2003 Volkswagen Jetta complaints

1/10/08 I HAD MY 2003 VW JETTA IN FOR SERVICE. I WAS TOLD THE IGNITION COIL #3 NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. 4/11/08 IGNITION COIL #1 NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I FOUND THE RECALL ON YOUR WEB SITE AFTER THE APRIL PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH IT STATES 2003 JETTA. ON 12/4/08 I HAD TO REPLACE IGNITION COIL #4 AND ON 1/21/09 ANOTHER WHICH ALSO INCLUDED THE LAST TWO. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC AND WAS ONCE AGAIN TOLD THAT MY 2003 JETTA WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR

2003 VW JETTA - FUSE BOX INSIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MELTED! *TR

I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT FAILURE OF THE IGNITION COILS ON A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA ( ) WITH THE 1.8 LITER TURBO ENGINE. VW HAS ALREADY RECALLED A NUMBER OF JETTAS OF THIS VINTAGE AND WITH THIS ENGINE FOR REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE COILS ON THIS CAR. ONE FAILED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO RUN POORLY. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING ALL FOUR COILS AT A COST OF $384.48. THE CAR ONLY HAD 23,726 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THIS DEFECT CAN CAUSE IMMEDIATE ENGINE FAILURE. CLEARLY, THE VW DEALER BELIEVED THAT THE COILS ARE SUBJECT TO UNEXPECTED FAILURE AT LOW MILEAGE EVEN THOUGH VW OF AMERICA REFUSES TO RECALL THE PARTICULAR VEHICLE. *TR

I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER BY POLICE MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE YEARS WITH THIS VEHICLE DUE TO REAR LIGHTS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AT ONE POINT, BOTH OF MY TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING -- THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE REPLACED THEM EACH TIME AND THEY SEEM TO GO OUT QUITE FREQUENTLY. I HAVE NOTICED TAIL LIGHTS BEING OUT ON CARS WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AS MINE. *TR

I HAVE HAD 27 THINGS BREAK OR FAIL ON MY 03VW JETTA 1.8T. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN 01/06 WITH 32,000 MILES. AFTER BUYING THE CAR THE FIRST FIVE MINS THE WINDOW SHATTERED. FIRST TWO MONTHS 2 TIRES BLEW OUT, FRONT RIM CRACKED, BACK TIRES OUT OF ALIGNMENT. DEALER PAID TO FIX RIM BROKE 2 WEEKS LATER THE DEALER PAID FO USED SET OF SIMILAR RIMS. EVERY LIGHT INSIDE AND OUT WENT OUT BY 05/06 DRIVER SEAT WONT RAISE UP CARGO NET IN TRUNK FALLS APART DEALER WONT COVER. GAS AND TRUNK RELEASE BUTTONS FELL DOWN INSIDE OF DOOR. RADIO STOPPED WORKING FRONT DOOR SPEAKERS ARE SHORTING OUT. DRIVER WINDOW SWITCH GOES UP WHEN YOU PUSH DOWN AND DOWN WHEN YOU PUSH DOWN HAVE TO FIDDLE WITH IT FOR IT TO GO UP. EXHAUST HANGER BROKE CAUSING CHATTER. SWAYBAR BUSHING FELL OUT CAUSING GRINDING AND SHAKING WHEN EVER MOVING. NOT COVER BY WARRANTY ALL THESE HAPPENED BY 05/07. NOW ITS 10/08 AND I HAVE 84,000 MILES. CURRENT PROBLEMS ARE REAR SPOILER BRAKE LIGHT HANGS DOWN(DEALER JUST GLUED IT IN PLACE LASTED ABOUT 4 MONTHS) CAM AND CRANK SEALS LEAKING OIL CAUSE ODOR INSIDE OF CABIN. IF I DRIVE FOR MORE THEN AN HOUR I GET SICK AND LIGHT-HEADED. SEAT, CARGO NET IN TRUNK, IS STILL BROKEN. RADIO STILL ISN'T FIXED SO I JUST WENT AND BOUGHT AN AFTER MARKET. SPEAKERS STILL SHORTENING OUT ONLY WHEN ITS COLD OUT. KEYLESS ENTRY ONLY WORKS WITHIN 4FT OF THE CAR. IN THE WINTER THE CAR ONLY GETS 18MPG ON THE HIGHWAY AND ABOUT 14 IN THE CITY AND THE CAR IS PARKED IN A HEATED UNDERGROUND GARAGE. *TR

