Page 4 of 5 · complaints 151–200 of 248

2005 Volkswagen Jetta complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2005 record →

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Jul 31, 200922,000 milesWA

THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON 4 TIMES IN MY 2005 NEW JETTA 2.5 THE SEAT BELT SENSORS IN FRONT HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE AT DEALERSHIP, THIS STARTED WHEN THE CAR HAD ONLY 22000 MILES AND KEPT COMING ON AROUND EVERY 10000 MILES, THEY HAD TO ALSO REPLACE THE AIRBAG(S) NOT SURE WHICH ONES WERE REPLACED, THE SEATBEALTS DON'T WIND BACK UP PROPERLY SOMETIMES AS WELL. AT AROUND 25000 MILES THE BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED, WE HEARD A CLICKING ONE DAY IN THE REAR WHEEL WELL, WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY HAD REPLACED THE BRAKES, ROTORS ETC. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION OF THESE REPAIRS. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Jun 16, 200966,650 milesWA

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 30 MPH WHEN MY CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS HAD BEEN DEPLOYED. MY SEATBELT RESTRICTED SO HARD, I COULD HARDLY BREATHE ANYMORE. NOTHING HAD HIT MY CAR AND I HAD NOT GONE OVER ANY POTHOLES OR BUMPS. VW SAID THAT IT IS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR MY AIRBAGS OR THE DAMAGE DONE TO MY HEADLINER AND DRIVER SEAT. I NO LONGER HAVE A FUNCTIONING SEATBELT EITHER. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FOR AMERICA. NOT ONLY DID THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY WITH NO ACCIDENT, I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING IN MY OWN VEHICLE. WHAT IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT TONIGHT WITHOUT THE PROPER PROTECTION A CAR IS GUARANTEED TO HAVE? IF I WAS KILLED OR MY KIDS WERE KILLED, WOULD VW DO SOMETHING THEN? *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 2, 200962,000 milesKY

THE VOLKSWAGEN TDI 1.9L ENGINE WHEN COUPLED TO THE DSG( DIRECT SHIFT GEAR) TRANSMISSION HAS AN EXTREMELY HIGH FAILURE RATE OF THE DMF (DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL). FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED BETWEEN 10K AND 100K MILES. THE INTERNAL CONSTRUCTION OF THE FLYWHEEL IS IMPROPER AND WILL SEPARATE LEADING TO THE TOTAL FAILURE OF THE UNIT. WHEN THE UNIT FAILS IT CAUSES A VERY SPECIFIC AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES. THE DMF CAN SEPARATE AND THEN FRACTURE INTO LARGE SHRAPNEL TYPE PIECES. THIS SHRAPNEL WILL THE CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION AND POSSIBLY THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. WHEN THE SEIZURE OCCURS IS CAUSES THE FRONT TIRES TO LOCK AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH. THE SHRAPNEL CAN ALSO CAUSE THE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION CASE RESULTING IT THE LOSS OF PRESSURIZED TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS FLUID CAN CONTACT THE TURBOCHARGER AND RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE. CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE IS COMMON AS WELL. VWA(VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA) IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS REDESIGNED THE DMF. THE NEW DESIGN HAS NOT FAILED. THE DMF HAS BEEN RECALLED IN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND AUSTRALIA AS A SAFETY CONCERN . VWA HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN NOT COVERING THIS REPAIR UNDER EVEN IT'S STANDARD WARRANTY. NO VOLUNTARY RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. I CURRENTLY HAVE AN EXAMPLE OF THE FAILED PART AVAILABLE. THIS MODEL HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH ON A LARGE SCALE IF NOT ADDRESSED. *TR

Power Train › Driveline
Filed Jun 1, 200982,230 milesMD

VW DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL FELL APART, RENDERING THE VEHICLE INOPERATIVE. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 25, 2009625,000 milesLA

MY DAUGHTER HIT THE BACK OF A VOLVO SUV WITH HER 2005 VW JETTA AND NOT 1 AIR BAG DEPLOYED LEAVING HER IN THE HOSPITAL FOR A MONTH'S STAY WITH MAJOR BRAIN TRAUMA AND $100,000 + DOLLARS IN MEDICAL BILLS INSTEAD OF A MINOR TRIP TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. HER ENTIRE FRONT END IS IN THE WINDSHIELD. (WE HAVE PHOTOS).BECAUSE SHE HIT THE VOLVO AT THE WRONG ANGLE, WAS THE DETERMINED REASONING AS TO WHY THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. ARE YOU KIDDING ME. LET'S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK INTO VW'S ADVERTISEMENTS FOR SAFETY. MY DAUGHTER WAS FOOLED BY THIS NONSENSE AND THE REST OF THE COUNTRY IS BEING FOOLED ALSO. I WILL PURSUE THIS FOR CORRECTION FOR AS LONG AS NEED BE.LET'S HOPE THE BOARD GETS ON BOARD WITH THIS UNSAFE ISSUE! "AIRBAGS ONLY DEPLOY IF YOU HIT THE FRONT END AT A CERTAIN ANGLE? AGAIN< ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I'M SURE JOHN.Q. PUBLIC WILL BE VERY INTERESTED TO SEE THESE PIX ONLINE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Feb 18, 200964,381 milesMN

