2002 Volkswagen Jetta Complaint Log

THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR WARNING LIGHT COMES ON DURING COOL AND COLD WEATHER AND STAYS ON TILL THE ENGINE IS WARMED UP. AT WHICH TIME, IF THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF AND THEN RESTARTED, THE WARNING LIGHT WILL REMAIN OUT. THERE ARE NO CODES LISTED IN THE ECU. THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED CONTINUOUSLY SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN JUNE 2005. *TR

DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE IS HAVING EXCESSIVE VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING AT MEDIUM SPEEDS. OWNER DID TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO BE SERVICED, AND HAD THE REAR BRAKE DISCS REPLACED. IT HAS CAUSED THE FRONT END TO VIBRATE WORSE.*AK

SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE COURSE OF MY OWNERSHIP OF A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTAGLS SEDAN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES AN AND I TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TELL ME IT IS A SENSOR, AND FIX THE PROBLEM AND THE LIGHT GOES OFF. LATE MAY 2005 THIS OCCURED AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS FIXED. I PICKED IT UP ON 5/14/05. TWO DAYS LATER THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THE EARLIEST APPOINTMENT WAS JUNE 13, 2005. SO I WAITED. APPROXIMATELY 1 WEEK AFTER 5/14/05 A VERY STRANGE NOISE CAME FROM BENEATH THE CAR, THEN REVERSE JERKED, JUMPED AND SPUTTERED. IN DECELLERATION THE CAR MADE A "JET-ENGINE" NOISE. I STOPPED DRIVING IT AND WAITED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER HAVING MY CAR FOR LESS THAN A DAY THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED ME TO SAY THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS "FALLING APART" FROM THE INSIDE AND IT WOULD COST ME $3,500 TO FIX. NOW THE JETTA HAS 73,000 ILES AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN ONLY LEISURELY FOR WORK COMMUTING PURPOSES. WE TOOK IT ON ONE FAMILY TRIP FROM NJ RO MASS. I BELEIVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION. I DO NOT BELEIVE THAT A 3 YEAR OLD TRANSMISSION WITH 73000 MILES SHOULD JUST "FALL-APART FROM THE INSIDE". I CALLED AND 800 VW CUSTOMER LINE ADN 48 HOURS LATER WAS TOLD PRETTY MUCH TOO BAD SORRY ABOUT THAT THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY IS UP. THERE IS A BIGGER ISSUE HERE. THERE MUST BE A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION.

I BOUGHT A USED 2002 JETTA AND AS SOON AS I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT IT BEGAN WITH THE BUCKING. IT TOOK 3 VISITS TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, 2 DIFFERENT SERVICE SITES, AND 3 WEEKS WITHOUT A VEHICLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS REPLACING THE COIL, HOWEVER STATED THEY WERE GOING TO CHARGE ME. I AM CURRENTLY DISPUTING THE CHARGE. I FEEL UNSAFE AND UNHAPPY WITH MY PURCHASE.

