2003 Volkswagen Jetta complaints

GAS GAUGE INACCURATE DESPITE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTED CORRECTIONS (FUEL SENDING UNIT X2, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, GAS TANK ALL REPLACED WITH NO IMPROVEMENT). *JB

WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS JACKING UP THE VEHICLE TO CHANGE THE RIGHT REAR TIRE THE JACK COLLAPSED AND THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE GROUND. CONSUMER MAINTAINED THAT THE JACK WAS MADE OF PLASTIC AND THE THREAD STRIPPED.*AK *JB

WHILE TURNING INTO THE PARKING DECK AT ONE OF MY SATELLITE OFFICES, MY PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AS THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF AN IMPACT ANYWHERE ON THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL VW SERVICE CENTER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY COULD NOT BEGIN WORK ON THE VEHICLE UNTIL THEY CONTACTED A VW REPRESENTATIVE DUE TO A TECHNICAL BULLETIN. IT TOOK 3 DAYS BEFORE THE VW REPRESENTATIVE RETURNED A CALL TO THE DEALERSHIP. IT TOOK SEVERAL DAYS LONGER BEFORE THE NAMED REPRESENTATIVE FROM VW CUSTOMER RELATIONS CONTACTED ME. THE SERVICE CENTER AT VW ADVISED ME THAT THERE WAS CRASH DATA AND A MARK ON THE UNDERSIDE OF MY VEHICLE. AFTER SEVERAL MORE DAYS AND AFTER INVOLVING MY INSURANCE COMPANY, VW FINALLY RESPONDED ADVISING ME THAT I MUST HAVE HIT A CURB OR SPEED BUMP WHICH CAUSED MY AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. IT IS NOW OVER THREE WEEKS LATER AND I HAVE JUST TODAY BEEN INFORMED THAT THE PARTS TO FIX THE VEHICLE ARE BACKORDERED AND NO OTHER PARTS ARE AVAILABLE IN COUNTRY. IN THE SHORT 7 MONTHS THAT I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THERE HAS BEEN AN INCIDENT (MALFUNCTION) AND BOTH TIMES THE PARTS HAVE BEEN BACKORDERED FROM OVERSEAS CAUSING A DELAY IN SERVICING THE VEHICLE OF MORE THAN THREE WEEKS.*AK

DRIVERS HEATED SEAT BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND BURNED THE DRIVER.*AK

MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW WAS DRIVING HER VW JETTA 2003 ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE (WINDOW CURTAIN) AIR BAGS BURST OPEN. SHE HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING, NOT EVEN A POT HOLE WHEN IT WENT OFF. HOWEVER, THE BAG HIT HER LEAVING HER WITH BRUISING, A STRAINED NECK, AND MUSCLE ACHES. SHE IS ALSO QUITE AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. VW OF AMERICA REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.*AK ODI#10061865

VEHICLE HAD SENDING UNIT REPLACED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN UNIT TO ADDRESS COLD WEATHER OPERATING CONDITION. MFG,R HAS TSB ACKNOWLEDGING PROBLEM. WAS CHARGED FOR REPAIRS CAR IS 4 MOS OLD. 2003 JETTA PURCHASED IN SEPT.2003. *AK

WHILE USING THE LIFTING JACK SUPPLIED WITH THE AUTOMOBILE TO LIFT THE VEHICLE TO CHANGE A TIRE, THE JACK COLLAPSED. IT COLLAPSED BECAUSE THE JACK SCREW CARRIER THREADS FAILED. THE CARRIER THREADS NUT IS PLASTIC. PLASTIC DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH STRENGTH TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF A 3000 POUND AUTOMOBILE.*AK

INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK INTO ANY GEAR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SHIFT LOCK SOLENOID. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB *MR

THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN MY CAR. MOST OF WHICH HAVE BEEN UNFOUNDED BY THE DEALERSHIP. IN MOST CASES IT IS MY WINDOWS THAT DO NOT OBEY COMANDS. IF I PUSH THE WINDOW UP BUTTON, THE WINDOWS MAY ROLL THEMSELVES DOWN OR GO ALL THE WAY UP INSTEAD OF JUST A LITTLE BIT UP. SAME ON THE DOWN. SOMETIMES THE PINCH CONTROL WILL ACTIVATE ITSELF AND THE WINDOW (WHICH I THINK IS CLOSING) WILL ROLL DOWN. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN PER SAY BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT I MAY BE UNAWARE OF THE WINDOW BEING DOWN AND MY DOG MIGHT JUMP OUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, OR IT MIGHT DRAW MY ATTENTION AWAY FROM DRIVING WHILE I TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS GOING ON, AGAIN, POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN A FEW TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY "CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM" AND REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THAT THE RADIO STAYS ON SOMETIMES WHEN I AM EXITING THE CAR, AGAIN NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT IT REALLY LETS ME BELIEVE THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. I HAVE ALSO HAD A BLOWN FUSE-CAUSING THE EPC-LIGHT TO COME ON... IT WAS FOR THE REAR BRAKES. THE LIGHTS WOULDN'T TURN OFF AFTER I WAS OUT OF THE CAR.

I BOUGHT MY CAR AT THE END OF NOVEMBER. DROVE IT OFF THE LOT WITH 9 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. AT THE TIME OF BREAKDOWN ON JULY 25, 2003, THE CAR HAD 10,900 MILES ON IT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE ON IT NOW IS 13,000 JULY 25TH WAS A VERY HOT DAY. I BELIEVE IT WAS UP TO 110 DEGREES THAT DAY. I HAD NOTICED MY CAR RUNNING AT A SUBSTANTIAL LOWER POWER THAN USUAL, BUT I ASSUMED IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE HEAT AND THAT I HAD MY AIR CONDITIONING ON HIGH. I HAD TO DO SOME ERRANDS IN TOWN THEN I HEADED HOME, WHICH IS ABOUT 30 MINUTES AWAY FROM THE TRI-CITIES, AT THIS TIME I DID NOTICE LOSS OF POWER GOING UP THE ON-RAMP TO THE INTERSTATE, BUT STILL DID NOT THINK TOO MUCH OF THE FACT. I WAS HALF WAY HOME WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS LOSING EVEN MORE POWER, THE CRUISE QUIT AND MY SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM 75 TO 50 MPH AND THAT IS WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY HEAT GAUGE WAS EXTREMELY HIGH. I ALSO FOUND IT ODD THAT THE INSIDE OF MY CAR HAD NOT COOLED OFF, BUT WAS GETTING WARMER. I HEADED TOWARDS THE OFF-RAMP AND AS I WAS DOWN SHIFTING AND APPLYING THE BREAKS, MY BRAKE PEDAL MADE ;PUFFY-POPPING NOISE AND THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL COLLAPSED TO THE FLOOR. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND PUMPED THE BRAKES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP, WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED, I SMELLED HEAT, OR LIKE SOMETHING BURNING. I THOUGHT IT WAS A FIRE AROUND TOWN. PULLING AWAY FROM THE OFF-RAMP, I COULD NOT GET ANY PICKUP SPEED WITH MY CAR. THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS PUSHING TO GO FORWARD AND ALSO PULLING ITSELF BACK AT THE SAME TIME, AS THE VEHICLE T

THE OIL PUMP QUIT, CAUSING THE OIL PRESSURE LAMP TO COME ON. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT SINCE I CANNOT PRODUCE ALL OF THE RECEIPTS FOR OIL CHANGES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THEY WILL NOT COVER THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO OIL SLUDGE. I WAS NOT INFORMED THAT I HAD TO KEEP RECEIPTS FOR OIL CHANGES DURRING THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE.

MY BRAND NEW 2003 JETTA GLI FAILED TO START AT A SHOPPING CENTER. THE CAR WAS PARKED THERE FOR ONLY TWO HOURS. SEEMS LIKE THE BATTERY AND IGNITION SWITCH WORKS, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. CALLED AAA. AFTER 10 MINUTES AND NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS OF CRANKING THE ENGINE, HE WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR. TOOK CAR INTO THE DELEARSHIP. THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AFTER TWO DAYS, BUT PUT 60 MILES ON THE CAR.

