2002 Volkswagen Jetta complaints

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWICE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #06V183000 REGARDING EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 10/0/406. *JB

THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE. I TURNED OFF MY CAR WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION. I READ THE MANUAL, AND IT WAS NOT HELPFUL. IT JUST STATED THAT I SHOULD TAKE THE CAR TO A DEALER OR QUALIFIED SPECIALIST AS SOON AS POSSIBLE (NOTE: THIS IS WHAT THE BOOKLET SAYS FOR THE MAJORITY OF ITEMS IN THE OWNERS' MANUAL). UPON RETURNING TO MY VEHICLE, I STARTED MY CAR ONCE MORE. MY ENGINE TURNED OVER, BUT THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT FROM PARK INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO AN AUTO SHOP. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE AUTO SHOP INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR HAD A "FEATURE" THAT DISABLED THE CAR FROM SHIFTING GEARS DUE TO A TAIL-LIGHT FUSE THAT BLEW OUT. IT IS BELIEVED THAT DISABLING THE VEHICLE SERVES THE PURPOSE OF MAINTAINING SAFETY ON THE STREETS- A VEHICLE IN MOTION WITHOUT TAILLIGHTS IS APPARENTLY MORE DANGEROUS THAN A DRIVER STRANDED ON THE ROAD BECAUSE THEIR CAR HAS STRANDED THEM. LUCKILY, I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH NOT TO BE IN A BAD SITUATION. SO FINALLY, THE CAR WAS FIXED, OF COURSE AFTER I PAID YET ANOTHER HEFTY BILL FOR MY CAR. *JB

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY MIL LIGHT SINCE MY 5 YR/50,000 MILE WARRANTY EXPIRED-IN FACT, I HAVE LOST COUNT AS TO HOW MANY TIMES I'VE HAD TO TAKE MY CAR IN (THE NUMBER OF FAILURES LISTED BELOW IS JUST AN ESTIMATE). THE FIRST TIME THIS LIGHT CAME ON, THE CAR HAD 52 OR 54 MILES ON IT. IT WAS ONLY A FEW DAYS OLD. APPARENTLY SOMETHING HAD CRACKED. IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR, THREE OF THE CABLES BROKE, THEN NOT TWO WEEKS LATER THE OTHER THREE BROKE. THE PROBLEMS JUST KEPT ADDING UP. I HAVE TRIED TO BE PATIENT WITH THIS DEALERSHIP, BUT SIMPLY CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY ON AVERAGE, I END UP BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP, GETTING MY CAR SERVICED ON AVERAGE, TWO WEEKS AFTER THE CAR'S INITIAL APPOINTMENT. THE LAST TIME I WENT IN, I SPOKE WITH THE MANAGER. FIRST, HE DISPARAGINGLY ASKED ME IF I WAS MAKING SURE TO FILL THE GAS TANK WITH PREMIUM GAS, AS IS WRITTEN ON THE GAS FLAP. HE THEN PROCEEDED TO ASK IF I WAS TIGHTENING THE GAS CAP. HE REASSURED ME THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE FURTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS SPECIFIC PART, BECAUSE ALL THE PARTS PERTAINING TO THIS SPECIFIC LIGHT HAVE BEEN REPLACED. LO AND BEHOLD, TWO DAYS AGO, MY MIL LIGHT WENT ON. ON AVERAGE, EACH TIME I VISIT THIS PARTICULAR DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT, I END UP PAYING $350-600 DOLLARS. SOMEHOW, THAT DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT. I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT'S INSTRUCTIONS, AND TO MY DISMAY, THIS LONG-STANDING, EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *JB

I OWN A 2002 VW JETTA GLI, AND IT HAS MERELY 54,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS COME IN STANDARD TRANSMISSION, AND WE BOUGHT IT WHEN IT WAS ISSUED AS NEW. AS I WAS ON MY WAY HOME HEADING TOWARDS NEW JERSEY, FROM NEW YORK. MY CLUTCH PEDAL BEGAN TO LOOSEN UP. I TRIED SWITCHING FROM 3RD GEAR TO 4TH, AND THE CLUTCH LOOSELY WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND IT WOULD NOT POP BACK UP. AS MY CAR ROLLED ON THE BRIDGE, IT STAYED IN NEUTRAL. HENCE, I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. NOW I HAVE BEEN READING OTHER FORUMS AND THEY HAVE GOTTEN THE SAME ISSUE. *NM