I USE MY HEATED SEATS ALMOST DAILY IN THE WINTER MONTHS. I USED IT THIS MORNING FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES AS I DROVE FROM HOME TO THE GYM, THEN ANOTHER 10 MINUTES AS I DROVE FROM THE GYM TO THE STORE. WHEN I GOT INTO MY CAR AFTER THE STORE, IT WAS STILL ON THE SAME SETTING (5), I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 50 YARDS IN THE PARKING LOT, WHEN I FELT A SHARP PAIN IN MY LEFT UPPER LEG/BUTT. I MOVED SLIGHTLY, THEN BEGAN TO SMELL SMOKE. I FELT AROUND WITH MY HAND AND FELT THE "HOT" WIRE AND THE HOLE IN MY SEAT. IT TOOK ME A MOMENT TO REALIZE WHAT IT WAS, AND THEN I IMMEDIATELY TURNED DOWN THE HEATED SEAT TO OFF, THEREBY PREVENTING FURTHER DAMAGE AND PAIN. LUCKILY THERE WAS LIMITED DAMAGE TO MY CLOTHING AND I WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED, BUT HAD I BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, OR NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PAIN SO QUICKLY, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN MORE SEVERE CONSEQUENCES INCLUDING INJURY. *TR

2003 VW JETTA GLS WAGON WITH 62K MILES, ABRUPTLY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. AFTER TOWING TO LOCAL MECHANIC, IT WAS DETERMINED THE MAIN FUSE HOLDER HAD SHORTED OUT AND BEGUN TO MELT, RISKING AN ENGINE FIRE. PART WAS REPLACED AND PROBLEM REPAIRED FOR $237. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OVER THE YEARS HER VEHICLE SPORADICALLY OVERHEATS. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND HAD THE OXYGEN SENSORS REPLACED TWICE, THE THERMOSTAT, THE BATTERY, THE WATER PUMP, AND THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP. RECENTLY, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RADIATOR FAN, SECONDARY AIR PUMP, AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF OVER $2,000. THE TECHNICIAN ADDED THAT IF THE REPAIR WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN REMEDYING THE FAILURES, THEY MAY HAVE TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,126 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

MY 2003 VW WOLFSBURG EDITION JETTA CONTINUES TO LOSE POWER. WHILE I AM DRIVING THE CAR WILL ALMOST STALL THE POWER CATCHES AND POWERS BACK UP PRIOR TO STALLING. THE LIGHTS INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR GO OUT, THE RADIO TURNS OFF, THE CLOCK LOSES POWER, THE ENGINE LOSES ENOUGH POWER TO NOT ACCELERATE, BUT STILL DOES NOT STALL. THE POWER LOSE LAST FOR A FEW SECONDS. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ALSO FLICKER. THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES EVERY DAY. SO FAR I HAVE REPLACED THE COOLANT FANS AND CENSOR (1ST DIAGNOSTIC FROM VW DEALERSHIP), REPLACED THE 2ND COIL (2ND DIAGNOSTIC FROM VW DEALERSHIP) REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH (LESUEUR CAR CO), & REPLACED THE CONTROL MODULE (3RD DIAGNOSTIC LESUEUR CAR CO) WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR FROM LESUEUR CAR CO I DIDN'T GET A MILE AWAY WHEN THE CAR LOSE POWER AGAIN. I BOUGHT THIS 2003 VW JETTA FROM CARDINALE WAY OF SCOTTSDALE LAST SEPT. (2007) I ASKED FOR A BUMPER TO BUMPER EXTENDED WARRANTY AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. MY CAR STARTED LOSING POWER AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC I FOUND OUT MY WARRANTY IS NOT WHAT I ASKED FOR. IT'S JUST A POWER/TRAN WARRANTY WHICH DOESN'T COVER ANYTHING! I HAVE SPENT ALMOST $1300 IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS TRYING TO FIX THE POWER LOSE PROBLEM AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR?!?! EVERYTIME IT GIVES A DIAGNOSTIC ERROR, WE FIX THE ERROR, AND THE CAR STILL CONTINUES TO LOSE POWER! IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AT LEAST 6 TIMES, TWICE AT A VW CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP AND THE 4 OR 5 TIMES AT LESUEUR CAR CO WHICH IS THE LARGEST NON

LOST POWER, RADIO STOPPED WORKING, A/C STARTING BLOWING HOT AIR, EPC LIGHT CAME ON, BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT CRANK. I THOUGHT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD SO I JUMPED THE CAR. I MADE IT HOME THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT START THE NEXT MORNING. AFTER EXAMINATION I FOUND THAT THE FUSE BOX ON TOP OF THE BATTERY HAD MELTED. THE WIRE FROM THE FUSE BOX TO THE ALTERNATOR OVERHEATED. WAS TOLD BY TWO DIFFERENT VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIPS IN BIRMINGHAM, AL THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. IF IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? *TR

