2003 Volkswagen Jetta complaints

I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM SIMILAR TO THE RECALL ON 2002 VW JETTA'S WITH FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT. EXCEPT I HAVE A 2003 MODEL. *JB

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DURING WORK OUT OF STATE. DIAGNOSIS AT A SERVICE STATION INDICATED BOTH ELECTRICAL COOLING FANS HAD FAILED. I REPLACED THEM WITH AFTERMARKET FANS IN ORDER TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME AND IMMEDIATELY TOOK TO THE DEALER. DEALER REPLACED BOTH FANS AND FOUND THE COOLING TEMP SENSOR HAD BEEN SHORTING OUT. I WAS CHARGED OVER 900.00 FOR THE FANS AND TOLD THEY WERE NOT COVERED SINCE I HAD PUT AFTERMARKET FANS ON THE CAR. I OFFERED TO GIVE THE DEALER THE STOCK FANS SO THEY COULD VERIFY THEY WERE NOT WORKING BUT THEY REFUSED. GIVEN I DID NOT CAUSE THE OEM PARTS TO FAIL AND MADE NO MODIFICATIONS TO THE CAR OR IT'S WIRING WITH THE TEMPORARY FANS I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE COVERED. ALSO, A SEARCH OF ONLINE VW USER GROUPS INDICATES THE PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON, (HUNDREDS OF IDENTICAL REPORTS ON ONE SITE). I WAS ALSO CHARGED FOR THE OEM COOLING PARTS WHICH HAD FAILED SUCH AS TEMP SENSOR, TEMP SWITCH AND FAN CONTROL MODULE. FOR THE RECORD, I CALLED VW AND REQUESTED A TOW TO SERVICE AND WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE THE CAR IN. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CURTAIN AIRBAGS BOTH DEPLOYED. AFTER THE DEPLOYMENT, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO DEPLOYMENT. THE DRIVER WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE AND WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. IT WAS DETERMINED THE AIRBAG SENSOR HAD ACTIVATED AS IF IN A CRASH HOWEVER NO CRASH OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER SMELLED AND COULD SEE SMOKE AND REALIZED DRIVERS SEAT WAS ON FIRE. DRIVER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND PUT OUT FIRE ON SEAT. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA DID NOTHING - TOLD OWNER THEY HAD NOTHING TO SAY. DEALER REPLACED SEAT. *JB

AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF A GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT, MY 2003 JETTA GLI VR6 BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND LOSE POWER. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD STAY LIT OR START BLINKING AS I TRIED TO DRIVE HOME. I CONTACTED VW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE ALONG WITH MY VW DEALERSHIP (STRONG VW, SLC UT), AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT I MUST BRING IT IN. SEEING THAT I WAS BARELY GOING TO MAKE IT HOME I CONTACTED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHICH WAS PROVIDED WITH MY JETTA AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD TOW IT TO THE NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP (NOT WHERE I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED OR HAD MY CAR SERVICED) TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT WAS ACTUALLY CLOSER FOR ME TO DROP OFF THE JETTA AT THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP RATHER THAN TAKE IT HOME, SO I DID THAT. I FOUND OUT THE FOLLOWING MORNING THAT THE IGNITION COILS WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THAT WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTY AND APPARENTLY EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THREE DAYS LATER, EACH AND EVERY TIME I STARTED MY JETTA A NOXIOUS SMELL WOULD FILL THE CABIN. I REPORTED THIS TO MY ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP AND HAD IT IN FOR SERVICE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER 5 DAYS OF TRYING TO DETERMINE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS THEY INFORMED THAT SINCE THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. IRONICALLY IT HASN'T HAPPENED SINCE. MY MAJOR COMPLAINT IS THAT IN THE YEAR AND A HALF THAT I HAVE OWNED MY JETTA, I HAVE HAD IT IN FOR NON-TRADITIONAL OR NON-SCHEDULED SERVICE MORE THAN 3 TIMES. MY MAJOR FEAR IS THAT WHEN THE WARRANTY RUNS OUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT. I HAVE BEEN