I OWN A 2002 JETTA 1.8T MANUAL SPEED WAGON PURCHASED ON 3/31/06. LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY, MY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED. THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS RECALLS ON 2002 JETTA'S WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART, HOWEVER MY CAR'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL. AS THERE ARE FEW MANUAL WAGONS PRODUCED AND MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS SEEM TO DECREASE THE FAILURE SLIGHTLY, THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THIS CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IS THE SAME PART AS THE RECALLED 2002 JETTAS AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL OR AT LEAST BE REQUIRED TO BE REPLACED BY VW AS IT IS A KNOWN FAULTY PART. I WOULD LIKE TO INCLUDE MY VIN ON THE RECALL AS IT IS USING THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART (AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES). *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SHIFTING GEARS, THE SHIFTER BECAME STUCK IN PARK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LOCK SHIFT TWICE IN THE LAST TWO YEARS AND THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V183000, REGARDING THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS: SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN .

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED, WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS ON OR OFF. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V096000, REGARDING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

I OWN A 2002 VW JETTA. RECENTLY, THE BRAKE LIGHT HAS BECOME INOPERATIVE AT TIMES AND REMAINS ON EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT RUNNING. I HAVE COMPLETED SEVERAL SEARCHES ONLINE AND HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE SAFETY RECALLS FOR 2002 JETTA'S EXHIBITING THE SAME PROBLEM, WITH THE POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED TO BE 377,130 IN 2004 AND 362,000 EARLIER THIS YEAR. WHEN I CONTACTED THE VW DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS LOOKED AT I WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE AS A RESULT OF THE RECENT RECALL. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP ON THE DAY OF THE SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT I WAS TOLD OTHERWISE. THE GENTLEMAN AT THE DEALERSHIP MENTIONED THAT MY VEHICLE DID NOT FALL IN THE VIN RANGE OF THE RECALL. I THEN CALLED VW OF AMERICA AND WAS TOLD ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THAT INDEED THE REPAIR WOULD BE COVERED FREE OF CHARGE. I THEN CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO RESCHEDULE THE APPOINTMENT AND WAS AGAIN TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSTICS TO BE COMPLETED ON MY VEHICLE AS WELL AS COVERING THE CHARGES FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THE ISSUE REMAINS THAT MY BRAKE LIGHT IS MALFUNCTIONING, THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL WHICH IMPACTS 2002 JETTA'S BUT I SEEM TO GET CONFLICTING INFORMATION FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES. CAN SOMEONE HELP? *JB

WHILE DRIVING IN THE AFTERNOON, MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND ACCELERATION CAPABILITY WITH THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COMING ON AND BLINKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY. I AM INFORMED MY 2002 VW JETTA 1.8T HAS "3 FAULTY COILS." THE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN AND WITHOUT WARNING. I MAINTAIN MY CAR ACCORDING TO VW SPECS. IN 02/2003 VW ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBLEM WITH THIS IN OVER 530,000 2001 TO EARLY 2003 VEHICLES. I FEEL THE FAILURE WAS PREMATURE (AS TO WHAT COULD BE TYPICALLY EXPECTED OF AN ENGINE/VEHICLE FOR RELIABILITY), AND A DANGER. OBVIOUSLY THE FACT THAT IT HAS REMANIFESTED IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME SHOWS THAT IT WAS NOT PROPERLY ADDRESSED WITH THE ORIGINAL FIX ONLY 2 YEARS AGO. MY VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO ADEQUATELY MAINTAIN ITSELF WITHIN THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. I WAS LUCKY TO GET TO THE 'SLOW LANE' WITHOUT INCIDENT. VW DISCLAIMS ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFECT OR OTHERWISE AND SAYS THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY PERIOD I AM RESPONSIBLE ($454.00). I WILL PAY THIS, BUT HOW CAN I DRIVE KNOWING THAT THESE COILS COULD STOP ALL OR ANY ONE CYLINDER FROM CORRECTLY FIRING? THIS COULD KILL ME AND THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT CARE.. AS THEY QUITE BLUNTLY STATED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A FAULTY ELECTRICAL BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MALFUNCTION AND THE BRAKE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALERS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF A RECALL ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES SIMILAR SYMPTOMS. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED ONLINE TO CHECK ON RECALLS PERTAINING TO THE VEHICLE'S SYMPTOMS, RECALL #04V096000 IDENTIFIED SIMILARITIES. THE DEALERS OFFERED TO REPLACE THE PART FOR A COST.

