2004 Volkswagen Jetta Complaint Log

WHILE DRIVING WITH THE AIR-CONDITIONING RUNNING THERE WAS FOAM COMING OUT OF THE AIR VENTS, HITTING THE FACE AND EYES AND CAUSING A NEAR MISS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE WORSENED AND FOAM GETS ALL OVER YOUR CLOTHES AND IN YOUR CAR. THE PROBLEM HAS GONE SO FAR THAT THE AIR BLEND IS AFFECTED. THE AIRFLOW COMES FROM ALL VENTS REGARDLESS OF WHAT SECTION YOU HAVE SELECTED. CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA AND THEY ARE SAYING THAT THERE IS NO DANGER AND NO REASON FOR A RECALL. *TR

2004 VW JETTA GLS TDI OPERATING AT 75MPH ON INTERSTATE ON CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTOFF COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE STILL HAD ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENGINE WOULD CRANK BUT WOULD NOT START. I ROLLED THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ATTEMPTED TO RE-START THE ENGINE AND IT FINALLY CRANKED AND DROVE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 500 MILES BEFORE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR ISSUE. SINCE THAT TIME VEHICLE HAS HAD SAME ISSUE OVER 10 TIMES. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE THREE TIMES AND HAS NOT DISCOVERED ISSUE. *TR

THE INTERIOR OF MY 2004 VW JETTA EMITS A VERY STRONG "CRAYON LIKE" ODOR. BREATHING THIS ODOR FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME MAKES MY THROAT HURT AND CAUSES DISCOMFORT WHEN I INHALE. I WORRY THAT REPEATEDLY INHALING WHATEVER CHEMICAL CAUSES THIS WILL CAUSE PERMANENT RESPIRATORY DAMAGE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INCLUDING THE LIGHTING AND INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE PRIVATE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

I DRIVE A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA AND IN 2008 IT BEGAN SMELLING OF CRAYONS. THE SMELL HAS SLOWLY PROGRESSED OVER THE YEARS TO THE POINT OF NAUSEATING ME AND MY FELLOW PASSENGERS. THIS MORNING ON MY DRIVE TO WORK THE SMELL WAS SO POTENT THAT I HAD TO PULL OVER TWICE TO THROW UP. WHEN OTHER PASSENGERS ENTER MY CAR, THEY EXPERIENCE HEAD ACHES, EXTREME ALLERGY SYMPTOMS, AND SICK TO THE STOMACH FEELINGS. I'VE REACHED OUT MULTIPLE TIMES TO VOLKSWAGEN THROUGH BOTH DEALER AND CORPORATE MEDIA. DEALERSHIPS SAY THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS SMELL (CAUSED BY AN OUTGASSING OF SOUND DEADENING MATERIAL). VOLKSWAGEN DENIES CLAIMS OF THIS BEING AN ISSUE. HOWEVER, IF YOU TYPE "MY JETTA SMELLS LIKE" INTO ANY SEARCH ENGINE IT IMMEDIATELY POPULATES WITH "CRAYONS". I AM FRUSTRATED THAT MY CAR PHYSICALLY MAKES ME SICK AND THE MANUFACTURER REMAINS PURPOSEFULLY OBLIVIOUS TO WHAT COULD ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS A DESIGN FLAW. I'M POSTING THIS CLAIM AS A PUBLIC RECORD TO A DESIGN FLAW IN OLDER MODELS OF VWS. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 VW JETTA. IT HAS ABOUT 48,000 MILES ON IT. A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO, IT DEVELOPED AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. IT PROGRESSES FROM THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLICKERING INITIALLY & THE TRIP MILEAGE GOING AWAY, TO BEEPING 3 TIMES, AND EVENTUALLY TO STALLING WHEN I STOP. IT'S PROGRESSIVE, THE LONGER IT HAPPENS THE MORE FREQUENTLY IT HAPPENS. THIS MAKES THE CAR UNRELIABLE AND DANGEROUS. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES. THE FIRST 2 TIMES, THEY SAID IT WAS A SHORT. I WAS CHARGED FOR THE SERVICE. THE NEXT TIME THEY SAID IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. I PAID FOR THE PART BUT NOT THE LABOR. THE LAST TIME, THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP RELAY SWITCH. I WASN'T CHARGED. I GOT THE CAR BACK THURSDAY. THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED SATURDAY. I SPOKE TO VW CORP. PRIOR TO THE THIRD & FOURTH TIMES I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THE FOURTH TIME, I ASKED FOR OTHER OPTIONS, BUT ALL THEY WOULD DO IS TELL ME TO TAKE IT IN FOR REPAIRS. I SPOKE TO THEM AGAIN TODAY. THEY SAID TO TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALER ONCE MORE. I POINTED OUT THAT I HAD JUST DONE THAT LAST WEEK. THEY STILL INSISTED I RETURN IT TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID EVENTUALLY, THEY MIGHT GIVE ME CREDIT FOR THE CAR TOWARDS A NEW CAR. THEY WOULDN'T SPECIFY HOW MANY MORE TIMES I'LL HAVE TO TAKE IT IN TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE CREDIT. THEY DIDN'T SAY HOW MUCH CREDIT THEY WOULD OFFER. I DON'T WANT ANOTHER VW. I ASKED THAT, AS THE CAR WAS UNRELIABLE & THEY COULDN'T FIX IT, THAT THEY BUY IT BACK FROM ME AT THE BLUE BOOK PRICE. THEY SAID THAT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN. DO YOU HAVE REPORTS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH 2004 VW JETTAS? DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS AS TO WHAT MY RIGHTS ARE RELATIVE TO THIS SITUATION? *TT

