Volkswagen Jetta Complaints
10,351 consumer complaints on file.
- #10257514February 4, 2009EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
I HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE THAT ONLY ALLOWS ME TO GET A REPAIR AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA 4 HOURS FROM THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP. THEY WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO REPAIR IT LOCALLY AND GET RE-IMBURSED. IT IS 4 HOURS TO THIS DEALERSHIP MEANING AN OVERNIGHT STAY. THE TOTAL COST OF THE TRIP IS MORE THAN THE REPAIR. IS THERE ANY OPTION TO GET THIS REPAIRED LOCALLY? NO ACCIDENT..........YET. THE RECALL IS FOR A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10257289February 3, 2009EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. IN APRIL OF 2007, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V063000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THAT TIME. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AND A HALF LATER, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH BEGAN TO FAIL AGAIN. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WOULD NOT STOP ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES AND, FINALLY, THE BRAKE LIGHT DIMMED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME MOBILE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR ONE MONTH AND THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SINCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE THAN TWELVE MONTHS LATER, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,707 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,207. UPDATED 03-09-09 *BF THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOISEY AND WHICH WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. UPDATED 03/12/09.*JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10257022January 31, 2009SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
AT APPROX 22K MILES MY REAR BRAKES BEGAN SQUEALING AND THEN GRINDING LOUDLY. WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED NEW ROTORS AND PADS AT A COST OF APPROX $500. WAS TOLD BY INDEPENDENT SERVICE SHOP THAT THE BRAKES NOT ONLY WERE EXTREMELY WORN DOWN, BUT THE WEAR WAS FAIRLY UNEVEN AS WELL. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF BRAKES WEARING OUT SO QUICKLY. IT IS ABSURD TO THINK THAT I WILL HAVE TO DO THIS EVERY 12-18 MONTHS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10256832January 29, 2009ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE WORK. WHILE IT WAS BEING TEST DRIVEN AT 30 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT A SEAL FAILED, WHICH ALLOWED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF WHICH SEAL WAS AFFECTED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND INSTALLED A NEW ENGINE. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE DUE TO NUMEROUS OTHERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,900 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 03/05/09 *CN THE ENGINE HAD 2 BROKEN RODS THE #3 AND #4 AND THERE WERE LARGE HOLES IN THE BLOCK. THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO HYDRAULIC LOCK OR A VOLUME OF OIL GETTING IN THE CYLINDER AND STOPPING THE PISTON. UPDATED 03/12/09. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10256601January 28, 2009VISIBILITY
2006 VOLKWAGEN JETTA TDI VEHICLE MILEAGE 16,000 WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER SYSTEM THE 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT MOUNTED WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR AND HOOD MOUNTED WASHER FLUID SPRAY NOZZLES. IN THE AREA OF THE RIGHT HOOD HINGE THERE IS A FLEXIBLE HOSE SECTION IN THE PLUMBING OF THE SYSTEM TO ALLOW FOR OPENING OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HOOD WHILE MAINTAINING WASHER SYSTEM PLUMBING INTEGRITY. THE HOSE WAS SEPARATED WHERE IT BENDS BETWEEN THE ENGINE AREA AND HOOD, MAKING THE WASHER FLUID SYSTEM INOPERABLE. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED WITH A CONNECTOR. AFTER ABOUT THE THIRD USE, FLUID SYSTEM WOULD NOT WORK AGAIN. UPON EXAMINATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BRITTLE FLEXIBLE HOSE HAD CRACKED COMPLETELY IN TWO JUST ABOVE THE NEW CONNECTOR. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10256464January 27, 2009FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