2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. A VEHICLE FOLLOWING MY SONS CAR ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE (MY SON WAS OUT OF STATE RETURNING HOME) NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR AND BLOW HORN AND FLICKERED LIGHTS. MY SON LOOKED IN HIS REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SAW SMOKE AND IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED BY VEHICLE FOLLOWING. THE JETTA NEVER LOST POWER AND WHEN HE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND HE HAD TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF. THE JETTA WAS SMOKING AND THE FIRE STARTED IMMEDIATELY AND WITH IN MINUTES FULL FLAMES. THERE WAS A LOUD BOOM AND IT CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE JETTA. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT GET THE FIRE OUT AND HAD TO BREAK THROUGH THE HOOD. THE WHOLE FRONT (ENGINE AREA) WAS BURNED. THE JETTA WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THEREFORE WE PERSONALLY WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO REPORT (THINKING STILL UNDER WARRANTY THEY WOULD PROVIDE A RENTAL AND WANT TO INVESTIGATE) ALL THEY DID WAS REFER US TO VOLKSWAGEN. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN ON MARCH 27, 2005 AND TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT I HAD TO REPORT TO MY INSURANCE. VOLKSWAGEN ALSO TOLD ME THAT IF IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.... THEY WOULD ONLY PAY WHAT INSURANCE WOULD PAY??????? MY SON ALSO TALKED TO THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP AND ALL THAT WAS SAID IS HE (THE DEALERSHIP OWNER) WAS SORRY AND GOOD THING HE (MY SON ) HAD INSURANCE. THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T EVEN OFFER TO TRY AND HELP US GET BACK INTO A VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO INDICATION (NO ENGINE WARNING, NO POWER LOSE, SMELL ETC.) THERE WAS ANYTHING WRON

2003 JETTA GEARS WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THIS IS CAUSED BY A PLASTIC SUBMITTER THAT CONTROLS THE GEAR SHIFT AND BRAKES. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL FOR THE 2002 MODEL BUT NOT 2003. *JB THE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE HIS PAID BILLS PAID THAT WERE ACCIDENTALLY PLACED IN AN ENVELOPE. UPDATED 07/11/06. *JB

I HAVE 126,000 MILES ON MY 2003 JETTA. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AND THE DRIVER SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON.*JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK WHEN STARTED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

THE HEATED SEAT ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 4DR SEDAN BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT AND THROUGH MY WIFE'S JACKET. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER RESET THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND NO FURTHER REPAIRS WERE REQUIRED. UPDATED 3/20/2006 - *NM

JETTA BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (ON OUR INVOICE IT IS PART NO. 1JO-945-511-E") ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE DEPT AT COMMONWEALTH VW, THIS SWITCH HAS BEEN RECALLED AS DEFECTIVE IN OTHER VW'S, BUT NOT THE JETTA. WHEN IT FAILS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT AND THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW FOR MY DAUGHTER, M. B., THE REGISTERED OWNER, AND I DO NOT LIKE THE IDEA THAT SHE IS DRIVING A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE TO AND FROM OUR HOME IN VILLA PARK, CA. TO SCHOOL IN RIVERSIDE, CA. (ABOUT 60 MILES ROUND TRIP) DAILY, AND AT NIGHT! THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED FROM ALL VEHICLES. *NM