TURN SIGNAL UNIT CLICKING AT TWICE THE SPEED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN TURN SIGNAL IS NOT EVEN TURNED ON. LIGHTS HAVE NEVER BEEN ACTUATED YET, BUT VW DEALER TOLD ME IT COULD HAPPEN AS MALFUNCTION PROGRESSES. VEHICLE ONLY 4 YEARS OLD WITH 88 000 KMS. NO RECALL BY MANUFACTURER YET, ALTHOUGH DEALER TOLD ME IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. COST OF REPLACEMENT FOR STEERING STALK FLASHER UNIT IS 250 DOLLARS. *NM

7TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. CAR IS IMMOBILIZED BY A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH - HAS HAPPENED EVERY SIX MONTHS SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ILLUMINATE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THEY DETERMINED THE RECALL REMEDY REPAIR FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, # 04V096000, WERE PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE. THE DEFECT HAS REAPPEARED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V183000, REGARDING THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE DRIVER AND SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DETERMINED BY COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC THAT A CRASH OCCURRED ALTHOUGH NO CRASH ACTUALLY OCCURRED. THE DEALER CAN GIVE NO OTHER REASON FOR THE DEPLOYMENT.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT SLOWED WITHOUT WARNING, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID THE VEHICLE. THE LEFT FRONT IMPACTED WITH THE RIGHT REAR OF THE SLOWED VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH EXTREME FORCE CAUSING THE CONTACTS HANDS TO BE REMOVED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN MOTION. THE DEPLOYED AIR BAG ALSO OBSCURED THE CONTACTS VIEW. THE VEHICLE THEN BECAME AIRBORNE OVER A DITCH AND CAME TO REST IN A FIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE BY BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER HOWEVER INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED AT THE SCENE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WAS NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE OF IMPACT.

I'M NOT POSITIVE THIS CONSTITUTES A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT IT MAY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT SINCE AN ALUMINUM OIL PAN COULD BE SEVERELY DAMAGED AND COULD CAUSE AN OIL SPILL, BUT BELOW IS A PORTION OF THE LETTER I SUBMITTED TO VOLKSWAGEN USING THEIR ONLINE FORM. IF THIS IS NOT UNDER YOUR OFFICE'S RESPONSIBILITIES, CAN YOU TELL ME WHO I SHOULD CONTACT NEXT? BASICALLY THEY TOLD ME IT COULD TAKE THEM 2 TO 3 YEARS TO ISSUE A RECALL IF EVER. THANK YOU. I TOOK MY 2002 JETTA IN ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 10TH FOR WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, BUT $330 DOLLARS LATER WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW OIL PAN. SOMETHING THAT IS 99% OF THE TIME ONLY REPLACED AFTER AN ACCIDENT OR AFTER 15 YEARS OR SO IF IT'S RUSTED OUT. THE REASON: THE OIL PAN ITSELF IS MADE OF ALUMINUM AND THE DRAIN PLUG IS MADE OF STEEL. ANYONE WITH HALF AN OUNCE OF ENGINEERING OR MATERIALS KNOWLEDGE (SOMETHING I WOULD HOPE AND ASSUME A VOLKSWAGEN PARTS DESIGNER HAS) KNOWS THAT YOU DON'T MANUFACTURE A PART OUT OF A SOFT METAL WHICH HAS SOMETHING SCREWED INTO IT MADE OUT OF A HARDER METAL. THE THREADS EVENTUALLY GET COMPLETELY STRIPPED AFTER REPEATED OIL CHANGES. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE SCHEDULE IN MY OWNER'S MANUAL, OIL CHANGES ARE MANDATORY SERVICE REQUIRED TO KEEP THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY. ALSO THIS COULD VERY WELL PRESENT A SAFETY ISSUE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT DUE TO LEAKING OIL IF THE PAN WAS DAMAGED SINCE IT'S MADE OF ALUMINUM. WHAT HAS ANGERED ME THE MOST ABOUT THIS IS THAT VOLKSW

2002 VW JETTA WITH LEATHER SEATS - SEAT HEATER BURNED DAUGHTER'S LEG AND MADE BURN MARK ON THE SEAT, SMOKE, BUT NO FIRE. IS THIS A RECALL? *NM

TURN SIGNAL STALK IS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSING A FULL ELECTRICAL LOOP CAUSING A FAST CLICKS AS IF THE TURN SIGNAL FLASHER WAS ON, BUT IT'S NOT. AT TIMES IT HAS CAUSED THE FLASHER LIGHTS TO COME ON WHEN I HAD NOT EVEN TOUCHED THE TURN SIGNAL STALK. *JB

