NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
A4 VW BEW TDI BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE updated part# 1J0 612 041 FD VW part numbers 1J0 612 041 N and 1J0 612 041 FD. These hose are known for cracking at the plastic tube causing low vacuum; poor / inconsistant braking performance. This could lead to crashes, injuries, and loss of life. These hoses were recalled in the UK, but not in USA for unknown reasons. Vaico is the oem supplier of these hoses, and were most likely fitted to all bew TDI m/t mk4 VW vehicles sold world wide.
The contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed while it was raining, the windshield wipers were activated; however, the wipers failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the wipers failed to operate. In addition, the contact stated the brake lights failed to function as intended. The contact was informed that the brake lights failed to activate while the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the front driver's side window was closed; however, the driver's front side window was independently lowered. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with an electrical system failure. The contact stated that the battery, the alternator, the fuses, and the windshield wiper motor were all replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The failure became a persistent failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
STARTING AT AROUND 130,000 MILES, WHEN GAS TANK IS AT A QUARTER OR SLIGHTLY LESS, THE CAR LOOSES POWER AND ACTS AS IF IT IS NOT GETTING FUEL TO THE ENGINE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY AT TYPICAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS, POWER IS LOST FOR 10-15 SECONDS, RPM DROPS TO AROUND 2000 OR LESS (WHILE IN "DRIVE"). THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE ENGINE JERKS TO LIFE, AND I CAN DRIVE THE CAR NORMALLY, UP UNTIL I HAVE TO REFILL THE TANK. THE STALLING DOESN'T REPEAT ITSELF UNTIL THE NEXT QUARTER TANK. WHEN THE QUARTER OF A TANK ISSUE HAPPENS IN THE CITY AT SLOWER SPEEDS, THE CAR DIES, DASHBOARD ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON, AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER, AND CRANK THE STARTER 3 OR 4 TIMES, AND EVENTUALLY, IT STARTS BACK UP AGAIN WITH NORMAL DRIVING RESUMED. ONE TIME I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL, LOST POWER, AND HAD TO PULL OVER QUICK. WHEN THE QUARTER OF A TANK ISSUE HAPPENS WHILE PARKED, ENGINE AT AN IDLE, THE CAR DIES, AND I HAVE TO CRANK THE STARTER A FEW TIMES TO RESTART THE CAR. THIS PROBLEM ONLY HAPPENS ONCE PER TANK CYCLE, ONLY AT THE (APPROXIMATE) QUARTER OF A TANK POSITION, AND DOESN'T HAPPEN BETWEEN THE FULL TO 1/4, OR THE 1/4 TO EMPTY PHASE. I KNOW I AM NOT OUT OF GAS, AS I'M FILLING UP THE TANK TO NORMAL LEVELS. THE FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND THE FUEL FILTER ONCE. MY MECHANIC CHARGED $80 TO DIAGNOSE THE CAR, ONLY TO FIND A CODE ABOUT A SPARK PLUG THAT MISFIRED - WHICH OF COURSE WILL HAPPEN DURING FUEL STARVATION. SPART PLUGS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM HAPPEND AGAIN. I'VE CALLED 3 OR 4 VW REPAIR SHOPS, AND NOBODY HAS A CLUE HOW TO FIX THIS, ESPECIALLY WHEN I BRING UP THE QUARTER OF A TANK ISSUE. THE ONLY WAY TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING IS TO FILL UP BEFORE HITTING 1/4 TANK. IRRITATING !!!! ISSUE GOING FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW.
Unknown, very complex. Multiple issues. Have been addressed as well as parts been replaced however other issues arised that are definitely safety concerns between electrical issues engine motor etc
MY CAR IS CURRENTLY STAGED AT MY HOME IT'S STILL DRIVABLE BUT I DON'T KNOW GOR HOW LONG! I RECENTLY BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A DEALER IN CALIFORNIA ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN I'M HAVING ISSUES WITH MY TRANSMISSION I CAUGHT THE ISSUE FAST AND TOOK IT TO A MULTISTATE TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD HAVE TO REBUILD MY TRANSMISSION WITH THE AMOUNT OF MONEY I ALREADY SPENT ON FIXING UP THIS CAR I AM EXTREMELY UPSET, I CANNOT AFFORD SUCH A INSANE AMOUNT EVERYTHING WITH THE CAR BESIDES THAT IS PERFECT THOUGH.
