1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

2 recalls — 50 complaints

09E012000 Apr 7, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
16,270 vehicles affected
98V160000 Jul 16, 1998
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BOLTS SECURING THE FRONT HOOD LATCH CAN LOOSEN OVER TIME. THE LATCH WOULD MOVE CAUSING DISENGAGEMENT OF THE HOOD STRIKER FROM THE LATCH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HOOD LATCH AND SECURING BOLTS AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY.
238,000 vehicles affected
STEERING Nov 7, 2010
I OWN A 1996 VW JETTA GLS AND MY CAR SMOKES FROM MY STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. I WILL BE DRIVING AND OUT OF NO WHERE WHITE SMOKE POURS OUT OF THE COLUMN. I THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE OF MY HEADLIGHTS BEING ON BUT THEN NOTICED IT DOING IT WITHOUT THEM ON. IT EVEN DOES IT WHEN THE CAR IS OFF! THIS I FEEL AND MY FRIEND WHO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM IS A FIRE HAZARD AND COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I CALLED A VW DEALERSHIP AND SPOKE TO THE MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME HE FEARED FOR MY LIFE AND IT SOUNDS LIKE A FIRE HAZARD OR IT COULD CAUSE MY BREAKS AND OTHER THINGS ON MY CAR TO FAIL. I COULD BE DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY AT 65 AND MY CAR CAN JUST DIE. I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR TO 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY ALL SAID THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHAT IT COULD BE . IN MY CASE NOTHING LEADS UP TO THIS HAPPENING IT JUST HAPPENS RANDOMLY AT ANYTIME WITH OR WITHOUT MY LIGHTS ON OR BLINKERS BEING ON. THIS IS STILL AN UNKNOWN CAUSE BUT VERY SCARY, EVEN SCARIER KNOWING ITS NOT JUST MY CAR. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM May 6, 2010
WHEN THE VDO ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT CLUSTER "TOTAL" ODOMETER READING CROSSED FROM 299,999 MILES TO 300,000 MILES . . . THE WORD "TOTAL" DISAPPEARED AND MILEAGE DROPPED TO "0". THE "TRIP" SIDE OF THE ODOMETER WORKS OK. NOW (05/06/2010) THE JETTA IS ABOUT TO CROSS 350,000 MILES, BUT THE ODOMETER ONLY SHOWS 50,000 MILES. *TR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC Apr 29, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN AGGRESSIVE AND FORCEFUL ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO TWO PARKED VEHICLES. THE AMBULANCE AND POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND THE OCCUPANTS IN THE PARKED VEHICLES WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED MODERATE INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND EXTENT OF THE VEHICLE DAMAGE HAVE NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
Crash 3 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Apr 29, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN AGGRESSIVE AND FORCEFUL ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO TWO PARKED VEHICLES. THE AMBULANCE AND POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND THE OCCUPANTS IN THE PARKED VEHICLES WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED MODERATE INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND EXTENT OF THE VEHICLE DAMAGE HAVE NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
Crash 3 injured
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE Aug 2, 2007
