2000 Volkswagen Jetta Complaint Log

The contact owns a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving with the front driver’s side seat heater activated, the seat became extremely hot. The contact started smelling a burning odor coming from the seat. The contact felt a hole in the seat, which burned the contact's middle finger. The contact immediately pulled over and turned off the vehicle. The contact’s back started burning due to the extreme heat of the seat back. Upon inspection, the contact discovered a hole in his jacket and approximately four holes that had formed in the front driver seat due to the seat heater failure. The contact was not treated for the burns to his back. The contact stated that two dealers were notified of the failure but neither provided immediate assistance. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 489,000.

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE RECENTLY AND HAVE NOTICED A DISTINCT DIESEL SMELL WHEN IDLING OR DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. SMELLS STRONG LIKE LEAKING DIESEL FUEL. THE CAR IDLES VERY ROUGH AND SOMETIMES STALLS WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THERE IS A VERY BAD ODOR WHENEVER I ENTER THE VEHICLE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CAR WILL STALL AND I MIGHT BE IN AN UNSAFE POSITION DURING TRAFFIC. I THINK THE CLUTCH MIGHT BE DEFECTIVE. IT SOUNDS VERY LOUD. THE VEHICLE HAS 260,000 MILES. DIESLS ARE SUPPOSED TO RUN FOREVER BUT I FEEL LIKE I BOUGHT A LEMON.

MY VEHICLE KEPT OVER HEATING URNS OUT IT WAS THE COOLING SYSTEM I HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT AND RADIATOR..

2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE AND WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DAY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE, ABS, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS, ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER OFFERED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE IF THE CONSUMER BOUGHT THE PARTS. THE CONSUMER DECLINED. *JS

I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AROUND 35 MPH. SAW SMOKE IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR SO IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD. THE CAR WASNT OVERHEATING, AND NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON UNTIL AFTER I BEGAN SLOWING DOWN TO PULL OVER. AS I STOPPED AND TURNED OFF THE CAR, I REALIZED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE, I GRABBED MY PHONE AND CALLED 911 AS I GOT AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. *TR

WENT TO BUCKLE UP AND HEARD A NOISE. LOSS AT TENSION ON SEAT BELT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND TOWED BACK TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 245,000.

WATER PUMP AND BACK HOUSING THE COOLANT SYSTEM

VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS SPORADICALLY WHENEVER THE FUEL GUAGE READS 3/8 OR LESS. BOTH MY VW CAR DO THE EXACT SAME THING. IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE THIS OCCURS WITH MOST VW CARS. EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.

I OWN A 2000 VW JETTA. MY SON AND I WERE HEADING HOME AFTER A COLLEGE VISIT, HE TURNED ON HIS SEAT HEATER AND BEGAN TO NAP. 20 MINUTES LATER, HE POPPED UP RUBBING HIS SHOULDER, THE SEAT HEATER CAUSED THE SEAT TO CATCH FIRE AND BURNED A PORTION OF THE SEAT, HIS SHIRT AND SHOULDER. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF THAT ISSUE AND THAT THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A RECALL FOR SUCH AN ISSUE. I THEN DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND WHERE IT'S A VERY COMMON ISSUE. *TR

BRAND NEW TIRE COMPLETELY FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THIS TIRE WAS 7 DAYS OLD AND THERE WAS A TOTAL SIDEWALL FAILURE. LOOKING ONLINE AFTER THE INCIDENT, THERE ARE COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T FUNCTION DUE TO FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. SUBJECT OF TWO PREVIOUS RECALLS. *TR

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, WHEN MY JETTA LOST COMPLETE POWER. I MANAGED TO STEER OF THE ROAD, PUT VEHICLE IN PARK AN TURNED THE KEY OFF, THEN SMOKE STARTED POURING OUT FROM UNDER MY HOOD. RAISED THE HOOD TO ONLY SEE FLAMES! THANK GOD A GENTLEMAN STOPPED AN HAD GALLON OF WATER. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY HOUSE(3 MILES) AN THERE IT SITS! MOST THE DAMAGE IS CONTAINED TO THE TOP OF THE MOTOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE CAR WASN'T EVEN OVER HEATING!! THE ONLY ISSUE IV HAD IN THE YEAR IV OWNED IT IS THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO NOT GO PAST THIRD GEAR, WHICH CAUSED THE RPM TO RISE, OF COURSE... HONESTLY ,JUST THANKFUL A STRANGER STOPPED...SIGNED, WITH OUT A CAR. *TR