WHILE DRIVING HOME ON FRIDAY JANUARY 6 AT AROUND 230PM, MY VW JETTA WAGON'S DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER, SET ON "4," OVERHEATED AND IGNITED THE SEAT MATERIAL, WHICH BURNED THROUGH AND BEGAN TO BURN MY PANTS. SMOKE BEGAN TO FILL THE CABIN; LUCKILY I WAS ONLY A FEW BLOCKS AWAY FROM HOME. WHEN THE SMOKE BEGAN, I SMELLED A PLASTIC BURNING SMELL, AND VEERED SHARPLY OFF THE ROAD, THINKING THE CAR MIGHT BURN. I SHUT OFF THE SEAT HEATER CONTROL, THEN DROVE TO MY HOME, ONE BLOCK AWAY. I SHUT OFF THE CAR, GOT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM INSIDE, THEN RETURNED TO THE CAR. THE SMOKE HAD JUST ABOUT STOPPED; A DIME-SIZED BURNED HOLE WAS IN MY SEAT, AS WELL AS A SLIGHT BROWNED AREA ON MY PANTS. I HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT, AND HAVE FILED A CASE WITH VW OF AMERICA CASE # [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

IN APRIL OF 2005 VW INITIATED CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS ISSUES CAUSED BY OVERHEATING SEAT HEATERS. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED ON JUNE 24TH 2006 BY COOK VOLKSWAGEN IN FALLSTON MARYLAND, AND PARTS FOR REPAIR WERE ORDERED (INVOICE [XXX]). ON JULY 8TH 2006 THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO HAVE THE SERVICE PERFORMED. THE INVOICE (268548) STATES: RECALLS COMPLETED, VV1 CHECKED SEAT HEATER ' NO REPAIRS REQUIRED. ON JANUARY 3RD 2011, WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, WITH THE COMFORT SEAT HEATER TURNED ON AT LEVEL 2, THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED STRONG PAIN, FOLLOWED BY STRONG ODOR OF BURNING PLASTIC. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, A HOLE BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT WAS DISCOVERED. VW SUGGESTED THE OWNER PAYS $170.00 TO NORTHTOWN VW ON AMHERST NEW YORK TO DISASSEMBLE THE SEAT AND TAKE DETAILED PICTURES OF THE FAILURE BEFORE PERFORMING ANY WORK TO REPAIR THE SEAT HEATER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES SOMEWHAT FREQUENT ROUGH OR HARD SHIFTS BETWEEN GEARS, AND REVERSE GEAR HAS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING MOST OF THE TIME - WILL NOT ENGAGE REVERSE, BUT INSTEAD ACTS AS IF CAR IS IN NEUTRAL (MAKES A SLIGHT ELECTRONIC SOUND WHEN SHIFTED). RENDERS CAR HIGHLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO DRIVE IN REVERSE. CAR HAS ONLY 83,000 MILES, AND THIS IS CONSIDERED A "SEALED" TRANSMISSION BY VOLKSWAGEN; ONLY MAINTENANCE REQUIRED TO THIS POINT IS CHECKING FOR LEAKS (PER MULTIPLE DEALERS AND OWNER'S MANUAL). VERY SIMILAR TO PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED IN MANY OTHER AUTOMATICS W/ THE TIPTRONIC FEATURE IN VOLKSWAGEN (SEE NEW BEETLES OF SIMILAR MODEL YEARS, WHERE VW ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE VALVE BODY). HAVE BEEN TOLD BY NUMEROUS VW-COMPETENT TECHS THAT THE MOST LIKELY CULPRIT IS THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY, AND THAT VW AUTOMATICS ARE WIDELY KNOWN FOR HAVING THESE PROBLEMS. *TT

WE WERE STOPPED IN THE TRAFFIC AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THIS TRUCK [2001 CHEVY] REAR ENDED US AT THE SPEED OF 45 MILES PER HOUR AND OUR CAR GOT PUSHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. IN OUR CAR, PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COVER CAME OUT BUT AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE WE HAD GREAT TRUST IN VW [GERMAN CARS] IN MAKING STRONG AND RELIABLE CARS WHICH CAN SAVE LIVES WHICH COULD NOT BE PROVED IN THE ACCIDENT WE GOTTEN INTO. HAD THE IMPACT BEEN LITTLE HIGHER WE COULD HAVE DIED IN THE ACCIDENT. I'M SAD TO SAY THAT OUR TRUST IN VW HAS BEEN SHATTERED AFTER THE ACCIDENT. *TR