SEPTEMBER 2002 - LEASED 2002 VW JETTA 1.8T. JULY 2003 - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, IGNITION COILS HAD TO BE REPLACED PER RECALL. NOVEMBER 2003 - PLUMES OF BLACK SMOKE CAME OUT OF TAILPIPE - THEY DETERMINED THE OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDED REPLACING. NOVEMBER 2003 - (A DAY LATER) SMOKE STILL COMING OUT OF TAILPIPE, THEY DETERMINED THERE WAS OIL IN THE TURBO, THEY HAD TO REMOVE AND INSTALL NEW TURBO CHARGER AND THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK, THEY HAD TO REMOVE AND INSTALL OIL LINE. NOVEMBER 2003- CAR MAKING WHOOSING NOISE, HAD TO RESCURE LOOSE INTAKE HOSE. MAY 2004 - REPLACE BREAKLIGHT SWITCH PER RECALL. JULY 2004 - DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW FELL - HAD TO HAVE BOTH WINDOWS AND CLAMPS REPLACED PER RECALL. (IF THIS HAD HAPPENED AFTER HOURS, MY CAR COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN VANDILIZED, FORTUNATELY IT WAS DURING THE DAY AND I WAS NEAR THE DEALER SO THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THEM WEDGED SHUT BEFORE THEY COULD GET THE CAR IN TO BE FIXED.) JULY 2004 (A DAY LATER) - BATTERY DIED, GOT JUMPED AND WAS TOWED TO SHOP, IT WAS DETERMINED I NEEDED A NEW BATTERY. NO PROBLEMS FOR ALMOST A YEAR, THOUGHT I WAS HOMEFREE... MAY 2005 - CLACKING NOISE IN ENGINE, SLUDGE ON DIPSTICK AND IN OIL FILL CAP. NO OIL LIGHT OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT EVER CAME ON. HAD TO ALSO HAVE HAZARD SWITCH REPLACED PER RECALL. I AM CURRENTLY WAITING TO SEE IF THEY WILL COVER THE REPAIRS UNDER MY WARRANTY. MY CAR NEEDS TO HAVE THE OIL PAN REMOVED TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY FURTHER DAMAGE. I WAS NEVER TOLD TO YOU USE SYNETHIC OIL IN MY CAR AND THAT APPARENTLY IS THE CAUSE OF THE SLUDGE PROBLEM. FROM LOOKING ONLINE, IT SEEMS MANY MORE PEOPLE THAN JUST MYSELF HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. VW NEEDS TO RECALL THIS.

2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA LEAKS DURING THE RAIN, CONSOLE VENT BROKE, CENTER AC VENT BROKEN, SUNROOF COVER JAMMED, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE OUT OF ALIGNMENT.*MR THE LEAK HAS CAUSED THE CARPERT TO BECOME MOLDED. THE DEALER REFUSE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE TOE ORIGIN OF THE LEAK. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT REPLACING THE VEHICE BUT THE REFUSED.

REPORTED VEHICLE JUMPS WHEN ACELERATING OR CHANGING GEARS.MANUAL TRANSMISSION.TOOK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FOUND NOTHING WRONG.NOW MY CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT STAY AT A STEEDY SPEED WHEN TURNED ON.NOTICED ON 95 WHEN DRIVING 70-75MPH.VEHICAL ACCELERATES BY ITSELF WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL AND THEN SLOWS DOWN.DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CAN'T DRIVE THE VEHICAL THAT FAST.THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO.

WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WITH MY GIRLFRIEND IN THE PASS SEAT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR POTHOLE HIT. I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND GET OFF TO THE SHOULDER. I RECEIVED BURNS AND DEEP BRUISES ON MY UPPER LEFT ARM AND LEFT SIDE RIBCAGE. CAR WAS DRIVEABLE FROM THERE, HOWEVER THE PRE-TENSIONERS FOR THE SEAT BELT ALSO FIRED AND COULD NOT USE THE SEAT BELT. UPON TALKING WITH A LOCAL VW DEALER, THEY ADVISED THAT THIS WOULD BE AN INSURANCE CLAIM, AS THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT JUST GO OFF, AND THEY MENTIONED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO INSTANCES OF RANDOM DEPLOYMENT...ALL HAVE BEEN DUE TO SOMETHING CAUSING THE DEPLOYMENT.?. I COULD HAVE EASILY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR, AND THINGS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. STILL DEALING WITH THE MEDICAL. *JB

FIRE IN THE FUSE BOX, RESULTED IN CABIN DAMAGES.*AK

HEATER CORE ON 2002 VOLKSWAGON JETTA FAILED AFTER 68000 MILES. REMEDY ACCORDING TO VW... PAY 1200.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED...SORRY.*AK

I OWN A 2002 VW JETTA TDI (DIESEL). AT 49,500 MILES, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. THE PROBLEM WAS A CLOGGED FUEL INTAKE SYSTEM. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THIS PROBLEM, AS IT IS A MAINTENANCE ISSUE. I CALLED THE VW HEADQUARTERS, AND THEY EXPLAINED THAT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD NOT OCCUR IF SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED. I HAVE DONE ALL OF THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, AT A GREAT EXPENSE. FINALLY, VW HAS AGREED TO PAY HALF OF THE $520.00 BILL TO CLEAN THE FUEL INTAKE. AFTER DOING WEB RESEARCH, THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM FACING MANY VW TDI OWNERS. BECAUSE VW TOLD ME THIS PROBLEM SHOULD NOT OCCUR WITH ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, I BELIEVE THAT VW IS NOT HONORING THE WARRANTY BY PAYING THE ENTIRE EXPENSE.*AK

