Page 6 of 7 · complaints 251–300 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 →

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Apr 4, 2001CA

VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN TAKING OFF FROM STOP AND GO. IT LAUNCHES FORWARD LIKE A DELAY WITH MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, BUT VEHICLE IT STILL HESITATES. DEALER SAYS THEY CAN'T REPLICATE PROBLEM.*AK THE VEHICLE'S HESITATION BECAME MORE FREQUENT AFTER EACH SEVICE AND FINALLY THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AFTER THE 34,000 MILES SERVICE. *YH

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Apr 2, 2001VA

IN ADDITION TO ABOVE-KEY ENTRY SPORADICALLY WORKS, CAR UNDER COVER TORN OFF TWO TIMES PARKING IN REGULAR PARKING LOT, CHAIR WILL NOT STAY IN ADJUSTED POSITION AND DEALERSHIP REPRESENTED THAT EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED SAME AS FACTORY WARRANTY, WHICH IT DOES NOT. VERY DISSATISFIED WITH PURCHASE. BELIEVE CAR IS UNSAFE AND LOOKING TO REPLACE. BELIEVE CAR HAS SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO GIVE EXPLANATION FOR UNUSUAL BURNING OF OIL ETC.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 29, 2001PA

I UNDERSTAND THERE HAS BEEN NUMBEROUS REPORT OIL PAN PUNCTURES WITH THE VW JETTA. THE COMBINATION OF THIN GAUGE STEEL AND THE LOW POSITON OF THE PAN LEAD TO HIGH POTENTIAL FROM ROAD DAMAGE.*AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Mar 5, 2001OR

3 OF 4 POWER WINDOWS HAVE STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. CA VW DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THAT VOLTAGE REGULATOR AND MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON ALL THREE WINDOWS. WE FEEL THAT AT 48,000 MILES THE POWER WINDOWS SHOULD NOT REQUIRE A MAJOR OVERHAUL.*AK

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Mar 3, 2001MD

HAD WINDOW REGULATOR REPLACED 3 TIMES ON DRIVERS SIDE AND ONE TIME ON PASSENGER SIDE WITH IN A 22 MONTH PERIOD.

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage
Filed Feb 27, 2001PA

SEAT BELT ANCHOR BROKE. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Feb 21, 2001WA

WHILE TRAVELING IN SNOW AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL, BRAKES FROZE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Structure › Body › Bumpers
Filed Feb 20, 2001CA

BUMPER PULLED LOOSE (ALMOST COMPLETELY OFF) FROM MOUNTING BY CEMENT PARKING SPACE STOPPER WHILE BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Feb 19, 2001CA

ENGINE CONSUMES ABOUT 1+ QUART OF OIL EVERY 1,500 MILES. FRONT ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED AT 30,000 MILES, WHILE BRAKE PADS ARE LESS THAN 50% USED. REFRIGERANT IN AIR CONDITIONER GONE AT AROUND 30,000 MILES WITH NORMAL USE IN MILD CLIMATE.

Vehicle Speed Control › Cables
Filed Feb 12, 2001MA

WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE UP TO SPEEDS OF 105 MPH.CLUTCH HAD TO BE DISENGAGE,D, BUT VEHICLE STILL WAS ACCELERATING. CONSUMER HAD TO SHUT CAR OFF, AND MADE IT TO SIDE TO ROAD.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Feb 2, 2001NY

ENGINE OIL MUST BE ADDED EVERY 350 - 400 MILES. *AK

Electrical System
Filed Jan 24, 2001TX

VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS (BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING, DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOWS FELL DOWN AND STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION, REMOTE DOOR LOCK NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND FLUCTUATES WITH OUTDOOR TEMP, ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY FAILED, TAIL LIGHT FLICKERS, THE CD LIGHT FLASHES). NLM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 23, 2001CA

VEHICLE RUNS OUT OF OIL EVERY 1500 MILES, AND THE TRANSMISSION IS VERY JERKY. *AK WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE STREAKING BECAUSE WIPERS WERE SEPARATING. INSTRUMENT PANEL CUP HOLDER LOOSE ON TIGHT SIDE. THE STICK SHIFT VIBRATES IN 3RD GEAR DUE TO SELECTOR SHAFT FAILURE. *YH