I OWN A 2000 VW JETTA 2.0 GLS AUTOMATIC. I WAS COASTING DOWN A HILL AND COMING TO A STOP. I STARTED USING MY BRAKES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WITH OUT ANY WARNINGS CHIMES OR INDICATION MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL FELT LOCKED UP AND I ALMOST CRASHED IF NOT FOR MY FRIEND HELPING ME MOVE MY STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS A SIDE STREET TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPEN. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. ONLY AFTER AN HOUR OR SO OF WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK DID MY CAR START BUT WAS DIFFERENT. THIS HAPPENED TO ME 4 MORE TIMES. LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM NEW JOB AT AROUND 2 AM EST I GOT LOST AND CAR STALLS OUT ON ME WITH NO INDICATION AND IT DOES NOT JUST STALL AND STOP IT STALLS AND CONTINUES TO ROLL UNTIL YOU LOOSE MOMENTUM THIS IS NOT SAFE. THANKFULLY THIS PROBLEM DID NOT HAPPEN TO ME WHILE ON A HIGH WAY THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH IF ONES CAR STALLS AND THEY CAN NOT CONTROL IT. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND CONFIRMED BAD COIL PACK AND CRANK POSITION SENSORS. *TR

ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE OWNER, TODAY WAS THE SECOND INCIDENT I'VE HAD REGARDING THE CLUTCH AND THE FUMES IT EMITS. SIX MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THE CLUTCH SLIPPING AND IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT INTO A REPAIR SHOP. ON TOP OF THE SLIPPING CLUTCH, THE COOLANT AND EMISSIONS WORKSHOP AND ELECTRICAL BECAME A PROBLEM. "STOP COOLANT LOW" WOULD ALWAYS APPEAR ON MY DASH, HOWEVER THE COOLANT WOULD BE FILLED. THE ENGINE LIGHT ALSO STAYED ON. THE MECHANIC DID ALL HE COULD TO FIX IT. SIX MONTHS LATER, TODAY, I'M HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. ONLY DIFFERENCE IS, I IMMEDIATELY BECAME ILL WHILE DRIVING AND BREATHING IN THE FUMES THE VEHICLE EMIT. I BECAME NAUSEA, DIZZY AND VOMITED. THIS ISSUE REGARDING THE CLUTCH IS AN ONGOING DIGRESSION TO THE VEHICLE AND THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS. I HOPE VW WILL TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY AND INVESTIGATE THIS CASE, I HAVE FRIENDS WHO'VE ALSO EXPERIENCE SIMILAR INSTANCES WITH THEIR VW VEHICLES. I HOPE TO GET MINE AND ALL VEHICLES WHO HAVE DISPLAYED SIMILAR ISSUES REPAIRED PROPERLY BY THE CORRECT MECHANICS BEFORE ANYONE ELSE BECOMES SUDDENLY ILL LIKE I HAVE TODAY. *TR

HEAT SEAT CONTROL AT 5 ONLY AVAILABLE. AFTER A NUMBER OF TIMES STARTED BURNING SEATS. LEATHER IS MELTED. NO LONGER USE. *TR