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HESITATION, KEYLESS KEY BATTERY DOES NOT WORK, EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO LOST OF POWER, JACK FELL WHILE CAR WAS ON IT, AND PROBLEMS SHIFTING THE CAR OUT OF PARK.*MR WHEN THE EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR THE SECOND TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TWO FLAT DUE TO THE TIRES BEING OVERINFLATED. *JB

I'M ON 3RD TRANSMISSION ON MY 2003 JETTA TDI WAGON IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. ORIGINAL PLUS TWO FAILURES REPLACED. *LA

2003 VW JETTA 1.8T GLS W/ LEATHER HAS HEATED SEATS. SEATS MALFUNCTIONED AND BURNT A HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING I WOULD HAVE BEEN SCORCHED, LUCKILY I WAS STILL IN MY DRIVEWAY. SEE HERE FOR SIMILAR INCIDENTS. *AK HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=1113071&PAGE=1

WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 JETTA TDI (29,000 MILES), THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP CAUSING WHIPLASH AND ALMOST A CHAIN REACTION ACCIDENT TO THE CARS BEHIND ME. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND IT SEEMS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING ISSUE IN MY EYES. I AM ONLY SEEM TO BE SORE, THANKFULLY THIS WASN'T MORE SERIOUS. I HAVE ATTACHED MY SEARCH RESULTS BELOW. HTTP://WWW.MYVWLEMON.COM/CGI-BIN/UBBCGI/SEARCH.CGI?ACTION=SIMPLESEARCH&SEARCHIN=ALL&FORUMCHOICE=ALL&SEARCHTERMS=VW+TRANSMISSION&BOOLEANAND=YES&SEARCHDATE=ALL&SEARCHUSER=&EXACTNAME=NO&FILE=TEMP-2452984-214219-93B9.CGI&TOTAL=69&STARTAT=A: *LA

CONSUMER STATED DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL HAD A RELEASE BUTTON THAT RELEASED THE GAS FLAP DOOR. THIS BUTTON KEPT FALLING INSIDE THE DOOR PANEL. CONSUMER BELIEVED THIS WAS VERY UNSAFE, COULD RUN OUT OF GAS. *AK

WE OWN A 2002 JETTA TDI WAGON AND THE DRIVER SEAT HEATING DEVICE BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND STRAIGHT THROUGH MY OVERCOAT. THIS ALL HAPPENED WITHIN 1 MILE OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE. IF I DID NOT HAVE A THICK JACKET ON, I CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE BEEN BURNED AND IF I DID NOT CATCH IT IN TIME, A FIRE COULD HAVE STARTED. *AK

MY 2003 JETTA TDI WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY APARTMENT BUILDING FOR APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES. WHEN I WENT BACK OUT TO THE CAR TO GET IN IT, I FOUND IT WITH SMOKE BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AS I STARTED TO PULL THE HOOD RELEASE TO INVESTIGATE, I NOTICED FLAMES. I DID NOT OPEN THE HOOD AND INSTEAD QUICKLY CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY RESPONDED ASAP. BY THE TIME THEY STARTED PUTTING OUT THE FIRE, FLAMES WERE ENGULFING THE WHOLE WINDSHIELD FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER THE FLAME WAS EXTINGUISHED IN REIGNITED AND HAD TO BE PUT OUT AGAIN. THE CAR IS INOPERABLE. I ONLY OWNED THIS CAR FOR THREE MONTHS AND IT WAS NOT EVEN DUE FOR ITS FIRST OIL CHANGE. NOW VOLKSWAGEN (VW) IS STALLING AND HAS NOT EVEN BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO PERFORM ITS INVESTIGATION. I AM VERY UPSET THAT AFTER TWO WEEKS NO ONE HAS GIVEN ME A PROGRESS UPDATE. I AM SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING SEEKING LEGAL ADVICE. *LA

PROBLEMS WITH REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER AND TRANSMISSION.*MR REAR DEFOGGER DIDN'T TURN OFF. CONSUMER FEARED IT WOULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL HAZARD. TRANSMISSION LOCKED AND WOULDN'T MOVE TO REVERSE. TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED AND FAILED AGAIN. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH WAS INSTALLED. ON THE DAY OF PURCHASE, CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF THE PROBLEM BUT THE SALESMAN STATED HE WASN'T USE TO A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND IGNORED IT. *PH

WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN SIDE CURTAIN AND SIDE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR BURNS TO ARMS AND HANDS. *AK