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 4, 2000VA

WHILE DRIVING THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT, I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN IN PREPARATION FOR A RIGHT HAND TURN. I TURNED ON MY SIGNAL, AND SLOWLY BEGAN TO HIT MY BRAKES. AS I HIT MY BRAKES, IT BEGAN TO TO ENGAGE AND THEN I FELT A "POP" IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. I HIT THE BRAKE A LITTLE HARDER AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I THEN BEGAN PUMPING THE BRAKES IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE CAR. MY ATTEMPT TO STOP THE CAR FAILED AND I HIT A PARKED CAR AT 30MPH. MODERATE DAMAGE DONE TO PASSENGER FRONT AND QUARTERPANEL OF CAR. DOOR WEDGED INTO CAR BRAKING SOME GLASS ON PASSENGER SIDE. UPON IMPACT, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHATSOEVER. I HIT THE WINDSHIELD WITH MY HEAD AND SPIDERED THE GLASS UPON IMPACT. IMPACT JOLTED THE CAR IN SUCH A WAY, IT SNAPED MY INSIDE MIRROR OFF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD.*AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Nov 21, 2000CA

AFTER THE CAR WAS SITTING FOR 3 HOURS THE VEHCILE SPONTANIOUSLY COMBUSTED. VW HEADQUARTER IS BEING VERY SHADY WITH THE CAUSE OF INCIDENT. THERE IS NO FRONT END TO VEHICLE BUT THE BATTERY IS STILL INTACK. NOT CAUSED BY BATTERY EXPLOSION. UNKNOWN HOW CAR CA

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Nov 16, 2000PA

O2 SENSOR(S) WENT BAD IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING WARRANTY PERIOD. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Nov 15, 2000NJ

OIL LIGHT CAME ON 2000 MILES AFTER OILCHANGE/BURNING OR LEAKING EXCESSIVE OIL,AND OIL LEVEL LOW. PASSENGER'S WINDOW MOTOR STOPPED WORKING, RESULTING IN WINDOW FALLING DOWN,. ALSO, ENGINE REVVED HIGH/ LIGHT SWITCH ON INTERIOR LIGHT FELL OFF/ FRONT RIGHT MICHELIN TIRE BLEWOUT, AND HAD TO REPLACE BATTERY. DEALER KEPT REPAIRING PROBLEMS. CONSUMER CONTACTED VW CO, AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD GET BACK TO HER, BUT NEVER DID. CONSUMER FELT VEHICLE WAS A LEMON. PLEASE ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Nov 13, 2000NY

WHILE DRIVING 60MPH HEARD A CLICKING NOISE. THEN ATER PUMP SEIZED & CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL OUT. PULLED OVER. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. INFORMED BY MECHANIC IT WAS THE WATER PUMP WHICH SHEARED OFF THE TIMING BELT & DAMAGED THE VALVE HEAD. PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED EXCEPT FOR THE CLICKING NOISE THAT WAS STILL THERE. *AK

Suspension › Front
Filed Oct 24, 2000LA

FRONT BUMPER HAS BEEN PULLED LOOSE TWICE IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS WHILE BACKING FROM DRIVEWAY. THERE IS ALSO TRANSMISSION GUARD SCRATCHES. FIRST INCIDENT 10/29/99, CURRENT INCIDENT 10/09/00.CONTACTED VW U.S. CUSTOMER CARE CENTER (1-800-822-8987) CASE # 732875, WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT A "DEFECT" PROBLEM. I DISAGREE. FRONT SUSPENSION AND BUMPER DESIGN PROBLEM.*AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Linkages
Filed Oct 13, 2000NY

I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT (GOING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH) WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES AN HOUR. (I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE.) THE ENGINE WAS REVVING AND IT JUMPED A CURB, CROSSED OVER AN ISLAND OF GRASS, A PEDESTRIAN SIDEWALK AND LANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A TWO WAY STREET AND FINALLY STOPPED. LUCKILY, THRE WERE NO PEDESTRIANS OR VECHICLES IN MY WAY; OTHERWISE, A MAJOR ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE DEALER CHECKED THE CAR AND COULD NOT FIND ANY DEFECTS AND BASCIALLY BLAMED IT ON DRIVE ERROR. I ALSO CALLED VOLKSWAGEN. VOLKSWAGEN STATED THAT SINCE THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY DEFECTS, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. NO OTHER INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THE INITIAL ONE. (I, OF COURSE, WAS CONVINCED THAT SOMEHOW I HAD CAUSED THE CAR TO ACCELERATE UNTIL I READ THE OTHER INCIDENTS IN THIS DATABASE.*AK