FOUR NEW CONTINENTAL CONTIPROCONTACT TIRES WERE PURCHASED AND INSTALLED ON MY 2000 VW JETTA. AFTER APPROX. 2 DAYS, ONE TIRE WENT FLAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. TIRE SENT TO SELLER, AND THEY PRONOUNCED IT WAS AN INSTALLATION ISSUE. THIS TIRE WAS SENT TO SELLER, AFTER PURCHASING A NEW ONE. AFTER 4 TO 5 WEEKS OF DRIVING, A SECOND TIRE (DIFFERENT WHEEL) FROM THE SAME ORIGINAL SET OF 4, FAILED SUDDENLY. THIS TIRE "SUDDENLY" FAILED WITH A "GUN SHOT" LIKE NOISE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. REVIEW AT THE SERVICE SHOP SHOWED NOTHING UNUSUAL IN THE INSTALLATION. PICTURES OF THE SECOND TIRE WERE SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY COMMENTED THAT THIS WAS AN INSTALL ISSUE. I WORK FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING COMPANY, AND HAD ONE OF OUR EXPERT TECHNICIANS REVIEW THE SECOND TIRE. HE HAS 30 YEARS OF SERVICE EXPERIENCE WITHIN CHRYSLER DEALERSHIPS. HE WAS CONVINCED THAT THIS WAS A TIRE DEFECT, HAD NEVER SEEN SUCH A FAILURE, AND STATED THAT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE WOULD NOT HAPPEN DURING INSTALLATION. THIS WAS BASED ON THE LOOSE CONDITION OF THE STEEL RING ON THE INNER TIRE, AND THE FACT THAT THEIR WERE NO WITNESS TOOL MARKS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE. THE ORIGINAL INSTALLER OF THE TIRES ALSO STATED THAT THE RUBBER ON THE INNER BEAD OF THE TIRE WAS "TOO THIN" AND OF POOR CONSTRUCTION. I HAVE THE SECOND TIRE IN MY POSSESSION, AND HAVE REQUESTED THE ORIGINAL FIRST TIRE BACK FROM THE SELLER. I HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED THIS, NOR HAVE I RECEIVED ANY FORMAL CONCLUSIVE REPORT WITH MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYSIS TO PROVE THEIR CONCLUSION. RIGHT NOW THEY ARE ONLY STATING THEIR PERSONAL OPINION, WITHOUT THOROUGH ANALYSIS. I AM STILL DRIVING ON THE REMAINING TIRES WITH AN "UNEASY" FEELING THAT I AM AT RISK OF ANOTHER CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. I AM ONLY AFTER THE TRUTH IN THIS MATTER, AND UP TO NOW HAVE FELT AS THOUGH IT HAS NOT BEEN PRESENTED. I DIDN'T CREATE THIS FAILURE, AND I HAVE A HARD TIME SEEING HOW THE INSTALLER, WHO DOES THIS FOR A LIVING, COULD HAVE DONE IT TO 2 TIRES. *TR

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT NO LONGER STAYS IN A LOCKED POSITION, AND THE SEAT MOVES FREELY, SLIDING FROM BACK TO FRONT, MAKING CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE'S PEDAL VERY DIFFICULT AND DRIVING HAZARDOUS. AFTER INSPECTING UNDERNEATH THE SEAT, A LARGE COILED PIECE OF METAL WAS FOUND LYING ON THE CARPET. THIS PIECE OF METAL MATCHES EXACTLY ANOTHER PIECE OF METAL THAT FELL OUT FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE PASSENGER SEAT OVER SIX YEARS AGO. I CONTACTED THE DEALER, (FRESNO MICHAEL AUDI VW) TO HAVE THEM REPLACE THE PART BACK INTO THE SEAT SO THAT THE SEAT NO LONGER MOVED FREELY AND THE SERVICE MANAGER REFUSED TO CARRY OUT ANY SUCH WORK ON MY VEHICLE. AFTER SPEAKING WITH TWO OTHER EMPLOYEES OF MICHAEL AUTOMOTIVE AND GETTING THE SAME REFUSALS EACH TIME, I ABANDONED THE ATTEMPT TO SOLICIT THEIR HELP IN REPAIRING MY VEHICLE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AND LIGHTLY BRUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BEGIN SLOWING, THE BRAKE PEDAL AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGES FULLY, SLAMMING ON BRAKES UNEXPECTEDLY. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY A SOUND OF AIR PRESSURE BEING RELEASED. IF YOU PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AFTER THE AIR IS RELEASED, THE PEDAL WILL RETURN TO REST AND THE BRAKES WILL FREE UP. NO EXISTING DEALER RECALLS AND VW (AND VW SERVICE DEPARTMENTS) HAVE NO RECORD OF THIS BEING A COMMON PROBLEM. MY LOCAL VW SPECIALTY REPAIR SHOP SAYS THIS IS COMMON ON 2000 JETTA TDI'S. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. IF YOU EXPERIENCE A SIMILAR ISSUE, PLEASE REPORT IT! THERE ARE THREE OTHER ISSUES POSTED THAT APPEAR TO BE RELATED: 10116640, 10139585, 10052281.

HAD THE CAR CLEANED AND WHEN I GOT THE CAR BACK THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT WOULD NO LONGER WORK. IT HASN'T WORKED SINCE. THE SEAT SLIDES FORWARD AND BACK AT WILL. *JS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE AND THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE WHEN SHE HAD HER FEET ON THE BRAKE AND THE CLUTCH PEDALS. SHE NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 127,000.

