2003 Volkswagen Jetta Complaint Log

COMPLETE CLUTCH FAILURE, (THE CAR WILL IDLE IN ALL 5 GEARS) SUDDENLY THAT LEFT MY CAR DISABLED ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 2 Y/O SON IN HIS CAR SEAT 30 MILES AWAY FROM ANYWHERE.*AK

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS GOING 40 MPH WHEN IT WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH HAD CUT IN FRONT OF CONSUMER. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH. VEHICLE WAS NOT TOTALLED, BUT IT DID SUFFER OVER $8,000.00 IN DAMAGES. *AK *TC

I GOT MY 2003 VW JETTA IN FEBRUARY OF '03. NOW NOT EVEN A YEAR AND A HALF LATER I HAVE HUGE PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR. MY BRAKE LIGHTS WILL RANDOMLY STAY ON EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. MY WINDOWS DO NOT ALWAYS WORK PROPERLY. FINALLY THE WORST WAS THAT I WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY, IT IS STEEP BUT THE SAME PLACE I HAVE PARKED DOZENS OF TIMES, WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LET GO IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND MY CAR ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVE WAY EVENTUALLY CRASHING INTO TREES. I READ ON OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT THERE WAS ONE OTHER PERSON WHO HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND MANY OTHERS WHO HAD SIMILAR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WELL I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN ABOUT MY BRAKE LIGHTS AND THEY SAID THAT INDEED THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR AS A RESULT OF A FAILING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. TURNS OUT THEY HAD FAILED TO INFORM ME. I WONDER WHAT OTHER RECALLS THEY HAVE FAILED TO INFORM PEOPLE ABOUT. *JB

MY 2003 VW JETTA TDI GLS SEDAN WAS PARKED ON A SUMMER DAY (APPROX. 100 DEGREES F). UPON RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED A WAXY, GREASY, YELLOW SUBSTANCE LEAKING FROM BELOW THE DOORS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION, I DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBSTANCE WAS LEAKING FROM BETWEEN THE INSIDE SURFACE OF THE DOOR AND THE RUBBER WEATHER STRIPPING. CONTACTED MY VW SERVICE DEALER (DANA MOTORS, BILLINGS, MT), AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VWS DURING HOT MONTHS, THAT THE SUBSTANCE WAS AN UNDERCOATING PROTECTANT THAT WAS SPRAYED ON AT THE FACTORY. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO HAVE THIS PROTECTANT REPLACED. THE STUFF HAS CONTINUED LEAKING OUT ON VERY HOT DAYS, USUALLY ONLY 95+ DEGREES. IT IS HARD TO REMOVE BUT DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE DONE ANY DAMAGE TO THE PAINT. I WANT TO KNOW IF IT'S TRUE THAT THIS STUFF DOESN'T NEED TO BE REPLACED. WHAT IF IT'S A NECESSARY LUBRICATION AND BY LEAKING OUT WILL HARM A PART OF THE DOOR ASSEMBLY?*AK

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2003 VW JETTA HAS NOT WORKED RIGHT SINCE THE 1ST WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. IT SHIFTS INAPPROPRIATLEY AND HESITATES WHEN PULLING INTO ON ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE BEEN NEARLY HIT BY CARS AND TRUCKS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. WHEN GOING UP A HILL THE CAR SEEMS TO DOWNSHIFT OR SKIP A GEAR, THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. GOING 75 MILES AN HOUR RECENTLY THE CAR SEEMED TO DOWN SHIFT AND I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS GOING TO SPIN AROUND IN THE ROAD. I WAS ON THE TRANS CANADA HIGHWAY. VERY SCARY. WHEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL THE CAR ACCELERATES EXTREMLEY FAST. THE CAR HAS BEEN FOR TRANSMISSION REPAIR 6 OR MORE TIMES. VOLKSWAGON IS AWARE. *AK

DT: ON JULY 3, 2004 THE PASSENGER'S SIDE/CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT CAUSE. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE VOLKSWAGEN FIELD TECHNICIAN HE SAID THAT THERE WERE SOME SMALL DENTS THAT CAUSED THE DEPLOYMENT. WHEN SOMEONE FROM TRANSPORT CANADA INSPECTED THE VEHICLE HE SAID THAT THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS TO HAVE DEPLOYED. HE SAID THAT THE DENTS WERE THERE BEFORE THE CLEAR COAT WAS EVEN PUT ON THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO COLLUSION.

WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO BUY THE VEHICLE.*AK

IN DECEMBER 2003, I WAS DRIVING ON I-495 IN THE DC AREA AND HIT A SMALL ROCK (FELT SIMILAR TO HITTING A POTHOLE). MY PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED...AFTER INSPECTION, THE DEALER SAID THAT, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, THERE WAS A SMALL SCRATCH ON THE AIRBAG SENSOR. IT WAS CONSIDERED A COLLISION AND MY INSURANCE HAD TO COVER THE BILL (AROUND $2500). SIX MONTHS LATER (JUNE 2004), I WAS DRIVING DOWN JOPLIN RD NEAR QUANTICO, VA AND DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYS. WHILE ITS A WINDING ROAD, I DIDN'T FEEL ANY IMPACT. I JUST GOT A CALL FROM THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT. SAYING THAT (AGAIN) WHILE THERE IS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, IT APPEARS THAT SOMETHING HIT THE INSIDE OF THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TELLING THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. AGAIN, THEY SAID MY INSURANCE COMPANY WILL HAVE TO COVER THE AIRBAG/SEAT REPLACEMENT. *NM

IN JUNE 2004, I WAS DRIVING DOWN JOPLIN RD NEAR QUANTICO, VA AND DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. WHILE ITS A WINDING ROAD, I DIDN'T FEEL ANY IMPACT. THE DEALER SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, SOMETHING HIT THE INSIDE OF THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TELLING THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. THEY SAID MY INSURANCE COMPANY WILL HAVE TO COVER THE AIRBAG/SEAT REPLACEMENT (ABOUT $2500). THIS IS THE SECOND TIME AN AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN THIS VEHICLE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. (NOTE: I PREVIOUSLY REPORTED THIS COMPLAINT IN JULY 2004 BUT HAD INCLUDED BOTH INCIDENTS IN ONE COMPLAINT.)*JB

WHILE EXITING THE BALTIMORE HARBOR TUNNEL NORTH BOUND AT 55 MILES PER HOUR I HIT A POTHOLE. THE POTHOLE SLIGHTLY DAMAGE THE RIGHT FRONT(PASSENGER SIDE) RIM AND BROKE THE TIRE SEAL. THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY. *AK ALSO CAN NOT RETRACT OR ADJUST MY SEAT BELT. MINOR MEDICAL INJURES OCURRED. DECIDED TO CHECK FOR OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS VOLKSWAGEN IN ALL THOSE CASES WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, SO I DECIDED TO FILE A COMPLAINT. WILL SPEAK TO MY DEALER ASAP.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE VEHICLE. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THERE WAS A SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. *MR THIS RESULTED IN A COMPLETE LOST OF POWER AND A REPLACEMENT OF THE INJECTOR SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS MUDDY DIESEL FUEL BUT COULDN'T PRODUCE THE FUEL FILTER TO BACK UP THE CLAIM. THERE WAS ANOTHER INCIDENT WHERE THERE WAS A PUFF OF SMOKE AND A LOST OF POWER DOWN TO 25 MPH ON THE ROAD. THE ENGINE HAD A #3 VALVE GO THROUGH THE PISTON AND RUN UP AND DOWN THE CRANKSHAFT. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH ANOTHER INJECTOR SYSTEM AND FUEL PUMP WAS ADDED. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, A HIGH PRESSURE OIL LINE BROKE FROM THE WELD AND SPEWED OIL EVERYWHERE. THE AXLE ASSEMBLY AND THE TRANSMISSION SLAVE CYLINDER WERE REPLACED AS WELL. *SC *JB

