2002 Volkswagen Jetta complaints

I TOOK MY 2002 JETTA WAGON 1.8T AUTO/TIPTRONIC (45,000 MI) TO AN INDEPENDENT VW SERVICE SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND TO CHECK A "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME HE HAS SEEN A PROBLEM BEFORE INVOLVING PAINT CONTAMINATION IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. BASICALLY, THE INSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION OIL PAN WHERE THE FLUID SITS IS PAINTED, AND THE HEAT OF THE FLUID CAUSES THE PAINT TO FLAKE OFF AND CONTAMINATE THE FLUID. THIS MECHANIC RECOMMENDED TO HAVE THE TRANNY REPLACED AT A VW DEALER. SO, I TOOK THE CAR TO AN AUTHORIZED VW DEALER AND THEY ALSO CONFIRMED THE PAINT CONTAMINATION PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THEY REPLACED THE TRANNY OIL PAN, A SELONIOD VALVE (N281) AND FLUSHED THE TRANNY FLUID AS RECOMMENDED BY VW OF AMERICA. I WAS ABLE TO CONFIRM WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE NEW PAN WAS ALSO PAINTED AND HE COULD NOT ANSWER IF THE PAINT SPEC HAD CHANGED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. I CALLED VW OF AMERICA TO STATE MY CONCERN AND TO REQUEST A NEW TRANSMISSION. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. 9 MONTHS LATER (64,000 MI) MY CAR DOWN SHIFTS TO 4 GEAR WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 65MI/HR. THE GEAR IS STUCK IN 4TH GEAR EVEN WHEN I COME TO A STOP. I MANAGED TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER WHO HAVE DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY VALVE BODY CIRCUIT (N92 VALVE BODY COVER). THE DEALER NOW RECOMMENDS TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AND SINCE I'M 4,000 MILES BEYOND MY WARRANTY I WILL HAVE THE COVER THE COST. THE DEALER SUGGESTS THAT I SHOULD CALL VW OF AMERICA AND REFERENCE THE

I HAVE A VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2002 WAGON. TWICE I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE BECAUSE THE FACTORY INSTALLED RADIO HAD STOPPED WORKING. TWICE THEY REPAIRED THE RADIO BY READJUSTING THE WIRING. I WAS TOLD IF IT HAPPENS A THIRD TIME, THEY WILL REPLACE THE RADIO.*AK

THE POWER ASSIST FOR THIS TDI VEHICLE HAS FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES UNDER SEVERAL DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES. MOST OFTEN, IT OCCURS WHEN APPLYING THE CRUISE CONTROL AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 70MPH AND ALSO WHEN HAVING TO RAPIDLY DECELLERATE OR MOVE ALONG WITH CITY RELATED TRAFFIC. MOST OFTEN, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, BUT BY THE TIME IT DOES, I ALREADY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM. I HAVE NO PASSING GEAR, AND TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP TO 60 MPH TAKES A MINUTE OR MORE. TYPICALLY, WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS, IF I STOP THE VEHICLE, TURN IT OFF, AND CRANK IT AGAIN, THE PROBLEM IS RESOLVED UNTIL THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH BRING ABOUT THE PROBLEM ARE RE-ENACTED. IT WILL USUALLY TAKE SEVERAL CYCLES OF THE ENGINE BEING CRANKED AND TURNED OFF BEFORE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL TURN ITSELF OFF. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED WITH ABOUT 35,000 MILES ON IT AND THE PROBLEM OCCURRED ABOUT 100 MILES FROM THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPEATED REPAIRS, I'VE SINCE COME TO LEARN THAT SIMILAR PROBLEMS WERE OCCURRING WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO MY PURCHASING IT (WERE NOT DISCLOSED AT PURCHASE), ACCORDING TO SERVICE RECORDS.*AK

WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR.. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUMP THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED, HOWEVER THEY WERE UNABLE DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB

REPEATED FAILURE OF BREAK LIGHTS IN 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA OVER 2 AND 1/2 YEAR PERIOD. INCIDENT #1 ? DATE: 10.29.02 OD READING 5226 MILES RO# 776322 INCIDENT #2 ? DATE: 07.18.03 OD READING 15765 MILES RO# 817328 * INCIDENT #3 ? DATE: 12.15.03 OD READING 19219 MILES RO# 843079 INCIDENT #4 ? DATE: 07.14.04 OD READING 24000 MILES RO# 877075 INCIDENT #5 ? DATE: 01.13.05 OD READING 31291 MILES RO# 26004548/1 * THIS WAS WHEN THE RECALL BREAK LIGHT SWITCH WAS INSTALLED PER NHTSA RECALL NO. 04VO96. WE HAVE NARROWLY AVOIDED COLLISIONS IN THE LAST TWO OF THESE INCIDENTS OF FAILURES AND HAVE ASKED THAT VOLKSWAGEN TAKE THE CAR BACK FROM US AS AFTER THE FOURTH ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM THEY CANNOT ENSURE OUR SAFETY IN THE VEHICLE. VOLKSWAGEN HAS REFUSED OUR REQUEST AND INSISTED THAT THEY REPAIR THE CAR UNDER THE TERMS OF THE WARRANTY FOR THE FIFTH TIME DESPITE THE TRACK RECORD OF FAILURES. THE COMMENT MADE TO ME IS IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN TO BE SURE TO CONTACT THEM WITH MY CONCERNS? *NM

2002 VW JETTA TDI WITH HEATED CLOTH SEATS. DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER OVERHEATS IN A SMALL SPOT, CAUSING BURNING (BROWN COLORATION) OF THE SEAT AND THE START OF A BURNT LEG ON THE WIFE (JUST WHAT I NEED...ONE MORE THING TO HEAR ABOUT...). PASSENGER SEAT WORKS FINE. DRIVER SEAT HEATER NO LONGER USED AS PROBLEM IS REPEATABLE. *NM

2002 VW JETTA TDI WITH LEATHER HEATED SEATS. GOT SO HOT IN LEFT HIP CORNER THAT I ALMOST WAS BURNED THROUGH MY CLOTHES. BURNING SMELL ALSO NOTED. IMMEDIATELY SHUT SEAT HEATER TO OFF. *NM

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER CAUGHT SEAT CUSHION ON FIRE. BURNED MY PANTS AND BUTTOCKS. DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AT TIME OF INCIDENCE. HAVE NOT CONTACTED DEALER YET. WILL DO SO TOMORROW.*AK

MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS TURBO, 26,000 MILES CAUGHT ON FIRE IN WASHINGTON STATE WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. I SMELLED GAS WHILE DRIVING AND PULLED OVER OPNED HOOD AND A FE SECONDS LATER A FIRE STARTED. WHILE ON THE PHONE WITH 911 THERE WAS A MINOR EXPLOSION AND I RECEIVED MINOR BURNS TO THE FACE AND HANDS. VEHICLE WAS TOWED 20 MILES TO KARMART VW IN BURLINGTON, WA. THE NEXT VW OF AMERICA CALLED AND SAID THEY WERE INVESTIGATING IT. THREE WEEKS LATER THEY CALLED AND DENIED THE CLAIM FOR REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. ABOUT $10,000 IN DAMAGES. MY INSURANCE COMPANY ALLSTATE IS INVOLVED AND HIRED AN ENGINEER TO INVESTIGATE IT. HE DETERMINED IT IS MOST LIKELY A FACTORY DEFECT. VW DENIED TO FIX OR REPLACE THE CAR BECUASE THERE NO CLAMPS PRESENT WHERE THE FIRE OCURED. THE HOSES BURNED OFF ABOUT 3-6 INCHES. ALLSTATE FOUND THE ONE OF THE CLAMPS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I THINK IT REDICULOUS THAT VW WILL NOT COVER THE DAMGES OR REPLACE THE CAR. WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DO WITH A 2 YEAR CAR WITH MAJOR FIRE DAMAGE. I HAVE LOST TOTAL FAITH IN THE VEHICLE AND DON'T WANT. I WILL HAVE A HARD TIME SELLING IT WITH THIS KIND OF PROBLEM, WHO WOULD WANT TO BUY CAR TWO OLDS KNOWING IT WAS IN A SERIOUS FIRE? WHAT PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE DUE TO THIS? I FEEL WITH MY MINOR INJURY AND BEING A NEW CAR VW SHOULD DO SOMETHING. *AK

