NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT SLOWED WITHOUT WARNING, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID THE VEHICLE. THE LEFT FRONT IMPACTED WITH THE RIGHT REAR OF THE SLOWED VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH EXTREME FORCE CAUSING THE CONTACTS HANDS TO BE REMOVED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN MOTION. THE DEPLOYED AIR BAG ALSO OBSCURED THE CONTACTS VIEW. THE VEHICLE THEN BECAME AIRBORNE OVER A DITCH AND CAME TO REST IN A FIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE BY BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER HOWEVER INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED AT THE SCENE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WAS NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE OF IMPACT.
TURN SIGNAL STALK IS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSING A FULL ELECTRICAL LOOP CAUSING A FAST CLICKS AS IF THE TURN SIGNAL FLASHER WAS ON, BUT IT'S NOT. AT TIMES IT HAS CAUSED THE FLASHER LIGHTS TO COME ON WHEN I HAD NOT EVEN TOUCHED THE TURN SIGNAL STALK. *JB
THE TURN SIGNAL ON MY 2002 VW JETTA, VIN [XXX] OPERATES AT RANDOM. THIS CONDITION SOMETIMES OCCURS AFTER GOING OVER BUMPS OR AFTER COMPLETING A LANE CHANGE MANEUVER. THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IS IN THE CENTER, OR "OFF" POSITION BUT THE TURN SIGNAL / HAZARD FLASHER STARTS AND/OR STOPS AT RANDOM. VW'S SAFETY RECALL VX DATED MARCH 2005 CLAIMS THAT MY VEHICLE IS OUTSIDE THE RANGE OF AFFECTED VINS BUT CLEARLY THIS IS NOT THE CASE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS CONCERN AND CONSIDER FORCING VW TO DO A MORE EXTENSIVE RECALL AS THIS PROBLEM IS NOT JUST ANNOYING, IT IS POTENTIALLY A SAFETY CONCERN. AN ACCIDENT OR ELECTRICAL FIRE COULD POSSIBLY RESULT FROM THIS CONDITION. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
MY WIFE'S 2002 JETTA STATION WAGON TURBO HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. ONLY 30 K AND TODAY A $2,600 REPAIR. VALVE FOR AIR CONDITIONER PUMP BROKE AND SENT METAL FRAGMENTS THROUGH THE SYSTEM NECESSITATING REPLACEMENT OF AC PUMP. COOLING FAN NOT WORKING- THAT'S $800.00. LAST REPAIR WAS AUTO WINDOWS- IDIOT DESIGNERS PUT IN PLASTIC COMPONENTS. MY WIFE TAKES EXCELLENT CARE OF HER VEHICLE (OIL CHANGE, ETC.) AND THIS INFERIOR BIT OF WORKMANSHIP JUST COSTS HER MORE MONEY. SHE WILL SHORTLY BE DUMPING THIS PIECE OF CRAP FOR TOYOTA COROLLA. *NM
I'M NOT POSITIVE THIS CONSTITUTES A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT IT MAY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT SINCE AN ALUMINUM OIL PAN COULD BE SEVERELY DAMAGED AND COULD CAUSE AN OIL SPILL, BUT BELOW IS A PORTION OF THE LETTER I SUBMITTED TO VOLKSWAGEN USING THEIR ONLINE FORM. IF THIS IS NOT UNDER YOUR OFFICE'S RESPONSIBILITIES, CAN YOU TELL ME WHO I SHOULD CONTACT NEXT? BASICALLY THEY TOLD ME IT COULD TAKE THEM 2 TO 3 YEARS TO ISSUE A RECALL IF EVER. THANK YOU. I TOOK MY 2002 JETTA IN ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 10TH FOR WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, BUT $330 DOLLARS LATER WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW OIL PAN. SOMETHING THAT IS 99% OF THE TIME ONLY REPLACED AFTER AN ACCIDENT OR AFTER 15 YEARS OR SO IF IT'S RUSTED OUT. THE REASON: THE OIL PAN ITSELF IS MADE OF ALUMINUM AND THE DRAIN PLUG IS MADE OF STEEL. ANYONE WITH HALF AN OUNCE OF ENGINEERING OR MATERIALS KNOWLEDGE (SOMETHING I WOULD HOPE AND ASSUME A VOLKSWAGEN PARTS DESIGNER HAS) KNOWS THAT YOU DON'T MANUFACTURE A PART OUT OF A SOFT METAL WHICH HAS SOMETHING SCREWED INTO IT MADE OUT OF A HARDER METAL. THE THREADS EVENTUALLY GET COMPLETELY STRIPPED AFTER REPEATED OIL CHANGES. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE SCHEDULE IN MY OWNER'S MANUAL, OIL CHANGES ARE MANDATORY SERVICE REQUIRED TO KEEP THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY. ALSO THIS COULD VERY WELL PRESENT A SAFETY ISSUE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT DUE TO LEAKING OIL IF THE PAN WAS DAMAGED SINCE IT'S MADE OF ALUMINUM. WHAT HAS ANGERED ME THE MOST ABOUT THIS IS THAT VOLKSWAGEN OBVIOUSLY KNOWS ABOUT THIS DESIGN DEFECT AND HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. WHEN MY MECHANIC CALLED THE LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER (AND WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR) THE PARTS DEPARTMENT TOLD HIM "OH YEAH, WE KNOW ABOUT THAT PROBLEM. IN FACT WE STOCK THE REDESIGNED PART". THE BOTTOM OF MY NEW OIL PAN IS NOW MADE OF STEEL WHICH IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE FIRST PLACE. *NM
2002 JETTA GLS AUTOMATIC CARS. THE SIDE BUTTON YOU PUSH ON THE SHIFT HANDLE GETS STUCK IN AND DOESN'T POP OUT. THIS CAUSES ME TO NOT BE ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY OR CAN ACCIDENTALLY SHIFT INTO ANOTHER GEAR IF IT DOESN'T POP OUT. *JB
