2002 Volkswagen Jetta Complaint Log

RELATED TO NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V096.I AM THE LESSEE OF A 2002 VW JETTA THAT HAS EXPERIENCE A BRAKE LIGHT MALFUNCTION FOUR (4) TIMES IN THE PAST 24 MONTHS. THE LATEST FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE CAUSED A FAILURE OF THE LIGHTS ON DECELERATION FOLLOWED BY THEM BEING STUCK IN THE ON POSITION WHILE PARKED. WHILE REPEATED REPAIRS OF THIS RECURRING PROBLEM (BY THE VW DEALERSHIP) SEEM TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, THE ISSUE RETURNS. THE LATEST INCIDENT NEARLY CAUSED A REAR-END COLLISION ON A HIGH-WAY OFF-RAMP. MAINTENANCE RECORDS OF THIS RECURRING PROBLEM WERE REVIEWED BY VW CORP. FACTORY REP. AND THE OPINION OF VW IS THAT THEY WILL ENTERTAIN NO FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS INCIDENT OR REPAIR, NOR WILL THEY ALLOW ME TO TURN THE VEHICLE IN AFTER FOUR (4) INSTANCES OF BRAKE LIGHT MALFUNCTIONS WITHIN 24 MONTHS. ACCORDING TO THE MAINTENANCE RECORDS, THE VEHICLE HAS THE RECALL BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH INSTALLED AND STILL HAS HAD FAILURES OCCUR.*AK

CURTAIN AIRBAG ON PASSENGER'S SIDE, SEAT AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE , AND THE DASHBOARD AIRBAG COVER FELL OFF. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR IT. *AK WHILE DRIVIGN THE CONSUMER HEARD ALOUD BANG. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HAD DEPLOYED ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO IMPPACT. NO INJURIES WERE STATED. *NM

TWICE IN THE PAST FOUR MONTHS I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR AND UNFORTUNATELY HIT A POTHOLE. NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY, A SIMPLE POTHOLE ON THE ROAD. IN BOTH INSTANCES THE FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE WHEEL (RIM) HAS BENT AND THE TIRE BLEW OUT. I HAVE NOW HAD TO REPLACE THE WHEEL AT AN OUTRAGEOUS PRICE. I FIND IT RIDICULOUS THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE SECOND INCIDENT WAS AT NIGHT AND IN THE RAIN. I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO CHANGE A TIRE, AND NO ONE STOPPED TO HELP ME. I HAD TO PAY $25 TO A TOWING COMPANY TO HAVE SOMEONE COME OUT AND CHANGE THE TIRE. *LA

PROBLEMS WITH AIR BAG SYSTEM RESULTED IN UNNECESSARY DEPLOYMENTS. *MR VW REFUSED TO DISCUSS THE MATTER WITH THE DEALER OR THE CONSUMER. THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT OF THE HEAD AND SIDE PASSENGER AIR BAGS DURING NORMAL TRAVEL. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT 40 OTHER 2002 JETTA OWNERS EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. *SC *JB

THE TIRES ARE BEING CUT FROM THE INSIDE WHILE DRIVING. THEY ARE CUT IN A SIMILAR FASHION. THE CONSUMER HAS GONE THROUGH SIX SETS OF TIRES. IT IS ALWAYS THE TWO FRONT TIRES. TIRE BRAND: GOOD YEAR EAGLE RSA P225 45 R 17, M67REN OR 3103. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *NM

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP. *AK

WHILE ON THE FREEWAY WE HAD A BLOWN TIRE IN OUR 2002 VW JETTA GLS VR6 VEHICLE. WE COULD NOT OPEN THE WHEEL BOLTS SINCE THEY WERE GLUED FROM THE FACTORY, INTO THE WHEEL. IT TOOK A 4' PIECE OF PIPE TO OPERATE THE BOLTS WRENCH TO OPEN THEM. FURTHERMORE, THE JACK SUPPLIED WITH THE VEHICLE IS UNDERSIZED AND UNSAFE TO OPERATE. IT SHIFTED WITH THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE A STEADY SUPPORT FOR RAISING THE VEHICLE FOR THE WHEEL CHANGE. AFTER A FEW TRIES, WE RESORTED TO USING A HYDRAULIC JACK SUPPLIED BY THE LOCAL SHERIFF DEPUTY WHO WAS PASSING BY THE LOCATION WE WERE STOPPED AT. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE HAZARD FLASHING LIGHTS SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED. ALL OF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE CAR BURNED OUT. THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD TICK, BUT THE BLINKER LIGHT WOULD NOT COME ON. THIS WAS TEMPORARILY SOLVED BY REMOVING THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH. VOLKSWAGEN ISSUED RECALL 04V584000 ON THE HAZARD SWITCH, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER HAVE BEEN CONTACT, AND NEITHER OFFERED ANY FREE SOLUTION. *AK