ON FEBRUARY 16TH WHILE RUNNING ERRANDS I PULLED THROUGH A DRIVE THROUGH FOR LUNCH, CAR WAS RUNNING AND SOUNDED JUST FINE, AFTER PULLING AWAY I HEARD A LOUD "SHRIEKING" NOISE AND THEN A CLUNK, THE CAR LOST POWER AND MADE A GRINDING NOISE, I IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO THE ADJACENT PARKING LOT AND SHUT THE CAR OFF, I WAITED A FEW MINUTES THEN RESTARTED THE CAR IT STARTED JUST FINE BUT SEEMED TO BE IDLING A LITTLE ROUGH, I SHIFTED CAR INTO DRIVE AND LIGHTLY PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR THE GRINDING NOISE WAS PRESENT SO I PUT THE CAR BACK IN PARK AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, CALLED AAA AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP THEN CALLED ME LATER THAT AFTERNOON AND INFORMED ME THAT THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL HAD SEPARATED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, THEY QUOTED ME $1800 FOR THE REPAIR. I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY HAD THE PART IN STOCK AND I APPROVED THE REPAIR. THE CAR JUST HAD 64,381 MILES AND I THOUGH IT WAS ODD THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURRED, I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A "KNOWN" FAILURE. SINCE THE WARRANTY "JUST" EXPIRED I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I CONTACTED VW0FA AND THEY TOOK THE INFORMATION BUT DID STATE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, I UNDERSTAND THAT BUT IT APPEARS THAT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED! I HAD JUST EXITED THE INTERSTATE BEFORE THIS HAPPENED, WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE OUTCOME IF I STAYED ON THE FREEWAY AT 60MPH AND THIS COMPONENT FAILED?*TR

Service Brakes, Air
Filed Feb 10, 2009VA

MY 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA'S LEFT REAR BRAKE HAS WORN METAL TO METAL APPROXIMATELY EVERY 10,000 MILES. THIS VEHICLE HAS REQUIRED 5 BRAKE JOBS TO INCLUDE BRAKES, ROTORS, AND CALIPERS. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch
Filed Feb 3, 200971,207 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. IN APRIL OF 2007, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V063000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THAT TIME. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AND A HALF LATER, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH BEGAN TO FAIL AGAIN. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WOULD NOT STOP ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES AND, FINALLY, THE BRAKE LIGHT DIMMED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME MOBILE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR ONE MONTH AND THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SINCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE THAN TWELVE MONTHS LATER, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,707 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,207. UPDATED 03-09-09 *BF THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOISEY AND WHICH WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. UPDATED 03/12/09.*JB

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jan 14, 200926,000 milesOK

2005 VW JETTA CLUTCH FAILURE AT 26K MILES. THERE IS NO WEAR AND TEAR ON THE VEHICLE, BUT MY CLUTCH WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY. WITH CAR DISABLED, THIS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. VW WON'T COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY DEEM THE CLUTCH AS A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ITEM. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS DISCUSSION BOARDS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. IT'S TIME FOR A RECALL OF THESE DEFECTIVE CLUTCHES. THEY ARE NOT GOING OUT BECAUSE OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. DEFECTIVE CLUTCHES WERE MADE AND PUT IN THESE CARS AND VW IS MAKING CUSTOMERS PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKES. IF I HAD BEEN IN A REMOTE LOCATION, I COULD'VE BEEN STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR HOURS AND COULD'VE BEEN STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. ALSO, WITH THE CLUTCH NOT WORKING, IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING FAST, WHEN I APPLIED THE BREAKS, IT COULD'VE JERKED TO A HALT AND I COULD'VE LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. *TR

Fuel System, Diesel
Filed Jan 7, 200958,000 milesOH

ON THE NIGHT OF 25 DEC 2008 MY VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BACK UP, THE IGNITION WAS CYCLED SEVERAL TIMES AND ASSISTANCE WAS REQUIRED TO GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE INTERSECTION TO A SAFE LOCATION. THE NEXT MORNING THE VEHICLE STARTED WITH NO ISSUES. IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL FILTER BE REPLACED AND THAT WAS DONE IMMEDIATELY ON THE MORNING ON 26 DEC 2008. THE SAME EVENING THE VEHICLE STALLED ONCE MORE IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAIN ROAD. IT IS FORTUNATE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON A DECLINE AND TRAFFIC WAS MOVING RATHER SLOW WHICH ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO COAST TO A SAFE TURN-OFF POINT. THREE HOURS LATER THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START ONCE MORE AND MADE IT TO A SAFE LOCATION WHERE THE FUEL PUMP (AKA IN TANK LIFT PUMP) COULD THEN BE REPLACED. A NEW FUEL PUMP WAS ORDERED AND REPLACED ON 29 DEC 2008 AND THE OLD PUMP WAS TESTED AND DEEMED TO HAVE FAILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS OF FAILURE, NO ERROR CODES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE AND NO MEANS OF SAFELY BEING ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE AFTER IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN OPERATING WITH THE NEW FUEL PUMP WITHOUT INCIDENT. *TR

Fuel System, Other › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Dec 30, 200884,000 milesIL

MY FUEL PUMP FAILED WITH NO WARNING, LEAVING MY WIFE STRANDED IN WINTER. THIS HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING WHATSOEVER - THE CAR WAS RUNNING PERFECTLY, AND THEN STALLED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL CAR. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Dec 8, 2008GA

REAR BRAKES ON 2005 VW JETTA - METAL ON METAL AFTER 19K AND 38K MILES. TOLD BY VW THAT IT IS DUE TO A SMALLER BRAKE PAD ON THE REAR. FEAR THAT A SMALLER BRAKE PEDAL WEARS FASTER AND IS THUS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 1, 2008CA