MAY OF 2004, VEHICLE BEGINS "LUNGING" WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP FINDINGS THERE WAS A TSB ON THIS ISSUE AND SOFTWARE WAS OUTDATED AND UPDATED BY DEALERSHIP. THIS SEEMED TO HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM UNTIL OCTOBER 2004 WHEN THE "LUNGING" BEGAN OCCURRING AGAIN. ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CODE WAS FOUND IN THE ABS SECTION OF THE COMPUTER AND THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. MARCH OF 2005, "LUNGING" SYMPTOMS RETURNED. DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM THIS TIME. REPORTED SAME ISSUE AGAIN SEPTEMBER OF 2005, ISSUE NOT DIAGNOSED ONCE AGAIN. BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST 6 TIMES UP TO JANUARY 2006. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES, BUT SWAPPED CIRCUIT BOARDS FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER AND CHECKED RESISTANCE OF THE CIRCUITS. SWAPPED BULB SOCKETS AND CLAIMED ISSUE RESOLVED. REPORTED SAME "LUNGING" ISSUE AS ABOVE, AGAIN FEBRUARY OF 2006. DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THROTTLE BODY EXTREMELY DIRTY. ISSUE RESOLVED FOR BRIEF STINT. JUNE OF 2006 TAIL LIGHTS CONTINUE TO BURN OUT. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS NO ISSUE FOUND. MAY OF 2007, BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN. LIGHT BULBS HAVE NOT BURNED OUT SINCE THIS REPLACEMENT. VW OF AMERICA, INC. REFUSES TO PAY FOR SERVICE CHARGES INCURRED TO SWAP CIRCUIT BOARDS EVEN THOUGH IT IS CLEARLY DUE TO FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACEMENT BACK IN OCTOBER OF 2004 (SAME DEFECTIVE SWITCH WAS USED AS REPLACEMENT). THERE IS A CLEAR LINE LEADING TO THE SWITCH BEING THE CAUSE OF ALMOST ALL LISTED PROBLEMS. ONCE THE RECALL WAS COMPLETE, THE ISSUES HAVE CEASED. *JB

WHILE BRAKING 55 MPH VEHICLE JERKED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH CONSUMER RAN OVER A ROCK. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT A CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD INSPECT VEHICLE AND THEN MAKE A DETERMINATION. *AK

WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL BRAKES FAILED. THIS RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION. THE INSURANCE WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVE THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MALFUNCTION IN THE BRAKE MECHANISM. *AK

WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, AT NO MORE THAN 1 OR 2 MPH, THE DRIVERS SIDE, SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. VW HAS THUS FAR CLAIMED THE VEHICLE HIT SOMETHING CAUSING THEM TO DEPLOY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO REPAIR SHOPS FOR AN INSPECTION. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD JUST ACCELERATED FROM A RED LIGHT WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE SERVICE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE STATING IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *SC *JB.

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED GASOLINE ODOR COMING FROM THE VENTS. GASOLINE WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE RING LOCK ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WAS WARPED. THIS CAUSED A FUEL LEAK. *AK

I HIT A POTHOLE AND MY SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. VW STATES THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED IN THIS SITUATION AND THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS ($2196.85 IN PARTS PLUS WHATEVER THEY CHARGE FOR LABOR). *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH AND TALKING ON THE PHONE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED, BUT CONSUMER WAS CITIED BY THE POLICE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 65 AND 70 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING FRONT AND WINDOW PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

PROBLEMS WITH AIR CONDITIONER ON 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. *MR THE AIR INTAKE DUCT LEAKED WHICH CAUSED WHITE SMOKE TO EMIT FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN PARKED AFTER A 75 MILE TRIP. THE PART HAD TO BE ORDERED. THE A/C CONDENSER LEAKED WHICH CAUSED THE A/C NOT TO COOL THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. THE DEALER SURMISED THAT THE DAMAGE TO THE CONDENSER WAS FROM AN OUTSIDE SOURCE THEREFORE REFUSED TO REPLACE IT UNDER WARRANTY. *NM

DRIVER SEAT HEATER OVERHEATED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO SEAT. *JB

TIRE RIMS BEND SO EASILY I HAVE REPLACED 3 ALREADY. *JB

THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND WITHOUT NOTICE OR CAUSE THE CURTAIN AIR BAG AND PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, INJURING THE PASSENGER. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER THE DEALER SAID THEY WILL NOT COVER IT. *AK THERE WERE MINOR SCRATCHES FOUND UNDER THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN PROOF OF A PREVIOUS ACCIDENT BUT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. (MODEL-GLS TDI WAGON) *SC *JB