THE CAR WOULD NOT START, MADE A CLICKING SOUND WITH EACH ATTEMPT, AND THE RADIO AND AUTOMATIC WINDOWS WOULD NOT TURN ON/RESPOND TO CONTROL. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND THE STARTER WAS FOUND TO BE THE PROBLEM ON A RELATIVELY NEW CAR (3YRS. OLD), 40000K. HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY READ ANECDOTAL COMPLAINTS THAT VW'S HAVE STARTER PROBLEMS. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V183000, REGARDING THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWICE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #06V183000 REGARDING EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 10/0/406. *JB
PURCHASED USED 2002 VW JETTA 1.8 TURBO (5 SPEED) WITH 34,000 MILES STILL UNDER WARRANTY. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR BLOWN FUSES (CIGARETTE LIGHTER), TRUNK LATCH, CENTER CONSOLE, AND TRANSMISSION REPAIRS. FUSE PROBLEM WAS ONGOING. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS, A LOCAL MECHANIC INSTALLED A SMALL BOOST GAUGE ON THE DASH, WHICH WAS WIRED INTO A 10 AMP FUSE. WITHIN FIVE DAYS, THE CAR WAS BEING BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WHEN SMOKE BEGAN POURING FROM ALL THE DASH VENTS. THE WIRE HARNESS, FUSE BLOCK, AND CONTROLLER COMPONENTS LOCATED BEHIND THE DASH WERE DESTROYED BY FIRE. VW OF AMERICA PREPARED TO SEND INVESTIGATORS TO NM, BUT WHEN THEY DISCOVERED GAUGE WIRING MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED, THEY DID NOT INVESTIGATE. HAVE READ OF OTHER ELECTRICAL FIRES BEHIND INSTRUMENT PANEL, DASH, SINCE THIS TIME. OUR SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE, BUT WAS ABLE TO GET OUT. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE POLICE DETERMINED THERE WAS NO DEBRIS IN THE ROAD AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED A DENT IN THE METAL IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE PREMATURE DEPLOYMENT.
THE '02 JETTA 1.8T 4-DOOR WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE JETTA PROCEEDED INTO INTERSECTION. JETTA WAS HIT (T-BONED) ON DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR BY 1995 GRAND MARQUIS, MERCURY IN EXCESS OF 45 MPH. TICKET WAS ISSUED FOR FAILING TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT, NO BRAKING ON PART OF THE MERCURY. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE JETTA - THE FRONT DOOR WAS DRIVEN INTO THE DRIVERS CAGE WHICH MOVED THE FRONT SEAT AND BENT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD FORMED A LARGE CRACK, PROBABLY FROM A SIDE STRESS POINT AND DID NOT SHATTER, THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOWS IN BOTH DOOR SHATTERED. SEVERE FRAME DAMAGE COULD BE SEEN AND NONE OF THE DRIVERS SIDE DOORS COULD OPEN, NOR THE PASSENGER SIDE EITHER AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAGS (2), LOCATED BETWEEN THE TWO DAMAGED DOORS AND ALSO THE AIRBAG BETWEEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND WINDSHIELD FAILED TO DEPLOY. VW CLAIMS THAT THE CAR DECIDED BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT WAS IN USE, THE CAR MADE AN INTELLIGENT DECISION NOT TO DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS. THIS IS EITHER FALSE OR AN ERROR IN HOW THE CAR IS DESIGNED. AIRBAGS SHOULD DEPLOY AND NOT DECIDE THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS SUFFICIENT - IT WAS NOT SUFFICIENT, AS THERE WERE MEDICAL INJURIES. JETTA IS TOTALED, BUT BEING HELD BY USAA, PENDING ANYONE WHO WILL INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE ON MY BEHALF. OTHERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SUFFER IF A PROBLEM CAN BE IDENTIFIED HERE AND RESOLVED. *JB
PURCHASED CAR ON 1-30-06 TOOK IT BACK ON 2-3-06 BECAUSE OF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TOOK IT BACK AGAIN ON 2-7-06 BECAUSE OF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND TOOK IT BACK AGAIN ON 2-14-06 BECAUSE OF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS TOLD IT WAS CATALYTIC CONVERTER BUT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY FOR ME TO HAVE IT FIXED IT WILL BE 1100 DOLLARS BUT PART IS ON A MASSIVE BACK ORDER. *JB
EARLY CLUTCH FAILURE. WE JUST REPLACED THE CLUTCH ON 2002 JETTA AT 51,000 MILES. SHE OWNED OTHER MANUAL TRANSMISSION CARS AND DID NOT REPLACE THE CLUTCH THIS EARLY WITH ONE EXCEPTION, A VOLKSWAGEN, FOX. WAS THIS A PATTERN, MAYBE . *AK
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