LAST YEAR I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM SCHOOL ONE NIGHT IT WAS COLD OUT SO I TURNED ON MY HEATED SEAT. MY SEAT STARTED TO GET VERY HOT IN AN ISOLATED AREA SO I TURNED IT REMEMBERING THE RECALL I RECEIVED IN THE MAIL. THE RECALL STATED THAT THE HEATING ELEMENT IN THE SEAT COULD BE FAULTY AND THE SEAT COULD CATCH FIRE. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY EXPRESSED TO ME THAT THE RECALL WAS EXPIRED! WHAT HOW COULD SOME THING THAT COULD CAUSE INJURY HAVE AN EXPIRATION DATE? WELL AFTER THAT I NO LONGER USED THE SEAT BUT ONE DAY MY SON WHO WANTED THE CAR TO BE WARM FOR HIS MOTHER STARTED IT AND TURNED ON BOTH HEATED SEATS BY THE TIME I WENT OUT TO THE CAR IT WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE AND A HOLE BURNED THROUGH MY SEAT. ANOTHER ISSUE I HAVE IS I GOT A RECALL ON MY SUN ROOF SAYING IT CAUSES THE DRIVERS SIDE BACK AND FRONT FLOOR TO FLOOD. WHEN IT DID I TOOK IT IN TO MY DEALER THEY "FIXED IT", WELL LAST WEEK IT POURED TERRIBLE THE NEXT DAY I WENT OUT TO MY VEHICLE TO FIND 4 INCHES OF WATER ON THE FLOOR OF MY DRIVERS SIDE BACK SEAT. TODAY 09/18/2012 I TOOK IT IN TO MY DEALER TO BE REPAIRED AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $100 FOR DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS I HAVE A CHILD AND TO HAVE WATER SIT IN BETWEEN THE METAL OF THE CAR FLOOR AND THE CARPET I AM DISGUSTED!!! IT SMELLS SO BAD I HAD TO SPRINKLE BAKING SODA ON THE FLOOR TO KEEP THE SMELL AT BAY. THE WATER IS STILL SQUISHING BETWEEN THE CARPET AND THE METAL AND IT IS SUPPOSED TO STORM AGAIN TODAY!!! I AM COMPLETELY FED UP WITH VOLKSWAGEN! *TR

I BOUGHT A SET OF 215/50R-17 91V ZEXIUS XI-427 ALL SEASON RADIAL TIRES ON 07/26/2010 FROM LES SCHWAB TIRES IN CALIFORNIA. ON MEMORIAL DAY 5/30/2011 I HAD A BLOWOUT ON I-215 IN LAS VEGAS NV CALLED EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE AND THEY PUT ON SPARE. I CALLED LES SCHWAB TO TELL ABOUT INCIDENT THE NEXT DAY. I WAS TOLD IT WAS TIRE SEPARATION BY AN COMPETITOR TIRE SHOP. ON 6/11/2011 TWO WEEKS AND 282 MILES LATER I WOKE UP TO FIND I HAD A FLAT TIRE ON A DIFFERENT ZEXIUS TIRE, SO I PUT AIR IN THE TIRE AND DROVE THE CAR TO TIRE WORKS A TIRE SHOP A MILE DOWN THE ROAD. TIRE WORKS CHECKED THE TIRE FOR ANY OBJECTS IN THE TIRE BUT FOUND NONE. THEY FOUND THE SIDEWALL HAD A CRACK WHERE AIR WAS LEAKING THROUGH AND DETERMINE IT WAS TIRE SEPARATION. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THEY FOUND CRACKS IN THE OTHER TWO ZEXIUS TIRES WHICH THE TIRE SPECIALIST SAID WAS CAUSED BY DRY ROT! I REPLACED THE ZEXIUS TIRE WITH ANOTHER SET OF TIRE'S DUE TO THE LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN THE SAFETY OF THESE TIRES. I AM IN CURRENT DISPUTE WITH LES SCHWAB TIRES FOR A REFUND FOR THE TOTAL COST OF TIRES. PARTIALLY THE DISPUTE IS WHOM WILL PAY FOR SHIPPING THE ZEXIUS TIRES BACK TO CALIFORNIA AS I LIVE IN HENDERSON,NV CURRENTLY. I NEED HELP TO SETTLE THIS DISPUTE AND EXPOSURE TO THESE FAULTY TIRES. *TR