I PURCHASED A NEW 2002 JETTA GLS AND HAVE HAD THE CAR JUMP STARTED FOUR TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. AFTER THE SECOND TIME THE BATTERY DIED, THEY GAVE ME A SOLAR PANEL TO HELP KEEP THE BATTERY CHARGED. MY BATTERY DIED AGAIN LAST WEEK WITH THE SOLAR PANEL PLUGGED IN. VW RAN ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND STILL MAINTAINS THAT, AMONG A LONG LIST OF THE OTHER POSSIBILITIES THEY HAVE OFFERED ME, THEY ARE SURE IT IS BECAUSE I DON'T DRIVE THE CAR ENOUGH TO CHARGE THE BATTERY SUFFICIENTLY TO HANDLE ALL THE ELECTRONICS THAT ARE STANDARD ON THE CAR. I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THIS EXPLANATION. IF THEY PUT ALL THESE "EXTRAS" ON THE CAR AND IT DRAWS TOO MUCH ON THE BATTERY WHEN NOT DRIVEN FOR A FEW DAYS , THEN WHY PUT THEM ON THE CAR? IN ADDITION,I ALSO HAD THE FRONT WINDOWS CRASH INSIDE THE DOOR WHILE ENTERING A MAJOR HIGHWAY. THEY WERE REPLACED. AND, LAST MONTH WHILE I HAD THE CAR IN FOR A RECALL REGARDING THE TAIL LIGHTS, I HAD TO HAVE THE WINDOW MECHANISM FIXED AGAIN DUE TO A FAULTY CLAMP. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN. I NEVER EXPECTED A NEW CAR TO HAVE SO MANY PROBLEMS. IT IS AN INCONVENIENCE AND A WASTE OF TIME. *AK

BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES. FRONT RIGHT ELECTRIC WINDOW FELL INTO DOOR AT 65,000. REPLACED SPOOL AND BROKEN RETENTION CLIPS. RADIO HAS FAILED 3 TIMES AND BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THIRD TIME I HAD TO RESET FUSE #42. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *AK

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ROLL THE WINDOW UP, THE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT DURING THE DAY, WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO SECURELY LOCK THE VEHICLE. THE LOCAL VW SHOP WAS ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM THE FOLLOWING DAY. THIS WAS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE. *LA

VEHICLE HAD DIFFICULTY SHIFTING OUT OF PARK. DEALERSHIP SAID IT HAD TO DO WITH A BRAKE SWITCH RECALL AND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. WHEN VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AFTER REPAIR, BRAKES FELT DIFFERENTLY, BUT WORKED. A WEEK LATER WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE BRAKE PEDAL STUCK AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 50MPH. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS BAD AND WILL REPLACE IT. OTHER PROBLEMS INCLUDE THE ARM REST BREAKING THREE TIMES, WINDOW MECHANICS NEEDED REPLACED, DOOR LEAKS, AND COVER ON PLASTIC INTERIOR PEELING.*AK

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30 AND 35 MPH CONSUMER HIT A POT HOLE AND FRONT PASSENGER AND SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