MY CAR LITERALLY TURNED OFF WHEN I WAS TURNING A CORNER...LUCKILY I WASN'T ON THE FREEWAY. THE BATTERY WAS FINE. IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE LIFT FUEL PUMP FOR MY 2004.5 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI PD BEW. I WAS CHARGED $400 BY A LOCAL VW MECHANIC. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD CHARGE $800. IF I HAD IT DONE IN TDI CLUB, IT WOULD BE AROUND $200. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10256339January 26, 2009SEATS, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
IN OUR 1999 JETTA, OUR PASSENGER SEAT WARMER CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND BURNED THROUGH MY HUSBAND'S JACKET. I REPORTED TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA AND THEY SAID AS IT WAS AN OLD CAR AND THERE WAS NEVER A RECALL, THEY CAN'T HELP ME. I READ ON MANY INTERNET SITES THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED VWS SINCE 1986, CONSIDER MYSELF BRAND-LOYAL BUT NOW VERY UPSET. WE COULD HAVE HAD A MAJOR FIRE AND NO ONE IS CARING ABOUT THIS AS THE CAR IS 10 YEARS OLD. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10256241January 25, 2009SEATS
THE HEATED SEAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF OUR 2003 VW JETTA TDI GOT VERY HOT ON MY RIGHT LEG, I REACHED DOWN TO FEEL THE SEAT AND IT BURNT MY HAND. WE TURNED ON THE LIGHTS AND THE SEAT HAD A BURNED HOLE WITH SMOKE COMING OUT OF IT. HAD I BEEN WEARING MY COAT IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE BEFORE I FELT THE INTENSE HEAT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10256171January 24, 2009VISIBILITY, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, EQUIPMENT
THIS VEHICLE DESIGN ALLOWS FOR POOR REAR VISIBILITY IN GENERAL; HOWEVER, IT IS AMPLIFIED IN LOW LIGHT SITUATIONS WITH THE COMBINATION OF HIGH REAR HEAD RESTS, A GLARE ON THE BACK GLASS FROM THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT, AND IF YOU HAVE A REAR SPOILER THIS MAKES FOR A REALLY BAD COMBINATION. NIGHTTIME VISIBILITY IN A JETTA IS THE EQUIVALENCE OF WEARING A BLIND FOLD. OH AND THE SALESMAN NEGLECTED TO MENTION THAT THE ALL WEATHER PACKAGE INCLUDED A TRUNK THAT WILL NOT SHUT OR STAY SHUT IN COLD WEATHER. EVEN THE REPLACEMENT LATCHES NEED REPLACING. VW IS MAKING BIG BUCKS ON THE CONSUMER HOPING TO SAVE A FEW DOLLARS WITH FUEL ECONOMY. VW NOT ONLY FAILS TO ADDRESS OR ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEFECTS WITH THESE VEHICLES, BUT TO EXACERBATE THE SITUATION THEY ATTEMPT TO LOCK YOU -THE CONSUMER INTO THEIR MONOPOLY, FOR EXAMPLE:KEYLESS REMOTES IN WHICH THE BATTERIES ARE ONLY REPLACEABLE BY VW DEALERS, A SYNTHETIC VW OIL, A VERY COSTLY TRUNK LATCH, THAT WITH MY EXPERIENCE YOU END UP REPLACING ANNUALLY...THE LIST GOES ON. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO OLD FASHIONED CUSTOMER SERVICE? TO SUM IT UP MY JETTA HAS ALOT OF BUGS...NOT TO WORRY, I'M SURE VW HAS PATENTED THE PESTICIDE, JUST HOPE I'M ABLE TO AFFORD THAT-CAN USE THE MONEY I'M SAVING IN FUEL ECONOMY. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10256185January 24, 2009EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
THE TURN SIGNAL CONTINUES TO MAKE NOISE AS IF IT WERE ON AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE I AM DRIVING. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED IN A RECALL BY VOLKSWAGEN (ID # 04V584000) BUT MY VIN NUMBER ISN'T COVERED AND THEREFORE VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10256088January 23, 2009ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1/10/08 I HAD MY 2003 VW JETTA IN FOR SERVICE. I WAS TOLD THE IGNITION COIL #3 NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. 4/11/08 IGNITION COIL #1 NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I FOUND THE RECALL ON YOUR WEB SITE AFTER THE APRIL PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH IT STATES 2003 JETTA. ON 12/4/08 I HAD TO REPLACE IGNITION COIL #4 AND ON 1/21/09 ANOTHER WHICH ALSO INCLUDED THE LAST TWO. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC AND WAS ONCE AGAIN TOLD THAT MY 2003 JETTA WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10256118January 23, 2009VISIBILITY
ON MY FIRST DRIVE IN THE RAIN I COULD NOT SEE OUT THE WINDOW. I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER LEAVES A STREAK RIGHT IN THE LINE OF VISION WHEN IN USE. DEALER REPLACED THE WIPER, THE STREAK IS SMALLER, BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINS. IN ADDITION, NOW THAT WINTER IS HERE, IT IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS AS THE SNOW MELTS AND SALT AND SLUSH ARE HITTING THE WINDOW. THE WIPERS WILL NOT CLEAN IT PROPERLY. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10256122January 23, 2009ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I COULDN'T PUT MY KEYS IN THE IGNITION. I TRIED ALL SPARE KEYS AND THEY DIDN'T WORK. IF YOUR WINDOW IS OPEN, YOU CAN CLOSE IT BY PUTTING YOUR KEY IN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO USE THE WINDOW SWITCH.....DEALER DID NOT KNOW THIS...??? GO FIGURE (SALES) 2006 JETTA TDI. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10255850January 21, 2009VISIBILITY
DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW REPEATEDLY FALLS INTO DOOR DESPITE NUMEROUS REPAIRS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10255882January 21, 2009LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE TRUNK DOOR UNLATCHED UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT THE TRUNK FAILED TO CLOSE TIGHTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND MORE FREQUENTLY IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A DEFECTIVE LATCH SYSTEM. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE LATCH DEFECT WAS A COMMON FAILURE WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURES OCCURRED ON FORTY SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10255881January 21, 2009SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE ONLY 21,000 MILES ON MY CAR, AT APPROX. 19,000 MILES I NOTICED A SLIGHT SQUEAK TO MY REAR BRAKES OCCASIONALLY. I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR INTO HAVE THEM CHECKED. VOLKSWAGEN CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, THEY CLAIM IT IS NORMAL FOR REAR BRAKES TO GO OUT WITHIN SUCH A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. THIS IS NOT NORMAL, NOR IS IT SAFE. BRAKES SHOULD LAST A LOT LONGER, AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPLACED THEM EVERY 18-20,000 MILES. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. VOLKSWAGEN IS SELLING POOR QUALITY VEHICLES AND THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO SHRUG IT OFF AS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR BECAUSE THEY DO NOT WANT TO ADMIT THEIR FAULT IN THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THEIR MOST POPULAR MODELS. I HAVE A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. I HAVE HEARD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR GTI AND RABBIT MODELS OF THE SAME YEAR OR LATER. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10255540January 19, 2009SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY 2006 VW JETTA 2.5L REQUIRED A BRAKE AND ROTOR CHANGE AT ONLY 20,000 MILES. THE NEXT BRAKE CHANGE HAD TO BE DONE AGAIN AT 36,000 MILES. I HAVE CHECKED A LOT OF FORUMS AND OTHER JETTA OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING THE SAME. VW DEALERS KEEP ON SAYING THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES AND ITS MY OWN DRIVING STYLE THAT CAUSES THIS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10255603January 19, 2009AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 30 MPH THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS AND THE SEAT AIRBAGS WRONGFULLY DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO REASON WHATSOEVER FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10255362January 16, 2009ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2003 VW JETTA - FUSE BOX INSIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MELTED! *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10255037January 14, 2009POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
2005 VW JETTA CLUTCH FAILURE AT 26K MILES. THERE IS NO WEAR AND TEAR ON THE VEHICLE, BUT MY CLUTCH WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY. WITH CAR DISABLED, THIS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. VW WON'T COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY DEEM THE CLUTCH AS A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ITEM. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS DISCUSSION BOARDS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. IT'S TIME FOR A RECALL OF THESE DEFECTIVE CLUTCHES. THEY ARE NOT GOING OUT BECAUSE OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. DEFECTIVE CLUTCHES WERE MADE AND PUT IN THESE CARS AND VW IS MAKING CUSTOMERS PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKES. IF I HAD BEEN IN A REMOTE LOCATION, I COULD'VE BEEN STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR HOURS AND COULD'VE BEEN STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. ALSO, WITH THE CLUTCH NOT WORKING, IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING FAST, WHEN I APPLIED THE BREAKS, IT COULD'VE JERKED TO A HALT AND I COULD'VE LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0