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED AND MY CAR IS STUCK IN PARK BECAUSE IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IS FAULTY. THIS PART HAS BEEN RECALLED (N4), BUT I AM FORCED TO PAY FOR A TOW TRUCK TO GET ME TO A DEALER 20 MILES AWAY BECAUSE THE CAR IS INOPERABLE RIGHT NOW. WARRANTY IS OVER BUT IF IT'S A RECALL AND THE PART IN QUESTION IS CAUSING ME TO BE STUCK, WHY SHOULD I BE THE ONE PAYING FOR THE TOW? *TR

MY 2003 VW JETTA HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS THAN IN THE LAST 5 YEARS. THE LATEST TWO PROBLEMS WERE; 1) THE ENGINE COIL (WAS REPLACED ONCE BY RECALL) AND 2) MY FUSE BOX ON TOP OF MY BATTERY MELTED. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1,500 IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS ON THE CAR. WAS TOLD THAT ONLY ONE ENGINE COIL WAS ALLOWED UNDER THE RECALL, AND WAS TOLD THE FUSE BOX MELTING WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE EVEN THOUGH THEY DID NOT EVER FIND THE "REAL" REASON FOR IT TO MELT. *TR

WITHIN 6 MONTHS (4) OF THE (6) IGNITION COILS HAVE FAILED. I HAVE IT IN NOW FOR THE THIRD AND FOURTH ONES. *TR

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. HAS MADE TWO STOPS. ON THE WAY TO MY HOME MY ABS AND AIRBAG LIGHTS CAME ON, RADIO FROZE, THEN CAR SHUT OFF. WAS ADVISED FUSE PANEL ON THE TOP OF THE BATTERY HAD MELTED. MECHANIC FOUND NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. NO OTHER ISSUES. *TR

THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING A 2003 JETTA GLS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 35MPH WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS "CURTAINS AND SEAT AIRBAGS" SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. AFTER CONDUCTING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON 2002-2004 JETTAS, THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE THAT IS NOT BEING RECOGNIZED BY VW OF AMERICA.

I HAVE A 2003 VW JETTA GLI VR-6. THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING AFTER IT WAS NICE AND COLD FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. HOT AIR WAS BLOWING OUT OF THE VENTS. ENGINE (COOLANT) LIGHT CAME ON AFTER ABOUT A 10 MINUTE DRIVE. THE ENGINE (COOLANT) GAUGE WAS ALMOST IN THE RED 260 DEGREES. I SWITCHED OFF THE AIR, AND THE GAUGE WENT DOWN A LITTLE, BUT DIDN'T REALLY COOL OFF. THE GUY AT THE DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED IF THE ENGINE STARTS OVERHEATING, THE FAIL SAFE FOR THE CAR IS TO AUTOMATICALLY TURN THE A/C OFF IN ORDER TO SAVE ITSELF FROM OVERHEATING TO THE POINT WHERE DAMAGE WOULD OCCUR. AFTER ALL DAY DIAGNOSTICS, THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE FUSE BOX IS MELTED DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THIS, CONVENIENTLY, IS NOT COVERED BY MY GOLD PLUS EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I SPENT LOTS OF MONEY ON. REPAIRS SO FAR WILL COST ~$800. THEY HAVE TO FIX THAT BEFORE THEY CAN TEST TO SEE IF THE ALTERNATOR IS DAMAGED. BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE WARRANTY REP SAY THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGEN CARS. IF IT IS COMMON IT SHOULD BE RECALLED!! *TR