ON THE MORNING OF 12/15/04, BEFORE GOING TO WORK, I STARTED MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TO WARM UP. I ALSO TURNED ON THE SEAT WARMER TO ITS HIGHEST SETTING (5). ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER I GOT IN THE CAR TO GO TO WORK. I WAS ABOUT 1.5 MILES FROM MY HOUSE WHEN I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. THEN I FELT A SHARP PAIN IN MY LEFT LEG. WHEN I PUT MY HAND IN BETWEEN MY LEG AND THE CAR SEAT, I GOT A TAR-LIKE SUBSTANCE ON MY HAND. I THEN REALIZED THAT THE SEAT WARMER MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS MELTING MY SEAT! IT MELTED SYNTHENTIC ONTO MY WOOL COAT AND PANTS, AS WELL AS MY SKIN. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT OFF WITHOUT HAVING TO GO TO THE ER. I CONTACTED A SERVICE MANAGER AT METRO VW IN IRVING TX. HE SAID HE COULD HELP ME FIX THE SEAT, BUT TO CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE REGARDING THE OTHER DAMAGES. HE ADDED THAT C.S. WOULD ACT LIKE THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, BUT HE KNEW IT WAS A REGULAR PROBLEM. C.S. DID OFFER TO HAVE MY SEAT FIXED AS WELL AS REPLACE MY COAT, BUT WHEN I MENTIONED A RECALL SO THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN TO OTHERS, THEY SAID IT WAS NOT FINANCIALLY FEASIBLE, AND THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT MANDATING A RECALL, SO THEY WERE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *JB

THE TORQUE ARM SHEARED OFF. AS A RESULT, AXLE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT BOLTED TO THE FRAME. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE AND IT STARTED BUCKING AND MAKING A LOT OF NOISE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM GEAR TO GEAR WITHOUT BUCKING. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT STEERING CORRECTLY. EXHAUST BECAME LOUD. *TC

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT AROUND 2:00P.M. IN THE AFTERNOON AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG,SIDE SEAT AIR BAG AND THE REAR AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY COLLISION. MY CAR WAS NOT DAMAGED AT ALL. THE SUPERVISOR TECHNICIAN AT TRANS OCEAN VW REFUSED TO COVER THE COST TO REPAIR THREE OF THE AIRBAGS EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THEY CLAIMED THAT THE COMPUTER SENSOR DETECTED AN IMPACT WHICH TRIGGERED THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS. IT WAS LUCKY THAT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS WASN'T ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, OTHERWISE, I WOULD HAVE LOST MY CONTROL ON THE STEERING WHEEL LEADING TO MORE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. I WAS JUST IN SHOCK AT THAT TIME BUT THE HIGHWAY PATROL WAS MANAGED TO GUIDE ME OFF THE FREEWAY. AT LAST I CLAIMED MY INSURANCE AND PAID $500 DEDUCTIBLE FROM MY POCKET TO FIX THE AIRBAGS. THE INSURANCE PREMIUM INCREASED A LOT AFTER THIS SO-CALLED "ACCIDENT". I HEREBY ASK VW OF AMERICA TO RECALL ALL DEFECTIVE VEHICLES TO PREVENT FUTURE ACCIDENTS FROM HAPPENING. *NM

THE DRIVER'S SEAT IN MY 2002 VW JETTA GLS 1.8T BEGAN SMOLDERING THIS MORNING. I STARTED MY CAR TO WARM IT UP AND BEGAN TO CLEAN THE SNOW FROM THE WINDSHIELD. WHEN I ENTERED THE CAR I NOTICED A STRONG "BURNING" SMELL. I QUICKLY GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND NOTICED THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS SMOKING. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE BURNING BY TURNING OFF THE HEATED SEAT AND PUTTING SNOW ON THE AREA. I WAS SURE IT WAS THE HEATED SEAT WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT TO BURN BECAUSE A PORTION OF THE HEATING ELEMENT IS EXPOSED AND IT WAS SPARKING. I NOW HAVE A HOLE THE SIZE OF A PENNY ON THE SEAT.*AK

WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS BURNED. ALSO, DRIVER'S COAT WAS BURNED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK ......*AK

I HAVE A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI. MY BOY FRIEND WAS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT FOR A MAXIMUM OF 5 MINUTES WHEN THE SEAT HEATER BURNT A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT, HIS JEANS, AND LEFT A SMOKING BLACK RING IN HIS LEATHER WALLET. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE, IT JUST HAPPENED. SO, NOW I HAVE AN EXPENSIVE CAR SEAT, JEANS, AND A WALLET THAT ARE RUINED. THE SEAT WILL COST MORE THAN SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX AND THE JEANS AND WALLET ANOTHER COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPLACE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED TWO DEALERS, ONE WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND ANOTHER WHERE I CURRENTLY RESIDE, AND BOTH ARE SAYING THAT IT WILL NOT BE FIXED BECAUSE MY CAR IS 2,000 MILES OVER ITS WARRANTY. I HAVE SPOKEN TO VOLKSWAGEN'S CUSTOMER CARE CENTER AND THEY HAVE OFFERED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE JEANS AND WALLET, BUT NOTHING FOR THE SEAT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS NOT A NORMAL "WEAR AND TEAR" PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE FULLY COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER.*AK