OVER THE PAST 11 MONTHS OF OWNING MY VEHICLE, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS (LIGHTBULB ONLY) SEVEN TIMES. ALSO, OTHER VARIOUS BRAKE AND RUNNING LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT. THE FIRST TIME, I HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 1 DAY OFF THE LOT (USED). THE FIX IS OBVIOUSLY GOING TO PURCHASE NEW HEADLIGHTS. I'VE TRIED HIGH QUALITY SYLVANIA H7 LIGHTS, AND ALSO TESTED THE LOWER QUALITY TO SEE IF IT WOULD LAST LONGER, OR HOLD OUT AT ALL. VW (VIA A DEALERSHIP, NOT CORPORATE) HAS INDICATED THAT IT COULD BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, A SEAL IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, OR THE OBVIOUS POOR VENTILATION TO RELIEVE THE HEAT BUILD-UP. THERE IS A PLASTIC CAP INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON EACH HEADLIGHT THAT IS REQUIRED TO BE REMOVED TO ACCESS THE SOCKETS. IT DOES GET VERY HOT IN THERE. VW DID INDICATE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT DOES NOT COVER BULB REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY, AS FREQUENT OR INFREQUENT AS IT MIGHT HAPPEN. ON A SEPARATE NOTE, AUTOZONE (LOCAL PARTS DISTRIBUTOR) HAS MADE COMMENTS INDICATING THE TYPE OF BULB (H7) IS OF POOR DESIGN ON ANY VEHICLE. ANOTHER ACQUAINTANCE HAS ADVISED ME ON HER VW, THERE ARE SIMILAR LIGHTING ISSUES. I AM SEEKING A RESOLVE, AS THE LIGHTS ARE RATHER EXPENSIVE ALONE, AND LETTING THE DEALERSHIP FIX THEM EXTREMELY COSTLY. THE INCIDENT DATE LISTED WAS THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED TO MY VEHICLE, AND THE LAST TIME WAS 2 WEEKS AGO. TO NOTE, THE HEADLIGHT USUALLY BLOWS OUT WHEN I START THE VEHICLE, NOT WHEN IT'S RUNNING. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ALWAYS ON, DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. I A

Air Bags
Filed Nov 28, 200842,500 milesGA

MY TRUNK HAS NEVER CLOSED PROPERLY FROM THE DAY I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK WITHIN A FEW WEEKS TO BE REPAIRED. THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART AND IT TOOK A FEW MORE WEEKS. WHEN THEY REPLACED IT, IT STILL CONTINUED NOT TO CLOSE PROPERLY. I HAVE THE OLD PART. I ALSO RECENTLY HAD AN AIR BAG DEFAULT SENSOR COME ON. I HAVE CONTACTED THEM MULTIPLE TIMES REGARDING THIS AND THEY CONTINUE TO ADVISE THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO CHARGE ME A DIAGNOSIS OF 97.50 AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR A RENTAL IF THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE CONTINUOUSLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I HAVE TRIED TO DROP THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEY INSIST THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE ROOM AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET TO MY VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THESE ARE VERY SERIOUS HAZARDS THAT COULD BE LIFE THREATENING YET THEY FAIL TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR CUSTOMER. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 30, 20085,900 milesAZ

I OWN A 2005 VW JETTA TDI. AT APPROX. 60,000 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAVE REPLACED THE SAME FLAP MOTOR 3 TIMES AND IT HAS FAILED AGAIN. I HAVE ALSO CHANGED THE THERMOSTAT, COOLING KIT, SENSOR, AND IT COMES BACK AS A FLAP MOTOR FAILURE. HAS VW HAD A PROBLEM WITH INTAKE FLAP MOTORS ON THE TURBO DIESEL MOTORS?. VW WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP WITH THIS SITUATION. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Oct 7, 200844,500 milesCA

I HAVE A 2005 VW 2.5 JETTA. MY FIRST INCIDENT WAS AT 32,000 MILES WHEN THE BACK BRAKES WENT OUT. FOLLOWING THAT, MY BRAKE LIGHTS BECAME FAULTY. AFTER REPLACING MY BRAKE LIGHTS, THEY WENT OUT AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO CHARGED ME $38 TO CHANGE THEM AGAIN. THEY WENT OUT ONCE AGAIN BEFORE THE DEALER DECIDED TO INFORM ME THERE WAS A DEFECT WHICH WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE NEXT PROBLEM WAS WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY CAR LOST POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO TOLD ME MY SPARK PLUGS WERE WET FROM THE RAIN. THEY SUGGESTED THE 40K MILE MAINTENANCE AT $500 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I AGREED TO DO THIS ONLY TO HAVE THE LIGHT COME ON AFTER I LEFT THE DEALER. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 4 MORE TIMES UNTIL THE DEALER FINALLY REVEALED THEY ARE AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE COILS. THEY WERE DYING ELECTRONICALLY ONE BY ONE AND THEY HAD TO ORDER 5 NEW UPDATED COILS FROM MICHIGAN FOR MY SPECIFIC VIN. 6 MONTHS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AT 50 MILES. NOW I AM BEING TOLD THE A/C FAN MOTOR HAS DIED. THERE IS NO SENSOR FOR THIS SO THE FAN MOTOR HAS TO BE REPLACED AT $780.00. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE LARGER FAN IS WORKING, BUT IT IS WEAK AND MIGHT NEED REPLACED AS WELL. THE CAR JERKS AND RUNS VERY ROUGH. MY CAR ALSO MAKES A LOUD NOISE WHEN I START IT. WHEN I AM SITTING AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT THE WHOLE CAR SHAKES. THIS DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT FOR A CAR THAT HAS 56K MILES CURRENTLY. *TR