WHOOPING NOISE FROM BRAKES OF NEW VW JETTTA WITH POOR COMPRESSION AND BRAKING. CLUNKING FORM GEAR BOX. FAILURE OF BRAKE MAY LEAD TO AVOIDABLE ACCIDENT IN THE FUTURE DEALER CHANGED BRAKE BOOSTER BUT THIS DID NOT HELP. DEALER UNABLE TO FIX AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. *JB

DRIVING ALONG A BAD ROAD HIT A POT HOLE GOING AROUND 45 MILES PER HOUR AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WENT OFF. THIS HAPPEND ON MARCH 7 OF 2004 AROUND 1:30AM. NO VISABLE DAMAGE TO THE CAR. DEALERSHIP SAID ITS NOT COVERED BY THE WARENTY. AIR BAG WENT OFF BY GOING OVER A POT HOLE. THAT IS NO REASON FOR AN AIRBAG TO DEPLOY, NEED DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS. *AK

DRIVERS HEATED SEAT BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND BURNED THE DRIVER.*AK

THE CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE ON A 2 POINT GRADE, SET THE PARKING BRAKE, AND PROCEEDED INTO HIS HOUSE. APPROXIMATELY THIRTY MINUTES LATER, A FRIEND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED DOWN THE STREET AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE. *AK *SC *JB

PASSENGER SIDE AND CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED UPON DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE AND HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR THE INTERIOR DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE DEPLOYMENT UNDER THE LIMITED NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY. A MEMORANDUM FROM MY INSURANCE COMPANY NOTES THAT BOTH THEY AND AN EMPLOYEE OF VW HAVE SEEN THIS OCCUR WITH OTHER VW JETTAS. MY INSURANCE COMPANY ALSO SEEMS TO BE OF THE OPINION THAT THE SENSORS ARE TOO SENSITIVE AS IT "DETECTED" A CRASH WHEN THERE WAS NEITHER A CRASH NOR AN ACCIDENT.*AK

WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS JACKING UP THE VEHICLE TO CHANGE THE RIGHT REAR TIRE THE JACK COLLAPSED AND THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE GROUND. CONSUMER MAINTAINED THAT THE JACK WAS MADE OF PLASTIC AND THE THREAD STRIPPED.*AK *JB

VEHICLE WAS TOWED TWICE BECAUSE THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN THE ABS ECU RECALL 02V03100 OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDEDIN THE RECALL DUE TO MODEL YEAR AND VIN. *AK

PURCHASED NEW 2003 JETTA MAY 2003. SINCE THAT TIME WE HAVE HAD TO TOW THE CAR TWICE AND REPAIR SAME PART 4 TIMES. IT IS THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH THAT BREAKS WHICH MEANS THE CAR CAN NOT BE TAKEN OUT OF PARK. CAN NOT BE MOVED UNLESS IT IS TOWED OR GET IT IN WHEN YOU FIRST SEE IT IS GOING OUT YET AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED JAN 28, 2004, AUG 2, 2004, MAY 31, 2005, AND OCT 14, 2005. TWICE IT WAS SERVICED AT THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP IN SAN LUIS OBISPO AND TWICE AT THE DEALERSHIP IN FRESNO, CALIFORNIA. *NM

VEHICLE HAD SENDING UNIT REPLACED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN UNIT TO ADDRESS COLD WEATHER OPERATING CONDITION. MFG,R HAS TSB ACKNOWLEDGING PROBLEM. WAS CHARGED FOR REPAIRS CAR IS 4 MOS OLD. 2003 JETTA PURCHASED IN SEPT.2003. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A TREE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK INTO ANY GEAR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SHIFT LOCK SOLENOID. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB *MR

WHILE USING THE LIFTING JACK SUPPLIED WITH THE AUTOMOBILE TO LIFT THE VEHICLE TO CHANGE A TIRE, THE JACK COLLAPSED. IT COLLAPSED BECAUSE THE JACK SCREW CARRIER THREADS FAILED. THE CARRIER THREADS NUT IS PLASTIC. PLASTIC DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH STRENGTH TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF A 3000 POUND AUTOMOBILE.*AK

