2001 Volkswagen Jetta Complaint Log

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY FOR NO VISABLE REASON, AIRBAGS ON PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED. SIDE SEAT AIRBAGS AND ALL THE CELLING AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING IN THE ROAD AND NO PHYSICALL DAMAGE WAS DONR TO MY CAR. VW SAID TO CONTACT MY INS AND TELL THEM I HAD A RECK. I DID NOT AND WOULD NOT LIE TO THEM. AT THIS TIME NOTHING HAS BEEN FIXED. *AK

I WAS DRIVING ON I-87 NORTH IN THE BRONX IN STOP AND GO ROLLING TRAFFIC AND I SMELLED SOMETHING AFTER A WHILE, ALSO FELT A LITTLE BIT OF DRAGGING. THE SPEED PICKED UP AND WHEN I NEEDED THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WAS MUSHY AND WENT DOWN ALMOST ALL THE WAY BARELY STOPPING ME! I STOPPED AND SAW THAT THE BRAKES WERE SUPER HOT, SO I OPENED THE HOOD TO CHECK OUT THE LINES. A GUY PULLED OVER AND HELPED ME CHECK TO SEE IF I HAD TO BLEED THE LINES AT THE ABS CONTROLLER AND WE SAW NO EXCESS PRESSURE. I HAD THE BRAKE SWITCH REPLACED UNDER RECALL, AND GREASED THE CYLINDER THAT FEEDS THE BRAKE BOOSTER, BUT STILL IT GRABS SOMETIMES AND I HAVE TO PULL THE PEDAL UP. ON HTTP://FORUMS.TDICLUB.COM , THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE BOOSTER ON JET. I WANT A REPLACEMENT, AND CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY 200 + INSTALL FOR SOMETHING THAT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE BOOSTERS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED BECAUSE THE SEAT WASN'T OCCUPIED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT WATER HAD GOTTEN INTO THE AIR BAGS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *AK (SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG) *SC *JB

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE EXPLODED. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, AND HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE HAD A BUILD UP OF SLUDGE. *AK THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE TO GET THE LOCK ON THE TRUCK FIXED BECAUSE YOU COULD NOT OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING NOISE AND SMOKING WHILE THE CONSUMER DROVE ON THE HIGHWAY LEAVING THE CONSUMER STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONSUMER DID NOT KEEP RECIEPTS OF WORK DONE TO THE VEHICLE THEREFORE CAN NOT BE REIMBURSED. THE CONSUMER SENT A FORMAL DEMAND FOR SETTLEMENT IN THE AMOOUNT OF REPAIR BILLS AND RENTAL CAR EXPENSES THROUGH HER LEGAL COUNCEL FOR NEGLIGENT INSPECTION OF HER VEHICLE. *TC

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH FRONT AIR BAGS INCLUDING THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK WATER WAS ON THE FLOOR DUE TO A LEAKING SUNROOF. *SC

LOSS OF 3.5 QUARTS OF OIL IN 17 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE. OIL CONSUMPTION TEST SHOWED NOTHING. THIS VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2001 IS USING ABOUT A QUART OF OIL UNDER 1,000 MILES OF DRIVING. I AM TOLD THIS IS "NORMAL". MY QUESTION TO THE SERVICE PEOPLE, WHERE HAS THE OIL GONE, IT'S NOT ON THE GROUND. IT IS IN THE SHOP FOR THE THIRD TIME FOR THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. I WOULD LIKE A COPY OF THE OIL CONSUMPTION TSB BULLETIN. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT ENGINE DAMAGE.*AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE WITHIN THE PAST 4 YEARS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON EVERY OTHER WEEK. DEALER WAS NOT HELPING WITH THE EXISTING PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW. BUT, IT WAS ONE ISSUE AFTER ANOTHER, AND VOLKSWAGEN WAS VERY EVASIVE IN RESPONDING TO THE PROBLEMS AT HAND. *AK

UPON EXITING THE HIGHWAY MY CAR SUDDENLY TURNED OFF. I HAD TO COAST AND VEER OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, JUST NARROWLY AVOIDING BEING HIT BY TWO CARS. I WAS ABLE TO START MY CAR AGAIN, BUT WAS ONLY ABLE TO KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING BY REVVING IT SO THAT IT HAD A HIGH RPM. THE ONLY WAY THAT I WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING WHENEVER I REACHED TRAFFIC, A STOP SIGN, OR A STOP LIGHT WAS TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL AND REVVING MY ENGINE. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO VOLKSWAGEN, AND THE PROBLEM WAS AN IGNITION COIL FAILURE. THIS IS THE SAME PART THAT THE SIX CYLINDER JETTAS WERE RECALLED BY VOLKSWAGEN FOR, BUT WAS ONLY GIVEN A 10,000 MILE EXTENSION ON THE FOUR CYLINDER JETTAS. THIS IS PARTICULARLY TROUBLING BECAUSE THE PART "GOES" WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I NARROWLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 18 MONTH OLD SON SEATED IN THE BACK OF THE CAR. VW CHARGED ME A LITTLE OVER $1,000 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. I WAS, AND REMAIN, EXTREMELY DISSATISFIED, AND HAVE REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO VW'S 1-800 NUMBER. THE REPRESENTATIVE AGREED THAT THE FOUR CYLINDER JETTAS SHOULD BE RECALLED AS THE SIX CYLINDERS HAVE, BUT THAT VW ONLY OFFERS THE 10,000 MILE IGNITION COIL EXTENSION FOR THE FOUR CYLINDER JETTAS IN THE MEAN TIME.*AK

PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITH OUT ANY REASONS AT ALL. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STRAIGHT ROAD, AT 20 MPH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR FILLED UP WITH BLACK SMOKE AND THE PASSENGER CURTAIN, SEAT AND DASHBOARD AIRBAG ALL DEPLOYED. I QUICKLY PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. AND WAS ASTONISHED TO LEARN THAT NOT ONLY WAS I NOT SHOT AT ( BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT SOUNDED LIKE) BUT I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO PROVOKE THIS. I CALLED VW THEY TOLD ME THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE FAULTY WIRING, AND TO BRING IT IN ASAP, THEY WOULD GIVE ME A LOANER CAR, AND IT WOULD TAKE 3-5 DAYS TO FIX. I DID SO, AND 3 HRS AFTER DROPPING OFF THE CAR, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE MANAGER SAYING, PLEASE COME PICK UP YOUR CAR, WE WILL NOT FIX IT, YOUR CAR HAS BEEN IN A CAR ACCIDENT, YOU NEED TO CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE. NW MIND YOU I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 2 WEEKS, AND THERE IS NOT A DENT ON IT! I WAS FURIOUS AND CONFUSED. I ARGUED WITH THE GUY STATING THAT I HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING, HE SAID THAT THE BLACK BOX CONTAINED A HIT CODE OF SOME KIND. THAT IT REGISTERED THAT I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT. WELL DUH! ITS DEFECTIVE! TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, I SUED VW, AND LOST! THEY INSISTED THAT ITS "NORMAL" FOR IT TO GO OFF, SAID EVEN IF YOU HAPPEN TO HIT A SMALL ROCK ON THE ROAD AND IT HITS JUST RIGHT, IT WILL CAUSE IT TO DEPLOY! HOW SAFE IS THAT!? ITS BEEN 2 YEARS SINCE THAT DAY AND VW HAS REFUSED TO FIX THIS ISSUE, STATING ITS MY PROBLEM NOT THEIRS. *NM

I WAS ON VACATION, OVER THE JULY 4TH WEEKEND. ON MY WAY HOME, I WAS DRIVING ALONG WHEN FOR NO REASON AT ALL, MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG ALONG WITH THE SEAT AIRBAG, DEPLOYED. I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT WHY SUCH A THING WOULD HAPPEN . THERE WAS NO CLEAR SIGN AS TO WHY IT HAD GONE OFF. I HAD TO DRIVE HOME WITH THE SIDE CURTAIN HANGING DOWN, MY DOG HYPERVENTILATED ALL THE WAY HOME , DUE TO THE LOUD BANG OF THE DEPLOYMENT. WHEN I GOT HOME I IMMEDIATELY CALLED TULLEY VW AND TOLD THEM MY SITUATION, THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRENTY AND TO BRING IT DOWN, THEY WOULD GIVE ME A RENTAL AND FIX THE AIRBAGS. I DID JUST THAT, ALTHOUGH A FEW HOURS LATER I RECEIVED A CALL STATING THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF THE AIRBAG, STATING THAT THEY INSIST I WAS IN A CRASH. THERE IS CLEARLY NO DAMAGE TO MY CAR, AND IT IS APPARENT THAT THERE MUST BE SOME KIND OF COMPUTER MALFUNCTION. I AM WONDERING WHAT I SHOULD DO IN MY NEXT STEP TO GETTING THIS RESOLVED UNDER MY WARRENTY. I HAVE NOT GOTTEN INTO ANY ACCIDENT AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY VW WILL NOT COVER THIS. *AK

INSIDE OF HEADLAMP LENS COVERS BECOMING CLOUDY/CONTAMINATED DUE TO MISTURE BUILDUP FROM DRL (DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS) USE. THE CONTINUAL DEGRADTION TO THE LENS COVERS FROM INSIDE THE LENS RESULTS IN A CONTINUOUS LOSS OF PROJECTED LIGHT DURING NIGHT DRIVING CONDITIONS.