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE FREEWAY IN OUR 2002 JETTA WAGON. SHE SUDDENLY FELT HER LEFT LEG BECOMING HOT AND THOUGHT THERE WAS SOMETHING HOT IN HER POCKET. SHE REACHED DOWN TO FIND THAT THE SEAT WAS ON FIRE. DUE TO THE SHOCK OF HER HAND AND LEG BEING BURNED SHE SWERVED ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC TO THE SHOULDER. SHE JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND SAW FLAMES COMING OUT OF THE SEAT BOTTOM. THERE WAS A WATER BOTTLE NEARBY IN THE CAR WHICH SHE THREW ON THE SEAT AND DOUSED THE FLAMES. AT THIS POINT SHE CALLED ME FRANTIC OVER THE SITUATION BECAUSE THE SEAT WAS STILL SMOKING. I TOLD HER TO TURN THE SEAT HEATER OFF WHICH STOPPED THE SMOKE. THE ONLY REASON I KNEW ABOUT THE SEAT FIRE PROBLEM WAS BECAUSE OF WEBSITES LIKE "WWW.VWVORTEX.COM" AND "WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS". ON THOSE TWO WEBSITES YOU CAN FIND NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF VW SEAT FIRES DUE TO HEATED SEATS. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM THE NHTSA OR VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. MY WIFE NOW HAS A BURN ON HER HAND AND LEG DUE TO THIS ISSUE, NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT THIS SEAT FIRE COULD HAVE CAUSED A SEVERE CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO DISTRACTION. *AK

THE OIL CRANK CASE DEVELOPED A CRACK, CAUSING OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE GROUND. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED.*AK

SEAT WARMER HAD BURNED A 2" HOLE THROUGH THE DRIVERS SEAT ON THE LEFT SIDE. WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND SEAT WAS REPLACED.*AK

1. WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK LATE ON MARCH 2, 2005, I TURNED MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER ON. I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. THE SEAT HEATER BURNED A HOLE COMPLETELY THROUGH MY SEAT, BURNING A CIGGERETTE-BURN SIZE HOLE THROUGH MY PANTS AND SCALDING MY BUTTOCK. 2. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH AT THE TIME, AND AM LUCKY THAT THE FIRE IN MY SEAT DID NOT CAUSE ME TO CRASH, AND INJURE MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE. 3. I HAVE WAITED TO GET IT REPAIRED BY VW IN CASE THE INVESTIGATORS / LAWYERS NEED TO SEE THE DAMAGE.*AK

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WARMER CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVER AND DRIVERS COAT WAS BURNED. *TR

VEHICLE WAS ON THE ROAD AT 5 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED ON ITS OWN. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY THE CONSUMER.*AK

I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE REPORTS I HAVE READ ABOUT SUDDEN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS FOR NO REASON ON VOLKSWAGEN MODELS JETTA, GTI AND GOLF, YEAR 2001-2003. AS A 2002 JETTA OWNER, I DO NOT WISH TO SUFFER FROM AIRBAG INJURY FROM INAPPROPRIATE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER FOR THE CONSUMERS BEHALF AND RECALL IF NECESSARY. THANK YOU.*AK

MY DAUGHTER WAS EXITING I-4 ONTO I-95 IN DAYTONA BEACH, FL. SHE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH, WHEN THE MICHILEN TIRE ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF. THIS CAUSED HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE 2002 VW JETTA (30,000 MILES) AND ROLL THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS INJURED AND THE ONLY CAR INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE SIDE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED LESSENING HER INJURIES, AS HER HEAD HIT THE SIDE OF THE CAR AND HAS CAUSED GREAT PROBLEMS. *JB

MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WENT ON JUST PRIOR TO MY 80000 MILE SERVICE. I INFORMED MY VW SERVICE DEPT OF THIS. WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR I WAS INFORMED THAT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM WOULD COST $800-$900. THIS IS EQUIPMENT THAT HAS NO MOVING IS FACTORY INSTALLED. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. IS THIS COMMON? WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE?*JB