Visibility
Filed Sep 8, 200864,000 milesOH

THE FUSE FOR THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER MELTED INTO THE FUSE BOX. I CALLED VW AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT WHEN THEY MANUFACTURED THE VEHICLE THEY PLACED A 25 AMP FUSE IN THE FUSE BOX AND IT SHOULD BE CHANGED TO A 30 AMP. THEY INFORMED ME THAT I CAN DO THIS MYSELF SINCE THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN PLACED ON THIS. I TOLD THEM THERE WAS NO WAY THAT I CAN GET THE FUSE OUT SINCE IT IS MELTED INTO THE FUSE BOX, AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE FUSE BOX REPLACED. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR SOMETHING THAT I NEVER DID. I CANNOT USE MY REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER, HEATED SEATS AND MY HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHERS DON'T EVEN WORK. I HAVE WENT THE ROUNDS WITH VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY STICK TO TELLING ME THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COSTS IN REPLACING THE FUSE BOX. ITS LIKE THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT I BUILT THE CAR AND I PLACED THE WRONG FUSE. IF I DID BUILD THE CAR AND PLACE THE WRONG FUSE IN THE CAR I WOULD PAY FOR THE DAMAGES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS, BUT I DID NOT BUILD IT VW BUILT IT AND I FEEL THEY NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PLACING THE WRONG FUSE IN THE FUSE BOX. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Sep 3, 200858,000 milesCA

I OWN A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN NEW JETTA 2.5 WHICH JUST HAD AN INCIDENT OF THE AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT GOING ON. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE SERVICED AND WAS INFORMED THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WHICH WAS THE REASON FOR THE LIGHT. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT 58,00 MILES AND MY WARRANTY WAS ONLY EXTENDED TO 50,000 MILES, LEAVING ME TO SHOULDER THE COSTS OF A NEW SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THE SEATBELT'S INNER ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS HAVE BURNED OUT, BUT THERE ARE NO OTHER DEFECTS WITH THE BUCKLE. BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT HAS BURNED OUT, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM IS CONSIDERED UNSTABLE AND MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY DURING AN ACCIDENT. I FEEL THAT IN NO WAY SHOULD I BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT REGARDLESS OF MY VEHICLE'S WARRANTY STATUS. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY VOLKSWAGEN OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS SAFETY ISSUE BUT STRANGELY VOLKSWAGEN HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS DEFECT. ALTHOUGH I CANNOT FIND ANY INCIDENTS OF ACCIDENT REGARDING THIS DEFECT, I FEEL THAT A PROACTIVE APPROACH AND INVESTIGATION IS BETTER THAN SOMEONE LOSING THEIR LIFE OR LOVED ONE FROM THIS DEFECT. *TR

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Aug 29, 200853,000 milesMI

I HAVE A 2005.5 VW JETTA TDI WITH A 5 SPEED MANUAL. IT HAS A SACHS CLUTCH. THE CLUTCH HAS BEEN GIVING ME ISSUES FOR THOUSANDS OF MILES. IT FINALLY FAILED ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK IN RUSH HOURS TRAFFIC AND DISABLED ME. I WAS ABLE TO PUSH IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AVOID INJURY ON I-96 IN NOVI MICHIGAN. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BTY THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY ARE NOT HELPING OUT THE CONSUMERS. THEY HAVE A TSB ISSUED ON NOV. 7, 2007 #03 07 01. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO GET VW TO OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM AND HELP US OUT? IT IS GOING TO COST ME $3,000 FOR THE REPAIR NOT TO MENTION I WAS LUCKY TO AVOID INJURY ON A BUSY HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR. PERHAPS THE NEXT PERSON WILL NOT BE SO LUCKY? *TR

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Aug 25, 200871,899 milesCT

THURSDAY AUG 14, 2008 I WAS EXITING OFF THE HIGHWAY RT 9 EXIT 5 IN CT. THE EXIT IS AT THE TOP OF A HILL SO I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH AND COASTED TO THE BOTTOM. MY CAR IS A 2005 NEW JETTA WITH 2.5L 5 CYL 5 SPEED MANUAL. I HAVE ABOUT 70,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH OR TRANSMISSION. AS I STARTED COASTING I SHIFTED THE CAR TO SECOND GEAR NEAR THE BEGINNING OF THE EXIT BUT DIDN'T RELEASE THE CLUTCH. I HEARD A LOAD BANG SOUND AND THE CLUTCH ENGAGED. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY NOSE DIVED AND THE ENGINE RACED TO REDLINE. THE CLUTCH PEDDLE WAS ON THE FLOORBOARD AND WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. I HAD TO LOCKUP THE BRAKES TO FORCE THE CAR OUT OF GEAR AND COASTED TO THE STOP SIGN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL. I WAS LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS FOLLOWING ME AT THE TIME AS I WOULD HAVE REARENDED FOR SURE. AT THE STOP SIGN THE CLUTCH PEDAL CAME UP OFF THE FLOOR AT THE CLUTCH PARTIALLY WORK SO I DROVE THE CAR TO THE COMMUTER PARKING LOT AND LEFT IT TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING. FRIDAY AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT BUT THEY DON'T COVER WEAR AND TEAR ON CLUTCH PARTS. THE BILL WOULD BE ABOUT 2400.00 DOLLARS. BECAUSE I HAD 70000 MILES ON THE CAR I WOULD HAVE TO SEE THE PARTS BEFORE I COULD MAKE THAT JUDGMENT AS TO WEAR AND TEAR. SO I TOLD THEM TO FIX IT BUT I WANT THE PARTS. THE FINAL BILL CAME TO 2164.71 DOLLARS. THE PRESSURE PLATE AND FLYWHEEL SHOWED NO SIGNS OF ABUSE OR BURNING. THE CLUTCH HAD PLENTY OF PAD LEFT BUT WAS BROKEN DUE TO THE FORCE OF ENGA

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling SystemFire
Filed Jul 24, 200835,000 milesFL

2005 JETTA SOMEWHERE UNDER HOOD SPONTANEOUSLY BURST INTO FLAMES WITH CAR PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY AND ENGINE TURNED OFF AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES. FIRE CONSUMED ENTIRE ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS ACCORDING TO INSURANCE ADJUSTER. THERE WERE NO OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FIRE STARTED. CITY OF PLANTATION (FL) POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED AND WERE ABLE TO EXTINGUISH FIRE AFTER 15 MINUTES. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jul 2, 200860,000 milesNY

SMALL RADIATOR COOLING FAN STOPPED. *TR

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jun 18, 200855,000 milesGA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE GEAR WOULD NOT CHANGE INTO SECOND OR THIRD GEAR, AND THE CLUTCH JAMMED INTO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND DRIVE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND ARE CHARGING $360 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC. THE CONTACT REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC. IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY WEAR AND TEAR OR A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT IT ONLY COVERS THE REPAIR IF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A DEFECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ADMIT THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT. THE CONTACT WILL LEAVE THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER UNTIL THEY REPAIR IT FOR FREE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,000.

Power Train › Automatic TransmissionFire
Filed May 1, 200849,210 milesIL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. ON APRIL 25, 2008, WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE CLUTCH INTO THIRD GEAR, BUT THE CLUTCH NEVER SHIFTED BACK INTO POSITION. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PIN FOR THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY CHAFFERED AND FAILED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT WONDERS IF THE TWO FAILURES ARE RELATED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,210.

Tires
Filed Apr 26, 200822,898 milesMD

FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT AT HIGH SPEED IN THE EVENING OF MARCH 4 2007. TIRES WERE ORIGINAL FROM PURCHASE OF VW JETTA ON 8/27/05. TIRES WERE PART OF AN UPGRADE PERFORMANCE PACKAGE. THE FOLLOWING NUMBERS ARE ON OUTER RIM; 225/45 R17 91H CONTIPROCONTRACT. NUMBERS ON INNER RIM; DOT AFTY PXH6 1105 AND 225/45 R17 M-S E4 0224686 G4 0224002. I HAVE A PICTURE OF THE TIRE. CAR HAD LESS THAN 28, 898 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THE BLOWOUT. *TR UPDATED 05/05/08 *JB

Air Bags
Filed Apr 15, 200882,200 milesCA

I PURCHASED MY VW JETTA NEW IN 2005. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD A RECURRING ISSUE THAT I BELIEVE CAN CAUSE DEATH TO THE DRIVERS OR PASSENGERS IF THEY ARE IN A N ACCIDENT. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAGS (AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON) ABOUT 5 OR 6 TIMES.. THE MOST RECENT ONE BEING THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH. THE TIMES THE LIGHT HAS COME ON I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED.. BUT IT SEEMS TO ALWAYS BE THE SAME THING.. SOME SORT OF DAMAGED/SHORTING WIRES FROM WHAT THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME. I FEEL THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED ISSUE AND FEEL THAT FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO/RECTIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I CALLED TODAY TO VW'S CUSTOMER SERVICE.. AND WAS BRUSHED OFF.. AND TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE PAID MANY TIMES TO GET THIS ISSUE FIXED.. I WAS NOT TRYING TO GET WARRANTY WORK DONE. I WAS TRYING TO BRING TO LIGHT A RE OCCURRING ISSUE THAT MY CAR WAS HAVING. *TR

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Apr 5, 2008108,000 milesMD

CAR DEVELOPED PRONOUNCED ENGINE VIBRATION AT 100,000 MILES. VIBRATION WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SIGNIFICANT NOISE AT IDLE WITH CLUTCH ENGAGED. CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS REMOVED AND INSPECTED. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL HAD FAILED AND WAS THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE AND VIBRATION. CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL WERE REPLACED WITH AN AFTERMARKET SINGLE MASS FLYWHEEL AND MATCHING CLUTCH. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 3, 2008NY

2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA BUCKS AND SHAKES WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE SOUNDS LIKE IT JUST WANTS TO SHUT OFF AND NOT RUN. WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP THE LOANER GOT HIT AND DEALER WOULD NOT RETURN HER CAR UNTIL PAYMENT WAS MADE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME THE PROBLEM HAPPENED, SHE HAD COME TO A FULL STOP. WHEN SHE WENT TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE ALMOST STALLED, STARTING BUCKING AND WAS SLUGGISH. IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THE RESET A COMPONENT, HOWEVER 1 MONTH LATER THE PROBLEM RE-SURFACED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS, BUT EACH TIME THE COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED, THE PROBLEM WOULD COME BACK. *JB

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Trunk Lid › Lock
Filed Feb 1, 200831,000 milesSC

THE TRUNK DOES NOT LATCH IN COLD WEATHER. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY SAID THAT THE PART IS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. HAVE SEARCHED AROUND THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF INSTANCES OF THIS PROBLEM IN THESE CARS NATIONWIDE. WHEN THE WEATHER GETS COLD, THE TRUNKS CANNOT BE CLOSED. VOLKSWAGEN KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT OUR CAR'S WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND THEY WANT US TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED ($190). IF IT IS A NATIONAL PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE SO MANY ORDERS THAT IT IS ON BACKORDER, SHOULDN'T THE TRUNKS BE RECALLED? *TR

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Jan 26, 200840,180 milesNV

PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE AT 40,000 MILES. CAR AT DEALER FOR CLUTCH REPLACEMENT. *TR

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Jan 18, 200835,000 milesMD

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND REALIZED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW HAD COME OUT OF THE FRAME. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 35,000.

