1997 Volkswagen Jetta complaints

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A WHINING NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER CHECKED DRIVE TRAIN AND WHEELS AND FOUND CUPPING OF THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED, BALANCED AND ALIGNED. NOISE AFTER TIRE CHANGE. DEALER REPLACED FRONT AND REAR FACTORY INSTALLED WHEEL BEARINGS. *TT, AK

BOUGHT JETTA GLS NEW 12/97. MOLDINGS FALL OFF CONSTANTLY. THREE OF FOUR POWER WINDOWS HAVE FAILED, ALL NEEDING REGULATORS REPLACED. SLOW WIPER SPEED CUTS OFF AND SOMETIMES DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. OIL LEAK. CAN'T LOCK DOORS ON DRIVER SIDE WITH MY MASTER KEY, CAN ONLY LOCK AND SET ALARM ON PASSENGER SIDE. TS

SIGNIFICANT FUEL LEAK FROM THE TOP OF FUEL TANK DUE TO FAILED SEAL FOR FUEL SENDING UNIT.

MY 1997 VW JETTA HAS TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBELMS. IT SHIFTS ROUGHLY AS IT CHANGES TO THE LAST GEAR ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS BUT THE PROBLEM DOES NOT GO AWAY.

CONSUMER IS HAVIN PROBLEMS WITH THE BALLJOINT. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE RIGHT PASSANGERS WHEEL CAME OFF CAUSING A BALLJOINT SEPARATION. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INDICATED THAT THE PART WAS BADLY RUSTED WHICH IT SHOULD HAD NOT OCCOUR . TS

I BOUGHT THE 97 JETTA USED IN OCT. 1999. I AM THE SECOND OWNER. THEN IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO FAIL AND IT TURNED OUT THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I FEEL THAT THE CAR IS TOO NEW AND HAS FEW TOO MANY MILES FOR THIS TO OCCUR. I HAVE TRIED TO GET VOLKSWAGEN TO HELP ME OUT BUT THEY REFUSED BECAUSE THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. I THINK THE WARRANTY SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. I HAVE SEEN OTHER PEOPLE NOW WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS WITH THEIR VEHICLES. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT IF THERE ARE SEVERAL OWNERS OUT THERE WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THEN THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THE CAR AND FIXED IT FREE OF CHARGE. THANK YOU,[XXX] MR PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

WHILE DRIVING AT NO MORE THAN 5 MPH BOLT JOINTS BROKE IN TWO PIECES, CAUSING FRONT PASSANGER WHEEL TO LOCK UP UNDER THE FENDER.*AK

THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATOR HAS BROKEN (TWICEIN THE REAR AND ONCE IN FRONT) WHERE THE PLASTIC IS MOLDED TO THE METAL. THE HYDRAULIC STEERING UNIT STARTED LEAKING AT THE SEALS OF THE UNIT CAUSING THE RUBBER BOOT TO DISINTERGRATE. LOSS OF POWER STEERING RESULTED. VOLKSWAGEN REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF THE WHOLE UNIT INCLUDING TIE ROD ENDS (NOT REPAIRABLE). FUEL STORAGE TANK IS LEAKING SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE CAR AND THE TANK.*AK

POWER DOORS ARE MALFUCNTIONING, UNABLE TO UNLOCK DOORS INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

MALFUCTIONED IGINITION SWITCH IS CAUSING STARTER TO ENGAGE WHEN APPLYING CLUTCH. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

CLUTCH FAILED TO ENGAGE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WHILE DRIVING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

BOTH PASSENGERS POWER WINDOWS FELL DOWN INSIDE DOOR. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY DEALER.*AK

WHILE DRIVING NOTICED SOME SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER VEHICLE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER/ CAR ALARM SOUNDED, AND SMOKE STARTED POURING OUT OF DOORS. CAUSE MIGHT BE ELECTRICAL. WIRES UNDER SEAT MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