ON MARCH 1, 2004, I PURCHASED AND FINANCED A 2003 JETTA TDI FROM THE VW DEALERSHIP IN CHICO, CA. I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH MY NEW VEHICLE IN LATE NOVEMBER 2005, WITH MILEAGE AT 47399. I SUFFERED INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER WHEN ACCELERATING ONTO THE FREEWAY AND IN TRAVELING UP HILLS. DURING THE LOSS OF POWER, I ALSO NOTICED THAT I COULD NOT HEAR THE WHINE OF THE TURBO AND ASSUMED THAT THE PROBLEM MUST BE RELATED TO MY TURBO. THE CHICO DEALER TEST DROVE THE CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES WITH A SCAN TOOL BUT WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY MY COMPLAINT. UNFORTUNATELY, THE PROBLEM WITH THE TURBO PERSISTED. I BROUGHT MY CAR BACK TO THE CHICO DEALERSHIP ON JANUARY 7, 2006, WITH MILEAGE AT 50856. ONCE AGAIN, THE CHICO DEALER WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY MY COMPLAINT BECAUSE THEIR SCAN TOOL DID NOT PULL A CODE. THE CHICO DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE MY COMPLAINT REGARDING THE LOSS OF POWER. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS REPLACED BY THE CHICO DEALER ON JANUARY 7, 2006. FEELING DEFEATED AND FRUSTRATED, I SUFFERED THROUGH THE TURBO PROBLEM FOR ANOTHER YEAR. DURING THIS TIME, I WAS FORCED TO TAKE EXTRA SPECIAL PRECAUTION WHEN ENTERING THE FREEWAY IN CASE MY TURBO FAILED TO RESPOND UPON ACCELERATION. IN ADDITION, WHEN I EXPERIENCED A LOSS POWER TRAVELING UP-HILL, I WAS FORCED TO UTILIZE MY HAZARD SIGNAL AND MOVE TO EITHER THE SLOW LANE OR THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD TO ALLOW OTHER VEHICLES TO PASS ME. WHEN MY TURBO FAILED TO RESPOND PROPERLY,

THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS WHICH SEEM TO BE A CAUSE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CAR WILL SIMPLY DIE WHEN YOU STOP AT A RED LIGHT, STOP SIGN, ETC. IT WILL TRY TO DIE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE DIGITAL DISPLAY CONSTANTLY RESETS ITSELF, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR OFF, BUT ALSO WHILE DRIVING. THE RADIO DOES THIS TOO. THE BACK BRAKE LIGHT ALSO HAS SOME TYPE OF SHORT IN IT. IT GOES OUT AND COMES BACK ON. WE HAVE REPLACED IT TWICE IN AS MANY MONTHS. *TR

AT APPROXIMATELY 61,000 MILES ON MY 2003 VW JETTA GLX (V6), I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS THAT SEEMED TO BE TRANSMISSION RELATED. THIS INITIALLY OCCURRED IN JUNE OF 2007. ALL EXCEPT ONE OF THE ISSUES WERE RESOLVED BY THE WRAY VW IN COLUMBIA SC. THE ONGOING AND CURRENT PROBLEM I HAVE IS THE CAR CHANGES GEARS HARD BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD. THE HARD GEAR SHIFTS HAPPENS 95% OF THE TIME THE CAR CHANGES BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO DUE TO THE FACT THE 2 VW DEALERSHIPS DEEMED THE TRANSMISSION TO BE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. MY PROBLEM IS STILL ONGOING. *TR

THERE IS SIGNIFICANT DISTORTION THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 VW JETTA TDI. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD IT SERVICED ON TIME AND HAVE KEPT IT WELL MAINTAINED, I HAVE 78,000 MILES ON IT. THE SPEED SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO FIX IT. I WORRY BECAUSE THE DOORS NOT LOCK CORRECTLY BECAUSE OF THIS AND I AM NOT AWARE AT THE SPEED I TRAVEL BECAUSE THE GAUGES HAVE FAILED. MY BIGGEST WORRY IS THAT IF I WERE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT WORK BECAUSE THE CAR DOES NOT KNOW HOW FAST IT IS GOING. IF THIS WERE A NORMAL ITEM LIKE BREAKS, TIRES OR SOMETHING THAT HAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR I WOULD UNDERSTAND BUT ITS NOT. IT IS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM WHAT I VITAL FUNCTION OF THE CAR. I REALLY FEEL THAT VW SHOULD COVER THE COST OR AT LEAST SPLIT IT WITH ME. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO? *TR

I HAVE A PIECE OF JUNK VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8T THAT IS A LEMON. AT 64,000 MILES THE FAN SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED SOME PROBLEMS TO THE TUNE OF $800. THEN AT 70,000 MILES THE AIR TUBES MELTED MAKING THE CAR RUN TERRIBLE. THAT WAS ANOTHER $600 DOLLARS TO FIX. NOW AT 71000 MILES THE HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING ALONG WITH OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. I HAVE HAD IT TALKING TO THE DEALER AND CONSTANTLY WRITING VOLKSWAGEN. THERE CUSTOMER SERVICE SUCKS AND THEY DO NOT STAND BY THEIR PRODUCTS. THANK YOU, GEORGE AND LAURA BOGDAN *TR

