Volkswagen Jetta Complaints (1996)

174 consumer complaints on file.

#10006988October 14, 2000
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
3 OF 4 WINDOWS DON'T WORK. MOTOR BURNED OUT ON RT FRONT, REGULATOR BURNED ON LFT FRONT, RT REAR DOES NOTHING. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WOULD COST UPWARD OF $800 TO FIX. *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*734295
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#734295October 14, 2000
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
3 OF 4 WINDOWS DON'T WORK. MOTOR BURNED OUT ON RT FRONT, REGULATOR BURNED ON LFT FRONT, RT REAR DOES NOTHING. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WOULD COST UPWARDS OF $800 TO FIX.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#733971October 11, 2000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 1996. I IMMEDIATELY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES AND HAD TO BRING THE CAR IN MANY TIMES AND WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. AFTER THE 24 MONTH WARRANTY WAS UP I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED FRONT ROTORS AND PADS AND REAR CALIPERS AND PADS. I ARGUED WITH THEM (VW AMERICA) AND THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T HELP BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE PROOF OF THEM SAYING NOTHING WAS WRONG FOR 2 YEARS AND THEN OUT OF A SUDDEN I NEEDED OVER $500. WORTH OF WORK.*AK (TIRESIZE: 15 INCH)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 15 INCH )
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#734045October 11, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
THIS CAR IS A BIG FAT SOUR LEMON. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#732297September 23, 2000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
ENGINE HARNESS SHORTED AND SMOKED UPON STARTING. PART CAN NOT BE FOUND. VW OF AMERICA NOTIFIED AND NO RESPONSE IN 3 WEEKS. VW FILE NUMBER 667784. NO HELP FROM VW AT ALL. NO EXPLAINATION AS TO WHY IT HAPPENED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#730034September 3, 2000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
THE BATTERY IN MY 96 JETTA EXPLODED AS I TURNED THE KEY. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF A PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE EXPLOSION. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURED. VOLKSWAGEN HAS BEEN EXTREMELY UNCOOPERATIVE ABOUT THE SITUATION AND I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONTACT THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT BECAUSE THEY AREN'T OPEN ON WEEKENDS OR LABOR DAY. AFTER THE FIRST EXPLOSION (ABOUT 1 YEAR AND 9 MONTHS AGO), THEY DID NEXT TO NOTHING TO ASSIST ME. TWO DAYS AFTER THE EXPLOSION, I GOT A "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT AND I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY ARE CLOSED. THIS IS A VERY DISTURBING SITUATION WHICH HAS BEEN COMPOUNDED BY VOLKSWAGEN'S UNWILLINGNESS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS. BOTH BATTERIES WERE PURCHASED THROUGH AND INSTALLED BY VW DEALERSHIPS AT ABSURD PRICES, I MIGHT ADD. THEY HAVE ASSURED ME THAT IT IS NOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, BUT I FIND IT EXTREMELY UNLIKELY THAT TWO BATTERIES WOULD EXPLODE IN THE SAME CAR FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY FEEDBACK YOU MIGHT HAVE ON THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#868829August 26, 2000
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
VEHICLE POWER LOCKS EXPERIENCING ERRATIC OPERATION; BOTH FRONT DOOR WOULD NOT LOCKS OR UNLOCKS INTERMITTENTLY; DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF IT WARRANTY AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER COST. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS:
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#728237August 17, 2000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
THE ORIGINAL VOLKSWAGEN BATTERY EXPLODED WITH LOUD BANG WHEN IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO THE "ON" POSITION, BUT I HAD NOT STARTED THE CAR YET. INITIALLY I THOUGHT, THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR HAD FILED, SINCE THE CAR WOULD NOT START. SINCE IT WAS A FRIDAY EVENING, I LEFT THE CAR IN THE PARKING LOT AND GETTING IT TOWED TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING MONDAY. ON SUNDAY, I NOTICED SOME THING DRIPPING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, ON CLOSER EXAMINATION IT WAS ACID DRIPPING FROM THE BATTERY. BOTH SIDES OF THE BATTERY HAD RIPPED OPEN, WITH ACID DRIPPING TO SOME OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND THE ENGINE. I REMOVED THE BATTERY FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND PUT IT IN A WOODEN BOX TO SHOW THE SAME TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY. AFTER CHECKING THE ENGINE FUNCTIONS AND THE CHARGING SYSTEM, THE DEALER CONCLUDED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CHARGING SYSTEM AND SOME UNDETERMINED FACTOR CAUSED THE BATTERY TO EXPLODE. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN TO INFORM THEM OF THE SITUATION AND REQUESTING THEM TO PAY FOR A REPLACEMENT BATTERY AND OTHER LABOR CHARGES. THEY REFUSED SAYING THE WARRANTY ON BATTERY HAD RUN OUT. MY POINT IS, I WOULD HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM IF THE BATTERY HAD JUST FAILED (NOT EXPLODED). THIS BATTERY HAD NEVER FAILED EARLIER AND I HAVE NEVER JUMP STARTED THIS CAR. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND A SAFETY CONCERN WHEN BATTERY EXPOLDES. VOLKSWAGEN WOULD NOT GIVE A LIKELY CAUSE FOR THE BATTERY TO EXPLODE OR IF THERE WERE OTHER COMPLAINTS OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS FROM THE FIELD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#725628July 18, 2000
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
THE JACK POPS OFF THE RIDGE UNDER THE CAR WHEN LIFTING THE CAR. THIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND COULD HAVE CAUSED THE CAR TO DROP ON USE WHILE CHANGING THE TIRE. SECOND PROBLEM: ON INSPECTING THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, THEY WERE WORN DOWN MORE THAN WHAT ONE WOULD EXPECT AT 40K. THERE WAS STILL PAD LEFT. THIS WOULD INDICATE POOR MATERIALS IN THE ROTOR.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#865451July 14, 2000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WAS DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY AND VEHICLE FAILED TO GO PAST 45MPH. WOULD NOT CHANGE INTO EITHER 3RD GEAR. *AK TRANSMISSION FAILED AND REPLACED. *YH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#552776June 21, 2000
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE RECALL COMPONENT (98V-160) HOOD LATCH PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION RESULTING IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLES HOOD AND WINDSHIELD WHEN THE HOOD FLEW OPEN WHILE DRIVING. *MJS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#723835June 10, 2000
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#722553May 11, 2000
CHILD SEAT:MATERIAL/PADDING
THIS IS TO REPORT A PROBLEM WITH A KOLCRAFT CAR SEAT, HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CAR. THE FABRIC COVER ON THE SHIELD CAN BE REMOVED EASILY BY MY BABY, AND 2 CLIPS COME OFF WHICH ARE A CHOKING HAZARD. THE BABY CAN ALSO TURN THE PART WHICH HOLDS THE SHIELD ON, SO IT IS FREE TO SWING UP OR DOWN, AND COULD SERIOUSLY HURT HIM IN AN ACCIDENT. HE IS 19 MONTHS OLD, BUT HAS BEEN ABLE TO DO THIS FOR A WHILE. HE WEIGHS 24 POUNDS, AND THIS SEAT IS INTENDED TO BE USED FOR A CHILD UP TO 40 POUNDS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#861401May 4, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS VEHICLE WILL TOTALLY SHUT DOWN, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX DEFECT 4 TIMES, BUT DEFECT KEEPS REOCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#861326May 3, 2000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK
ONE OF THE WIRES IS TOTALLY BROKEN, AND ONE IS TOTALLY FRAYED IN LEFT HAND REAR DOOR, CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD. REPLACMENT OF REAR HARNESS IS NEEDED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#722113April 30, 2000
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL, STEERING, STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
LOUD NOISE COMING FROM FRONT OF CAR, WHEEL BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED; TRUNK RELEASE INSIDE CAR WORKS OCCASIONALLY, NEVER WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF; ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON YEARLY, NEVER TURNS UP PROBLEM, HAVE TO CLEAN OXYGEN SENSOR, TOLD NOT TO USE "CHEAP GAS";
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#721592April 17, 2000
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
FAULTY WINDOW SYSTEM...HAD TO REPAIR WINDOW OPERATOR TWICE! *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#720716March 28, 2000
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
POWER WINDOW REGULATORS ON ALL 4 WINDOWS HAVE BROKEN. THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW MECHANISM HAS BROKEN TWICE. THE SECOND TIME REQUIRING THE POWER MOTOR ALSO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RATE ON THIS VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE BEYOND WHAT WOULD NORMALLY BE EXPECTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#719342February 27, 2000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#718985February 19, 2000
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
LOCKS FREEZE IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. CANNOT GAIN ACCESS TO CAR. WINDOW SEALS WERE DEFECTIVE FROM THE FIRST MONTH OF LEASE CAUSING FLOODS IN BACK OF VEHICLE. WINDOW MOTOR AND REGULATOR DEFECTIVE. CANNOT BRING WINDOWS UP OR DOWN. GENERAL MOTOR FAILURE. CAR SLOWS DOWN WHEN GOING DOWNHILL
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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