THE TRANSMISSION BROKE ON MY 2002 JETTA TDI (AUTOMATIC) WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE U.S. MARINE CORPS BASE, BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA. IT ONLY HAS 66,500 MILES ON IT. I BELIEVE THE DESERT VW DEALERSHIP IS RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT CHECK THE TRANSMISSION THOROUGHLY AS I REQUESTED TWO MONTHS AGO. VW AMERICA IS NOT HELPING ME AT ALL WITH MY REQUEST TO HAVE THIS REVIEWED BY THEM. THE DEALERS TELL ME TO CALL VW AMERICA AND VW AMERICA TELLS ME TO CALL THE DEALERS. *NM
MY 2002 VW JETTA TDI HAS MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE ONE THAT MIGHT BE A SAFETY FACTOR IS THE MICRO SWITCHES IN THE DOOR LATCHES. THE DOORS WITH FAULTY SWITCHES DON'T KNOW IF THERE OPEN OR CLOSED. WHEN OPEN THE SAFETY LIGHT ON THE DOOR DOES NOT COME ON TO ALERT ONCOMING VEHICLES THAT A DOOR IS OPEN. IF THE SWITCH STAYS ON WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, THE DOME LIGHTS STAY ON UNTIL THE BATTERY IS DEAD. THE VW DEALER JUST "JERKED" ME AROUND UNTIL THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. (FREDERICTON VW). SINCE THE PART(S) FOR THIS REPAIR ARE EXPENSIVE, I FEEL THAT VW SHOULD RECALL ALL VEHICLES TO REPLACE THE SWITCHES AND DOOR LATCHES. MEL MOIR *TR
I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN JUNE AS A LEFT OVER, HAD IT A MONTH AND THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FELL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY REPLACED IT WITH METAL CLIPS AND IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. 5 MONTHS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN, SAME WINDOW. *JB
MY WIFE WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON 12/2/05 IN HER 2002 VW JETTA GLS. A LADY HAD RAN A RED LIGHT AND COLLIDED WITH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR AT APPROX: 40 MPH. THE CAR WAS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT AND SIDE AIRBAGS; NEITHER OF WHICH AIRBAG DEPLOYED. MY WIFE HIT HER HEAD ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM
DT: THE CONTACT STATES IS NHTSA A RECALL CAMPAIGN ID # 04V096000 CONCERNING THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE CONSUMER WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAD IT REPAIRED AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. *JB UPDATED 12/7/2005. *NM
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING DOWN MANCHESTER ROAD (A BUSY 4 LANE ROAD) GETTING READY TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND WHEN THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. HE SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT WENT OFF IN THE CAR. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR INTO A WALGREENS PARKING LOT. MY 4 YEAR OLD SON WAS SUPPOSE TO BE IN THE CAR WITH HIM. HE WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURED IF HE WAS. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND DEALT WITH. THERE WAS NO IMPACT AND NOT A MARK ON THE CAR INDICATING AN ACCIDENT. VW IS REFUSING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE THEY STATE THAT AN ACCIDENT HAD TO OCCUR BECAUSE AIR BAGS DON'T JUST GO OFF. MY CAR INSURANCE COMPANY IS ALSO NOT PAYING BECAUSE THERE IS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE ON THE CAR TO BE FIXED THEREFORE THERE IS NO CLAIM TO BE FILED. *JB
WE OWN A 2002 VW JETTA 2.0L. WE WERE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AND PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT CAUSE. WE PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE TO CHECK FOR ANY EXTERIOR DAMAGE THAT COULD OF CAUSED THE DEPLOYMENT BUT COULD NOT SEE ANY. WE DROVE IT HOME (@ 1 MILE) AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE WILL HEAR ABOUT THEIR COURSE OF ACTION TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. IS THIS A OCCURRENCE THAT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION? IF SO IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL TO KNOW SINCE THIS WILL BE A VERY COSTLY REPAIR AND HAVEN'T HAD THE BEST OF LUCK WITH VW EVEN THOUGH IT'S STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *NM
I OWN VW JETTA 1.8 TURBO 2002, AT 2005 HAD A COOLANT BOTTLE LEAKING INTO CONNECTION,CLUSTER, COOLANT FOUND AT CONNECTOR. SINCE MY CAR WAS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY BY MASTERGUARD THEY JUST DID A PATCH WORK OVERLAYING HORNS TO CLUSTER AND REPLACING THE COOLANT BOTTLE AND CAP LEAVING ALL MAJOR WORK WHICH NEED TO BE DONE AT THIS CASE TO PREVENT FOLLOWING DAMAGE OF ENTIRE WIRING SYSTEM CAUSING COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE CAR. SO I WOULD PAY FROM MY WALLET $ 6000 OR MORE WHEN WARRANTY EXPIRES. MY CAR NOW STARTED HAVING ALL THIS PROBLEM DUE TO THAT COOLANT MIGRATION LEFT THERE. IT'S A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED BY MANUFACTURE. SO,WHO IS GOING TO PAY NOW FOR THAT? CLASS ACTION NEED TO BE TAKING AGAINST VW!!! *TR
OIL LIGHT CAME ON REPEATEDLY DUE TO OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM, WHICH IS A KNOWN DEFECT. VW DID NOT COVER, DUE TO EXPIRED WARRANTY. *JB