LOOSE STEERING CHANCE OF LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO INCORRECT TIE ROD END FROM KIT SPECIFIC TO VEHICLE. RESULTING IN RUINED TIRES AND ALIGNMENT. HTTPS://WWW.AUTOPARTSWAREHOUSE.COM/SKU/VOLKSWAGEN/JETTA/REPLACEMENT/CONTROL_ARM_KIT/2004/TDI/4_CYL_1-DOT-9L/REPV281502.HTML . THE KIT I BELIEVE HAS A TIE ROD END MEANT FOR A PREIOUS GENERATION VOLKSWAGON AS IT IS SMALLER IN DIAMETER AND CANNOT TAPER LOCK. IT TOOK ABOUT A MONTH OF DRIVING FOR IT TO LOOSEN UP. THE PHYSICAL PROBLEM IS THE OUTER TIR ROD BUT THE INNER TIE ROD IS OF A SMALLER DIAMETER AND ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE INSTALLING SO THE DUST BOOT WOULD PROPERLY SEAL BUT IT WAS MECHANICALLY COMPATABLE.
VEHICLE UNDER MULTIPLE OCCASIONS HAS STALLED OUT AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, LOCATIONS, AND DRIVING STYLES/ROADS AT OR UNDER A QUARTER OF A TANK
SEATS ARE GETTING EXCESSIVELY HOT AND STARTING TO BURN THROUGH THE VISION AND FABRIC. SMOKE IN COMPARTMENT.
ALTERNATOR WIRE MELTED PART OF THE BATTERY TOP FUSE BOX. CABLE WAS VERY HOT AND MAY HAVE CAUGHT FIRE IF I HADN'T SMELLED IT FIRST. HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR CABLE HARNESS AND FUSE BOX PANEL.
I TURNED ON THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER AND IT CAUGHT FIRE BURNING A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND BURNING ME. I WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME IN THE CITY. I PORED WATER ALL OVER ME AND THE SEAT AND TURNED THE HEATER OFF.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD EARLY IN MORNING APPROX 2 MILES FROM HOUSE I JUST LEFT FROM MY 2004 JETTA SHUTS DOWN TOTAL LOSS OF ALL POWER I PULLED CAR OVER IN A CHURCH PARKING LOT I SMELLED SMOKE AND COULD SEE SMOKE COMING FROM FIRE WALL I RAISED HOOD AND PULLED BATTERY CABLE OFF I COULD SEE SMPOKE FILLING INSIDE OF MY CAR WALKED AROUND TO DRIVER DOOR TO GET MY PHONE AND I SEEN FUSE BOX ON FIRE.ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED TO HELP ME AND HE APPROACHED MY CAR AND THEN CALLED POLICE ,FULL FLAMES WERE COMING FROM MY CAR WITHIN 5 MIN SO I STOOD BACK AND WATCHED MY CAR BURN .FIRE DEPT SHOWED UP AND PUT FIRE OUT MY CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. IVE HAD ISSUES WITH ALTERNATOR,FUEL PUMP,AIR BAG LIGHT, HEADLIGHTS ARE REALLY DIM EVEN ON BRIGHT.NOTHING BUT ISSUES WITH THIS CAR SINCE I GOT IT. 115.000 MILES ONLY ON THIS CAR .SO MANY ISUES I CAN SEE WHY ITS LOW MILAGE
THE INSULATION ON THE WIRING OF THE LEFT HEADLIGHT IS DETERIORATED AND FALLING OFF LEAVING THE WIRES BARE AND AT RISK OF SHORTING OUT.
PASSENGER SEAT (FRONT SEAT) HEATING ELEMENT IS BURNING THE UPHOLSTERY. THE SEAT HEATER WON'T SHUT OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE; EACH TIME THE CAR WAS OPERATING.
