2002 Volkswagen Jetta complaints

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON INCESSANTLY SINCE ORIGINAL ACQUISITION. REPAIRS EFFECTUATED AT LEAST THREE TIMES UNDER WARRANTY AND ISSUE HAS RETURNED. WHEN PARKED AFTER LONG PERIOD OF TIME A LOW BUBBLING/GURGLING AND FIZZLING SOUNDS COMES FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR. *JB

I PURCHASED A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA FOR MY DAUGHTER. IN AUGUST OF 2006 THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A VW DEALERSHIP FOR TRANSMISSION SERVICE. IN MAY OF 2007 THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR KEPT LOSING POWER WHEN DRIVING. WHEN PUT IN GEAR THE CAR WOULD SHAKE AND SHUT DOWN. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE VW DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THEY REPLACED A SEAL, TEMP SENDER AND SENDER FOR A TOTAL OF 427.62. MY DAUGHTER PICKED UP THE CAR AND WHEN DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THEY REPAIRED IT THE CAR SHUTTERED, THEN SLAMMED DOWN INTO A LOWER GEAR ALMOST CAUSING HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY APPROVED HAVING IT TOWED BACK TO THEIR FACILITY FOR REPAIR. THEY THEN CHECKED THE CAR AGAIN AND STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR A COST OF $3800.00. THIS CAR HAS 57,000 MILES ON IT AND WHEN ORIGINALLY TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS ISSUE IT WAS 4 DAYS OUT OF WARRANTY. NOTE: WHEN THE CAR INITIALLY BROKE DOWN IT WAS STILL IN WARRANTY BUT I WAS OUT OF TOWN FOR WORK AND COULD NOT SET UP HAVING IT TOWED IN UNTIL I RETURNED HOME. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CALLED REGARDING THIS ISSUE PRIOR TO THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND VW CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS. THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST IN THIS REPAIR. THE VW DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY DID NOT SEE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION WHEN THEY FIRST COMPLETED REPAIRS BUT SHE DID NOT EVEN GET 10 MILES FROM THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE THE CAR SLAMMED DOWN INTO A LOW GEA

I OWN A 2002 JETTA 1.8T AND STARTED HAVING SOME INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO REVERSE OR 1ST AND 2ND GEARS, PAUSING OR JERKING INTO GEAR. THE PROBLEM STARTED A COUPLE MONTHS AGO WHEN THE CAR HAD ABOUT 52,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY ABOUT 5 MONTHS. THE PROBLEM BECAME INCREASINGLY FREQUENT AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER YESTERDAY AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEED A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION. THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION FLUID BUNT AND HA DEBRIS IN IT". I HAVE ALWAYS DONE THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE , AT THE DEALERSHIP, NO LESS, AND HAVE NEVER ABUSED THE TRANSMISSION IN ANY WAY. THE CAR ONLY HAS 54,000 MILES ON IT! THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE DEALERSHIP CALLED VOLKSWAGEN AND STATED HE REALLY WENT TO BAT FOR ME ,AND THAT VOLKSWSGEN HAS AGREED TO COVER 65% OF THE REPAIR, WHICH IN THE RANGE OF $5,000+. SO I WILL STILL BE PAYING AT LEAST $1750.00 TO REPLACE A FAIRLY YOUNG TRANSMISSION. I FEEL VW MUST KNOW THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION TO EVEN OFFER TO PAY FOR PART OF THE REPAIR, AND JUDGING BY THE OTHER COMPLAINTS THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN READING OTHER COMPLAINTS AND IT SEEMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS PAINTED WITH A METALLIC PAINT THAT DISINTEGRATED WITH HIGH HEAT/TEMPERATURES AND THAT IT BROKE DOWN, FLAKES OFF AND DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION. THIS HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *AK

I OWN A 2002 1.8T AUTOMATIC JETTA WITH 75000 MILES. YESTERDAY I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I USE THIS CAR FOR BASIC TRANSPORTATION, AND HAVE MAINTAINED REGULAR UPKEEP. I AM APPALLED THAT I HAVE TO SPEND $5,000 TO FIX A FAULTY TRANSMISSION. I HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH AND IT SEEMS THAT A LOT OF JETTAS HAVE THIS PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY THE TURBOS. HOW CAN VOLKSWAGEN GET AWAY WITH THIS? I WOULD LIKE TO START A CLASS ACTION SUIT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS MATTER!. *AK

2002 JETTA ROOF LEAKS WATER WHEN HEAVY RAIN. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT MAY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

