Volkswagen Jetta Complaints

10,351 consumer complaints on file.

#733388October 4, 2000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1) THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IN THIS CAR HAS COMPLETELY FAILED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 5000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN VERY LIGHTLY. THE DEALER INITIALLY TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS JUST A LOOSE WIRE ON THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHTS AND THAT IT WAS ALL OK. AFTER I INSISTED THAT THEY CHECK IT FURTHER IT TURNED OUT THAT THE SYSTEM HAD INDEED FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. WHAT IS SCARY IS THAT THEY WERE GOING TO SEND ME BACK OUT ON THE ROAD WITH A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THE TECHNICIAN (NOT THE SERVICE MANAGER) TOLD ME THAT AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURE IS VERY COMMON IN THE 2000 JETTA. AS YOU CAN SEE FROM MY REPORT, I HAVE HAD MANY SERIOUS DEFECTS IN THIS CAR AND IT IS BARELY 8 MONTHS OLD WITH LESS THAN 5000 MILES. I JUST WANTED TO LET THE NHTSA KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEMS SO THAT THEY COULD LOOK INTO THEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#733341October 3, 2000
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE FIRST WINDOW FAILURE INCIDENT INCLUDED THE TWO FRONT WINDOWS AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE REGULATORS AND MOTORS. I HAD TO PAY 20% OF THE TOTAL COST. THE SECOND WINDOW FAILURE INCLUDE THE SAME TWO FRONT WINDOWS AND ALSO THE REAR RIGHT WINDOW. THE DEALER IS QUOTING A PRICE OF APPROXIMATELY $1,354.00 PLUS TAX. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD PAY UP TO 50% OF THE COST OF THE PARTS. I FEEL THAT THESE ITEMS ARE A DEFECT AND THEY SHOULD MAKE REPAIRS AT NO COST TO ME.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#733358October 3, 2000
TIRES
THE TIRE THAT FAILED WAS A REPLACEMENT INSTALLED ON 3/14/98 AND IT HAD ONLY 32,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS REPAIRED BY A GOODYEAR DEALER FOR A LEAKING PROBLEM ON 8/21/2000. THE TIRE COMPLETELY FAILED ON 9/27/2000 WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO AN APPOINTMENT ON HIGHWAY 97. THE CAR STARTED TO VIBRATE AND THEN I COULD HEAR IT THUMPING THE WHEEL WELL AS THE TREAD CAME OFF. I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE AND DRIVE TO THE SHOULDER IMMEDIATELY, WITH NO FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR. AFTER REMOVING THE TIRE, I OBSERVED THAT THE ENTIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FOM THE SIDEWALL ON THE EXTERIOR SIDE AND THE INTERIOR SIDE WAS 50% SEPARATED. THIS DAMAGE OCCURED WITHIN 50 YARDS OF MY FIRST AWARENESS OF A PROBLEM TO THE TIME I STOPPED. I BRAKED GRADUALLY TO LEAVE THE ROAD AT A SAFE SPEED. FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THERE WAS NO OBVIOUS HOLE OR DAMAGE TO THE ACTUAL TREAD SURFACE. I DECIDED TO REPORT THIS ISSUE BASED ON THE CURRENT SITUATION WITH FIRESTONE TIRES. I ALSO FEEL THAT I AM FORTUNATE TO HAVE SURVIVED WITHOUT DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. I INTEND TO PURSUE THIS INCIDENT WITH THE TIRE DEALERSHIP AND/OR GOODYEAR FOR REPLACEMENT OR COMPENSATION OF THE FAILED TIRE, AT NO FURTHER COST TO MYSELF. I WOULD BE GLAD TO DISCUSS THIS INCIDENT AND I HAVE PICTURES OF THE FAILED TIRE, ALTHOUGH I DID NOT TAKE PICTURES AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY IF THIS PRODUCT IS PART OF A LARGER PRODUCT FAILURE INVESTIGATION.*AK (DOT NUMBER: JDR046 TIRESIZE: 195/60R14)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#733361October 3, 2000
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