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
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING TO WORK ONE MORNING IN OUR 2002 VW JETTA, WITH THE SEAT WARMERS ON. WHEN SUDDENLY HE FELT A BURNING SENSATION ON HIS BOTTOM. TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER ONLY TO FIND OUT THERE WAS A BURN HOLE IN THE SEAT FROM THE SEAT WARMERS. SINCE THEN WE HAVE REFUSED TO TURN IT BACK ON AGAIN. *NM
I HAVE A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8L TURBO. MY FIRST CLUTCH STARTED SLIPPING AT 17K MILES, FINALLY REPLACED AT 20K. I FOUGHT WITH VW AND THEY ACTUALLY PAID FOR IT BECAUSE I HAD BROUGHT IT IN ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND NO ONE COULD FIND OR ADMIT TO A PROBLEM. NOW AGAIN AT 39K IT HAS STARTED SLIPPING AND IS NOW AT 41K. I AM DUE TO CHANGE IT ANY TIME. I AM ONCE AGAIN CALLING VW TRYING TO ARRANGE THEM TO TAKE CARE OF THE COST. I AM HOPING THEY WILL PAY FOR IT AS THE HAVE QUOTED ME $2200 TO FIX. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET & FOUND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AND REPLACING THE CLUTCH ISN'T A PERMANENT FIX AND MOST PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR IT. THEY HAVE BEEN BLAMING THE DRIVERS FOR POOR DRIVING SKILLS. MEANWHILE THEY ARE PUTTING MANY PEOPLE IN DANGER BECAUSE ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR WHEN YOUR CLUTCH DECIDES TO POP/ FAIL. ESPECIALLY ON THE FREEWAY. INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. ANYWAYS, MOST PEOPLE SAY THAT OIL IN THE FLYWHEEL IS LEAKING OUT SATURATING THE CLUTCH DISK CAUSING IT TO SLIP & EVEN BREAK UP. THEREFORE VERY EARLY BREAKDOWN AND SOMETIMES IMMEDIATE/ UNEXPECTED CLUTCH FAILURE. *NM
WITHIN TWO BLOCKS OF LEAVING MY HOME AND TURNING ON MY CAR SEAT WARMER TO A LEVEL 2 (OF 5) MY CAR SEAT WAS ON FIRE AND BURNED MY REAR. I HAD TO JUMP OUT OF MY CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. THIS HAPPENED OVER A WEEKEND AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY COMMUNICATION BACK FROM VW. *NM
ENGINE SLUDGE DIAGNOSED ON PASSAT. *NM
THIS IS A REPORT OF THE FAILURE OF THE BOOSTER BRAKE ON A 2002 VW TDI JETTA. THE SYMPTOMS ARE THAT WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WILL SUDDENLY BE SUCKED TO THE FLOOR RESULTING IN A SUDDEN STOP. THE DANGER CREATED IS OF BEING REAR-ENDED AND IS A POTENTIAL LIFE THREATENING ISSUE. THE PROBLEM IS DIFFICULT TO TROUBLE SHOOT BECAUSE IT IS INTERMITTENT. ONCE THE PEDAL IS SUCKED TO THE FLOOR IT COULD BE DAYS BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I SEE THAT AT LEAST ELEVEN OTHER 2002 JETTA OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE SUDDEN BRAKING PROBLEM TO NHTS, I.E. ODI ID #10103196, 10129643, 10137579, 10100576, 10058106, 10027194, 8011122, 10139134, 10086927, 8023749, 769651. IN EACH CASE, WHERE A SOLUTION IS MENTIONED, THE SOLUTION INVOLVED THE BOOSTER BRAKE. IN MY CASE THE VW DEALER, AFTER TRYING TWICE, DID NOT FIND THE SOLUTION. IT WAS AFTER INTERACTING WITH THE FOLKS AT THE VW TDI CLUB WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I LEARNED THEIR SOLUTION WHICH WAS TO REPLACE THE BOOSTER BRAKE. THE VW DEALER AGREED TO REPLACE MY BOOSTER BRAKE ONLY IF I AGREED TO HOLD NO ONE OTHER THAN MYSELF RESPONSIBLE SHOULD THE REPLACEMENT NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND IF THEY COULD REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER IN ADDITION TO THE BOOSTER BRAKE. THE REPAIR MADE OVER A YEAR AGO ON 25 OCTOBER 2005, SOLVED MY SUDDEN BRAKING PROBLEM. I SEE THAT OTHERS ON THE TDI WEB SITE ARE STILL HAVING BOOSTER BRAKE PROBLEMS AND THAT THEY HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN GETTING VOLKSWAGONS ATTENTION. THE HELP OF THE NHTS IS NEEDED TO RAISE THE CORPORATE CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE RIGHT FOLKS IN VW ABOUT THE BOOSTER BRAKE PROBLEM. AT A MINIMUM VW SHOULD ALERT ITS SERVICE REPAIR FOLKS TO THE SYMPTOMS AND THE SOLUTION. A RECALL TO CORRECT THE FAILED BOOSTER BRAKES IS THE DESIRED REDRESS. I STILL HAVE THE FAILED BOOSTER BRAKE AND MASTER CYLINDER AND WILL BE GLAD TO PROVIDE ALL THE PARTS TO THE NHTS FOLKS. *NM
I OWN A 2002 VW JETTA TDI. THREE TIMES NOW I HAVE HAD A SERIOUS INCIDENT WITH MY BRAKES. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, UNDER 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS PULLED ITSELF TO THE FLOOR AND SHARPLY APPLIED THE BRAKES WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MY FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR WHILE THIS OCCURRED. THERE IS ALSO A LOUD PRESSURE RELEASE SOUND COMING FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AFTER IT APPLIED ITSELF. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT IT YET. *JB
