1998 Volkswagen Jetta

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Defect. CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.8L VR6 ENGINES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE PUBLISHED ON THE LABEL FOR TIRES OF THE SIZE 205/50 R15 86H IS 0.1 BAR (1.45 PSI) TOO LOW. IT SHOULD BE 2.5 BAR (36.3 PSI). THE LABEL RECOMMENDS 2.4 BAR (34.8 PSI = 35 PSI).

Risk. UNDER INFLATED TIRES CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING, AND DRIVING WITH SUBSTANTIALY UNDER INFLATED TIRES PUTS THE CONSUMER AT A RISK FOR A CRASH.

Remedy. OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS, OR A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL IF THE OWNER WISHES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 29, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VW AT 1-800-893-5298.

Defect. ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK CAN SUFFER ABRASION DAMAGE IF THE REAR TIRE GOES FLAT AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNTIL THE TIRE DISINTEGRATES.

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL FIT PASSAT VEHICLES WITH A NEW WHEEL HOUSE LINER THAT WILL BETTER PROTECT THE CAR'S FILLER NECK. JETTA VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH A DIFFERENT METAL SHIELD DESIGNED TO ENHANCE ABRASION PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF TIRE DISINTEGRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Airbag Warning Light On

THE VEHICLES' ANTI THEFT HAD WENT HAYWIRE. WENT TO START, BEEP SOUND WENT OFF. THEN WAS LOCKED INSIDE CAR. WITH THE ALARM GOING OFF. WAS ONLY ABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE BY HAVING PASSERBY UNHOOK BATTERY, WHILE I HELD THE UNLOCK BUTTON. THIS WAS OVER 2 WEEKS AGO. WHEN HOOKING BATTERY BACK UP, THE ALARM STILL GOES OFF. I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE. THE BATTERY WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JUNE. NOTHING HAS BEEN ADDED TO VEHICLE. PLEASE ADVISE TO HOW THIS MATTER WILL BE RESOLVED & IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM.

TO YO PROXIES FOUR INNER IM ASSUMING TIRE BANDS? FAILED CAUSING A BULGE ON THE INER PART OF MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE. NEVER STRUCK ANY OBJECT I WAS JUST DRIVING AND STARTED TO NOTICE A WOBBLE I THOUGHT IT WAS A FRONT END ISSUE SO DIDN'T CHECK TIRE BUT HAD FRONT END LOOKED AT AND TIRE STILL WASN'T NOTICED BECAUSE OF THE PLACEMENT OF FAILURE WAS DIFFICULT TO SEE HOWEVER NOW IS VERY APPARENT. HAD TO REPLACE FRONT SHOCKS ON 98 VW JETTA AS WELL AS FRONT END BUSHINGS AND PASSENGER A ARM

LATE IN APRIL, 2013 I INSTALLED A PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM ON A 1998 VW JETTA TDI. THE CONTROL ARM WAS PURCHASED FROM AUTOZONE ( THEIR PART # 520-782) AS AN ASSEMBLY WITH THE BALL JOINT INSTALLED. THE CAR RAN FINE FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS. THEN WHILE DRIVING IT BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. ON EXAMINATION, 2 OF THE 3 BOLTS WHICH HOLD THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM WERE MISSING, AND THE THIRD WAS EASILY REMOVED BY FINGER. WHEN IT WAS INSTALLED ALL 3 WERE IN PLACE. THE ONE BOLT REMAINING DID NOT HAVE ANY LOCKING COMPOUND, NOR DID IT HAVE A MECHANICAL LOCKING DEVICE, SUCH AS A LOCK WASHER OR LOCK NUT. I INSTALLED 3 HARDENED BOLTS WITH LOCKING COMPOUND, AND THE CAR HAS BEEN FINE FOR THE PAST 5 DAYS. IF THE THIRD BOLT HAD FALLEN OUT, THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL, AND THE PROBABLE RESULT WOULD HAVE BEEN A CRASH. *TR