I AM A RESIDENT OF SOUTH FLORIDA AND IN THE SUMMER OF 2007 , DUE TO THE FACT MY CAR HAS BEEN RELIABLE I DECIDED TO DRIVE CROSS COUNTRY TO LOS ANGELES , I TOOK ALL PRECAUTIONS PRIOR TO LIVING, FROM OIL CHANGES , BRAKES , TIRE ROTATION AND SO FORTH. IN OCT. OF 2007 , I WAS IN A FENDER BENDER IN LOS ANGELES , WHICH DELAYED MY RETURN TO SOUTH FLORIDA IN THE ACCIDENT THEY HAD TO REPLACE FRONT END LIGHTS AS WELL AS MY RADIATOR. I ONCE AGAIN TOOK ALL PRECAUTIONS ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO MY JOURNEY. AS OF MID NOVEMBER I WAS BACK IN MIAMI , NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR , ALL IS GOOD AT THAT POINT THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 72,000 OR SO . IN MID MARCH I NOTICED THAT WHEN I STARTED MY CAR AND TRY TO ACCELERATE THE CAR , IT WOULD NOT SURPASS 15/20MPH AND IT MADE A VERY STRANGE SOUND. IT WOULD ONLY FUNCTION APPROPRIATELY WHEN THE ENGINE WAS @ 190. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS ANOTHER MECHANIC AND THEY BOTH HAVE INFORMED ME THAT MY CLUTCH IS WORN OUT. I'M NOT SURE WHY THAT IS? I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO KEEP THIS CAR UP TO PAR , AS FAR AS MAINTENANCE . THE DEALER QUOTED ME $5600 AND THE OTHER MECHANIC $2500. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD BEEN AMAZING TO ME TILL NOW, I HAVE A LITTLE LESS THEN 80,000 AND WOULD LOVE TO DRIVE IT TOO AT LEAST 160,000 , BUT THE WAY THIS IS GOING I'M AFRAID THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN . I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE ISSUE. VW JETTA STATION WAGON - 2003 , TURBO GLS TIPTRONIC - 80,000. *TR

I TURNED ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER TO 5 (HIGHEST SETTING) ON MY 2003 VW JETTA TDI WHEN LEAVING MY HOUSE AT 7 AM. I USED THIS REGULARLY TO WARM THE SEAT FOR A FEW MINUTES ON COLD MORNINGS, THEN WOULD TURN IT OFF (LOWER SETTINGS NEVER PRODUCED NOTICEABLE HEAT). WITHIN ONE MINUTE I FELT A BURNING/ELECTRICAL SENSATION IN MY UPPER LEFT THIGH. I WAS DRIVING ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD AND THE PAIN MADE ME JUMP IN MY SEAT AND NEARLY LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER (HAVING HEARD OF PROBLEMS WITH THE HEATER). THE LEATHER SEAT HAD A BLISTER ABOUT THE SIZE OF A CIGARETTE BURN BUT HAD NOT BURNED COMPLETELY THROUGH. WHILE I STOPPED THE HEATER BEFORE IT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT (AND MY PANTS), THE REAL DANGER WAS IN A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT FROM THE BURN/SHOCK THAT CAUSED ME TO MOMENTARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE SEAT HEATER IS NO LONGER SAFE TO OPERATE. MY UNDERSTANDING FROM READING SIMILAR POSTS HERE AND ELSEWHERE IS THAT THE WIRING IS NOW BROKEN IN THE SEAT (AND MANY HAVE HAD IT BREAK IN THE SAME SPOT). IF I HAD NOT GUESSED THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM QUICKLY, OR IF SOMEONE WERE TO UNKNOWINGLY USE THE HEAT SETTER IN THE FUTURE, IT COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, PERSONAL INJURY, AND CAR FIRE. SIMILARLY, THIS POSES A SERIOUS RISK FOR OTHER DRIVERS OF THESE VEHICLES WHO MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND REACT TOO LATE. I REQUEST THAT THE NHTSA URGE VW OF AMERICA TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS DANGEROUS AND PERVASIVE PROBLEM (MANY REPORTS HERE AND ELSEWHERE, SUCH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IT RESTARTED THREE HOURS LATER. ONE WEEK LATER, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V375000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP) WAS REFERENCED CONCERNING THE 2003 PASSATS. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,000. UPDATED 5/6/08 *CN UPDATED 05/06/08 *TR