ON DECEMBER 14TH OF 2002 I PURCHASED A 2003 VW JETTA FROM SMITH VW ON KIRKWOOD HIGHWAY DELAWARE. ALTHOUGH THEY HANDLED ALL MY TRANSACTIONS AND VEHICLE DELIVERY POORLY, I CHOSE TO OVERLOOK IN THINKING I WILL NOT BE DEALING WITH THEM AGAIN. *AK SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR: IN TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS I HAD A FLAT TIRE. IN ONE CASE THE JACK FELL OVER WHILE THE CAR WAS ON IT DUE TO HIGH WIND. THESE INCIDENTS TOOK PLACE IN THE WINTER WHEN WE HAD HEAVY SNOW. LATER I DISCOVERED THAT MY TIRES WERE OVERINFLATED. I DID NOT TOUCH THEM SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR AND HAVE BEEN FOR AN OIL CHANGE A MONTH PRIOR AT VW. I STOPPED GOING TO SMITH VW AND STARTED USING GARNET VW AFTER THIS. ON THE NIGHT OF AUGUST 6TH AT 9:30PM I GOT INTO MY CAR AND I COULD NOT SWITCH OUT OF PARK. THIS WAS A SCARY SITUATION BECAUSE SOME FRICK WAS STANDING AT MY WINDOW ASKING ME FOR MONEY. HE FINALLY LEFT, BUT I WAS STRANDED WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK. ROADSIDE WILL TOW YOUR CAR, BUT THEY DO NOT DRIVE YOU HOME. IN MID AUGUST MY KEYLESS KEY BATTERY DID NOT WORK. I WAS IN VA AT THE TIME. ON AUGUST 25TH DURING RUSH HOUR MY EPC LIGHT CAME ON RESULTING IN SUDDEN LOSS IN VEHICLE POWER. LUCKILY I WAS IN AN AREA THAT I COULD PULL OVER. VW FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. ON SEPTEMBER 8TH DURING RUSH HOUR AGAIN MY EPC LIGHT CAME ON RESULTING IN SUDDEN LOSS IN POWER. THIS TIME VW REPLACED THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. AT THIS TIME I ALSO FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT TO VW CORPORATION AND ALSO SPOKE TO GM AT GARN

WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY MA TRAFFIC THE FRONT BREAKS OF MY 2003 JETTA TDI LOCKED UP. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND IT TOOK ME 30 MINUTES TO GET THE BRAKES TO RELEASE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT. THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR 11 DAYS AND THEY STILL REFUSE TO REPAIR THE CAR. VW CUSTOMER SUPPORT IS ALSO BEING UNHELPFUL. *LA

DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT, BURNING THE LEATHER, AND BURNING THROUGH THE CONSUMERS PANTS, SLIGHTLY BURNING CONSUMER'S LEG. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK *PH *NLM

ON THE EVENING OF OCTOBER 30, MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLE DRIVER SEAT AND MY COAT CAUGHT ON FIRE, BEGINNING TO MELT MY PANTS TO MY SKIN. ONCE I REALIZED THE PROBLEM, I MOVED THROUGH TRAFFIC TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PARK MY CAR. I TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER AND ENGINE HEATER, AND WAITED SOME TIME TO REENTER THE CAR. ON FRIDAY MORNING, I SHOWED A MECHANIC THE PROBLEM AND HE SAID I MUST TAKE THE CAR INTO THE DEALERHSIP IMMEDIATELY. AFTER SEVERAL CALLS TO DICK HANNAH VOLKSWAGEN (DHVW) DEALERSHIP AND VOLKSWAGEN USA, DHVW FIXED THE SEAT HEATER DEFECT AND PROVIDED A CONTACT TO VOLKSWAGEN USA. DHVW PROVIDED MEDIOCORE CUSTOMER SERVICE, LACKED WILLINGNESS TO FULLY DISCUSS THE PROBLEM WITHOUT REPEATED PROMPTS, HAD NO IDEA WHETHER THIS DEFECT HAS BEEN FOUND IN OTHER VOLKSWAGEN VEHICLES AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY COMPENSATION. ULTIMATELY, I AM A VERY UNHAPPY DICK HANNAH VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER, WITH A CAR THAT MAKES AFRAID TO DRIVE WITH THE SEAT HEATER FEATURE, NO COMPENSATION FOR MY WINTER COAT AND PANTS, TIME FROM WORK AND STRESS. *LA

I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS 1.8T SPORT EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR RSA TIRES, SIZE 245/45 R17 H91. THE TIRES HAD ONLY 16,000 MILES ON THEM. AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE DRIVERS SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE TIRE SHOWED THAT IT FAILED AT THE SIDE WALL. THERE WAS A TEAR IN THE SIDEWALL ALMOST THRU 40 PERCENT OF THE TIRE. I MANAGED TO MAKE IT OVER 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND NARROWLY OVERTED A COLLISSION. FUTHERMORE GOODYEAR DECLINED TO HONOR MY WARRANTY CLAIM. I THINK THAT GOODYEAR RSA MODEL TIRES SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THESE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRES AND ONE FAILED AT THE SIDEWALL WITH ONLY 16,000 MILES ON IT AND AT ONLY 60 MILES PER HOUR. *AK

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME NOW THAT MY 2003 VW 1.8T JETTA WOULD NOT START WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE FOR WORK IN THE MORNING. I UN-LOCK THE DOORS WITH THE REMOTE AND GET IN THE CAR, PRESS IN ON THE CLUTCH AND TURN THE KEY, THE HEADLIGHTS, RADIO, DOOR-CHIMES AND INTERIOR LIGHTS ALL COME ON BUT THE ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OVER AT ALL. I ONLY HAVE 8800 MILES ON THE CAR AT THIS POINT IN TIME, THE FIRST TIME WAS ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO AND THE DEALER CAN'T SEEM TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE CAUSING THE PROBLEM EXCEPT THAT BOTH TIME IT HAS BEEN NEAR FREEZING OUTSIDE AND THE CAR HAD SAT OVER-NIGHT. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER HAD MY CAR FOR THREE DAYS, WITHOUT GIVING ME A LOANER CAR BEFORE THEY TOLD ME TO COME PICK IT UP BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS TIME THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR TWO DAYS NOW, AND I HAVEN'T EVEN RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM THEM TO LET ME KNOW ABOUT THE PROGRESS OF MY VEHICLE. *LA

WHILE PROCEEDING TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND HE SAID THAT THE BOLTS SHEARED OFF THE FROM DRIVESHAFT TO THE TRANSMISSION. *AK THE TRANSMISSION, DRIVESHAFT, AND THE CV JOINTS WERE REPLACED DUE TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS AGAIN WITH THE FRONT BRAKES, WHERE THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED AGAIN. (THE PROBLEM RETURNED AGAIN) *SCC *JB

VEHICLE QUITS RUNNING AFTER BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THEN ATTEMPTS TO TURN LEFT. *LA

MY VEHICLE OFTEN WILL NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. I HAVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, AND IT WILL SHIFT INTO THE OTHER GEARS, BUT OFTEN UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE. *LA

I DRIVE A 2002 VW JETTA, WITH 11000 PLUS MILES ON THE CAR. MY SIDE AND PASSENGER CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT A CRASH. THERE WAS SPONTANEOUS DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS. VW OF AMERICA SENT AN ENGINEER WHO FOUND NO DAMAGE TO ACCOUNT FOR THIS, JUST AS I HAD REPORTED. THE VW DEALERSHIP ALSO FOUND NO EVIDENCE FOR THIS. NOW, WITHOUT ANY EXPLANATION, NOR GUARANTEE THAT THIS WILL NOT RE OCCUR, VW EXPECTS ME TO DRIVE THIS VEHILCE AND RISK MY OWN SAFETY AND POSSIBLY THE SAFETY OF OTHERS ON THE ROAD. *LA

TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE WHILE APPLYING THE GEAR SHIFT. DRIVER WAS SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO PARK AND GEAR WERE STUCK, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO SHUT DOWN. ALSO, TRANSMISSION COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

