1999 Volkswagen Jetta

Defect. The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

Risk. A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy. Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND CRUISE CONTROLS, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING SAFETY RECALLS 03V-265 OR 04V-096.

Risk. THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2006. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION.

Risk. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

Remedy. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY 06V-183. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD A REMEDY PERFORMED UNDER THIS RECALL SHOULD RETURN TO THEIR DEALER FOR THE REDESIGNED REMEDY. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

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.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE HEAD INJURY CRITERION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THE UPPER RETAINER CLIP NEAR THE BP1 IMPACT LOCATION IS DESIGNED TO BREAK WHEN IMPACTED BY THE HEAD FORM. IN SOME CASES, THE MATERIAL OF THE TRIM PART MAY BE MORE IMPACT RESISTANT AS A RESULT OF VARIATIONS IN THE MOLDING PROCESS.

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT THE CLIP FROM BREAKING ON IMPACT AND RESULT IN LESS DEFORMATION IN THE IMPACTED AREA AND A HIGHER DECLERATION OF THE HEAD FORM, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE TRIM COVER FROM EACH OF THE B PILLARS AND INSTALL A NEW COVER.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOUND ABSORBING MAT ATTACHED TO THE INSIDE OF THE B-PILLAR SIDE TRIM PANEL COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. SURFACE AND EDGES OF THE MAT COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS. IT COULD IGNITE WHEN EXPOSED TO THE EXHAUST GAS OF THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER IGNITER IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE FRONT OR SIDE COLLISION.

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE MATTING MATERIALS FROM INSIDE THE B-PILLAR ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE.

WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY RECALLS ON MY JETTA. I CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I TOOK IT TO 4 REPAIR SHOP AND NO ONE COULD FIND WHATS WRONG WITH IT. I'VE PAID OVER 1200 ON OTHER REPAIRS. WHAT CAN I DO . *TR THANKS CHRISTINA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, SMOKE BEGAN TO FILL THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND SAW THAT SMOKE WAS BELLOWING FROM BENEATH THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SMOKE DISAPPEARED AFTER SOME TIME. THE CONTACT THEN ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE RESULTS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,144.

THE VW VEHICLE IS PROGRAMMED TO CRIPPLE THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND SPEED IN CASE OF AN EPC FAULT. ANY FAULT CAUSING A RICH OR LEAN CONDITION WILL CAUSE THIS "LIMP MODE". THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY PEOPLE ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65-75MPH AND A 80,000 POUND TRACTOR TRAILER BEHIND THEM AS ONE PERSON EXPERIENCED. THERE ARE TOO MANY NON-VITAL COMPONENT FAILURES TO LIST THAT CAN CAUSE THIS FAULT. I REFER TO NON-VITAL MEANING THE COMPONENT FAILURE WILL NOT HARM THE DRIVER OF THE CAR. THE FAULT LIGHT INDICATION ISN'T ENOUGH? NOW THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO FORCE YOU INTO A REPAIR SHOP AND BUY MORE VW PARTS. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A MONEY MAKING SCAM ENDANGERING OUR LIVES. WE DO NOT PUT A HALT ON THIS NOW- SOON ANY FAULT WILL CRIPPLE OUR CARS. IT'S NOT JUST VW (HYUNDAI DID A SIMILAR "LIMP MODE"). *TR

THE MIDDLE REAR SEATBELT LOCKS UP AND WILL NOT RELEASE. THE SEATBELT LOCKING MECHANISM IS LOCATED IN THE SEAT IN AN INACCESSIBLE LOCATION AND IS ALSO NOT AVAILABLE TO RELEASE THE SEATBELT. *TR

1999.5 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS VR6, ALWAYS GETTING DTC CODES OF P1117, P0140, P1198, P1472, P1435, P0102, P0343, P1421.. THAT ALWAYS SAYS ABOUT OPEN OR SHORT CIRCUIT CONDITIONS AND POOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS, AND SHORT TO GROUNDS FOR ELECTRICAL, WHICH IS ALL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, IF YOU SEARCH ONLINE THEM CODES YOU WILL SEE NUMEROUS PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS, AND AS WELL AS ALOT OF US HAVE TO BUY THE PARTS THAT IS LISTED AND PROBLEMS STILL AREN'T FIXED, WHICH TELLS US ITS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE, NOT ISSUES WITH THE PARTS, WHICH CAUSES OUR #43 FUSE BLOW ALOT, AND ALOT OF HESITATION AND STALLING, I CANT EVEN TURN AROUND A CORNER OR TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT STALLING, PLEASE FIX THESE PROBLEMS, ITS HAPPENING TO WAY TO MANY OF US AND IT IS ALSO AN SAFETY ISSUE. *TT