I HAVE BEEN TRAPPED INSIDE THE FRONT SEAT OF THIS VEHICLE. BOTH FRONT DOORS WILL OCCASIONALLY NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE CAR, EVEN WITH THE DOORS UNLOCKED. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE PROBLEM THAT I FEEL IS QUITE DANGEROUS. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND HAD THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM REPLACED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER WOULD NOT RELEASE OUT OF PARK BECAUSE THE BRAKE SENSOR FAILED. EACH TIME THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT HER EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

TOTALLY RUSTED OUT AREA AROUND GAS INTAKE PIPE. VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1998. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE AND SUSTAINED A FLAT TIRE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO REPLACE THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE AND THE JACK BROKE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE JACK WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WOULD BE THE CONTACTS RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE IT. THE JACK WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

REQUEST FOR COMPLETE CONSUMER COPIES RE SAFETY REPORT ON 1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. *TGW

I OWN A 1998 VW JETTA GL AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION TWICE NOW BECAUSE, I AM TOLD, VW INCREASED THE TORQUE ON JETTAS OF THIS YEAR BY ADDING A 5TH GEAR, WHICH RESULTS IN EXCESSIVE WEAR TO THE REVERSE GEAR AND RESULTS IN SEVERAL REVERSE GEAR TEETH CHIPPING, THUS RENDERING REVERSE INOPERABLE. AS I SAID BEFORE I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION TWICE NOW DUE TO THE FAULTY REVERSE GEAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT MADE A NOISE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD WHEN STOPPING. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT WOULD COST NEARLY $500. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING RACK WOULD MAKE A NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE MECHANIC ADDED STEERING FLUID AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL LEAK, WHICH WAS WORSENING. THE ESTIMATE TO REPAIR THE LEAK WAS $1,084.84. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000.

THE WINDOWS IN THE DOORS ARE FALLING DOWN AND NEEDING THE MECHANISM REPLACED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO 3 OF THE DOORS SO FAR. HAS THIS BEEN A PROBLEM-WAS THERE EVER A RECALL FOR THIS-THIS SEEMS LIKE A WEIRD THING TO HAVE HAPPEN. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU CANNOT ROLL THE WINDOW UP OR DOWN, AS WELL AS THE INTERIOR GETTING WET FROM THE WEATHER. THANK YOU. REBECCA *TR

I HAVE 1998 VW JETTA--I PRESENTLY HAVE THREE ELECTRIC WINDOWS WHICH DO NOT GO UP OR DOWN. TWO OF THEM HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT OR NEEDED RECALL. CAUSE OF PROBLEMS IS MOTORS OR REGULATORS. THESE SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY VW. OF ALL THE VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED IN THE PAST 40 YEARS WITH ELECTRIC WINDOWS I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEMS EXCEPT WITH THE VW JETTA. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL DISENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING SEPARATED. THEY REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARINGS, SPINDLES, SPEED SENSOR, RING, AND DRUM. APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS LATER, WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL DISENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. AS OF AUGUST 21, 2007, THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATORS FAILED AND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON PREVIOUS MODELS. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,022 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,612.

LIKE OTHERS, I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION COIL REPLACED. THIS HAPPENED AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, OF COURSE. I HAVE ALSO HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOWS (REGULATOR AND MOTOR) FOR ALL OF THEM. NOW, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS FLASHING AND THE CAR IS SPUTTERING. I KNOW THE SECONDARY AIR INTAKE VALVE NEEDS REPLACING BUT IT DID NOT CAUSE PROBLEMS. NOW I'M WONDERING IF SOMETHING NEW IS WRONG??? ALSO, I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH LOSING COOLANT AND HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY REPLACE ANTIFREEZE. AFTER FIXING WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A SMALL LEAK THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WILL NOT PRODUCE COOL AIR! THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND VW SHOULD LOOK INTO ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS. *JB