DEAR SIR/MADAM, I BOUGHT VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2003 WOLFSBURG EDITION ON 08/30/03 AT AROUND 3.30 PM FROM CLASSIC VOLKSWAGEN DEALER WHOSE PHYSICAL ADDRESS IS 5474 S ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL, ORLANDO, FL 32839. I PAID $1500 (FIFTEEN HUNDRED) AS A DOWN PAYMENT AND TRADED MY OLD TOYOTA CAMRY LE 2002. TOTAL DOLLAR VALUE $27060.02 WHILE I WAS DRIVING BACK TO MY HOME FROM MY WORK ON 09/19/2003 AROUND 6:20 PM (I WAS DRIVING ON ALL AMERICA BLVD IN ORLANDO, FL). I WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 30-35 MILE PER HOUR, I HEARD A LOUD SOUND FROM THE ENGINE OF THE CAR AND CAR STOPPED. THE MOLD (METAL) WHICH IS ABOUT 4-6 INCHES LONG AND 2-3 THICK WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE TRANSMISSION OF THE ENGINE AND CAR WAS BROKEN AND THE TRANSMISSION DAMAGED LEFT AXLE (AXLE WAS BROKEN) AND FEW OTHER PARTS ARE SERIOUS DAMAGED. I COMPLAINED THIS TO THE VOLKSWAGEN MANUFACTURER (VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA) ON 09/19/03 THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AND ALSO ON 09/20/03 THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AND GOT CASE NUMBER ASSIGNED (REFERENCE NUMBER [XXX]). I FOLLOW-UP WITH THEM ON 09/22/03, 09/23/03 & 09/24/03 TO CHECK THE STATUS OF THE CASE, THEYRE STILL REVIEWING THE CASE. NOW I SERIOUSLY WORRIED ABOUT MY SAFETY WHILE DRIVING MY CAR BACK ON ROAD. I REQUESTED VOLKSWAGEN MANUFACTURER (VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA) TO REFUND MY MONEY BACK SO I CAN MAKE MY OWN DECISION TO BUY ANOTHER CAR WHICH I FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE ON THE ROADS. IM NOW TOTALLY SACRED TO DRIVE MY CAR BACK ON ROAD WHICH IS SERIOUS DAMAGE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, AND NO WARNING AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

MY BRAKE LIGHT SWICH HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES ON MY 2003 JETTA TDI VW. FAILURE OF THIS SWITCH CAUSES BRAKE LIGHT'S TO EITHER STAY ON CONSISTENTLY OR NOT TURN ON AT ALL. LOSS OF TURBO IN VEHICLE AND CAN CAUSE LOSS OF POWER DUE TO BATTERY SHUT DOWN.*AK

I RECENTLY BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2003 VW JETTA TDI AT THE END OF NOVEMBER. ON THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT MY CAR FIRST STARTED LOSING POWER, I NOTICED THE PICK-UP WASN'T AS GOOD AS NORMAL, SECONDLY I STARTED NOTICING THE HEAT GAUGE WENT UP AS MY CAR STARTED OVER HEATING, THIRDLY I WAS ALMOST HOME GOING DOWN THE OFF-RAMP AND WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO STOP, THE BRAKE MADE A POPPING NOISE AND THEN THE BRAKE HIT THE FLOOR. I PUMPED THE BRAKES AND PUT THE CAR IN NUETRAL AND WAS ABLE TO STOP, AS I BEGAN DRIVING THE CAR WOULD NOT PICK UP ANY POWER AND IT FELT AS IF THE CAR WAS PULLING AGAINST ITSELF, I COULD NOT EVEN GET MY CAR TO GO ABOVE 15 MILES AN HOUR IN SECOND GEAR. I DROVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME IN 2ND, AND WITH NO BRAKES. WHEN I MADE IT HOME I THOUGHT THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER MY CAR BECAUSE OF HOW HOT IT WAS, THE SMELL OF BURNING WAS AWFUL AND AS I GOT OUT OF MY VEHICLE THERE WERE CHUNKS OF CREAMY GREASE DRIPPING FROM MY CAR. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASST. AND HAD THEM COME TO MY HOUSE AND TOW THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP (OVERTURF VOLKSWAGEN). AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF TRYING TO FIND WHAT THE PROBLEMS WAS OVERTURF DECIDED THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND AND I HAD TO FORCE THEM TO LOOK INTO THE BRAKING SYSTEM. OVERTURF EXPLAINED TO US THAT WHAT HAPPENED TO ME OUT ON THE HIGHWAY WAS TYPICAL AND NOT TO BE CONCERNED, I KNEW DIFFERENTLY AND ENFORCED THE FACT THAT THEY NEEDED TO CHECK THE BRAKING SYSTEM. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS OF DEBATING OVER THE FACT THAT THE

ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, MY CAR'S MANUAL TRANSMISSION SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR . THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED JULY 7, 2003 WHEN THE CAR STOPPED MOVING IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THIS WAS "REPAIRED". THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN I WAS TRYING TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO DRIVE - IT ACTUALLY WAS IN NEUTRAL (DESPITE THE INDICATOR STATING DRIVE) AND I ROLLED BACK IN THE PARKING LOT. I NEEDED TO BRING IT IT, AGAIN, BECAUSE THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE THIRD TIME IT WOULD ACTUALLY GO INTO REVERSE, INSTEAD OF PARK. WHEN I TRIED TO PARK THE VEHICLE I HAD TO PARK IT IN "REVERSE". I WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT IT SHIFTED FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL. IT IS IN THE SHOP FOR THE 3RD TIME. IT HAS UNDER 4000 MILES ON IT.*AK

RATTLES THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR SUCH AS THE SPEAKERS, DASH BOARD, AND AREA WHERE THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND CENTER AIR VENTS ARE LOCATED. DENTS ON THE VEHICLE FROM THE SERVICE CENTER, I HAVE A FRIEND WITH A VW THAT HAS THE SAME DENTS ON HIS VEHICLE LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE DOORS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR. SKID PLATE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE UNDER PARTS OF THE ENGINE NEARLY CAME OFF, SEVERAL BOLTS MISSING, NEEDED TO DUCT TAPE IT TO MAKE IT HOME. BOLT FELL OUT OF DOOR AND SIDE BLINKER LEAKED WATER INSIDE WHICH WAS FIXED A WHILE BACK. SEVERAL SMALL ANNOYING PROBLEMS. *NLM

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN JACKING UP VEHICLE THE ALLOY RIMS WOULD GET STUCK TO THE ROTOR, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO KICK THE RIM.*AK

OKAY, I HAVE HAD MY 03 JETTA FOR ONE MONTH AND TWO DAYS (I RECEIVED IT ON JUNE 29TH). IT HAS ALREADY BEEN IN FOR SERVICE FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS: JULY 8TH: -A/C VENT MADE LOUD NOISE LIKE SOMETHING WAS STUCK/FLAPPING AROUND IN IT - CONDENSATION IN DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT -PULLED TO THE RIGHT -MADE A MOANING NOISE WHEN I TURNED LEFT, GRADUALLY WORSENED TO MAKE THE SAME NOISE WHEN I TURNED LEFT. *VW HAD THE CAR AT THAT TIME FOR TWO DAYS, THEN CALLED ME TO TELL ME THAT THEY WERE STUMPED ABOUT THE MOANING NOISE AND THAT THEY WANTED THEIR HEAD TECH TO LOOK AT IT. HOWEVER, HE HAPPENED TO BE ON VACATION SO I WOULD NEED TO BRING IT BACK IN. BUT THEY ADDED THAT THEY DID INSPECT THE CAR AS FAR AS SAFETY WAS CONCERNED AND I WAS GOOD TO GO. JULY 24: -CAR BROUGHT IN FOR THE SECOND TIME FOR MOANING NOISE WHEN TURNING *VW CALLED ME THAT AFTERNOON STATING THAT SINCE THE LAST TIME I HAD BROUGHT IT IN A SERVICE BULLETIN HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR MY PROBLEM AND ALL THEY HAD TO DO WAS DRAIN AND REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THE NOISE WOULD BE GONE. I PICKED UP MY CAR THAT EVENING AND 1 1/2 HRS LATER I HEARD THE NOISE AGAIN, NOT HALF AS LOUD OR AS NOTICEABLE BUT IT WAS STILL THERE AND IT AGAIN WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED AND LEFT AS MESSAGE WITH MY SERVICE ADVISOR THAT NIGHT AND CALLED MY SALESPERSON IN THE MORNING. I HAD TO WAIT ONE MORE WEEK UNTIL THEY COULD GET IT BACK IN AGAIN. JULY 30-PRESENT ( THEY STILL HAVE MY CAR!) - RETURNED CAR FOR THE THIRD TIME FOR MOANING NOISE WHEN

WHILE APPLYING THE VEHICLE IN GEAR THE REVERSE GEAR WILL STICK AND WILL NOT GO BACK INTO THE PARK INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