FRONT, PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED (PLASTIC PART BROKE). *LA

BACK PASSENGER SIDE DISC BRAKE MAKING A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAL SOUND, NOT METAL ON METAL GRINDING. REAR PASSENGER SIDE CALIPER SEIZED AND NOT COMPLETELY RELEASING CAUSING THE SQUEALING NOISE, AND HEATING UP DISC BRAKE SO YOU CAN FRY EGGS AND BACON ON IT. PASSENGER SIDE REAR CALIPERS NEED TO BE REPLACED AS THE SERVICE DEPT. CANNOT KEEP IT FROM BINDING. BOTH REAR BREAK PADS ALSO REPLACED (BRAKE LINING). ALSO CHANGED BRAKE FLUID AS I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD HAVE BOILED CAUSED BY THE EXTREME HEAT DUE TO THE BRAKE PAD DRAGGING ON THE SIEZED CALIPER. APPARENTLY BOILED BRAKE FLUID WILL CONTAIN BUBBLES AND THIS CAN CAUSE A PROBLE IN THE BRAKE LINE. TOTAL COST, PARTS AND LABOUR $721.89. SOULD HAVE PURCHASED A CAMERY OR JAPANESE PRODUCT!*AK

I HAVE A VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2001 VR6 WITH A BAD COIL. I FOUND AN ARTICLE FROM FEB 2003 RELEASED BY VW SAYING ALL 2001 AND SOME 2002 & 2003 MODELS WERE BEING RECALLED FOR THE COILS. WHEN I CALLED VW THEY SAID IN DOES NOT APPLY TO MY MODEL. WHILE SEARCHING THE INTERNET IT SEEMS THIS IS COMMON FOR THOSE YEAR AND OBVIOUSLY THE COIL IS FAULTY.

AFTER OWNING THIS CAR FOR 3 YEARS, A STRONG, TOXIC SMELL BEGAN TO COME OUT OF THE VENTS / FRONT OF THE CAR. THE ONLY WAY I CAN DESCRIBE IT IS THAT IT SMELLS LIKE BURNING CRAYONS. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANICS AND SAID HE FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. HE OFFERED TO LOOK INTO IT FURTHER, BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO PAY THE LABOR CHARGES WITHOUT KNOWING THE PROBLEM. I'VE SEARCHED THE INTERNET EXTENSIVELY AND HAVE FOUND AT LEAST 25 PEOPLE CITING THE SAME "CRAYON SMELL." VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES SAY THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE. THE ONLY EXPLANATION I'VE FOUND THAT MAKES SOME SENSE IS THAT THERE IS SOME SORT OF INSULATION BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND THE DASHBOARD AND IT MAY MELTING AND CAUSING FUMES TO ENTER THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. *NM

2001 JETTA 1.8T CLUTCH BEGAN SLIPPING AT 34,600 MILES. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE FRICTION MATERIAL WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY WORN OFF OF THE CLUTCH DISC, MOST LIKELY DUE TO THE WAY THAT IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN. WE HAVE DRIVEN OVER 80K MILES IN ANOTHER MANUAL VEHICLE WITH NO PROBLEMS, SO I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS RATIONALE. THE CAR WENT IN FOR SERVICE AT 16,000 MILES FOR A STICKING CLUTCH. THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE ANY PARTS AT THAT TIME. THE CLUTCH MAY NOT HAVE FULLY ENGAGED EVEN WHEN THE PEDAL FINALLY RELEASED DUE TO FAULTY HYDRAULICS, SO THE CLUTCH PLATE WAS LIKELY WORN PREMATURELY BECAUSE IT WASN'T PROPERLY ENGAGING WITH THE FLYWHEEL. THE DEALER'S REPAIR ESTIMATE WAS $2100, INCLUDING $1200 FOR A REPLACEMENT CLUTCH KIT PLUS 10 HOURS OF LABOR. I THEN CALLED A SECOND LOCAL DEALER AND WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $753.94 FOR THE SAME CLUTCH KIT. WHEN I DECLINED THE DEALER'S REPAIR, I WAS CHARGED AN $83 DIAGNOSTIC FEE JUST TO GET MY CAR BACK. I THEN SPOKE WITH THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER AND A VW OF AMERICA REP ABOUT THE CYLINDER PROBLEM AND THE APPARENTLY HIGH RATE OF 1.8T CLUTCH FAILURES. BOTH CLAIMED THAT TOO MANY MILES HAD PASSED SINCE THAT FIRST REPAIR AND REITERATED THAT 1) THE CLUTCH IS A WEAR ITEM ONLY COVERED TO 12,000 MILES BY THE WARRANTY AND 2) I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FIXED THE VEHICLE FOR $1038 WITH A NON-OEM CLUTCH KIT. THIS PRICE ALSO INCLUDED NEW MASTER AND SLAVE CYLINDERS, WHICH HE FELT WERE LIKELY THE CAUSE THE ORIGINAL CLUTCH FAILURE. INCIDENTALLY, HE SAID THAT VW'S OWN SERVICE DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED TO MECHANICS INDICATED THAT A CLUTCH OVERHAUL SHOULD TAKE 4-5 HOURS (AS OPPOSED TO THE 10 HOURS QUOTED BY MY DEALER).