ON FEB. 14, 2006, I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH ON FREEWAY, EXPERIENCED LOUD EXPLOSION-TYPE NOISE - AFTER COMING TO REALITY AND OUT OF SHOCK REALIZED SUNROOF WAS BLOWN OUT - AND I WAS COVERED IN GLASS - FIRST REACTION WAS TO BELIEVE THAT I HAD BEEN SHOT WITH GUN OR THAT SOMETHING WAS THROWN FROM OVERPASS - AFTER POLICE INVESTIGATION, PHOTOGRAPHS BY DEALERSHIP AND DOZENS OF EYEWITNESSES VIEWING THE REMAINING OUT GLASS OF THE SUNROOF (THAT WAS STILL ATTACHED BUT SHATTERED) WAS POINTED IN AN UPWARD POSITION TOWARDS SKY - NOT INTO VEHICLE AS IF IT IMPLODED FROM THE INTERIOR TO EXTERIOR - EVERYONE DETERMINED THAT IT HAD NOT BEEN STRUCK BY ANYTHING BUT RATHER JUST BLEW OUT. THIS WAS VERY FRIGHTENING AND DANGEROUS - I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED BY THE GLASS OR BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT FROM THE INCIDENT. EVERYONE SENT PHOTOS AND SPOKE TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA - THEY DO NOT CARE - AND REFUSE TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY OR EVEN QUESTION ME ABOUT INCIDENT EVEN THOUGH - I HAVE INFORMED THAT I AM FEARFUL TO EVEN DRIVE VEHICLE NOW - EVERYONE THAT SAW THE CAR IN PERSON - IS IN AWE AND THINKS THIS IS WEIRD - HOWEVER, VW AMERICA THE ONLY PARTY WHO DID NOT SEE THE VEHICLE IN PERSON - IS STILL STICKING BY THEIR ANSWER THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY SOMETHING STRIKING THE CAR - THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE WITH OTHER TYPES OF CARS ON THE INTERNET WITH THIS SAME EXPERIENCE AND THEY ALSO KNOW THAT THEY WERE NOT STRUCK - I HAD A POLICE REPORT AND PHOTOS WITH PROOF THAT THE GLASS BLEW FROM THE INTERIOR OUT - VW IS SHOWING NEG

FORD PICKUP TRUCK WAS STOPPED TO MAKE LEFT TURN. MY ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED AND I FAILED TO STOP. HIT TRUCK IN REAR. PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER AIR BAG OR SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT. SEAT BELT PREVENTED PERSONAL INJURY. *NM

ENGINE MOUNTS AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS BROKE AND CAUSED CAR TO CRASH. ALSO INJURING MY DAUGHTER. *NM

VW CLAIMS THE EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTING SWITCH ISN'T A RECALL ITEM OR PROBLEM BUT NOT ONLY AM I HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ONE FOR ME CAR BUT THE OTHER VW OWNERS HERE AT MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT HAVE ENCOUNTERED THE SAME PROBLEM AS WELL. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOUR TIMES. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR DEPARTMENT REPLACED THE GLOW PLUG, THE RELAY TO THE GLOW PLUG AND THE THERMOSTAT, HOWEVER THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.

NUMEROUS TIMES THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON MY 2003 JETTA. FIRST VISIT WAS 9/12/02. THE OTHERS WERE: 2/21/03, 6/13/03, 10/21/04, 1/6/05, 12/14/05, 12/21/05, 1/9/06, 1/13/06. IT IS CURRENTLY ON AND IS WAITING FOR A CAT. CONVERTER. THEY CHARGED ME TO HOOK UP TO COMPUTER, REPLACED ALL COILS & SPARK PLUGS AND THE LIGHT IS STILL ON. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON A SLUSH COVERED HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO FISH TAIL AND HIT THE RETAINING WALL IN THE MEDIAN. THIS WAS A FRONTAL IMPACT, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT WARMER OVERHEATED AND STARTED SMOKING. ALTHOUGH A SMALL HOLE FORMED IN THE SEAT CUSHION THERE WAS NOT VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF A FIRE OTHER THAN SMOKE. *AK

I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE 10/31/02. I PURCHASED IT NEW. I BOUGHT IT FOR MY TEENAGERS TO DRIVE AS THEY BEGIN SINCE IT IS A SAFE CAR. LAST WEEKEND, (12/17/05) I WAS PERSONALLY DRIVING THE CAR, AND THE SEAT WARMER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE GOT SO HOT THAT IT ACTUALLY BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT, AND THE CAR SMELLED TERRIBLE FOR SEVERAL DAYS AFTER. I THINK THAT HAVING TO FEAR AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN MY CAR IS OUTRAGEOUS. *NM

EXCESSIVE BUILDUP OF CARBON IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEADING TO THE FAILURE OF THE CAR TO START. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AMONG VW DEALERS WITH TDI DIESELS AND THERE IS NOTHING VW IS DOING ABOUT IT. COST $700 TO REPAIR THIS. *NM