THE CAR RANDOMLY STALLS WHILE DRIVING WHETHER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR IN TOWN. THIS CAUSES A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WHICH IS INHERENTLY DANGEROUS IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS REGULARLY WITH THE PREVIOUS OWNER FOR THE LAST 3 OR 4 YEARS AND HAS DONE IT 4 TIMES WHILE UNDER MY OWNERSHIP SINCE SEPTEMBER 2017 IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHILE THERE IS LESS THAN 1/4 TANK OF FUEL. WHEN IT HAPPENS THERE IS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NOR DOES THE ECU STORE ANY CODES FROM THE PROBLEM. PREVIOUS OWNER MADE SEVERAL REPAIRS INCLUDING A FUEL PUMP AND FILTER, ENGINE SPEED SENSOR AND ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIX THE ISSUES WITH NO SUCCESS. THIS ISSUES ALSO COMES UP REGULARLY ON SEVERAL VW FORUMS AND NO ONE SEEMS TO HAVE AN ANSWER. THIS IS A KNOWN AND REGULAR ISSUE WITH NO CONSISTENT REPAIR AND NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED.
HEATED SEAT MODULE MELTED A HOLE THROUGH MY LEATHER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS STARTED TO FLASH ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DOOR CHIME SOUNDED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE JUMP STARTED AND DROVE TO A NEARBY PARKING LOT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWO OTHER TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FUSE BOX MELTED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
RANDOMLY STALLS ON THE FREEWAY WHEN DOWN TO 1/4 TANK OF GAS. AFTER PULLING OVER AND TURNING OFF THE KEY AND TURNING THE KEY BACK ON, IT WILL START AND RUN GREAT. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY OTHER TIME THE CAR GETS DOWN TO ABOUT 1/4 TANK. NO SHOP CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR CORRECT IT. I HAVE TRIED THE IGNITION COIL, GROUNDS, FUEL PUMP... NO FIX. THERE ARE COUNTLESS THREADS ON VARIOUS VW FORUMS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO STALL ON THE FREEWAY. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS.
TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE APROXIMATLEY 70 MPH, THE LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. THIS RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE IMPACTED THE GUARD RAIL. AT THIS POINT THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION SEPARATED FROM THE CAR AS THE CAR CONTINUED TO SPIN DOWN THE ROAD. THE CAR CAME TO A REST AFTER APPROXIMATELY 3 SPINS, AND THE ENGINE CAME TO REST ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE 3 LANE INTERSTATE.
THE FRONT WINDOWS DETACH AND DROP DOWN INSIDE THE DOOR DURING COLD WEATHER, EVEN WHEN THE WINDOW HAS NOT BEEN OPERATED. THIS HAS CAUSED A LOSS OF VISIBILITY AS WELL AS A LOSS OF PROTECTION DURING A BLIZZARD, AND AGAIN DURING A TORRENTIAL RAIN STORM WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE REATTACHED THE WINDOWS MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAVE CONTINUED TO HAVE THIS FAILURE OF THE CLAMPS THAT HOLDS THEM IN PLACE. THIS HAS HAPPENED BOTH AT LOW SPEEDS AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE ISSUE CONTINUES TO BE A HAZARDOUS PROBLEM. IN LOOKING ONLINE FOR HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM, I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON IN THESE CARS AND HAS BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION FOR MANY DRIVERS.
ON 12/18/2016 I WAS DRIVING THIS CAR BACK FROM THE MOVIES AT 2:30 A.M. ONCE THE MOVIE HAD ENDED IT WAS STORMING AND SLEETING. I STARTED TO NOTICE SYSTEMS SHUTTING DOWN AS INDICATED BY VARIOUS DASH LIGHTS SUCH AS ABS, AIRBAG, AMONG OTHERS. EVENTUALLY THE RADIO, INTERIOR LIGHTS SHUT OFF. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SLOWED AND THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMED, AND EVENTUALLY THE CAR DIED GOING 50 MILES AN HOUR IN SLEETING CONDITIONS LEAVING ME WITH NO ABS, NO AIRBAG SYSTEM (AT LEAST PER WHAT THE DASH LIGHTS INDICATED) AND, OF COURSE, NO POWER STEERING. I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE THIS MORNING AND FOUND THE ALTERNATOR WIRE COMING INTO THE HIGH AMPERAGE FUSE BOX THAT SITS ON TOP OF THE BATTERY HAD MELTED AND DISCONNECTED THE CIRCUIT, DISABLING THE ALTERNATOR FROM CHARGING THE BATTERY, AND LETTING THE BATTERY DIE. THE INCIDENT DID NOT CAUSE A CRASH, BUT IT COULD HAVE IF THERE WAS ANYONE ELSE AROUND ME AS I HAD TO CUT ACROSS A COUPLE LANES WITH NO ENGINE POWER AND NO POWER STEERING TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. *TR
MY CLOTHE SEATS CAUGHT ON FIRE TODAY WHILE DRIVING IT FOR ONLY 25 MINUTES THE SEAT WARMER WAS ONLY SET ON NUMBER 2. I WAS SO RETRIED AND PANICKED BUT MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HIT IT WITH MY HAND UNTIL IT WENT OUT. IT DID BURN MY HAND. MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION THEN I STOPPED. IT WAS IN A CITY STREET FILLED WITH CARS AND CONSTRUCTION WORKERS.