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY JETTA TAKES LONG TO SHIFT ## VIN PASSED ## VOLKSWAGEN,JETTA,1999 ## *KB

1999 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, REAR MIDDLE PASSENGER SEAT BELT HAS BECOME TIGHTENED TO THE POINT THAT IT WON'T RELEASE. IT SEEMS THAT EACH TIME THE SEAT BACK WAS LOWERED TO INCREASE THE CARGO AREA OF THE TRUNK, THE BELT TIGHTENS MORE. *TR

IN MY 99.5 VW JETTA GLS THE MIDDLE REAR SEAT BELT HAS TIGHTENED AND WILL NOT RELEASE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND HAVE HAD THEM WORK ON IT AND NORMALLY THEY CAN GET IT TO RELEASE. HOWEVER ONCE IT IS RELEASED, IT CAN'T BE USED B/C THE NEXT TIME I GO TO USE THE SEAT BELT AND PULL IT OUT IT LOCKS AGAIN. THE SEAT CAN'T BE USED. IT HAS ALSO MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO LAY DOWN THE BACK SEATS, OR ONCE I LAY IT FLAT THE SEAT CAN'T BE RETURNED TO THE UP RIGHT POSITION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER IT RAINED, EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT SPECIFY WHERE THE LEAK WAS LOCATED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT IT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DISCUSS THE FAILURE WITH HIM DUE TO A PENDING LAWSUIT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 113,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

WHILE DRIVING ON RT. 495 NEAR EXIT 19, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND I FELT MY SPEED CONTINUE TO INCREASE. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND MY SPEED CONTINUED TO INCREASE. I DOWNSHIFTED AND WHEN I LET THE CLUTCH OUT WE REALLY TOOK OFF. DEPRESSING THE BRAKE HAD NO EFFECT. WITH THE CLUTCH DEPRESSED, MANAGED TO PULL ON TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. AS I REACHED FOR THE KEY, THE ENGINE SHUDDERED AND DIED. I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THE RESULT OF THIS INCIDENT WAS THAT THE ENGINE SELF-DESTRUCTED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO TROUBLE CODES IN THE ECM AND THE TPS SHOWED NO DEFECTS WHEN TESTED. *TR

BRAKE LAMPS WERE OPERATING CORRECTLY ON 11/22/2009 AND ON 11/23/2009 THEY CEASED WORKING. CHECKED WITH NHTSA TO SEE IF OPEN RECALL WAS OPEN NONE BUT WANTED TO MAKE KNOWN THE ISSUE SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN TWO RECALLS IN THE PASS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

VW WINDOW FELL OFF TRACK IN TO BOTTOM OF THE DOOR. *TR

RECENTLY MY 1999 VW JETTA PASSENGER'S SEAT BACK CAUGHT FIRE, BURNING FROM INSIDER THE SEAT BACK, THE SEAT AND MY HUSBAND'S WINTER COAT (I HAVE PICTURES I CAN SEND) WHILE WE WERE DRIVING IN A SNOW STORM DOWN I-93. THE VW DEALERS I WENT TO SEE, LET ALONE MY CALL TO VW NORTH AMERICA, WERE ASKED TO PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT SEAT, TO CHECK THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS, ETC. THE RESPONSE WAS ALMOST UNIFORM AS TO NOTHING THEY COULD DO, NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE, NOT WITHIN WARRANTY, ETC. NOW MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS ASKING FOR $500 DEDUCTIBLE FOR ME TO PAY FOR THIS REPLACEMENT! MY INSURANCE GUY AND THE HEAD OF SERVICE AT WELLESLEY VW BOTH SAID IN ALL THEIR YEARS, THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING THIS BAD. BUT WHAT REALLY GETS MY GOAT IS THAT THE FIRE WAS A SERIOUS, LIFE-THREATENING HAZARD; THERE ARE MANY CASES THE INTERNET OF JETTAS' SEATS CATCHING FIRE ' BUT NOT ONE RECALL LIKE THEY DID WITH THE PASSAT A FEW YEARS BACK. I HAVE OWNED VWS SINCE 1987 WHEN I GOT MY LICENSE; MY PARENTS SINCE 1953. I CONSIDER MYSELF BRAND-LOYAL BUT AM NOW BAFFLED AS TO THEIR UNIFORM, UNHELPFUL RESPONSES. I NEED SOME GUIDANCE, LET ALONE HELP TO HAVE THEM FIX THIS PROBLEM. SOMEONE MIGHT HAVE BEEN KILLED HAD THE SEAT FULLY CAUGHT FIRE OR MY HUSBAND WAS WEARING SOMETHING OTHER THAN LEATHER THAT TAKES LONGER TO SMOLDER THAN, LET'S SAY, FLEECE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS THEIR "LIABILITY", AND THEY SHOULD MAKE GOOD ON CORRECTING THE SITUATION. *TR