1. & 2. WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DRAWN QUICKLY DOWN TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP VIOLENTLY. SIMULTANEOUSLY WHEN THE PEDAL IS ALL THE WAY DOWN THERE IS A LOUD SOUND OF AIR WHOOSHING AND THE PEDAL COMES BACK TO THE NORMAL POSITION. 3. THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY A FAULTY POWER BRAKE BOOSTER. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT I FOUND NUMEROUS POSTS REGARDING ON THE FORUMS AT WWW.TDICLUB.COM. MULTIPLE REPLACEMENT POWER BRAKE BOOSTERS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL THE VW DEALER PARTS DEPARTMENTS I CALLED IN MY AREA WHICH LEADS ME TO FURTHER BELIEVE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. READING FURTHER ON THE TDICLUB FORUMS IT WAS STATED THAT FAULTY POWER BRAKE BOOSTERS ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR BRAKES DRAGGING AND WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. THIS IS A HUGE POTENTIAL PROBLEM FOR VW OWNERS. *AK

THE CONSUMER HAS HAD ON GOING PROBLEMS WITH THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR CONTINUALLY FAILING. THE SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. EACH TIME THE SENSOR FAILED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM VW OF AMERICA WHICH EXTENDED THE WARRANTY OF THE SENSOR TO 7 YEARS OR 70000 MILES ON JETTA'S FROM 1999 TO 2001. THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS AN IMPROPER SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM THE FRONT SEAT FRAMES CONTINUED TO BREAK. VW HAVE REPLACED THEM ON THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE 5-6 TIMES UNDER WARRANTY. *SC *JB

WHILE STARTING UP THE VEHICLE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR FOR NO REASON, WITH NO WARNING AT CERTAIN SPEEDS AND IN CERTAIN GEARS. WHEN YOU TRY AND ACCELERATE THE ENGINE REVS BUT YOU DON'T GO ANYWHERE, POSSIBLY A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN TWICE FOR REPAIRS AND THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS, ALL THAT HAS CHANGED IS WHICH GEAR. THE DEALER CLAIMED THESE REPAIRS WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION IS COVERED BY A 10-YEAR WARRANTY.*AK

WHILE TURNING LEFT FROM A STOP SIGN AT ABOUT 5 MPH, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SKIMMED A POTHOLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AND SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS THANKFUL I WAS NOT DRIVING AT A FASTER SPEED BECAUSE THE ENTIRE CAR FILLED WITH POWDERY SMOKE AND I COULD NOT SEE OUT MY WINDSHIELD FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. IN ADDITION THE NOISE STARTLED ME SO MUCH, I AM PRETTY SURE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HARD TO CONTROL THE CAR AFTERWARDS HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ALSO THANKFUL MY INFANT SON WAS NOT IN THE CAR. MY RIGHT EAR WAS BOTHERING ME FOR ABOUT A DAY AND A HALF AFTERWARDS, I'M SURE HAD MY SON BEEN IN THE CAR, HIS SENSITIVE EARS MAY HAVE BEEN PERMANENTLY DAMAGED, NEVER MIND THAT IT WOULD HAVE TRAUMATIZED HIM. VOLKSWAGEN CLAIMS THE CODES THEY DOWNLOADED FROM THE CAR INDICATED A SIDE IMPACT OCCURRED AND THAT A "MARK" ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE VERIFIES THAT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED CORRECTLY. I'M PRETTY SURE THAT WITH 90K ON THE CAR THERE ARE SEVERAL "MARKS" ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE. CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE DEALERSHIP WERE UNMOVED BY THE INCIDENT AND CLAIMED NO RESPONSIBILITY. CLAIM WAS FILED WITH METLIFE, WHO COVERED THE $3500 REPAIR BILL TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT COVER. NO REPAIRS WERE REQUIRED TO THE CAR FRAME, UNDERCARRIAGE, AXLE, REAR TIRE ETC, YET STILL THEY CLAIM AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED!*AK