PURCHASED USED 2002 VW JETTA 1.8 TURBO (5 SPEED) WITH 34,000 MILES STILL UNDER WARRANTY. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR BLOWN FUSES (CIGARETTE LIGHTER), TRUNK LATCH, CENTER CONSOLE, AND TRANSMISSION REPAIRS. FUSE PROBLEM WAS ONGOING. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS, A LOCAL MECHANIC INSTALLED A SMALL BOOST GAUGE ON THE DASH, WHICH WAS WIRED INTO A 10 AMP FUSE. WITHIN FIVE DAYS, THE CAR WAS BEING BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WHEN SMOKE BEGAN POURING FROM ALL THE DASH VENTS. THE WIRE HARNESS, FUSE BLOCK, AND CONTROLLER COMPONENTS LOCATED BEHIND THE DASH WERE DESTROYED BY FIRE. VW OF AMERICA PREPARED TO SEND INVESTIGATORS TO NM, BUT WHEN THEY DISCOVERED GAUGE WIRING MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED, THEY DID NOT INVESTIGATE. HAVE READ OF OTHER ELECTRICAL FIRES BEHIND INSTRUMENT PANEL, DASH, SINCE THIS TIME. OUR SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE, BUT WAS ABLE TO GET OUT. *TR

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CAR SPUTTERS AND JUMPS. DEALER FIRST WORKED ON THE GEAR SHIFT. THEN THEY REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND THE BATTERY TO TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. RECENTLY SAID THERE WAS A LEAK AND REPLACED THE CRANKCASE VENT PIPES. STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

2002 JETTA WITH A SAFETY RECALL- REPLACED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO FIXED THE RECALL**CC THE VW SERVICE CENTER AND CUSTOMER CARE INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY HAD NO OBLIGATIONS TO PAY FOR TOWING OR ANY OTHER COST ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE LAST RECALL REGARDING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH THAT THE CONSUMER HAS REPLACED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER HAD EXPERIENCED THE VEHICLE LOCKING UP AS A RESULT OF THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE SWITCH. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS UNABLE TO READ THE PANEL. THE CONSUMER STATED IN THE PAST, THE TRUNK LATCH FAILED AS WELL AS A BROKEN BOLT ON THE TRANSMISSION, THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT AND THE EGR ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DOOR LATCH FAILED BECAUSE THE LOCK SIGNAL WAS NOT WORKING. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL FOR HIS DAUGHTER'S VEHICLE, THIS IS THE 3RD BRAKE SWITCH NOT TO MENTION OVER $800 IN UNWARRANTED CHARGES FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS HOPING THAT THIS CLASSIFIES THE VEHICLE AS A LEMON. THE CONSUMER STATED WOULD LIKE DEALERSHIP TO REVIEW THE OVER CHARGES OR BUYING THE VEHICLE BACK. *TR

HEADLIGHT LENS BECOME VERY MILKY. LIGHT WILL NOT SHINE ON ROAD. CAN'T SEE THE ROAD OR OTHER CARS. CAN CAUSE DAMAGE AND DEATH TO OTHERS. VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD MAKE THEM LASTS LONGER AND REPLACE ALL MILKY HEADLIGHS WITH NEW ONES. ALL 1999-2005 JETTAS 1998-2005 PASSATS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. GO TO ANY VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AND YOU WILL SEE THE PROBLEM.

CAR STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. USUALLY HAPPENED WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP OR WHILE AT A STOP. SOMETIMES STALLED WHEN STARTING UP FROM A STOP. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS AS CAR STALLED AND CARS BEHIND WERE BEGINNING TO SPEED UP OR WHEN TRYING TO CROSS A BUSY ROAD AND MAKING A LEFT TURN. I HAD ABOUT $1000 OF SERVICE AT THE LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. *AK

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR NORMALLY AND AT THE SPEED LIMIT ON A ROAD CLOSE TO MY HOME WHEN I DROVE OVER A SMALL BUMP OR POTHOLE IN THE ROAD. NORMALLY, THIS IMPACT WOULD HAVE BEEN SO SMALL AS TO BARELY CAUSE ANY EXTRA MOTION IN THE CAR. HOWEVER, ON THIS OCCASION, AFTER I RAN OVER THE BUMP, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT AND DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AND BACK CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS STARTLED WHEN THIS OCCURRED AND ACCIDENTALLY JERKED THE STEERING WHEEL, HITTING OFF OF THE DIVIDER WITH THE FRONT TIRE. I INSPECTED THE CAR TO MAKE SURE NOTHING HIT THE VEHICLE, AND TO CHECK THAT PRIOR TO THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, I HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING , I HAD NOT, THREE DAYS AFTER THIS INCIDENT, AFTER FILING A CLAIM, INSURANCE COMPANY CALLED ME TO INFORM ME THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOTIFIED THEM THAT WHEN THE AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED A REPORT WAS SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER WITH DATA FROM THE INCIDENT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY SUGGESTED I CONTACT NHTSA TO FILE A REPORT. THE REPORT SHOWED THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DUE TO A COLLISION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FROM WHICH I PURCHASED IT TO HAVE THE AIRBAGS REINSTALLED, AND TO REPAIR DAMAGE DONE DURING THE AFTERMATH OF THE INCIDENT. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