WE HAVE A 2004 VW JETTA, BUT THIS CONCERN IS WITH MOST 7 YEAR OLD AND OLDER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHT CONSTRUCTION IS INFERIOR TO VEHICLES EARLIER IN THE 1900S ' NEVER WITH CARS I HAVE OWNED FROM 1954 UNTIL THE LAST FEW HAVE I SEE HEADLIGHTS FOG- TURN OPAQUE OR YELLOW. THE PLASTIC USED IS INFERIOR TO THE GLASS USED ON OLDER VEHICLES AND AS SUCH IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO ALL DRIVERS. SINCE IT IS THE USE OF AN INFERIOR MATERIAL IT IS A DEFECT AND SHOULD BECOME SAFETY RECALLS BY THE MANUFACTURER RATHER THEN A BAND-AID BUFF OUT KIT THAT THE VEHICLE OWNER, MUST BEAR THE EXPENSE, AND TRY TO USE OR HAVE A REPAIR SHOP DO AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. HEADLIGHT SURFACES SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF A VEHICLES, BARRING DAMAGE IN ACCIDENTS THEY SHOULD PERFORM SAFELY THROUGHOUT A ONE'S OWNERSHIP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS FRACTURED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE TENSIONER AND ENGINE MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE RESULTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000.

MY 2004 VW JETTA 1.8 TURBO WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IS HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. MY CAT HAS ONLY 66,000 MILES IN IT AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. IN THE PAST TWO YEARS I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, BATTERY, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, NUMEROUS VACUUM LEAKS ECT...BUT A TRANSMISSION???? VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL AS THIS IS WAY TO COMMON!! PLEASE HELP! *TR

AFTER SERVICE BY VW FOR WINDOW GLASS CLIP RECALL THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF. NO TRACTION CONTROL FOR THE VECHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE SEAT WARMER OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP BUT THERE WERE NO CODES PRODUCED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND TOOK A COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT IN OUR 2004 VW JETTA TDI BECAME EXTREMELY HOT NEAR THE DRIVER'S RIGHT THIGH AND THERE WAS A ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL IN THE CAR. MY WIFE, WHO WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME, HAD A MINOR SURFACE BURN AS A RESULT. FORTUNATELY, SHE WAS WEARING JEANS, WHICH PREVENTED IT FROM BEING WORSE. *TR

DOOR AJAR NOT WORKING, ALONG WITH INTERIOR LIGHT ON DRIVERS DOOR, & CABIN INTERIOR LIGHTS NOT COMING ON WHEN DOOR OPENS. REPLACED DRIVERS DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR VIA DEALER FIXES PROBLEM. A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX FOR A $17 MICROSWITCH (APPROX) PART ON THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR THAT FAILS VERY OFTEN. MANY VW OWNERS EXPERIENCE THIS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE WAS 88,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NOTICED DRIVERS HEATED SEAT WAS VERY HOT ON LEFT THIGH. YESTERDAY I SMELLED SMOKE, AND PUT MY HAND UNDER MY LEG. BURNED HAND. TURNED OFF HEATED SEAT AND PULLED OVER. NOTICED A BURN ON FABRIC. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED BECAUSE THE WATER PUMP FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED TAH THE RIM ON THE WATER PUMP MADE OF PLASTIC BROKE IN TWO PIECES. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 56,000. UPDATED 02/10/11 *BF UPDATED 10/12/11

HEATED SEAT BURNED. ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL AND EXTREME HOT SPOT ON UPPER RIGHT THIGH. *TR

A LITTLE UNDER 3 YEARS AGO (OCT. 2010) I STARTED NOTICING A FAINT GAS SMELL COMING FROM MY CAR. OVER A 2 WEEK PERIOD THE SMELL GRADUALLY GOT STRONGER AND MY MPG SLOWLY DECREASED. AFTER TAKING MY CAR INTO A SHOP IT WAS DETERMINED THERE WAS A CRACK NEAR THE FUEL PUMP GASKET AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NOW 2 WEEKS AGO (MAY 2013) THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS STARTED UP AGAIN AND AFTER TAKING MY CAR BACK TO THE SHOP THEY TOLD ME THE EXACT SAME THING. THERE WAS A SMALL CRACK NEAR THE GASKET ON MY FUEL PUMP AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW TO CAUSE ME TO REPLACE 2 FUEL PUMPS IN A 3 YEAR SPAN. *TR

CATASTROPHIC DRIVE TRAIN FAILURE OF A VW JETTA TDI 5-SPEED. WHILE TRAVELING AT 65-70 MPH ON RELATIVELY FLAT TERRAIN ON A CLEAR ROADWAY IN 5TH GEAR WITH NO INPUT TO THE CLUTCH OR THE TRANSMISSION, OCCUPANTS FELT & HEARD A SINGLE, MUFFLED 'THUMP'. ORIGINATING DRIVE TRAIN FAILURE EVENT OCCURRED SPONTANEOUSLY AND COMPLETELY UNEXPECTEDLY. AFTER THE ANOMALY, A LOW METALLIC RATTLE WAS HEARD. ONCE CLEAR OF SURROUNDING TRAFFIC, IN TROUBLESHOOTING ATTEMPT THE DRIVER ENGAGED CLUTCH AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL; IMMEDIATELY THE RATTLING BECAME MORE PRONOUNCED. FIFTH GEAR IMMEDIATELY REENGAGED AND NOISE ABATED. DRIVER NAVIGATED VEHICLE UNDER POWER TO RIGHT LANE & SUBSEQUENTLY EXITED EXPRESSWAY. UPON APPROACH TO SIDE STREET TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CLUTCH WAS REENGAGED RESULTING IN A RENEWED RATTLING; TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. WHEN CLUTCH WAS LET OUT, THE CONSTANT RATTLING NOISE CONTINUED AS ENGINE IDLED. WITH SIGNAL CHANGE, CLUTCH REENGAGED & TRANSMISSION SHIFTED TO 1ST GEAR. CLUTCH SLOWLY, CAREFULLY RELEASED: NOTICEABLE NOISE INCREASE FOLLOWED BY SHORT SERIES OF LOUD, SHARP NOISES. VEHICLE LURCHED AND STALLED. TWO ATTEMPTS TO RESTART ENGINE FAILED; NO ENGINE RESPONSE. POLICE NOTIFIED & VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. SIGNIFICANT FLUID LEAKAGE NOTICED. SUBSEQUENTLY NOTIFIED BY VW DEALER THAT MAIN SHAFT OF TRANSMISSION CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED PRESSING FLYWHEEL INTO MOTOR DAMAGING CASING, BEARINGS & CRANKSHAFT LOBS RESULTING IN IMMEDIATE SEIZING OF THE DIESEL POWER PLANT. TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE ASSEMBLY REQUIRED (EST ~$11K). THIS VEHICLE HAD ALL MAINTENANCE SERVICE PERFORMED REGULARLY AT 5K INTERVALS BY VW DEALER (DOCUMENTED) AND HAD RECENTLY HAD FULL 100K SERVICE INCLUDING TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT. NO NOTIFICATION/CONCERN FOR ADDITIONAL TRANSMISSION INSPECTION/SERVICE. CLUTCH RECENTLY SEEMED TO BE ENGAGING A WEE BIT FURTHER BUT NO BOTTOMING OF PEDAL OR CLUTCH SLIPPAGE. OWNER EXPECTED TO SCHEDULE CLUTCH INSPECTION/WORK DURING NEXT 5K SERVICE VISIT. *TR

ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, OVER 2 1/2 YEARS, WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO FREEWAY STEERING, BRAKES, POWER WENT OUT. IN FIRST INSTANCE, ACCELERATION OCCURRED. VIRTUALLY LOST CONTROL OF CAR FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE SYSTEM "KICKED IN" AGAIN. REPORTED TO DUBLIN VW (CA) 3 INCIDENTS. UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE. REFERRED TO VW OF AMERICA WHO TOLD ME THAT THE CAR WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED - NOTHING WRONG. WHILE IN DEALERSHIP, SPOKE TO ANOTHER OWNER WHO EXPERIENCED SAME. OTHER OWNER WAS ALSO TOLD BY VW THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND NOTHING WAS WRONG. SOLD CAR TO OAKLAND VW IN 2013. ADVISED THEM THAT DUBLIN VW HAD COMPLETE SERVICE RECORDS. *TR

I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY FIVE MPH AS I LEFT MY HOME WHEN THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. *TR

BOTH RADIATOR FANS FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY, CAUSING CAR TO OVERHEAT AND STOP ALMOST INSTANTANEOUSLY IN HOT WEATHER. CAR ONLY HAS 55K MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED. BOTH RADIATOR FANS WERE REPLACED. *TR

2004 JETTA TDI 4 DOOR SEDAN, IT'S A TURBO DIESEL. THE STALK HAVE TO GOES TO HIGH BEAM IN ORDER FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL TO WORK. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART, IT HAVE BEEN WITH THIS CAR FOR MANY YEARS BUT WE DO NOT HAVE TIME TO FIX THIS AND IT'S COST LOST OF MONEY TO REPLACE. WHEN CLICK ON THE TURN SIGNAL THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN OFF, IT'S VERY DANGEROUS ON THE FREEWAY. I BELIEVE THIS PARTS OF THE CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED, IT'S DANGEROUS. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. *TR