ALTERNATOR CABLE MELTED THE FUSE BLOCK AND WIRES ABOVE THE BATTERY. I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR, ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS, THE FUSES, AND POSSIBLY THE BATTERY. MY CAR HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND THIS IS DANGEROUS NOT JUST FOR ME BUT FOR OTHERS ON THE ROAD AROUND ME. TOO MANY VW OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE. VW PLEASE TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS ONGOING SAFETY ISSUE. THIS SAME ISSUE IS BEING ADDRESSED IN A CLASS ACTION FOR BEETLES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, FUMES OF SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A BURNT HOLE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEATING ELEMENT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GIVE THE SPECIFIC NAME OF THE PART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
VW IGNITION COILS ARE FAILED, CAUSING THE SPARK PLUG NOT TO FIRE AND CUTTING POWER TO THE ENGINE. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE ISSUE ABOUT 4 HOURS AND FINALLY FOUND THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS WORKING FINE ONE DAY AND WHILE AT THE BANK WITH MY BOYS IN THE BACK THE CAR SHUT OFF. I NEEDED TO GET OUT AND PUSH THE CAR INTO THE PARKING LOT TO GET OUT OF THE WAY.
OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS IT HAS BEEN RAINING HEAVILY & ALTHOUGH IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME ONCE BEFORE THIS TIME IS WHAT WORSE. MY CAR IS LEAKING FROM SOMEWHERE & ITS COMING ON THE INSIDE. MY CARPETS ARE CONSTANTLY WET, MY AIRBAGS ALONGSIDE WINDSHIELD LEAK, AND THE HANDLE WHERE YOU OPEN THE HOOD OF THE CAR IS LITERALLY A STREAM OF WATER ENTERING THE CAR DURING HEAVY RAINFALL. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND THE CHECK ENGINE. I WAS MORE CONCERNED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SO I WENT AND GOT IT CHECKED. THE CODE CAME UP AS U0155 - WHICH REFERS TO (LOST COMMUNICATION WITH INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER (IPC) CONTROL MODULE) MEANING MY ENTIRE DASHBOARD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THIS LEAKING ! I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS TO VW DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICING (NEVER FOR THIS PROBLEM) AND THEY NEVER ONCE TOLD ME ANYTHING ABOUT CLEANING THE SUNROOF DRAINS EVERY TWO YEARS AS MAINTENANCE, IT IS VISIBLE TO THE NAKED EYE THAT MY SUNROOF IS MESSED UP BECAUSE WHEN I PURCHASED IT THE LINING ON THE CAR AROUND THE SUNROOF IS DROOPING AND I CANNOT OPEN THE SUNROOF BECAUSE OF THIS. I NEVER THOUGHT OF IT AS A BIG DEAL BECAUSE I DON'T USE A SUNROOF BUT HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW THERE WAS A LEAK WITHOUT ANYONE TELLING ME THAT WAS EVEN POSSIBLE. I LOOKED UP THIS PROBLEM ONLINE, THAT'S HOW I KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY CAR. I REFUSE TO GET IT "DIAGNOSED" AND SPEND OVER 200$ ON JUST A DIAGNOSIS WHEN I ALREADY KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND THEY'LL END UP CHARGING WAY MORE TO ACTUALLY FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS MY FIRST CAR AND I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF ANYTHING ABOUT CARS EXCEPT KEEPING UP WITH OIL AND FILTER CHANGES, FUEL INJECTORS, AND CHANGING MY TIRES WHEN THE TREAD IS GETTING LOW. I HAVE DONE ALL OF THAT AT EACH CHECKPOINT SINCE I PURCHASED AT 63,000 MILES. THERE IS SO MUCH CONDENSATION INSIDE I CAN BARELY SEE OUT MY WINDOWS, I HAVE SIT FOR AT LEAST A HALF HOUR CAR ON TO BE ABLE TO SEE & DRIVE.