THE TURN SIGNAL ON MY 2002 VW JETTA, VIN [XXX] OPERATES AT RANDOM. THIS CONDITION SOMETIMES OCCURS AFTER GOING OVER BUMPS OR AFTER COMPLETING A LANE CHANGE MANEUVER. THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IS IN THE CENTER, OR "OFF" POSITION BUT THE TURN SIGNAL / HAZARD FLASHER STARTS AND/OR STOPS AT RANDOM. VW'S SAFETY RECALL VX DATED MARCH 2005 CLAIMS THAT MY VEHICLE IS OUTSIDE THE RANGE OF AFFECTED VINS BUT CLEARLY THIS IS NOT THE CASE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS CONCERN AND CONSIDER FORCING VW TO DO A MORE EXTENSIVE RECALL AS THIS PROBLEM IS NOT JUST ANNOYING, IT IS POTENTIALLY A SAFETY CONCERN. AN ACCIDENT OR ELECTRICAL FIRE COULD POSSIBLY RESULT FROM THIS CONDITION. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

MY WIFE'S 2002 JETTA STATION WAGON TURBO HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. ONLY 30 K AND TODAY A $2,600 REPAIR. VALVE FOR AIR CONDITIONER PUMP BROKE AND SENT METAL FRAGMENTS THROUGH THE SYSTEM NECESSITATING REPLACEMENT OF AC PUMP. COOLING FAN NOT WORKING- THAT'S $800.00. LAST REPAIR WAS AUTO WINDOWS- IDIOT DESIGNERS PUT IN PLASTIC COMPONENTS. MY WIFE TAKES EXCELLENT CARE OF HER VEHICLE (OIL CHANGE, ETC.) AND THIS INFERIOR BIT OF WORKMANSHIP JUST COSTS HER MORE MONEY. SHE WILL SHORTLY BE DUMPING THIS PIECE OF CRAP FOR TOYOTA COROLLA. *NM

2002 JETTA GLS AUTOMATIC CARS. THE SIDE BUTTON YOU PUSH ON THE SHIFT HANDLE GETS STUCK IN AND DOESN'T POP OUT. THIS CAUSES ME TO NOT BE ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY OR CAN ACCIDENTALLY SHIFT INTO ANOTHER GEAR IF IT DOESN'T POP OUT. *JB

THE CAR WOULD NOT START, MADE A CLICKING SOUND WITH EACH ATTEMPT, AND THE RADIO AND AUTOMATIC WINDOWS WOULD NOT TURN ON/RESPOND TO CONTROL. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND THE STARTER WAS FOUND TO BE THE PROBLEM ON A RELATIVELY NEW CAR (3YRS. OLD), 40000K. HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY READ ANECDOTAL COMPLAINTS THAT VW'S HAVE STARTER PROBLEMS. *JB

2002 JETTA REAR LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *TS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE LIGHT PROBLEMS. *JB

THE FRONT, SIDE AND SIDE-IMPACT AIRBAGS IN MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA ALL FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN I WAS STRUCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BY A TRUCK TRAVELING AT 40-50 MILES PER HOUR. THE PARAMEDICS AND RESPONDING OFFICER ENCOURAGED ME TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT, SAYING THAT I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE RIDING ALONE BECAUSE A PASSENGER WOULD NOT HAVE SURVIVED THE ACCIDENT WITHOUT AIRBAG PROTECTION. I HAVE ALREADY CONTACTED VW AND SUBMITTED THE FORMS AND PHOTOGRAPHS THEY REQUESTED FOR VALIDATION OF MY CLAIM, BUT - AS EXPECTED - THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED. I HAVE NO INTENTION OF SUING, BUT I AM DISTURBED BY VOLKSWAGENS' RECENT CAMPAIGN TO MARKET THE JETTA BASED ON ITS SAFETY. IN THE 3 1/2 YEARS I OWNED THE CAR, I HAD TO RETURN IT FOR RECALLS/REPAIRS 14 TIMES, SO I BELIEVE THE AIRBAG FAILURE TO BE YET ANOTHER SYMPTOM OF THE JETTA'S POOR MANUFACTURING. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION AND PHOTOGRAPHS. *NM

