Page 4 of 7 · complaints 151–200 of 349

1999 Volkswagen Jetta complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1999 record →

SuspensionCrash2 injured
Filed Aug 28, 2002LA

WE HIT A LIGHT POLL AND A TELEPHONE POLL. WE HIT THE LIGHT POLL FRONT AND CENTER AND THE TELEPHONE POLL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT. WE HIT BOTH GOING 40 MILES PER HOUR AND THE DAMAGE WAS SO SEVER THAT THE CAR WAS WRAPPED AROUND THE POLLS, ENOUGH TO BREAK THOUGH THE SUB-FRAME, TEAR OFF THE AXEL OF THE DRIVERS FRONT, AND PUSH ENGINE UPWARDS BREAKING THE ENGINE MOUNTS. THE DAMAGE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTINUES TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR CAUSING IT TO BE VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE DOOR SO THE INJURED CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE CAR. THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE DO NOT EXPLODE; RATHER IT IS MISSHAPED THE RIM, THE WHEEL WELL, AND THE TIRE IT SELF. NONE OF THE FOUR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. WHY? IF SOMEONE NEEDS TO SEE THE PICTURES OR WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE PICTURES, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I WILL GLADLY E-MAIL PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! JESSICA A. RIGAUD. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Aug 26, 2002IL

I HAVE A 1999 JETTA. THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND BASED ON THE VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER TEAM, MY CAR (BASED ON THE VIN #) DOES NOT FALL IN THE ONES THAT THEY RECALLED WITH THE SAFETY ALERTS ISSUED BY THE EPA AND THE VOLKSWAGEN COMPANY. I BELIEVED THAT THEY MOST RE-CONSIDERED THE WAY THAT THEY SELECTED THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. SINCE I KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAS BEEN DEALING WITH THE SAME OXYGEN SENSOR PROBLEM, AND THEIR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER DOES NOT FALL IN THE ONES THAT THE COMPANY HAS IDENTIFIED FOR THE RECALLED.*AK

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Aug 21, 2002MA

WITH KEY IN IGNITION CONSUMER STEPPED OUT OF CAR AND DOOR AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED.*AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Aug 20, 2002DC

I HEARD A SNAPPING NOISE WHEN I RAISED WINDOW. WHEN I TRIED TO LOWER THE WINDOWS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WINDOW FELL IN BETWEEN THE DOOR & PANEL. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS PART IS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER AND I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET ONE FOR SIX WEEKS.*AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Aug 13, 2002WI

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM B- PILLER. AFT VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AND INSPECTED BYDEALER IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT RELAY DID NOT TRIP, CAUSING WIRING HARNESS TO CATCH ON FIRE. AFTER INVESTIGATION THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK.

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Aug 9, 2002NC

WHILE DRIVING, I WENT TO CRACK OPEN MY DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW. THE ENTIRE WINDOW DROPPED INTO THE DOOR AND BROKE INSIDE THE DOOR. IT HAPPENED VERY FAST AND MADE A FAIRLY LOUD NOISE. WHEN I CALLED MY VW DEALER, THEY SAID THAT THIS IS HAPPENING DUE TO PLASTIC WINDOW CLIPS EXPANDING AND BREAKING WITH EXCESSIVE HEAT. I LIVE IN THE SOUTH AND IT'S BEEN VERY HOT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A BACKORDER FOR THE REPLACEMENT PARTS (NOW WITH ALUMINUM WIINDOW CLIPS), BUT THAT I COULD BRING MY CAR IN AND THEY WOULD PUT IT IN THE VW "CUE." I DID SO THIS MORNING. THERE WERE 8-10 VWS WITH BROKEN WINDOWS JUST IN FRONT OF MY CAR, WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS ONLY AT ONE OF TWO LOCAL DEALERS, AND THEY BOTH HAVE AS HIGH OF A VOLUME/BACKORDER. I AM UPSET THAT THEY WON'T PROACTIVELY REPLACE OTHER WINDOWS WITH THE PLASTIC CLIPS. THEY REPORT THAT THE WINDOWS HAVE TO BREAK BEFORE THEY'LL PAY FOR THEM. I AM TOLD THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL COVER THE COST OF REPLACEMENT, BUT HAVE NO CONFIRMATIN OF THIS YET. VW SHOULD DO A NATIONAL RECALL AND FIX ALL THESE WINDOWS FOR FREE. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER VW, AND I'M HEARING MANY PEOPLE SAY THIS. THIS IS NOT MY FIRST PROTOTPYE (HAPPENING ACROSS VWS) PROBLEM SINCE THE 3.3 YEARS I'VE OWNED THE CAR. I'VE HAD A DOOR SEAL FALL COMPLETELY OFF AND HAVE HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH BUMPER AND CURB CLEARANCE, CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO HAVE THE ENTIRE FRONT BUMPER AND GUARD REPLACED ($500 FOR INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE). THE ENGINE IN THE CAR SEEMS TO BE FINE, WITH THE EXCEP