CAR BEGAN TO STUTTER AND SHAKE LIKE IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS. SHORTLY AFTER I HAD AN EPC LIGHT THAT WOULD FLASH ON EVERY TIME I GOT UP TO SPEED AND IT WOULD START THE STUTTERING SOUND AGAIN. AFTER SEVERAL COSTLY TRIPS TO DEALERSHIP THEY DISCOVERED IT WAS A COOLANT MIGRATION PROBLEM. WHERE A DEFECTIVE PART THAT VW KNOWS ABOUT LEAKS COOLANT IN TO THE WIRE HARNESS. COOLANT CAN MIGRATE THROUGHOUT ALL ELECTRICAL ROUTES THROUGHOUT THE CAR. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE 1998 AND VW WILL NOT DO A RECALL OR REIMBURSE FOR THE WORK. IF YOU HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH YOUR VW THIS IS MOST LIKELY THE CAUSE. WE HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH TAILLIGHTS BLOWING VERY FREQUENTLY. THIS CAN BE A CAUSE OF COOLANT MIGRATING THROUGH THE WIRES. *TR

VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (ALL VW) HAVE PLASTIC IMPELLER WATER PUMP THAT BREAKS, CAUSING RAPID OVERHEATING AND POSSIBLE ENGINE SEIZURE. ENGINE SEIZURE MAY RESULT IN REAR END COLLISION. VOLKSWAGEN KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO RECALL THE VEHICLES. NEW WATER PUMP IS REQUIRED TO REPAIR THE CONDITION. THE PARTS COSTS OVER $200.00. FAIRLY EASY TO REPLACE BUT THE PLASTIC PARTS COULD ALSO BREAK LOOSE AND GET PUMPED THROUGH THE ENGINE AND TURBO AND CAUSE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE WHERE THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED ACCORDINGLY. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V586000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THEY HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

MY CAR'S SIGNAL LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS PERIODICALLY LEADING TO THE SIGNAL LIGHT BECOMING STUCK IN A LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN POSITION BLINKING AT A FAST SPEED. THIS IS OCCURRING ABOUT 25% OF THE TIME WHILE DRIVING. AS A CONSEQUENCE I HAVE TO MAKE UNSAFE LANE CHANGES (EG. WHEN CHANGING INTO R LANE THE SIGNAL LIGHT BE STUCK IN THE LEFT HAND BLINKING SEQUENCES FROM THE PREVIOUS LEFT TURN). TO CORRECT THE FAILURE THE SIGNAL LIGHT ARM HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HAS TOO MUCH VOLTAGE GOING TO THE BAG AND AS SUCH DEACTIVATED ALL THE AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

THERE IS A TERRIBLE SMELL THAT MY CAR HAS ON THE INTERIOR NOW. IT SMELLS OF MELTING BURNT CRAYONS. IT IS WORSE IN THE SUMMER OR WHEN I RUN THE HEAT. THE SMELL STAYS ON MY CLOTHES AND OTHER PEOPLE SMELL IT ON ME. IT GIVES ME HEADACHES. (I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE). APPARENTLY IT IS FROM THE SOUND-PROOFING AND FIREWALL? I READ THIS IN A FORUM. THE SMELL IS SOMETHING THAT HAS DEVELOPED OVER TIME AND DID NOT EXIST WHEN I FIRST PURCHACED THE VEHICLE, USED (NOT NEW), IN 2006. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS IN FORUMS AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS AND IT SEEMS THAT VW SHOULD JUST FIX THE PROBLEM OR MAYBE NOT CREATE THE PROBLEM IN THE FIRST PLACE. IF I HAD KNOWN THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN, THEN I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED THIS CAR. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VW AND I HAVE EVEN TALKED SOMEONE ELSE OUT OF BUYING A VW BECAUSE OF THIS. MAYBE IF VW CARED A LITTLE MORE ABOUT FIXING THE PROBLEMS AND LESS ABOUT FATTENING THEIR WALLETS! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COILS AND THE CYLINDERS IN THE ENGINE. THE COILS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND FAILED AGAIN AFTER ONE MONTH. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED IN FEBRUARY 2010 WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SIX TIMES WITHIN A YEAR. ALL OF THE COILS DO NOT FAIL AT THE SAME TIME, BUT THE ALL FOUR COILS HAVE BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN ONE TIME. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135000.

I HIT A POT HOLE WITH MY 2004 VW JETTA TDI (I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT). WHEN I TURNED THE CORNER I HEARD A "POPPING" SOUND. DROVE IT TO A NEARBY MECHANIC. THE CLOSET VW DEALER IS 70 MILES AWAY. THE SPRING ON THE DRIVER SIDE WAS BROKEN. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT AS HE HAS NEVER SEEN A SPRING BREAK LIKE THAT. THERE WAS EROSION IN THE SPRING. I STILL HAVE THE SPRING. REPLACED AT $347. CONTACTED THE VW DEALERSHIP. THEY FIRST TRIED TO BRUSH ME OFF SAYING THEY DIDN'T SEE THE POT HOLE ETC. EVENTUALLY THEY GAVE ME THE VW HEADOFFICE PHONE #. BRUSHED OFF THERE TOO AS IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY. IT'S NOT THE WARRANTY. IT'S A FAULTY SPRING THAT WAS PLACED IN MY CAR. IT ALSO RUINED THE SHOCK. *TR

LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN CARTER ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING A SITUATION INVOLVING HIS VW JETTA RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT (DOT/I # 2010-2106) *TGW ON JANUARY 18, 2010 THE CONSUMER TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF A RECALL RECEIVED, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED NOTHING COULD BE DONE SINCE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT ON. SIX DAYS LATER, THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS MORE THAN 450 MILES AWAY FROM HOME. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP AND THE SERVICE WAS COMPLETED. THE CONSUMER THEN SUBMITTED A CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT ONCE HE RETURNED HOME, BUT TO DATE HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM VW. *JB

ELECTRICAL FIRE IN IGNITION HARNESS MELTED HARNESS (INCLUDING COILS) WHICH RESULTED IN STALL-OUT. IGNITION FUSE TO COMPUTER WAS DISABLED PREVENTING RE-START OF AUTOMOBILE. *TR

1. IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE VOLKSWAGEN M6 RECALL. OR DEFECTIVE PART ON A VOLKSWAGEN TDI 2004, OR FAULTY DESIGN. 2. THE LOWER EGR COOLER PIPE #038131521CC. THIS PIPE CRACKS CAUSING IMPROPER EMISSIONS AND EXHAUST GASES INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT NEXT TO THE CABIN AIR FILTER INTAKE. POISON GASES IN THE VEHICLE INTERIOR. 3. REPLACED 3 CRACKED PARTS IN 1 YEAR. VOLKSWAGEN CLAIMS THERE IS NO PROBLEM AND WILL NOT LOOK INTO THE MATTER. *TR

1. SEAT BELT BECOMES DIFFICULT TO PULL AND LOCK. THEN FAILS. 2. BACK SEAT, CENTER POSITION SEAT, BELT TENSIONER UNIT FAILS, CANNOT PULL AND FASTEN SEAT BELT. 3. REMOVE SEAT, REPLACE BELT TENSIONER UNIT. OLD PART AVAILABLE. *TR

AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AFTER GOING OVER A BUMP. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 VW JETTA. WHEN IT GETS HOT OUTSIDE (SOMETIMES) THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING THEN REGAINS IT. ALSO WHEN IT STARTS ACTING UP IF U STOP THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF AND U GAVE TO RESTART IT. I HAVE TOOK THE CARE TO VW THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS (THROTTLE BODY, DWN FLOW 02 SENSOR, COIL PACK PLUGS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER) STILL DON'T KNOW. THE ONLY THING THE COMPUTER IS SHOWING IS COOLING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE. ONE VW DEALER SAID THERE WAS A WIRING PROBLEM THAT SOMETIMES CAUSES SIMILAR PROBLEMS. IF THIS IS THE CASE WHY IS IT NOT A RECALL SINCE THE WIRING IS FROM DEALER. THE INSIDE TEMP ON THE CARE NEVER RUNS HOT OR THE RADIATOR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. *TR

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI, WHICH I GARAGE AT MY CONDOMINIUM. IN MARCH 2006, THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION ISSUED A RECALL OF VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI 2003 CARS WITH 1.8L TURBO ENGINES DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMPS. I RAISE THE POSSIBILITY OF MY CAR BEING INVOLVED IN THE MANUFACTURING MALFUNCTION, BUT NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. 07/17/2009: CAR TOWED TO VOLKSWAGEN AUTOBARN OF EVANSTON. COSTS: $74.15. 07/25/2009: INFORMED THAT THE CAR REQUIRED A NEW BATTERY AND FUEL PUMP. PARTS & LABOR COSTS: $905.85. AFTER PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS AND WAITING FOR DELIVERY, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. 07/27/2009: RETRIEVED THE CAR AFTER VW AUTOBARN SERVICE INSTALLS A SECOND FUEL PUMP, DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE PREVIOUS PART. I DROVE THE CAR HOME AND PARKED UNDERGROUND. 07/28/2009: I DROVE TO THE FAA REGIONAL OFFICE IN DES PLAINES, IL. AT APPROXIMATELY 18:30, I ATTEMPTED TO LEAVE HOWEVER, THE CAR DID NOT START IN THE SAME FASHION THAT LED TO THE INITIAL REPAIR. THE CAR IS TOWED BACK TO VOLKSWAGEN. 08/17/2009: INFORMED BY THE VW AUTOBARN SERVICE MANAGER THAT THEY HAVE GONE TO EXTRAORDINARY EFFORTS TO REPAIR THE CAR: DRIVEN THE CAR ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS INCLUDING TAKING IT HOME OVERNIGHT; COMMUNICATED WITH THE GERMAN SERVICE OFFICE TO PURSUE OTHER POSSIBLE CAUSES FOR FUEL PUMP FAILURES. COSTS FOR TOWING, FUSES, RELAY SWITCHES, LEADS, CONNECTORS AND TECHNICIAN LABOR: $574.11. AFTER PAYING FOR THE ABOVE REPAIRS, AGAIN, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. 08/28/2009: INFORMED THE FUEL IN THE CAR CONTAINED 40% ALCOHOL AND IS THE CAUSE OF FAILURE OF THE THREE PREVIOUS FUEL PUMPS. MOREOVER, I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR VOIDING THE WARRANTY OF THE PREVIOUS FUEL PUMPS AND NOW FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR $1400 IN NEW CHARGES, INCLUDING THE COST OF A FOURTH FUEL PUMP. I LAST PURCHASED 12.63 GALLONS PREMIUM FUEL ON JUNE 26 WITHOUT ISSUE UNTIL JULY 17. *TR