I BOUGHT A USED 1998 VW JETTA FOR MY DAUGHTER. GOOD CAR FUN TO DRIVE BUT ONE DAY AS SHE WAS DRIVING THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW FELL DOWN INTO THE DOOR. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. MOST RECENTLY DURING THE SUMMER THE DRIVER'S FRONT WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. ALL OF THESE INCIDENTS COULD STARTLE A DRIVER OR SHATTER THE WINDOW. CURRENTLY SHE HAS THE WINDOW TAPED UP ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND IT HINDERS HER VISIBILITY. VW SAID IT WOULD COST $485 PER DOOR!!!! YOU KNOW THE DRIVER'S REAR DOOR WILL GO SOON AND IT JUST DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT THAT WE SHOULD HAVE TO INVEST ANOTHER CLOSE TO $2000 JUST TO KEEP THE WINDOWS UP! THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT WHEN I CALLED VW THEY THANKED ME FOR BEING A LOYAL VW CUSTOMER AND ASKED ME IF I NAME MY CARS...VW KNOWS THAT THE PLASTIC BOTTOM ON THE REGULATOR FAILS AND THEY REPLACE THEM WITH METAL ONES. THEY SHOULD DO THIS FOR EVERYONE THAT HAS THESE CARS. I BELIEVE IN 2001 THE REGULATORS WITH METAL BOTTOMS ARE OEM. *NM

GLOW PLUG CONTROL UNIT FAILS ON 1998 VW JETTA TDI, BUT THERE IS NO PART FOR THE LAST 5+ MONTHS AVAILABLE FROM VOLKSWAGEN. ALSO, THERE IS NO ESTIMATE OF WHEN VOLKSWAGEN WILL HAVE A PART AVAILABLE. THIS IS NATIONWIDE. THE CONTROL UNIT IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE STARTING OF THE CAR. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LEFT REAR WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE, CROSSED THE HIGHWAY AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR BODY DAMAGE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM; HOWEVER THE LEFT REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY, BRAKES, RIM AND TIRE WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.*AK UPDATED 7/13/2006 - THE BEARING ON THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS LOOSE AND WORN. *NM

I PURCHASED A USED 1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLX SEVERAL YEARS AGO. WITHIN A YEAR OF PURCHASE, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO OPPERATE PROPERLY. I HAD THE REGULATOR REPLACED. A YEAR LATER THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW FAILED. THAT REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. A YEAR LATER THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE FAILED AGAIN. BEFORE I COULD GET IT FIXED, THE REAR DIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED AS WELL. BOTH REGULATORS ARE BEING REPLACED. THE TOTAL COST OF THESE REPAIRS WILL BE OVER $2000. I FIND IT APPALLING THAT THE SAME PROBLEM CAN OCCUR MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE SAME VEHICLE. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR VW VEHICLES AND YET NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO CORRECT IT - BE IT A DESIGN FLAW, MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, ETC. FAILED REGULATORS ARE BOTH A SAFETY AND SECURITY PROBLEM. I HOPE THAT NHTSA TAKES THESE COMPLAINTS SERIOUSLY AND INVESTIGATES THE PROBLEM. *NM

1998 JETTA GLX. ANOTHER WINDOW REGULATOR DEFAULT. I'M ORIGINAL OWNER, THIRD TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED. BACK PASSENGER WINDOW TWICE, NO ONE EVER SITS BACK THERE AND THE WINDOW IS HARDLY EVER USED. SAT. DRIVER'S WINDOW, KER-PLUNK. REALLY ANNOYING, WINDOW DOWN AND IT'S RAINING. HAD TO TAPE THE OPENING CLOSED. I'M PAYING FOR THE REPAIR, I KNOW VW OF AMERICA WILL NOT. BETWEEN THIS ISSUE AND THE BODY MOLDING CONSTANTLY FALLING OFF, I DOUBT I'LL BUY ANOTHER VW.*JB

IT WAS RAINING. MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ON. WHITE SMOKE CAME UP FROM MY STEERING COLUMN FOR A COUPLE SECONDS. WHAT MAKES THIS PARTICULARLY FRUSTRATING, THIS HAPPENED ON A 94 JETTA I ONCE OWNED. THIS HAPPENED ON A 96 JETTA MY SISTER OWNED. EVENTUALLY, SOMETHING IN THE STEERING COLUMN BURNED OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE BOTH PAID FOR THOSE TO BE REPLACED. NOW, YEARS LATER, I AM FACED WITH ANOTHER BURNING STEERING COLUMN. I HOPE TO FIND THAT VW IS OWNING UP TO POOR DESIGN, AND WHEN THIS ONE FINALLY BREAKS, THAT THEY FOOT THE BILL FOR THEIR FAILURE. REFERRED TO THIS SITE BY THIS LINK: HTTP://WWW.SPORTCOMPACTRACING.COM/VBULLETIN/PRINTTHREAD.PHP?T=36741 I DID A QUICK YAHOO SEARCH TO FIND THAT THIS WAS NOT A JINX THAT HIT JUST MY FAMILY. *NM

