Volkswagen Jetta Complaints
10,351 consumer complaints on file.
- #10175610December 8, 2006SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
DRIVER TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATER ON A COLD EVENING AFTER STARTING THE CAR. THE DRIVER-SIDE SEAT HEATER BEGINS TO OVERHEAT AND SMOKE WITH THREE MINUTES. THE DRIVER ALMOST HIT A PARKED CAR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID BEING BURNED BY THE SEAT. THE DRIVERS NO LONGER USE THE SEAT HEATER ON THE DRIVER SIDE, AT A LOSS OF $300. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10175337December 6, 2006STRUCTURE
MY SON'S 1999 VW JETTA GLS VR6 -- AND APPARENTLY HUNDREDS OF OTHER JETTAS THROUGH MODEL YEAR 2006 IDENTIFIED ON WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG-- HAVE BEEN SEVERELY WATER DAMAGED AFTER RAIN STORMS. IN MY CASE, IT FIRST HAPPENED ON 13 OCTOBER 2005, BECAUSE OF A DESIGN FLAW IN THE COWL-VENT/FRESH-AIR INLET SETUP THAT ALLOWED WATER IN, FLOODING THE CAR FROM UNDER THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE; ALL CARPETING AND PADDING WERE COVERED IN RED AND BLACK MOLD REQUIRING TOTAL REMOVAL, CLEANSING, AND REPLACEMENT (NOTE: NOT ANY OTHER VEHICLE IN MY CUL DE SAC, INCLUDING MY 1998 VW PASSAT, ABSORBED 1-DROP). VW OF AMERICA PAID FOR THE RESTORATION, WHICH I GRACIOUSLY THANKED THEM FOR DOING. ONE YEAR LATER, AGAIN AFTER A HEAVY RAINSTORM, WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE THE CAR ON 27 NOV 06, THIS TIME THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND LEFT REAR PASSENGER SIDE CARPETING WERE FILLED WITH WATER (NOTE: AGAIN, NOT A SINGLE CAR IN MY 80-HOME SUBDIVISION LET 1-DROP OF WATER INSIDE, INCLUDING MY NEW 2006 PASSAT, MERCEDES, FORDS, HONDAS, TOYOTAS, BUICKS, MIATAS, CHRYSLERS, BRONCOS, HIGHLANDERS, VOLVOS, AND 2-CADILLACS). I TOOK THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, JUST AS A NUMBER OF OTHER VW OWNERS HAD ALSO DONE, AND NOTIFIED CORPORATE VW OF AMERICA THAT I WAS AGAIN ASKING FOR RELIEF FROM THE $800 CARPET REPLACEMENT. THIS TIME, SO FAR, THEY HAVE REFUSED ANY REIMBURSEMENT -- IN SPITE OF SOME 178 IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME DESIGN FLAW BEING POSTED IN EVER INCREASING NUMBERS ON, FOR EXAMPLE, THE CARSURVEY.ORG WEBSITE. I, MY USAA INSURANCE COMPANY, AND HUNDREDS OF OTHER VW JETTA OWNERS ASK THAT A RECALL BE IMPOSED TO RESOLVE THIS DESIGN FLAW; UNRESOLVED, IT CREATES A HEALTH HAZARD, MECHANICAL RUST DAMAGE, AND ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS (THE RADIO SOUND STOPPED WHILE I WAS EN ROUTE TO THE DEALERSHIP!). *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10175226December 5, 2006AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG AND THE REAR LEFT PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING, PUSHING THE CONTACT TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND DAMAGING THE SEAT BELT. A POLICE REPORT AND PHOTOS WERE TAKEN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A WELT ON THE LEFT HIP FROM THE AIRBAG. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A RESIDENCE. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10175252December 5, 2006LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DRIVER SIDE POWER DOOR LOCK MALFUNCTIONS. IT DOES NOT ALWAYS LOCK AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO WHEN DONE WITH REMOTE OR WHEN CAR REACHES SPEED FOR AUTO-LOCK FEATURE. MAY LOCK WHEN IT SHOULDN'T AS WELL-- LOCKING YOU IN VEHICLE AND/OR SETTING OFF ALARM. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10174945December 1, 2006POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
1. 2006 VW JETTA TDI 5-SPEED: CLUTCH FILED TO OPERATE AT 18,000 MILES, SLIPPING & BURNING 2. 2006 VW JETTA TDI 5-SPEED: CLUTCH AND DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL FAILED AT 18,000 MILES 3. DEALER REPLACE AT COST OF $2,500. DEALER STATED NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, FILED COMPLAINT WITH VW OF AMERICA. DAMAGED PARTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10174774November 30, 2006ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