THE HEATED SEAT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF MY 2002 VW JETTA BEGAN TO SMOLDER AT THE "3" SETTING WHILE I WAS WARMING THE CAR UP. IT EVENTUALLY BURNT A HOLE IN THE LEFT SEAT BOLSTER APPROXIMATELY" BY " IN SIZE. USUALLY I TURN THE SEAT HEATER ON WHILE I AM DEFROSTING THE WINDSHIELD IN THE DRIVEWAY. WITHOUT SOMEONE IN THE CAR IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND EITHER DESTROYED THE CAR OR CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR.*AK

I TOOK MY 2002 JETTA WAGON 1.8T AUTO/TIPTRONIC (45,000 MI) TO AN INDEPENDENT VW SERVICE SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND TO CHECK A "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME HE HAS SEEN A PROBLEM BEFORE INVOLVING PAINT CONTAMINATION IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. BASICALLY, THE INSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION OIL PAN WHERE THE FLUID SITS IS PAINTED, AND THE HEAT OF THE FLUID CAUSES THE PAINT TO FLAKE OFF AND CONTAMINATE THE FLUID. THIS MECHANIC RECOMMENDED TO HAVE THE TRANNY REPLACED AT A VW DEALER. SO, I TOOK THE CAR TO AN AUTHORIZED VW DEALER AND THEY ALSO CONFIRMED THE PAINT CONTAMINATION PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THEY REPLACED THE TRANNY OIL PAN, A SELONIOD VALVE (N281) AND FLUSHED THE TRANNY FLUID AS RECOMMENDED BY VW OF AMERICA. I WAS ABLE TO CONFIRM WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE NEW PAN WAS ALSO PAINTED AND HE COULD NOT ANSWER IF THE PAINT SPEC HAD CHANGED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. I CALLED VW OF AMERICA TO STATE MY CONCERN AND TO REQUEST A NEW TRANSMISSION. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. 9 MONTHS LATER (64,000 MI) MY CAR DOWN SHIFTS TO 4 GEAR WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 65MI/HR. THE GEAR IS STUCK IN 4TH GEAR EVEN WHEN I COME TO A STOP. I MANAGED TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER WHO HAVE DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY VALVE BODY CIRCUIT (N92 VALVE BODY COVER). THE DEALER NOW RECOMMENDS TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AND SINCE I'M 4,000 MILES BEYOND MY WARRANTY I WILL HAVE THE COVER THE COST. THE DEALER SUGGESTS THAT I SHOULD CALL VW OF AMERICA AND REFERENCE THE CASE FROM THE LAST TIME I CALLED IN APRIL. VWA STATED THEY NEEDED TO RESEARCH THE ISSUE AND THEY WOULD CALL BACK. AFTER HEARING NOTHING FOR TWO DAYS, I CALLED VWA BACK AND THEY FOUND OUT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM I HAD BACK IN APRIL AND THE BEST THEY COULD DO WAS OFFER HALF THE COST OF THE REPAIR. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I SHOULD PAY HALF THE COST WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER REMEDIED CORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME WHEN THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED THE SEAT HEATER WAS UNUSUALLY HOT AND FELT BURNING ON MY LEG. I TURNED THE SEAT HEATER OFF, AND WHEN I EXITED THE VEHICLE, NOTICED TWO QUARTER-SIZED BURN HOLES IN THE SEAT AND A BURN HOLE IN MY WOOL COAT. VW DEALER WILL BE REPLACING THE SEAT, AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY WILL COMPENSATE ME FOR MY COAT. *AK

WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR.. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUMP THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED, HOWEVER THEY WERE UNABLE DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB

I HAVE A VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2002 WAGON. TWICE I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE BECAUSE THE FACTORY INSTALLED RADIO HAD STOPPED WORKING. TWICE THEY REPAIRED THE RADIO BY READJUSTING THE WIRING. I WAS TOLD IF IT HAPPENS A THIRD TIME, THEY WILL REPLACE THE RADIO.*AK