I HAVE A 1998 VW JETTA GLS. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED A WINDOW REGULATOR AT A COST OF $450, NOW THE REMAINING 3 HAVE FAILED WITHIN A WEEK. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH VW AND VW HAS ACKNOWLEDGED IT WITH SERVICE BULLETINS,ETC. VW USA CUSTOMER CARE HAS REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR. *JB

THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY SAME VEHICLE, ALL HAPPENED THE SAME WAY. EACH TIME A DIFFERENT WINDOW. THE POWER WINDOW BUTTON WILL START MAKING NOISE WHEN YOU RAISE/LOWER THE WINDOW, THEN THE WINDOW WILL ONLY CLOSE HALF WAY. IF YOU PRESS THE POWER WINDOW BUTTON AGAIN THE WINDOW WILL DROP INTO THE DOOR. IN THE PAST IT HAPPENED TO MY 2 BACK PASSENGER WINDOWS. EACH TIME VW TOLD ME IT WAS THE WINDOW REGULATOR AND IT COST ABOUT $350 TO FIX IT. SINCE THEY ARE BACK PASSENGER WINDOWS THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY COULD JUST PROP THE WINDOW UP WITH A PIECE OF WOOD MUCH CHEAPER. TODAY THE EXACT SAME SEQUENCE OF EVENTS HAPPENED TO MY DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW, SINCE ITS A DRIVER WINDOW I MOST LIKELY WILL HAVE TO PAY OUT THE $350 TO REPLACE THE FAULTY REGULATOR. LOOKING AT WWW.MYVWLEMON.COM I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH ALL MAKES OF VW YET VW ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR A FAULTY PART.*JB

I HAVE HAD THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR REPLACED/REPAIRED TWICE BY THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. THEN I REPLACED IT MYSELF ONCE, AS THE REPAIR COSTS ARE TOO EXPENSIVE. THEN IT BROKE AGAIN AND I DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO FIX IT, SO I SIMPLY AVOID ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOW. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE BY THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE REGULATOR IS NOW ACTING UP. I'M AFRAID TO ROLL DOWN MY WINDOWS AS THEY MAY NOT ROLL BACK UP.

1. DRIVING 2. LIGHTS WENT OUT, FAN WENT OUT AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING.

FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS COMPLETLY STOPPED WORKING. STUCK IN "UP" POSITION. TO EXPENSIVE TO FIX.

(1) FIRST, THE TURN SIGNALS BEGAN TO ACT STRANGE. WHEN USING THEM THEY FLASHED, PAUSED, THEN CONTINUED TO FLASH. LATER IN THE DAY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE HAZARD LIGHTS ON, THEY DIDN'T WORK. AFTER THAT, THE TURN SIGNALS DIDN'T WORK EITHER. (2) SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING, BUT NO ACCIDENT/INJURY OCCURRED. (3) TOOK CAR TO INDEPENDENT VW MECHANIC WHO REPLACED HAZARD/TURN SIGNAL SWITCH ASSEMBLY. (4) NOW RESEARCHING PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT A RECALL FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005 (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V584000); HOWEVER IT DIDN'T INCLUDE THE 1998 MODEL YEAR. WHY NOT? IT'S EVIDENT THAT THE DEFECT WAS PRESENT IN THAT YEAR ALSO. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WAS FLAT. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. *AK

WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS WERE DIM. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. CONSUMER FOUND THERE WERE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE HEADLIGHTS. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE BULB WITH HIGHER WALTAGE. THERE WAS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSAT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL. *AK