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Aug 4, 2002AZ

MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NEARLY EVERY MONTH IN THE PAST YEAR (EXCEPT FOR 3 MONTHS WHEN IT WAS IN THE SHOP DUE TO ACCIDENT), THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD STICK ALMOST EVERY TIME IT WAS DRIVEN WOULD CONTACT DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG BECAUSE IT WAS NOT REPORTING TO A COMPUTER. I FINALLY FIGURED OUT IF I PUT MY FOOT UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PULL IT BACK OUT IT WOULD RELEASE, IT ONCE WOULD NOT GO OVER 40 MPH. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK MULTIPLE TIMES TO HAVE IT TAKEN DOWN TO DEALER STILL NO ONE COULD FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEN I WAS SITTING IN A DRIVE THRU AND THE CARE MADE A POPPING SOUND AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I LOST MY BRAKES BUT I PRESSED THEM AGAIN AND THEY WERE FINE. I CONTACTED VW AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT WAS. DRIVING HOME I TAPPED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN A LITTLE AND THE BRAKE STUCK AND THREW ME FORWARD LUCKILY NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME. I CALLED VW IMMEDIATELY AND TOLD THEM THAT I DID NOT WANT MY CAR BACK UNTIL IT WAS FIXED. THE REP DROVE MY CAR FOR A WEEK AND OF COURSE NOTHING HAPPENED TIL THE MECHANIC DROVE IT. I HAVE HAD THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE BRAKE BOOSTERS REPLACED WHICH HAS SEEMED TO HELP THE BRAKE FROM STICKING BUT NOW MY ROTARS ARE RUINED AND VW DOES NOT WANT TO REPLACE THEM BECASUE THEY ARE MAINTENANCE PARTS WHEN IT WAS A WARRANTY PART THAT MADE THEM GO BAD. RECENTLY DRIVING TO SAN DIEGO MY CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT KEEP MY CAR AT A SET SPEED, WOULD NOT PULL HILLS (HAD A FULLY LOADED SEMI PASS ME) WOULD DROP TO 40 MPH ON GRADES, H

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Aug 2, 2002WI

POWER WINDOW WAS GOING DOWN, HEARD SNAP AND WINDOW NEVER WENT BACK UP. SERVICE CENTER SAID IT WOULD BE 5 DAYS BEFORE THEY COULD GET ME IN AND THEY DECIDED TO DUCT TAPE MY WINDOW SO IT WOULD STAY UP. THEY SAID THIS IS A COMMON VW PROBLEM...SOMEHTING ABOUT A PLASTIC REGULATOR. NEVR BUY VOLKSWAGEN. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper
Filed Jul 25, 2002RI

CONSUMER HAS HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES SINCE THE INITIAL LEASING OF THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FAILED EIGHT TIMES WITH THE SERVICE STATION DOING ACTUAL REPAIRS FOUR OF THOSE TIMES. TEH PROBLEM LIES WITH THE CALIPER SUSPENSION THAT CONTROLS THE BRAKES. *JG *CB