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Jan 18, 200832,300 milesUT

CLUTCH GAVE OUT AT 32,000 MILES. VOLKSWAGEN CONSIDERS THIS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Dec 20, 200738,000 milesLA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO THE IGNITION AT ALL. SHE HAS THREE SETS OF KEYS AND NONE OF THEM WILL ENTER THE IGNITION. SHE ATTEMPTED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THE OFFICE IS CLOSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 38,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Nov 14, 20072,000 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT LEASED A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE VEHICLE IS A DRIVE BY WIRE VEHICLE AND THERE IS NO MECHANICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR AND THE ENGINE. THE DRIVE BY WIRE IS PART OF THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CONTACT IS A TWO FOOT DRIVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MODIFIED. WHILE ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE FAILS TO MOVE FORWARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO AN INTENTIONAL COMPUTER PROGRAM, WHICH PREVENTS SIMULTANEOUS BRAKING AND ACCELERATING IN ORDER TO PREVENT STRAIN TO THE DRIVE TRAIN. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO REPAIR AVAILABLE TO PREVENT THIS FROM OCCURRING. ON OCCASION, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AGAINST TRAFFIC OR TRYING TO MERGE, THE VEHICLE FAILS TO MOVE FORWARD. WHEN THE VEHICLE DOES MOVE FORWARD, IT ACCELERATES AT HIGH SPEEDS, APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND CAN BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THERE HAVE BEEN 15 OR MORE NEAR CRASHES. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE COMPUTER INTERLOCK BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS WERE FEDERALLY MANDATED. THIS DELAY IS TO PREVENT A CRASH IF THE ACCELERATOR SENSOR FAILS IN THE OPEN POSITION. ON NOVEMBER 7, 2007, THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE VOLKSWAGEN MANUFACTURER DROVE THE VEHICLE AND DUPLICATED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR WHEN DRIVING WITH TWO FEET OR ONE FOOT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,850. EQ-10209410-4200. 12/12/07. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Nov 7, 200723,635 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR EMANATING FROM HER VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHANGED THE AIR FILTER; HOWEVER, THE REPLACEMENT WAS ONLY A TEMPORARY SOLUTION. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE SMELL INTENSIFIED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,635 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000. UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ THE COSUMER WAS INFORMED THE SMELL WAS FROM THE ENGINE COOLANT. UPDATED

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Oct 29, 200736,220 milesMD

AFTER DRIVING FOR 40 MINUTES IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, I WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE CAR SHUT OFF, THE BATTERY INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHED FOR A FEW SECONDS AND WENT OUT. AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES, THE CAR STARTED WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BATTERY. *TR

Power Train
Filed Sep 17, 200722,000 milesMT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP AT 70 MPH, THE CONTACT PLACED THE CLUTCH IN AND IT FAILED TO RELEASE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO DRIVER ERROR. THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED AND THE DEALER DID NOT CHARGE FOR LABOR. THE PART COST $1,800. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE NOT YET DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE OF THE SECOND FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 5, 200720,500 milesNC

20K MILES, NOTICED REAR GRINDING SOUND WHEN BRAKING. SOUND SEEMED TO DISSIPATE AFTER A FEW HUNDRED FEET OF BRAKING. HOWEVER, IT TURNS OUT THAT THE GRINDING SOUND WAS THE REAR PADS HAVING BEEN WORN DOWN TO THE RIVETS. I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE REAR ROTORS AND REAR PADS, AT 20K MILES. THIS IS VERY UNUSUAL. SHOULD BE ABLE TO GO TO 60K MILES ON REAR PADS, PERHAPS AS SOON AS 30K ON FRONTS. *TR UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Aug 28, 200735,720 milesNJ

CLUTCH COMPLETELY FAILED AT 35,000 MILES, SUDDENLY ON A HIGHWAY (THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE, IT WOULD JUST REV REALLY HIGH). I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY LOCAL VW DEALER. THE VW DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO FAULTY VW PARTS; FAILURE WAS DUE TO A WORN CLUTCH, WHICH I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH VW OF AMERICA. I WAS SUSPICIOUS OF THIS DIAGNOSIS, SINCE THE CLUTCH FAILED SO SUDDENLY & IN ALL OF MY YEARS OF DRIVING MANUAL TRANSMISSION CARS (16 YEARS), I HAVE NEVER NEEDED TO REPLACE A WORN OR DAMAGED CLUTCH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, WHICH COST ME $2,070. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS REPAIR IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, & THAT HE WOULD SHOW ME THE WORN CLUTCH WHEN THE REPAIR WAS FINISHED. WHEN I PICKED UP THE REPAIRED CAR, I ASKED TO SEE THE CLUTCH & FLYWHEEL (FOR SIGNS OF WEAR & HEAT MARKS). THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION; THEY WERE ALREADY DISPOSED OF & IN THE GARBAGE DUMPSTER. AFTER READING SO MANY COMPLAINTS MADE BY EXPERIENCED MANUAL TRANSMISSION DRIVERS ABOUT VW CLUTCHES WEARING PREMATURELY, I BELIEVE THAT THIS CASE MAY BE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, WHICH SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I'VE READ ON VW TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS THAT FAULTY PRESSURE PLATES AND/OR FLYWHEELS IN THESE NEWER JETTAS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO CAUSE DAMAGE & EXCESSIVE PREMATURE WEAR TO THE CLUTCH. IN MY CASE, I WASN'T ABLE TO INSPECT THE OLD CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FOR OTHER SIGNS OF MECHANICAL FAILURE (SINCE THE DEALER DISPOSED OF