I OWN A 2003 VW JETTA 1.8T WITH FRONT HEATED SEATS. DRIVERS SIDE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO A SHORT IN THE SEATS HEATER 2 DAYS AGO ON 12/13/2005 AFTER THE HEATER WAS ON FOR LESS THAN 2 MINUTES. BURNING A SMALL HOLE TROUGH THE SEAT TO THE BOTTOM AREA OF MY LEFT SIDE (BUTTOCK) I HAVE COME TO FIND SINCE THIS HAPPENED, MY NHTSA HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING 2002, 2003 VW JETTAS FOR SEAT FIRES WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. WHY, AS THE ORIGINAL REGISTER OWNER OF THIS MODEL WAS I NOT INFORMED OF THIS INVESTIGATION AND THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE INSIDE MY CAR, WHILE ME, MY WIFE AND MY 5 YEAR GIRL ARE IN IT! THE PROBLEM WITH THE ABOVE IS THAT IT WAS NOT A POSSIBILITY, IT JUST WAS A MATTER OF TIME AND IN MY CASE, THE TIME WAS DECEMBER 13TH AT APPROXIMATELY 7PM AT NIGHT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE FIRST 3,000 MILES, WITH WATER PUMPS AND DOOR LATCHES, FIRMWARE UPDATES, VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE VEHICLE IN COLD WEATHER STARTS, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS RANGING FROM ENTIRELY IMMOBILIZING AND STRANDING ME TO THE CAR PARTIALLY BEING IMMOBILIZED THE VW JETTA TO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER ISSUES WHICH INCLUDE THE CARS SHIFTER BEING ABLE TO BE MOVED WHEN THE KEY IS NOT EVEN IN THE IGNITION TO A POSITION IN THE SHIFTER SELECTOR BECAUSE A CABLE WAS NEVER CONNECTED TO PREVENT THAT, THAT SHOULD ALSO BE A NHTSA SAFETY ISSUE TOO ON THIS CAR. BUT FIRST I WANT YOU FOR THE LOVE OF GOD CONTACT THE OWNERS OF THESE CARS BEFORE REAL TRAGEDY HAPPENS IF THAT ALL READY HAS NOT HAPPENED. I HAVE JUST T

THE SEAT ON MY 2003 VW JETTA CAUGHT FIRE TODAY. AS A RESULT, THERE IS A NICKEL-SIZE BURN IN MY SEAT AND MY PANTS. *JB

DT:THE CONTACTS STATED WHILE DRIVING THE PASSENGER'S SIDE/CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT PRIOR TO THE DEPLOYMENT. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURE STATED THE VEHICLE MUST HAVE BEEN IN A PREVIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE BLACK BOX CONTAINS CRASH DATA AND THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REPAIR THIS VEHICLE. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE04081.*AK

AT APPROXIMATELY 5:15 AM THIS MORNING I STARTED MY CAR AND TURNED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT. AFTER WAITING APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES FOR THE RPMS TO DROP BELOW 1000, I PLACED THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND BEGAN HEADING FOR WORK. I IMMEDIATELY SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I TRAVELED LESS THAN AN 1/8 OF A MILE TO A STOP SIGN. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND PLACING IT IN PARK, I OPENED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, PULLED THE HOOD LATCH, AND QUICKLY STEPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I LEFT THE CAR RUNNING AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OPEN WHILE I OPENED THE HOOD TO INSPECT FOR THE SOURCE OF THE BURNING SMELL. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES OF INSPECTION I DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING BURNING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I CLOSED THE HOOD AND WHILE STANDING AT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT. I IMMEDIATELY RAN TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND DISCOVERED A SMALL FIRE IN THE FRONT SEAT. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, TURNED THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT OFF, AND MANAGED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THIS HAS BEEN A VERY TRAUMATIC EVENT. REFLECTING ON THE TYPICAL USAGE OF THE HEATED SEATS BY MYSELF, OR WORSE YET MY WIFE, THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. THE SEAT WAS LITERALLY ON FIRE IN LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES. I CAN NOT IMAGINE WHAT THE OUTCOME MIGHT HAVE BEEN IF THIS HAD OCCURRED DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. IF I HAD NOT EXITED THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, I WOULD HAVE SUFFERED BURNS. AFTER TALKING TO CUSTOMER SERVICE I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS

PURCHASED NEW 2003 JETTA MAY 2003. SINCE THAT TIME WE HAVE HAD TO TOW THE CAR TWICE AND REPAIR SAME PART 4 TIMES. IT IS THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH THAT BREAKS WHICH MEANS THE CAR CAN NOT BE TAKEN OUT OF PARK. CAN NOT BE MOVED UNLESS IT IS TOWED OR GET IT IN WHEN YOU FIRST SEE IT IS GOING OUT YET AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED JAN 28, 2004, AUG 2, 2004, MAY 31, 2005, AND OCT 14, 2005. TWICE IT WAS SERVICED AT THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP IN SAN LUIS OBISPO AND TWICE AT THE DEALERSHIP IN FRESNO, CALIFORNIA. *NM

THE CLUTCH ON MY 03' VW JETTA HAS BEEN FAILING SINCE DAY ONE , I NOW HAVE 42,000 KMS. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR. REVERSE, SECOND GEAR AND THIRD GEAR ALL HAVE PROBLEMS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON WITH EVERY PERSON WITH A MANUAL JETTA, ESPECIALLY A 1.8T. I THINK VWOA SHOULD RECALL THE CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION AND CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. WE SPEND HARD EARNED MONEY ON OUR CARS AND DO NOT DESERVE A PROBLEM LIKE THIS ON BRAND NEW CARS. *JB

DT: THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE ABS LIGHT AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. SHE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED . THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BACK. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE ALTERNATOR CABLE BURNED THE FUSE BOX AND COVER. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT IF THEY SAME PART WILL BE PUT BACK ON THE SAME THING WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. *AK *JB

I OWN A 2003 JETTA TDI WAGON AND MY FRONT SEAT HEATER HAS BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT. *NM

DT: ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL THE REAR DEFROSTER SWITCH IS SUPPOSED TO TURN OFF AUTOMATICALLY TEN MINUTES AFTER BEING ACTIVATED. WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED ON THE REAR DEFROSTER IT DID NOT SHUT ITSELF OFF. AS A RESULT, THE WIRES IN THE REAR WINDOW DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THIS CAUSES THE CONSUMER NOT TO BE ABLE TO SEE THROUGH SOME PARTS OF THE REAR WINDOW. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT IT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE MANUAL. THE WINDOW WAS REPLACED IN FEBRUARY 2005. THE REPLACEMENT WINDOW HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY DAMAGE BECAUSE THE DEFROSTER SWITCH HAD BEEN TURNED OFF MANUALLY. *AK (11/17/05) *SC

I WAS ON MY WAY TO FLORIDA, DRIVING SOUTH ON I-95 (GOING THROUGH THE TOWN OF ST. MARYS) WHEN I RAN OVER A GREY METAL GRATE (THE SAME COLOR AS THE ROAD) THAT WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LEFT LANE (I WAS DRIVING 70 MPH). THE GRATE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1FT X 1FT AND ABOUT 1 INCH THICK. AS SOON AS I RAN OVER IT, THE SIDE CURTAIN AND THE SIDE SEAT AIRBAGS (ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE) DEPLOYED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE SEAT, SEAT BELT, AND MY LEFT ARM WAS BURNT. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTY. THE CONTACT STATED S DASHBOARD CONTROL SYSTEM CAUGHT ON FIRE. LAST NIGHT WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. WAS NOT SURE WHAT IT WAS. GOT CLOSE TO HOME AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE DASHBOARD. BY THE TIME SHE GOT WITHIN A BLOCK OF THE HOUSE THE DASHBOARD WAS ON FIRE. HUSBAND CAME OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. HUSBAND USED EXTINGUISHER ON VEHICLE. CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS. THEY UNHOOKED THE BATTERY. FIRE DEPARTMENT GAVE ALL CLEAR, BUT NOT TO TRY TO DRIVE VEHICLE. THEY TOLD CONSUMER TO TAKE VEHICLE TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALER. THIS MORNING CALLED VOLKSWAGEN, AND WERE IN THE PROCESS OF SEEING WHAT THEY COULD DO. HUSBAND SUSTAINED RIGHT LEG INJURIES. CUSTOMER ALSO COMPLAINED OF EYES BURNING FROM SMOKE. POLICE DEPARTMENT AND FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS TAKEN. NO CRASHES. WE HAD JUST PICKED VEHICLE UP FROM THE DEALER.*AK