I OWN A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS TDI. THIS CAR HAS A SURGING PROBLEM DURING NORMAL OR CRUISE CONTROL, OCCURRING BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MPH. THE CAR HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES WITHOUT BEING REPAIRED, DATING BACK TO OCT. 2003. LAST YEAR IT SPENT 31 DAYS AT THE DEALER, MAY 10, 2004 THROUGH JUNE 10, 2004, RETURNED TO ME WORKING BETTER. WITHIN TWO DAYS THE PROBLEM WAS NOW WORSE. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS CAR MAY SURGE AND TAKE OFF LEAVING ME UNABLE TO STOP OR CONTROL. THIS CAR IS A SAFETY HAZARD IN MY OPINION. I HAVE TRIED TO WORK WITH VW BUT THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE IT AND ARE UNABLE TO REPAIR IT. [XXX]. ANYTHING THAT YOU COULD DO WOULD BE MUCH WELCOMED. THANK YOU.*AK *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

THE PASSENGER WINDOW FOR MY 2001 JETTA FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND THE WINDOW FELL INSIDE THE CAR, MAKING THE CAR IMPOSSIBLE TO SECURE. I PARK ON THE STREET IN SAN FRANCISCO AND RAIN IS FORCASTED.

PASSENGER SIDE/WINDOW AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DEALER STATED THAT COMPUTER WAS READING CRASH DAMAGE. CONSUMER INDICATED VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER PULLED DATA OFF THE COMPUTER THAT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A CRASH AND DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. DUE TO THEIR FINDINGS THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO COVER ANY REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER'S INSURANCE COMPANY ALSO PERFORMED AN INVESTIGATION AND THEY CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A CRASH. THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND MANUFACTURER ARE TRYING TO SCHEDULE A TIME TO GET TOGETHER AND TAKE THE AIR BAGS APART TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THEM TO DEPLOY. *NM

I HAD A VW JETTA 2002 MODEL WITH 13880 MILES. PRIOR TO THAT INCIDENT, I HAD NO ACCIDENT OR TROUBLE. I HAD SERVICE CHECK UP DONE AND THE LAST ONE WAS DONE ON MAR.16, 2004. ON APR.5, I PARKED THE CAR IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PARKING LOT. I TOOK OUT THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE CAR WAS STILL SHAKING AND VIBRATING AND THE SOUND WAS GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER. I CALLED OUT FOR HELP AND THE JANITOR CAME TO OPEN UP THE HOOD. BY THE TIME, THE BURNING SMELL WAS ALL OVER AND THE SMOKE WAS COMING OUT. THE CABLES ATTACHED TO THE BATTERY WAS ON FIRE AND THE BATTERY WAS MELTING. THE JANITOR HAD TO CUT OFF THE CABLES IN ORDER TO STOP THE FIRE. IT WAS TOWED AWAY TO VW SUNNYVALE. AFTER THE INSPECTION, VW SAID THAT THE PROBABLE CAUSE WAS THE SAFETY KEY DEVICE WHICH WAS INSTALLED AT THE BOB LEWIS DEALER WHERE WE BOUGHT THE CAR. THEN THE STARTER DISENGAGED. VW SAID IT WAS AN AFTERMARKET PRODUCT THAT THEIR BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY WON'T COVER THE REPAIR. WHEN WE BOUGHT THIS CAR, IT WAS NEW AND WE REFUSED TO HAVE AN EXTRA SAFETY DEVICE, BUT BOB LEWIS HAD LEFT IT THERE WITHOUT OUR KNOWLEDGE. THEY ALSO DID NOT DISCLOSE THAT MODIFICATION WAS DONE NOR AFTER ANY MODIFICATION. THE CAR WILL NOT BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. NOW THE SUNNYVALE DEALER ESTIMATED THE COST OF REPAIR FOR $14500. MY INSURANCE HAD SENT 2 APPRAISERS AND I AM WAITING FOR THEIR REPORTS. I TRIED TO REACH BOB LEWIS, BUT THEY HAVE NEVER CALLED ME BACK. *LA THE POINT OF ORIGIN WAS IN THE WIRING. THE STARTER DISENGAGED AND THE PROBABLE CAUSE WAS THE AFTER MARKET PRODUCT DUE TO A MODIFICATION ON THE ORIGINAL WIRING. (THE DAMAGE APPEARED TO BE DIRECTLY BELOW THE BATTERY) *SC *JB