2000 VW JETTA BELONGING TO MY FRIEND [XXX], QUIT RUNNING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. SHE COASTED OUT OF THE WAY AND HAD OTHER DRIVERS HELP PUSH IT TO A NEARBY PARKING LOT. ON INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM, IT WAS FOUND THAT A SWITCH IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR FAILED, SHUTTING OFF THE FUEL PUMP. THE DOOR SWITCH NORMALLY TURNS ON THE FUEL PUMP WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED AND IF THE CAR IS STARTED WITHOUT OPENING THE DRIVER'S DOOR THE "IMMOBILIZER" SECURITY SYSTEM SHUTS OFF THE FUEL PUMP. THE SWITCH FAILED WHILE [XXX] DROVE HOME FROM WORK AND FUEL WAS SHUT OFF TURNING OFF THE ENGINE.[XXX] AND THE PEOPLE THAT HELPED PUSH THE CAR WERE ENDANGERED BY HAVING TO GET OUT OF THEIR CARS IN THE HEAVY TRAFFIC. CAR DESIGNS NEED TO BE REVIEWED FOR FAULT TOLERANCE SO THAT MINOR COMPONENTS LIKE DOOR SWITCHES DON'T CAUSE THE CAR ENGINE TO STOP. ALSO IF THE CAR WERE HIT IN THE DOOR, IT WOULD OPEN THE SWITCH CAUSING FUEL PUMP TO TURN ON POSSIBLY FEEDING LARGE QUANTITIES OF GASOLINE UNDER A DAMAGED CAR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I PURCHASED A 2000 VW JETTA ON 6/16/10. TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS & SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE, IT HAS HAD TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS: 2 FANS, ABS SENSOR WOULD COME ON & LOCK UP THE WHEELS, SO THE SYSTEM HAD TO BE UNPLUGGED, COOLANT SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED, A TRANSMISSION REPLACED & A CERTIFIED TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST FOUND IT HAD BEEN TAKEN OUT PRIOR & 4 CYL PARTS WERE USED IN A 6 CYL VEHICLE, & THERMOSTAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE COST OF REPAIRS TO DATE ARE APPROX. $5,200 & I ONLY PAID $4,995 FOR THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SOLD IN THE CONDITION IT WAS IN. THE SELLER FAILED TO DISCLOSE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD UNDERLYING PROBLEMS AFTER I INQUIRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE BUSINESS SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR SELLING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE AND I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER VEHICLES THE BUSINESS HAS SOLD LIKE THIS. I HAVE THIS VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS MORE THAN I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT & WHEN I PURCHASED IT, THE SELLER WAS AWARE I NEEDED A RELIABLE VEHICLE TO GET TO THE KIDNEY TRANSPLANT VERY QUICKLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ADVISED HAVING IT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

CAR WILL NOT START AFTER BEING DRIVEN FAR ENOUGH TO WARM-UP THE ENGINE. MUST WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES--UP TO AN HOUR--BEFORE IT WILL START AGAIN. THE PROCESS OF TRYING A RESTART RESULTS IN MUCH UNBURNED FUEL VAPOR IN THE EXHAUST STREAM. THE INTERIOR LIGHTING DOES NOT TURN ON OR OFF WITH THE OPENING OF A DOOR. HORN DOES NOT SOUND WHEN LOCKING THE CAR, AUTO-DRIVERS SEAT POSITIONING DOES NOT WORK. ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR PERFORMS QUITE WELL--GOOD ENGINE POWER, STEERING, ETC. HOWEVER, THE NON-STARTING AFTER BEING DRIVEN A DISTANCE COULD RESULT IN BEING STRANDED AND PLACED IN DANGER. *TT

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. WINDOW FELL SUDDENLY, DROPPING INTO DOOR. ALREADY HAPPENED TO PASSENGER SIDE DOOR YEAR BEFORE. THE CAR IS A 2000 VW JETTA. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH VW'S. HOW DOES A RECALL HAPPEN? HOW MANY TIMES DOES IT TAKE TO GET A RECALL? *TR

MY 2000 JETTA GLS VR6 HAS ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS LOST POWER WHEN DRIVING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ON ALL THREE OCCASIONS, I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE VW SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY COIL PACK AND WIRES. EACH TIME I REPLACED PAYING OVER $1000 OUT OF MY OWN POCKET, FOR WHAT IS CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE PART WITH THE VW COIL PACKS IN VR6 ENGINES. *TR

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2000 VW JETTA THE TIMING BELT THAT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE SERVICED UNTIL 105K SNAPPED, DESTROYING THE ENGINE AND LEAVING THE CAR PARALYZED ON THE HIGHWAY. ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE WAS DONE AT DEALER FOR THIS CAR. IT HAD 89K WHEN THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OCCURRED. *TR