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jul 25, 2002NJ

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. *YH *CB

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jul 16, 2002FL

SINCE 14,000 MILES DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW HAS COME OFF THE TRACK ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND BOTH REAR SIDE WINDOWS CAME OFF THE TRACK ONE TIME EACH. PROBLEM ARE STILL OCCURRING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Jul 16, 2002MI

MANIFOLD AND OIL COOLER PLUG WITH CARBON. DEALER INDICATES THAT VOLKSWAGEN, KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM, AND HAS YET TO OFFER ANY REMEDIES. THIS PROBLEM LEADS TO A VERY COSTLY CLEANING.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Jul 9, 2002OH

REAR BRAKES WERE SQEUALING FOR MONTHS. TOOK INTO DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE NOISE. FINALLY REAR BRAKES WENT ALL TOGETHER AND HAD THEM REPLACED AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. DEALER SAID THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE AFTER JUST OVER 30,000 MILES SO VOLKSWAGEN COVERED HALF OF COSTS. ONE WEEK LATER PICKED UP CAR AS I WAS DRIVING HOME MALFUNCTION INDICATION LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK INTO DEALERSHIP AGAIN. ALL THREE OXYGEN SENSORS HAD BLOWN. DAY AFTER PICKING UP FROM DEALERSHIP PASSENGER WINDOW FELL INTO DOOR AND IS CURRENTLY BACK IN BEING FIXED. I KNOW THESE ARE ALL COMMON PROBLEMS WITH 1999 JETTA. VW WAS SOMEWHAT HELPFUL ON COST BUT WILL DO NOTHING NOW BECAUSE THEY "HAVE ALREADY BEEN TOO KIND". THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS AND I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING IT ANYMORE. NOW I HAVE TO COVER THE COST OF AN EARLY LEASE TERMINATION FOR FEAR OF INJURY OR MORE $ FOR DAMAGE REPAIRS.*AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jul 2, 2002CA

FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED IN OCTOBER OF 2001, ON 28 JUNE 2002, DRIVER FRONT WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED.*AK VOLKSWAGEN REFUSED TO REPLACE THE WINDOW REGULATOR UNTIL CONSUMER PAID 50 PERCENT OF THE COST. *JG

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jul 2, 2002CA

THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY VOLKSWAGEN. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME MY WINDOW REGULATOR HAS BROKEN. THE LAST TIME I SPOKE WITH VW AND THEY SAID THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM. THE LAST TIME MY WINDOW FELL, I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND A "CRAZY" PERSON CAME RUNNING TOWARDS MY CAR YELLING THE THE POLICE WERE GOING TO GET HIM. AS I QUICKLY TRIED TO ROLL UP MY WINDOW, IT BROKE. I WAS EXTREMELY UPSET AND SPED AWAY.*AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jul 1, 2002MD

WINDOW JUST DROPPED DOWN INTO THE DOOR. PLASTIC CLIPS INSIDE CRACKED.*AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jun 29, 2002SC

FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW HAS BEEN A CONSTANT PROBLEM . I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THEIR REGULATORS REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES . THIS IS MY THIRD TIME AND EACH TIME I 'VE HAD TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED. VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM . IT'S A PROBLEM WHEN YOU HAVE NO WAY OF KEEPING RAIN OUT OF THE CAR . I HAVE HAD OTHER PROBEMS WITH THIS CAR WHICH I DON'T HAVE TIME TO WRITE ABOUT .*AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jun 27, 2002NY

THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR AND WILL NOT COME UP. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND RESPONDED THAT IT IS THE REGULATOR. IT SEEMS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT VOLKSWAGEN USES PLASTIC PIECES TO SUPPORT THE WINDOW. OBVIOUSLY IT IS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN, WHICH NEEDS TO BE FIXED, BUT NOT AT THE CONSUMERS LEVEL.I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY, BUT THE CAR IS NOT EVEN 3 YEARS OLD WITH HARDLY ANY MILES.IN MY OPINION, VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO RECALL THESE CARS AND REMEDY THE PROBLEM AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. PLEASE HELP.