THE SEAT MATERIAL ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT, BURNED THROUGH, MELTING THE SEATS MATERIAL AND CREATING A 1-INCH X INCH WIDE HOLE. THE HOLE LEFT EXPOSED THE ELECTRICAL WIRES UNDER THE MATERIAL THAT CAUSED THE DRIVER TO FEEL A SUDDEN ELECTRICAL SHOCK. FURTHERMORE, THE ELECTRICAL SHOCK COMBINED WITH THE HOT MELTING MATERIAL FELT THROUGH THE JEANS, CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUDDENLY AND UNSAFELY VEERS OFF THE ROAD. THE HOT MELTED MATERIAL ALSO CAUSED SOME MINOR BURNING ON THE HAND (FINGER) OF THE DRIVER. THE VW BUILT IN SEAT-HEATER WAS ON POSITION 4. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH DRIVER'S SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE SEAT HEATER CORE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK

MY 2002 VW JETTA, VIN# [XXX] HAS APPROXIMATELY 22,334 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN AT PACIFIC VW SINCE MARCH 18, 2004. THE CONCERN WITH THE VEHICLE, WHICH THE DEALER/FACTORY REPS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REMEDY IS WITH A COMPLETE LOSS OF ACCELERATION. *AK WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WILL SLIGHTLY ACCELERATE TO ABOUT 15-20 MPH AND THEN THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PROPEL FORWARD AT ANY FASTER RATE, EVEN WITH THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. ACCELERATION IS RESUMED WHEN THE PEDAL IS BROUGHT UP TO THE TOP AGAIN AND DEPRESSED YET AGAIN TO GET ANY NORMAL TYPE OF ACCELERATION. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT POOR ACCELERATION BUT RATHER AN INABILITY FOR THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN ATTEMPTED TO BE REMEDIED BY MY DEALERSHIP BY REPAIRING/REPLACING THE ECM, TCM, FUEL PUMP, WIRING HARNESS AND A RADIATOR HOSE - THE HOSE WAS DAMAGED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND IS UNRELATED TO THE VEHICLES TRUE CONCERNS. ALL OTHER ITEMS WERE UNSUCCSESSFUL. THE SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT WHEN MERGING OR TURNING ONTO TRAFFIC AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THERE IS A HUGE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT IF THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE, EVEN WITH THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I FEAR THAT A REAR END ACCIDENT MAY ENSUE IF THIS CONDITION IS NOT FIXED BY VW. I HAVE YET TO HEAR FROM A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE DESPITE MULTIPLE PHONE CALLS AND AN EMAIL NOTIFICATION TO VW. KIND REGARDS, [XXX]. *AK UPDATED 07/30/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

UNINTENDED DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG AT 55 MPH. NO CRASH INVOLVED. *AK

HEATED SEAT MALFUNCTION ONED A 2002.5 VW JETTA. HEATING ELEMENT BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE FABRIC ON THE SEAT. ALSO. BURNING THE PANTS THAT I WAS WEARING. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM I WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER. THIS ALSO HAPPENED MARCH 15, 2003. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AFTER HITTING A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD. *AK

WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AT 10 MPH THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2002 VOLKWAGEN JETTA, MY WIFE SET THE SEAT WARMER TO "5" (THE HIGHEST LEVEL). SHE SAID THAT SHE "SMELLED SOMETHING FUNNY," AND THEN RECEIVED A MINOR BURN ON HER LEFT LEG. CORRECTIVE ACTION WAS TO TURN THE SEAT HEATER TO "0" (OFF). NO PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED PENDING A RESPONSE FOR SERVICE FROM VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AT THE DESIRED STOPPING POINT. MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED TWICE. *AK

RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE BRAKE LIGHTING SYSTEM. *MR THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED PRIOR TO THE CONSUMER RECEIVING RECALL NOTICE 04V-096000 WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO MALFUNCTION TWICE. ON BOTH OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE LIGHT BULBS. AFTER THE RECALL ARRIVED THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE DEALER FOR THE TWO BULBS THE REPLACED. THE DEALER DENIED HER REQUEST SO NOW SHE IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM

THE VEHICLE BURNS OIL PREMATURELY. *AK

THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WENT FLAT AFTER VEHICLE WAS SITTING FOR A MONTH, AND THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE OF CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALL. ALSO, THE 2 REAR TIRES DEVELOPED CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALL. *AK

