Volkswagen Jetta Complaints

10,351 consumer complaints on file.

#10220459March 8, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
LEAK IN COOLING SYSTEM CAUSING MIGRATION TO WATER PUMP, HEATER CORE, AND ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. HAVING TO REPLACE ALL 3. CAR STALLS AT RANDOM TIMES IN BUSY TRAFFIC, POSING POTENTIAL ACCIDENT PROBLEM. CAUSED TOXIC FUMES TO COME THROUGH HEAT VENTS IN CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220390March 7, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
MY SISTER WAS KILLED IN A FIRE CAUSED BY A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. SHE FELL ASLEEP WITH THE CAR ON. THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND SHE WAS KILLED. THE INVESTIGATED ARE SAYING IT WAS A FAILURE OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
1
#10220180March 5, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE BRAKES JERKED WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DRIVER'S FOOT WAS KNOCKED OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED A SECOND TIME TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 7,300.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219874March 3, 2008
PARKING BRAKE, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SEATS, STEERING
BRAKES/STEERING/ESP-VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AFTER MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS OR U-TURNS. SOMETIMES SO AGGRESSIVELY THAT IT HAS CAUSED INJURY TO THE DRIVERS AND DAMAGE TO THE CAR'S RIM AND TIRE. VEHICLE MOVES AFTER PUT IN PARK AND THE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. SOMETIMES, IT MOVES AFTER GETTING OUT AND WALKING AWAY. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY TWO DEALERSHIPS THAT THIS IS NORMAL. I DON'T FEEL THAT MOVING 6 INCHES OR MORE IS SAFE, ESPECIALLY AROUND CHILDREN AND SMALL PETS. SEAT MEMORY-SEAT STARTED MOVING ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING. ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS AS IN THE MIDDLE OF BRAKING, THE SEAT MOVED ALL THE WAY BACK WHERE I COULD NOT REACH THE PEDALS. MEMORY HAS NOT BEEN RIGHT EVEN AFTER REPLACING SWITCHES AND I AM STRESSED AND WONDER WHEN THE SEAT WILL START MOVING ON ITS OWN AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10219974March 3, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ELECTRICAL AND CAUSED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IT WAS THE CONTACT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,260 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219833March 2, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY SUNROOF LEAKS AND LEAVES A PUDDLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219834March 2, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY GOING OUT. I WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND THEN A MONTH OR SO LATER I HAVE TO REPLACE THE RIGHT, OR THE CENTER BRAKE LIGHT OR THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT. I AM REPLACING ABOUT 4-5 LIGHTS PER YEAR ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. *TR ALSO NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. 1/2 OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ARE NO LONGER WORKING, AND WHEN I UNLOCK THE CAR IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY LOCK ON ME WITHIN 15 SECONDS UNLESS I START THE ENGINE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219742February 29, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BOUGHT USED VW FROM A DEALER. DEALER WAS DOING BRAKES/INSPECTION, AND ON PICKING UP THE VEHICLE STUNK OF BURNT ELECTRIC SMELL. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THIS WAS AROUND 50,000 MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON ALTHOUGH NUMEROUS CODES CONTINUE TO COME UP NOTHING IS FOUND. DEALER SENT CAR TO AUTHORIZED VW DEALER TO FIX - LIGHT STILL REMAINS ON. AROUND 87,000 MILES CAR BEGAN TO DRAIN BATTERY AND WOULD NOT START EVEN AFTER NEW BATTERY. TOOK TO AUTHORIZED VW CAR SHOP. SEEMS SOMETHING WITH FUSES/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. AGAIN MANY CODES BUT NOTHING SEEMS WRONG, ACCEPT FOR THE WHOLE NOT STARTING. IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED - LIGHT STILL ON. LIGHTER SOCKET NO LONGER WORKS. NOW AROUND 89,000 MILES AND IT IS NOW EARLY 2008. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219563February 28, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK AND SMELLED FUMES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE DIESEL FUEL SYSTEM. SHE FOUND A RECALL ON THE EXACT SAME FAILURE ON THE MANUFACTURER'S WEBSITE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED AND REFUSED TO MAKE A REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000. UPDATE 04-02-08 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219244February 26, 2008
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2006 VW TDI USED, WITH 33K MILES. AFTER ONE DAY OF OWNERSHIP THE CLUTCH PEDAL WENT THE FLOOR. I PULLED THE PEDAL UP WITH MY TOE, AND GOT IT TO ENGAGE ONE MORE TIME, THEN BACK TO THE FLOOR. AFTER THAT, THE CAR WOULDN'T PULL ITSELF IN ANY GEAR. THE CAR NEVER SLIPPED, VIBRATED, ETC., NO SYMPTOMS OF A WORE CLUTCH, JUST INSTANT FAILURE. I CALLED VW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, AND VW TOWED IT TO A DEALER 3HOURS AWAY. BEFORE THE DEALER TORE INTO IT THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THAT IF IT IS DUE TO CLUTCH WEAR/ABUSE THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED. AFTER SOME RESEARCH HERE ON TDICLUB, I FOUND THAT DMF, AND CLUTCH FAILURES WERE VERY COMMON AND GENERALLY WARRANTED. I TOLD THE DEALER TO GO AHEAD AND TEAR INTO THE CAR TO FIND OUT MORE. TODAY I GET A CALL AND THEY TELL ME THAT THE CLUTCH IS WORE OUT, AND THAT IT IS NOT COVERED. THE ADVISOR ON THE PHONE SAID THAT HALF THE CLUTCH ON ONE SIDE IS ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE, AND THE OTHER SIDE IS COMPLETELY GONE. AND IF I COME PICK IT NOW, I WILL ONLY BE OUT $550, OR I CAN HAVE THEM DO THE REPAIR FOR $1800. I TOLD HIM TO NOT DO ANYTHING YET, AND THAT I WOULD CALL HIM BACK TOMORROW WITH AN ANSWER. THE SERVICE ADVISOR WAS VERY NICE, AND AS HELPFUL AS HE COULD BE, BUT COULD NOT WARRANTY THE CLUTCH OR REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219168February 26, 2008
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
DRIVERS SIDE HEAT SEATER FAILED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. IT GOT HOTTER THAN NORMAL WHEN ON SETTING #3, I TURNED IT OFF, AND FROM THAT POINT ON IT DIDN'T WORK. TWO DAYS AGO, I HAD THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER REPLACED AT THE KAISERSLAUTERN, GERMANY VW DEALERSHIP. WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, THE SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT WHILE ONLY ON SETTING #2. IT WAS SO HOT, THAT I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, AND COULD NOT SIT DOWN WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE OF THE EXTREME PAIN TO MY BUTTOCKS. I REACHED DOWN WITH MY HAND TO CONFIRM THE HEAT AND ALSO BURNED MY HAND. NOTE THAT I WAS ONLY RUNNING THE SEAT HEATER ON LEVEL 2 OF 5 FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES. UPON INSPECTION OF THE SEAT, THERE IS NOW A HARDENED PLASTIC FEELING AREA WHERE THE LEATHER ON THE SEAT WAS THE HOTTEST. HAD I NOT IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE HEATER, IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT THE ENTIRE SEAT WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FLAMES. ADDITIONALLY, SINCE THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AND I WAS UNABLE TO PROPERLY SIT IN THE SEAT, AN ACCIDENT COULD MOST CERTAINLY HAVE OCCURRED ON THE SPOT. I IMMEDIATELY SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY WILL REPLACE THE HEATER BUT NOT THE SEAT. THEY SAY THE DAMAGE TO THE SEAT IS NOT EXTREME ENOUGH TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE THING. HOWEVER, I FEEL IT IS THEIR OBLIGATION TO REPLACE IT BECAUSE THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY THEIR INSTALLATION OF A FACTORY ITEM THAT HAS ALREADY FAILED ONCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10219110February 25, 2008