DT: ON JULY 3, 2004 THE PASSENGER'S SIDE/CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT CAUSE. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE VOLKSWAGEN FIELD TECHNICIAN HE SAID THAT THERE WERE SOME SMALL DENTS THAT CAUSED THE DEPLOYMENT. WHEN SOMEONE FROM TRANSPORT CANADA INSPECTED THE VEHICLE HE SAID THAT THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS TO HAVE DEPLOYED. HE SAID THAT THE DENTS WERE THERE BEFORE THE CLEAR COAT WAS EVEN PUT ON THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO COLLUSION.

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF ROAD THAT WAS NEWLY GRADED GRAVEL AT ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. BOTH THE SIDE AIR CURTAIN AND THE SEAT AIR BAGS WENT OFF. THE SEAT BAG HIT MY WIFE ON THE BACK OF THE UPPER ARM LEAVING SOME BRUISING AND WHAT LOOKED TO BE LARGE WELTS AND BURNS. THE SWELLING AND BURNS WENT AWAY AFTER WE FOUND SOME ICE AND PACK HER ARM IN IT. VW SAYS THAT WE WERE IN A COLLISION BUT WE WERE AROUND NO ONE AND DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO MY CAR FOR ANY COLLISION. MY INSURANCE COMPANY FIXED THE CAR UNDER A COMP. CLAIM AS THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY COLLISION DAMAGE. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. THE SPEED AT THIS TIME WAS ABOUT 60 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF ANY DEBRIS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN ON THE ROAD. THE CONTACT DID NOT LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ON PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW, AND THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY. THIS OCCURRED ON AUGUST 31, 2005.*AK

A/C FAN SIEZED, CAUSING ENOUGH HEAT TO START A FIRE. THE SHROUD, UPPER RADIATOR MODLINGS, A/C HOSE, HOOD INSULATION AND PAINT WERE DAMAGED.

* 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WITH 38,116 MILES / ONE OWNER * VW CASE # 50260581 * REPAIR LOCATION: NORTH POINT VW, SHERWOOD, AR (501) 945-5353 THE PROBLEM THIS VEHICLE'S CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL BOTH FAILED (COMPLETELY WORN) AT 38,116 MILES, WELL BEFORE THE AVERAGE EXPECTED LIFE... POSSIBLE MATERIAL DEFICIENCY. BACKGROUND ALL SERVICE FOR THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND DOCUMENTED WITH VW. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SUBJECTED TO ANY EXTREME DRIVING IN ANY WAY. MANUFACTURER'S ASSISTANCE NONE. THE CLUTCH IS A WEAR ITEM AND THEREFORE NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. ALTHOUGH THE LOCAL SERVICE MANAGER AGREES THAT A CLUTCH SHOULD NOT FAIL AT THIS LOW MILEAGE, NEITHER HE, OR THE VW HELP CENTER (800 411-6688) WOULD HELP IN THE $1,600 REPAIR. BOTTOM LINE AFTER DOING A GOOGLE SEARCH FOR "VW JETTA CLUTCH FAILURE", I NOTED NUMEROUS REPORTS OF PREMATURE VW CLUTCH FAILURE. IS THIS A "WEAK LINK" IN THIS VEHICLE? IS VW TRYING TO HIDE AN INFERIOR PART?

VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN ON A HIGHWAY AND MOTOR "BLEW UP". TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THAT IT WAS FAULTY TURBO DUE TO SLUDGE IN THE TURBO. DEALERSHIP DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY CLAIMING IT WAS OWNER'S PROBLEM BECAUSE SYNTHETIC OIL WAS NOT USED.