Equipment › Electrical › Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
Filed Oct 12, 2000NY

DEFECTIVE RADIO INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE CAUSES BUZZ SOUND AND ENGINE FEEDBACK THAT WOULD INDICATE GROUNDING PROBLEM. *YH

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
Filed Oct 11, 2000OH

THE SAFETY FEATURE KEEPS CAR FROM BEING SHIFTED OUT OF PARK. THIRD TIME FOR REPAIR. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Oct 10, 2000UN

CEASED WATER PUMP, SHEARED TIMING BELT, AND DAMAGED VALVES CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL ON INTERSTATE, CONSUMER WANTS REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

Structure › Body › Bumpers
Filed Oct 3, 2000NJ

WHILE ON VACATION AND PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT THE FRONT RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE BUMPER CAME OFF OF THE ONE SCREW THAT WAS HOLDING IT INTO PLACE AND THE BRACKETS CAME OUT MAKING IT UNSECURE. THE BUMPER LAY ON THE GROUND AS I PROCEEDED INTO THE PARKING LOT, SCRATCHING ON THE ASPHALT AS I HAD TO PULL IN TO AVOID A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. WENT TO A LOCAL AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE THE MAN WHO TEMPORARILY FIXED THE BUMPER TOLD ME THAT VW'S HAVE UNSECURE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS, AND THAT THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 28, 2000NJ

BOTH DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAS, IN ESSENCE, TOLD ME TO JUST SIMPLY "GO AWAY" "YOU GOT STUCK WITH 2 BAD TRANSMISSIONS AND THERE IS NOTHING FURTHER WE CAN DO FOR YOU. LIVE WITH THE PROBLEM AND HOPEFULLY NO ONE WILL BE INJURED." NICE CAR COMPANY. LAST VW I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT!!*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 28, 2000NJ

DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAS, IN ESSENCE SAID, "THERE IS NOTHING FURTHER WE CAN DO FOR YOU" "YOU SIMPLY GOT STUCK WIT 2 BAD TRANSMISSIONS. JUST LIVE WITH IT AND HOPFULLY YOU AND NO ONE ELSE WILL GET SERIOUSLY INJURED." NICE CAR COMPANY! LAST VW I CAN TELL YOU THAT!! *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 26, 2000PA

VEHICLE CONSUMES A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1K MILES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, AND SAID THAT VEHICLE IS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 26, 2000MA

BURNING OIL, CHANGED TO USING 20W 50 - STILL BURNING, HAVE INVESTIGATED AT SEVERAL DEALERS, THEY ARE ALL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, SAY IT HAPPENS IN 10% OF VEHICLES, AND THAT VOLKSWAGEN IS NOT RECALLING UNTIL THEY KNOW EXACTLY THE CAUSE. MY PROBLEM WAS INITIATED WITH A LOSS OF A ENGINE CASTING SEAL, AND HAS BEEN BURNING EVER SINCE. MOST DEALERS ARE GIVING THE RUN AROUND, AND VW IS CLAIMING THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN SPEC. WHEN TALKING TO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS AND TELLING THEM THAT THE VEHICLE IS BURNING 1 QT OF 20W50 EVERY 750-1000 MILES, EACH TELLS ME THAT THE ENGINE IS RUINED, PROBABLY HAPPENED WHEN THE SEAL BLEW. VW IS HIDING THIS FROM THE CONSUMERS, APPARENTLY IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IS HIDING BEHIND A EQUIPMENT SPEC. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS VERY POSSIBLE THAT THERE IS ENGINE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND VW IS STALLING.

Seats
Filed Aug 26, 2000TX

NO SUMMARY

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Aug 26, 2000CT

THE BRAKE SENSOR CAUSED THE ENGINE TO THINK THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND LOSE POWER. THE BRAKE SYSTEM THEN FAILED WHILE DIRVING AND THE BRAKES WOULD JUST LOCK UP. IF THE 2ND PROBLEM HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY I FEAR I WOULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED. BOTH PROBLEMS COULD BE RELATD. THE SENSOR PROBLEM WOULD TRIGGER A DASH WARNING LIGHT FOR THE GLOW PLUG RELAY. IN GENERAL THE CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES FOR MOST OF THE SUMMER.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash2 injured
Filed Aug 16, 2000CA