MY 2003 VW JETTA CONSTANTLY GETS STUCK IN PARK LONGEST TIME HAS BEEN 45 MINUTES MY CAR HAS BEEN INTO SERVICE 3 TIMES AND IS STILL ROUGH COMING OUT OF PARK ALSO MY CRUISE CONTROL HAS NEVER WORKED I ONLY HAVE 6000 MILES. *JB

MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW WAS DRIVING HER VW JETTA 2003 ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE (WINDOW CURTAIN) AIR BAGS BURST OPEN. SHE HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING, NOT EVEN A POT HOLE WHEN IT WENT OFF. HOWEVER, THE BAG HIT HER LEAVING HER WITH BRUISING, A STRAINED NECK, AND MUSCLE ACHES. SHE IS ALSO QUITE AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. VW OF AMERICA REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.*AK ODI#10061865

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. I PROCEEDED TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN; ABOUT MIDWAY THROUGH THE TURN MY DRIVERS' SIDE FRONT AND REAR SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS AS WELL AS THE DRIVERS' SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THERE IS A POT HOLE AT THAT INTERSECTION, HOWEVER I DO NOT REMEMBER HITTING IT, I ONLY REMEMBER GETTING HIT IN THE HEAD BY THE AIRBAG. IF I HAD HIT THE POT HOLE, THE AIRBAGS STILL SHOULD HAVE NOT DEPLOYED BECAUSE I WAS ONLY GOING AT MOST 10MPH, THE RIMS NOR THE TIRES WERE DAMAGED. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR AT ALL BESIDES THE AIRBAGS. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED, THEY WOULD NOT FILL OUT A COMPLAINT SINCE THERE WASN'T ACTUALLY AN ACCIDENT. I THEN CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT SINCE IT'S UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER VW AMERICA HAD A DIFFERENT IDEA. THEY TOLD THE DEALERSHIP NOT TO FIX IT AND THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO FILE WITH OUR INSURANCE BECAUSE THERE WERE CRASH DATA CODES. THEY DID NOT BOTHER READING THE CODES TO SEE HOW FAST I WAS DRIVING, BUT THEY DECIDED IT WAS MY FAULT SINCE THE ALIGNMENT WAS OFF, THEREFORE I MUST HAVE HIT A POTHOLE. AFTER 3 WEEKS OF FIGHTING WITH VW AMERICA, WE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, AFTER 2 WEEKS OF WAITING TO HEAR FROM THEM, THEY ALSO SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP, THEY STOPPED HELPING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ACCIDENT VICTIMS OVER A YEAR AGO. WE FILED A CLAIM WITH OUR INSURANCE AND HAD TO PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE. WE ARE CURRENTLY FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE STATE FOR THE POTHOLE THAT ALLEGEDLY CAUSED THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I HAVE CONSTANT HEADACHES AS A RESULT OF GETTING HIT IN THE HEAD BY THE AIRBAGS. I WILL NEVER AGAIN OWN A VOLKSWAGEN, THEY ARE UNSAFE VEHICLES AND THE WAY THEY TREAT THEIR CUSTOMERS IS UNACCEPTABLE! *AK

MY BRAND NEW 2003 JETTA GLI FAILED TO START AT A SHOPPING CENTER. THE CAR WAS PARKED THERE FOR ONLY TWO HOURS. SEEMS LIKE THE BATTERY AND IGNITION SWITCH WORKS, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. CALLED AAA. AFTER 10 MINUTES AND NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS OF CRANKING THE ENGINE, HE WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR. TOOK CAR INTO THE DELEARSHIP. THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AFTER TWO DAYS, BUT PUT 60 MILES ON THE CAR.