NO ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED. HOWEVER, WHO OR WHAT COMPANY DO I EMAIL TO GET INFORMATION ON WHY VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT PUT FORTH A RECALL ON THE SUNROOF OF THE JETTA MODEL 2001 AND 2002? I AM WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THIS COMPANY. HOWEVER, FROM THE CONSUMER REPORTS I SEE THAT THEY HAVE NOT RECALLED THIS PART ON THESE CARS. CAN YOU PLEASE DIRECT ME TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS THAT I MIGHT GET AN ANSWER? IT IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAGS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE COLULMS OF THIS VEHICLE. IF THEY GET WET THEY WILL NOT WORK. THEREFORE IT IS A HAZARD THAT VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD ADDRESS.THANK YOU

DT: 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA DIESEL TDI. THE ENGINE DIED AT 70 MPH. THE CONSUMER KNEW IT WAS NOT THE TIMING BELT AND BELIEVED IT TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER SENSOR THAT CONTROLS THE SIGNALS. LIGHTS TO FLASH, FLASHERS ALSO WITH POWER WINDOWS. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND HE COULD FIND NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. THE TIMING BELT IS IN PLACE AND IN GOOD CONDITION. *TT *SC *JB

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: MY NAME IS [XXX]. I OWN A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI THAT I PURCHASED NEW ON 3/10/03 FROM AUTOHAUS OF LANCASTER IN LANCASTER, PA. IT NOW HAS 56,700 MILES ON IT. (MOSTLY HIGHWAY) WHILE DRIVING ON 6/21/05, I WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES GOT MUSHY AND THEN GRABBED AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR IN A SUDDEN STOP. AS IT WAS STOPPING YOU HEARD A SOUND LIKE THE VEHICLE NOW HAD AIR BRAKES. I DEPRESSED THE PEDAL AGAIN THE BRAKES LET UP. I WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED BY A TRUCK THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED THE GARAGE. IT TURNED OUT TO BE A BRAKE BOOSTER. PRIOR TO THIS PROBLEM, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT 48,000 MILES, I HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. IT WAS IN BECAUSE SEVERAL TIMES I APPLIED THE BRAKES IN THE SNOW AND THE TIRES LOCKED UP. THIS VEHICLE HAS ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. AT THIS TIME THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND NO PROBLEMS. THEY CHECKED IT AND SAID ALL WAS OK. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I GOT IT OUT OF THE SHOP. MY CURRENT MECHANIC (ROBERTS AUTOMOTIVE) WHO SPECIALIZES IN VOLKSWAGENS MENTIONED THAT HE BELIEVES THAT TWO PROBLEMS ARE VERY LIKELY THE SAME PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC ([XXX] @ ROBERTS AUTOMOTIVE) ALSO TOLD ME THAT HE CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP (AUTOHAUS OF LANCASTER, PA) FOR THE PART, AND HE WAS TOLD THEY REPLACED 8 OF THESE BRAKE BOOSTERS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. I ALSO TALKED TO THE S

I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 VW JETTA UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IN AN INTERSECTION, CONTINUED WHEN IT TURNED GREEN. I HIT A SMALL SIZED POTHOLE AT THE OTHER END OF THE INTERSECTION AT SPEEDS BELOW 15MPH, WHICH CAUSED THE WRONGFUL DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT AIRBAGS AS WELL AS LOCKING THE SEATBELT TENSIONER MAKING IT INOPERABLE. I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AFTER THE INCIDENT AND FOUND NO DAMAGE WHATSOEVER TO ALL BODY PANELS AND WHEELS/TIRES. THE FOLLOWING MORNING I HAD A MECHANIC INSPECT THE CAR FOR ANY SUSPENSION OR STEERING PROBLEMS AND NONE WERE FOUND. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT TO HAVE IT FIXED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE DEALER AND VW OF AMERICA HAVE DENIED WARRANTY REPAIRS AND HAVE NOT YET DONE ANYTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I DID RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET FOR SIMILAR INCIDENTS WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL AND HAVE FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN 500 SIMILAR INCIDENTS OF SPONTANEOUS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT IN 2002-2004 VW JETTAS, GOLFS, GTI AND NEW BEETLES AROUND THE COUNTRY.