DRIVER SEAT BURNED BY MALFUNCTION OF THE SEAT HEATING SYSTEM ON MY VW JETTA 2002. *JB

WHILE DRIVE MY 2002 JETTA ABOUT 55-60MPH THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND SEAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT. I DROVE MY CAR RIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM. THEY HAD THE CAR FOR 4 DAYS TO TELL ME THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM STATES THAT THE CAR WAS IN A COLLISION, I DO NOT HAVE ANY DAMAGE ON MY CAR AND I WAS NOT IS AN ACCIDENT. THEY (CAMELBACK VOLKSWAGEN) OR VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA WILL NOT REPAIR THE DAMAGE.*AK

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT AROUND 2:00P.M. IN THE AFTERNOON AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG,SIDE SEAT AIR BAG AND THE REAR AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY COLLISION. MY CAR WAS NOT DAMAGED AT ALL. THE SUPERVISOR TECHNICIAN AT TRANS OCEAN VW REFUSED TO COVER THE COST TO REPAIR THREE OF THE AIRBAGS EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THEY CLAIMED THAT THE COMPUTER SENSOR DETECTED AN IMPACT WHICH TRIGGERED THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS. IT WAS LUCKY THAT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS WASN'T ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, OTHERWISE, I WOULD HAVE LOST MY CONTROL ON THE STEERING WHEEL LEADING TO MORE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. I WAS JUST IN SHOCK AT THAT TIME BUT THE HIGHWAY PATROL WAS MANAGED TO GUIDE ME OFF THE FREEWAY. AT LAST I CLAIMED MY INSURANCE AND PAID $500 DEDUCTIBLE FROM MY POCKET TO FIX THE AIRBAGS. THE INSURANCE PREMIUM INCREASED A LOT AFTER THIS SO-CALLED "ACCIDENT". I HEREBY ASK VW OF AMERICA TO RECALL ALL DEFECTIVE VEHICLES TO PREVENT FUTURE ACCIDENTS FROM HAPPENING. *NM

WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO FOUND THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE BROKEN AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FALL TO THE GROUND. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE, ENGINE BLOCK, TIMING BELT AND THE LOWER SHIELD. ALSO AT 59,000 THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE CONSUMER COULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. *NM

HEATED SEATS MALFUNCTION. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE SEATS MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING MELTING OF FABRIC AND SMOKE, DESTROYING SEATS. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY HURT. VW REPLACED SEATS JUST 10 MONTHS AGO FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

THE CONSUMER SMELLED A BURNING CHEMICAL SCENT IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER THEN FELT A BURNING SENSATION IN HER HAND AND THE A SHARP PAIN. THE CONSUMER THEN DISCOVERED A HOLE IN THE SEATS FROM THE SEAT WARMER. THE CONSUMER STATED THIS IS THIRD ELECTRICAL FAILURE SHE HAS HAD WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK *JB

I OWN A 2002 JETTA PURCHASED FROM A VW DEALERSHIP IN TOWSON MD IN APRIL, 02. I HAVE CLOSE TO 30000 MILES ON MY CAR. ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THAT MY OIL LIGHT CAME ON. IT WAS ABOUT 2000 MILES UNTIL MY NEXT OIL CHANGE. OIL IS CHANGED EVERY 5K MILES. WHEN I CHECKED MY DIPSTICK IT WAS DRY. I HAD TO ADD ABOUT THREE QUARTS. NOW ABOUT EVERY 1K MILES MY CAR CONSUMES ABOUT 1.5 QT OF OIL. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM. I READ THE OWNERS MANUAL REGARDING OIL CONSUPTION WITH THE JETTA AND IT SAID IT WILL CONSUME OIL WHEN THE ENGINE IS NEW. MINE IS NOT. THERE ARE POSTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE.*AK

ON MY 2002 VOLKWAGEN JETTA 1.8T, MY SEATWARMER IGNITED AND BURNED THROUGH BOTH MY SEAT AND THE COAT I WAS WEARING AT THE TIME, LEAVING HOLES IN BOTH. NCIDENT DATE IS APPROXIMATE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AFTER IT HAPPENED AND THUS, THEY MAY HAVE THE EXACT DATE ON RECORD.*AK