IGNITION COIL FAILED, WAS TOLD THE O2 SENSOR WAS BAD AND NEEDED NEW SPARK PLUGS, I HAD JUST REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS 5 DAYS EARLIER, THEY ONLY HAD 11 MILES ON THEM, SO IT CANNOT BE SPARK PLUGS, QUESTION WHETHER THE O2 IS TRULY BAD, HAVING IGNITION COIL REPLACED BUT WAS UNABLE TO TELL WHETHER THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS ALSO BAD UNTIL OTHER PROBLEMS ARE CORRECTED. *TR

THE HEATED SEATS IM MY 2003 VW JETTA STARTED TO CATCH ON FIRE. *TR

ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS MELTED. *TR

THE CLUTCH ON MY VW JETTA BURNED OUT ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE AND WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE CAR HAD 46,604 MILES ON IT AND SHOULD HAVE LASTED MANY MILES ABOVE THAT BUT I HAVE LEARNED OF 100'S WHO OWN THE SAME CAR WITH THIS SAME SITUATION. *TR

I DROVE TO WORK THE CAR RAN FINE. AFTER WORK I STARTED THE CAR IT BEGIN TO SHAKE. IT LOST HALF ITS POWER..THE DEALERSHIP WAS THREE MILES AWAY. IGNITION COIL WENT BAD AT 46,158 MILES AND TODAY 3-10-08 ANOTHER ONE WENT BAD AT 49,036. MY BEST FRIENDS PASSAT IGNITION COIL WENT BAD AT 19,367. I THINK THESE IGNITION COILS ARE LEMONS AND THEY NEED TO MAKE BETTER ONES. *TR

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. THE CALL IS UNDRIVABLE IN THIS CONDITION AS IT IS AROUND 20 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND THE CAR CANNOT BE LOCKED SECURELY DUE TO ABSENCE OF WINDOW. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE US $456 FOR A WINDOW REGULATOR AND MOTOR. *TR

DRIVERS SIDE HEAT SEATER FAILED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. IT GOT HOTTER THAN NORMAL WHEN ON SETTING #3, I TURNED IT OFF, AND FROM THAT POINT ON IT DIDN'T WORK. TWO DAYS AGO, I HAD THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER REPLACED AT THE KAISERSLAUTERN, GERMANY VW DEALERSHIP. WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, THE SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT WHILE ONLY ON SETTING #2. IT WAS SO HOT, THAT I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, AND COULD NOT SIT DOWN WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE OF THE EXTREME PAIN TO MY BUTTOCKS. I REACHED DOWN WITH MY HAND TO CONFIRM THE HEAT AND ALSO BURNED MY HAND. NOTE THAT I WAS ONLY RUNNING THE SEAT HEATER ON LEVEL 2 OF 5 FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES. UPON INSPECTION OF THE SEAT, THERE IS NOW A HARDENED PLASTIC FEELING AREA WHERE THE LEATHER ON THE SEAT WAS THE HOTTEST. HAD I NOT IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE HEATER, IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT THE ENTIRE SEAT WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FLAMES. ADDITIONALLY, SINCE THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AND I WAS UNABLE TO PROPERLY SIT IN THE SEAT, AN ACCIDENT COULD MOST CERTAINLY HAVE OCCURRED ON THE SPOT. I IMMEDIATELY SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY WILL REPLACE THE HEATER BUT NOT THE SEAT. THEY SAY THE DAMAGE TO THE SEAT IS NOT EXTREME ENOUGH TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE THING. HOWEVER, I FEEL IT IS THEIR OBLIGATION TO REPLACE IT BECAUSE THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY THEIR INSTALLATION OF A FACTORY ITEM THAT HAS ALREADY FAILED ONCE. *TR

I BOUGHT AN 2003 VW JETTA WOLFSBERG ON JAN. 17TH, 2007. I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AND HIT A BUMP AND THE RIGHT PASSENGER WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR PANEL. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD FIX BUT ITS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL CHARGES. I CALLED VW AND THEY SAID THERE ARE NO KNOWN DEFECTS OR ANY PENDING AT THIS TIME. *TR

HAD THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAT SEATER ON. FELT A SHOCKING SENSATION AND SMELLED SMOKE. PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF HEAT SEATER AND EXITED CAR. THERE IS A HOLE BURNED IN THE SEAT AND IT TOOK OVER 5 MINUTES FOR IT TO STOP SMOKING. *TR

PURCHASED A USED 03 VW TDI ON 04/05, HAD THE WARRANTY TRANSFERRED AND REGISTERED TO ME AT VW. BRIEF RANDOM INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHERE THROTTLE WOULD NOT RESPOND FOR 1-3 SECONDS WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP SIGN. (THIS COULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO YOUR HEALTH) VW DEALER COULD DO NOTHING WITHOUT A FAULT CODE. THIS CONTINUED FOR 2 YEARS AND 24000 MILES. ON 02/04/08, I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, DID AN ERRAND, CAME OUT AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE ONLY TO HAVE IT IDLE ROUGH THEN DIE OUT, DURING THIS TIME THERE WAS NO THROTTLE RESPONSE. I RESTARTED ENGINE 6-7 TIMES, ON THE 8TH TIME IT RAN NORMALLY. NEXT DAY SAME HAPPENED TO WIFE. I LOADED CAR ONTO A FLATBED AND DELIVERED TO VW DEALER 60 MILES AWAY. THEY FOUND THE EGR THROTTLE VALVE STUCK, REMOVED IT, CLEANED OUT BUILT-UP CARBON. THIS COST $370.00 WE DO NOT KNOW IF THESE INCIDENTS ARE RELATED. *TR

AM RADIO NOT WORKING. FM RADIO HAS LIMITED RANGE. *TR

INTERMITTENT MALFUNCTION OF REAR DOOR LOCKS. CAN'T OPEN. REPORTER TO DEALER WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER COULD NOT REMEDY. AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED, DEALER RECOMMENDER SERVICE. DEALER CHECKED AND VERIFIED THAT THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN REPORTED PREVIOUSLY WHEN SERVICED(FROM THEIR RECORDS).NEFTIN VOLKSWAGEN, THOUSAND OAKS CA. *TR

RECENTLY THE RADIO IN MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WOLFSBURG EDITION STOPPED WORKING. AT FIRST THE RADIO STATION WAS DISPLAYED BUT I WAS UNABLE TO GET ANY BUTTONS TO WORK EXCEPT THE EJECT BUTTON, THE VOLUME KNOB, AND THE ON/OFF BUTTON. THE LAST RADIO STATION I LISTENED TO WAS DISPLAYED BUT NO SOUND COULD BE HEARD. I STARTED TO LOOK FOR HELP ON THE INTERNET, POSSIBLY A FUSE OR SOMETHING SIMPLE BUT WHAT I FOUND WAS COMPLETELY THE OPPOSITE. ACCORDING TO SEVERAL WEBSITES, THE RADIO HAS AN INTERNAL DEFECT WHICH FRIES THE RADIO WHEN THE BATTERY STARTS TO GET WEAK. I WORK AT A CADILLAC DEALERSHIP SO I TESTED THE BATTERY AND IT TESTED MARGINAL. I CHECKED WITH A COUPLE VW DEALERSHIPS AND THEY BOTH TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE RADIO. I JUST RECEIVED MY AFTERMARKET RADIO, WHICH I ORDERED AFTER HEARING HORROR STORIES OF REPLACING THE RADIO WITH AN OEM UNIT AND HAVING THEM GO BAD AGAIN THE NEXT TIME THE BATTERY WENT DEAD. I STILL HAVE THE OEM RADIO, AND WILL HANG ON TO IT FOR WHILE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. THIS WAS NOT PRECEDED BY A POTHOLE, FLAT TIRE, SWERVE, OR ANY OTHER EVENT. DRIVER WAS HIT IN HEAD BY AIRBAG, BUT MANAGED TO CONTROL CAR AND BRING TO HALT IN BREAKDOWN LANE. ONLY DAMAGE TO CAR IS THE AIRBAG. NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. *TR

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED CAUSING BRAKES LIGHTS TO STAY ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. *TR

A) 1) DROVE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 2 MILES ON THE MORNING OF 05/21/07 WHEN THE FAILURE HAPPENED. 2) VEHICLE LOST ENGINE POWER AND VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE A LOT. 3) FAILED IGNITION COIL #3 WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. B) 1) DROVE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 1 MILES ON THE MORNING OF 11/07/07 WHEN THE FAILURE HAPPENED. 2) VEHICLE LOST ENGINE POWER AND VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE A LOT. 3) FAILED IGNITION COIL #4 WAS REPLACED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT DROVE HOME AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COIL INSIDE THE CYLINDER FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN ONE MONTH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,890 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,046. UPDATED 03/14/08. *LJ THE COIL PACK WAS REPLACED

1. 2003 JETTA WAGON PASSENGER HEATED SEAT GOT EXTREMLY HOT AND THEN QUIT WORKING. *TR

THE FRONT HEADLIGHT LENSES HAVE OXIDIZED/DETERIORATED AND HAS DIFFUSED THE LIGHT TO THE POINT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. I HAD THE LENSES POLISHED TWO YEARS AGO, AND NOW THEY NEED POLISHING AGAIN. I DON'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO BEAR THE BURDEN OF A SAFETY ISSUE LIKE THIS. *TR

WAS DRIVING TO A MOVIE THEATER AND A WAS DOING ABOUT 25 MPH AND I HIT A SMALL POT HOLE IN THE ROAD AND MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AND CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED THERE NO DENTS NO CRASH NOTHING AT ALL. *JB

WHILE DRIVING FROM PA TO BOSTON MY CAR'S ENGINE BROKE DOWN IN WHAT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE VW 1.8 LITER TURBO ENGINES. THE PASSAT (FROM '98-'04) HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE ISSUE BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. I DRIVE A '03 JETTA WITH VW'S 1.8 TURBO ENGINE, BUT BECAUSE IT'S NOT A PASSAT THE WARRANTY WAS NOT EXTENDED. I STILL HAVE SEVERAL MONTHS OF PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR AND IT ONLY HAS 70,000. ALL VW CAN/WANTS TO DO TO HELP ME IS OFFER $1,500 IN REPAIRS OR TRADE IN. I'M LOOKING AT $7,200 AND OWE $1,600 ON THE CAR. *TR

MAY OF 2004, VEHICLE BEGINS "LUNGING" WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP FINDINGS THERE WAS A TSB ON THIS ISSUE AND SOFTWARE WAS OUTDATED AND UPDATED BY DEALERSHIP. THIS SEEMED TO HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM UNTIL OCTOBER 2004 WHEN THE "LUNGING" BEGAN OCCURRING AGAIN. ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CODE WAS FOUND IN THE ABS SECTION OF THE COMPUTER AND THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. MARCH OF 2005, "LUNGING" SYMPTOMS RETURNED. DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM THIS TIME. REPORTED SAME ISSUE AGAIN SEPTEMBER OF 2005, ISSUE NOT DIAGNOSED ONCE AGAIN. BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST 6 TIMES UP TO JANUARY 2006. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES, BUT SWAPPED CIRCUIT BOARDS FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER AND CHECKED RESISTANCE OF THE CIRCUITS. SWAPPED BULB SOCKETS AND CLAIMED ISSUE RESOLVED. REPORTED SAME "LUNGING" ISSUE AS ABOVE, AGAIN FEBRUARY OF 2006. DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THROTTLE BODY EXTREMELY DIRTY. ISSUE RESOLVED FOR BRIEF STINT. JUNE OF 2006 TAIL LIGHTS CONTINUE TO BURN OUT. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS NO ISSUE FOUND. MAY OF 2007, BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN. LIGHT BULBS HAVE NOT BURNED OUT SINCE THIS REPLACEMENT. VW OF AMERICA, INC. REFUSES TO PAY FOR SERVICE CHARGES INCURRED TO SWAP CIRCUIT BOARDS EVEN THOUGH IT IS CLEARLY DUE TO FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACEMENT BACK IN OCTOBER OF 2004 (SAME DEFECTIVE SWITCH WAS USED AS REPLACEMENT). THERE IS A CLEAR LINE LEADING TO THE SWITCH BEIN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE HEATING SWITCH FOR THE SEATS IN HER DAUGHTER'S VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW SWITCH, BUT THE SWITCH FAILED A FEW MONTHS LATER. THE SWITCH BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER SUSTAINED BLISTERS, A SCAR, AND MINOR BURNS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ROLL IT DOWN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REGULATOR THAT HOLDS THE WINDOW IN PLACE CRACKED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,455 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,500.

THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE FROM THE TAILPIPE RIGHT AFTER THE 75,000 MILE CPO WARRANTY ENDED. THE SMOKE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY TURBO. THE TURBO HAD BEEN REPLACED AT 49,000 MILES AND VW AND AN INDEPENDENT VERIFIED THAT THE TURBO WAS FAULTY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ASKED TO CHECK THE ENGINE (UNDER WARRANTY) FIVE TIMES THROUGHOUT THE TIME AFTER THE FIRST TURBO WAS INSTALLED, THEY REPORTED THAT ALL WAS FINE. AS SOON AS THE WARRANTY ENDED, THEY SAID THAT THE TURBO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. VW HAS SHIFTED ALL RESPONSIBILITY TO ME. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS BURNING OIL, AND AFFECTING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, NO WARRANTIES APPLY. THE TURBO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN, HOWEVER, NO ONE (INCLUDING VW) CAN EXPLAIN WHY IT KEEPS FAILING, DESPITE PERFECT MAINTENANCE. *TR