ELECTRONIC FUEL PUMP CRACKS AND LEAKS FUEL ONTO LIVE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS TO FUEL PUMP LOCATED UNDER REAR PASSENGER SEAT. BY TIME YOU SMELL GAS INSIDE OF VEHICLE, GAS HAS PUDDLED ABOUT 1/4" DEEP ON THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS POWERING THE FUEL PUMP. DEALER WARNS NOT TO DRIVE DUE TO RISK OF FIRE OR EXPLOSION. HAPPENED FIRST IN MAY OF 2007 AT 64,000 MILES. VW UNCONCERNED AND DID NOT REMEDY. HAPPENED AGAIN MAY OF 2009 AT 96,000 MILES. VW AGAIN UNCONCERNED. I ASSUME IT MUST BE SAFE TO DRIVE. DOES SOMEBODY HAVE TO DIE FIRST? *TR

VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (ALL VW) HAVE PLASTIC IMPELLER WATER PUMP THAT BREAKS, CAUSING RAPID OVERHEATING AND POSSIBLE ENGINE SEIZURE. ENGINE SEIZURE MAY RESULT IN REAR END COLLISION. VOLKSWAGEN KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO RECALL THE VEHICLES. NEW WATER PUMP IS REQUIRED TO REPAIR THE CONDITION. *TR

BOUGHT NEW IN 2004. STARTING AT 60K MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME-ON SAYING MISS FIRE ON #1 CYL WHEN ITS WET OUTSIDE; RAINING OR SNOW. SPARK PLUG AND WIRE REPLACED REGULARLY AND CHECKED WITHIN SPECS. THE ACCELERATION STARTED TO DETERIORATE AND FLAT SPOT IN THE ACCELERATION CAN BE DANGEROUS IN DRIVING CONDITIONS. 86K THE ORIGINAL VW COIL WAS REPLACED; #1 TERMINAL WAS CORRODED. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 VW JETTA DIESEL TDI 5-SPEED HOME FROM WORK. IT HAS 78,000 MILES ON IT. THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE HIGHWAY/INTERSTATE MILES DUE TO MY WORK BEING A LONG DISTANCE FROM HOME. I WAS IN 4TH GEAR DOING ABOUT 45 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND WAS ALMOST HOME. I HEARD A "BANG" FROM UNDER THE CAR AND LOST POWER. FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDER THE CAR, AND I COULD NO LOGGER SHIFT GEARS. I HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THEY ORIGINALLY SAID A PART OF THE CLUTCH HAD BROKEN OFF AND PUNCTURED THE TRANSMISSION CASE. AFTER ADDITIONAL REVIEW THEY DETERMINED IT WAS A PIECE OF THE "DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL" THAT HAD BROKEN OFF AND DONE THE DAMAGE. I WAS FORCED TO PAY APPROXIMATELY $2,500.00 IN PARTS AND LABOR FOR A NEW CLUTCH, FLYWHEEL, REBUILT TRANNY, ETC... TO GET MY CAR REPAIRED. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM MORE I FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM WITH VW'S DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL IS A PRETTY COMMON PROBLEM. SEE THIS LINK FOR ONE SOURCE... HTTP://FORUMS.TDICLUB.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=137014&HIGHLIGHT=G60+CLUTCH IF THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL HAD EXPLODED UPWARD TOWARD THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR RATHER THAN DOWNWARD THERE LIKELY WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. THIS WOULD SEEM TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN TO VW. *TR

CAR IS FLOODED AFTER A RAIN; HAD SUNROOF DRAINS CLEANED BY MECHANIC @ $245; DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM; RUGS SMELL OF MILDEW CAUSING RESPIRATORY DISTRESS. THE LAST CONSIDERABLE RAIN STORM WE HAD PRODUCED MEASURABLE WATER BUILDUP. HAD TO USE WET VAC. *TR

NOISE STARTED, A HIGH-PITCHED WHINING. TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND IT IS THE SAME DARNED THING IT WAS IN FEBRUARY, 2008! THE FUEL PUMP. HE TELLS ME HE CHANGES THEM OUT ON VW'S ALL THE TIME. THE PART IS A VW DEALER PART ONLY AND IT'S DEFECTIVE, JUST LIKE THE 2003 VW PASSAT PUMPS WERE! *TR