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jun 24, 2002FL

3 OF 4 WINDOWS FAILED WITHIN MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. FIRST FAILURE TRAVELING WIHT FAMILY ON HIGHWAY. WINDOW WENT DOWN AND WOULD NOT ROLL UP. SECOND FAILURE IN RAINY SEASON IN FLORIDA, WINDOW DROPPED INTO DOOR. RIGHT FRONT WINDOW STUCK AND MOTOR OVERHEATS WHEN TRY TO USE WINDOW POSING POSSIBLE FIRE RISK. ALSO POSES POSSIBLE ENTRAPMENT SINCE NO WAY TO FORCE WINDOW DOWN IN EVENT OF BEING TRAPPED. THESE ARE KNOWN ISSUES BY VW AND THEY HAVE YET TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HOPE IT DOENS;T TAKE DEATH OR INJURY FOR VW TO NOTICE THE PROBLEMS INHERENT IN THE DESIGN OF THEIR WINDOWS AND REGULATORS.

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jun 17, 2002CA

THE POWER WINDOW REGULATORS FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, CAUSING THE WINDOW GLASS TO FALL HARD INTO THE DOOR PANEL, CAUSING ME IMMEDIATE ALARM. THIS IS THE 3RD SUCH FAILURE. IT HAS OCCURED ONCE ALREADY ON THIS SAME WINDOW, AND THE REGULATOR WAS REPLACED WITH A "NEW DESIGN" BY THE DEALERSHIP. THIS ALSO OCCURRED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW PREVIOUSLY. EACH REPAIR COSTS ME $360, SO MY TOTAL FOR THE 3 REPAIRS OVER THE PAST YEAR HAVE BEEN $1080. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS ONCE CANNOT PARK THEIR CAR WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN SAFELY LET ALONE DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR IN BAD WEATHER. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THESE FAILURES AND ALSO THE DEALERHSIP HAS CONFIRMED THIS AND IT'S ABOUT TIME VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA DID A RECALL AND I GET REIMBURSED.

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under DashFire
Filed Jun 13, 2002UT

DUR TO A SHORT IN THE WIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING WAS BURNT FROM A & B PILLARS TO THE DASH, NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS., NO REASONABLE EXPLANATION FOR THE BURNING OF THE WIRING OR THE CAUSE OF THE SHORT. ONE MONTH AFTER THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEMS, ADDITIONAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WERE ENCOUNTERED. DEALER REFUSED TO STAND BEHIND FIRST WORK. FIRST DEALER ALSO FELT INTERIOR FIRE AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE WAS NOT A WARRANTY ITEM. SECOND REPAIR BILL WAS FOR $872 AND THAT DEALER WROTE ON THE BILL "ONCE THE CAR IS REGISTERED IN CALIFORNIA REPAIRS CAN BE REIMBURSED". CAR IS REGISTERED IN UTAH, SEE NO REASON STATE OF REGISTRATION SHOULD EFFECT THE WARRENTY. CALLED VW OF AMERICA 800-822-8987 AND THEY TOOK THE COMPLAINT, BUT HAVE DONE NOTHING TO THIS DATE AND HAVE PROVIDED NO REASONABLE EXPLAINATION FOR WHY WORK WOULD BE COVERED IN ONE STATE BUT NOT ANOTHER. CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF INTERIOR FIRE IF THERE ARE WIRING DEFECTS IN THE CAR. VW OF AMERICA RFEFUSED TO PROVIDE HISTORY OF WIRING FIRES FOR JETTAS.*AK

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Jun 12, 2002OH

PASSENGER'S FRONT WINDOW REGULATOR THAT HOLDS WINDOW IN PLACE FAILED, AND CAUSED WINDOW TO SLAM DOWN INSIDE DOOR PANEL. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED REGULATOR GEAR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Visibility › Windshield
Filed Jun 12, 2002PA

DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS FALL DOWN INSIDE DOOR, THEN, CUSTOMER NOT ABLE TO PUT WINDOW UP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jun 12, 2002PA

POWER WINDOWS AND REAR CENTER SEATBELT FIRST FAILED WITHIN MONTHS OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS MADE REPAIRS BUT SAME COMPONENTS CONTINUE TO FAIL IN THE SAME FASHION. I NEVER KNOW WHEN THE DRIVER OR PASSEBGER WINDOW WILL FALL INTO THE DOOR AND CANNOT BE RAISED UNTIL THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY IS REPLACED. THE REAR CENTER SEATBELT PERIODICALLY RETRACTS TO THE POINT WHERE IT WILL NOT RELEASE MAKING IT UNUSEABLE UNTIL THE DEALER REPAIRS IT.*AK

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jun 10, 2002TN

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jun 5, 2002OH

VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT SEEM TO THINK IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOU ARE OUT OF STATE DRIVING HOME WITH YOUR CHILDREN ON I75 IN THE MIDDLE OF DECEMBER WHILE SNOWING AND YOUR WINDOW FALL'S DOWN. I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOU CANNOT STOP TO CALL FOR HELP FOR THE FACT YOUR IN AN UNFAMILIAR PLACE AND YOU DO NOT FEEL SAFE, SO YOU PROCEED TO DRIVE ON A HWY. WITH YOUR WINDOW DOWN FOR TWO HOURS WHILE SNOWING. MY KIDS WERE SO COLD WHEN WE ARRIVED HOME, WHICH I FIND RIDICULOUS THAT WE HAD TO EXPERIENCE THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE, BUT YET STILL AN ADDITIONAL THREE MORE TIMES. IT IS WELL KNOWN ON THE INTERNET OF COMPLAINTS OF THE WINDOW REGULATOR BEING A DEFECT AND IT'S IN THE MARKET FOR PAYING CUSTOMERS TO BE INCONVENIENCED OVER AND OVER AGAIN. NO YET HAS VOLKSWAGEN COMPENSATED THE TIME AND INCONVENIENCE THIS HAS CAUSED VW OWNERS. I ONLY WISH SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TOLD ME BEFORE MY PURCHASE OF THE AMOUNT OF OCCURRENCES I WOULD BE DEALING WITH ON REPAIRS, I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED A VOLKSWAGEN. I WILL DEFINITELY EDUCATE ANYONE I COME IN CONTACT WITH ON WHAT THEY WILL BE FACED WITH IF THEY PURCHASE A VOLKSWAGEN.*AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jun 3, 2002CA

POWER WINDOW LIFT IS BROKEN. WINDOW WILL NOT OPERATE, MOVING UP OR DOWN.*AK

Interior Lighting
Filed May 29, 2002CT

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AT NIGHT RIGHT HEADLIGHT FLICKERED. THEN, BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. AT THE SAME TIME ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT OUT. DEALER DETERMINED WIRING LEADING TO HEADLIGHTS HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK *TS

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed May 22, 2002MA

WHEN TRYING TO START VEHICLE BATTERY BLEW UP UNDER HOOD. COULD NOT GET HOOD UP. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Carburetor System
Filed May 14, 2002WI