I WAS DRIVING HOME IN MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA AND I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. THEN I FELT A BURNING SENSATION ON MY THIGH. I STOPPED THE CAR AND LOOKED AT MY SEAT TO FIND OUT THAT MY HEATED SEATS HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE INSIDE OUT. I POURED WATER IN THE BURNING HOLE AND IT SIZZLED OUT. IT BURNT A HOLE IN MY SEAT, MY SKIRT AND LEFT A RED MARK IN MY LEG. FORTUNATELY, I PULLED OVER AND PUT THE FIRE OUT BEFORE ANY SERIOUS DAMAGES WERE INCURRED. I CALLED THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP AND TOLD HIM ABOUT THE INCIDENT. THE PERSON I SPOKE TO ACTED AS IF IT WAS NO BIG DEAL. HE TOLD ME TO BRING MY CAR IN AND IF IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, THE WARMER AND SEATS WOULD BE REPLACED AT MY 2 DAY INCONVENIENCE. TO DATE, I HAVEN'T TAKEN IT IN BECAUSE I AM DETERMINING WHAT/IF ANY LEGAL ACTION, I SHOULD TAKE. *JB

2002 VW JETTA TDI WITH LEATHER HEATED SEATS. GOT SO HOT IN LEFT HIP CORNER THAT I ALMOST WAS BURNED THROUGH MY CLOTHES. BURNING SMELL ALSO NOTED. IMMEDIATELY SHUT SEAT HEATER TO OFF. *NM

I HAVE 2002 JETTA WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE HIT SMALL OBJECT IN ROAD WITH PASSENGER FRONT TIRE THIS CAUSED BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. IMPACT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO BLOW FRONT TIRE OR CAUSE ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF VECHILE. WAS TOLD BY INSURANCE COMPANY THEY HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE HAVE CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN AND HAVE APPOINTMENT TO GET ESTIMATE ON REPAIR COST AND IF THEY WILL COVER OR INSURANCE WILL HAVE TO COVER.*AK

REPEATED FAILURE OF BREAK LIGHTS IN 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA OVER 2 AND 1/2 YEAR PERIOD. INCIDENT #1 ? DATE: 10.29.02 OD READING 5226 MILES RO# 776322 INCIDENT #2 ? DATE: 07.18.03 OD READING 15765 MILES RO# 817328 * INCIDENT #3 ? DATE: 12.15.03 OD READING 19219 MILES RO# 843079 INCIDENT #4 ? DATE: 07.14.04 OD READING 24000 MILES RO# 877075 INCIDENT #5 ? DATE: 01.13.05 OD READING 31291 MILES RO# 26004548/1 * THIS WAS WHEN THE RECALL BREAK LIGHT SWITCH WAS INSTALLED PER NHTSA RECALL NO. 04VO96. WE HAVE NARROWLY AVOIDED COLLISIONS IN THE LAST TWO OF THESE INCIDENTS OF FAILURES AND HAVE ASKED THAT VOLKSWAGEN TAKE THE CAR BACK FROM US AS AFTER THE FOURTH ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM THEY CANNOT ENSURE OUR SAFETY IN THE VEHICLE. VOLKSWAGEN HAS REFUSED OUR REQUEST AND INSISTED THAT THEY REPAIR THE CAR UNDER THE TERMS OF THE WARRANTY FOR THE FIFTH TIME DESPITE THE TRACK RECORD OF FAILURES. THE COMMENT MADE TO ME IS IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN TO BE SURE TO CONTACT THEM WITH MY CONCERNS? *NM

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE FRONT/REAR SIDE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *NM

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER CAUGHT SEAT CUSHION ON FIRE. BURNED MY PANTS AND BUTTOCKS. DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AT TIME OF INCIDENCE. HAVE NOT CONTACTED DEALER YET. WILL DO SO TOMORROW.*AK

REPEAT IGNITION COIL AND INGITION COIL WIRING HARNESS FAILURE. THE COILS FAIL TO SPARK RESULTING IN REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND THE WIRING HARNESS SHEATHING KEEPS CRACKING APART, RESULTING IN GROUND OUT ON THE ENGINE.*AK *NM