LIKE OTHERS, I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION COIL REPLACED. THIS HAPPENED AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, OF COURSE. I HAVE ALSO HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOWS (REGULATOR AND MOTOR) FOR ALL OF THEM. NOW, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS FLASHING AND THE CAR IS SPUTTERING. I KNOW THE SECONDARY AIR INTAKE VALVE NEEDS REPLACING BUT IT DID NOT CAUSE PROBLEMS. NOW I'M WONDERING IF SOMETHING NEW IS WRONG??? ALSO, I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH LOSING COOLANT AND HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY REPLACE ANTIFREEZE. AFTER FIXING WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A SMALL LEAK THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WILL NOT PRODUCE COOL AIR! THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND VW SHOULD LOOK INTO ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10174666November 29, 2006FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
2004 JETTA DIESEL - FUEL PUMP/GASKET LEAKING -FALLS W/IN VIN RECALL #'S. FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. DEALER/MANUFACTURE STATES RECALL NOT FOR MY VIN#. HAS THE VERY PROBLEM THE RECALL FOR FUEL PUMP/GASKET LEAKING THERE FOR REPLACEMENT DESCRIBES. DEALER STATES NEED TO REPLACE PUMP/GASKET. RECALL STATES REPLACEMENT OF PUMP/GASKET. VW OF AMERICA CAN NOT TELL ME THE PARAMETERS OF THE RECALL, JUST THAT MY CAR DOES NOT QUALIFY. SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT WITH THIS SITUATION. PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10174562November 28, 2006TIRES
DRY ROT OF ALL 4 DOUGLAS TIRES. DURING STATE INSPECTION AT VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP/REPAIR IN NORTH GREENBUSH NY - FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO ALL 4 TIRES BEING DRY ROTTED.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10174595November 28, 2006ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
FAILURE OF IGNITION COIL PACK AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER DP05004. COIL PACK FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED BY DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT (WHERE WE HAD THE CAR TOWED AFTER IT DIED ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY). THE DEALERSHIP INTENDS TO BILL ME ABOUT $700 TO REPLACE THE COIL PACK. WHEN I MENTIONED THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN CITED IN THE ACTION SUMMARY ON YOUR WEBSITE, BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE VW CUSTOMER CARE CENTER SAID THEY HAD NO INFORMATION ABOUT IT AND WOULD NOT HONOR IT. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10174609November 28, 2006SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
THE SEAT HEATER IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY 2002 JETTA BURNT THROUGH THE SEAT AND MY PANTS. I WAS STILL IN THE PARKING LOT, SO NO OTHER DAMAGE OCCURRED. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS IF MY WIFE OR I WAS DRIVING, OR IF THE SEAT HEATER WAS ON WHILE THE CAR WARMED UP WITHOUT US IN IT. I'M PURSUING MY OPTIONS WITH VOLKWAGEN AT THE MOMENT...THIS IS THE LAST STRAW, NEVER BUY A VW, ESPECIALLY A JETTA. IT HAS GIVEN US PROBLEMS FROM THE MOMENT WE BOUGHT IT NEW. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10174365November 27, 2006EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
I OWN A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WITH A 2.8 ............................................................................................................. LV6 ENGINE AND 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. ON 03 AUG 2006 (MILEAGE: 84028) I HAD THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE WHEN THE ECL INDICATOR CAME ON. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 19 MONTHS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE SAME BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE FIRST TIME WAS 10 NOVEMBER 2004 (MILEAGE: 68184) IN WHICH THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED UNDER NHTSA RECALL #04V-09600 (20 FEBRUARY 2004). IN BOTH CASES THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED BY LITHIA VOLKSWAGEN OF THORNTON, COLORADO. THE FIRST SWITCH REPLACEMENT USED PART #1J0-945-511-D, WHICH WAS DIFFERENT FROM THE MOST RECENT REPLACEMENT USING PART #1J0-945-511-F. THIS IMPLIES A NEW BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS DESIGNED BY VOLKSWAGEN BECAUSE OF FLAWS WITH THE DESIGN USED TO RESPOND TO THE NHTSA RECALL. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE SECOND INCIDENT OF THIS BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY EITHER THE FEBRUARY 2004 RECALL THAT REPAIRED THE FIRST INSTANCE OR THE NEW RECALL 06V183000. SINCE THE BRAKE LIGHT IS A CRITICAL SAFETY FEATURE OF THE VEHICLE IT SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO FUNCTION LONGER THAN 19 MONTHS. ITS FAILURE PLACES MY FAMILY AND I AT RISK OF INJURY OR EVEN DEATH DUE TO A REAR END COLLISION BECAUSE OF VOLKSWAGENS INABILITY TO PROPERLY DESIGN A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THIS SAFETY SYSTEM SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO OPERATE THE LIFE OF THE AUTOMOBILE TO PROTECT ITS OCCUPANTS. VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD MAKE A SERIOUS EFFORT TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM PERMANENTLY OR DEMONSTRATE THEIR COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMER SAFETY BY REPLACING THE SWITCH AT MANUFACTURER EXPENSE. WHEN I DISCUSSED THIS WITH VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE (1-800-822-8987, REF. #60279193) THEY CLAIMED THIS SERVICE WAS NOT COVERED BY EITHER RECALL AND SINCE THE PART HAD PERFORMED PAST THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR THE SWITCH AT MY OWN EXPENSE. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10174287November 26, 2006EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE HIGH AND LOW HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT CAPABLE OF BEING ADJUSTED INDEPENDENTLY. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE PER MANUFACTURER SPEC, THE LOW BEAMS ARE APPROPRIATELY AIMED, BUT THE HIGH BEAMS ILLUMINATE ONLY TREES. IF THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ADJUSTED SO THAT THE HIGH BEAMS ARE APPROPRIATELY AIMED, THE LOW BEAMS ONLY ILLUMINATE A USELESS DISTANCE IN FRONT OF THE CAR. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10174042November 22, 2006SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE SEAT HEATER BURNED A COUPLE OF HOLES ON THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER ON 11/29/06. UPDATED 12/15/06 *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10174045November 22, 2006VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
I BOUGHT A USED 1998 VW JETTA FOR MY DAUGHTER. GOOD CAR FUN TO DRIVE BUT ONE DAY AS SHE WAS DRIVING THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW FELL DOWN INTO THE DOOR. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. MOST RECENTLY DURING THE SUMMER THE DRIVER'S FRONT WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. ALL OF THESE INCIDENTS COULD STARTLE A DRIVER OR SHATTER THE WINDOW. CURRENTLY SHE HAS THE WINDOW TAPED UP ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND IT HINDERS HER VISIBILITY. VW SAID IT WOULD COST $485 PER DOOR!!!! YOU KNOW THE DRIVER'S REAR DOOR WILL GO SOON AND IT JUST DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT THAT WE SHOULD HAVE TO INVEST ANOTHER CLOSE TO $2000 JUST TO KEEP THE WINDOWS UP! THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT WHEN I CALLED VW THEY THANKED ME FOR BEING A LOYAL VW CUSTOMER AND ASKED ME IF I NAME MY CARS...VW KNOWS THAT THE PLASTIC BOTTOM ON THE REGULATOR FAILS AND THEY REPLACE THEM WITH METAL ONES. THEY SHOULD DO THIS FOR EVERYONE THAT HAS THESE CARS. I BELIEVE IN 2001 THE REGULATORS WITH METAL BOTTOMS ARE OEM. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10174079November 22, 2006POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2006 VW JETTA TDI AUTOMATIC. STOPPED AT STOP LIGHT. WHEN LIGHT TURNED GREEN THE CAR WOULD GO BUT WOULD NOT SHIFT. PULLED OFF ROAD AND TRIED TO RESTART. AFTER RESTART CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. CAR HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR 20 CALENDAR DAYS AT THIS POINT. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10174329November 21, 2006EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2005 JETTA CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *TS THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THAT A LOT OF VEHICLES WERE HAVING A LOT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE TAILLIGHTS. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10173890November 20, 2006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CAR BEGAN MAKING LOUD POPPING NOISE. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP. AFTER THREE DAYS OF EVALUATION, THE DEALER HAD TO CONTACT VW TECHNICIAN FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VW TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE DEALER TO CHECK THE CAMSHAFT AS THEY HAVE BEEN NOTICING PROBLEMS IN THE FIELD IN VEHICLES WITH 80,000 - 150,000 MILES. THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE METAL BEING TOO THIN AND WEARING TOO QUICKLY. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10173737November 17, 2006AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
AS I WAS DRIVING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I STOPPED TO CHECK FOR DAMAGE, DID NOT SEE ANYTHING, AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING IN THE ROAD. NOW I HAVE A CAR WITH THE HEADLINER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BLOWN APART. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THEY FOUND A DENT AND TOLD ME THAT WAS THE CAUSE AND I SHOULD REPORT IT TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO BE COVERED UNDER MY COLLISION. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER FOUND THE DENT IDENTIFIED BY THE DEALER SHOWED SIGNS OF AGE AND WAS NOT THE CAUSE. MAKING A JUDGMENT THE PRESENCE OF DIRT, ROAD GRIME AND SOME SURFACE RUST SUGGESTED IT WAS OLDER DAMAGE. IT WAS MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY INCORRECTLY ADJUSTING THE LIFT WHEN WORK WAS DONE UNDER THE CAR. FINDING NO OTHER DAMAGE THAT WOULD CAUSE DEPLOYMENT THEY CLOSED THE CLAIM AND MY CAR WAS NOT REPAIRED. VW REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10173739November 17, 2006STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN PRIOR TO HAVING A FEW DAYS OFF FOR THE 4TH, I NOTICED A SQUEAKY BELT NOISE WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL. I CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL AND IT WAS ABOUT HALF FULL. I ADDED FLUID AND THE NOISE WENT AWAY. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER FOR THE DAY AFTER THE HOLIDAY. THE NEXT DAY ON THE 4TH SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. ADDING STEERING FLUID DID NOTHING SINCE IT SEEMED TO BE LEAKING OUT SOMEWHERE. I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR HOME AND IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY. I ASSUMED IT WAS THE STEERING PUMP AND WAS NOT TOO CONCERNED. AFTER EXAMINING THE CAR THE DEALER FOUND THAT IN FACT THE STEERING RACK HAD BURNED OUT. I WAS QUOTED $2000 TO REPLACE THE STEERING RACK, TIRE ROD ENDS, AND POWER STEERING PUMP. MY SECOND OPTION SUGGESTED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS TO BUY A NEW CAR. I DEMANDED TO SPEAK WITH THE SHOP MANAGER WHO FEIGNED CONCERN AND INTEREST IN HELPING ME RESOLVE THE ISSUE. HE PASSED IT TO THE LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE WHO REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE. NOT THE FIRST TIME VWOA WAS LESS THAN HELPFUL I HAD THE WORK DONE AT A LOCAL GARAGE WITH AFTER MARKET PARTS FOR LESS THAN HALF THE DEALER QUOTE. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10173376November 13, 2006EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED, RESULTING IN NO BRAKE LIGHTS. THIS WAS REPAIRED BY DEALER ONLY TO FAIL AGAIN WITHIN A FEW DAYS. WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILS THE BRAKES ETHER DO NOT WORK OR STAY ON WHEN THE PEDAL IS PUSHED. ALSO IF THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO STAY ON THE ACCELERATOR IS NON RESPONSIVE SINCE IT IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. THIS SAME SWITCH HAS BEEN RECALLED IN PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS, THE SAME SWITCH IS BEING USED IN THIS MODEL. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0