INTAKE MANIFOLD PLUGGS UP WITH A BUILD UP OF CARBON AND OIL SLUDGE TO THE POINT WHERE CAR CANNOT SAFELY REACH FREEWAY SPEEDS TO MERGE ONTO FREEWAY. VW HAS PAID FOR THE REPAIR ONCE AT 40000 MILES AFTER I COMPLAINED OF THE 1600.00 REPAIR BILL. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED 3 MORE TIMES AT MY EXSPENCE. IT IS NOW NEEDS TO BE DONE AGAIN AS I CANNOT REACH SAFE SPEEDS TO SAFLY MERGE ONTO FREEWAYS AND AM SCARED OF BEING HIT FROM REAR. THE PROBLEMS IS FROM EGR GASES AND CCV OIL MIST MIXING AT THE BEGINNING OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH CREATES SLUDGE THAT BUILDS UP AND PLUGS UP THE AIR FLOW TO THE CYLS.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 25, 2002NY

TRANSMISSION COMPUTER SYSTEM AUTOMATICALLY THROWS INTO 3RD GEAR.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Apr 23, 2002IN

THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WENT OUT AFTER THEY REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR AND THEY WANT $550.00 TO REPLACE THE SENSOR WHICH I BELIEVE IS THEIR PROBLEM THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE 1999 JETTA, AND I FEEL THEY SHOULD REPLACE IT AT NO COST A CAR THAT IS NOT EVEN 3 YEARS OLD SHOULD NOT NEED A NEW MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH VW AND I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER OR RECOMMEND THEM TO ANYONE. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 15, 2002NE

AT FIRST START VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. CONSUMER DOES NOT RECALL IF GEAR WAS STILL IN PARK OR IN DRIVE. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKE HARD AND SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL. VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP AT THIS TIME.*AK

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Apr 9, 2002ME

I PURCHASED MY '99 JETTA NEW. AFTER APPRX 7 DAYS THE AIRBAG WARNING ILLUMINATED FOR NO REASON. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. THEY HAD A DIFFICULT TIME DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM. THEY DID GET THE LIGHT TO GO OFF, BUT AFTER A WEEK IT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR BACK A SECOND TIME, AND THIS TIME THE KEPT IT FOR 2 WEEKS. THEY DECIDED IT WAS A SESOR, THEN CHANGED THEIR MINDS AND SAID IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS. AFTER 2 WEEKS THEY TOLD ME IT WAS FIXED. SEVERAL MECHANICS WARNED ME AGAINST DRIVING IT WHEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, CITING A POSSIBLE DEFECT. THE LIGHT STAYED OFF UNTILL ABOUT THE 20,000 MILE MARK. IT WENT ON AND I TOOK IT IN, THEY FIXED IT WITHOUT MUCH EXPLAINATION. NOW AT 54,000 IT IS ON AGAIN. I AM WORRIED ABOUT A POSSIBLE DEFECT WHICH MIGHT PREVENT MY AIRBAG FROM DEPLOYING IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. BEFORE NOW, IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE ONLY COST WAS TIME AND EFFORT. NOW I MUST PAY TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED, A RENTAL CAR AND TO ACTUALLY HAVE IT REPAIRED, ONCE AGAIN. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE SAME THING WITH LITTLE HELP FROM VOLKSWAGEN OR THE DEALER. I WAS HOPING TO GET THE WORD OUT THAT THERE MAY BE A POSSIBLE DEFECT WITH THE ELECTRICAL SENSOR, WIRE HARNESS OR THE AIRBAG ITSELF. THANK YOU.*AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Mar 28, 2002MD

THE WINDOW IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR INTERMITENTLY ROLLS DOWN WHEN THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING OCCURS AT 9.5 MPH. THE SWITCH TO CONTROL THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAS FAILED. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT TO ROLL BACK UP IS TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND ROLL IT UP BY TURNING THE KEY IN THE DOOR LOCK. NLM

Air Bags
Filed Mar 26, 2002VA

AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON DASBOARD BECAME ILLUMINATED. TOOK CAR TO DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THAT VW'S NEED SUPPLEMENTAL WIRING HARNESS INSTALLED IN STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE CONNECTION AS SHIPPPED FROM THE FACTORY. DEALER SAYS "MOST" VW NEW JETTAS HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND CHARGED $90 TO INSTALL NEW CONNECTOR. IF THIS IS TRUE SHOULDN'T VW HAVE TO RECALL BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY SYSTEM? NLM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Mar 22, 2002OH

VACUUM LINE TO TURBO FAILED, CAUSING NEAR TOTAL LACK OF ACCELERATION -- ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Mar 5, 2002IL

BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WINDOWS KEEP FALLING OFF THE TRACKS. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER ADDS THAT THE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO SHIFT ATTENTION WHILE DRIVING ALMOST HAVING AN ACCIDENT. *TT

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Feb 27, 2002IL

WHILE DRIVING DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW FELL DOWN ONTO THE DOOR. DRIVER FEELS THIS IS UNSAFE WHEN DRIVING BECAUSE DRIVER LOSES CONSENTRATION OF THE ROAD. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT WINDOW REGULATOR HAD MALNFUNCTIONED.*AK

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal
Filed Feb 27, 2002IL

TURN SIGNAL HANDLE BROKE , CAN'T USE TURN SIGNAL. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 27, 2002IL

BRIGHT LIGHTS STAY ON. CONSUMER CANNOT ADJUST THEM. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Feb 4, 2002WI

JUST BOUGHT THIS USED CAR AND AFTER USING THE WINDOW TWICE, THE REGULATOR BROKE. ACCORDING TO VOLKSWAGEN, THIS IS A REOCCURING PROBLEM AND THERE IS NOT PREVENTION AGAINST IT. I'M FROM WI AND CAN'T HAVE A BROKEN WINDOW IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER. PLUS WHEN I CANNOT DO BUSINESS IN IL ANYMORE BECAUSE MY WINDOW DOESN'T WORK AND IT IS TOO COLD OUT TO BE DRIVING LIKE THAT. *AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jan 23, 2002MI

ON FRIDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 3, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND LOWERED THE WINDOW. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO RAISE IT THERE WAS A CLUNK, AND THE WINDOW SLID DOWN INTO THE DOOR. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings
Filed Jan 16, 2002AL

ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT ENGINE VALVES AND HOSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 3, 2001CA

WARNING THAT ENGINE NEEDS TO BE CHECKED HAS SHOWN UP ON DASHBOARD SINCE SUMMER OF 2000. WE HAVE TAKEN CAR IN TWO TIMES AND IS NOW DUE FOR ANOTHER SERVICE JOB, AND LIGHT TO ENGINE CHECK IS STILL ON FOR PAST SIX MONTHS. DEALER SIMPLY SHRUGS THEIR SHOULDERS. COST A FACTOR TO REPAIR? WE HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR SINCE LAST SUMMER (NOW DECEMBER 2001) IF ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS, WE WOULD NOT KNOW FOR LIGHT IS CONTINUALLY ON. BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MY DAUGHTER TO BE SAFE DRIVING. NO HELP FROM DEALER.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Nov 30, 2001MN

AT 12000 MILES ROTORS WERE WARPED AND GLAZED. THEN, 14000 MILES LATER PROBLEM REOCCURRED. DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO REPLACE ROTORS BECAUSE THIS IS REGULAR WEAR AND TEAR. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Nov 28, 2001CA

MIDDLE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RELEASE. AFTER LOWERING AND RAISING THE REAR SEAT THE SEAT BELT IS INOPERABLE BECAUSE IT WILL NOT RELEASE.*AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Nov 21, 2001FL

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH DRIVER'S POWER WINDOW FELL DOWN INTO DOOR PANEL. DEALER REPLACED THE MOTOR. *AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Nov 13, 2001NJ

THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED. 2 FRONT WINDOWS JUST FALLING DOWN DURING DRIVING THE VEHICLE IS A HAZARD TO THE DRIVER, OTHER MOTORIST AND CHILD OCCUPANTS.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Oct 29, 2001NJ

LOSS OF POWER WHILE ACCELERATING. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER SHOP AND INFORMED THAT PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A FAULTY MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta → · Every Jetta year → · How the figures are calculated →