not doing what is right by the customer. The VW dealer quoted a $9,000. repair and VW North America declined any assistance with the vehicle. The car is not worth that, and it would be absurd to pay out of pocket for the repair; especially since VW continues to use a defective designed HPFP that can eventually fail again. VW was selective in the model years that they recalled, but only after the parts failed. They should have applied the recall and repairs to ALL vehicles proactively. I now have a 2013 paperweight in my driveway. The reason I purchased this specific car was for the longevity that diesels are known for. What a shame that VW does not rectify the situation in lieu of the previous diesel scandal. I'll be going back to Volvo or Subaru, two companies that I have had great experiences with, both in safety and reliability. VW should do the right thing, but I guess that's of no importance anymore.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11616215September 24, 2024ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed fuel leaking from under the hood of the vehicle. The check engine, and electronic power control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel rail bolt had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11616005September 23, 2024ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, ENGINE
The contact owns 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to turn off while turning the key to the off position in the ignition switch. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and a dealer and was diagnosed, and it was determined that the cylinders in the engine was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11615745September 21, 2024ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION As I was accelerating to enter traffic on the expressway the engine lost partial power. I reduced accelerator pressure, and then the engine seemed to recover. I then reapplied pressure to the accelerator, and it seemed normal but when I put in the clutch to shift, the engine accelerated beyond redline. I completed the shift, and car began to accelerate rapidly. I tapped the accelerator, and the acceleration stopped, and then after about 3 seconds it began to accelerate again. I attempted to reduce acceleration with brakes, but it was only partially effective. The only way to effectively reduce acceleration was to take the car out of gear. (thankfully this was a manual transmission) When I shifted into neutral, engine RPMs would exceed redline. The excessive RPMs ultimately destroyed the engine (Big bang, lots of smoke). In hindsight I would have turned the ignition off but did not think to at the time.. The safety implications are obvious. This event occurred without warning and under normal driving conditions. I suspect an engine sensor anomaly combined with computer software failure. (Maybe an RPM sensor?) Specific cause is unknown, and situation cannot be recreated since the engine has failed. The Diesel Particulate Filter warning light was on, and had been on for several weeks. It did not clear using the recommended remediation in the manual. The vehicle has not been inspected by the dealer or other interested parties, but is available for inspection. (This is one of the vehicles recalled for “diesel-gate” purchased from VW after reprogramming)
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11615800September 21, 2024ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Component/System Failure/Malfunction: ignition switch and starter, possibly transmission Yes, available for inspection upon request. Car has randomly stalled while in motion; ignition and starter switch have been replaced as well as microswitch panel - yet problem persists. Power steering shuts down, steering wheel becomes very difficult to turn. Have to put car in neutral, typically, and try to restart while in motion. Has happened over 100 times; replaced alternator as well. Battery was replaced, brand new, yet was drained multiple times - recharged at Autozone. Vehicle was brought to Larry H. Miller Volkswagen - was advised the problem was fixed, as well as recall repairs (microswitch), paid for the service, went to leave dealership and problem immediately happened again. Complete shut off. Would stay running a little longer while in neutral or AC on. When the vehicle stalls the only light that comes on is the battery light. All other lights and systems work. Ran diagnostic codes through personal mechanic, friend, and dealership... Code states "Key/Ignition/Computer" but unsure what specifically. The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta also does not have the original key fob. May be improper programming? Continued to research all other recalls, services have been completed and yet the problem persists.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11615683September 20, 2024POWER TRAIN
The dashboard has light on with error message: Only exit vehicle in P position. Please service the vehicle. The light is on and off randomly during driving. Car is drivable even with the light on, but it will have the warning beep which is distractive for driver. There are multiple recalls from VW for other models/years with same error message. The gear shift sensor is malfunctioning in those recalls.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11615555September 20, 2024STEERING
When driving the vehicle, the steering wheel while jiggle violently while an electrical noise is heard. This happened while driving on the interstate at 70 mph and I had to hit my breaks as I was fearful I didn't have control of the vehicle. It then continued to do it even at lower speeds. The vehicle has been to a service department where they state the steering rack and pinion has failed. There are no warning lights, lamps or messages. The vehicle is at 72k miles.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11615365September 19, 2024ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ENGINE
What system component failed or malfunctioned? Is it available for inspection upon request? The car boards are left inoperative. If the entire car loses power Don't grab the car How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I'm driving down the road and suddenly the car no longer works. It doesn't start and the drivers behind me have to avoid me. On many occasions I have had to leave the car on while I run errands because I have had to ask for help to turn it on, so I don't turn it off because I don't know if it will turn on again. And this is a dangerous practice since they can steal my car and what I have inside since I have to leave it on. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by an independent dealer or service center? Every time I bought it and took it to the dealer, they indicated a different fault. At first they indicated that it was the electrical part and they made changes to it. Then apparently it was the battery but it was not safe. They have taken it apart several times but have not been able to fix it, since each time it seems to have a different error. The last scan showed a ground short circuit. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? I have always taken the vehicle to the dealer who sold it to me. Were there warning lights, messages or other symptoms of the problem before the failure and when did they first appear? The first time he took it was because the dashboard went out, the electrical part was left not working. If you are unsure, simply indicate UNKNOWN and provide your best assessment of the incident and cause in your description.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11613505September 9, 2024UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My starter and gear shift have been malfunctioning, the starter barely turns over and the gearshift sends out a warning to only exit the vehicle in ‘P’ position…
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11613107September 6, 2024ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the engine coolant reservoir was empty. The contact added coolant to the coolant reservoir, but one week later the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that engine coolant had leaked into the head gasket and that the head gasket and sealant needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 43,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11613060September 6, 2024VISIBILITY/WIPER
Rearview Mirror detached from windshield while car was in motion. There was no force of any kind applied to the mirror, and nothing hanging from it.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11612805September 5, 2024FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL LINE TO FUEL FILTER CAME LOOSE/DISCONNECTED CAUSING A FUEL LEAK INSIDE MY ATTACHED. GARAGE CAUSING A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE THAT REMAINS TO PRESENT DAY EVEN AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CLEAN UP.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11612746September 5, 2024ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
It has been about over 3 weeks that my travel assist alarm has been going off without any notice.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11612624September 4, 2024FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
EPC light came on and I could smell a strong odor of gas. The car immediately began to de-accelerate and I could no longer use the gas pedal. I was on a highway road with lots of curves and limited shoulder, this could have been deadly. The vehicle also could have started a fire. The same exact issue occurred with this vehicle in September of 2022 where a safety recall was issued for fuel rail bolts. It has been less than two years and the issue has occurred again.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11612628September 4, 2024FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Car with 37540 miles check engine light came on, per the dealership the Evap purge valve and the fuel line needs to be replaced. It looks like there is an open recall “ Emissions Recall Code: 20CQ” for the same car but for some reason it excludes my car.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0