WHILE ON VACATION AND PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT THE FRONT RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE BUMPER CAME OFF OF THE ONE SCREW THAT WAS HOLDING IT INTO PLACE AND THE BRACKETS CAME OUT MAKING IT UNSECURE. THE BUMPER LAY ON THE GROUND AS I PROCEEDED INTO THE PARKING LOT, SCRATCHING ON THE ASPHALT AS I HAD TO PULL IN TO AVOID A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. WENT TO A LOCAL AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE THE MAN WHO TEMPORARILY FIXED THE BUMPER TOLD ME THAT VW'S HAVE UNSECURE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS, AND THAT THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#732742September 28, 2000
WHEELS
"ORLEANS" MODEL WHEELS HAVE FAILED TWICE. WHEELS APPEAR TO BE SOFT AND EASILY DEFORMED. WHEELS CRACK AFTER BENDING WHICH RESULTS IN A FLAT TIRE. VOLKSWAGEN HAS TAKEN THE ORLEANS WHEEL OFF OF THE PARTS LIST SO THAT REPLACEMENT WHEELS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. LOCAL PARTS CLERK HAS ADVISED THAT A HIGH FAILURE RATE AND REPLACEMENT ACTIVITY WERE OCCURRING PRIOR TO THE VW GERMANY DECISION TO NO LONGER SUPPLY THE WHEELS. THE WHEELS WERE OPTIONAL ON THE 97 PASSAT AND THE 98 JETTA AND GOLF. SINCE OWNERS HAVE BEEN ABANDONED WITHOUT SPARES FOR SOME REASON, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO REPLACE ALL FOUR WHEELS AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE AS THE WHEELS FAIL. WHEELS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#732748September 28, 2000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
BOTH DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAS, IN ESSENCE, TOLD ME TO JUST SIMPLY "GO AWAY" "YOU GOT STUCK WITH 2 BAD TRANSMISSIONS AND THERE IS NOTHING FURTHER WE CAN DO FOR YOU. LIVE WITH THE PROBLEM AND HOPEFULLY NO ONE WILL BE INJURED." NICE CAR COMPANY. LAST VW I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT!!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#732750September 28, 2000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAS, IN ESSENCE SAID, "THERE IS NOTHING FURTHER WE CAN DO FOR YOU" "YOU SIMPLY GOT STUCK WIT 2 BAD TRANSMISSIONS. JUST LIVE WITH IT AND HOPFULLY YOU AND NO ONE ELSE WILL GET SERIOUSLY INJURED." NICE CAR COMPANY! LAST VW I CAN TELL YOU THAT!! *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#732634September 27, 2000
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#732554September 26, 2000
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
BELTS SEPARATING TO THE EXTENT THAT THE TIRE WENT FLAT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE STILL HAD 5/16THS TREAD DEPTH AND SO HAD LOTS OF LIFE LEFT. *AK( DOT NUMBER: MKHCFJDR TIRE SIZE: 195/60 R14 )
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#732599September 26, 2000
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:WRECKER AND WHEEL LIFT DEVICES
CAR WAS BEING TOWED ON A FLAT BED TOW TRUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS SECURED BY 2 FRONT HOOKS/STRAP WHICH WERE ATTACHED TO A WINCH. THE REAR WAS SECURED BY A STRAP ATTACHED TO THE REAR TOW LOOP ON MY VEHICLE. AS THE TOW TRUCK WAS MOVING AT ABOUT 10 MPH, THE TOW LOOP BROKE (IN ABOUT 3 SPOTS)( THE LOOP IS ROLLED STEEL, NOT THE SOLID FORGED PEICE UTILIZED ON OTHER VEHICLES). THE RESULTING CRACK/BREAKAGE RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING FORWARD, DROPPING THE 2 OTHER HOOKS AND NEARLY ROLLING BACK OFF OF THE TOW TRUCK. THIS ALL HAPPENED AT LESS THAN 15 MPH. IMAGINE IF IT HAD BEEN AT 60 MPH!!!!!. IF THIS HAPPENED TO MY CAR, IT WILL HAPPEN TO OTHERS. THE LOOP IS TOO WEAK TO SERVE ITS FUNCTION OF BEING ABLE TO SECURE THE VEHICLE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#732546September 26, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BURNING OIL, CHANGED TO USING 20W 50 - STILL BURNING, HAVE INVESTIGATED AT SEVERAL DEALERS, THEY ARE ALL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, SAY IT HAPPENS IN 10% OF VEHICLES, AND THAT VOLKSWAGEN IS NOT RECALLING UNTIL THEY KNOW EXACTLY THE CAUSE. MY PROBLEM WAS INITIATED WITH A LOSS OF A ENGINE CASTING SEAL, AND HAS BEEN BURNING EVER SINCE. MOST DEALERS ARE GIVING THE RUN AROUND, AND VW IS CLAIMING THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN SPEC. WHEN TALKING TO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS AND TELLING THEM THAT THE VEHICLE IS BURNING 1 QT OF 20W50 EVERY 750-1000 MILES, EACH TELLS ME THAT THE ENGINE IS RUINED, PROBABLY HAPPENED WHEN THE SEAL BLEW. VW IS HIDING THIS FROM THE CONSUMERS, APPARENTLY IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IS HIDING BEHIND A EQUIPMENT SPEC. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS VERY POSSIBLE THAT THERE IS ENGINE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND VW IS STALLING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#871513September 26, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE CONSUMES A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1K MILES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, AND SAID THAT VEHICLE IS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#732461September 25, 2000
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
FROM STOP DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR, ENGINE RPM RUNS TO 3,000 TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE THEN JUMPS INTO GEAR CAUSING UNCONTROLLED JACK-RABBIT START. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#732297September 23, 2000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
ENGINE HARNESS SHORTED AND SMOKED UPON STARTING. PART CAN NOT BE FOUND. VW OF AMERICA NOTIFIED AND NO RESPONSE IN 3 WEEKS. VW FILE NUMBER 667784. NO HELP FROM VW AT ALL. NO EXPLAINATION AS TO WHY IT HAPPENED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#871234September 22, 2000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND AFTER APPLYING BRAKES REARENDED A MID-SIZED TRUCK. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURIES. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#871194September 21, 2000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 30-35MPH A SECOND PARTY RAN THE LIGHT & DAMAGED DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLE. AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY, 4 PEOPLE INJURED IN ACCIDENT, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK *SLC
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
4
Deaths:
0
#871071September 20, 2000
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT 1995 VOLKSWAGEN, JETTA, BUT BOUGHT USED, TIRE SIZE P19560R14, ALL TIRES WERE PROPERLY MAINTAINED, PROPER AIR PRESSURE ETC. FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TREAD CAME OFF WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. SEP 16, LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD CAME OFF, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#870925September 19, 2000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING DOWN AT STEEP INCLINE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. ALSO, EXPIERENCED A PROBLEM WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH, CONSUMER TRIED TO BRAKE, AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#870876September 19, 2000
TIRES
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH, THERE WAS A BLOWOUT ON REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE. TIRE SIZE 19560R14. ORIGINAL TIRE EQUIPMENT ON A 1998, VOLKSWAGEN, JETTA. TIRE MILEAGE 23,000. *AK VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SECOND BLOWOUT, THE RIGHT REAR GOODYEAR EAGLE TIRE FAILED, THE DOT #MKHCFJDR457. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#731100September 12, 2000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONTINUAL PROBLEMS, SOME UNDIAGNOSED. UNSYMPATHETIC DEALERSHIP. REOCCURING PROBLEMS. MOST PROBLEMS OCCURRING AFTER LEASE/WARRANTY WERE UP. TOO MANY PROBLEMS FOR A CAR THAT IS ONLY ABOUT 2 AND A HALF YEARS OLD. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE WHY BRAKE LIGHT IS ON, A/C NOT WORKING, ENGINE NOT STARTING ALTHOUGH STARTER WAS REPLACED, OR WHY ENGINE BEGAN SMOKING. ALL THE PROBLEMS APPEAR RELATED. THEY ALL OCCUR AT THE SAME TIME.THE CAR IS UNSAFE AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT NOW BECAUSE NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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