WHILE ACCELERATING FROM EITHER A STOP OR MOVING, THE TRANSMISSION OCCASIONALLY WILL SLIP WHILE SHIFTING FROM 1ST-2ND GEAR, REGARDLESS OF EITHER LIGHT OR HEAVY THROTTLE. THIS PROBLEM HAS PROVEN ELUSIVE TO DUPLICATE ON DEMAND AND HAS OCCURED UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS, TO INCLUDE: LIGHT & HEAVY ACCELERATION; MOVING & FROM DEAD STOP; DRY & WET ROADS; INCLINED (UPHILL) & DECLINED (DOWNHILL) AND VARIOUS COMBINATIONS OF LISTED CONDITIONS. THIS STARTED OCCURING AROUND 29,000 MILES AND HAS CONTINUED ON/OFF UP TO ITS' CURRENT 40,073 MILES. WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO DUPLICATE IT FOR THE DEALER IT WILL BE A MOOT POINT TO BRING IT IN FOR DIAGNOSIS/REPAIR, AS THEY WILL "GUESS" THE CAUSE AND CHARGE ME ACCORDINGLY.*AK

BEFORE I PICKED UP THE CAR- IT NEEDED A NEW FUEL TANK BECAUSE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PUT GAS INTO THE CAR. AT 60,000 MILES THE CRANK SHAFT BROKE OFF AND A NEW ENGINE WAS INSTALLED. MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL DOWN. TWO PLASTIC THINGS KEEP FALLING OUT OF THE SUNROOF AND I PUT THEM BACK UP. NUMEROUS OXYGEN SENSORS HAVE BEEN CHANGED BUT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON. FINALLY, AT 107,000 MILES MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND VW REFUSES TO HELP WITH ANY OF THE COST BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF THE WARRANTY. *NM

WHEN MY VOLKSWAGON JETTA WAS BROADSIDED AT A SIGNAL LIGHT JUNCTION, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS FRONT OR SIDE WERE ACTIVATED. ALSO THE REAR SIDE DOOR FLEW OFF FROM THE CAR AND A RESULT OF WHICH BOTH MY CHILDREN WERE EJECTED AND INJURED. THE CAR IS COMPLETELY TOTALLED. *JB

THE TURN SIGNALS OF MY 2001 JETTA GAVE OUT AND I'VE SEEN ON FORUMS WHERE IT SAYS THAT THE EMERGENCY LIGHT SWITCH IS AT FAULT. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND I AM NOT A FAN OF PAYING MONEY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS OBVIOUSLY NOT MY FAULT.*MR

WHILE DRIVING BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED OF THIS BY A PASSING MOTORIST. THERE WAS A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH RECALL 04V090000 ISSUED, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

I HAVE NOW REPLACED BY BRAKE SWITCH AND BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. I'M NOT SURE IF THEY ARE THE SAME THING BUT I HAVE REPLACED THEM BOTH. THE FIRST ONE WAS THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THIS WAS REPLACED BECAUSE MY LIGHTS WOULD RANDOMLY TURN ON. EVEN WHEN PARKED THE LIGHTS WOULD REMAIN ON. I GOT IT TO TURN OFF BY WEDGING SOMETHING BEHIND THE BRAKE SO IT WOULD NOT GO ON. HOWEVER, I PAID $59 FOR IT TO GET FIXED. THE OTHER SWITCH, THE BRAKE SWITCH WAS REPLACED TODAY. THE CHARGE WAS $137. THIS REPAIR WAS DUE TO THE SHIFTER BEING STUCK IN PARK. I HAVE SPENT DAYS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND I FEEL MY CAR SHOULD BE UNDER THE RECALL. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT MY CAR DID NOT COME UP AS A RECALL VEHICLE. IF SO MANY JETTAS NEED REPAIRS FOR THIS PROBLEM WHY IS NOT MY CAR INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. I EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEMS AS OTHERS AND I AM NOT BEING TREATED FAIRLY. IF VW IS TO KEEP ITS GOOD REPUTATION THEY SHOULD REIMBURSE EVERYONE WHO HAS SIMILAR OR EXACT PROBLEMS. IN BOTH INSTANCES THE BRAKE SWITCH AND BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WERE REPLACED. IF THESE ARE THE SAME ITEM THEN PEOPLE SHOULD BE NOTIFIED ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS AND THEY SHOULD NOT BE LIABLE TO PAY FOR SERVICE ON THEIR VEHICLES! *AK

VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS SLIDING WHEN TURNING. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS AND 2 DEALERSHIPS TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED BECAUSE THE REAR AXLE WAS BENT. THE CAUSE OF THE AXLE BENDING HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED, BUT THE VEHICLE HAD NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK

FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED PREMATURELY WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP PROCESSED THE INFORMATION FROM THE ON ROAD COMPUTER, WHICH INDICATED AN IMPACT DISCHARGED THE SIDE AIR BAG, AND LOCKED UP THE SEAT BELT REEL AND HIGH RESISTANCE ON THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT.*AK

VEHICLE MISFIRING LIKE A CHOCKING SOUND AND JERKING WHILE EMITTING BLACK SMOKE FROM EXHAUST. VEHICLE STALLS AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. VEHICLE STARTS AFTER SEVERAL STTEMPTS. VEHICLE STALLS IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION WHILE TURNING LEFT.*AK