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH CONSUMER PRESSED ON BRAKES TO SLOW, AND BRAKE PEDAL HIT THE FLOOR, BUT VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THIS HAS CAUSED VEHICLE TO MOVE OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT A CURB. CONSUMER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *AK

Structure › Body › Bumpers
Filed Aug 16, 2000FL

FRONT BUMPER SEPARATES FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN IT TOUCHES A PARKING STOP AT LOW SPEED. DEALERSHIP PERSONNEL ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY PEOPLE BUT GAVE US NO WARNING WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE BODY SHOP WE TOOK IT TOO, CARRIAGE AUTO BODY IN MARGATE, FL, BELIEVES THE BUMPER IS NOT MANUFACTURED AND INSTALLED CORRECTLY AND THAT IT IS NOT THE FAULT OF THE DRIVER.

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Aug 8, 2000WI

I HAVE EXPERIENCED 4 PART FAILURES, EACH ON MY AIRBAG SYSTEM ON MY VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE FIRST PART FAILURE OCCURED ON MAY 28, 1999 AND SUBSEQUENT PART FAILURES OCCURED AS FOLLOWS: 7-30-1999, 2-23-2000 AND 7-11-2000. WITH THE MOST RECENT OCCURANCE, MY CAR WAS DELIVERED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON JULY 11, 2000 AND THE MAINTENANCE WAS NOT COMPLETED UNTIL AUGUST 4, 2000 DUE TO THE UNAVAILIBILITY OF THE PART FROM THE MANUFACTURER. DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THIS DEFECT, AND GIVEN THE FACT THAT MY DEALERSHIP HAS EXHAUSTED THEIR EFFORTS IN TRYING TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM, I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. WITH THE INFORMATION PROVIDED, I FEEL THAT MY VEHICLE MEETS THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE "LEMON LAW". AT THIS TIME I AM REQUESTING THAT I RECEIVE A REPLACMENT VEHICLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IN THIS MATTER. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME IF MORE INFORMATION IS NEEDED.*AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 2, 2000CA

THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A HIGH-SPEED, FRONT END COLLISION AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH WHEN IT WAS CLIPPED FROM THE SIDE AND SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. IT CRASHED HEADLONG INTO A VAN GOING APPROXIMATELY 40-50 MPH. THE IMPACT SENT THE CAR BACKWARD APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET BEFORE IT SPUN 180 DEGREES AND CAME TO A HALT. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR IS SEVERELY DAMAGE--$7,000--AND THE ENGINE MAY HAVE BEEN DISPLACED AS MUCH AS 2 INCHES. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER RELATIONS TO REPORT THE PROBLEM AND TO ASK FOR ASSISTANCE TO GUARANTEE THAT THE AIRBAGS WOULD PERFORM PROPERLY ONCE THE CAR WAS REPAIRED AND BACK ON THE ROAD AGAIN ON 7/27/00. ON 8/1/00 I RECEIVED A MESSAGE FROM "DAVID." I PHONE BACK ON 8/2/00. AFTER EXPLAINING THE DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT TO DAVID, HE TOLD ME IN ADVANCE THAT HIS "PRODUCT LIASON TEAM" WOULD PROBABLY CONCLUDE THAT THE CRASH DID NOT MEET THE CRITERIA REQUIRED TO DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR US. I EXPRESSED MY DISSATISFACTION WITH THIS, ESPECIALLY SINCE NO ONE FROM VOLKSWAGEN HAD EXAMINED OR PLANNED TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE. HE TOLD ME THAT WE COULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALER OURSELVES (IT IS NOT DRIVEABLE) AND THEY COULD ANALYZE THE COMPUTER DATA ONBOARD RE. THE CRASH CONDITIONS. THIS WAS ALL THEY COULD OFFER US. ALL WE WERE SEEKING WAS AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UNDER SUCH SEVERE CRASH CONDITIONS, AND A GUARANTEE THAT WHATEVER NEEDED TO BE DONE TO ASSURE THEY WOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY IN

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 31, 2000MA

VEHICLE WHICH IS A 4 CYLINDER ENGINE BURNED MORE OIL THAN EXPECTED , A QUART EVERY 1000 MILE. *AK THE OIL LEVEL WAS DOWN AT 1000-1500 MILES AFTER OIL CHANGE. ABOUT THIS TIME CHECK THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON . THE DEALER STATES THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON WITH 2.0L. 4 CYLINDER ENGINE, WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE CAME ON AGAINE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE OXYEN SENSOR. SINCE THEN NO LIGHT CAME ON. *YH