THE SUN ROOF OPENED BY ITSELF THE POP UP PORTION WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. I HAD TO TURN THE KNOB TO OPEN IT THEN TURN THE KNOB TO CLOSE IT AND THEN IT CLOSED. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THE BONDO IS RIPPING OF THE BACK PANELOF THE RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR. THERE IS ALSO A CRACK BETWEEN THE BONDO AND THE DOOR. IF THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH NEAR THE DOOR, THE PASSENGER SITTING IN THE RIGHT BACK PASSENGER SEAT A SERIOUS INJURY COULD OCCUR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 64,500.

2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WARRANTY CLAIM WAS DENIED FOR THE SECOND TIME AND THIS IS AN APPEAL LETTER**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST DENIAL LACKED AN ACTUAL REASON AND THE SECOND DENIAL STATED THE REPAIR TO HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT CONSIDERED AN EMERGENCY. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND OXYGEN SENSOR WERE REPLACED. *JB

ON APRIL 22, 2007 MY SON WAS RETURNING TO COLLEGE IN THE 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8T WHEN THE ENGINE SIEZED WITHOUT WARNING AS HE ACCELERATED TO ENTER A BUSY INTERSTAT 80. FORTUNATELY, HE WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. INTERSTATE 80WAS HEAVILY USED BY TRUCKS, AND HAD MY SON NOT BEEN IN A POSITION TO GET OFF TO THE SIDE THE ENGINE FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD NOT ONLY TO MY SON BUT TO MANY OTHER VEHICLES USING THIS HIGHWAY. *AK I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INSTANCE OF FAILURE OF THE VW 1.8 T ENGINE. FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET IT APPEARS THAT IS FAIRLY COMMON FOR THESE ENGINES TO FAIL AND VW TENDS TO BLAME THE OWNERS FOR IMPROPER MAINTENANCE. MY JETTA WAS PURCHASED IN APRIL 2006 WITH 31,000 MILES, IN THE YEAR THAT WE HAD THE CAR WE PUT APPROX. 10,000 MILES ON IT AND WE HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT LEAST TWO TIMES. WE PURCHASED THIS CAR BASED ON VW ADVERTISING ABOUT THE QUALITY AND SAFETY OF THESE CARS AND I FEEL THAT VW SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR POORLY ENGINEERED ENGINE AND ISSUE A RECALL TO CORRECT DEFICIENCIES WITH THIS ENGINE. I ORDER FOR ME TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE, I ALSO HAVE JUST BEEN INFORMED THAT WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY FROZE THE TRANSMISSION WAS ALSO DAMAGED. THE COST OF TO MAKE THIS CAR USABLE AGAIN WILL BE IN EXCESS OF $7,000. WHILE I DON'T FEEL THAT IT IS RIGHT THAT I AM STUCK WITH THE COST OF REPAIRS THAT ARE THE RESULT OF A SERIOUS DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE, I

I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON FORUMS ONLINE WHICH IS QUIT DISTURBING HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE AS WELL. THERE IS WATER THAT FORMS ON BOTH THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR AND SOMETIMES THE REAR FLOOR DURING RAINS. IT IS SUPPOSEDLY CLOGGED DRAINS. SHOULDN'T THESE DRAINS BE BIG ENOUGH TO HANDLE THE FLOW OF DEBRIS AND WATER. IT HAS HAPPENED IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT MODELS OF VW ACCORDING TO THE FORUMS. AND I AM UNDER A 2 YEAR VW WARRANTY BUT SUPPOSEDLY THIS ISN'T' COVERED ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. THIS COULD HAVE RUINED ELECTRONIC STUFF IN MY CAR OR COULD AS IT GETS WET. THERE WAS NOTHING ABOUT THIS IN THE MANUAL OR ANYTHING I HAD TO FIND IT OUT ONLINE. *JB

THE CABIN OF THE 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA EMITS A WAXY ODOR THAT I AM CONCERNED REPRESENTS ENGINE FUMES. I HAVE HAD THE CAR INSPECTED BY SEVERAL MECHANICS, AND, WHILE THEY COULD IDENTIFY THE ODOR, THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE SOURCE. THIS ODOR CAUSED ME AND MY PASSENGERS TO SUFFER BURNING EYES AND NAUSEA. *AK