EVERY VOLKSWAGEN OWNER I HAVE EVER TALKED HAS HAD ONE OF THESE WINDOWS FAIL AND YET VOLKSWAGEN NOT ONLY HASN'T FIXED THE PROBLEM THEY KEPT THE DESIGN THE SAME WHEN THEY REDESIGNED MUCH OF THE REST OF THE CAR. I KNOW ITS JUST A POWER WINDOW. BUT THINK ABOUT A 4 SQFT HOLE OPENING UP IN YOUR CAR AS YOU DRIVE DOWN THE FREEWAY WITH A CHILD OR PET IN THE BACK SEAT.*AK

THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE CAME OFF ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE GOING 35MPH. THE WHEEL BEARING AXLE FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DROP TO THE GROUND WITH THE BRAKE DRUM STILL ATTACHED TO IT .THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO NEGLECTING THE WHEEL BEARING FOR REGULAR SERVICE. NLM THE BRAKE DRUM OUTER AND INNER WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. THE COOLING SYSTEM WAS LOOSING COOLANT AT TIMES. *YH

THE POWER WINDOW MOTOR AND REGULATOR HAD FAILED FIVE TIMES IN 3 OF THE 4 WINDOW ON THE CAR. VOLKSWAGEN KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM, BUT REFUSES TO REPAIR THE PROBELM WITHOUT CHARGING FOR THE REPAIR. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGENS FROM 1997-1999. I EVEN HAD A WINDOW REGULATOR AND MOTOR INSTALLED BRAND NEW OUT OF THE BOX THAT WAS FAULTY. HELP. *AK

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS A LOUD STREAKING GRINDING NOISE. DEALERDSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AND REMAIN ON. CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

TRANSMISSION ORIGINALLY STARTED OUT NOT SHIFTING INTO DRIVE UNTIL THE CAR REACHED 50 MPH. I HAVE REPEATEDLY COMPLAINED OF THIS PROBLEM OVER THE PAST 4 YEARS AND NOW MY CAR IS AT THE POINT THAT I HAVE TO PARK ON AN INCLINE SO THAT WHEN I START MY CAR AND GO FORWARD I JUST HOPE IT GOES INTO GEAR, IT WILL ROLL SLOWLY, AND AFTER IT WARMS UP, EVEN IN 70 DEGREE WEATHER OR ABOVE IT IS A PRAYER IF IT STARTS. GOING INTO REVERSE IS NOT A GIVEN. DON'T EVEN GO THERE. TWO DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGERS SAY THAT IT IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND THAT THE MFG. SHOULD REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, HOWEVER THEY DECLINE TO DO SO. I HAVE TO BE IN TRAFFIC AND TO TAKE OFF PUTS ME IN DANGER AND OTHER DRIVERS. MID AMERICA MOTORS ON NO. LINDBERGH SAYS THAT IT HAS TO BE FIXED. SUNTRUP WHO SOLD THE CAR DOESN'T WANT ANYTHING ELSE TO DO WITH THIS CAR, EVEN THOUGH PHYLLIS SUNTRUP SERVICE COORDINATOR KNOWS THAT VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD FIX IT, HER HANDS ARE TIED. AFTER WE HAVE HAD TWO OTHER DEALERSHIPS LOOK AT THE PROBLEM, WE NOW KNOW AND DISTRUST SUNTRUP TO DO ANYWORK ON THE CAR. I WANT MY CAR FIXED, BEFORE I AM KILLED IN IT. I HAVE CONSISTENTLY ASKED FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE FIXED OVER THE LAST 4 YEARS, NOW I AM RUNNING OUT OF TIME. BOB AT MID AMERICA SAYS I SHOULD TAKE THIS HIGHER AND YOU GUYS ARE IT. WHEN I BOUGHT THIS THE ADVERTISEMENT WAS BASED ON YOU COULD DRIVE THIS VEHICLE FOR 200,000 MILES. PLEASE HELP ME, BELIEVE IT OR NOT I AM A ONE CAR FAMILY WHICH IS UNHEARD OF TODAY, BUT WE ARE, AND WE JUST WANT IT TO WORK