COOLANT SYSTEM EXTERNAL LEAK WAS FIXED, HOSES REPLACED AND CONNECTOR THAT ATTACHES TO ENGINE WAS REPLACED ALSO. LEAK COMES BACK , REPLACED ANOTHER HOSE., THEN THE WORSE STARTS, THE HEATER CORE STARTED LEAKING AND THE CAR STARTED TO SMELL LIKE ANTIFREEZE. GOT HEATER CORE REPLACED, BUT THE INSIDE OF THE CAR SMELLS HORRIBLE,.EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY 1999 JETTA, I GET THIS METALLIC TASTE IN MY MOUTH AND THROAT. THE STUFF IS DEFINITELY TOXIC, AND THE AF CONTAINER READS POISONOUS. BECOMES A TORTURE TO DRIVE MY JETTA I HATE THE METALLIC TASTE IN MY MOUTH. THE DESIGN OFF SOME OF THE HEATING SYSTEM INCLUDES PLASTIC COMPONENTS THAT MAY NOT TAKE THE HEAT WELL SPECIALLY AT THE POINT OF CONTACT WITH THE ENGINE. DID SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND FOUND SIMILAR CASES WITH INTERNAL ANTIFREEZE LEAKS ON VW JETTAS. THIS FUMES CAN REALLY RUIN YOUR DRIVING EXPERIENCE NOT TO MENTION THE POSSIBLE DETRIMENT ON YOUR HEALTH DUE TO BREATHING IN A CONTAMINATED ATMOSPHERE THANKS FOR LOOKING INTO THIS COMPLAINT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT HAS HEATED SEATS IN HIS VEHICLE. THE HEATING ELEMENTS IN THE SEATS BECAME SO HOT THAT THEY BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT TO HIS JACKET. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE HAD TOO MANY MILES ON IT FOR THEM TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

IN OUR 1999 JETTA, OUR PASSENGER SEAT WARMER CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND BURNED THROUGH MY HUSBAND'S JACKET. I REPORTED TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA AND THEY SAID AS IT WAS AN OLD CAR AND THERE WAS NEVER A RECALL, THEY CAN'T HELP ME. I READ ON MANY INTERNET SITES THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED VWS SINCE 1986, CONSIDER MYSELF BRAND-LOYAL BUT NOW VERY UPSET. WE COULD HAVE HAD A MAJOR FIRE AND NO ONE IS CARING ABOUT THIS AS THE CAR IS 10 YEARS OLD. *TR

WINDOW REGULATOR GOING BAD. RESEARCHED YOUR SITE AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. JUST PURCHASED CAR USED AND WAS UNAWARE OF PROBLEM AND OF COURSE IT IS TOO LATE FOR ANY EXTENDED WARRANTIES. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE RECONCILED REGARDLESS OF TIMEFRAME. *TR

TOOK MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MY AIRBAG LIGHT CHECKED, THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD CLEAR IT. IT WAS CLEARED, THEN POPPED UP AGAIN AND HAS SINCE THEN STAYED ON. *TR

LEAK IN COOLING SYSTEM CAUSING MIGRATION TO WATER PUMP, HEATER CORE, AND ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. HAVING TO REPLACE ALL 3. CAR STALLS AT RANDOM TIMES IN BUSY TRAFFIC, POSING POTENTIAL ACCIDENT PROBLEM. CAUSED TOXIC FUMES TO COME THROUGH HEAT VENTS IN CAR. *TR

THE BLINKER ON MY CAR IS FAILING. IT IS IN THE UNIT ON THE STEERING COLUMN. AFTER TURNING A CORNER IT WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF. WHEN DRIVING IT WILL DROP DOWN AND COME ON SOMETIMES. IT SOMETIMES DOES NOT WANT TO COME ON AND I HAVE TO PUSH IT HARD. THE VEHICLE IS A 1999.5 VW JETTA. I HAVE READ ON THE FORUMS ALSO THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX. *TR