THE HIGH VOLTAGE FUSE BOX, THAT SITS ON TOP OF THE BATTERY MELTED DUE TO HEAT AND POOR DESIGN. THIS CAUSED A SHORT AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER TO MY VEHICLE. THIS WAS BOTH DANGEROUS AND FRIGHTENING! I WAS ON THE FREEWAY GOING 60MPH AND COULD HAVE EASILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING AN INJURY OR FATAL ACCIDENT. I FOUND 44 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE AND AM SURPRISED THAT THIS PUBLIC AGENCY HAS FAILED TO TAKE ANY ACTION ON THIS, AND DEMANDING A RECALL, AND THUS RESOLVING A DANGEROUSLY REOCCURRING ELECTRICAL ISSUE.
I HAVE REPLACED MY BATTERY TWICE AND MY ALTERNATOR ONCE. MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN WHEN I PART IT. I HAVE ALSO TURNED ON MY CAR AND THEN COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN BY ITSELF, YET IF I JUMP START IT WILL TURN ON. I'M NOT ABLE TO TURN MY CAR BACK ON, AS THOUGH SOMETHING IS DRAINING MY BATTERY. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR OVER ONE YEAR NOW AND I'M GETTING STRANDED AT MY LAST DESTINATION AND HAVE HAD TO GET TOWED TO THE MECHANIC SHOW. IT'S GETTING VERY EXPENSIVE AND RIDICULOUS. THE MECHANIC HAS DONE HIS DUE DILIGENCE BUT PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY IN FEAR MY CAR WILL SHUT DOWN! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED, BACK FIRED, AND IT WAS LEAKING COOLANT UNDER THE WATER PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THE WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E007000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO I NOTICED THAT MY TRUNK LOCK DOES NOT LATCH. WHEN I AM DRIVING, THE DOOR LIGHT IS RED ON ON MY DASHBOARD. I GOT OUT, CHECKED ALL OF MY DOORS AND THE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. I ALSO PUT MY CAR IN PARK, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND TESTED ALL OF THE DOORS AGAIN BY FIRST LOCKING MY CAR. I NOTICED THAT MY CAR DID NOT MAKE THE LITTLE "BEEP" NOISE TO INDICATE THAT THE CAR WAS LOCKED. I PROCEEDED TO TEST ALL OF THE DOORS AND WHEN I GOT TO THE TRUNK, I COULD OPEN IT AND IT MADE THE CAR ALARM GO OFF. WITH THIS SITUATION, ANYONE CAN BREAK INTO MY CAR, STEAL MY STUFF, AND POTENTIALLY EVEN STEAL MY CAR AS WELL.
I WAS DRIVING MY VW JETTA 2004 TDI ON A HIGHWAY, I WAS USING MY HIGH BEAM AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS TO YIELD TO INCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN ALL OF A SADDEN MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF, I HAD TO STOP IT WAS VERY DARK AND DANGEROUS ROAD, I MOVED AND WIGGLE THE LEVER TO SEE IF I COULD MAKE IT COME ON AGAIN, EVENTUALLY IT DID, IT DID THAT ABOUT 4 TIMES,EVERY TIME IT SCARED THE ... OUT OF ME COULD NOT SEE ROAD. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL HIGH BEAM LOW BEAM AND CRUSE CONTROL LEVER, ITS ALL IN ONE LEVER. I LOOKED ON LINE TO SEE IF SOMEONE ELSE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS THAT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION ON THE DRIVER SIDE BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT ON THE CONTACT'S RIGHT LEG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE HEATED SEATS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE BURNED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED . THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 05/31/17*LJ UPDATED 06/02/2017*JS
I WAS DRIVING MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL IN THE MORNING. THEY WERE DOING CONSTRUCTION ON THE ROADS AROUND MY HOUSE AND ALL THE SEWER CAPS WERE EXPOSED. THEY ARE RE-PAVING ALL THE STREETS. I BARELY CLIPPED ONE AND MY DRIVER SIDE "SIDE" AIRBAGS (HEADLINER AIR BAGS AND THE DRIVER SEAT SIDE AIRBAGS) DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. THERE WAS NO COLLISION, NO IMPACT. I BARELY CLIPPED THE SEWER CAP AND I'M NOT EVEN POSITIVE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT OCCURRED AT THE SAME TIME. VWOA IS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING BUT AFTER READING ABOUT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS FOR SOME TIME NOW, I CAN'T IMAGING THAT RUNNING OVER A SEWER COVER AT 15 MPH AND BARELY CLIPPING IT WOULD BE ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THE SIDE AIR BAGS. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AND GET IT TO SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INJURING MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE. IT WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION. STILL WAITING TO HEAR THE OUTCOME FROM VW. *TR
MY (GENERATOR CABLE - S177) ALTERNATOR CABLE MELTING THE FUSE BOX AND WIRES ABOVE THE BATTERY. MY CAR NEEDED A NEW ALTERNATOR. MY CAR DOES NOT ALWAYS START EVEN WITH A NEW BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR. MY CAR HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. VW ADMITS THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM.
THE BATTERY FUSE BOX MELTED DUE TO CORROSION ON THE TERMINAL OF THE ALTERNATOR WIRE, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND CARS OF SIMILAR MAKE (AUDI A4, TT ETC.) AND CAN LEAD TO FIRES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK WITH THE REMOTE ACCESS OR MANUALLY. ALSO, THE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN MANUALLY WHEN THE HANDLE WAS PULLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 7/14/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT REAR DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN USING THE REMOTE, OR USING THE DRIVER'S SWITCH ON THE PANEL. ALSO, THE REAR DOOR COULD NT BE OPENED, EVEN WITH TRYING TO USE THE DOOR HANDLE. UPDATED 05/10/16.*JB
DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT LATCH BROKEN. TRIED TO BUCKLE SEAT BELT AND A PART IN SEATBELT LATCH MECHANISM BROKE OFF INSIDE. SEATBELT WILL NOT LATCH. *TR
VW CORP REJECTED CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACEMENT WHEN WE IDENTIFIED THAT THE FLEX PIPE WAS LEAKING/LOUD AND WAS OVER THE MILEAGE WARRANTY (VW EXTENDED THE PART WARRANTY TO 10YRS OR 120K MILES) OUR CAR HAD 120,110 MILES. THERE WAS NO LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP TO ID REPAIRS NEAR WHERE I WAS WORKING. THE PART DID FAILED BEFORE THE 120K MILES; AND HAS BEEN LEAKING OR DAMAGED FOR SOMETIME. SINCE IT WARMED UP AND I HAD THE WINDOWS DOWN I WAS ABLE TO HEAR THE LEAK. THIS PART WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY PREVIOUSLY AND WAS A RECALL ITEM ON THIS MODEL AND YEAR. IS THERE A "RANGE" ON MILEAGE THAT THE VW IS REQUIRED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT FOR TRAVEL TO NEAREST VW DEALER LOCATION FOR REPAIRS OR WRITTEN WITHIN THE CURRENT EMISSIONS WARRANTY LAW?? *TR
AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON. *TR
THE CAR RAN INTO A BIG PUDDLE OF WATER AND THE ENGINE STALL. WHEN TRYING TO RESTART THE CAR THE CAR IT STARTED WITH SEVERE HESITATION IN ENGINE. TRIED STEPPING ON GAS TO KEEP ENGINE GOING THE EXHAUST GOT REAL LOUD AND THE SMOKE STARTED FILLING UP THE CABIN. STEPPED OUT OF CAR TO FIND THAT THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FLAMES CAN BE SEEN ON UNDER SIDE OF THE CAR, IN THE MIDDLE SECTION RIGHT UNDER THE ARMREST AREA BETWEEN THE TWO SEATS. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO ESCAPE UNHARMED. I THINK THATS A MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN DEFECT THAT ALLOWED THE HEAT FROM EXHAUST TO PENETRATE INSIDE THE CABIN WHERE IT REACHED THE FLOOR CARPER THAT CAUGHT FIRE. *TR
SETTING: -4F, 5:45AM DRIVING TO WORK, SEAT HEATER ON. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND HAD NOTICED A PARTICULARLY HAT SPOT ON MY LOWER RIGHT BACK WHEN THE SEAT HEATER WAS SET TO 5, ON THE 1-5 DIAL. I TURNED DOWN MY SEAT HEATER DURING THE DRIVE TO 1, WHEN I GOT TO WORK IN THE PARKING LOT AND LEANED FORWARD I GOT THE INTENSE SMELL OF BURNING. I TURNED AROUND TO FIND A 5-6 INCH LONG SECTION ON THE LOWER RIGHT THAN SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT HAD BURNED AND CHARRED. IT HAD BEEN GETTING PARTICULARLY HOW RECENTLY IN THAT LOCATION, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST I NOTICED THE BURNING OF THE SEAT CUSHION. DEFINITE FIRE HAZARD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED, THE EPC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SYSTEM FAILED. THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE MASS AIR FLOW SYSTEM DUE TO THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATING, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS OVERHEATED MY BATTERY FUSE BOX AND MELTED IT. THE VEHICLE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON SO I PULLED OVER, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, AND INSPECTED THE BATTERY, NOTICING THE DAMAGE (MELTED PLASTIC, SMOKE). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, HE NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V586000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,177.