JETTA WAS EVALUATED AT VW REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TESTED FOR SEVERAL DAYS OVER THE LAST 4 WORKING DAYS. ELECTRICAL AND FUEL SYTEM WAS CHECKED AND NOTHING FOUND SO FAR. CAR ENGINE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY REGARDLESS OF SPEED OR TEMPERATURE OF ENGINE. HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT ON THE FREEWAY DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND SUDDENLY THE ENGINE CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING. HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SLOWING DOWN OR ACCELERATING. CONCERNED THAT THERE MAY BE OTHER REPORTED PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO THIS IN THIS MODEL BUT CANNOT FIND ANY INFORMATION.

THE BATTERY EXPLODED AS CONSUMER TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE. POSSIBLE MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *YH

CONSUMER GOT A SAFETY ADVISORY LETTER FROM VOLKSWAGEN REGARDING FUEL TANK SYSTEM AND RIGHT REAR TIRE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS LETTER SHOULD BE CALLED A RECALL. CONSUMER FELT PEOPLE WOULD IGNORE AN ADVISORY LETTER. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK

VEHICLE WILL NOT FULLY DISENGAGE FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK*SLC

PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER SWERVED TO AVOID A DOG, WHEN HE DROVE BACK ONTO PAVEMENT VEHICLE HIT SHARP EDGE OF PAVEMENT. VEHICLE THEN WENT INTO A UNCONTROLABLE SPIN, SKIDDED AND SLID DOWN A 4 FOOT EMBANKMENT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK CONSUMER STATES HE USED ALL PROPER ANTI SKID STEERING PROCEDURES, HOWEVER VEHICLE WAS UNCONTROLLABLE *SLC

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE, VEHICLE WILL NOT GO INTO FORWARD. DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEMS.*AK

THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND THE CAR HAS ONLY 73000 MILES ON IT. *AK

MY FRONT WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED 5 TIMES AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. IT SEEMS LIKE EVEN IF A FLY HITS IT IT TENDS TO CRACK/CHIP.*AK

ALL FOUR DOORS ON DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDES AND REAR DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM EITHER INSIDE OR FROM OUTSIDE DUE TO WIRING HARNESS THAT NEEDED REPLACING AS A RESULT OF CORROSION. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF DEALER FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

VEHICLE WAS IN HOUSE GARAGE AND DID NOT START. CONSUMER CONTACTED AAA PERSON WHO TRIED TO JUMP WITH BATTERY. THEN, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM SEAT BELT HOLE WHERE DISCONNECTED BATTERY CABLE WAS LOCATED. INSURANCE STATED THAT FIRE WAS DUE TO A BROKEN WIRE FROM POST INTO DOOR WHERE HOT WIRE GROUNDED AND STARTED FIRE.*AK

THEY HAVE SAID THIS PROBLEM DOESN'T OCCUR FREQUENTLY--HA!. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE AN ILLEGAL U TURN IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO AVOID HITTING OTHER VEHICLE BY SWERVING. INSTEAD, SHE HIT CENTER OF VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRSBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

DURING COLD WEATHER BOTH FRONT DOOR AND TRUNK LOCKS FREEZE UP AND CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO ENTER THE CAR. NLM

I HAVE HAD THIS SERVICED BEFORE, AND STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. *AK

BATTERY EXPLODED WHILE TURNING THE IGNITION, DEALER SERVICE REP MENTIONED THAT HE HAD SEEN SEVERAL CASES OF THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

REAR WHEEL BLOWOUT, TIRE SEPARATION, DEFECTIVE TIRES. TIRE BLEWOUT ON THE HWY THE CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND ROLLED. (DOT NUMBER: MKHCFJDR13 TIRESIZE: 195/60R14)