I OWN A 2000 VR6 JETTA AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COIL TWICE DUE TO THE DEFECTS OF THE IGNITION COIL CRACKING. I READ A COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON THIS WEBSITE BACK IN 2005 AND IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COIL. WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, I LOST POWER AND IT STARTED TO STALL ON ME. I ALMOST GOT INTO A CAR ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE I PANIC. I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT THAT RELIES ON MY CAR AND I TRAVEL 300 MILES TO COLLEGE. I NOTICED A LOT OF SPARKS BY THE IGNITION COIL AND I AM VERY SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE IT MIGHT CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE HELP!!! *TR

SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS AND ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MOST TROUBLESOME AND EXPENSIVE IS THE COOLING SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD 3 DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS LOOK AT IT AND "FIX IT" ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR DO THE SAME THING. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DOES NOT INDICATE THAT THE CAR IS OVERHEATING, HOWEVER, IT MUST BE. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED MULTIPLE TIMES (ALMOST EVERYDAY IN MY COMMUTE TO FROM WORK AND SCHOOL), AFTER I SIT IN TRAFFIC OVER 20 MINUTES, OUT OF NOWHERE THE RADIATOR CAP BLOWS OFF THE COOLING RESERVOIR SPILLING THE LIQUID ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND CAUSING THE CAR TO SMOKE. I HAVE EVEN BURNED HAD A SECOND DEGREE BURN FROM HAVING TO PULL OVER AND OPENING THE TRUNK SO I CAN REFILL AFTER IT COOLS. SOMEONE HAS YET TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR YEARS, AGAIN ONLY TO HAVE MULTIPLE PEOPLE LOOK AT IT, AND NOT HAVE THE PROBLEM SOLVED. I WILL CRANK THE ENGINE BUT THE CAR WILL DIE OUT. BUT IF I HIT THE SPEED CONTROL TO SET THE SPEED IT WILL STAY ON. THE CAR WILL HESITATE AND I WILL START OFF SLOW THEN IT WILL GO AT NORMAL SPEED. LAST BUT NOT LEAST I HAVE GOTTEN PULLED OVER 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 WEEKS BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT. I HAVE REPLACED THESE BRAKE LIGHTS ALL RECENTLY BUT THEY WILL BURN OUT WITHIN DAYS WITH OUT ME KNOWING. IT IS HORRIBLE VEHICLE, I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY TRYING TO GET IT REPAIRED. EVERYTIME IT GOES IN THE SHOP IS FOR DAYS I HAVE TO GET A RENTAL CAR EVERYTIME. ENOUGH TO SAY THAT THE CAR RENTAL PEOPLE KNOW ME BY NAME! MY JOB AND SCHOOL ARE AFFECTED BY THIS EACH AND EVERYTIME. I SUFFER FROM ANXIETY EVERY TIME I GET IN THE CAR BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT! IT IS STRESSFUL AND RIDICULOUS HAVING TO DEAL WITH THIS. PLEASE HELP! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE CHANGED ON THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY NOTICED THAT THE SIXTH VALVE WAS LOSING PRESSURE. THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED THAT THE ENGINE BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE THE ENGINE BECAUSE IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WITH THE NEW ENGINE WAS 2,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WITH THE OLD ENGINE WAS 188,000. UPDATED 08/21/09. *LJ DUE TO THE CYLINDER 5 FAILURE, THE ENGINE IS BURNING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL, EMITTING SMOKE FROM THE TAILPIPE. THE ENGINE HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED, BUT PERFORMING POORLY. UPDATED 08/26/09. *JB

I BOUGHT MY JETTA 03/2009 AND HAVE NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING I NOTICED AFTER ONCE I WOULD PULL OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND PRESS THE GAS AND THE ASR LIGHT AND EPC LIGHT WOULD COME ON, AND IT WOULD LOSE POWER AS IN NOT GO. SO I WOULD HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR AND LET IT SET FOR ABOUT 15 MIN, WHICH DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK. SOMETIMES AFTER LEAVING A STORE AND GETTING ON THE MAIN ROAD IT WILL DO THIS, WHICH IS REALLY SCARY WHEN CARS ARE COMING UP ON YOU FAST AND YOUR AT ALMOST A COMPLETE STOP HOPING THEY NOTICE THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON, WHICH DO NOT ALWAYS WORK. MY ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, AND WAS TOLD IT HAD TO DO WITH THE THROTTLE BODY THAT'S WHY IT IDLES ALOT. I HAVE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY LOOKED AT, IT IS FINE, I HAVE REPLACE HOSES THAT WERE DAMAGED. I JUST PICKED IT UP FROM THE SHOP FOR EMISSIONS REPAIR, ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON, AND NOW MY MOTOR IN KNOCKING REALLY BAD. AND ABOUT 2 WKS OF PURCHASING MY JETTA THE CASING ON THE TRANSMISSION BUSTED, SO I HAD TO HAVE IT FIXED, WAS NOT CHEAP. AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP, AND TIERODS, WHICH IS FINE, THAT'S VEHICLE MAINTENANCE. BUT MY STEERING IS STILL MESSED UP, AND REPLACING THE TIERODS DID NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM, AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS CAR. NOTHING CAN BE PIN POINTED. NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHY THE EPC LIGHT AND ASR LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR LOSES POWER. *TR