I HAVE TAKEN MY 2002 VW JETTA TURBO TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR THAT I HAVE OWNED IT, INCLUDING TWO DAYS AFTER I PURCHASED IT FOR A "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT. IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS, MY CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT MORE THAN I HAVE DRIVEN IT. I JUST PICKED UP MY CAR LAST WEDNESDAY, AND THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN TODAY. *NM
AFTER MAKING A RIGHT TURN GETTING UP TO A SPEED BETWEEN 25-30 MPH MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON EVEN WITH THE ROADS IN GOOD CONDITION. 30-40 SECONDS MORE AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN MERGING ON TO ON A BUSY INTERSTATE IN WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN PERSONAL INJURY TO MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS, ALONG WITH CAR DAMAGES. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED BEFORE TIME. VW REP REFUSES TO SOLVE THE ISSUE BY REPLACING THE SEAT AND ALL SIDE AND SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS (AS I SUSPECTED DUE TO READING OTHER COMPLAINTS ON HERE AND OTHER INTERNET SOURCES). THEY FOUND THE SENSORS HAD REASON TO GO OFF WHAT REASON THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO ESTABLISH THE CAUSE MAKING THIS A MECHANICAL ISSUE AND NOT A DRIVER ISSUE. I AM IN A LOANER VW JETTA AND STILL FRET THE SIDE AIRBAGS WILL GO OFF. AFTER BEING A LOYAL BUYER OF VW SINCE 1987, THEY CAN COUNT ONE LESS IN THE FAMILY. I HAVE ALREADY CONTACTED A LAWYER AND WILL BE CONTACTING MY LOCAL NEWS STATION TO TRY AND "OUT THIS PROBLEM" AND MAKE SURE THAT THIS INFORMATION BE KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC OF VW'S LACK TO INVESTIGATE THESE ISSUES AND LACK OF COMPASSION AND CUSTOMER SERVICE IN SEVERE ISSUES LIKE THIS. *JB
ON 9/17/2005 I WAS PULLING INTO MY ASSIGNED PARKING SPOT AT MY CONDO. I WAS APPROXIMATELY TRAVELING ABOUT 3 MPH AND HAD MY BRAKES APPLIED TO MANEUVER INTO MY PARKING SPOT. UPON REACHING THE CURB, I APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AND EXPECTED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. HOWEVER, MY CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND ENDED UP IN MY NEIGHBOR'S LIVING ROOM. MY CAR ONLY STOPPED AFTER TAKING OUT THE BRICK STRUCTURE AND FRONT WINDOW OF HER CONDO. BEFORE MAKING IMPACT WITH THE OUTSIDE STRUCTURE I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE TWICE WITH NO RESPONSE. THE IMPACT WAS SUBSTANTIAL AND YET THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE THAT MY INSURANCE APPROVED AND NOT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO HAS SERVICED MY CAR FOR ALL THE CURRENT RECALLS AND VARIOUS PROBLEMS. THE RECALLS AND PROBLEMS INCLUDE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, REPLACEMENT OF THE COIL IGNITION, ARMREST BREAK, ALARM SOUNDING FOR NO REASON, AND THE WINDOW FALLING INTO THE DOOR FRAME. THIS ACCIDENT CAUSED SERIOUS PROPERTY DAMAGE AND THE POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE POLICE ACKNOWLEDGED MY SKID MARKS AND MY ATTEMPT AT APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE SITUATION WAS TREATED/CITED AS A CAR ACCIDENT SO THAT MY NEIGHBOR AND I COULD GO THROUGH THE PROPER PROCEDURES OF HER DAMAGES BEING REIMBURSED. I PLAN TO PROVE MY CAR IS DEFECTIVE AND A LEMON. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY FEEDBACK, ADVICE OR SUGGESTIONS REGARDING MY SITUATION. *NM *GEM
PLEASE REFER TO MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT SUBMITTED 9/17/2005 REGARDING MY '02 VW JETTA. THE CRASH WAS A RESULT OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE. THE REASON I AM WRITING AGAIN IS TO ADDRESS THE FACT THAT MY LOCAL NEWS (DENVER CHANNEL 7 NEWS) DID AN UNDERCOVER FEATURE IN REGARDS TO THE VOLVO'S SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. THE MECHANIC USED IN THE PIECE DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE. THUS, VOLVO IS ANNOUNCING A MAJOR RECALL ON ALL 1999-2002 VOLVO'S. THIS ISSUE IS RAMPANT AMONG THE AUTO INDUSTRY INCLUDING VWOA. PLEASE EXTEND YOUR INVESTIGATION TO INCLUDE VW AND HOPEFULLY VWOA WILL DO A MAJOR RECALL ON ALL CARS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC THROTTLES. PLEASE NOTE THAT I WAS REQUIRED TO ATTEND DMV COURT SINCE I WAS ISSUED A TICKET. THE JUDGE RULING OVER MY CASE ENDED UP DISMISSING MY CASE BECAUSE OF THE EVIDENCE I HAD BROUGHT TO COURT. MORE OVER, THE JUDGE WAS A FORMER MECHANIC FOR 8 YEARS AND HE HAS WORKED EXTENSIVELY ON VW'S. HE WAS VERY FAMILIAR WITH MY SITUATION. I DON'T HAVE MY VIN # HANDY, BUT IT WAS LISTED IN MY COMPLAINT ODI ID #: 10136890. PLEASE REFER TO MY CASE NUMBER FOR FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS RECALL 04V096000 CONCERNING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON OTHER VEHICLES OF SAME MAKE/MODEL AND YEAR, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT IN RECALL. HE CANNOT GET VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER REPLACED THE PART, AND WANTED THE CONTACT TO PAY FOR IT. MANUFACTURER SAID THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND OFFERED NO HELP TO CONTACT TO PAY THE EXPENSES. *AK