WHILE DRIVING, TIMING BELT BROKE CAUSING IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER, THIS CAUSED OTHER ENGINE DAMAGE, VALVES WERE BENT AND A CYLINDER HEAD WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE OWNER'S MANUAL ONLY REQUIRES THAT INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE BE DONE AT 60,000 MILES. *SLC

ADD'T DEALER REPAIR INFO: NORTHLAND VW. CIN OH. AIR SYSTEM SMELLS ROTTEN, WATER PUMP WENT OUT DUE TO BELTS GOING BAD, ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS CAUSED CAR TO STALL & NOT OPERATE, CIGARETTE LIGHTER IS STUCK -CAN NOT PULL OUT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP 9 TIMES IN 3 YRS.

MULTIPLE SIDEWALL CRACKING, ALL TIRES. TREAD: GOOD TO EXCELLENT. SIDEWALL CRACKING NOT NOTED UNTIL "FIX-A-FLAT" WAS NOTED TO SQUIRT OUT OF SIDEWALL. ALL TIRES THEN CHECKED; ALL HAD MULTIPLE CRACKING.*AK (TIRESIZE: P195/60R14)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P195/60R14 )

THE FIRST WINDOW FAILURE INCIDENT INCLUDED THE TWO FRONT WINDOWS AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE REGULATORS AND MOTORS. I HAD TO PAY 20% OF THE TOTAL COST. THE SECOND WINDOW FAILURE INCLUDE THE SAME TWO FRONT WINDOWS AND ALSO THE REAR RIGHT WINDOW. THE DEALER IS QUOTING A PRICE OF APPROXIMATELY $1,354.00 PLUS TAX. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD PAY UP TO 50% OF THE COST OF THE PARTS. I FEEL THAT THESE ITEMS ARE A DEFECT AND THEY SHOULD MAKE REPAIRS AT NO COST TO ME.*AK

WHILE TURNING THE KEY TO START VEHICLE, BATTERY EXPLODED, CAUSING ACID TO GO INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND DENT THE HOOD. VOLKSWAGEN REPLACED BATTERY WITH ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN BATTERY. ALSO, SEPT, 1, 2000, WITH 45,000 BATTERY EXPLODED AGAIN IN THE SAME MANNER. *AK DEALER CLAIMS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *YH

TWO OF MY WINDOW REGULATORS AND MOTORS BROKE LAST AUGUST. THE OTHER TWO BROKE A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND I RARELY USE THE REAR WINDOWS. VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT REPLACE. I WAS CHARGED $60 FOR DIAGNOSIS... EACH WINDOW COSTS $600 TO FIX AT THE VW DEALER. I AM NOW DRIVING WITH ONLY ONE BACK WINDOW OPERATING.

AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING. ENGINE WOULDN'T HOLD FREON. DEALER FOUND A LEAK IN EVAPORATOR, AND ADMITTED THAT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART. CONSUMER RESPONSIBLITY FOR COVERAGE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

THE TRANSMISSION POPS OUT OF 5TH GEAR UNEXPECTEDLY USSUALLY AT SPEEDS OVER 50 MPH. THIS LEADS TO A SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND COULD LEAD TO PANIC AND A LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK

THIS VEHICLE NEEDED REPLACEMENT TO THE ALTERNATOR TWICE. THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM IS UNKNOWN. IN ADDITION THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPAIRED ONCE. WHEN THIS DID NOT WORK IT WAS THEN REPLACED WITH A REBUILT TRANSMISSION.

DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE BATTERY AND POWER STEERING FLUID CANISTER, BATTERY SITS TOO CLOSE TO THE CANISTER, AND IS RUBBING AGAINST THE BASE THAT HOLDS THE BATTERY, CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK OUT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK *ML

CONSUMER STATED THAT HE WOULD WRITE IN FURTHER DETAILS ON HIS VEHICLE. *AK

TRANSMISSION KEEPS SLIPPING FROM 1ST GEAR INTO NEUTRAL, AND THEN IT WILL SLIP BACK IN. DEALER WILL REPLACED TRANSMISSION.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK