Volkswagen Jetta Complaints

10,351 consumer complaints on file.

#10156253April 20, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
2002 JETTA REAR LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *TS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE LIGHT PROBLEMS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155714April 19, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF A GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT, MY 2003 JETTA GLI VR6 BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND LOSE POWER. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD STAY LIT OR START BLINKING AS I TRIED TO DRIVE HOME. I CONTACTED VW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE ALONG WITH MY VW DEALERSHIP (STRONG VW, SLC UT), AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT I MUST BRING IT IN. SEEING THAT I WAS BARELY GOING TO MAKE IT HOME I CONTACTED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHICH WAS PROVIDED WITH MY JETTA AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD TOW IT TO THE NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP (NOT WHERE I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED OR HAD MY CAR SERVICED) TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT WAS ACTUALLY CLOSER FOR ME TO DROP OFF THE JETTA AT THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP RATHER THAN TAKE IT HOME, SO I DID THAT. I FOUND OUT THE FOLLOWING MORNING THAT THE IGNITION COILS WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THAT WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTY AND APPARENTLY EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THREE DAYS LATER, EACH AND EVERY TIME I STARTED MY JETTA A NOXIOUS SMELL WOULD FILL THE CABIN. I REPORTED THIS TO MY ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP AND HAD IT IN FOR SERVICE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER 5 DAYS OF TRYING TO DETERMINE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS THEY INFORMED THAT SINCE THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. IRONICALLY IT HASN'T HAPPENED SINCE. MY MAJOR COMPLAINT IS THAT IN THE YEAR AND A HALF THAT I HAVE OWNED MY JETTA, I HAVE HAD IT IN FOR NON-TRADITIONAL OR NON-SCHEDULED SERVICE MORE THAN 3 TIMES. MY MAJOR FEAR IS THAT WHEN THE WARRANTY RUNS OUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL VW CUSTOMER FOR 20+ YEARS AND HAVEN'T HAD THIS MANY PROBLEMS WITH MY PREVIOUS 4 VW VEHICLES COMBINED. SADLY ENOUGH, I POSSIBLY MAY NEVER BUY OR LEASE A VW AGAIN! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155630April 18, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
GAS IDLES LIKE IT IS STUCK WHEN OVER 40 MPH OR LIKE I HAVE A STICK SHIFT AND I AM IN 3RD GEAR DRIVING AND NOT SWITCHING GEARS. TWO MONTHS AGO THE CAR WENT DEAD WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. AFTER ABOUT TWO WEEKS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF AGAIN AND AGAIN, THEN THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE COIL, BUT IT STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155649April 18, 2006
AIR BAGS
THE FRONT, SIDE AND SIDE-IMPACT AIRBAGS IN MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA ALL FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN I WAS STRUCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BY A TRUCK TRAVELING AT 40-50 MILES PER HOUR. THE PARAMEDICS AND RESPONDING OFFICER ENCOURAGED ME TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT, SAYING THAT I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE RIDING ALONE BECAUSE A PASSENGER WOULD NOT HAVE SURVIVED THE ACCIDENT WITHOUT AIRBAG PROTECTION. I HAVE ALREADY CONTACTED VW AND SUBMITTED THE FORMS AND PHOTOGRAPHS THEY REQUESTED FOR VALIDATION OF MY CLAIM, BUT - AS EXPECTED - THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED. I HAVE NO INTENTION OF SUING, BUT I AM DISTURBED BY VOLKSWAGENS' RECENT CAMPAIGN TO MARKET THE JETTA BASED ON ITS SAFETY. IN THE 3 1/2 YEARS I OWNED THE CAR, I HAD TO RETURN IT FOR RECALLS/REPAIRS 14 TIMES, SO I BELIEVE THE AIRBAG FAILURE TO BE YET ANOTHER SYMPTOM OF THE JETTA'S POOR MANUFACTURING. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION AND PHOTOGRAPHS. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10155426April 16, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. A VEHICLE FOLLOWING MY SONS CAR ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE (MY SON WAS OUT OF STATE RETURNING HOME) NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR AND BLOW HORN AND FLICKERED LIGHTS. MY SON LOOKED IN HIS REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SAW SMOKE AND IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED BY VEHICLE FOLLOWING. THE JETTA NEVER LOST POWER AND WHEN HE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND HE HAD TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF. THE JETTA WAS SMOKING AND THE FIRE STARTED IMMEDIATELY AND WITH IN MINUTES FULL FLAMES. THERE WAS A LOUD BOOM AND IT CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE JETTA. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT GET THE FIRE OUT AND HAD TO BREAK THROUGH THE HOOD. THE WHOLE FRONT (ENGINE AREA) WAS BURNED. THE JETTA WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THEREFORE WE PERSONALLY WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO REPORT (THINKING STILL UNDER WARRANTY THEY WOULD PROVIDE A RENTAL AND WANT TO INVESTIGATE) ALL THEY DID WAS REFER US TO VOLKSWAGEN. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN ON MARCH 27, 2005 AND TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT I HAD TO REPORT TO MY INSURANCE. VOLKSWAGEN ALSO TOLD ME THAT IF IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.... THEY WOULD ONLY PAY WHAT INSURANCE WOULD PAY??????? MY SON ALSO TALKED TO THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP AND ALL THAT WAS SAID IS HE (THE DEALERSHIP OWNER) WAS SORRY AND GOOD THING HE (MY SON ) HAD INSURANCE. THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T EVEN OFFER TO TRY AND HELP US GET BACK INTO A VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO INDICATION (NO ENGINE WARNING, NO POWER LOSE, SMELL ETC.) THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG. THE SMOKE WAS GOING UP UNDER THE JETTA AND OUT UNDER THE BACK. THE BLESSING IS THE VEHICLE BEHIND MY SON.... WHAT IF HE HADN'T CAUGHT MY SONS ATTENTION?????????? THE AUTO INSURANCE DIDN'T COVER FOR WHAT WAS LOST IN THE VEHICLE, JUST THE JETTA. ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WERE DONE AS RECOMMENDED BY VOLKSWAGEN????? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154984April 10, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
DEVELOPED LARGE INTERNAL COOLANT LEAK @ ~47,000 MILES. THIS IS PROBABLY DUE TO INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE EGR COOLER. DEALER CANNOT ID PROBLEM, BUT THIS APPEARS TO BE WIDESPREAD WITH THIS ENGINE. THIS COULD RESULT IN ENGINE FAILURE AND ACCIDENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154899April 9, 2006
AIR BAGS
TODAY I TOOK MY DAUGHTERS 2000 JETTA IN FOR SERVICE. I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND I TAKE IT TO VW DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE AND RECALLS. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT SUDDENLY CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE VW DEALERSHIP AND WAS CHARGED ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR THE COMPUTERIZED CHECK-UP. I WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVERS'' SIDE AIR BAG. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE PROBLEM COULD CONSIST OF ANYTHING FROM AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO THAT OF A MALFUNCTIONING AIR BAG UNIT. HE STATED THAT THE PRICE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WOULD BE WELL OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS. HE ALSO SAID THAT SINCE THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG WAS MALFUNCTIONING THE CARS INTERNAL COMPUTER HAD SHUT OFF ALL THE OTHER AIR BAGS WITHIN THE CAR. THE CAR IS IN THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT NOW AWAITING SERVICE. YOU ARE THE THIRD PERSON I HAVE TALKED TO AT THE DEALERSHIP REGARDING THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE ANY ANSWERS. SAFETY IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS IN CARS TODAY AND THAT IS WHY I PURCHASED THIS JETTA. YOUR ADVERTISEMENTS STATE THAT THIS CAR IS ONE OF THE SAFEST ON THE MARKET. IT IS DEFINITELY NOT A SAFE CAR NOW AND VW COMPANY REFUSES TO HELP ME FIX A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM. ALL OF THEM AGREED THAT THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM AND ABSORB THE PRICE WITH NO QUESTIONS ASKED. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED IMMEDIATELY. I'LL TAKE THIS MATTER AS FAR AS IT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN FOR A FAIR RESOLUTION. MY DAUGHTERS SAFETY IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME AND WILL NOT LET HER DRIVE IN AN UNSAFE CAR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154680April 6, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
A 2002 JETTA VOLKSWAGEN, 2.0 LTR ENGINE, CATALYTIC CONVERTER GONE BAD. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN OCTOBER, RIGHT AROUND 78,000 MILES. HAD IT CHECKED IN DECEMBER AND FOUND FAULTY O2 SENSORS. CHANGED THOSE. ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON. HAD TECHNICIAN DO A THOROUGH CAR CHECK, FOUND ORIGINAL FUEL FILTER (AT 80,000 MI.), NEW SPARK PLUGS, CHECKED ELECTRICAL TO MAKE SURE NOT SHORTING OUT, CHANGED WIRES, MADE SURE O2 SENSORS OPERATING CORRECTLY, CHECKED WITH OTHER TECHNICIANS ON INTERNET TO DO ALL POSSIBLE CHECKS, CHANGES, AND FIXES. NOTHING ELSE CAN BE DONE. TECHNICIAN CHECKED WITH HIS DEALER AND FOUND CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ARE ON BACKORDER UNTIL CHRISTMAS 2006 FOR THE EXACT SAME PART, CAR, AND TYPE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154650April 5, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLX VR6. IN OCTOBER OF 2004 NOTICED THE ENGINE SURGING EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE WHEN ACCELERATING. EVENTUALLY, THE MIL WENT ON AND THERE WAS A DRASTIC LOSS OF POWER. AFTER BRINGING IT INTO THE DEALER, IT WAS DEEMED TO BE A $700 IGNITION COIL PACK. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET FOUND THAT VW RELEASED A RECALL IN FEBRUARY OF 2003 STATING A RECALL ON ALL 2001 COIL PACKS. I MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. I LOGGED A COMPLAINT WITH VW CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY DID NOTHING. IN MARCH OF 2006, THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED AND ONCE THE MIL LIGHT WENT ON, I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER. THIS TIME IT WAS THE IGNITION COIL PACK, WIRES AND SPARK PLUGS AND THEY CHARGED $1200. WHEN I EXPLAINED I HAD THE SAME ISSUE 14K MILES AND 17 MONTHS EARLIER, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING, AS THE COIL PACK WAS PAST ITS 12K MILE WARRANTY. THE DEALER STATED THEY COULD DO NOTHING FOR ME AND AGAIN REFERRED ME TO VW CUSTOMER CARE, WHO COULD CARE LESS AS MY VIN # WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND UNSAFE, ESPECIALLY DUE TO LOSS OF POWER AND SURGING. I AM IN PROCESS OF WRITING A DEMAND LETTER TO VW, WHICH WILL MOST LIKELY NOT DO MUCH AND WILL FORCE ME TO TAKE VW TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT TO REPAY ME FOR ALL OF THE REPAIRS MADE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155187April 4, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
2003 JETTA GEARS WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THIS IS CAUSED BY A PLASTIC SUBMITTER THAT CONTROLS THE GEAR SHIFT AND BRAKES. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL FOR THE 2002 MODEL BUT NOT 2003. *JB THE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE HIS PAID BILLS PAID THAT WERE ACCIDENTALLY PLACED IN AN ENVELOPE. UPDATED 07/11/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154541April 4, 2006
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, EQUIPMENT
I PURCHASED A USED 1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLX SEVERAL YEARS AGO. WITHIN A YEAR OF PURCHASE, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO OPPERATE PROPERLY. I HAD THE REGULATOR REPLACED. A YEAR LATER THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW FAILED. THAT REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. A YEAR LATER THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE FAILED AGAIN. BEFORE I COULD GET IT FIXED, THE REAR DIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED AS WELL. BOTH REGULATORS ARE BEING REPLACED. THE TOTAL COST OF THESE REPAIRS WILL BE OVER $2000. I FIND IT APPALLING THAT THE SAME PROBLEM CAN OCCUR MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE SAME VEHICLE. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR VW VEHICLES AND YET NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO CORRECT IT - BE IT A DESIGN FLAW, MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, ETC. FAILED REGULATORS ARE BOTH A SAFETY AND SECURITY PROBLEM. I HOPE THAT NHTSA TAKES THESE COMPLAINTS SERIOUSLY AND INVESTIGATES THE PROBLEM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154337April 1, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AFER 1477 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2006 TDI JETTA FAILED. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 1 WEEK AND THE DEALER TELLS ME IT WILL TAKE ANOTHER 2 WEEKS BEFORE THE PARTS COME IN. I CALLED VW AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD DISCUSS ARBITRATION AFTER THE CAR WAS FIXED. THEY WOULD NOT TAKE THE CAR BACK. THAT'S VW QUALITY AND SERVICE FOR A $27K CAR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154347April 1, 2006
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
I DRIVE A 2001 VW JETTA. AS I OPENED MY GLOVE COMPARTMENT TODAY, THE HANDLE INCLUDING THE LOCK MECHANISM FELL INTO MY HAND. IT JUST BROKE OFF RIGHT THEN AND THERE. I DO NOT USE MY GLOVE COMPARTMENT OFTEN SO IT IS NOT FROM WEAR AND TEAR. MY ISSUE IS THAT NOW THERE IS A HOLE IN MY GLOVE COMPARTMENT. IF SOMEONE WAS THINKING ABOUT BREAKING IN, THIS COULD BE THE DECIDING FACTOR FOR THEM KNOWING THAT THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT IS COMPLETELY ACCESSIBLE AND AT TIMES THERE ARE VALUABLES LOCATED IN COMPARTMENTS AS WELL AS TRIGGER SWITCHES TO TRUNKS AND IN SOME CASES EVEN SPARE KEYS TO THE CAR OR A PERSON'S HOME! I DO NOT HAVE ANY OF THOSE ITEMS IN THE COMPARTMENT, BUT SOMEONE COULD BE INTRIGUED ENOUGH TO TRY TO BREAK IN. I CONTACTED THE WARRANTY COMPANY AND VOLKSWAGEN AND THE MOST THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED WAS 25% DISCOUNT TO FIX IT. JUST NOT ENOUGH TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE CAR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153804March 27, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
WAS DRIVING ALONG AFTER JUST ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT AND GOT UP TO SPEED (ABOUT 45 MPH). THEN I FELT WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE ENGINE FALTER, AND THE MOTOR JUST QUIT, NO WARNING WHATSOEVER. NO ODD SOUNDS EITHER. JUST LIKE I TURNED THE KEY "OFF". I COASTED TO A STOP OFF THE ROAD AND TRIED TO START IT A FEW TIMES. JUST CONTINUOUS CRANKING AND NOT EVEN A "COUGH". NO UNUSUAL NOISES, COMPRESSION SEEMED GOOD. TIMING BELT FAILURE APPEARS TO BE RULED OUT. NO EXTERNAL LEAK IN THE FUEL PUMP (THE ONE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT) EITHER. WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED ON, ALL THE NORMAL DASH LIGHTS LIGHT. YESTERDAY, I DID NOTICE A MORE PRONOUNCED SOUND COMING FROM THE IN-TANK LIFT PUMP WHEN I TURNED THE KEY TO "GLOW". AFTER THE ENGINE FAILURE TONIGHT, I COULD NOT HEAR ANY SOUND FROM THE LIFT PUMP. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE VW DEALER SINCE THE WARRANTY WAS STILL IN EFFECT. TODAY (THREE DAYS LATER) THE DEALER CALLED ME AND SAID THE IN-TANK FUEL PUMP FAILED AND IT WOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153644March 24, 2006
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
RAN OVER DEBRIS ON INTERSTATE AND SEAT SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH NEW AIRBAG AND WAS REPLACED WITH NEW MODULE AND SENSORS. NO INJURIES JUST EAR RINGING. HAPPENED 2ND TIME GOING AROUND A CORNER AT APPROX. 35 MILES AN HOUR, SEAT SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AGAIN RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND SEVERE BURNS TO LEFT ARM. NO REPAIRS HAVE TAKEN PLACE TO VEHICLE YET. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10153561March 23, 2006
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
I HAVE 126,000 MILES ON MY 2003 JETTA. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AND THE DRIVER SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10153182March 20, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
REAR BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON AFTER VEHICLE PARKED AND NO KEYS IN IGNITION CAUSING BATTERY TO DRAIN. PURCHASE NEW BATTERY WITHIN 2 DAYS NEW BATTERY DEAD. NOTICED BRAKE LIGHTS WERE STAYING ON WHEN CAR PARKED. THERE IS RECALL NHTSA ID #04V096000 FOR 2000 VW JETTA'S FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT I AM TOLD IT DOESN'T APPLY TO THIS VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM IS IDENTICAL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152865March 16, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AFTER COMING UP A STEEP HILL IN A HEAVY SNOWSTORM, THE ENGINE OF MY 2000 GLS V6 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED UP. THE CAR WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND WELL SERVICED. I PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE AND THERE WAS NO SIGN OR SMELL OF SMOKE. AFTER THE THIRD TRIP OUT TO THE CAR TO UNLOAD GROCERIES, SMOKE BEGAN TO COME OUT FROM THE HOOD. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE OR MY HOME WOULD HAVE BURNED TO THE GROUND. DESPITE THE COLD TEMPERATURES AND SNOWSTORM OUTSIDE, FLAMES SOON BEGAN TO DROP BELOW THE CAR FROM THE ENGINE AND FLAMES 8 FEET HIGH ENGULFED THE FRONT HALF OF THE CAR BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD PUT OUT THE FIRE. JUST BEFORE ARRIVING HOME, BY LOW GAS LIGHT CAME ON (IT WAS EXPECTED), BUT NO WARNING APPEARED ABOUT THE TEMPERATURE OF THE ENGINE. I WOULD HAVE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER HAD THERE BEEN A HIGH TEMPERATURE WARNING. THE COOLANT LEVEL WAS NORMAL. BECAUSE OF THE UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES, I BELIEVE THE COOLING SYSTEM IS FAULTY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152770March 15, 2006
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
ON JANUARY 12, 2006, AS I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AT 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AN OPAQUE WHITE GAS WAS QUICKLY RELEASED FROM MY HEATER VENTS AND WITHIN SECONDS EFFECTIVELY TURNED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF MY CAR INTO A GAS CHAMBER. THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE INCREASED AFTER I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY REMOVE THE VEHICLE OF THE HIGHWAY. MY CAR WAS SOLD WITH A PERMANENT MAINTENANCE FREE PINK VW ANTIFREEZE. THE DOCUMENTATION THAT CAME WITH THE CAR INDICATED THAT OTHER THAN TOPPING OFF THE ANTIFREEZE PERIODICALLY THAT NO MAINTENANCE WAS NECESSARY. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT MY HEATER CORE FAILED; THE DEALER SAYS IT FAILED BECAUSE OF LACK OF MAINTENANCE. IF THE SYSTEM IS MAINTENANCE FREE THEN HOW CAN A COMPONENT FAIL BECAUSE OF LACK OF MAINTENANCE? I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN VANDALIZED, BUT THE DEALER DIFFERED. I WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY WARNINGS OF THE POSSIBILITY OF THIS OCCURRING IN SERVICE BULLETINS OR ANY OTHER VW LITERATURE. IF THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF A HEATER CORE IS POSSIBLE DOESN'T THE MANUFACTURE HAVE A DUTY TO WARN THE PURCHASERS OF ITS PRODUCTS? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10152784March 15, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE ON 2001 VW JETTA GLS TDI SEDAN, IDENTICAL TO THAT DESCRIBED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V096000. BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ON ALL THE TIME, EVEN WHEN CAR WAS PARKED & TURNED OFF. DEALER REPLACED SWITCH AT COST OF $193.23 PARTS & LABOR, DEALER & VW OF AMERICA STATE THAT VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN SCOPE OF RECALL FOR 04V096000. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED ON THIS SAME CAR, I BELIEVE FIRST WAS COVERED AS A WARRANTY REPAIR. PART NUMBER OF REPLACEMENT SWITCH IS VWN 1J0 945 511 D. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Volkswagen Jetta