CAR STARED PUTTING OUT ALOT OF BLUE SMOKE FROM TAIL PIPE ON START UP AND GAS MILAGE WAS DROPPING 5-6 MPG AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS ALOT FOR A DIESEL ENGINE. CAR LOST POWER AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AND WOULD BARELY RUN. ENTIRE INTAKE SYSTEM TO THE HEAD WAS FULL BLACK STICKY CARBON CHOKING THE ENGINE FOR CLEAN AIR. INTAKE SYSTEM HAD TO BE COMPLETLY DISASSEMBLED (MANIFLOD,EGR VAVLE,CCV TUBE) AND CLEANED OF CARBON, WHICH BY SEARCHING THE INTERNET IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH VW TDI 1.9 ENGINE.

BLOWN CLUTCH ON NEW 2003 VW JETTA TDI 1.8. FIRST OCCURANCE IN AUGUST OF 04 WITH 26,000 MILES AND AGAIN NOW IN MAY OF 05 WITH 40,500 OR 14,000 MILES TO ANOTHER BLOWN CLUTCH. I AM NOT A TEENAGE DRIVER, I AM 23 WITH EXCELLENT DRIVING SKILLS AND HAVE DRIVEN CLUTCHES ALL MY ADULT DRIVING LIFE. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THEIR CLUTCH SYSTEM. I HAVE FOUND TONS OF EVIDENCE IN BULLETIN BOARDS. VW IS BLAMING THIS ON POOR DRIVING SKILLS AND I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT THAT OCCURS EVERY 20,000 MILES. CONSUMERS LIKE ME ARE GETTIGN RIPPED OFF ON THIS ONE LEFT AND RIGHT. YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING. THIS IS NO ISOLATED INCIDENT!

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN RESIDENTIAL AREA WITH MOVING 2003 VW JETTA AND PARKED HONDA/TOYOTA? DRIVER OF JETTA CAME AROUND THE CORNER, LOOKED DOWN & AWAY FROM THE ROAD MOMENTARILLY WHILE DRIVING APX. 30 MPH WHEN SHE HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY BREAKING. THIS FULL FRONTAL IMPACT AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THIS JETTA WAS TAKEN OUT AND THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. NONE OF THE 4 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. WE ARE CURRENTLY BEING TOLD "NO CHANGES OR ALTERATIONS WILL BE MADE WITH REGARD TO THE AIRBAGS".

PASSANGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AVOIDING THE VERY REAL POSSIBILITY OF PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. DRIVER SUFFERED EXTREME EMOTIONAL DISTRESS AND TEMPORARY HEARING LOSS, IN ADDITON TO DAMAGE TO INTERIOR OF VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE SENT TO THE DEALER IN THE AM.*AK

ON EARLY MORNING START-UP, THE SEAT HEATER WAS TURNED ON. WITHIN ABOUT 1 MINUTE IT BEGAN TO SMOLDER, MELTING THE SEAT FOAM CUSHION AND BURNING A HOLE IN THE UPHOLSTERY FABRIC AND MY TROUSERS. HAD I NOT QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE HEATER, IT MAY HAVE STARTED A FIRE. I CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA. THEY TOOK MY INFORMATION AND REPAIRED IT AT THEIR EXPENSE THROUGH MY LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP. *JB

ON MARCH 24,I TURNED MY SEAT WARMER TO LEVEL 2,ALL OF A SUDDEN I FELT A BURNING SENSATION. I KEPT DRIVING THINKING MAYBE I WAS BIT BY A BUG OR SOMETHING. ABOUT A MINUTE LATER,I SAW AND SMELLED ALOT OF SMOKE. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND WHEN I LOOKED DOWN AT MY SEAT,IT WAS DARK AND RAINY SO I TURNED ON MY DOME LIGHT,THERE WAS A DIME SIZE HOLE IN MY SEAT. I HAD TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER WHEN I REALIZED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I GOT HOME AND THERE WAS A BURN ON THE BACK OF MY LEFT LEG. WE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY FIXED OUR CAR IN ABOUT 10 DAYS. THERE HAD BEEN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND THEY REPLALCED THE SEAT AND FIXED THE ELECTRICAL.*AK

WHILE DRIVING/PARKING DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT WHEN IN USE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK