1998 Volkswagen Jetta complaints

REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIRS THAT WERE PERFORMED ON A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA.*MR THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WOULD ONLY REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER $380.00 DOLLARS. THE CONSUMER STATED A REPRESENTATIVE STATED THE ENTIRE AMOUNT WOULD BE REFUNDED FOR THE GAS TANK AND THE REPLACEMENT TIRE. THE CONSUMER TRAVELING 70 MPH WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. (FATHER NATHAN DOWNEY ON BEHALF OF HIS DAUGHTER MAURA DOWNEY WHO OWNS THE VEHICLE) *JB

IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. WITH THE CAR RUNNING, THERE HAVE BEEN OCCASIONS WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE TURNED OFF, AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAVE SEEN APPROXIMATELY 5 POSTINGS ON DIFFERENT MESSAGE BOARDS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *LA

WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED, CAUSING DRIVER TO HAVE POOR VISIBILITY. IT WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT.*AK

LEAKING COOLANT FROM THE COOLANT OVERFLOW BOTTLE MIGRATED UP THE ELECTRICAL LOW INDICATOR SENSOR WIRES, CAUSING DAMAGE THE RELAY CONTROL BOARD AND ALARM SENSOR MODULE. THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN TO VOLKSWAGEN AS A "COOLANT MIGRATION" PROBLEM. *JB

STOP BRAKE LIGHT TOO DIM ON VW JETTA 1999 OLD BODY STYLE. I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD WITH A SAFE DISTANCE TO THE CAR INFRONT OF ME ( A JETTA 1999 OLD BODY STYLE) ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STOPPED AND I NEVER SAW ITS TAIL LIGHTS TURN ON. CONSEQUENTLY I REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF MY VEHICLE. INTERESTINGLY THE DRIVER IN THE CAR INFRONT OF ME TOLD ME THAT EVER SINCE HE HAD PURCHASED THIS CARD (ABOUT 2 YRS AGO) HE HAS BEEN REAR ENDED 3 TIMES BEFORE. TODAY I WAS DRIVING DOWN AND I NEARLY REAR ENDED ANOTHER JETTA OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. I WAS OBEYING ALL TRAFFIC LAWS AND MAINTAINING A VERY SAFE DRIVING DISTANCE TO THE VEHICLE INFRONT OF ME. I MY SELF OWN THE SAME JETTA AND SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE HEARD COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER DRIVERS THAT MY TAIL LIGHTS ARE TOO DIM AND THEY NEARLY REAR ENDED ME. I WILL REALLY APPRECIATE IF THE OFFICE CAN INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. THIS WILL SAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM GETTING INJURED. THANK YOU JUNAID . *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING RIGHT REAR WHEEL LUGS:NUTS CAME OFF, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL. DEALER STATED THAT WHEEL BEARING WENT BAD. *AK

ALL 4 OF MY ELECTRIC WINDOWS HAVE FAILED, 3 OF THEM FALL DOWN AND 1 WILL NOT MOVE.*AK

IGNITION COIL PROBLEM .DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE WINDOW WENT UP AND DOWN INTERMITTENTLY AND MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. *TT

98 VW JETTA TDI. THE ODOMETER, SPEEDOMETER AND CRUISE CONTROL INTERMITTENTLY QUIT WORKING WHILE DRIVING. SOMETIMES THEY COME BACK ON WITHIN A MILE, SOMETIMES UP TO TEN MILES. HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY 150 MILES. VEHICLE HAS 111,500 MILES. *TT

THE SUSPENSION STRUT SYSTEM FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER REDESIGNED THE SUSPENSION STRUT BUT THE CONSUMER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS CHANGE. *NLM

BOTH REAR WINDOWS FAILED. WINDOW FALLS ON IT'S OWN AND DOES NOT COME BACK UP USING THE POWER CONTROLS. *NLM

DOOR MOLDING HAS FALLEN OFF. *NLM

THE VEHICLES IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND CAUSED THE HEADLIGHT TO SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON A DARK COUNTRY ROAD. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM

I WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT WHEN I HEARD A CRASH AND MY CAR STOPPED MOVING. THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE HAD FALLEN OFF. *JB

TWO OF THE WINDOWS ON MY 98 JETTA HAVE GONE OUT. MANY OF MY FRIENDS WHO ALSO DRIVE JETTA'S HAD THEIR WINDOWS GO OUT ALSO. *JB

THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED, WHICH CAUSED LIMITED VISIBILITY.*JB

FAILURE OF DOOR WIRING HARNESS. DOES NOT ALLOW ME TO DRIVE THE CAR - THE ENGIN WILL NOT ENGAGE DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC FAILURE OF THE DOOR WIRING HARNESS. THERE SHOULD BE SOME WAY TO OVERRIDE THE ELECTRONIC FAILURE SO THAT I CAN DRIVE IT.

PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW MOTOR FAILED AT 20,000 MILES AND JUST RECENTLY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR FAILED BY CABLE IN MOTOR SNAPPING

I OWN A 1998 VOLKWAGEN JETTA GL. THE CAR BATTERY EXPLODED WHILE IN OPERATION. I HAVE DIGITAL PHOTOS OF THE BATTERY IF REQUESTED. IT DIDN'T SEEM NORMAL AND SO I FIGURED I'D FILE A REPORT.

1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VR6 HAS HAD SECOND IGNITION COILPACK FAIL, CREATING A DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION AND RENDERING THE CAR INOPERABLE. CAR CURRENTLY HAS 58,000 ON JAN. 13TH., 2003 AND REQUIRED IGNITION COILPACK REPLACEMENT. IGNITION COILPACK WAS ALSO REPLACED ON 06/26/2000 WHEN VEHICLE HAD 34,119 MILES. VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE MANAGER AGREES THAT THIS FAILED PREMATURELY, BUT CUSTOMER COMPLAINT CENTER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM EXISTS. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL AND SPUTTER IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, THUS CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MY FAMILY AND SURROUNDING VEHICLES.

THE FRONT DISK BRAKE ROTORS WERE UNDERSIZED IN DIAMETER. THIS ALLOWED THE DISC BRAKE PADS TO WEAR IN A MANNER THAT ALLOWED THE PADS TO CONTACT OUTSIDE OF THE ROTOR AND RESULT IN REDUCED PRESSURE ON THE ROTOR. PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE PROBLEM ARE AVAILABLE. BRAKE FADING AND LOSS OF BREAKS FROM OVERHEATING ON MOUNTAIN ROADS THEN OCCURRED. THE CAR MODEL IS A VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI MODEL YEAR 1998. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT USED BUT IT WOULD BE UNLIKELY THAT THE DISK ROTORS WOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH LESS THAN 80000 MILES.

NO SUMMARY. DT

THE ABS INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON AND THEN IT WENT OFF AGAIN BEFORE I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE IT IN FOR A CHECK. THIS HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER 2001. THEN RECENTLY THE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS, SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO BE CHECKED. THEY SAID THAT IT NEEDED AN ABS HYDRAULIC PUMP. ALTHOUGH MY BRAKES WORK FINE, APPARENTLY MY ABS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. THE CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION UNTIL I CARE FOR THIS MATTER, BUT AT MORE THAN $1100.00. I WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL INSPECTION TO CARE FOR THIS ITEM. I JUST THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT THIS TO NHTSA WHILE I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY. DT

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR SEAT BELT UNLATCHES IT SELF. TS

BATTERY ACID LEAKED ON RESERVOIR CAUSING RESERVOIR TO LEAK FLUID, WHICH COULD CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING.DEALER CONTACTED.*AK

THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN REAR LEFT SEAT BELT, CANNOT INSTALL ANY CHILD SEAT. CHILD TECHNICAN UNABLE TO INSTALL SEAT. *AK.

AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR FAILED WITH ONLY 45000, I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF JETTA OWNERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME DEFECT. THE COST ESTIMATED AT VOLKSWAGEN WAS 1600 DOLLARS. *AK

FRONT RIGHT SIDE DOOR MOLDING FELL OFF AT 30000 AND AGAIN AT 36000. THE OTHER THREE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF FALLING OFF OR HAVE FALLEN OFF OF THE OTHER DOORS. CAR HAS 60000, AND THE DEALER SAYS IT IS A PROBLEM BUT CORPORATE VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT.*AK

WINDOW REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED SIX TIMES, BUT THE REMEDY IS NOT WORKING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

TOTAL OF $1300 SPENT ON 3 WINDOWS NOW.*AK

IN OCTOBER OF 2001 OUR ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN OUR 1998 JETTA VOLKSWAGEN DIESEL. WE IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT INTO SRP AUTOMOTIVE IN BATAVIA, WI, A CERTIFIED VOLKSWAGEN MECHANIC. OVER $2,000 AND 4 MONTHS LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT STILL CAME ON AND NOW THE CAR HAD NO PICKUP. IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT 7 MILES TO REACH 60 MPH. I PICKED IT UP AND TOOK IT TO MOTORVILLE IN SHEBOYGAN, WI, AROUND THE BEGINNING OF MARCH. THEY ARE A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER, SERVICE AND REPAIR BUSINESS. I EXPLAINED TO THE MECHANIC WHERE WE HAD IT AND GAVE HIM HIS NAME AND NUMBER IF HE HAD ANY QUESTIONS ON WHAT HE HAD ALREADY TRIED. HE SPOKE TO STEVE AT SRP AND OBTAINED ALL PERTINENT INFORMATION. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS THEY HAD IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM THAT IT WAS CARBON BUILDUP UNDER THE HEADS, A $696.31 FIX. WARREN THE MECHANIC AT MOTORVILLE ALSO STATED TO MY HUSBAND THAT HE THOUGHT, VALVE SEALS DIDN'T QUITE FIT RIGHT BUT THAT WAS WHAT VOLKSWAGENS PART NUMBER GAVE THEM AND THEY SHOULD BE FINE, BRING IT BACK IN IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. *AK

VOLKSWAGENH OF AMERICA HAS NOT BEEN SUPPORTIVE OR HELPFUL IN RESOLVING THESE COMPLAINTS NOR HAVE THE VOLKSWAGEN TECHNICIANS BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSIS THE TRUE PROBLEM; THEY JUST FIX THE PROBLEM "SYMPTOMS". NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING IN DRY CONDITIONS, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT DAMAGING THE RIGHT FENDER (NO TIRE INFORMATION MENTIONED), OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *TT

WHILE DRIVING, SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *TT

WHILE BACKING UP THERE WAS A CLUNKING SOUND AND TRANSMISSION POPPED OUT OF REVERSE. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION LINKAGE.*AK

VOLUME UNCONTROLLABLE; VOLUME BLASTS OR REDUCES AT WILL; SEVERE AUDIBLE SHOCK. NLM

THREE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES WERE REPLACED BETWEEN 40,000 - 70,000 MILES. AT 80,000 MILES, THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. DEALER NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK *JG

A FIRE STARTED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

MY LIGHTS, WIPERS AND HEAT WOULDN'T WORK, DISCOVERED IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. CONTACTED VW, AND DEALER, THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME TOO MUCH TO FIX IT. I KNOW 3 OTHER PEOPLE WITH JETTAS THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY VW IS INSTALLING DEFECTIVE IGNITIONS. MY EMERGENCY BRAKE WASN'T RELEASING, TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT I HAD A TORN BRAKE CABLE BOOT THAT WAS ALLOWING MOISTURE TO GET IN AND FREEZE MY CABLE. THE 2 YR/24,000 MILE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED GOING ON AND OFF, WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, IT TOOK THEM 3 TIMES TO FIGURE OUT IT'S THE REAR OXYGEN SENSOR. THIS IS THE FIRST BRAND NEW CAR I HAVE EVER PURCHASED AND I HAVE HAD MORE THINGS WRONG WITH IT THAN I EVER HAD WITH PREVIOUSLY OWNED VEHICLES.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 60 TO 65 MPH HOOD FLEW UP AND BROKE WINDSHIELD. IT BROKE ONE SIDE OF HOOD CONNECTION WHERE HOOD IS ATTACHED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WILL LOOK AT VEHICLE AND GET BACK WITH CONSUMER. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK

VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO RECALL WINDOW PARTS ON ALL 1998 JETTAS - EVEN SERVICE TECH AGREES. *AK

POWER WINDOWS FAIL TO OPERATE. FRONT DRIVER WINDOW IS MAKING NOISES LEADING ME TO BELIEVE IT TOO WILL FAIL SOON. FIRST WINDOW WAS REPAIRED BY DEALER UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. *AK

BODY TRIM HAS FALLEN OFF OF LEFT SIDE DOORS. I THINK THE PROBLEM MAY BE HEAT RELATED, AND EXASERBATED BY THE CAR BEING BLACK. HOWEVER , I KEEP THE CAR IN MY GARAGE. *AK

VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR OVER FOUR HOURS WHEN IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, WHICH DETERMINED THAT BRAKE LIGHTS HOUSED WITHIN TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY SHORTED OUT, MELTING WIRE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, WHICH SENT OUT A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

THE BRAKE LIGHTS SPONTANEOUSLY IGNITED WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN AN APARTMENT PARKING LOT.*AK

ENGINE LOST POWER WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS HIGH (GREATER THAN 95 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT). ON THE FIRST OCCURRENCE (JULY 30, 1999, IN DES PLAINES, IL) THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A VW DEALER IN MT. PROSPECT, IL, WHERE THEY DETECTED A FAULTY AIR-GAS RATIO AND SAID. *AK

MY MOTHER TOOK HER 1998'JETTA TO THE DOVER VW DEALERSHIP FOR THE LAST WARRANTY SERVICE AT 24,000 MILES. AS SHE WAS LEAVING (GETTING INTO HER CAR) THEY SAID THEY WERE ORDERING 4-NEW TIRES FOR HER (I GUESS THEY FORGOT ABOUT THE FULL SIZE SPARE IN THE TRUNK) THEY TOLD HER THAT GOOD YEAR (NOT VW WAS DOING A RECALL ON THESE TIRES) AND TO ALLOW 3 MONTHS, YES 3 MONTHS FOR THE NEW ONES. THEY TOLD HER THEY WERE NOT WEARING CORRECTLY, BUT HTERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE DANGER - THEY WERE OK TO DRIVE, AND THEY WOULD BE COVERED AT 100 %. NOW WE ARE BOTH VW OWNERS, WE BOTH RECEIVED SEPERATE LETTERS FROM VW, REMINDING OWNERS TO CHECK THE AIR PRESSURE IN THERI TIRES, AND MAINTAIN THEM CORRECTLY - BUT NO MENTION, THAT IF YOU HAD GOOD YEAR TIRES ON YOUR VW, FOR MODEL YEARS, X,Y,Z, THAT YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR DEALERSHIP. I THINK IT HORRIBLE THAT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIPS (HIT OR MISS) IF A CUSTOMER HAPPENS IN, AND THEY HAVE THE DEFECTIVE TIRES, THAT AT THAT POINT, THEY SAY, WELL VW ISN;T DOING THE RECALL, GOOD YEAR IS, AND VW DOES'NT KNOW WHAT CARS HAVE GOOD YEARS, OR CONTINENTAL, OR WHAT EVER. SEEMS THAT IF VW (AND I DON'T MEAN THE MAINTENANCE REMINDER LETTERS THE LOCAL DEALER SEND OUT TO SERVICE YOUR CAR) THAT IF THEY WERE GOING TO REMIND FOLKS THAT THEY SHOULD MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES, THAT CERTAINLY THEY WOULD BE AWARE OF GOOD YEARS TIRE PROBLEMS (RECALL) AND COULD'VE ADDED VERBIAGE TO SAY, IF YOU HAVE THESE TIRES, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR DEALERSHIP, OF GOOD YEAR. VW DID A HALF WAY JOB HEAR IN MY OPINION. I

ELECTRICAL HARNESS IN THE LEFT REAR DOOR THAT CONTROLS THE POWER WINDOW WAS CUT BY THE DOOR CLOSING. THIS CAUSED A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND FAILURE OF THE POWER WINDOW CONTROL. *AK

POWER WINDOWS GO ALL THE WAY UP THEN COME BACK DOWN, ALL WINDOWS DO THIS INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN LEFT REAR WINDOW IS ROLLED DOWN BY BUTTON ON DOOR OR ON THE FRONT CONTROL PANEL IT ACTIVATES THE FACTORY ALARM AND LOCKS ALL DOORS (IT DOES NOT SOUND) YOU HAVE TO STOP, ROLL DOWN DRIVERS WINDOW, TURN OFF ENGINE AND REACH OUTSIDE AND MANUALY DISALARM CAR. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH VOLKSWAGEN THEY WANTED A DIAGNOSTIC WICH I PAYED $80 FOR FROM STEVENS CREEK VW, I HAVE TO SEND THIS IN AND THEY WILL TELL ME IF THEY CAN HELP ME OR IF I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS RELATED TO THIS IN ALL STATES, HAVE YOU HEARD OF THIS AND IF VW DOES NOT HELP ME IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO? THANK YOU