I PURCHASED MY CAR BACK IN OCTOBER 2013. WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR, THE MECHANIC SAID THAT HE REPLACED THE ABS SYSTEM. THE LIGHTS WERE NOT ON WHEN I BOUGHT IT. A FEW MONTHS LATER, OUT OF THE BLUE IN ABOUT APRIL 2014, I WAS TURNING MY CAR ON AND THE ENGINE LIGHT, THE ABS LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT ALL CAME ON MOMENTARILY AFTER TURNING MY ENGINE ON AS I WAS STILL IN PARK. MY CAR HAD CLOSE TO 100,000 MILES ON IT. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY AND SHORTLY CAME BACK A WEEK LATER. EVER SINCE, IT HAS BEEN ON. EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, ALL OF THE LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF. LUCKILY THE LIGHTS ALL WENT OFF FOR A FEW DAYS AROUND MY INSPECTION TIME FOR THE 2014 YEAR AND MY CAR PASSED. NOT EVEN THREE DAYS LATER THEY ALL CAME BACK ON. THIS TIME OCTOBER 2015 INSPECTION IS COMING UP AND MY LIGHTS ARE ALL ON. SINCE THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, I CANNOT PASS INSPECTION. THE CODE READER SAYS IT IS A MISCOMMUNICATION ERROR, OR A U0121 ERROR. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF INVESTIGATION AND CLEANING UP THE MODULE AND THE CONTACTS, CLEARED THE CODES, AND MY PROBLEM IS STILL THERE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FUEL ODOR WAS BEING EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING AROUND THE AREA OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE DIESEL FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND ALTHOUGH THE PART NUMBER FOR THE FAILED COMPONENT WAS THE SAME AS IN THE RECALL, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V586000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 172,000.
HEADLIGHTS DIMMING- TO POINT WHERE YOU CAN NOT TELL THEY ARE ON. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON DESPITE ALL DIAGNOSTICS STATING ALL IS OK WITH CAR. PERIODICALLY FAILS TO START-DESPITE DIAGNOSTICS THAT STATE STARTER, BATTERY, DRAIN ALTENATOR ALL GOOD AND FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. CAR JUMPS EASILY WITH "BOOST". *TR
THE SUNROOF BEGAN TO LEAK. NOW ALL OF THE INSIDE OF OUR CAR IS FULL OF MOLD AND I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE IT BECAUSE I HAVE TWO CHILDREN, AND I AM AFRAID TO EXPOSE THEM TO ALL THIS MOLD. WHEN I CALLED A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE ISSUE THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW ABOUT THE SUNROOF RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. WE ACTUALLY DIDN'T FIND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL UNTIL WE ARRIVED IN THE STATES, WE HAD LIVED OVER SEAS BEFORE THE LEAK STARTED AND WE WERE NEVER INFORMED ABOUT THIS RECALL. WHAT CAN I DO? IS THERE ANYWAY THAT THE VOLKSWAGEN COMPANY HELP US WITH THIS ISSUE ESPECIALLY SINCE THERE WAS A LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST THEM ON THIS ISSUE?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SPIN AROUND AND CRASH INTO A LIGHT POLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO HIS ARMS, LEGS AND FACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A STRONG FUEL ODOR, THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE SUPPLY LINE CRACKED AND AS A RESULT, THE FUEL NECK TO SPILL OVER TOP OF THE TANK AND GROUND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V154000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP) THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026