A 2002 JETTA VOLKSWAGEN, 2.0 LTR ENGINE, CATALYTIC CONVERTER GONE BAD. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN OCTOBER, RIGHT AROUND 78,000 MILES. HAD IT CHECKED IN DECEMBER AND FOUND FAULTY O2 SENSORS. CHANGED THOSE. ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON. HAD TECHNICIAN DO A THOROUGH CAR CHECK, FOUND ORIGINAL FUEL FILTER (AT 80,000 MI.), NEW SPARK PLUGS, CHECKED ELECTRICAL TO MAKE SURE NOT SHORTING OUT, CHANGED WIRES, MADE SURE O2 SENSORS OPERATING CORRECTLY, CHECKED WITH OTHER TECHNICIANS ON INTERNET TO DO ALL POSSIBLE CHECKS, CHANGES, AND FIXES. NOTHING ELSE CAN BE DONE. TECHNICIAN CHECKED WITH HIS DEALER AND FOUND CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ARE ON BACKORDER UNTIL CHRISTMAS 2006 FOR THE EXACT SAME PART, CAR, AND TYPE. *JB

THE '02 JETTA 1.8T 4-DOOR WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE JETTA PROCEEDED INTO INTERSECTION. JETTA WAS HIT (T-BONED) ON DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR BY 1995 GRAND MARQUIS, MERCURY IN EXCESS OF 45 MPH. TICKET WAS ISSUED FOR FAILING TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT, NO BRAKING ON PART OF THE MERCURY. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE JETTA - THE FRONT DOOR WAS DRIVEN INTO THE DRIVERS CAGE WHICH MOVED THE FRONT SEAT AND BENT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD FORMED A LARGE CRACK, PROBABLY FROM A SIDE STRESS POINT AND DID NOT SHATTER, THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOWS IN BOTH DOOR SHATTERED. SEVERE FRAME DAMAGE COULD BE SEEN AND NONE OF THE DRIVERS SIDE DOORS COULD OPEN, NOR THE PASSENGER SIDE EITHER AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAGS (2), LOCATED BETWEEN THE TWO DAMAGED DOORS AND ALSO THE AIRBAG BETWEEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND WINDSHIELD FAILED TO DEPLOY. VW CLAIMS THAT THE CAR DECIDED BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT WAS IN USE, THE CAR MADE AN INTELLIGENT DECISION NOT TO DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS. THIS IS EITHER FALSE OR AN ERROR IN HOW THE CAR IS DESIGNED. AIRBAGS SHOULD DEPLOY AND NOT DECIDE THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS SUFFICIENT - IT WAS NOT SUFFICIENT, AS THERE WERE MEDICAL INJURIES. JETTA IS TOTALED, BUT BEING HELD BY USAA, PENDING ANYONE WHO WILL INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE ON MY BEHALF. OTHERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SUFFER IF A PROBLEM CAN BE IDENTIFIED HERE AND RESOLVED. *JB

OCCASIONALLY WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, IT DOES NOT FULLY RETURN TO IT NORMAL POSITION. THIS OFTEN OCCURS WHEN SITTING AT A LONG RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN AND I ATTEMPT TO RELEASE THE CLUTCH IT REMAINS DEPRESSED, RESULTING IN ENGINE STALL. THIS POSSES A DANGER BECAUSE STALLS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENTS, BY PREVENTING THE DRIVER FROM ACCELERATING TO AVOID COLLISION. I HAVE TAKEN THE MY AUTO IN FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR ON 4 OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, THE SECOND TIME THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER WAS RE-BLED, AND THE 3RD & 4TH TIMES I WAS TOLD THAT THE CLUTCH WAS PERFORMING WITHIN VW SPECIFICATIONS BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE POLICE DETERMINED THERE WAS NO DEBRIS IN THE ROAD AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED A DENT IN THE METAL IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE PREMATURE DEPLOYMENT.

PURCHASED CAR ON 1-30-06 TOOK IT BACK ON 2-3-06 BECAUSE OF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TOOK IT BACK AGAIN ON 2-7-06 BECAUSE OF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND TOOK IT BACK AGAIN ON 2-14-06 BECAUSE OF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS TOLD IT WAS CATALYTIC CONVERTER BUT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY FOR ME TO HAVE IT FIXED IT WILL BE 1100 DOLLARS BUT PART IS ON A MASSIVE BACK ORDER. *JB

EARLY CLUTCH FAILURE. WE JUST REPLACED THE CLUTCH ON 2002 JETTA AT 51,000 MILES. SHE OWNED OTHER MANUAL TRANSMISSION CARS AND DID NOT REPLACE THE CLUTCH THIS EARLY WITH ONE EXCEPTION, A VOLKSWAGEN, FOX. WAS THIS A PATTERN, MAYBE . *AK