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
I BOUGHT AN 2003 VW JETTA WOLFSBERG ON JAN. 17TH, 2007. I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AND HIT A BUMP AND THE RIGHT PASSENGER WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR PANEL. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD FIX BUT ITS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL CHARGES. I CALLED VW AND THEY SAID THERE ARE NO KNOWN DEFECTS OR ANY PENDING AT THIS TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218843February 22, 2008
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
HAD THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAT SEATER ON. FELT A SHOCKING SENSATION AND SMELLED SMOKE. PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF HEAT SEATER AND EXITED CAR. THERE IS A HOLE BURNED IN THE SEAT AND IT TOOK OVER 5 MINUTES FOR IT TO STOP SMOKING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10218712February 21, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT, THE VEHICLE LUNGES AND/OR SURGES INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE VEHICLE TAKES A LONG TIME TO SHIFT FROM THIRD TO FOURTH GEAR AND THEN DRIVES NORMALLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,594 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218629February 20, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I PURCHASED A NEW 2007 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA IN DECEMBER 06 FROM TREND MOTORS ROCKAWAY NJ. THE WEEK OF FEB 18TH 2008, MY BRAKES FELT MUSHY. I DO NOT PUT MANY MILES ON MY CAR BECAUSE I WORK CLOSE TO HOME (4 MILES ONE WAY) THE CAR HAS 17,000 MILES, I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALER 02/20/08 AND LET THE DEALER KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH MY BRAKES. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE BACK BRAKES NEED TO BE REPLACED (ROTORS & PADS). I COULD NOT BELIEVE THE BACK BRAKES WORE OUT BEFORE THE FRONT? I NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WOULD BE $380.00 AND IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY DEFECTS ON THE BACK BRAKES BECAUSE I HAVE READ THERE WAS. THEY SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW OF ANY DEFECTS AND THEY GAVE ME A NUMBER TO CALL (CUSTOMER RELATIONS TO SEE THEY COULD ASSIST ME). I VOICED MY COMPLAINT WITH CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND GAVE THE SAME INFORMATION. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO LET THEM TALK TO THE DEALER AND THE LATEST THAT I WOULD HEAR FROM THEM WAS THE NEXT DAY. I JUST CAN?T BELIEVE THAT THE BACK BRAKES WOULD WEAR BEFORE THE FRONTS? I AM A SAFE CAUTIOUS DRIVER AND I CAN'T UNDERSTAND THIS? THIS IS HIGHLY UNUSUAL. I HAVE PURCHASED SEVERAL CARS, TOYOTA, MAZDA, FORDS AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS. YOUR ASSISTANCE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218229February 17, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
PURCHASED A USED 03 VW TDI ON 04/05, HAD THE WARRANTY TRANSFERRED AND REGISTERED TO ME AT VW. BRIEF RANDOM INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHERE THROTTLE WOULD NOT RESPOND FOR 1-3 SECONDS WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP SIGN. (THIS COULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO YOUR HEALTH) VW DEALER COULD DO NOTHING WITHOUT A FAULT CODE. THIS CONTINUED FOR 2 YEARS AND 24000 MILES. ON 02/04/08, I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, DID AN ERRAND, CAME OUT AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE ONLY TO HAVE IT IDLE ROUGH THEN DIE OUT, DURING THIS TIME THERE WAS NO THROTTLE RESPONSE. I RESTARTED ENGINE 6-7 TIMES, ON THE 8TH TIME IT RAN NORMALLY. NEXT DAY SAME HAPPENED TO WIFE. I LOADED CAR ONTO A FLATBED AND DELIVERED TO VW DEALER 60 MILES AWAY. THEY FOUND THE EGR THROTTLE VALVE STUCK, REMOVED IT, CLEANED OUT BUILT-UP CARBON. THIS COST $370.00 WE DO NOT KNOW IF THESE INCIDENTS ARE RELATED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218087February 14, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
I AM LEASING A 2006 VW JETTA SINCE JAN. 2006. EVER SINCE, PERIODICALLY ONE OF THE DAYLIGHT HEADLIGHTS (MOSTLY THE RIGHT LIGHT) DOES NOT TURN OFF AFTER TURNING OFF THE MOTOR. I THEN TURN THE MOTOR BACK ON, MOVE THE CAR AND TURN IT OFF AGAIN. THE LIGHT WILL THEN TURN OFF. VW SERVICE IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT COULD NEVER DETECT ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. 6 WEEKS AGO, MY BRAKE LIGHT WENT OUT AND THE BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ON FEB 3RD, THE DAYLIGHT HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE TOAS HAD A SNOWSTORM AND THE SUPPORTING HEADLIGHTS (SMALLER) WERE NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH. I CALLED VW HEADQUARTERS ON 2-3 AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED. I WANTED VW TO START A CASE ON IT, REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT BULBS AND CREDIT ME FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT I REPLACED EARLIER, BECAUSE I THINK THAT THE LIGHTING ISSUE COMES FROM ONE SOURCE. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH VW SERVICE FOR 2-5, BUT HAD TO RESCHEDULE FOR 2-12 DUE TO A SNOWSTORM. HOWEVER, MEANWHILE THE DAYLIGHT HEADLIGHTS TURNED BACK ON AGAIN (AFTER TWO DAYS OF NOT FUNCTIONING). I BROUGHT THE CAR TO HAVE THE LIGHTS CHECKED AND VW SERVICE WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG, BUT STARTED A CASE ON IT. MEANWHILE, VW HEADQUARTER CALLED AND TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. YESTERDAY AGAIN, THE LIGHTS DID NOT TURN OFF AFTER PARKING, AND I ALMOST HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP JUST TO PROVE THAT I AM NOT MAKING ANYTHING UP! IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING TO DEAL WITH SUCH INCOMPETENT PEOPLE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND VW HEADQUARTER. I AM WORRIED THAT MY CHILD AND MY SAFETY IS AT STAKE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217934February 13, 2008
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO I HAD A DEALER REPLACE THE SWITCH FOR THE HEATED SEAT IN MY 2004 VW JETTA WHICH HAD BECOME INOPERABLE. THE SEAT IS NOT USED THAT MUCH, LET ALONE THE HEATED PORTION. THIS PAST SUNDAY I WAS DRIVING HOME WITH MY WIFE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WITH THE HEATED SEAT TURNED ON. AFTER ABOUT TWO MINUTES MY WIFE NOTICED WHAT FELT LIKE A PINCHING SENSATION ON HER LEG. SHE PUT HER HAND UNDER HER LEG AND WAS QUICKLY BURNED ON HER HAND, AND AT THAT TIME WE COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. THE BURNING STOPPED AFTER TURNING THE SWITCH OFF, BUT A CLEAR BURN MARK WAS LEFT IN THE SEAT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID INFACT HAVE A RECALL FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SWITCH BUT NOT FOR A SHORT IN THE SEAT WHICH IS WHAT THIS WAS. THE TOTAL ESTIMATE THAT I HAVE RECEIVED TO REPAIR THE SEAT WAS ABOUT $900. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10217702February 11, 2008
EQUIPMENT
AM RADIO NOT WORKING. FM RADIO HAS LIMITED RANGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217747February 11, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE THERE IS .5 TO 1 SECOND DELAY TO ENGAGE FORWARD GEAR. AT FIRST IT WAS BARELY NOTICEABLE BUT NOW IT FEELS LIKE 1 TO 2 SECONDS PASS BEFORE DRIVE GEAR IS ENGAGED. WHEN PARKING ON A HILL CAR ROLLS BACK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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