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG/ CURTAIN ON 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, DEPLOYED WHILE TURNING RIGHT ON A WINDING ROAD. I WAS TRAVELING UNDER 20 MPH. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, AND BECAUSE IT WAS ON A BLIND TURN I WAS ALMOST HIT BY A CAR BEHIND ME. AFTER 30 SECONDS I TURNED THE ENGINE ON, AND PULLED OVER TO A SAFE AREA TO INSPECT THE CAR. I TRAVEL THE ROAD EVERYDAY AND NO POT HOLES EXIST. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE COMPUTER DID NOT REGISTER AN ACCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER, ENGINEER, LOOKED AT PICTURES SENT BY THE DEALERSHIP, AND SAID THAT THERE WERE SCRAPES UNDER THE CAR WHICH MUST HAVE CAUSED THE DEPLOYMENT. ASKED THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER IF THE SIDE AIR BAG/CURTAIN WAS NOT REPLACED WOULD THE OTHER AIR BAGS BE EFFECTED. THEY TOLD ME THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY PUBLIC INFORMATION ON THE EFFECT ONE DEPLOYMENT HAS ON THE REST OF THE SYSTEM, AND I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE IT FOR THE OTHER AIR BAGS TO PROVIDE PROTECTION. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND THEY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, WHO NOW REPORTED THAT THE COMPUTER READ AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED. I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

THE RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB WAS AT FIRST INTERMITTENT, BUT THEN BECAME INOPERATIVE. WHEN LIGHT WAS REMOVED THE FILAMENT WAS FINE, BUT THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF ARCING ACROSS THE CONTACTS. IT LOOKED LIKE THE CONTACTS WERE SHORT CIRCUITED. I HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM ABOUT A YEAR AGO. MY 2002 JETTA WAS NOT PART OF A RECALL OF THIS VERY PROBLEM. THE VIN # DID NOT QUALIFY. BUT, AFTER LOOKING AT FORUM POSTINGS THIS IS A BIGGER PROBLEM THAT THE GROUP OF VIN NUMBERS THAT VOLKSWAGEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.*AK

TL*-THE CONTACT TOOK THE 2002 VOLKSWAGEN GLS WAGON 1.8 TURBO WITH FAILURE MILEAGE: 6,261 TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO PROBLEMS DEALING WITH THE AIR BAG INDICATOR. THE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THERE WAS NO PARTICULAR PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE CONTINUED TO DIAGNOSE THE CONTACTS VEHICLE. HE PAID A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY FOR THE SERVICE. THE DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE MAY BE AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT PROBLEM, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS NOT SURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVER SINCE NOVEMBER 9, 2001 THE AIRBAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON HIS DASHBOARD. HE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO VOLKSWAGEN NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THEY HAVE NOT OFFERED HIM ANY EXPLANATION FOR THE PROBLEM. THE CURRENT MILEAGE OF THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WAS 82,500 MILES.*AK

I OWN A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8T, SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE 2 YEARS AGO I USED TO GET A MINIMAL KNOCK IN THE TRANSMISSION FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR, I ASKED THE DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT AND TRY TO FIND OUT IF THIS WAS NORMAL. AFTER THE 1ST YEAR I NOTICED THE KNOCK A LITTLE HARDER BUT PAID NO MIND TO IT BECAUSE DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL AND VW SAID IT WAS NORMAL, UNTIL THE DAY I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE VW DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING, MOMENTS LATER INSTEAD OF JUST CHECKING THE TRANSMISSION TO ITS FULLEST THEY REPLACED A RECALLED BRAKE SWITCH AND SAID THAT THIS WAS CAUSING THE KNOCK IN THE TRANSMISSION WITH A BILL OF ALMOST 2,000 DOLLARS I FIGURED FINALLY I GET MY TRANSMISSION TO WORK BETTER BECAUSE I WAS GETTING SICK AND TIRED OF GETTING WHIPLASHED BY THE KNOCK THAT'S HOW BAD IT IS TILL THIS DAY. IN APPROXIMATE TWO DAYS I GET THE SAME KNOCK IN THE TRANSMISSION AND IM LIKE OH MAN I THOUGHT THEY FIXED THIS PROBLEM, I SPOKE WITH A SERVICE MANAGER WHO SAID "WELL BRING IT IN AGAIN AND IF WE MISSED ANYTHING WE WILL TAKE CARE OF IT AT NO EXTRA CHARGE". I SAID "OK" WELL A FEW HOURS PASSED AND THE DEALER CALLS ME UP AND TELLS ME WELL WE FOUND YOUR PROBLEM BUT IT IS A HEFTY PRICE ON FIXING IT!, I AM THINKING PROB 1,000 BUCKS MORE! WRONG!, HE TELLS ME MY TRANSMISSION IS NO GOOD WE NEED TO REPLACE IT WITH A REBUILT WHICH WILL COST AROUND $3,800 DOLLARS I'M LIKE JESUS CHRIST! IF THEY WOULD'VE STOPPED UP-SELLING ME BS FIXES IN MY CAR I WOULD'VE HAD THE MONEY TO FIX IT!

SAFETY RECALL 1999-2002 JETTA BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CUSTOMER IS VERY UPSET AND WANTS HIS MONEY BACK FOR THE PART AND INSTALLATION**NAR**CC *JB

OIL LIGHT COMES ON, MOSTLY DURING TURNS. SWEET SMELL IN INTERIOR CABIN. WATER ENTERING INTERIOR FLOOR LEVEL. *AK

(1) MANY ELECTRICAL ANOMALIES. LOSS OF AIR CONDITION. DEALERSHIP ADVISES IT IS COOLANT MIGRATION CAUSING ELECTRICAL/POWER PROBLEMS. COOLANT MIGRATING FROM COOLANT BOTTLE INTO THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND INTO ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. (2)COOLANT MIGRATION HAS CAUSED SEVERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND THE VEHICLE MUST BE RE-WIRED. COST TO ME $310.-TO BE DETERMINED(PROBABLY 6-10,000$) (3)DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO ASSIST WITH GETTING VW OF AMERICA TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT THEIR COST. VW OF AMERICA REFUSED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT MY REQUEST. VW HAS KNOWN SINCE 2001 (SEE TECHNICAL BULLETIN 97-01-01) THAT THE COOLANT BOTTLE IS DEFECTIVE AND HAS NOT RECALLED IT, OR PROVIDED TECHNICAL BULLETINS AS TO HOW TO PREVENT IT. DEALER ADVISES THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN ITS PRESENT CONDITION. *JB

ENGINE HARNESS WIRING PROBLEMS - CHECK ENGINE, GLOW PLUG AND AIR BAG INDICATORS TURN ON POWER INTERMITTENT - WIPERS STOPPED FUNCTIONING. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VW JETTA. WHENEVER THEREWAS HEAVY RAIN, THE WATER CAME THROUGH THE SUN ROOF. THE WATER DAMAGED THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED MOLD UNDER THE CARPET CUSHION. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. *AK

LEFT SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING ON MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA ON 1/30/07. VW CLAIMS THERE IS CRASH DATA IN THE ONBOARD COMPUTER. HOWEVER NO ACCIDENT / CRASH OCCURRED. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON THEIR OWN. I SEE ACCORDING TO NHTSA #PE04081 THAT THE INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED ON THIS. I'LL BET THIS INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN AND ONLY AFTER SOMEONE GETS KILLED AND LAW SUITS FLY WILL SOMETHING GET DONE ABOUT IT. *NM

IN APRIL 2006 WE PURCHASED A 2002 VW JETTA FROM A PRIVATE PARTY. THE CAR HAD 65,000 MILES. SHE WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR AND HAD TAKEN METICULOUS CARE OF THE CAR. WE HAVE ALL THE SERVICE RECORDS DATING BACK TO IT'S ORIGINAL PURCHASE. IT HAD BEEN IN FOR ALL SCHEDULED TUNEUPS. VW OFFERS A 60,000 MILE OR 5 YEAR WARRANTY ON THE DRIVE TRAIN. IN NOVEMBER 2006 THE RADIATOR WARNING APPEARED ON THE DASH. WE TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIMED THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WERE MIXING AND CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO HE TRANSMISSION. ESTIMATED COST OF REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION $5,890. THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC NEVER STATED WHAT CAUSED THE MIXING FLUIDS AND WOULD NOT SPECULATE. WE TOOK THE CAR TO OUR LOCAL MECHANIC. HE WAS ABLE TO ISOLATED THE PROBLEM WITHIN 20 MINUTES. THE TRANSMISSION COOLER IS LEAKING ALLOWING THE TWO FLUIDS TO CO-MINGLE. AS A RESULT OF THE MIXING FLUIDS, THE BELTS, HOSES, RADIATOR, AND TRANSMISSION ARE ALL SEVERELY DAMAGED. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC THE TRANSMISSION COOLER IS SEALED WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING AND IS NEVER MEANT TO BE CHANGED. IT'S POSITION IS PROTECTED FROM ANY ROAD DEBRIS AND NO QUALITY OF HOW THE CAR WAS DRIVEN WOULD EFFECT THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS PART. IT'S HIS OPINION THAT THE PART HAD A MANUFACTURED DEFECT. SINCE THE CAR WAS ORIGINALLY DIAGNOSED IN NOVEMBER IT HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN. WE ARE CURRENTLY AWAITING AN APPEAL TO THE VW AMERICA.

TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA AND THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO TURN ON WHEN ONE APPLIES THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT WANTS THE SAFETY RECALL ON VOLKSWAGEN BRAKE LIGHTS TO APPLY TO ALL OF THE VOLKSWAGEN VEHICLES. *JB

BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #06V183000 REGARDING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 01/19/07. *JB

ON OCTOBER 19, 2006, WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL THIS INDICATED A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT COULD EFFECT THE BRAKES ON THE CAR. ON OCTOBER 26, 2006 I TOOK THE CAR TO FISCHER'S FOREIGN CARS, INC. FOR REPAIR. THEY TOLD ME THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $702.93 AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM (THEY GAVE ME A COPY OF THE RECALL LETTER FROM VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA INC(VOA) DATED MARCH 12, 2002) AND THAT I SHOULD FILE A CLAIM WITH VOA FOR REIMBURSEMENT. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW ON FEBRUARY 16, 2002, AND NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. ON NOVEMBER 4, 2006, I SENT A REGISTERED LETTER TO VOA REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. I ALSO ENCLOSED COPIES OF THE RECALL LETTER AND THE REPAIR BILL. ABOUT NOVEMBER 11, 2006, I RECEIVED A TELEPHONE CALL FROM A WOMAN AT VOA AND SHE SAID THAT THE RECALL LETTER DID NOT COVER MY CAR AND THAT BECAUSE THE FACTORY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED IN FEBRUARY 2006, THAT VOA WOULD NOT HONOR MY REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT. SHE SAID THE DECISION WAS FINAL. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE RECALL WOULD NOT COVER MY CAR WHEN THE PROBLEM INDICATED IN THE RECALL LETTER IS THE SAME AS MINE. IT SEEMS THAT THE RECALL SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED MORE CARS WHEN IT IS OBVIOUS FROM MY DEFECTIVE ABS MODULE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED. AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE, MY CAR HAD 38,631 MILES ON IT. I AM CONCERNED

FAILURE OF IGNITION COIL PACK AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER DP05004. COIL PACK FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED BY DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT (WHERE WE HAD THE CAR TOWED AFTER IT DIED ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY). THE DEALERSHIP INTENDS TO BILL ME ABOUT $700 TO REPLACE THE COIL PACK. WHEN I MENTIONED THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN CITED IN THE ACTION SUMMARY ON YOUR WEBSITE, BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE VW CUSTOMER CARE CENTER SAID THEY HAD NO INFORMATION ABOUT IT AND WOULD NOT HONOR IT. *NM

THE SEAT HEATER IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY 2002 JETTA BURNT THROUGH THE SEAT AND MY PANTS. I WAS STILL IN THE PARKING LOT, SO NO OTHER DAMAGE OCCURRED. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS IF MY WIFE OR I WAS DRIVING, OR IF THE SEAT HEATER WAS ON WHILE THE CAR WARMED UP WITHOUT US IN IT. I'M PURSUING MY OPTIONS WITH VOLKWAGEN AT THE MOMENT...THIS IS THE LAST STRAW, NEVER BUY A VW, ESPECIALLY A JETTA. IT HAS GIVEN US PROBLEMS FROM THE MOMENT WE BOUGHT IT NEW. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE SEAT HEATER BURNED A COUPLE OF HOLES ON THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER ON 11/29/06. UPDATED 12/15/06 *JB

THIS IS A REPORT OF THE FAILURE OF THE BOOSTER BRAKE ON A 2002 VW TDI JETTA. THE SYMPTOMS ARE THAT WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WILL SUDDENLY BE SUCKED TO THE FLOOR RESULTING IN A SUDDEN STOP. THE DANGER CREATED IS OF BEING REAR-ENDED AND IS A POTENTIAL LIFE THREATENING ISSUE. THE PROBLEM IS DIFFICULT TO TROUBLE SHOOT BECAUSE IT IS INTERMITTENT. ONCE THE PEDAL IS SUCKED TO THE FLOOR IT COULD BE DAYS BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I SEE THAT AT LEAST ELEVEN OTHER 2002 JETTA OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE SUDDEN BRAKING PROBLEM TO NHTS, I.E. ODI ID #10103196, 10129643, 10137579, 10100576, 10058106, 10027194, 8011122, 10139134, 10086927, 8023749, 769651. IN EACH CASE, WHERE A SOLUTION IS MENTIONED, THE SOLUTION INVOLVED THE BOOSTER BRAKE. IN MY CASE THE VW DEALER, AFTER TRYING TWICE, DID NOT FIND THE SOLUTION. IT WAS AFTER INTERACTING WITH THE FOLKS AT THE VW TDI CLUB WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I LEARNED THEIR SOLUTION WHICH WAS TO REPLACE THE BOOSTER BRAKE. THE VW DEALER AGREED TO REPLACE MY BOOSTER BRAKE ONLY IF I AGREED TO HOLD NO ONE OTHER THAN MYSELF RESPONSIBLE SHOULD THE REPLACEMENT NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND IF THEY COULD REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER IN ADDITION TO THE BOOSTER BRAKE. THE REPAIR MADE OVER A YEAR AGO ON 25 OCTOBER 2005, SOLVED MY SUDDEN BRAKING PROBLEM. I SEE THAT OTHERS ON THE TDI WEB SITE ARE STILL HAVING BOOSTER BRAKE PROBLEMS AND THAT THEY HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN GETTING VOLKSWAGONS ATTENTION. THE HELP OF THE NHTS IS NEEDED TO RAISE THE CORPORAT