I HAVE HEATED SEATS IN MY 2002 JETTA. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING LAST WEEK AND NOTICED A PAIN IN HER LEFT LEG. SHE REALIZED THAT IT WAS A BURNING SENSATION. SHE QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER AND PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR. THE SEAT HAD MELTED AND THE COVER WAS MELTING AND BEGINNING TO BURN. FORTUNATELY SHE TURNED OFF THE HEATER RIGHT AWAY AND GOT OFF THE SEAT. I READ OTHER COMPLAINTS OF FIRE AND BURN INJURIES. NOW I HAVE A DEFORMED SEAT CUSHION (DUE TO MELTING) AND A HOLE IN THE COVER. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING VW TO SEE IF THEY WILL REPLACE THIS SEAT AND HEATER. I JUST EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE ON MY WARRANTY.*AK

THE DRIVER'S SEAT IN MY 2002 VW JETTA GLS 1.8T BEGAN SMOLDERING THIS MORNING. I STARTED MY CAR TO WARM IT UP AND BEGAN TO CLEAN THE SNOW FROM THE WINDSHIELD. WHEN I ENTERED THE CAR I NOTICED A STRONG "BURNING" SMELL. I QUICKLY GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND NOTICED THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS SMOKING. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE BURNING BY TURNING OFF THE HEATED SEAT AND PUTTING SNOW ON THE AREA. I WAS SURE IT WAS THE HEATED SEAT WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT TO BURN BECAUSE A PORTION OF THE HEATING ELEMENT IS EXPOSED AND IT WAS SPARKING. I NOW HAVE A HOLE THE SIZE OF A PENNY ON THE SEAT.*AK

SEAT WARMER BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND MY PANTS. THE HOLE WAS SMOKING AND I HAD TO POUR POP IN THE HOLE TO PUT IT OUT. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. CONSUMER AVOIDED A CRASH BY PULLING TO THE SIDE OF ROAD. *AK *NM

WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS BURNED. ALSO, DRIVER'S COAT WAS BURNED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK ......*AK

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

ON THE MORNING OF 12/15/04, BEFORE GOING TO WORK, I STARTED MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TO WARM UP. I ALSO TURNED ON THE SEAT WARMER TO ITS HIGHEST SETTING (5). ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER I GOT IN THE CAR TO GO TO WORK. I WAS ABOUT 1.5 MILES FROM MY HOUSE WHEN I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. THEN I FELT A SHARP PAIN IN MY LEFT LEG. WHEN I PUT MY HAND IN BETWEEN MY LEG AND THE CAR SEAT, I GOT A TAR-LIKE SUBSTANCE ON MY HAND. I THEN REALIZED THAT THE SEAT WARMER MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS MELTING MY SEAT! IT MELTED SYNTHENTIC ONTO MY WOOL COAT AND PANTS, AS WELL AS MY SKIN. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT OFF WITHOUT HAVING TO GO TO THE ER. I CONTACTED A SERVICE MANAGER AT METRO VW IN IRVING TX. HE SAID HE COULD HELP ME FIX THE SEAT, BUT TO CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE REGARDING THE OTHER DAMAGES. HE ADDED THAT C.S. WOULD ACT LIKE THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, BUT HE KNEW IT WAS A REGULAR PROBLEM. C.S. DID OFFER TO HAVE MY SEAT FIXED AS WELL AS REPLACE MY COAT, BUT WHEN I MENTIONED A RECALL SO THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN TO OTHERS, THEY SAID IT WAS NOT FINANCIALLY FEASIBLE, AND THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT MANDATING A RECALL, SO THEY WERE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *JB

OCCASIONALLY WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, IT DOES NOT FULLY RETURN TO IT NORMAL POSITION. THIS OFTEN OCCURS WHEN SITTING AT A LONG RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN AND I ATTEMPT TO RELEASE THE CLUTCH IT REMAINS DEPRESSED, RESULTING IN ENGINE STALL. THIS POSSES A DANGER BECAUSE STALLS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENTS, BY PREVENTING THE DRIVER FROM ACCELERATING TO AVOID COLLISION. I HAVE TAKEN THE MY AUTO IN FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR ON 4 OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, THE SECOND TIME THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER WAS RE-BLED, AND THE 3RD & 4TH TIMES I WAS TOLD THAT THE CLUTCH WAS PERFORMING WITHIN VW SPECIFICATIONS BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. *NM