THE TRANSMISSION BROKE ON MY 2002 JETTA TDI (AUTOMATIC) WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE U.S. MARINE CORPS BASE, BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA. IT ONLY HAS 66,500 MILES ON IT. I BELIEVE THE DESERT VW DEALERSHIP IS RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT CHECK THE TRANSMISSION THOROUGHLY AS I REQUESTED TWO MONTHS AGO. VW AMERICA IS NOT HELPING ME AT ALL WITH MY REQUEST TO HAVE THIS REVIEWED BY THEM. THE DEALERS TELL ME TO CALL VW AMERICA AND VW AMERICA TELLS ME TO CALL THE DEALERS. *NM

I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN JUNE AS A LEFT OVER, HAD IT A MONTH AND THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FELL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY REPLACED IT WITH METAL CLIPS AND IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. 5 MONTHS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN, SAME WINDOW. *JB

MY WIFE WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON 12/2/05 IN HER 2002 VW JETTA GLS. A LADY HAD RAN A RED LIGHT AND COLLIDED WITH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR AT APPROX: 40 MPH. THE CAR WAS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT AND SIDE AIRBAGS; NEITHER OF WHICH AIRBAG DEPLOYED. MY WIFE HIT HER HEAD ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM

PLEASE REFER TO MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT SUBMITTED 9/17/2005 REGARDING MY '02 VW JETTA. THE CRASH WAS A RESULT OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE. THE REASON I AM WRITING AGAIN IS TO ADDRESS THE FACT THAT MY LOCAL NEWS (DENVER CHANNEL 7 NEWS) DID AN UNDERCOVER FEATURE IN REGARDS TO THE VOLVO'S SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. THE MECHANIC USED IN THE PIECE DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE. THUS, VOLVO IS ANNOUNCING A MAJOR RECALL ON ALL 1999-2002 VOLVO'S. THIS ISSUE IS RAMPANT AMONG THE AUTO INDUSTRY INCLUDING VWOA. PLEASE EXTEND YOUR INVESTIGATION TO INCLUDE VW AND HOPEFULLY VWOA WILL DO A MAJOR RECALL ON ALL CARS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC THROTTLES. PLEASE NOTE THAT I WAS REQUIRED TO ATTEND DMV COURT SINCE I WAS ISSUED A TICKET. THE JUDGE RULING OVER MY CASE ENDED UP DISMISSING MY CASE BECAUSE OF THE EVIDENCE I HAD BROUGHT TO COURT. MORE OVER, THE JUDGE WAS A FORMER MECHANIC FOR 8 YEARS AND HE HAS WORKED EXTENSIVELY ON VW'S. HE WAS VERY FAMILIAR WITH MY SITUATION. I DON'T HAVE MY VIN # HANDY, BUT IT WAS LISTED IN MY COMPLAINT ODI ID #: 10136890. PLEASE REFER TO MY CASE NUMBER FOR FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATES IS NHTSA A RECALL CAMPAIGN ID # 04V096000 CONCERNING THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE CONSUMER WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAD IT REPAIRED AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. *JB UPDATED 12/7/2005. *NM

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING DOWN MANCHESTER ROAD (A BUSY 4 LANE ROAD) GETTING READY TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND WHEN THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. HE SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT WENT OFF IN THE CAR. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR INTO A WALGREENS PARKING LOT. MY 4 YEAR OLD SON WAS SUPPOSE TO BE IN THE CAR WITH HIM. HE WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURED IF HE WAS. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND DEALT WITH. THERE WAS NO IMPACT AND NOT A MARK ON THE CAR INDICATING AN ACCIDENT. VW IS REFUSING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE THEY STATE THAT AN ACCIDENT HAD TO OCCUR BECAUSE AIR BAGS DON'T JUST GO OFF. MY CAR INSURANCE COMPANY IS ALSO NOT PAYING BECAUSE THERE IS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE ON THE CAR TO BE FIXED THEREFORE THERE IS NO CLAIM TO BE FILED. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE HAZARD FLASHING LIGHTS SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED. ALL OF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE CAR BURNED OUT. THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD TICK, BUT THE BLINKER LIGHT WOULD NOT COME ON. THIS WAS TEMPORARILY SOLVED BY REMOVING THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH. VOLKSWAGEN ISSUED RECALL 04V584000 ON THE HAZARD SWITCH, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER HAVE BEEN CONTACT, AND NEITHER OFFERED ANY FREE SOLUTION. *AK