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel
Filed Aug 24, 200747,400 milesTX

I OWN A 2005.5 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. JUST PRIOR TO THE 40K SERVICE THE CAR DEVELOPED A DANGEROUS POWER LOSS PROBLEM WHICH RENDERED THE CAR POWERLESS AND THE ONLY WAY TO CLEAR THE PROBLEM WAS TO PULL OVER, SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART. WE TOOK THE CAR INTO THE SHOP FOR OUR 40K SERVICE AND NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. IN JULY WE TOOK THE CAR ON A ROAD TRIP TO SANTA FE NM AND THE PROBLEM BECAME CHRONIC. WE TOOK THE CAR TO PREMIER MOTORCARS IN SANTA FE 505-428-5521 ON JULY 5TH, AND AS OF TODAY, AUGUST 24TH THE CAR IS STILL NOT REPAIRED. I HAVE ALSO JOINED A FORUM WHERE I HAVE MET OTHERS WITH THE CAME CAR, HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEIR CARS ARE NOT BEING REPAIRED. I HAVE THEIR NAMES, RO NUMBERS AND VW CLAIM NUMBERS UPON REQUEST. THERE APPEARS TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT SO FAR APPEARS TO AFFECT THE 05.5 JETTA TDI MODELS. THE PROBLEM CAUSES THE CAR TO ENTER A "LIMP MODE" WHERE BASICALLY THE HORSEPOWER IS REDUCED DRAMATICALLY AND CAN HAPPEN UNSUSPECTINGLY CAUSING THE DRIVER TO NOT BE AWARE OF AN UNSAFE CONDITION ENTERING TRAFFIC. TO MAKE AN EXAMPLE THE FIRST TIME IT DID THIS TO ME I WAS AT A STOP SIGN AT A BUSY HIGHWAY. I HAD SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE TO CROSS BUT UNKNOWN TO ME MY CAR HAD LOST POWER BUT I DIDN'T REALIZE THIS UNTIL ENTERING THE INTERSECTION CAUSING ME TO BARELY MISS AN ONCOMING CAR. VW HAS BEEN VERY UNCOOPERATIVE WITH ALL OF US AS FAR AS LETTING US SHARE OUR INFORMATION WITH THEM. I HAVE COMPILED THE SERVICE INFO FOR ALL OF THESE PEOPLE AND SHARED IT WITH EACH AND WHEN WE SPEAK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Other Fuel Types › Turbo/Supercharger
Filed Aug 24, 200745,000 milesUT

MY CAR A 05.5 VW JETTA TDI HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE DEALER SINCE MAY 24,07 WITH THE SAME TROUBLE. LOSS OF POWER. INTERMITTENTLY, MOST OF THE TIME WITH OUT ANY INDICATION OR NOTICE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO CROSS THE STREET. IF CARS ARE COMING AND YOU PULL OUT INTO THE STREET AND YOUR CAR HAS LOST ITS POWER AND YOU DO NOT EXPECT IT. YOU END UP CROSS WAYS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH ON COMING TRAFFIC HAVING TO BRAKE AND WAIT FOR YOU TO GET OUT OF THEIR WAY. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY SO YOU CAN'T PREPARE FOR IT. IT ALSO WILL LOSE POWER WHILE YOU ARE CRUISING DOWN THE ROAD AND NEED TO PUSH YOUR ACCELERATOR DOWN, AND FIND OUT THAT NOTHING IS HAPPENING, AND YOU MAY HAVE TRY SOME OTHER EVADECIVE MOVE. I NO OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH SAME THE CAR, HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AND DEALER HAVE NOT FIXED THEIR CARS EITHER. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Aug 17, 200738,000 milesWV

FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, MY 2005.5 VW JETTA TDI HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY BEEN LOSING POWER UPON ACCELERATION. UNFORTUNATELY, I NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN; THUS IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU GO TO PULL INTO TRAFFIC AND HAVE NO ACCELERATION POWER. MY CAR, AS WELL AS MANY OTHER'S CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, HAS BEEN IN THE "SHOP" SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO *FIX* AS OF YET. THOUGH VW AND THEIR NUMEROUS TECHNICIANS KEEP *GUESSING* AND REPLACING PARTS, THE PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. FOR THOSE OF US DRIVING THESE AUTOMOBILES, WE ARE VERY LUCKY IF WE GO WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT OR BEING THE CENTER OF AN ACCIDENT WHEN YOU HAVE NO ACCELERATION POWER. *TR

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Aug 15, 200715,500 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT LEASES A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO SECOND GEAR. SHE ACCELERATED TO 20 MPH, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO NEGLIGENT DRIVING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 15,500. WHILE TURNING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH WHILE SHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR, THE CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOOR. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE PRESSURE PLATE WAS HAD CRACKED INTO 3 PIECES WHICH DESTROYED THE ENTIRE CLUTCH. UPDATED 09/05/07. *JB