THE HEATER ELEMENT IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF MY 2002 VW JETTA VR6 BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER AND LEFT A QUARTER SIZE BURN HOLE IN THE SEAT OF MY CAR AND THE SEAT OF MY PANTS. FORTUNATELY MY WALLET FORMED A BARRIER BETWEEN ME AND THE HEAT SOURCE. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A VW DEALER IN MASSACHUSETTS AND I AM CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A NEW SEAT CUSHION AND HEATER ELEMENT. IF ANYONE SHOULD ASK WHAT REALLY "BURNS ME UP", I TELL THEM THE SEAT OF MY VW JETTA. *AK

VW JETTA 2002. CAR IS 21/2 YRS OLD AND HAS BEEN TO DEALER 4 TIMES. THE IGNITION COIL HAS FAILED 2 TIMES. THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE SELONIOD ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALL WERE UNDER WARRANTY. VW NEEDS TO GET THE QUALITY OF THEIR CARS UP TO PAR. ONCE MY LEASE IS DONE I AM TURNING THE CAR IN AND WILL NOT GET ANOTHER VW. *AK

SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTIONED, BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT AND BURNED ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I SAFELY PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS ALSO MALFUNCTIONED, BURNING THE LEATHER SEAT AND ONCE AGAIN, BURNED ME. ALSO, THE SUNROOF HAS PLASTIC GUIDES THAT KEEP BREAKING, I HAVE HAD THESE PLASTIC COMPONENTS REPLACED THREE TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED MY CAR IN 2002, AND I DON'T USE MY SUNROOF THAT OFTEN, PROBABLY LESS THAN 30 TIMES/YEAR. *JB

I USED THE HEATED SEAT FEATURE ON MY 2002 VW JETTA. 12-11-04, I NOTICED A BURN HOLE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT. I PLACED MY FINGER OVER IT AND BURNT MY FINGER. I ALSO HAVE A GOOD JACKET THAT HAS A BURN MARK ON IT. I WILL BE CONTACTING MY VW DEALERSHIP ON 12-13-04 TO LET THEM KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE THEM REPLACE MY SEAT AND COAT! I THINK THE FACT THAT THE NHTSA IS WAITING FOR A FATALITY OR TWO BEFORE MAKING THIS A RECALL IS JUST RIDICULOUS. *JB

VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH HEATED SEATS WHICH MALFUNCTIONED. THE HEAT COILS BURNED STRAIGHT THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SEAT, CAUSING SECOND DEGREE BURNS TO THE DRIVER. *AK

THE LEASE ON MY VW IT IS END IN ONE NEXT MONTH JANUARY 2005. THEY SEND A PERSON TO INSPECT THE CAR, HE FOUND EVERYTHING OK, HIS REPORT SAY THAT I NEED TO DO A WINDSHIELD REPAIR. THE WINDSHIELD DON'T HAVE NOTHING THAT YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE, HE USED A SPECIAL PEN, AND FOUND LIKE 60 CHIPS LIKE SAND CHIPS. NOW THEY WANT ME TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD, WHEN THERE IS NOTHIG WRONG WITH IT. PLEASE HELP ME I AM NOT WILLING TO PAY $350.00 IT IS UNFAIR. WHEN THIS CAR HAS GIVING US ONLY PORBLEMS AND SPEND HALF OF THE TIME ON HT E DEALERSHIP. THANK YOU.*AK

REPEAT INCIDENTS LEADING TO CONSUMER'S LONG TERM DRIVEABILITY CONCERNS. WORRISOME PANEL INDICATOR LIGHTS -- FLASHING: ENGINE WARNING AND GLOW PLUG (DIESEL) LIGHTS WITHIN CURRENT LEASE PERIOD. AFTER FIRST TWO INCIDENTS, THE THIRD (THEN UNDER WARRANTY) WAS FOUND TO BE DUE TO A FACTORY DEFECT. AND REPAIRED?...DEC 7 '04, AT ABOUT 55K -- BLINKING LIGHTS AGAIN. DEALER DIAGNOSTIC INDICATED NO ENGINE PROBLEM (THIS WAS THE SAME RESULT OF THE TWO PREVIOUS BEFORE THE THIRD RESULTED IN A MAJOR WARRANTY REPAIR). THIS HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS AN ACCELERATOR SENSOR FAILURE. (THE PART WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR THREE (3) DAYS; WE ARE ADVISED TO DRIVE "CAREFULLY UNTIL THE PART CAN BE REPLACED.) THIS SENSOR FAILURE IS THEN ONE OF SEVERAL OTHERS IN THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE: THE FUEL GUAGE HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE OR TWICE; THE SEAT HEATER SENSOR JUST, AND OUT-OF-WARRANTY, BURNED A HOLE IN THE FRONT SEAT (THREE WEEKS AWAITING FACTORY REPS 'GET-BACK.'). AN AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEM (LEAK) WAS ALSO NOTED AND REPAIRED AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES.*AK

PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVE AT WORK. I SMELT SOMETHING, LIKE BURNING. I PUT CAR IN PARK. FELT BURNING SENSATION ON UPPER LEFT THIGH/ BUTT. LOOKED DOWN AND THERE WAS A GROWING HOLE WITH SMALL FLAME. I TURNED OFF MY CAR, NOTICED MY JEANS WERE BURNT, JUMPED OUT, AND THE SMALL FLAME WAS STILL VISIBLE IN THE HOLE. ONCE I FIGURED OUT IT WAS THE SEAT HEATER I TURNED OFF THE SWITCH WICH WAS ONLY SET AT 2 OUT OF 5 LEVELS. ONLY THEN, WHEN BOTH MY CAR AND SEAT HEATER SWITCH OFF DID IT DIE OUT. TOOK DIRECTLY TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT AND USED "UPDATED PART" BUT WOULD NOT EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT THIS MEANT OR WHAT THEY DID. THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME INFORMATION OR CLAIM THAT THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.*AK

MY WIFE AND I OWN A 2002 JETTA GLS 1.8T WITH HEATED SEATS. WHILE DRIVING I FELT MY LEG GETTING EXTREMELY HOT AND I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I PULLED OVER AND FOUND A HOLE IN MY PANTS AND A HOLE IN MY DRIVER'S SEAT. THE SEAT WAS STILL SMOKING WHEN I PULLED OVER. MY WIFE TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEATS AND THE SEAT STOPPED SMOKING. I CONTACTED TWO VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIPS AND THEY STATED THEY WERE AWARE OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENING TOVOLKSWAGENS BEFORE. THIS RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE CAR, MY PANTS, A MINOR BURN TO MY LEG, AND CAUSED ME TO QUESTION THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE.*AK

DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER WIRING CAUGHT ON FIRE, BURNING THE FABRIC. VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK

THE BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER WERE DEFECTIVE. WHEN TOUCHING THE BRAKES THEY LOCKED UP.*AK. BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER ARE GOOD, BUT SHAFT BETWEEN THE TWO MISALIGNED AND HANGS UP. CANNOT REALIGNED. *AK....MANUFACTURER INSISTED THAT BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER WERE GOOD, BUT SHAFT BETWEEN THE TWO WAS MISALIGNED, COULD NOT REALIGN IT. HAS TO REPLACE IT AT $640.00. *AK

FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE THROUGH THE NYLON FABRIC, BURNING THE PASSENGER. NEW SEAT WILL BE REPLACED BY MANUFACTURER.*AK

ENGINE FAILURE, RADIO FAILURE, WINDOW WOULDN'T ROLL BACK UP, VIBRATING SPEAKERS. W SERVICE SHOP FAILED TO CORRECT CONDITIONS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *AK

I TURNED ON MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WARMER. AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES, THERE WAS A NOTICABLE SMOKE IN THE CAR AND EXTREME HEAT COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER. AFTER PULLING IN THE GARAGE, THERE WAS A SMALL BURN ON MY PANTS AND A 1/4" HOLE BURNED THROUGH THE FABRIC ON THE SEAT. VOLKSWAGON STATES THAT THE HEATER ELEMENT SHORTED OUT, HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE.*AK

1. DRIVING DURING A EARLY WINTER SNOW STORM IN NORTHERN IN. DRIVING AT CONSTANT SPEED ON INTERSTATE IN 4TH GEAR. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED TO BLINK. IT THEN BLINKED ON AND OFF FOR THE NEXT 2 HOURS TILL I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION 2. AFTER I GOT TO MY DESTINATION I LOOKED UP WHAT THE BLINKING GLOW PLUG LIGHT COULD MEAN ON THE INTERNET. A VW CHAT PAGE SAID TO CHECK MY REAR TAIL LIGHTS. I WENT OUT SIDE AND RESTARTED THE CAR, SAME LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK AND THE TAIL LIGHTS DID NOT WORK. EMERGENCY FLASHERS WORKED AS WELL AS TURN SIGNALS BUT NO BRAKE LIGHTS. WITH THE HEAVY SNOW FALL AND AT NIGHT THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A LARGE DISASTER IF A VEHICLE BEHIND ME HAD NOT SEEN THAT I WAS STOPPING. 3. I TOOK THE CAR TO A VW DEALERSHIP TO BE FIXED AFTER I READ THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH WAS UNDER RECALL FOR FAILURES. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT MY MODEL VW WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL BUT THE BRAKE SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THEY REPLACED FOR $97. NOW BRAKE LIGHTS WORK AGAIN. IT SEEMS THAT MY AUTOMOBILE SHOULD HAVE BEEN UNDER THE RECALL SINCE I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THAT OTHER VW JETTAS ARE GETTING FIXED FOR FREE UNDER A RECALL.*AK