ON 30 OCTOBER 2006, I HAD TO HAVE MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN THAT WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW TOWED INTO THE DEALERSHIP. MY CAR WOULDN'T START. THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY, REPLACED THE BATTERY AND IT STILL WOULDN'T START. I HAD TO HAVE THE POWER WIRE TO THE STARTER REPLACED. I'M BEING TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT IS VERY UNCOMMON FOR THIS WIRE TO BE REPLACED. I JUST WOULD LIKE TO KNOW FROM VOLKSWAGEN HAVE THEY RECEIVED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS. I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING OF A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE HIT A SMALL POTHOLE AND BOTH SIDE AIR BAGS ON THE DRIVER SIDE DEPLOYED. NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR ONE MONTH. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD SEND A TECHNICIAN FOR INSPECTION HOWEVER, THE CONTACT NEVER KNEW IF SUCH INSPECTION EVER HAPPENED. THE CONTACT WAS VERY CONCERNED THAT AN UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. 1/31/2007 - *NM

THE OIL PAN IS MADE OF ALUMINUM AND THE DRAIN PLUG IS METAL. WHEN MY MECHANIC CHANGED IT OUT IT WAS STRIPPED CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW OIL PAN, SCREW AND LABOR OF ABOUT 440.00. I AM REQUESTING A FULL REFUND AND ASKING VW TO REPLACE THE DRAIN PLAIN WITH AN ALUMINUM SCREW OR REPLACE THE OIL PAN. AFTER REVIEWING VW BLOGS OTHER CARS ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. THE SECOND THINS IS THE TRANSMISSION SERVICE. I HAD BEEN REQUESTING OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS FROM THE DEALER THAT MY TRANSMISSION BE SERVICED BUT THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT SERVICEABLE. EVEN MY MECHANIC WHO CALLED TO FIX THE OIL THEY ALSO TOLD HIM THAT BECAUSE MY TRANSMISSION WAS NOT CHANGING GEARS PROPERLY. HE PULLED IT ANY AND FOUND THAT THE FLUID WAS BLACK AND THE FILTER WAS CLOGGED NOT ALLOWING IN FLUID TO FLOW THROUGH. HAD I WAITED TWO WEEKS MORE I WOULD HAVE HAD TO REPLACED THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. ANOTHER COAST OF ABOUT 120.00...TOTAL REQUEST FROM VW IS 1000 FOR REPLACEMENT COST AND LABOR. *NM

VOLKSWAGEN STEERING SAFETY: THE STEERING COLUMN ON MY 2002 VW JETTA WILL NOT LOCK IN ANY REACH OR RAKE POSITION. THIS CAUSES THE STEERING COLUMN TO MOVE UP & DOWN, AND BACK & FORTH WHILE DRIVING. THIS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION CAN LEAD TO SEVERAL POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND/OR FATAL SITUATIONS: - THE DRIVER MAY BE UNABLE TO SAFELY STEER THE CAR. - UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR PROPERLY, THE VEHICLE OPERATOR MAY ENDANGER HIM/HERSELF & PASSENGERS, OTHER VEHICLES PASSENGERS, PEDESTRIANS, & PROPERTY. - IN AN ACCIDENT THE DRIVER AIR BAG MAY DEPLOY IN THE WRONG POSITION (TOO HIGH, TOO LOW, TOO CLOSE, TOO FAR AWAY) RESULTING IN A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS (OR FATAL) INJURY. THE LOCAL VW PARTS DEPT SAYS NO PART IS AVAILABLE TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION; AN ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN IS THE ONLY FIX. SUCH EXPENSE IS UNREASONABLE (SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS); STEERING COLUMNS SHOULD LAST HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF MILES, NOT 93,000 MILES OR FOUR YEARS. I MADE THREE GOODWILL CONTACTS WITH VAG (VOLKSWAGEN AUDI GROUP) PRIOR TO CONTACTING THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. MY INTENT IN CONTACTING VW WAS TO: - SEE THAT OTHER VW OWNERS WITH SIMILAR SITUATIONS MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THE STEERING COLUMN MAY NOT BE SECURE AND SAFE. - THE ONLY CURRENT REPAIR AVAILABLE FROM VW IS AN EXCESSIVELY EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. MANY OWNERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EASILY AFFORD THIS REPAIR COSTING SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. SUCH A CONDITION MAY LEAD TO ACCIDENTS, INJURIES AND POTENT