1) TRANSMISSION SLIPS, AND CAUSES A THUD. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. 2) LED DISPLAY DISAPPEARS. HAVE INFORMED DEALERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM TWICE AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. 3) BRAKES ARE MUSHY. HAVE INFORMED DEALERSHIP ONCE AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. 4) VEHICLE IS SLUGGISH WHEN ACCELERATING. HAVE INFORMED DEALERSHIP ONCE. 5) ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON, AND THERE IS PECULIAR SMELL. HAVE INFORMED DEALERSHIP ONCE. *NM

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH CONSUMER REALIZED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RIDING ON A FLAT TIRE. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE TIRE HAD NUMEROUS SPLITS ON THE INSIDE SIDEWALL. ALSO, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT METAL WAS EXPOSED IN SOME OF THE SPLITS. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE TIRE DEALER, WHO ADMITTED THAT THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE THE TIRES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAME THING HAPPENED IN 2002, BUT ALL OF THE TIRES WERE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SKID INTO A TREE. BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

IN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE USED TO STOP. AFTER PUMPING THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES PARTIAL BRAKING WAS RESTORED. UPON EXAMINATION BY THE LOCAL DEALER IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VACCUM PUMP HAD FAILED AND THE VACCUUM HOSES WERE FULL OF HOLES. THE CAR IS A 2002 VW JETTA TDI (DEISEL) AND HAD 52000 MILES AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT. AT 50000 MILES THE CAR WAS INSPECTED AT THE DEALER ACCORDING TO VW SPECIFICATIONS AND THE DEFECT WAS OVERLOOKED. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA FAILS TO UNDERSTAND THE SERIOUS NATURE OF THIS PROBLEM AND FAILS TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY. I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE MAY BE MANY OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD FACING THE SAME SERIOUS DANGEROUS CONDITION.*AK

I OWN A 2002 VW JETTA THAT I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT OCCURRED ON DECEMBER 29, 2003. MY PASSENGER SIDE PANEL AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THERE WAS SOMEONE IN THE PASSENGERS SEAT AND I AM THANKFUL THAT HE WAS NOT INJURED. THE DEALER HAS HAD MY CAR FOR 5 DAYS NOW. THEY ARE WAITING FOR VW TO INVESTIGATE BECAUSE THEY DON'T SEE HOW THE AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY ON ITS OWN. THERE IS SOME REAR DAMAGE THAT IS OVER A YEAR OLD AND THEY ARE TRYING TO RELATE THE AIRBAG ISSUE WITH THE OLD DENTS. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN MY VW AND I CERTAINLY DON'T TRUST IT. *AK

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI. THE REASON I PURCHASED THE CAR WAS BECAUSE OF HOW SAFE THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE. THEY HAVE AIRBAGS THAT COME FROM THE SIDES OF THE SEATS, DOWN FROM THE HEADLINER, AND FROM THE DASH. I HIT A CEMENT WALL AND TOTALED MY CAR, AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF. NOBODY WAS INJURED, BUT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE STILL DEPLOYED.

I WAS DRIVING AND NOTICED MY HIP HAD AN ITCH. I ITCHED IT AND IT SORT OF WENT AWAY. THE NEXT DAY THE SAME THING HAPPENED, BUT I TOUCHED THE SEAT IN MY CAR, AND THAT IT WAS REALLY, REALLY HOT. I STOPPED AND LOOKED, AND THE LEATHER WAS A BIT DEFROMED, AND I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. THE HEATING ELEMENTS IN MY 2002 VW JETTA TDI WERE OVERHEATING, AND COULD HAVE CAUGHT ME OR THE CAR ON FIRE. I AM GONG TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT IN 2 DAYS. *AK