THE POWER WINDOWS ON MY 1998 VW JETTA III FAILED. I'VE EXPERIENCED THIS OCCASION 4 TIMES SINCE I'VE HAD MY CAR. CURRENTLY BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WINDOWS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING. THE POWERS WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN. I HAVE NOT HAD THEM REPAIRED SINCE ITS A VERY EXPENSIVE RAPAIR. I'VE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND IT SEEMS THAT A LOT OF 1998 VOLKSWAGON JETTA OWNERS EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEMS I HAVE. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE VOLKSWAGON DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE TYPE OF CAR I HAVE.*AK

WINDOW FAILURE, FALLS INTO DOOR. 1998 VW JETTA. LEAVING A FRIENDS HOME THE DRIVERS REAR WINDOW JUST DROPS INTO THE DOOR. UNABLE TO AFFORD REPAIR WINDOW STILL NON USABLE, WINDOW TIED OFF IN THE UP POSITION. I HAVE READ ITS DUE TO THE PLASTIC CLIPS. I DON'T KNOW BUT WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

WHILE DRIVING SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO PIN PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER DETERMINED THAT THE WIPER SWITCH INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN OUT SWITCH. *AK AN INDEPENDENT TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE SWITCH. *NM

DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 65MPH AND THE RIGHT REAR WINDOWED LOWERED ABRUPTLY AND WOULD NOT RAISE UP. 4 YEAR OLD SON IN CARSEAT WAS NEXT TO WINDOW. HAD TO PULL OFF ON BERM AND CALM HIM DOWN. WINDOW WOULD NOT LIFT UP. SUBSEQUENT VISIT TO DEALER THAT DAY RESULTED IN A CHARGE OF $500 TO REPLACE THE WINDOW REGULATOR. VW DEALER STATED THAT THEY SEE A LOT OF THESE FAILURES IN VW'S. *AK

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICL WHEN THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW FELL DOWN. APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS EARLIER REAR DRIVER'S WINDOW FELL DOWN.. THE WINDOWS WERE CURRENTLY TAPED UP.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE POWER RETURNED IN ABOUT 2-3 MINUTES. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER, AND THEY TOLD HER UNLESS THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST DISCOVERED AT THE DEALERSHIP, THEN THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. IT DID NOT HAPPEN AT THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE ONE HAD TO BE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER MAINTAINED THAT THIS WAS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IN MOVING TRAFFIC IF VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN IT COULD BE HIT FROM REAR. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A TREE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.

FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS WHILE DRIVING THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT FLICKERS ON AT VARIOUS TIMES. RETURNED TO REPAIR SHOP TWICE AND AS TOLD NO ERROR CODES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED BY THE CAR. THIS HAPPENS IN WET AND DRY WEATHER ALL DIFFERENT TIMES. WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED THE INDICATOR LIGHT ALWAYS DOES GO OFF. I AM THE SOLE DRIVER, ORIGINAL OWNER, ALWAYS SERVICED, NO MODIFICATIONS TO THE CAR, AND NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK

I HAVE ALREADY HAD 3 REGULATORS REPLACED, NOW I NEED ONE MORE REPLACED AND HAVE ANOTHER WINDOW REGULATOR ON IT'S WAY OUT. WINDOW STOPS OPERATING, YOUR LUCKY IF IT STOPS IN THE "UP" POSITION. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL JETTA'S FROM VARIOUS DEALERS / REPAIR FACILITIES.*AK