ENGINE COIL FAILED-LOST EMPOYMENT. ONE DEALER STATED FIXED PROBLEM, MONTHS LATER ANOTHER DEALER STATED NEVER FIXED THEN THEY REPLACED. ALL REAR LIGHTS OFF-NEAR ACCIDENT, DEALER FIXED, ENGINE NOISE -DEALER NOT FIXED YET FEAR FUTURE ENGINE LEAK AS READ IN OTHER CAR OWNER REVIEWS 2002 VW JETTA 1.8T. *AK

TAILIGHTS BURN OUT FREQUENTLY. COMPONENT CAUGHT FIRE.

A FEW WEEKS AGO I WAS DRIVING MY 02 JETTA TDI AND WAS SITTING AT A LIGHT WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED. ONCE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I RELEASE THE PEDAL AND IT HAD A HYDRAULIC RELEASE SOUND, LIKE A SWISHING NOISE. THE BRAKES WERE STILL ON BUT THE PEDAL HAD RELEASED. I TAPPED THE PEDAL AND THEY RELEASED. OVER THE COURSE OF MY DRIVE HOME EVERY TIME I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WOULD SUCK ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND MAKE THAT SWISHING SOUND. THE CAR WOULD JOLT AS THE BRAKES APPLIED FULL FORCE. OTHER TIMES THEY WOULD STAY APPLIED AND I WOULD HAVE TO TAP THE PEDAL AND THEN THEY WOULD RELEASE. I GOT HOME AND LATER DECIDED TO TEST THE CAR OUT AGAIN. AND IT DID NOTHING! THE CAR DROVE FINE FOR A COUPLE WEEKS. TODAY THE PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN SUDDENLY. ADVICE. HELP. THANKS. *AK

I HAVE A 2002 JETTA 1.8T. I STARTED DRIVING MY CAR AND TURNED ON MY SEAT WARMER TO 3 AND WITHIN 30 SECONDS SAW A STREAM OF SMOKE COMING FROM MY SEAT. I QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER AND STOPPED THE CAR AND GO OUT. A HOLE WAS BURNED THROUGHT MY SEAT AND MY JEANS THAT I WAS WEARING WERE BURNED AS WELL. I TURNED IT BACK ON FOR A SECOND AND SAW A SMALL FLAME IGNITED.*AK

APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES AFTER TURNING ON DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER, NOTICED BURNING SMELL, FOLLOWED SHORTLY THEREAFTER BY HEAT SENSATION ON MY LEFT THIGH. IMMEDIATELY TURNED HEATER OFF, PULLED CAR OFF ROAD, AND GOT OUT. FOUND DIME SIZED BURN PATTERN IN LEATHER SEAT. SEARCHED NHTSA WEBSITE THE NEXT DAY AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON 2002 JETTAS. CALLED DEALER TO SCHEDULE A REPAIR APPOINTMENT.*AK

SEAT HEATER ON 2002 JETTA 1.8T OVERHEATED CREATING HOLE IN DRIVER'S SEAT. HILE DRIVING NORMALLY THE WITHT HE SEAT HEATER IN POSITION 1 ( LOWEST - HIGHEST IS 5) SEAT GOT TOO HOT TO THE POINT FELT AS THOUGH WOULD BURN. THERE WAS NO FIRE OR SMOKE BUT LITTLE BURNING SMELL. CAR WAS SENT TO ARDMORE VW FOR SERVICE AND THEY TESTED SEAT HEATER. GOT CALL FROM SA THAT THE SEAT HEATER WAS GONE AND THAT IT BURNT THROUGH THE SEAT COVER. *AK

WHILST DRIVING I EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM CHANGING GEARS - STIFFNESS GETTING CAR INTO LOW GEARS. CAR WAS TOWED INTO LOCAL VW DEALER. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CLUTCH WAS WORN OUT. THE CAR IS 2 1/2 YEARS OLD WITH 16,000 MILES ON THE CLOCK. VW (DEALER AND VW OF AMERICA CUSTOMER CARE) CLAIM THAT THIS IS DUE TO "WEAR AND TEAR" AND THE RESULT OF THE DRIVER NOT KNOWING HOW TO DRIVE STICK SHIFT ! I'VE DRIVEN MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS FOR THE LAST 17 YEARS (EVERY CAR I HAVE OWNED WAS MANUAL TRANSMISSION) FROM THE RESEARCH I'VE DONE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 1.8T JETTA. *JB