COMPLETE AND SUDDEN FAILURE OF CLUTCH, RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF POWER IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC.*AK

MY JETTA'S SEAT HEATER HAS SHORTED OUT AND BURNED THROUGH THE COVER. VOLKSWAGENS REPLY IS THAT THERE ARE NO REPLACEMENTS SEAT COVERS ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY, AND THAT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THEY WILL GET SOME. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THEM REGULARLY SINCE MID-DECEMBER, AND THE HOLE WITH EXPOSED ELECTRICAL WIRING HAS BEEN THERE SINCE THEN. THE ONLY RESPONSE THAT VW GIVES, WHEN TOLD ABOUT SMOKE AND SPARKS SHOOTING THROUGH THE HOLE BURNED IN THEIR SEAT, IS TO SHUT IT OFF; THE SMOKE SHOULD STOP. THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN NEW SEATS COVERS WILL ARRIVE, BUT CLAIM THAT EVENTUALLY THERE WILL BE . THE VEHICLE IS LEASED AND UNDER WARRANTY. *NM

WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 JETTA TDI (29,000 MILES), THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP CAUSING WHIPLASH AND ALMOST A CHAIN REACTION ACCIDENT TO THE CARS BEHIND ME. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND IT SEEMS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING ISSUE IN MY EYES. I AM ONLY SEEM TO BE SORE, THANKFULLY THIS WASN'T MORE SERIOUS. I HAVE ATTACHED MY SEARCH RESULTS BELOW. HTTP://WWW.MYVWLEMON.COM/CGI-BIN/UBBCGI/SEARCH.CGI?ACTION=SIMPLESEARCH&SEARCHIN=ALL&FORUMCHOICE=ALL&SEARCHTERMS=VW+TRANSMISSION&BOOLEANAND=YES&SEARCHDATE=ALL&SEARCHUSER=&EXACTNAME=NO&FILE=TEMP-2452984-214219-93B9.CGI&TOTAL=69&STARTAT=A: *LA

WE OWN A 2002 JETTA TDI WAGON AND THE DRIVER SEAT HEATING DEVICE BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND STRAIGHT THROUGH MY OVERCOAT. THIS ALL HAPPENED WITHIN 1 MILE OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE. IF I DID NOT HAVE A THICK JACKET ON, I CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE BEEN BURNED AND IF I DID NOT CATCH IT IN TIME, A FIRE COULD HAVE STARTED. *AK

THE AUTOMATIC WINDOWS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS REPAIRED TWICE FOR FALLING OUT, AND ONCE FOR GOING INSIDE THE DOOR. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW FELL OUT TWICE.*AK.......*AK

2003 VW JETTA 1.8T GLS W/ LEATHER HAS HEATED SEATS. SEATS MALFUNCTIONED AND BURNT A HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING I WOULD HAVE BEEN SCORCHED, LUCKILY I WAS STILL IN MY DRIVEWAY. SEE HERE FOR SIMILAR INCIDENTS. *AK HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=1113071&PAGE=1

MY 2003 JETTA TDI WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY APARTMENT BUILDING FOR APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES. WHEN I WENT BACK OUT TO THE CAR TO GET IN IT, I FOUND IT WITH SMOKE BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AS I STARTED TO PULL THE HOOD RELEASE TO INVESTIGATE, I NOTICED FLAMES. I DID NOT OPEN THE HOOD AND INSTEAD QUICKLY CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY RESPONDED ASAP. BY THE TIME THEY STARTED PUTTING OUT THE FIRE, FLAMES WERE ENGULFING THE WHOLE WINDSHIELD FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER THE FLAME WAS EXTINGUISHED IN REIGNITED AND HAD TO BE PUT OUT AGAIN. THE CAR IS INOPERABLE. I ONLY OWNED THIS CAR FOR THREE MONTHS AND IT WAS NOT EVEN DUE FOR ITS FIRST OIL CHANGE. NOW VOLKSWAGEN (VW) IS STALLING AND HAS NOT EVEN BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO PERFORM ITS INVESTIGATION. I AM VERY UPSET THAT AFTER TWO WEEKS NO ONE HAS GIVEN ME A PROGRESS UPDATE. I AM SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING SEEKING LEGAL ADVICE. *LA

I OWN A VOLKSWAGEN 2003 JETTA WAGON. THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WARMER BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT COVER. WHEN BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE I ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE PASSENGER SIDE FOR THE DEFECTIVE PART AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. ONE MONTH LATER I STARTED SMELLING THE SAME SYNTHETIC BURNING SMELL, AND NOTICED A DISCOLORATION ON THE SEAT WHERE THE HOT SECTION IS. *AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE WHICH MADE THE CONTACT NAUSEOUS. SHE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHERE THE ODOR WAS EMITTING FROM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,718.