JUNE 24TH, WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY FOUR MONTH OLD 2003 JETTA TDI ON THE THE HIGHWAY AT A 70MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO ENGAGE. AFTER THE CAR HAD STOPPED AND BEGAN MOVING AGAIN THE CRUISE FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. TWO DAYS LATER ON JUNE 26, 2003, WHILE IN LUNCH HOUR TRAFFIC-WITH A CO-WORKER IN THE CAR THE BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED BY THEMSELVES AT 40 MPH. WE STOPPED ON A DIME AND WERE ALMOST REAR ENDED. THIS OCCURED OVER 10 TIMES BEFORE WE GOT BACK TO THE OFFICE (WE WERE LESS THAN TWO MILES AWAY). DEALERSHIP IS REPLACING BRAKE BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER AND I HAVE REQUESTED FULL WARRENTY ON NEW BRAKE SYSTEM FROM VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS FLAW THAT COULD HAVE EAISLY CAUSED BODILY INJURY. I HAVE YET TO LEARN IF THERE IS A TRACK RECORD OF THE BRAKES FAILING ON THE 2003 DESIGNS BUT WANTED TO BEGIN A DOCUMENTATION RECORD. *AK

MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR UNEXPLAINED REASONS. THE LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER READ THE SENSORS IN THE CAR AND IT REGISTERED CRASH DATA. THERE WAS NO IMPACT WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *JB

10,000 MILES, MIL (MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP) CAME ON SOLID. AFTER I WAS TOLD THAT IF THE LIGHT WAS SOLID, THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. TOOK CAR HOME AND DROVE TO DEALERSHIP NEXT DAY. AFTER PRINCETON VOLKSWAGEN LOOKED AT THE CAR, TURNED OUT TO BE THAT MY 2003 JETTA GLS 1.8T THAT WAS LESS THAN 3 MONTHS OLD HAD A FUEL LEAK! I WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL SENDER CLAMP WAS LOOSE AND HOSE WAS SMOKING. *JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT. *JB

AS MY FAMILY AN I WERE DRIVING DOWN TEH FREEWAY, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS INCLUDING THE INE IN THE SEAT DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WE DID NOT EVEN HIT A BUMP, THE BAGS JUST DEPLOYED. WE JUST WANTED TO REPORT THIS TO HELP TRACK A PROBLEM, IF THERE IS ONE WITH THIS TYPE OF CAR.

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT AND MY DRIVER SIDE TIRE HIT THE CURB. THERE WAS A SCRATCH ON MY MUFFLER. MY SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG AND THE AIR BAG IN MY SEAT DEPLOYED. I WAS TOLD MY FIRST TIME OF CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER (BEFORE I MADE A CLAIM) THAT THE SENSORS WERE IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND THE AIR BAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. AFTER I FILED A CLAIM ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY LOST ALL TIES WITH ME EVER TALKING WITH THAT SPECIALIST BUT ALL MY OTHER CONVERSATIONS WITH THE MANUFACTURER WERE RECORDED. AFTER ARGUING WITH THEM FOR MONTHS I DECIDED TO GO AHEAD AND FILE A CLAIM THROUGH MY INSURANCE COMPANY. DOING THAT I HAD TO WAIT 3 WEEKS BEFORE MY AIR BAGS WOULD COME IN BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY. A GENTLEMAN AT MY OFFICE HIS SON ALSO WAS DRIVING DOWN THE RODE WENT OVER A STEEL PLATE AND THE SAME AIR BAGS WENT OFF. THEY AGAIN TOLD HIM 3-4 WEEKS FOR THE AIR BAG. THE AIR BAGS WENT OFF DUE TO A SCRATCH UNDER THE DOOR.*JB

FAILURE OF DOOR WIRING HARNESS. DOES NOT ALLOW ME TO DRIVE THE CAR - THE ENGIN WILL NOT ENGAGE DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC FAILURE OF THE DOOR WIRING HARNESS. THERE SHOULD BE SOME WAY TO OVERRIDE THE ELECTRONIC FAILURE SO THAT I CAN DRIVE IT.

IGNITION COIL FAILURE ON THE 1.8 LITER TURBO ENGINE FOR THE VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. *JB

MY COIL PACKS SEEM TO BE FAILING, BUT CANNOT BE REPRODUCED BY THE DEALER. MY 2003 JETTA 1.8T RUNS VERY ROUGH IN THE MORNING AND THEN RUNS FINE. I AM SCARED THAT THE COIL PACKS WILL FAIL IN A CRITICAL DRIVING SITUATION.