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Aug 14, 200715,000 milesNC

MY 2005 JETTA HAS A BROKEN PRESSURE PLATE IN THE CLUTCH. THE INCINDENT MUST HAVE HAPPENED WHILE IT SITTING AFTER BEING DRIVEN, BECAUSE I PARKED IT AND IT WAS ACTING FINE, THEN I GOT BACK IN LATER AND IT WASN'T WORKING. THE CAR HAS ONLY 15K MILES ON IT AND IS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD. I DON'T DRIVE THE CAR HARD AND ONLY DRIVE ABOUT 10 MILES A DAY, AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MANUAL FOR 12 YEARS. VW IS REFUSING TO HONOR THE WARRANTY AND IS TELLING ME THE CLUTCH PROBLEM IS MY FAULT. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A CLUTCH GOING IN 15K MILES, EVEN IF I WAS A TERRIBLE MANUAL DRIVER WHICH I AM NOT. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE WEB, AND IT LOOKS QUITE COMMON FOR THESE CHEAPLY MADE VW CLUTCHES TO BREAK DOWN AND FOR VW TO FIND A WAY TO NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY. I NEED HELP STANDING UP AGAINST THEM. *TR

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Jun 2, 200735,800 milesWY

MY FLYWHEEL EXPLODED EARLIER LAST YEAR AND NOW I KNOW THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN DIESEL JETTAS. I HAD TO HAVE THE CLUTCH AND THE FLYWHEEL REPLACED, AND VOLKSWAGEN WOULD NOT DO IT UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Apr 9, 200717,300 milesMD

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS ABS FAILURE. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT 15 MPH THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS FAILURE HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, USUALLY WHEN DECELERATING AND STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKES MAY CONTAIN DUST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,100, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,300.*AK UPDATE 4/25/07 *TR

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages
Filed Feb 17, 200747,700 milesNY

DURING WINTER DRIVING WITH TEMPERATURE AT 18 DEGREES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERATIVE AFTER 45 MINUTES OF USE IN WASH MODE. WATER/ICE BUILDS UP UNDER A PLASTIC COWL, THIS COWL HIDES THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MECHANICS. THE ICE BUILD UP PREVENTS OPERATION OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. A FRIEND OF MINE WHO IS A 2005 VW JETTA OWNER HAS REPORTED THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM WITH HIS CAR. VW HAS REFUSED TO COVER THIS REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY, CLAIMING THIS IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Jan 6, 2007KY

THERE ARE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON THIS VEHICLE SPECIFICALLY THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS, DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS, REMOTE ENTRY TO VEHICLE, MAKING IT UNSAFE AT TO DRIVE? TRIED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH LOCAL DEALER AND THEY ADVISE THEY ARE BOOKED OUT FOR 12 DAYS - NOT SYMPATHETIC TO THE FACT THAT THESE PROBLEMS ARE SAFETY RELATED AND NEED TO BE CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY? EITHER DEALERSHIP HAS MORE PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLES THAN THEY CAN HANDLE OR THEY ARE UNDER STAFFED? WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT LINE DUE TO POOR SERVICE AND UNWILLINGNESS TO ADDRESS SAFETY CONCERNS PROMPTLY! *JB

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Dec 15, 200624,355 milesVA

WE ASKED OUR DEALERSHIP TO ACQUIRE IT FOR US AFTER OUR 2004 TDI WAS TOTALED. CURRENT VEHICLE IS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED WE PURCHASED APRIL 25, 2006 WITH 10583 MILES ON IT. PREVIOUS OWNER WAS VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA. ON JULY 2, 2006 WHILE ON VACATION THE CLUTCH COMPLETELY FAILED AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL MILES IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC IT STARTED SMOKING AND THEN THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE CLUTCH LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE THEN HAD ABOUT 14-15,000 MILES ON IT. A MAINE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER HAD FAILED AND THE ENTIRE CLUTCH FAILED. TOOK MORE THAN TWO WEEKS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY OUR VIRGINIA DEALER IT WAS REPORTED TO US THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS CRACKED DUE TO IMPROPER RE-INSTALLATION. VEHICLE THEN HAD 17632 MILES ON IT. IT TOOK ANOTHER TWO WEEKS TO FORCE THE MAINE DEALER TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE IT. ON DEC. 6, 2006 MY WIFE THE VALET PARKING SERVICE BROUGHT THE CAR TO HER WITH CONSIDERABLE SMOKE COMING FROM THE CLUTCH AND THE STATEMENT THAT IT HAD "BURNED OUT" WHILE TRYING TO COME UP A RAMP. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS ABUSE CAUSED THE CLUTCH TO FAIL AND CRACK THE FLYWHEEL IN THREE PLACES AND WARRANTY FOR THE FLYWHEEL WAS DENIED. WE HAVE OWNED MORE THAN SIX STANDARD TRANSMISSION AUTOMOBILES OVER OUR MORE THAN 3 0 YEARS OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE AND HAVE NEVER HAD A CLUTCH FAIL OTHER THAN THE 2 FAILURES IN LESS THAN SIX MONTHS WITH THIS VOLKSWAGEN. INTERNET RESEARCH INFORMS US THAT THIS IS A VERY PREVALENT P

Exterior Lighting › Tail LightsFire
Filed Nov 21, 2006MD

2005 JETTA CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *TS THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THAT A LOT OF VEHICLES WERE HAVING A LOT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE TAILLIGHTS. *JB

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta → · Every Jetta year → · How the figures are calculated →