Volkswagen Jetta Complaints (1997)

141 consumer complaints on file.

#10093099September 23, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY COMPLAINT IS REGARDING THE THROTTLE BODY ON THE MOTOR. THE CAR RAN VERY ERRATICALLY AND STALLED A NUMBER OF TIMES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON OFTEN. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. THE OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10080190June 30, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM, WHEELS
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE. REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL CAME OFF, AND THE BRAKE DRUM SPLIT IN HALF. CONSUMER WAS NOTIFIED THAT WHEEL BEARING FAILED, AND RIGHT SIDE WHEEL BEARING WAS VERY WEAK.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10079001June 29, 2004
WHEELS
WHILE DRIVING ON A PARKWAY DOING APPROX 55MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL ASSEMBLY FELL COMPLETELY OFF OF THE CAR CAUSING MECHANICAL AND BODY DAMAGE. THE REPAIR STATION STATED THE WHEEL BEARING HAD FROZEN AND BASICALY BURNED OFF. THERE WAS ALOT OF GREASE OR OTHER MATERIAL ON THE RIM WHEN IT WAS RECOVERED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10075501June 29, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR A SMOG CHECK POINT TEST. THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYED ON. THE VEHICLE PASSED THE EMISSION TEST, BUT THE EXAMINER COULD NOT SEND THE FINAL APPROVAL TO THE MOTOR VEHICLE DEPARTMENT (DMV) UNTIL THE DEFECT WAS REPAIRED. *AK THE LIGHT HAD GONE OFF, BUT CAME BACK ON 6 MONTHS LATER. (CRANKCASE DILUTION/MALFUNCTION CAUSE FOR P1582 AND THE MOTOR RUNS OUTSIDE IDLE ADAPTION DUE TO HIGH BLOW BY/MALFUNCTION IN THROTTLE VALVE CONTROL MODULE -J338) *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10078868June 26, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
FOR SEVERAL YEARS THE CRUISE HAS HAD INTERMITTENT ENGAGEMENT. (WHEN THE SET BUTTON IS PRESSED, THE CRUISE DOES NOT ENGAGE). WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE VW DEALER AND THEY SAID THE CRUISE MODULE WAS BAD. WE DID NOT HAVE $380 TO PAY FOR CRUISE, SO WE ELECTED TO NOT REPAIR. BUT ONE TIME, WITHOUT WARNING , THE CRUISE ENGAGED AND PULLED THE GAS PEDAL DOWN, ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH MY SON IN THE CAR AND SHE SAID SHE IS POSITIVE DID NOT PRESS ANY BUTTON ON THE CRUISE. SHE WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND THE PEDAL JUST STARTED PULLING DOWN. SHE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE REVVED WAY UP. WHEN SHE PULLED TO THE SIDE AND TRIED SHUTTING THE CRUISE BUTTON TO OFF , AND EVEN SHUTTING THE CAR OFF IT STAYED STUCK. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES IT UNSTUCK. I AM CONCERNED THAT MY CAR AND OTHERS MAY ENGAGE THE CRUISE WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10078300June 16, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS NOW MY 1997 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GL HAS FAILED TO START.BECAUSE THIS HAS HAPPENED AT NIGHT AND ALMOST ALWAYS AWAY FROM HOME THIS HAS BEEN A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THERE IS NEVER ANY WARNING THAT THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN. THE CAR MAY BE WORKING FINE AND THEN THE NEXT TIME IT IS TIME TO START IT, IT SIMPLY WON'T START. WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED SEVERAL TIMES NOW. ONCE OUT OF A PARKING GARAGE -AT 5:00 PM DURING RUSH HOUR. ONCE I WAS BY MYSELFON A SUNDAY IN A TOWN I WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH AT A NOT VERY NICE GAS STATION GETTING GAS WHEN THE CAR FAILED TO START. I WAS THERE SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE I COULD GET IN CONTACT WITH FAMILY MEMBERS TO COME AND RESCUE ME. EACH TIME WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEARLERSHIP AND HAD IT "FIXED". MY QUESTION IS HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO HAVE IT FIXED???? I HAVE GONE ON VARIOUS SITES AND THE COMMENT IS THAT THE 1997 JETTA HAS STARTING PROBLEMS. IF THIS IS SO THEN DOESN'T THIS MEAN THAT THE STARTER OR THE WIRING IS DEFECTIVE. GRANTED THE CAR PROBABLY WON'T BLOW UP BECAUSE OF THIS BUT A CAR SHOULD BE RELIABLE ENOUGH JUST TO START - SHOULDN'T IT? WE HAVE HAD THE CAR FOUR YEARS NOW AND HAVE HAD REPEATED FAILURES. SOMETIMES IT WOULD START EVENTUALLY BUT WE HAVE HAD 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHEN IT WOULD NOT START AND IT WENT IN FOR REPAIRS. TWICE ( TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS) WE WERE TOLD IT WAS A BAD STARTER AND IT WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED. THE COMBINED COST - $1100.00. THE THIRD TIME WE PROTESTED AND DEMANDED THAT IT BE FIXED - THAT TIME - $150.00. NOW WE ARE UP AGAINST A FOURTH TRIP TO A DEALERSHIP. I AM 56 YEARS OLD AND HAVE HAD MANY DIFFERENT CARS - OLD & NEW, BUT NEVER HAVE I HAD AN EXPERIENCE LIKE THIS!!! AND I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10064584April 5, 2004