CAR HAS JUST HAD THE SECOND TRANSMISSION PLACED IN LESS THAN 11,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN THE SHOP 17 TIMES LOSING IT EACH TIME AT THE LEAST FOR 2 DAYS AND AT THE MOST FOR A WEEK AND A HALF. THE DEALERSHIP AND VW REFUSE TO PROVIDE ANY TYPE OF ASSISTANCE WITH A RENTAL CAR LEAVING ME TO RELY ON OTHERS FOR TRANSPORTATION OR PAY HIGH RENTAL COSTS. EVERY TIME THE TRANSMISSION GOES OUT IT BEGINS TO SLIP WHEN GOING INTO GEARS AND POUNDS INTO GEARS OTHER TIMES. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED SEVERAL EMISSION SENSORS AND COMPLETELY REBUILT THE BACK BRAKE SYSTEM. THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. SO FAR MOST OF THE PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL THAT I HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. I BOUGHT A VW FOR ITS SUPPOSED EXCELLENT QUALITY, BUT HAVE OBVIOUSLY PURCHASED A LEMON.*AK

MY CLUTCH ON MY 1.8T FAILED AT 30K MILES. LOCAL DEALER & VOA STATED THAT PROBLEM WAS WEAR & TEAR I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY INCLUDING THE FLYWHEEL. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM WAS A MECHANICAL FAILURE, AND THAT THERE WAS PLENTY OF WEAR LEFT ON THE CLUTCH. WE WERE FORCED TO USE VW REPLACEMENT PARTS AS WELL.

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

I WAS CLEANING MY VEHICLE AND NOTED UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT FRAME A BROKEN SPRING. I TOOK MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN TDI JETTA IN FOR INSPECTION TO THE TIMMONS OF LONG BEACH VW DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THAT THE SEAT FRAME WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT THE BOTTOM SEAT WOULD HAVE TO BE TAKEN APART TO REPLACE A NEW ADJUSTER SPRING . I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS TWO WARRANTY PERIOD....ALTHOUGH IT HAS LESS THAN 24,000 MILES AS STATED IN MY OWNER'S MANUAL. THE WARRANTY POLICIES OF VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA HAS CHANGED IN ALL MODELS AFTER 2002 SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE...GIVING OTHER CUSTOMERS 4YEARS OR 50,000 MILES. THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS, HORRENDOUS QUALITY ISSUES CONCERNING THIS VEHICLE INCLUDING THE PROBLEM I AM CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING WITH THE VEHICLE. I DON'T FEEL THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE WITH ANOTHER PASSENGER SINCE THE SEAT IS NOT ABLE TO HOLD ITS PROPER POSITION AND COULD BE A POSSIBLE PRODUCT LIABILITY ISSUE IF I EVER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. FURTHERMORE, I FEEL THIS REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO ENDURE THE COSTLY REPAIR.

I HAVE A 2001 VOLKSWAGON JETTA WITH 50000, VEHICLE HAS ONLY BEEN IN SERVICE FOR 31 MONTHS. IT HAS A CRACKED HARNESS VW PART # 06A-971-627-MF THAT HAS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, PART ALONE COSTS $465.00 VOLKSWAGON IS SEEING MORE OF THESE SHOW UP, BUT THEY ARE REFUSING TO ISSUE A BULLITEN NOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT VW IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND ARE GOING TO ISSUE A BULLETIN. BUT UNTIL THEY DO, I HAVE TO FRONT OVER $500 TO FIX THE DEFECT AND WAIT TILL THEY ISSUE THE BULLETIN TO GET MY MONEY BACK. THAT IS THE SAME WAY THAT VW HANDLES ALL THE OTHER DEFECTS, I HAD TO DO THE SAME PROCESS WITH THE IGNITION COIL RE-CALL. IT IS NOT FAIR HOW THEY TREAT CUSTOMERS ONCE THEY CROSS THE 24000 MILE THRESEHOLD. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS!*AK

MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO AN UPHILL PARKING SPOT AND PRESSED THE BRAKE TO STOP. INSTEAD, THE CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT A CONCRETE BLOCK WALL, WHICH CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY AND DAMAGED THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE CAR THEN REVERSED ITSELF AND MY WIFE HAD TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP. *LA