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 24, 2000CA

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK UP UPON IMPACT, AND DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CAUSE UNKNOWN, ALSO STEERING RACK AND PINION WAS DAMAGED . *AK PASSENGER WINDOW FELL OFF TWICE. *YH

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 12, 2000MA

4 CYLINDER ENGINE BURNED 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1000 MILES, BUT THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN BURNING MORE OIL. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jul 12, 2000OR

AT ABOUT 26,000 MILES, WHICH WAS ABOUT TWO AND A HALF MONTHS AGO, I CHECKED THE OIL AND HAD TO ADD THREE QUARTS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME TO LOOK FOR BLACK SMOKE AND OIL SPOTS ON THE DRIVEWAY. NO BLACK SMOKE OR OIL IS VISIBLY ESCAPING FROM THE ENGINE. I CHECKED THE OIL AGAIN ON JUNE 15, AND HAD TO ADD ANOTHER QUART AND A HALF. I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER AND MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT FOR THEM TO CHECK IT OUT. TODAY, JULY 11, 2000, THE DEALER CHECKED THE OIL (WHICH WAS DOWN A HALF QUART), TOLD ME THAT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR AND HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE VOLKSWAGEN DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER TO POINT THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. SO "WE" ARE NOW WAITING FOR A CALL FROM THE DISTRICT MANAGER. THE OIL AND FILTER HAVE BEEN CHANGED REGULARLY, BUT THE OIL APPEARS VERY GRITTY AND ALSO APPEARS TO BE BURNT ONTO CAP OF THE FILLER-HOLE. THE DEALER SEEMS RELUCTANT, AT BEST, TO DEAL WITH THE SITUATION.*AK

Visibility › Windshield
Filed Jul 4, 2000VA

THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW FAILED. NLM

Seat Belts
Filed Jun 21, 2000CA

CENTER REAR RESTRAINTS MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING OCCUPANT (S) TO BE UNRESTRAINED. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE 4 TIMES. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 30, 2000VA

WHILE SWITCHING GEARS FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE, VEHICLE HESITATES FOR ABOUT 5- 10 SECONDS, WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 30, 2000CA

BEGINNING TO BRAKE AT RED LIGHT, ENGINE ACCELERATED TO REDLINE. BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD CAR. HAD TO PLACE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO AVOID COLLISION. TURNED OFF IGNITION TO STOP HIGH RPM. *AK

Steering
Filed May 25, 2000WA

ENGINE AND STEERING PROBLEMS

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed May 3, 2000RI

VEHICLE BURNS OIL (DOING SO FOR 9 MOS NOW), DEALER HAS BEEN RUNNING "TEST" ON CAR FOR 4 MOS. SAID MAY HAVE TO REPLACE ENGINE. AIR BAG LIGHT ON FIRST DAY OWNING, TOLD TO WAIT 2WKS FOR AN APPT AT WHICH WAS TOLD CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. TRANSMISSION DIFFICULT TO SHIFT/ACCELERATION (MAKING TURNS, ENTERING HIGHWAYS, ETC.)

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 27, 2000PA

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Apr 12, 2000TX

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING IN INTERSECTION AND ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT, AND RAMMED INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE FROM SIDE .CAR WAS COMPLETLEY TURNED AROUND INTO THE STREET, AND HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 11, 2000FL

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT ANY SPEED VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. ALSO, TRANSMISSION SHIFTED GEAR ROUGHLY. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Apr 7, 2000NJ

CAR WILL DIE FOR A SECOND OR TWO, LOSE OF POWER AND BEGIN RUNNING NORMALLY WITH DOING ANYTHING 2. CAR WILL NOT START IMMEDIATELY WHEN IT DOES PRESENTS, IE:RADIO ARE GONE AS IF BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED, COMPUTER SHOWS NO FAILURES

Seats
Filed Apr 6, 2000PA

WHEN COMING TO STOP SEAT ON PASSENGER'S SIDE MOVED FORWARD ABOUT 1/2 INCH. PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS OKAY FOR THE SEAT TO MOVE A LITTLE WHEN STOPPING. *AK *ML

Interior Lighting
Filed Apr 4, 2000NJ

THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP COMES AND STAYS ON WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE DUE TO AFTER MARKET RADIO INSTALLATION. YH

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.

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