WE OWN A 2002 VW JETTA 2.0L. WE WERE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AND PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT CAUSE. WE PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE TO CHECK FOR ANY EXTERIOR DAMAGE THAT COULD OF CAUSED THE DEPLOYMENT BUT COULD NOT SEE ANY. WE DROVE IT HOME (@ 1 MILE) AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE WILL HEAR ABOUT THEIR COURSE OF ACTION TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. IS THIS A OCCURRENCE THAT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION? IF SO IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL TO KNOW SINCE THIS WILL BE A VERY COSTLY REPAIR AND HAVEN'T HAD THE BEST OF LUCK WITH VW EVEN THOUGH IT'S STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *NM

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING TO WORK ONE MORNING IN OUR 2002 VW JETTA, WITH THE SEAT WARMERS ON. WHEN SUDDENLY HE FELT A BURNING SENSATION ON HIS BOTTOM. TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER ONLY TO FIND OUT THERE WAS A BURN HOLE IN THE SEAT FROM THE SEAT WARMERS. SINCE THEN WE HAVE REFUSED TO TURN IT BACK ON AGAIN. *NM

I HAVE A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8L TURBO. MY FIRST CLUTCH STARTED SLIPPING AT 17K MILES, FINALLY REPLACED AT 20K. I FOUGHT WITH VW AND THEY ACTUALLY PAID FOR IT BECAUSE I HAD BROUGHT IT IN ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND NO ONE COULD FIND OR ADMIT TO A PROBLEM. NOW AGAIN AT 39K IT HAS STARTED SLIPPING AND IS NOW AT 41K. I AM DUE TO CHANGE IT ANY TIME. I AM ONCE AGAIN CALLING VW TRYING TO ARRANGE THEM TO TAKE CARE OF THE COST. I AM HOPING THEY WILL PAY FOR IT AS THE HAVE QUOTED ME $2200 TO FIX. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET & FOUND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AND REPLACING THE CLUTCH ISN'T A PERMANENT FIX AND MOST PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR IT. THEY HAVE BEEN BLAMING THE DRIVERS FOR POOR DRIVING SKILLS. MEANWHILE THEY ARE PUTTING MANY PEOPLE IN DANGER BECAUSE ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR WHEN YOUR CLUTCH DECIDES TO POP/ FAIL. ESPECIALLY ON THE FREEWAY. INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. ANYWAYS, MOST PEOPLE SAY THAT OIL IN THE FLYWHEEL IS LEAKING OUT SATURATING THE CLUTCH DISK CAUSING IT TO SLIP & EVEN BREAK UP. THEREFORE VERY EARLY BREAKDOWN AND SOMETIMES IMMEDIATE/ UNEXPECTED CLUTCH FAILURE. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS RECALL 04V096000 CONCERNING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON OTHER VEHICLES OF SAME MAKE/MODEL AND YEAR, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT IN RECALL. HE CANNOT GET VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER REPLACED THE PART, AND WANTED THE CONTACT TO PAY FOR IT. MANUFACTURER SAID THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND OFFERED NO HELP TO CONTACT TO PAY THE EXPENSES. *AK

WITHIN TWO BLOCKS OF LEAVING MY HOME AND TURNING ON MY CAR SEAT WARMER TO A LEVEL 2 (OF 5) MY CAR SEAT WAS ON FIRE AND BURNED MY REAR. I HAD TO JUMP OUT OF MY CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. THIS HAPPENED OVER A WEEKEND AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY COMMUNICATION BACK FROM VW. *NM