IN JANUARY OF 2003 WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT MY CAR WAS REAR-ENDED. THERE WAS MINOR DAMAGE DONE TO MY BUMPER AND THAT WAS REPLACED. IN APRIL 2004 MY CAR WAS AGAIN REAR-ENDED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. IN THIS INCIDENT THE LADY BEHIND ME WAS ALSO STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT AND SHE SAID HER FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE AND SHE HIT ME. WE THOUGHT THAT PERHAPS SHE SAW THE TURN LANE LIGHT TURN GREEN AND SHE WENT. BECAUSE THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR THIS TIME WAS 4000 DOLLARS. AFTER THE ACCIDENT I FOUND OUT THAT NONE OF MY BRAKE LIGHTS WORKED, EVEN THOUGH ONLY ONE TAIL LIGHT HAD BEEN BUSTED. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY AND ALL WORKED PROPERLY. I BELIEVE THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY CAUSING THE ACCIDENTS. I HADNT THOUGHT OF THIS POSSIBILITY UNTIL I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE IN MAY 2004. I HAVE LOST TIME AT WORK, MINOR INJURIES & MY CAR WILL NEVER BE AS IT WAS PRIOR TO THIS. AS OF THIS TIME NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AS I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT HOW TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS RELATED TO MY 2 ACCIDENTS. *AK

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS TROUBLES WITH THE CONTROL MODULE HAVING CODES IN IT. RIGHT NOW, I HAVE A P0411 CODE, SECONDARY AIR FLOW. THE ECM HAS BEEN REPLACED ALREADY, LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE'S TROUBLE FOR ME DOWN THE ROAD!*AK

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE A SHEAR BOLT ASSOCIATED WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH BROKE WITHOUT VEHICLE BEING INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. IF THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD STOP RUNNING. *AK

MY THREE YEAR OLD JETTA HAD TO BE TOWED OFF OF A MAJOR HIGHWAY DUE TO OXYGEN SENSOR FAILURE. I ALREADY HAD ONE OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THIS CAR.THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM EVER SINSE I OWNED THE CAR. THIS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN SINSE THE CAR IS STALLING OUT WHILE TRAVEING AT HIGH SPEEDS. I FEEL THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A MAJOR INVESTIGATION INTO WHY THESE VEHICLES ARE PERFORMING SO POORLY WHEN THEY ARE STILL NEW. EVERYONE I KNOW THAT OWNS A JETTA REPORTS THE SAME TYPE OF STALLING AND NUMEOUS OTHER EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A $20000 PRODUCT. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE DEALER HAS NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE STATING THAT THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS. THE DEALER HAS INFORMED ME THAT IT IS GOING TO COST ME ALMOST $1000 TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE VEHICLES WARRANTY. *AK

I WAS TOLD TODAY BY THE VW DEALERSHIP THAT I NEED A NEW CLUTCH, PRESSURE PLATE, AND FLYWHEEL FOR MY 2001 VW JETTA 1.8T IT ONLY HAS 33,249 MILES ON IT. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING CARS AND P/U TRUCKS WITH CLUTCHES SINCE 1972. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP BY THE VW MANUFACTURER. I WAS TOLD IT WILL COST $1,555.00 IN PARTS AND LABOR. *JB

MY 2001 VW JETTA BURNS A QUART OF OIL EVERY 600 MILES. THIS PROBLEM OCCURED FROM THE FIRST MOMENTS I OWED THE VEHICLE. I IMMEDIATEDLY REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS "A CONDITION WITH NEW JETTAS AND WOULD RIGHT ITSELF AFTER I DROVE THE CAR A WHILE." THIS POSITION WAS REPEATED DURING THE "FREE" OIL CHANGES UP TO THE POINT WHERE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. NOW THAT THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, VW MECHANICS INSISIT THAT THEY HAVE TO DO A $90 DIAGNOSIS TEST BEFORE THEY WILL ADDRESS IT (I HAD A PREVIOUS ONE DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD THAT FOUND NOTHING). NOW THE CAR IS GETTING OLDER, THE OIL BURING IS GETTING WORSE. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND NUMEROUS JETTA OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS, AND EVEN WORSE AS A RESULT - INCLUDING BLOWN ENGINES. ONE JETTA OWNER STATED THAT THERE IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH THE RINGS OF THE CAR. HE HAD THE CAR'S RINGS REPAIRED (AT A COST OF NEARLY $1,000) AND NOTHING IS NOW WRONG WITH THE CAR. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE FOUND OUT THAT THE DEFECT IMPACTS A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE CARS SOLD IN TWO YEARS, MANAFESTING IN BLOWN CATALITIC CONVERTERS AND ENGINES. HE ALSO STATES THAT VW INSTRUCTED ITS DEALERS TO TELL OWNERS THAT IT IS NORMAL WITH THE CAR DURING THE BREAK-IN PERIOD - THEREBY PUSHING THE PROBLEM PAST THE 28,000 MILE WARRANTY OBLIGATION. WHICH MAKES SENSE SINCE THIS PROBLEM WOULD COST VW MILLIONS. *AK