HEATER IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND DRIVER'S COAT WHILE DRIVING. *AK

I OWN A VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8 TURBO, 2002. IT IS AT 29,000 MILES CURRENTLY. SINCE 14,000 MILES IT HAS HAD A SHAKING PROBLEM THAT OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED AND PUT IN GEAR. THE BRAKE MUST BE PRESSED FOR THE SHAKING TO OCCUR. THE LATEST INCIDENT HAD THE ACR SHAKING SO HARD THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WARMS UP, IT STOPS. DIFFERENT PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN BLAMED FOR THE PROBLEM, SUCH AS THE FAULTY IGNITION COILS RECALLED BY VW, THE ENGINE TIMING, AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION. THIS CAR HAS A HISTORY OF FAILING TRANSMISSIONS AND IS UNSAFE. I AM SEEKING A FULL REFUND PLUS LICENSE AND REGISTRATION FEES. VOLKSWAGEN'S CUSTOMER CARE LINE IS INEFFICIENT AND DOES NOT FOLLOW UP ON PROBLEMS, NOR DOES IT ALLOW A CUSTOMER TO SPEAK TO ONE PERSON REGARDING ALL OF THEIR ISSUES. THIS MAJOR PROBLEM IS ACCOMPANIED BY SEVERAL OTHER KINDS OF FAILURES--RADIO, HORN, SEVERAL OTHER FUSES, AND AIR INTAKE. VW DOES NOT TAKE NOTICE OF ITS CUSTOMERS, AND FURTHER ACTION WITH LARGER ENTITIES MUST OCCUR FOR ANY KIND OF RESOLUTION TO BE REACHED. *JB

MY CAR, A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WAS PARKED AND RUNNING AND THE DRIVER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON DUE TO MOST LIKELY THE HEATING ELEMENT IN THE SEAT. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE IF I WAS IN THE CAR I MAY HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO THE DEFECT. I JUST WANT SOMEONE TO KNOW SO THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE SAFE IN THE FUTURE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLOWOUT. *NM THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE FAILED. THE LEFT FRONT TIRE CONTAINED NUMEROUS LATERAL CRACKS ON THE INNER SIDEWALL. THE REMAINED THREE TIRES CONTAINED SIMILAR CRACKS. THE CRACKS MEASURED 3-5 INCHES. *SC

2002 VW JETTA 1.8T - I SURE YOU HAVE HEARD OF THE CLUTCH PROBLEMS MY CLUTCH HAS GONE OUT NOW AT ONLY 27,000 MILES. VISIT MYVWLEMON.COM AND YOU WILL SEE HUNDREDS OF STORIES OF THE SAME PROBLEM, ALSO ON VWVORTEX.COM EVEN CAR AND DRIVE WROTE ABOUT IT. THE CLUTCH NEEDS TO BE RECALLED I AM WILLING TO GET EVEN MORE NAMES OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND CAN HAVE HUNDRENDS OF COMPLAINTS WITHIN DAYS IF NEEDED.*AK

OUR 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI HAD SPARKS COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER THAT BURNED TWO HOLES IN THE SEAT.

EVERYDAY FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS. WHEN THE CAR GOES TO SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND, THE CAR JERKS. THIS HAPPENS AGAIN GOING FROM 3RD TO 4TH. BETWEEN GEARS IT TAKES A LONG TIME FOR THE NEXT GEAR TO CATCH AND WHEN IT FINALLY DOES, IT JERKS THE WHOLE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THIS NORMAL AND THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. I HAVE DONE MANY SEARCHES AND HAVE FOUND THAT LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.**AK

UPON TURNING ON THE SEAT HEATER, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE, BURNING THROUGH THE SEAT CLOTH, FOAM, AND DRIVER'S CLOTHING.*AK