2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA I REARENDED A CAR AT 40 MPH MY FRONT BUMPER IS HANGING OFF AND SEATBELTS DID NOT WORK. VOLKSWAGEN WAS NOTIFIED AND IS HAVING A VW MEMBER LOOK AT THE CAR IN BELLIVILL AUTO SALVAGE 310 OAKHILL RD EXETER RI. DUE TO FAULTY AIR BAGS MY HEAD HIT WINDSHIELD AND CHEST HIT WHEEL DUE TO SEATBELTS. *TR

2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS VR6 AUTOMATICALLY LOCKS AFTER UNLOCKING IT WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTE. IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY BUT OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS THE OCCURRENCES ARE BECOMING A LOT CLOSER. I WAS SEATING MY TWO CHILDREN WHEN THIS HAPPENED LUCKILY MY KEY WAS IN HAND WHEN THE DOORS LOCKED. I FEEL THIS IS SOMETHING VW CORP SHOULD LOOK INTO AS I'VE SEEN SEVERAL MORE POSTINGS AS TIME HAS PROGRESSED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRAINING SYSTEM FOR THE SUNROOF WOULD BECOME CLOGGED AND ALLOW WATER TO DRAIN INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

MY 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA NEEDED A FULL REPLACEMENT OF THE OIL PAN AND GASKET. THERE IS NO REASON THAT THIS PART SHOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO AT 121,000 MILES THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED AND VOLKSWAGEN HAD IT UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY UP TO 120,000 AND WOULD NOT REPLACE THE PART FOR ME. THERE IS NO REASON THESE PARTS SHOULD NEED REPLACEMENT. THE CAR HAS 129,500 MILES ON IT, HAS BEEN GARAGED, NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES ON IT. *TR

MY 2000 JETTA IS LOCKING AND ARMING AUTOMATICALLY. RECENTLY, I OPENED MY PASSENGER DOOR (DRIVER'S SIDE) AND PUT MY 3 MONTH OLD BABY IN HER CAR SEAT. WHEN I SHUT THE DOOR AND REACHED TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR THE DOORS LOCKED AND ARMED. THANKFULLY I HAD MY KEYS IN MY HAND AND WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY UNLOCK AND GET INTO MY CAR, BUT I SHUDDER TO THINK WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO MY CHILD IF IT HAD BEEN A HOT SUMMER DAY AND I COULDN'T GET INTO MY CAR QUICKLY ENOUGH. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES (INTERMITTENTLY) WITHIN THE LAST TWO MONTHS. WHEN I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIPS SERVICE DEPARTMENT I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM IS A FAULTY DOOR LATCH AND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VW CARS. THIS WAS UPSETTING NOT ONLY BECAUSE MY CHILD COULD HAVE BEEN HURT, BUT BECAUSE I HAD JUST REPLACED ANOTHER DOOR LATCH JUST PRIOR TO THE BIRTH OF MY CHILD. I?M NOT SURE WHY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DIDN'T CHECK THE OTHER DOOR LATCHES AT THAT TIME, BUT I THINK THAT SHOULD BE STANDARD PRACTICE AS THESE CAN BECOME DANGEROUS IF UNFIXED. UNTIL I CAN AFFORD THE $400 TO FIX THE DOOR LATCH (OR BUY A NEW CAR AT THIS POINT) I NO LONGER LOCK MY DOORS OR USE MY REMOTE IN ORDER TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. HOWEVER, EVEN IF SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACES MY DOOR LATCH I AM NOT CONFIDENT THAT THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. IN TALKING TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE SERVICED VW CARS I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. I UNDERSTAND THAT CAR PARTS STOP WORKING AT SOME POINT; HOWEVER WHAT THEY SHOULD NOT DO IS TURN THE CAR INTO POTENTIAL DEATH TRAP. IT IS FRIGHTENING TO THINK THAT MY CHILD COULD BECOME TRAPPED IN MY CAR BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO DON?T FEEL THAT SIMPLY REPLACING THE DOOR LATCH WITH ANOTHER POSSIBLE FAULTY DOOR LATCH WILL FIX THIS PROBLEM OR RESTORE MY CONFIDENCE AS A VW DRIVER. AS A PARENT I WANT TO FEEL SECURE THAT THE CAR I DRIVE WILL BE SAFE FOR MY FAMILY. I FEEL THAT THIS ISSUE REQUIRES FURTHER ATTENTION FROM VW AND THE US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. *TR