BATTERY EXPLODED WHILE STARTING THE ENGINE. HOOD DAMAGED, BATTERY ACID RELEASED. *AK

I OWN A 1998 VOLKSWAGON JETTA, WOLFSBURG EDITION. I'VE BEEN STRANDED A TOTAL OF 6 OR 7 TIMES (LOSING COUNT) ON THE INTERSTATE BY THIS VEHICLE. PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE OWNER LESS THAN A YEAR AGO AND HAVE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS MYSTERIOUS PROBLEMS EVER SINCE. I WORK FOR THE STATE OF INDIANA, COMMUNTE INTO INDIANAPOLIS 5 DAYS A WEEK, I AM AN INTERSTATE TRAVELER. I HAVE FORGIVEN MOST OF THE PROBLEMS THIS CAR HAS HAD, BUT RECENTLY HAVE REACHED THE LIMIT. JUST LAST WEEK I WAS ONCE AGAIN STRANDED ON THE INTERSTATE DURING RUSH HOUR AND MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING AND SMOKE BEGAN TO RISE FROM MY STEERING COLUMN. THIS SITUATION TERRIFIED ME. NOT ONLY DID I HAVE TO URGENTLY COAST TO THE SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE, BUT I WAS IN FEAR THAT THE CAR WOULD BE ON FIRE DUE TO SEEING THIS SMOKE. THE CAR WAS TOWED AND THE IGNITION COIL WAS REPLACED; ALTHOUGH THE SERVICE MAN DIDN'T THINK THAT WAS THE SOURCE OF THE SMOKE FROM MY STEERING COLUMN. I KNOW FROM READING OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT THE BAD IGNITION COIL IN THESE VEHICLES IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THERE ARE EXISTING RECALLS ON SOME VOLKSWAGON IGNITION COILS. THIS SEEMS UNJUST CONSIDERING THEY USED THE SAME IGNITION COIL IN THE 1998 THAT THEY DID IN OTHER VEHICLE YEARS. THIS REPAIR COST ME $400, WHICH IS JUST ICING ON THE CAKE FOR ME RIGHT NOW. NOW MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE SERVICEMAN WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL SAYS ALL IS CONNECTED AND HE THINKS THE SMOKE IN THE CAR WAS COMING FROM THE AIRBAG WIRING. HE SAID THERE'S NO WAY TO

WE HAVE A 98 JETTA AND IT HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRIC WINDOW MECHANISMS. VOLKSWAGEN IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT, HOWEVER THEY ONLY REPAIR THE DEFECT ON 99 AND NEWER MODELS. WHY? THE DEALER AGREES THAT IT IS THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. WE STARTED TO REPLACE THE MECHANISM OURSELVES, HOWEVER THE ONLY REPLACEMENT AVAILABLE WAS THE SAME DEFECTIVE MECHANISM. THE CABLE SAWS THROUGH PARTS WITHIN THE MECHANISM WHICH BINDS THE MOTOR CAUSING IT TO MAKE A GRINDING NOISE, OVERHEAT, BLOW FUSES, ETC. WE HAVE TO JUST LEAVE THE WINDOWS UP AND NOT USE THEM AT ALL. WE NOTICED AN IRREGULARITY WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE DEALER TOLD US THAT IT WAS A PROGRAMMABLE CONTROL AND WE WOULD HAVE TO LEARN TO USE IT. *LA

SWAY BAR WAS PUT IN UPSIDE DOWN, OBVIOUS DEFECT. *AK

WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION ON ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS DO NOT WORK. THE HEADLIGHTS DON'T COME, AND HEATER DOESN'T WORK. CONSUMER BELIEVES IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *AK *MR

THE E BRAKE LIGHT, AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAY ON ONCE THE CAR IS STARTED. TODAY THIS PROBLEM HAS INCLUDED THE HEATER FAN NOT WORKING, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON, AND THE WIPERS WILL NOT WORK. IF I LEAVE THE LIGHT SWITCH ON, AND LEAVE THE WIPER SWITCH ON, I HAVE FOUND I CAN PULL THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH, AND THE WIPERS COME ON.

THE IGNITION SWITCH IN MY CAR IS GETTING WORSE. THE FIRST TIME IT MALFUNCTIONED WAS ON A COLD AND SNOWY NIGHT. I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE LIGHTS WENT OUT, THE WIPERS STOPPED, THE DEFROSTER FAN STOPPED AND THE ABS LIGHT WENT ON. IT WAS A LITTLE UNSETTLING. THE VW DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS A BAD INGNITION SWITCH AND IT WOULD COST ABOUT $300.OO DOLLARS TO REPLACE. WHEN I ASKED THE PARTS DEPARTMENT IF THEY HAD THE SWITCH IN STOCK HE LAUGHED AND SAID "OH YEAH". I AM NOW DRIVING MY CAR ONLY IN THE DAYTIME WHILE I SAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE THE SWITCH. I HAVE OWNED OVER 30 CARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD AN IGNITION FAIL.*AK