I HAVE A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI. MY BOY FRIEND WAS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT FOR A MAXIMUM OF 5 MINUTES WHEN THE SEAT HEATER BURNT A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT, HIS JEANS, AND LEFT A SMOKING BLACK RING IN HIS LEATHER WALLET. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE, IT JUST HAPPENED. SO, NOW I HAVE AN EXPENSIVE CAR SEAT, JEANS, AND A WALLET THAT ARE RUINED. THE SEAT WILL COST MORE THAN SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX AND THE JEANS AND WALLET ANOTHER COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPLACE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED TWO DEALERS, ONE WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND ANOTHER WHERE I CURRENTLY RESIDE, AND BOTH ARE SAYING THAT IT WILL NOT BE FIXED BECAUSE MY CAR IS 2,000 MILES OVER ITS WARRANTY. I HAVE SPOKEN TO VOLKSWAGEN'S CUSTOMER CARE CENTER AND THEY HAVE OFFERED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE JEANS AND WALLET, BUT NOTHING FOR THE SEAT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS NOT A NORMAL "WEAR AND TEAR" PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE FULLY COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER.*AK

THE LEASE ON MY VW IT IS END IN ONE NEXT MONTH JANUARY 2005. THEY SEND A PERSON TO INSPECT THE CAR, HE FOUND EVERYTHING OK, HIS REPORT SAY THAT I NEED TO DO A WINDSHIELD REPAIR. THE WINDSHIELD DON'T HAVE NOTHING THAT YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE, HE USED A SPECIAL PEN, AND FOUND LIKE 60 CHIPS LIKE SAND CHIPS. NOW THEY WANT ME TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD, WHEN THERE IS NOTHIG WRONG WITH IT. PLEASE HELP ME I AM NOT WILLING TO PAY $350.00 IT IS UNFAIR. WHEN THIS CAR HAS GIVING US ONLY PORBLEMS AND SPEND HALF OF THE TIME ON HT E DEALERSHIP. THANK YOU.*AK

I USED THE HEATED SEAT FEATURE ON MY 2002 VW JETTA. 12-11-04, I NOTICED A BURN HOLE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT. I PLACED MY FINGER OVER IT AND BURNT MY FINGER. I ALSO HAVE A GOOD JACKET THAT HAS A BURN MARK ON IT. I WILL BE CONTACTING MY VW DEALERSHIP ON 12-13-04 TO LET THEM KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE THEM REPLACE MY SEAT AND COAT! I THINK THE FACT THAT THE NHTSA IS WAITING FOR A FATALITY OR TWO BEFORE MAKING THIS A RECALL IS JUST RIDICULOUS. *JB

REPEAT INCIDENTS LEADING TO CONSUMER'S LONG TERM DRIVEABILITY CONCERNS. WORRISOME PANEL INDICATOR LIGHTS -- FLASHING: ENGINE WARNING AND GLOW PLUG (DIESEL) LIGHTS WITHIN CURRENT LEASE PERIOD. AFTER FIRST TWO INCIDENTS, THE THIRD (THEN UNDER WARRANTY) WAS FOUND TO BE DUE TO A FACTORY DEFECT. AND REPAIRED?...DEC 7 '04, AT ABOUT 55K -- BLINKING LIGHTS AGAIN. DEALER DIAGNOSTIC INDICATED NO ENGINE PROBLEM (THIS WAS THE SAME RESULT OF THE TWO PREVIOUS BEFORE THE THIRD RESULTED IN A MAJOR WARRANTY REPAIR). THIS HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS AN ACCELERATOR SENSOR FAILURE. (THE PART WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR THREE (3) DAYS; WE ARE ADVISED TO DRIVE "CAREFULLY UNTIL THE PART CAN BE REPLACED.) THIS SENSOR FAILURE IS THEN ONE OF SEVERAL OTHERS IN THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE: THE FUEL GUAGE HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE OR TWICE; THE SEAT HEATER SENSOR JUST, AND OUT-OF-WARRANTY, BURNED A HOLE IN THE FRONT SEAT (THREE WEEKS AWAITING FACTORY REPS 'GET-BACK.'). AN AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEM (LEAK) WAS ALSO NOTED AND REPAIRED AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES.*AK

PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVE AT WORK. I SMELT SOMETHING, LIKE BURNING. I PUT CAR IN PARK. FELT BURNING SENSATION ON UPPER LEFT THIGH/ BUTT. LOOKED DOWN AND THERE WAS A GROWING HOLE WITH SMALL FLAME. I TURNED OFF MY CAR, NOTICED MY JEANS WERE BURNT, JUMPED OUT, AND THE SMALL FLAME WAS STILL VISIBLE IN THE HOLE. ONCE I FIGURED OUT IT WAS THE SEAT HEATER I TURNED OFF THE SWITCH WICH WAS ONLY SET AT 2 OUT OF 5 LEVELS. ONLY THEN, WHEN BOTH MY CAR AND SEAT HEATER SWITCH OFF DID IT DIE OUT. TOOK DIRECTLY TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT AND USED "UPDATED PART" BUT WOULD NOT EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT THIS MEANT OR WHAT THEY DID. THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME INFORMATION OR CLAIM THAT THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.*AK

DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER WIRING CAUGHT ON FIRE, BURNING THE FABRIC. VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK

THE TORQUE ARM SHEARED OFF. AS A RESULT, AXLE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT BOLTED TO THE FRAME. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE AND IT STARTED BUCKING AND MAKING A LOT OF NOISE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM GEAR TO GEAR WITHOUT BUCKING. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT STEERING CORRECTLY. EXHAUST BECAME LOUD. *TC

THE HEATER ELEMENT IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF MY 2002 VW JETTA VR6 BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER AND LEFT A QUARTER SIZE BURN HOLE IN THE SEAT OF MY CAR AND THE SEAT OF MY PANTS. FORTUNATELY MY WALLET FORMED A BARRIER BETWEEN ME AND THE HEAT SOURCE. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A VW DEALER IN MASSACHUSETTS AND I AM CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A NEW SEAT CUSHION AND HEATER ELEMENT. IF ANYONE SHOULD ASK WHAT REALLY "BURNS ME UP", I TELL THEM THE SEAT OF MY VW JETTA. *AK

MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS TURBO, 26,000 MILES CAUGHT ON FIRE IN WASHINGTON STATE WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. I SMELLED GAS WHILE DRIVING AND PULLED OVER OPNED HOOD AND A FE SECONDS LATER A FIRE STARTED. WHILE ON THE PHONE WITH 911 THERE WAS A MINOR EXPLOSION AND I RECEIVED MINOR BURNS TO THE FACE AND HANDS. VEHICLE WAS TOWED 20 MILES TO KARMART VW IN BURLINGTON, WA. THE NEXT VW OF AMERICA CALLED AND SAID THEY WERE INVESTIGATING IT. THREE WEEKS LATER THEY CALLED AND DENIED THE CLAIM FOR REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. ABOUT $10,000 IN DAMAGES. MY INSURANCE COMPANY ALLSTATE IS INVOLVED AND HIRED AN ENGINEER TO INVESTIGATE IT. HE DETERMINED IT IS MOST LIKELY A FACTORY DEFECT. VW DENIED TO FIX OR REPLACE THE CAR BECUASE THERE NO CLAMPS PRESENT WHERE THE FIRE OCURED. THE HOSES BURNED OFF ABOUT 3-6 INCHES. ALLSTATE FOUND THE ONE OF THE CLAMPS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I THINK IT REDICULOUS THAT VW WILL NOT COVER THE DAMGES OR REPLACE THE CAR. WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DO WITH A 2 YEAR CAR WITH MAJOR FIRE DAMAGE. I HAVE LOST TOTAL FAITH IN THE VEHICLE AND DON'T WANT. I WILL HAVE A HARD TIME SELLING IT WITH THIS KIND OF PROBLEM, WHO WOULD WANT TO BUY CAR TWO OLDS KNOWING IT WAS IN A SERIOUS FIRE? WHAT PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE DUE TO THIS? I FEEL WITH MY MINOR INJURY AND BEING A NEW CAR VW SHOULD DO SOMETHING. *AK

TAILIGHTS BURN OUT FREQUENTLY. COMPONENT CAUGHT FIRE.