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

I HAD JUST BOUGHT THE CAR, GOT IT SATISFIED AND WAS DRIVING ON MY WAY BACK TO SCHOOL ON A BACK HIGHWAY. THE HOOD CAME COMPLETELY UNDONE AND SWUNG ON TOP OF MY WINDSHIELD. THE WHOLE HOOD IS COMPLETELY CRACKED AND WE COULD BARELY CLOSE IT. I HAD CHECKED EVERYTHING TO MAKE SURE IT WAS CLOSED BEFORE I HAD LEFT BECAUSE I WAS SO PARANOID THAT SOMETHING WOULD GO WRONG. I CALLED THE VW HOTLINE AND THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT THEY AREN'T GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND IT WAS ALL ON ME TO PAY. THE HOOD AND CLOSING LATCH BOTH NEED TO BE REPLACED. I WANT TO KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN OR IF IT WAS JUST A FLUKE. *TR

EXTERIOR LIGHTING DEFECTS STILL ON WHEN ENGENEE IS OFF. *TR

FIRE IN 2000 VW JETTA VR6, POINT OF ORIGIN AT IGNITION COIL PACK ON THE TOP LEFT-FACING SIDE OF THE ENGINE. *TR

MY 2000 VW JETTA WAS BEING DRIVEN TODAY BY MY FIANCE ON 295 SOUTH IN RHODE ISLAND. HE NOTICED THE COOLANT LIGHT COME ON, AND SO LOOKED AT THE TEMP GAUGE AND SAW THAT IT HAD NOT RISEN ANY HIGHER THAN NORMAL. AFTER KEEPING AN EYE ON THE GAUGE FOR A FEW MINUTES, HE NOTICED IT SUDDENLY DROP TO 0 AND SO HE PULLED OVER, FIGURING A HOSE HAD BROKEN OR SOMETHING TO THAT EXTENT. WHEN HE EXITED THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED SOME BLACK SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND THE HOOD ITSELF STARTING TO BUBBLE FROM THE HEAT. THE CAR ITSELF BURST INTO FLAMES AT THAT POINT AND MY FIANCE HAD TO BACK AWAY FROM IT IMMEDIATELY FOR FEAR THAT IT WOULD EXPLODE. THE CAR HAD RECENTLY BEEN INSPECTED AND WAS WORKING PERFECTLY FINE EXCEPT FOR A SMALL COOLANT LEAK UP UNTIL TODAY, SO WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED SUCH A SUDDEN COMBUSTION. NO ONE WAS HURT, THANKFULLY, BUT IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF MINUTES BEFORE THE CAR WENT FROM OPERATING NORMALLY TO BEING COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES, SO HE COULD VERY WELL HAVE BEEN HURT OR WORSE. THE FIRE DEPT AND STATE POLICE ARRIVED AND SECURED THE AREA, WHICH INCLUDED BLOCKING TRAFFIC COMPLETELY ON THE HIGHWAY FOR FEAR OF AN EXPLOSION, AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY BURNED BEYOND RECOGNITION. *TR

I OWN A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, THE CAR HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS, I REALIZE THE CAR IS OLD AND WAS BOUGHT AS IS IT STILL SHOULD MAINTAIN TO PROPERLY RUN. IT HAS CAUSED A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN THE CARS WATER PUMP FAILED WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY DOING 75MPH, IT STARTED TO STALL I WAS IN THE FAR LEFT LANE, I PULLED OVER THREW HEAVY TRAFFIC, IT WAS A 1000 DOLLAR REPAIR, I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT A FAILED WATER PUMP, ALSO, THE CAR STARTS AND REVS AT 2000 RPMS OR IT HAS TROUBLE STARTING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY AND CANT FIND THE PROBLEM, ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS ARE NUMEROUS, I FEEL I SHOULD HAVE SOME COMPENSATION FROM THE VW CORPORATION AND ALL THE OTHER OWNERS OF A VW OF THIS YEAR WITH THE SAME ISSUES. *TR