THE LOCKING LUG NUTS END PIECES ON MY 98 JETTA BROKE OFF ON ROUTINE TIRE ROTATIONS. THE DEALER WAS INITIALLY UNABLE TO REMOVE THE LUGNUTS UNTIL HE REMOVED THE WHOLE WHEEL ASSY AND WELDED TOOLS ONTO THE LUGNUTS. I HAVE THE WELDED-ON TOOLS WITH THE LUGNUTS - TOTAL COST WAS 600.00. IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE TRAVELLING I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN TROUBLE TO JUST CHANGE A TIRE. WHY WAS THERE NO RECALL? THE DEALERS IN GERMANY SAID THEY RECALLED THE GERMAN MODELS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *AK

MY 98 JETTA TDI ENGINE BLEW APPROXIMATELY 11,000 PAST ITS WARRANTY. THIS WOULD BE THE EQUIVENT OF 5 MONTHS DRIVING AT THE RATES I DRIVE PER YEAR. THE DEALERSHIP (AV NISSAN/VW) TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIND WHAT CAUSED IT AND THAT IT WOULD REQUIRE A REPLACEMENT ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD VW OF AMERICA, A DIFFERENT STORY THEN EITHER HAD BEEN RELATED TO ME (THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN WITH WARNINGLIGHTS ON & WITH DAMAGE). UNFORTUNATELY WHEN TALKING TO VW OF A. THEY RELATED THE STORY BACK TO A NON-EXISTENT EMPLOYEE OF THE DEALERSHIP. I PAID FOR THE TROUBLESHOOTING AND TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL SERVICE CENTER (TED'S SERVICE AND REPAIR) THAT SPECIALIZES IN GERMAN VEHICLES. HE NOTED THAT THE VALVE SEAT DROPPED INTO THE CYLINDER, WHICH CAUSED THE VALVE TO BREAK IN THE CYLINDER DOING MASSIVE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. HE NOTED THAT WHEN SEATS DROP THEY ARE TYPICALLY DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECT. VW REFUSED TO COVER ANY DAMAGES DUE TO THE RECENTLY EXPIRED WARRANTY. HELP!

THIS CAR HAS BEEN A PAIN IN THE A-- ALMOST SINCE PURCHASE. THE MOST SERIOUS PROBLEMS HAVE INVOLVED WHAT SEEMS TO BE DEFECTIVE WIRING WITH RESPECT TO THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS. THESE HAVE BEEN REPAIRED 3 TIMES SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENCE CITED ABOVE,TO THE TUNE OF $250, THE LAST TIME BEING 6 MONTHS AGO. NOW I AM TOLD THAT IT NEEDS A NEW MOTOR ASSEMBLY TO THE TUNE OF $650 PARTS AND LABOR! OTHER ASSORTED DOOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. OTHER PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN: DOOR MOLDINGS FALLING OFF (THIS MUST BE AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH '98 JETTAS, BECAUSE I'VE NOTICED THAT MOST OF THOSE THAT I SEE ON THE ROAD HAVE MISSING MOLDINGS). BOTH FRONT TIRES BLEW OUT WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF EACH OTHER AFTER AN INAPPROPIATELY SHORT USAGE. MUCH LOWER GAS MILEAGE THAT ORIGINALLY PROMISED. MOST OF THESE PROBLEMS STARTED WELL WITHIN WARRANTY.

MY 1998 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) JETTA HAS AN IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. WHEN DRIVING, IT FALLS BACK, TURNING OFF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (INCLUDING LIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS). VW HAS IDENTIFIED THIS AS A PROBLEM IN THE 1996 AND 1997 JETTAS (AND SENT OUT A RECALL ON THE PART) BUT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IT AS A PROBLEM FOR THE 1998 MODELS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A VW SERVICE PERSON THAT THE 1998 MODELS USE THE SAME IGNITION SWITCH AS THE 1996/1997'S. VW REPRESENTATIVES CLAIM THAT THEY DO NOT SEE A PROBLEM WITH THE 1998'S. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY VW. *LA