MY VEHICLE WAS REPURCHASED BY VWOA (VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA) FROM THE FIRST OWNER FOR A RECALL PROBLEM. WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IT CAME WITH AN ALL INCLUSIVE 12 MONTH/12,000 MILE WARRANTY AND THEN THE REST OF THE 4 YEAR/50,000 MILE WARRANTY. AT 11,700 MILES THE CLUTCH STARTING STICKING AND WOULDN'T SHIFT, THE CAR ALSO WOULD GO TO HIGH RPMS WHEN ACCELERATING, EVEN IF ONLY A LITTLE. THE NEXT DAY, I GOT OUT TO GET GAS AND I SMELLED BURNING. I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND I COULD TELL SOMETHING WAS BURNT. I CALLED VW FIRST THING MONDAY MORNING AND HAD IT TOWED TO THEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CAR "MAY BE" UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE A DOCUMENT THAT CLEARLY STATES THAT IT IS. THEY CONTACTED THEIR SERVICE REP, FRED HINGLE, AND WAS TOLD THAT IF IT WAS NOT "WEAR AND TEAR" THAT IT WOULD BE COVERED. WELL VW TORE THE CAR APART, AND AFFIRMED THAT IT MUST BE WEAR AND TEAR, DO TO THE BURNT CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL. AFTER THIS I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE AT MYVWLEMON.COM HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH GOING OUT AT 9,000 TO 26,000 MILES, INCLUDING CAR AND DRIVER GUIDE, WHO TEST DROVE THE JETTA AND HAD THE CLUTCH GO OUT AT 26,000 MILES, AND THESE ARE PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS! THEY TOLD ME THE REPAIRS WOULD TOTAL 1551.00 DOLLARS ALMOST 10% OF WHAT I PAID FOR THE CAR. MR. HINGLE THE CORPORATE REP REFUSES TO SPEAK WITH ME. I BELIEVE THE CLUTCH USED IN THIS MODEL AND YEAR IS INDEED DEFECTIVE AND VWOA REFUSES TO DISCLOSE IT.

THERE IS A LEAK IN THE FRAME OF MY VEHICLE, YET EVERY TIME I BRING IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP IN HONOLULU, THEY FAIL TO LOCATE THIS LEAK. WHEN IT RAINS, THE FRONT RIGHT FLOOR OF MY JETTA FILLS WITH WATER THAT SEEPS DOWN INTO THE FRAME FROM THE ROOF. IF I PARK THE VEHICLE FACING UPHILL, THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN, NOR IF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A LEVEL SURFACE, ONLY WHEN FACING A DOWNHILL SLOPE. I DON'T KNOW WHY THIS ISSUE CANNOT BE RESOLVED BY VW, BUT THE PAST 10 TIMES I'VE HAD MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE, IT HAS NEVER BEEN RESOLVED. *JB

WHILE DRIVING ON I 75 S FROM CHATTANOOGA, I HEARD A LOUD POP AND SAW SMOKE. THINKING A TIRE HAD BLOWN, I PULLED OVER. I REALIZED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED. TRIPLE A TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AS I WAS TERRIFIED TO DRIVE IT. IT HAS BEEN TWO WEEKS AND I STILL HAVE NOT GOT MY CAR BACK OR EVEN BEEN TOLD IF THEY WILL FIX IT. THE DEALER IS HAVING TO E MAIL PICTURES TO VW TO SHOW THAT NO DAMAGE WAS DONE. THEY ARE SAYING A SENSOR WENT OFF. NO DOUBT! IT IS OBVIOUS TO ME AND MY WITNESSES THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE COVERED. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THIS HAS HAPPENED TOO. I PLAN TO INVESTIGATE IT FURTHER TO FIND OUT WHAT CAN BE DONE, BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED IN A JETTA. *AK

I TURNED MY HEATED SEAT ON AND 5-7 MINUTES INTO THE DRIVE I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND REALIZED MY SEAT WAS REALY HOT. I TURNED THE HEATED SEAT OFF AND BURNING STOPPED. UPON VISUAL INSPECTION I NOTICED A HOLE BURNT INTO SEAT AND A SINGED DIME SIZED MARK ON MY COAT. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR NOW FOR 24 DAYS AND I AM STILL WAITING FOR THE PART TO GET IN THE COUNTRY. *AK

MY ELECTRONICALLY HEATER DRIVER SEAT OF MY 2002 VW JETTA OVERHEATED AND BURNED MY SEAT CUSHION. *JB

THE CONSUMER TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATER AND IT BURNED A HOLE IN THE CONSUMER'S PANTS WITH PROPER TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENT. *AK *SC *JB