A CAR PULLED OVER IN FRONT OF ME TRYING TO TURN LEFT. I HAD THE RIGHT OF ME WITH NO STOP OF TRAFFIC LIGHT AT THIS INTERSECTION. I HIT THE LEFT SIDE OF THAT CAR WITH THE FRONT/FRONT LEFT CORNER OF MY CAR AT 45 MPH AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I WOULD EXPECT THAT AT SUCH A SPEED AT LEAST ONE AIRBAG WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. PLEASE ADVISE. *NM
CONSUMER VEHICLE STALLED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS CAUSING CONSUMER TO REPLACE COIL. *TS THE VEHICLE HAD ERRATIC ACCELERATION LIGHT PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND IN AN EVEN PATTERN, INSTEAD IT WOULD SUDDENLY SPEED UP DANGEROUSLY. *JB
PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG AND SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WITH NO COLLISION. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR TOO SENSITIVE. SLIGHT SWERVE AND BRAKE TO AVOID SMALL ANIMAL. NO COLLISION INVOLVED. CAR HAS NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF DAMAGE. NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT. CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING VWOA. *NM
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN MY 2002 VOKLSWAGEN JETTA HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD/POTHOLE AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WENT OFF. I GOT OUT TO INSPECT IF I HIT ANYTHING SINCE I WASN'T SURE BECAUSE OF THE AIRBAG GOING OFF. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ROAD BESIDES A POTHOLE THAT EVERYONE ELSE HIT AS WELL ON THE OFF RAMP. THERE WAS NOT A SCRATCH OF DAMAGE OR ANY IMPACT AT ALL. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR A LITTLE OVER 2 MONTHS AGO AND IT WAS ALREADY BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A BROKEN POWER WINDOW AND TWICE FOR THE TRANSMISSION. I AM FED UP WITH THIS CAR. THERE IS ONLY 25,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND AN AIRBAG SHOULD NOT GO OFF FOR A POTHOLE. I WENT TO A DIFFERENT VW DEALER AND THEY SAID IT'S NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE AND IT WOULD COST $800 - $1,000 TO FIX. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS FOR NORMAL USE OF THE CAR. *JB
THE ASL (AUTOMATIC SHIFT LOCK) ON MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA MALFUNCTIONS, KEEPING MY CAR LOCKED IN PARK OR NEUTRAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE, I WAS TOLD IT WAS FIXED, AND IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. I MISSED WORK AND BLOCKED TRAFFIC THE FIRST TIME, AND I'LL HAVE TO MISS WORK AGAIN AND I'M PARKED IN A TEMPORARY PARKING ZONE THIS TIME. SO FAR NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. *JB
IN REGARDS TO INVESTIGATION DP05004, I ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM ABOUT 2 1/2 YEARS AGO. MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA ENGINE LOST POWER, AND STALLED. WHEN THE DEALER CHECKED MY CAR THEY SAID IT WAS MY IGNITION COIL AND DIDN'T INFORM ME THAT THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION. I WAS TOLD I HAD TO PAY FOR THE COILS, WHICH I DID. I HAVE A COPY OF MY PAPERWORK FOR THE REPAIRS. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO? *TR
ON 7-30-2005 I DROVE APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES AND WHILE STOPPED REFUELING NOTED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON DESPITE THE VEHICLE BEING OFF AND THE LIGHTS OFF. THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ON CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE BRAKE SWITCH WAS REPLACED AT CHAPLIN'S VOLKSWAGEN IN BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON ON 8-2-05. VW HAS INFORMED ME THAT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT WITHIN THE RECALL THEY HAD ON BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES. HOWEVER, WHEN I WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP TWO OTHER NEWER VW JETTAS WERE ALSO THERE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED THEY SEE THIS PROBLEM FREQUENTLY. OBVIOUSLY THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN CARE OF THROUGH 2004 (NEWEST MODEL PRESENTED AT THE DEALERSHIP). FORTUNATELY THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REAR ENDED EN ROUTE TO THE DEALERSHIP. *JB