I AM REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE IGNITION COIL PLUGS ON THE MODEL YEAR 2000, VOLKSWAGEN, JETTA. I HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE STALLING EVENTS AND CAR NOT STARTING UP AFTER UP OR BEING PARKED AFTER SHUTTING OFF ENGINE AS A RESULT OF ONE OR MORE IGNITION PLUS MALFUNCTIONING ON MY 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GL. AS A RESULT OF THE ENGINE STALLING AND NOT STARTING WHEN IGNITION IS ACCELERATED, I HAVE ALSO I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND INCREASED BREAKING EFFORTS WHEN I PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WOULD NOT START WHEN SITTING FOR A WHILE. AFTER ABOUT 45 MINUTES OR LONGER - I WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE OPERATED AT A REDUCED POWER. THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND WILL NOT START UP FOR NO REASON AT ALL. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE AND NERVOUS WHEN DRIVING - AND HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM OVER AND OVER AND HAVE PAID FOR COSTLY REPAIRS. STILL TO NO AVAIL, IT KEEPS HAPPENING. TIRED OF THE VEHICLE - WILL NEVER EVER PURCHASE A VOLKSWAGEN AGAIN! PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IGNITION MODULE ON VOLKSWAGEN JETTAS - YEAR 2000 PLEASE ASAP !!! I HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN THE WORST PLACES WITH THE VEHICLE - WITH NO HELP TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. *TR

I HAVE A 2000 VW JETTA ALREADY HAVE HAD EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE STALLING EVENTS AS A RESULT OF ONE OR MORE IGNITION COIL PLUGS MALFUNCTIONING ON MY 2000 VW JETTA AS A RESULT OF THE ENGINE STALLING I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORTS WHEN I PULLED VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES PARKED ON THE SHOULDER WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE OPERATED AT REDUCED POWER............................ALSO MY BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN STICKING ON AND NOT WORKING ALL THE TIME AS WELL.................NOT SURE HOW TO EXPLAIN THIS ONE BUT HERE GOES RIGHT BY MY AC SWITCH ON MY CAR THERE IS A BUTTON THAT IS SUPPOSED TO CIRCULATE THE AIR THROUGH THE CAR BUT WHEN I PUSH IT IN A LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD COMES ON AND SAYS BRAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND I HAVE A LOSS OF BRAKE POWER, ALSO MY CRUISE CONTROL HAS STOPPED WORKING AND MY HAZARDS HAVE STOPPED AS WELL WAS HOPING YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP ME AS THE DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT MY ISSUES. *TR

2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8T. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON MY VW JETTA KEEPS MALFUNCTIONING AND LIGHTS UP AGAIN AND AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS AND THEY SAY THEY FIXED IT, BUT IT KEEPS COMING BACK. OVER THE LIFETIME OF THIS CAR (I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 8 YEARS), I HAVE HAD THIS CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT MALFUNCTION OVER 10-15 TIMES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN APRIL OF 2008, IT STALLS AND SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE CODE WAS LOCATED AT THE GAS THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,770.

VOLKSWAGEN 2000 JETTA UNCOMMANDED ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING. CAR HAS NO CRUISE CONTROL YET CAR ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN TO THE POINT THE CAR HAS TO BE BRAKED HARD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER CHANGED THE BULB. AFTERWARDS, SHE WAS PULLED OVER BY A POLICE OFFICER WHO POINTED OUT THE MALFUNCTIONING BRAKE LIGHT. SHE PROVIDED THE OFFICER WITH THE PAPERWORK OF HER RECENT REPAIR. THE OFFICER INSTRUCTED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE BULB AND REALIZED THAT IT WORKED. SHE PURCHASED NEW BULBS, BUT THEY WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. SHE ASSUMED THAT THE ISSUE WAS DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ON AUGUST 12, 2008, THE CONTACT HAD HER DAUGHTER FOLLOW HER TO A DEALER 30 MILES AWAY. HER DAUGHTER WAS INSTRUCTED TO SOUND THE HORN EVERYTIME HER BRAKE LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED. HER DAUGHTER SOUNDED THE HORN A TOTAL OF 13 TIMES ON THE 30 MILE TRIP TO THE DEALER. WHEN SHE ARRIVED AT THE DEALER, THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 113,000.

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