WE HAVE A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI GLS. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW WE HAVE HAD AN INTERMITTENT SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. WE LIVE NEAR FORT COLLINS, CO; WHEN WE TRAVEL TO OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY WITH LOWER ELEVATION, OUR BRAKES BEGIN TO MALFUNCTION. INITIALLY, THEY BEGIN TO DRAG; YOU USUALLY HAVE TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION TO GET THEM TO RELEASE. SOMETIMES YOU CAN PUMP THEM HARD AND GET THEM TO RELEASE. DURING THIS PHASE THE BRAKES WEAR QUICKLY AND BECOME VERY HOT. WITHIN A DAY THE PROBLEM PROGRESSES TO A MUCH WORSE CONDITION. AS YOU PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL FEELS AS THOUGH IT IS PULLING AWAY FROM YOUR FOOT. AS YOU PRESS A LITTLE MORE, THE PEDAL SUDDENLY PULLS VIOLENTLY FROM YOUR FOOT AND THE VEHICLE BRAKES SLAM ON. AT THIS TIME THE ABS DOES NOT WORK AS FAR AS I CAN TELL. WHEN THE BRAKES PULL FROM YOUR FOOT THERE IS A NOISE LIKE AIR BEING SUCKED INTO SOMETHING. WHEN THE BRAKES SLAM ON IN THIS FASHION, ONE OF SEVERAL THINGS HAPPEN. THE BRAKES MAY STAY LOCKED ON, LEAVING YOU TO TRY TO GET THEM TO RELEASE, OFTEN IN AN INTERSECTION OR TRAFFIC. THEY MAY RELEASE ENTIRELY, AND BE OKAY UNTIL THE NEXT BRAKING INCIDENT. MANY TIMES THEY DRAG SOMEWHERE BETWEEN LIGHT ENOUGH THAT YOU MIGHT JUST THINK THE CAR IS RUNNING POORLY TO SO HEAVILY THAT YOU CAN BARELY MOVE THE CAR WITHOUT KILLING THE ENGINE. WE WERE MOST RECENTLY IN THE PORTLAND, OREGON AREA WHEN THIS HAPPENED. IT BEGAN TO HAPPEN THE FIRST NIGHT WE WERE IN TOWN, WITH THE DRAGGING. THE NEXT MORNING WE DROVE TO

AFTER MAKING A RIGHT TURN GETTING UP TO A SPEED BETWEEN 25-30 MPH MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON EVEN WITH THE ROADS IN GOOD CONDITION. 30-40 SECONDS MORE AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN MERGING ON TO ON A BUSY INTERSTATE IN WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN PERSONAL INJURY TO MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS, ALONG WITH CAR DAMAGES. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED BEFORE TIME. VW REP REFUSES TO SOLVE THE ISSUE BY REPLACING THE SEAT AND ALL SIDE AND SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS (AS I SUSPECTED DUE TO READING OTHER COMPLAINTS ON HERE AND OTHER INTERNET SOURCES). THEY FOUND THE SENSORS HAD REASON TO GO OFF WHAT REASON THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO ESTABLISH THE CAUSE MAKING THIS A MECHANICAL ISSUE AND NOT A DRIVER ISSUE. I AM IN A LOANER VW JETTA AND STILL FRET THE SIDE AIRBAGS WILL GO OFF. AFTER BEING A LOYAL BUYER OF VW SINCE 1987, THEY CAN COUNT ONE LESS IN THE FAMILY. I HAVE ALREADY CONTACTED A LAWYER AND WILL BE CONTACTING MY LOCAL NEWS STATION TO TRY AND "OUT THIS PROBLEM" AND MAKE SURE THAT THIS INFORMATION BE KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC OF VW'S LACK TO INVESTIGATE THESE ISSUES AND LACK OF COMPASSION AND CUSTOMER SERVICE IN SEVERE ISSUES LIKE THIS. *JB

CONSUMER VEHICLE STALLED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS CAUSING CONSUMER TO REPLACE COIL. *TS THE VEHICLE HAD ERRATIC ACCELERATION LIGHT PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND IN AN EVEN PATTERN, INSTEAD IT WOULD SUDDENLY SPEED UP DANGEROUSLY. *JB

I OWN A 2002 VW JETTA TDI. THREE TIMES NOW I HAVE HAD A SERIOUS INCIDENT WITH MY BRAKES. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, UNDER 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS PULLED ITSELF TO THE FLOOR AND SHARPLY APPLIED THE BRAKES WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MY FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR WHILE THIS OCCURRED. THERE IS ALSO A LOUD PRESSURE RELEASE SOUND COMING FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AFTER IT APPLIED ITSELF. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT IT YET. *JB

A CAR PULLED OVER IN FRONT OF ME TRYING TO TURN LEFT. I HAD THE RIGHT OF ME WITH NO STOP OF TRAFFIC LIGHT AT THIS INTERSECTION. I HIT THE LEFT SIDE OF THAT CAR WITH THE FRONT/FRONT LEFT CORNER OF MY CAR AT 45 MPH AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I WOULD EXPECT THAT AT SUCH A SPEED AT LEAST ONE AIRBAG WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. PLEASE ADVISE. *NM

I HAVE TAKEN MY 2002 VW JETTA TURBO TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR THAT I HAVE OWNED IT, INCLUDING TWO DAYS AFTER I PURCHASED IT FOR A "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT. IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS, MY CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT MORE THAN I HAVE DRIVEN IT. I JUST PICKED UP MY CAR LAST WEDNESDAY, AND THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN TODAY. *NM