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM, SUSPENSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS
PAST YEAR: AUTO DOOR LOCKS FAILED, COULD NOT OPEN EITHER FRONT DOOR; TRANSMISSION FAILED, EXHAUST SYSTEM RUSTED OUT, HEADLIGHTS OUT, SIGNALS OUT, WHEEL BEARINGS NEED REPLACED, AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON, HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE CAR IN NEARLY 1 YEAR, REQUIRED NEARLY $5000 WORTH OF DAMAGE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10064950March 26, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHEN DRIVING 25 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, OPENED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE. CONSUMER CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10063416March 17, 2004
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO OPERATE THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SIDE WINDOW SWITCH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10062101March 13, 2004
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS, POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY
PROBLEM WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING INTO REVERSE; DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO AND OUT OF REVERSE AND SECOND GEAR,FORCING YOU TO DOUBLE CLUTCH TO ENABLE SHIFTING. TICKING SOUND WHEN IN REVERSE. THIS RESULTED IN CHIPPED AND PITTED REVERSE IDLE GEAR AND GEAR TEETH MISSING. ALSO, SHIFTER LEVER VIBRATING, BECOMING LOOSE AND EVENTUALLY BREAKING OFF. VEHICLE ALSO RECALLED FOR A FIRE PROTECTIVE SHIELD IN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HOUSING. VEHICLE IN SHOP FOR OVER A MONTH DUE TO LITIGATION WITH PENN WARRANTY CORP. REFUSING TO REPAIR, STATING DAMAGE WAS DUE TO DRIVER MISUSE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054264January 16, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, EQUIPMENT
THE VEHICLE SKIDDED ON THE SNOW ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A GUARDRAIL. THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AND DID NOT DEPLOY. *CB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10070646January 15, 2004
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
I BOUGHT THE CAR ON MARCH 5, 2003 AND AFTER 2-3 DAYS THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON! I MADE MORE THAN SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE AT LITHIA VW IN RENO, NV; AND THE ONLY REPAIRS HALF WAY DONE WAS THE SECONDARY AIR INJECTION VALVE AND HOSES, BUT NOT THE SAI PUMP AS WELL AS THE TUMBLER OF THE IGNITION. THIS IS A LEMON FROM DAY ONE AND I HAVE SEVERAL PROOF OF THE PROBLEM EVEN FROM DMV OF NEVADA IN THEIR DTC'S WHICH IS THE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE DESCRITION OF P0411-SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM!!!!! NO ONE WILL HELP ME, AND I BOUGHT THE CAR TO ENJOY AND TO NOT WORRY OF BREAKING DOWN, BUT NOW.....IT SITS IN THE DRIVEWAY....SO THE WARRANTY WON'T BE VOIDED, AND THAT MY CAR DOESN'T GET WORSE. I DO HAVE MANY DOCUMENTS TO BACK THIS CLAIM AND THE DEALER-BUDGET MOTERS WON'T HELP, NOR WILL THE AUL WARRENTY CO. THAT I PAY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052677January 8, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I PURCHASED A USED 1997 VW JETTA GL IN NOVEMBER OF 1999. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO GIVE ME A WARRANTY. THEY SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T OFFER THE WARRANTY WITH CARS OVER 55,000 MILES, MINE HAD 55,500 MILES. IN LATE SEPTEMBER OF 2001 (69342 MILES), MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, DURING RUSH HOUR, IN A HIGH TRAFFIC AREA. ABOUT 1-2 MONTHS PRIOR I HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED, INCLUDING A FLUID CHANGE. I WAS FORCED TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION, AND HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH IT AFTER. THE SHOP THAT I HAD REPLACE IT SAID THAT THEY HAVE SEEN MANY JETTA'S WITH THIS PROBLEM. I STILL AM HAVING PROBLEMS, WITH THE CAR. PROBLEMS INCLUDE: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CLICKS ON AND OFF FOR NO REASON, NOT STARTING IN WARMER WEATHER, IRREGULAR IDLEING, AND STICKY LOCKS. I AM AWARE THAT THESE CARS HAVE ELECTRIAL PROBLEMS THAT COULD CAUSE UNSAFE CONDITIONS. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE CUSTOMER SHOULD BE FORCED TO PAY FOR THESE COASTLY REPAIRS, WHEN SO MANY CASES EXSITS. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051463January 1, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
TH IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HAS BROKEN AND BEEN REPLACED ON MY 1997 JETTA TWICE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10050724December 18, 2003
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE WHEN IT IS TOO COLD OUTSIDE. DEALER SAYS THAT THE VACCUUM ACTUATORS (WHATEVER THOSE ARE) ARE THE PROBLEM AND NEED TO BE REPLACED, AT SIGNIFICANT COST. LSO, DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK CAME OUT COMPLETELY WITH THE KEY. DEALER REPLACED THE LOCK. ALSO, COOLANT LIGHT FLASHES RED WHEN CAR IS FIRST STARTED IN COLD WEATHER. COOLANT LEVELS AND FUSE ARE OK. ALSO, SIDE TRIM ON FRONT PASSENGER DOOR IS COMING LOOSE FROM THE DOOR.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10045441November 4, 2003
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW STOPPED WORKING AT 26,000 MILES, FOLLOWED BY THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AT 30,000 MILES AND THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW AT 36,000 MILES. WE HAVE NOT REPAIRED ANY OF THESE BECAUSE WE WERE TOLD WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT, SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AFTER 24,000 MILES. LAST MONTH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR AS WELL. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A LOCAL DEALER THAT VW IS PAYING FOR WINDOWS TO BE FIXED IN THEIR JETTAS PURCHASED AFTER SEPTEMBER, 1999. HOWEVER, THIS WILL NOT HELP THOSE OF US WITH PROBLEM WINDOWS IN CARS MADE BEFORE THEN. VW KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM, THEIR DEALERS KNOW IT IS A PROBLEM, YET THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP THEIR CUSTOMERS. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT VW GETS A COPY OF THIS, AND IF THEY WISH TO CONTACT ME TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION, THEY MAY DO SO, BECAUSE AT THIS POINT, WE WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VW AGAIN, AND NEITHER WILL ANYONE WE KNOW BECAUSE OF THE VARIED PROBLEMS WE HAVE HAD WITH OUR CAR (THE WINDOWS ARE JUST ONE).*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10043388October 22, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE SHIFTS ROUGH BETWEEN LOWER GEARS, AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE FOR A PERIOD OF 1 YEAR. THE TRANSMISSION HAS LOST 4TH GEAR AND IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL FAILURE AS WELL. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10039169September 19, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WE BOUGHT THE 1997 JETTA USED IN 2000. SINCE THEN IT HAD IT'S IGNITION CHANGED (NEW KEY TO START ENGINE). THE THIRD STARTER WAS JUST PUT IN. WE THOUGHT THE NEW STARTER WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM OF THE ENGINE NOT TURNING OVER, BUT IT'S BACK AGAIN LESS THAN 21 DAYS AFTER THE STARTER WAS PUT. IT'S IN THE SHOP , STARTER WAS CHECKED; IT'S NOT THE STARTER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10033288August 21, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHEN SITTING AT LIGHTS. CAR HAS BEEN IN SHOP 4 DAYS PROBLEM CANNOT BE FOUND.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10031829August 1, 2003
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOWS ON VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT SHE WILL NEED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DELAER TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE WINDOWS. BUT CONSUMER WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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