WE HAVE A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI GLS. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW WE HAVE HAD AN INTERMITTENT SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. WE LIVE NEAR FORT COLLINS, CO; WHEN WE TRAVEL TO OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY WITH LOWER ELEVATION, OUR BRAKES BEGIN TO MALFUNCTION. INITIALLY, THEY BEGIN TO DRAG; YOU USUALLY HAVE TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION TO GET THEM TO RELEASE. SOMETIMES YOU CAN PUMP THEM HARD AND GET THEM TO RELEASE. DURING THIS PHASE THE BRAKES WEAR QUICKLY AND BECOME VERY HOT. WITHIN A DAY THE PROBLEM PROGRESSES TO A MUCH WORSE CONDITION. AS YOU PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL FEELS AS THOUGH IT IS PULLING AWAY FROM YOUR FOOT. AS YOU PRESS A LITTLE MORE, THE PEDAL SUDDENLY PULLS VIOLENTLY FROM YOUR FOOT AND THE VEHICLE BRAKES SLAM ON. AT THIS TIME THE ABS DOES NOT WORK AS FAR AS I CAN TELL. WHEN THE BRAKES PULL FROM YOUR FOOT THERE IS A NOISE LIKE AIR BEING SUCKED INTO SOMETHING. WHEN THE BRAKES SLAM ON IN THIS FASHION, ONE OF SEVERAL THINGS HAPPEN. THE BRAKES MAY STAY LOCKED ON, LEAVING YOU TO TRY TO GET THEM TO RELEASE, OFTEN IN AN INTERSECTION OR TRAFFIC. THEY MAY RELEASE ENTIRELY, AND BE OKAY UNTIL THE NEXT BRAKING INCIDENT. MANY TIMES THEY DRAG SOMEWHERE BETWEEN LIGHT ENOUGH THAT YOU MIGHT JUST THINK THE CAR IS RUNNING POORLY TO SO HEAVILY THAT YOU CAN BARELY MOVE THE CAR WITHOUT KILLING THE ENGINE. WE WERE MOST RECENTLY IN THE PORTLAND, OREGON AREA WHEN THIS HAPPENED. IT BEGAN TO HAPPEN THE FIRST NIGHT WE WERE IN TOWN, WITH THE DRAGGING. THE NEXT MORNING WE DROVE TO THE COAST, AND THE MORE SERIOUS MALFUNCTION BEGAN. WE TRIED TO DRIVE AROUND A SMALL COASTAL TOWN, ONLY TO HAVE TO PARK AND WALK EVERYWHERE WE NEEDED TO GO. ON THE WAY BACK WE WERE UNFORTUNATE TO FIND OURSELVES IN BUMPER TO BUMPER, STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. WITH NEARLY EVERY SINGLE USE OF THE BRAKES, THEY WOULD SLAM TO THE FLOOR. WE HAVE TO TRY TO STAY FAR ENOUGH AWAY FROM OTHER VEHICLES TO AVOID BEING HIT FROM BEHIND OR SKIDDING INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US. *NM
2 TIMES I HAD TO REPLACE A FAULTY 02 SENSOR 1ST TIME ENGINE TEMP SENSOR. REAR LEFT LIGHT BURNED OUT 3-4 TIMES WITHIN 80 000KM. SAID IT'S EASIER TO REPLACE THEN FIND THE PROBLEM AT DEALERSHIP. HAVE DONE OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS 1 LITRE OF OIL PER 3161KM. SAYING THAT THIS NORMAL. THIS DEALERSHIP HAVE RECOMMENDED FLUSHING THE ENGINE. CHANGING THE GRADE OF OIL. DO NOT DRIVE IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. MOST OF THE CONSUMPTION OCCURS ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOT IN TRAFFIC. CHANGE THE OIL INSTEAD OF 8000 KM AT 5000KM??? THIS IS WHAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS RECOMMENDED. THE MOST INTERESTING PART WAS WATCHING THE MECHANIC WHEN IT CONSUMED THE MOST AMOUNT BETWEEN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. HE STARTED LOOKING FOR LEAKS AGAIN & ADDED OIL. RATTLING IN DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND WINDOW FELL INTO DOOR PASSENGER SIDE. FIXED WINDOW AND RATTLING STILL SEEMS TO BE NOTICABLE. *JB
OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY WITH AN INTERMITENT PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. PERIODICALLY THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 10-15 MILES AN HOUR RESULTING IN THE CAR GOING INTO OVERDRIVE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TWICE IN TWO WEEKS. AFTER THE FIRST TOW, THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DETECT THE PROBLEM AND RETURNED THE CAR TO ME EVEN THOUGH I FELT UNSAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE SECOND TIME, THE CAR WAS MOVING AT 40MPH AND THEN DROPPED TO 5 MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, WHERE I WAS CLOSE TO CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I DEMANDED THAT THE DEALERSHIP KEEP THE CAR AND CONTINUE TO TEST DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL THEY DETECTED THE PROBLEM, WHICH THEY FINALLY FOUND. THEY FOUND A DEFECT IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM WHERE THE BRAKES WOULD CEASE WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN THE COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER SYSTEM AND BRAKE PEDDLE, WHICH THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED WAS DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER AS IT IS A RARE OCCURANCE. APPROX. $700., THE CAR IS RETURNED ALTHOUGH I CONTINUE TO FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THE CAR. ALSO, BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT, IT REQUIRED ME TO REPLACE BRAKE PADS X2 IN A TWO WEEK PERIOD. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL OF SOME KIND. PLEASE ADVISE.
THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CAME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING AND EVEN THOUGH IT WAS SEEMINGLY SHUT PROPERLY WHEN AT A STOP. ASIDE FROM THE LOUD ROAD NOISE, THE "DOOR'S AJAR" DING WOULD STARTLE ME, PARTICULARLY WHEN AT HIGH SPEED ON THE (RELATIVELY SMOOTH) HIGHWAYS. I HAVE TO SLAM THE DOOR SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO GET THE DINGING TO STOP. WHENEVER THE DOOR RATTLED LOOSE ON THE HIGHWAY (WHICH WAS UNPREDICTABLE), I WAS WORRIED THAT IT WAS GOING TO FLY OPEN. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO ATTEMPT TO CLOSE IT. I PAID $550 TO HAVE THE DOOR LOCK REPLACED (IT WAS THE HARDWARE, NOT THE ELECTRONIC LOCKS, WHICH FUNCTIONED NORMALLY THROUGHOUT THE ORDEAL). NOW, ONLY 2 YEARS LATER, I'M HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THE DEALER SAYS THAT NEITHER THEIR REPAIRS NOR THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
DT: IN AUGUST 2005 TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED, AND IT DID NOT WORK. THEY PUT IN ANOTHER ONE. NHTSA RECALL 04V096000 WAS ISSUED, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. NOTICED WHEN GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD STAY ON. THIS WAS ON JULY 1, 2005. *AK
2002 JETTA WAGON, BOUGHT WITH 16K MILES; NOW HAS 23000. INSPECTION REPORT PROVIDED BY SALES DEALER NOTED THERE WERE NO SIGHTS OF OIL LEAKS, NO VISIBLE SMOKE, NORMAL OIL PRESSURE READINGS, ETC. THE OIL WAS CHANGED AND THE LEVEL CHECKED JUST PRIOR TO PURCHASE. CAR HAS USED 4 QUARTS OF OIL IN 7000 MILES, WITH NO LEAKS OR SPRAY AND NO VISIBLE SMOKE. VW DEALERSHIP SAYS TO HAVE THE WARRANTY COVER THIS PROBLEM (60000 MI/4 YEAR WARRANTY), THAT THEY WOULD HAVE CHANGE THE OIL, THEN I MUST BRING IT IN EVERY 1000 MILES FOR THE NEXT FEW THOUSAND MILES TO GET OIL CHECKED, DESPITE THE FACT THAT I HAVE RECEIPTS THAT ESTABLISH THAT THE CAR BURNED 2 QUARTS OF OIL IN APPROXIMATELY 3500 MILES OF DRIVING. THEY SAY IT IS "NORMAL" FOR THIS VEHICLE TO BURN 1 QUART EVERY 3000 MILES. NO VEHICLE WITH ONLY 22000 MILES ON IT SHOULD BE BURNING OIL. I HAVE DISCOVERED MANY OTHER JETTAS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THAT OWNERS ARE ROUTINELY TOLD BY VW IT IS "NORMAL" TO BURN AS MUCH AS 1 QUART PER 1000 MILES. EVEN IF THE CAR WAS "ONLY" BURNING 1 QUART EVERY 3000 MILES, I WOULD CONSIDER THIS A DEFECT, NOT "NORMAL." IT'S BURNING TWICE THAT. MY CONCERN IS THAT VW HAS MANUFACTURED AN ENGINE THAT IS INHERENTLY DEFECTIVE, AND IS TELLING CUSTOMERS THAT IT IS "NORMAL" FOR LOW-MILEAGE JETTAS TO BE BURNING OIL TO AVOID HONORING THE WARRANTY. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT THIS PROCESS OF BRINGING IT IN EVERY 1000 MILES IS JUST DESIGNED TO DELAY ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. I ONLY HAVE UNTIL SEPTEMBER TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRES; I WANTED TO HAVE A RECORD OF THE FACT THAT THE PROBLEM DEVELOPED PRIOR TO THE END OF THE WARRANTY.
DT: DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER BURNED THROUGH LEATHER AND TO CONSUMER'S JEANS. AND FELT A BURN MARK WHICH WAS ABOUT A QUARTER OF AN INCH WIDE IN A CIRCLE SHAPE. *AK