PREMATURE FAILURE OF CLUTCH IN VW 1.8T (JETTA). *AK

1.I AM AN 8 MONTH PREGNANT MOTHER WHO WAS DRIVING A VW JETTA WHEN THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT, NOR DID I HIT ANYTHING WHEN I MADE A LEFT TURN OFF THE LINCOLN TUNNEL ON THE WAY TO DROP MY DOG OFF TO HIS NEW HOME 3/21/04. 2.TOOK IT TO BAYSIDE VW DEALER ON 3/22/04, WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER READS THAT IT WAS AN OUTSIDE INFLUENCE THAT SET THE AIRBAG OFF, AND WAS TOLD THAT I MUST HAVE HIT A POTHOLE. SINCE THE BAYSIDE MANAGER SAW A BUBBLE ON MY TIRE, HE MADE THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE AIRBAG WENT OFF BECAUSE OF A POTHOLE. WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IT WAS AN ACCIDENT, EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT HIT, NOR DID I HIT ANYBODY, AND THAT THE INSURANCE WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT. CAME HOME AND CALLED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE @ 1-800-822-8987 AND PUT IN A COMPLAINT. DO AIRBAGS NORMALLY GO OFF BECAUSE FOR SOMETHING SO EASILY AS A POTHOLE ? WE LIVE IN NY CITY, AND POTHOLES ARE EVERYWHERE ESPECIALLY AFTER THE WINTER WE HAD! 3.FINALLY SPOKE TO JIM MEYERS FROM VW CUSTOMER SERVICE AIRBAG DEPT, AND ALL HE COULD SAY WAS SORRY THE COMPUTER SAYS IT WAS AN OUTSIDE INFLUENCE SO VW WILL NOT DO ANYTHING, SEE YOUR INSURANCE AGENCY!*AK

I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT THE CLUTH ON MY 2001 JETTA 1.8T. AT APPROXIMATELY 5100 MILES (MAY 2003) I HAD THE CLUTCH BURN OUT. VW REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY. LESS THAN 100 MILES LATER (JUNE 2003) THAT REPLACEMENT CLUTCH BURNT OUT. VW AGAIN REPLACED IT BUT SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER ANY OTHER PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE CLUTCH. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. SHE LEARNED TO DRIVE IN 1996 ON AN OMNI WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND HAS BEEN DRIVING MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS FOR ALL BUT TWO YEARS SINCE THAT TIME. SINCE WE GOT THE VW JETTA OUT OF THE SHOP LAST JUNE I HAVE BEEN THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD THE CLUTCH BURN OUT AGAIN ON 15 MARCH 2004. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING NUMEROUS VEHICLES IN THE LAST 35 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER BURNT UP A CLUTCH. THE JETTA STILL HAS LESS THAT 12,000 MILES ON IT. THIS MAKES FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE CLUTCH 3 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW IN AUGUST 2001.*AK

CLUTCH WENT BAD VERY EARLY IN LIFE OF AUTO. EXPERIENCED MANUAL DRIVER. CLUTCH SEEMED TO GO BAD IN ONE DAY FROM NOTHING WRONG TO CAR NOT DRIVEABLE. VW REPLACED FLYWHEEL WITH UPGRADED PART PROVING THAT OLD PART WAS UNRELIABLE. *AK CAR HAD JUST BEEN IN FOR 40,000 MILE COMPLETE CHECK-UP WITH PASSING COLORS.

OWNER WAS DRIVING VOLKSWAGEN AND NOTICED SPARKS COMING FROM THE GLOVEBOX AREA. HE PULLED OVER, OPENED THE GLOVEBOX, BUT SAW ONLY SMOKE. HE THEN OPENED THE HOOD AND OBSERVED FLAMES ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BULKHEAD/FIREWALL. FIRE BURNED THROUGHOUT THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, THE FRONT UNDERCARRIAGE, AND PART OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAUSE UNDETERMINED. *NM

I NOTICED ON THE INCIDENT DATE THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND PARKED. I TRIED TO GET THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO GO OFF BY GENTLY TAPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THEY WOULD NOT. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS PROBABLY THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. AND THAT MANY OF THEIR JETTA CUSTOMERS WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT THEIR BRAKES LIGHTS BEING ON. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS ITEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARANTY. THIS IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ITEM. IF THIS IS A COMMON OCCURENCE THEN VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD PICK UP THE COST TO REPAIR THIS MALFUNCTION. THERE SHOULD BE SOME KIND OF RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS OCCURRENCE. *AK

AT NO TIME DO THE HAZARD LIGHTS OR THE SIGNAL LIGHTS WORK. AT FIRST, THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT SOON BECAME PERMANENT. DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE THE CONSUMER TO CHECK TO SEE WHAT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS. *AK *NM

I WAS DRIVING WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WINDOW ON MY 2001 VW JETTA FELL INSIDE THE DOOR. THE PIECES THAT HELD THE WINDOW UP BROKE. *JB