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON MY VW JETTA TDI (2002) FAILED AT ~71,000 MILES WITH NO WARNING. I DRIVE IN NON-CITY, OPEN HIGHWAY CONDITIONS WITH NO STRESS TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION IS SEALED, SO THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A WAY TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. DEALER SAYS SINCE THE UNIT IS SEALED, NO REPAIRS CAN BE MADE...ONLY REPLACE THE WHOLE UNIT FOR ~ $4,300. I'M 40 YEARS OLD AND HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A TRASMISSION FAILING SO SOON AND WHEN THEN VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN IN CONDITIONS STRESSFUL TO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS WAS MY FIRST TRY AT A VW PRODUCT AND MY LAST. THE MANUFACTURER HAS PATHETIC CUSTOMER SERVICE AS I CALLED TO SEE IF THIS WAS NORMAL FOR VW TRANSMISSIONS AND TO SEE IF THEY WOULD PAY FOR A PART OF THE COST AND WAS TOLD "NOTHING VW CAN DO, THE WARRANTY ENDED AT 60,000 MILES." THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME I BUY FROM A COMPANY THAT MAKES ME PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR A FAILED TRANSMISSION THAT CLEARLY WAS FAULTY. I DON'T KNOW IF THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION IS STILL AT THE DEALER AS I HAVE NOT YET PICKED UP THE VEHICLE. THE CAR IS STILL SITTING THERE UNTIL I FEEL LESS ANGRY OVER THE FACT OF THE COST AND VW'S POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE ATTITUDE. I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT VW WOULD HAVE RATHER PAID FOR THEIR DEFECTICVE TRANSMISSION (E FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS IS NOTHING TO A LARGE CORPORATION) RATHER THAN ALL THE NEGATIVE PUBLICITY FROM ME AND MY FAMILY TO EVERYONE WE EVER TALK TO ABOUT VW AS A COMPANY AND THEIR PRODUCT.*AK

1 & 2. MY 2002 VW JETTA'S DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT STARTED ON FIRE. I NOTICED THE FIRE WHEN I FELT A BURNING SENSATION AS MY PANTS WERE CATCHING FIRE. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE SEAT OFF & PULLED OVER. THE SEAT HAD A DIME TO QUARTER SIZE BURN HOLE IN IT AND IF I TURNED THE HEATED SEAT BACK ON I COULD SEE THE WIRE ARCING.3. THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER REPLACED THE SEAT 5 DAYS LATER.*AK

BOUGHT NEW 2002 JETTA HAD NO BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEMS UNTIL I RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING SWITCH RECALL. TOOK CAR TO DEALER W/ RECALL LETTER AND THEY REPLACED SWITCH. NO PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS, THEN BRAKE LIGHTS BEGAN STAYING ON AND ACCELERATION OCCASIONALLY CUTS OUT. DEALER HAD CAR OFF AND ON FOR A MONTH AND A 1/2 PROBLEM W/ LIGHTS AND ACCEL. CONTINUES. *JB

MY CAR STARTED TO CLUNK AND JERK WHEN I WAS TURNING CORNERS. IT STARTED JUST CLUNKING ONCE AND GOT WORSE AND WORSE WITHIN THE SAME DAY. IT WOULD JERK GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP WHEN IT JUST QUIT. I COULDN'T ACCELERATE OR PUT IT INTO GEAR. I GOT IT OFF THE ROAD AND HAD TO PUSH IT INTO A PARKING LOT UNTIL I COULD HAVE IT TOWED. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO LATER SAID MY CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. THEY QUOTED ME $1640.00. THAT'S RIDICULOUS FOR THAT TO GO OUT SO EARLY. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULDN'T BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I HAVE DRIVEN MANUALS FOR YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. THEY SAID I WAS EITHER "RIDING THE CLUTCH" OR "DRIVING HARD". I STARTED LOOKING AROUND AND ALL THE MECHANICS I TALKED TO WERE VERY SURPRISED IT WAS OUT ALREADY AND THAT IS WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I LOOKED UP THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND A TON OF OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND TOLD THE SAME THING. OUR CLUTCHES SHOULD NOT BE GOING OUT THIS EARLY. *NM

VOLKSWAGEN 2002 JETTA FAULTY SEAT WARMERS. ON THE MORNING OF OCT 11, 2004 I TURNED THE SEAT WARMER ON TO SETTING NUMBER 2. ROUGHLY 1-2 MINUTES LATER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT BEGAN TO SMELL LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. I FELT A BURNING ON MY LEG AND BEGAN TO SEE SMOKE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR. THERE WAS A DIME SIZE HOLE IN THE SEAT WHERE THE SEAT HAD BURNED THROUGH. THERE WAS ALSO A BURN ON MY PANTS FROM WHERE THE SEAT HAD MELTED TO MY PANTS. THERE WAS ALSO A RED MARK ON MY SKIN. I HAVE CONTACTED THE COMPANY AND THEY HAVE AGREED TO SEE THE CAR AND POSSIBLY REPLACE THE PARTS. MY BIGGEST CONCERN WAS THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED LARGE FIRE OR A SERIOUS BURN TO MYSELF. *NM