MY GLOWPLUG RELAY FAILED AND MELTED CONNECTOR AND KILLED BATTERY. HTTP://WWW.PUTFILE.COM/PIC.PHP?IMG=3822124 HTTP://WWW.PUTFILE.COM/PIC.PHP?IMG=3822125 HTTP://WWW.PUTFILE.COM/PIC.PHP?IMG=3822126 ABOVE PICS OF FAILED REALY. *JB

TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATER. SEAT STARTED TO FEEL QUITE WARM, THEN I SMELLED SMOKE. PROMPTLY TURNED OFF SEAT HEATER AND LOOKED AT THE SEAT. WHEN I LOOKED DOWN I SAW A SMALL BURN HOLE IN THE SEAT. RECEIVED A MINOR BURN ON MY BUTT. GLAD I WAS NOT YET ON THE HIGHWAY. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH OVER A POTHOLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 12/01/06. *JB

THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REFERENCE TO A FLAW AND MISREPRESENTATION OF GOODYEAR EAGLE LS 195/65 TIRES INSTALLED ON A 2002 VW JETTA 1.8T. HE TIRES WEAR EXCESSIVELY, AND CAUSED ME TO LOSE TRACTION IN THE RAIN AND CRASH. THE CRASH CAUSED $7,800 IN DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER MISREPRESENTS THE TIRES AS HAVING EXCELLENT WET TRACTION, AND VERY DURABLE TREAD WEAR. THESE TIRES SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED, AS I HAVE ALSO HERD OF OTHER COMPLAINTS AND WILL ATTEMPT TO CONTACT GOODYEAR DIRECTLY. *NM

ENGINE REVS HIGH WHEN ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED, BUT DOES NOT ACCELERATE. THIS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC. *NM

2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA - FRONT SEAT HEATERS MUCH MUCH TOO HOT ...WITHIN 2 MINUTES OF TURNING THEM ON I COULD FEEL A DIME SIZE BURN ON MY SKIN. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER BY POLICE AND INFORMED THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. THE 3 BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE IN RAPID SUCCESSION AND REQUIRED THAT THE BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN AUGUST. THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED INTERMITTENTLY, AS WELL AS, THE LIGHTING IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BY THE HEAT SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT INFORMED THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 06V183000 FOR THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS: SWITCH DUE TO THE VIN, ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEMS WERE SIMILAR.

WAY TO MANY TO LIST HERE. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS FROM THE START. MORE THAN $7000 WORTH OF REPAIR (PLUS MORE THAT WAS COVERED BY WARR) THE FINAL ITEM THAT CAUSED ME TO SAY I WOULD NEVER CONSIDER ANOTHER VW PRODUCT WAS THE ENGINE DAMAGE CAUSED BY A TIMING BELT FAILURE. ALL SERVICES WERE PERFORMED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE USERS MANUAL STATES INSPECTION OF THE BELT AT SERVICES (THAT I PAID FOR) AND REPLACEMENT AT 120,000 MILES. I ONLY HAD 92,000 MILES. IT WILL COST $5,000 TO REPAIR THE ENGINE. IT IS NOT COST EFFECTIVE TO REPAIR THIS CAR. IT WAS A GREAT CAR TO DRIVE BUT QUALITY CONTROL IS POOR AT BEST. *NM

I WAS DRIVING IN DOWNTOWN BOSTON IN A CONSTRUCTION AREA TRAVELING ABOUT 10-15 MPH, WHEN MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I CONTACTED VW, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS AN ACCIDENT THAT I HIT SOMETHING AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH MY INSURANCE. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING AS THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT DATE, I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK IT UP IN MY RECORDS AS IT HAPPENED 4 YEARS AGO. *NM

2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS - DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT BEGAN TO BURN AND SMOLDER. VOLKSWAGEN STATED THERE IS AN 'OPEN CAMPAIGN' ON THIS ISSUE AND THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD CORRECT. *NM