DRIVING HOME FROM SCHOOL (12 MINUTE DRIVE) AT NIGHT AND THE AIR COMING FROM THE VENTS SMELLED FUNNY, LIKE COOLANT. I TURNED OFF THE FANS BUT STILL SMELLED FUNNY. I TURNED THE FANS BACK ON AND WHITE 'SMOKE' WAS COMING OUT OF THE VENTS AND IT SMELLED HEAVILY OF COOLANT. MY WINDSHIELD BEGAN TO FOG UP WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. I ROLLED DOWN MY WINDOWS AND SUNROOF AND TRIED EVERYTHING I COULD TO GET THE WINDOW TO DEFOG, BUT IT ONLY GOT WORSE. I COULD BARELY SEE AND FELT LIKE I WAS IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION SO I PULLED OFF ON THE NEAREST COUNTY ROAD. THE CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND I STILL COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING SO I OPENED THE DOOR AND DROVE TO A SAFE SPOT AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. FOUND OUT LATER THAT THERE WAS COOLANT ALL OVER ON THE FLOORBOARDS AND THAT THE HEATER CORE HAS FAILED. *JB
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH Apr 25, 2007
WELL, ITS AN OLD CAR YES AND HAVEN'T HAD ANY SEVERE MALFUNCTIONS EXCEPT ON PRETTY MUCH EVERY LATCH MECHANISM ON THE CAR. CURRENTLY, THE TRUNK DOES NOT OPEN. THE LATCH IS BROKE AND WILL NOT OPEN WITH KEY PLACED IN IT OR WITH RELEASE BUTTON. TO OPEN IT, I HAVE TO LAY THE BACK SEATS DOWN AND CRAWL INTO THE TRUNK AND ACTIVATE THE EMERGENCY RELEASE MANUALLY. TO ADD TO THE MESS, BOTH REAR DOORS WILL OPEN BUT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL CLOSE AGAIN. I'VE HAD TO RIG A WIRE TO PULL THE LATCH INTO ITS LOCKED POSITION TO KEEP BOTH DOORS CLOSED. (RESULTING IN THE ONLY 4 DOOR COUPE I KNOW OF!) *TR
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE Jun 26, 2006
DT*:THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH, THERE WAS STINGING/BURNING SENSATION TO THE CONTACT'S FOOT. WHEN THE FOOT WAS REMOVED FROM THE GAS PEDAL, A STEAMING LIQUID WAS OBSERVED ON THE FOOT AND ON THE FLOOR AROUND THE PEDALS. THE LIQUID WAS SPEWING FROM AN AREA UNDER DASHBOARD ABOVE THE GAS, BREAK AND CLUTCH PEDALS. STEAM/VAPOR ALSO APPEARED TO BE COMING OUT OF THE DEFROSTER VENTS ON THE DASHBOARD. THE ACCESSORIES WERE IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF AND THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED OVER AND OFF THE ROAD. THE HOT LIQUID CONTINUED TO SPEW AND BURN THE CONTACT'S FOOT AS THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED. THE VAPOR OF THE LIQUID FILLED THE VEHICLE INTERFERRING WITH THE CONTACT'S VISION.
1 injured
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH May 2, 2006
IN LATE FEB 2005 PURCHASED A 1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (WHICH WAS A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE) AND IN (APPOX) SEPT 2005 WHILE DRIVING DOWN A PACKED FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR, IN THE MIDDLE LANE, THE HOOD OF MY VEHICLE FLEW UP. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60-65 MPH AND IT VISUALLY LOOKED LIKE A PIECE OF CARDBOARD CRUMPLING HOWEVER THE IMPACT WAS SO GREAT THAT IT CRACKED MY WINDSHIELD. I CONSIDER MYSELF AND THE PASSENGERS EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT WE WERE NOT INJURED AND/OR DID NOT CRASH. MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED TREMENDOUS BODY DAMAGE TO THE HOOD AND CAN NOT SHUT PROPERLY AND AS I MENTION PREVIOUSLY THE WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED ALL THE WAY ACROSS. I AM UNCERTAIN WHETHER OR NOT SIMILAR VEHICLES TO MINE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS BUT I FEEL THAT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT / FAILURE DUE TO THE FACT OF THE SAFETY LATCH MALFUNCTION. I AM NOT 100% SURE WHETHER OR NOT THE HOOD WAS NOT SHUT COMPLETELY BECAUSE I DID NOT PHYSICALLY CHECK IT BEFORE THE INCIDENT BUT REGARDLESS THAT IS WHY I THOUGHT SAFETY LATCHES WERE PUT INTO USE ON VEHICLE HOODS TO PREVENT SUCH DANGEROUS OCCURRENCES. *JB
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE Mar 15, 2006
ON JANUARY 12, 2006, AS I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AT 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AN OPAQUE WHITE GAS WAS QUICKLY RELEASED FROM MY HEATER VENTS AND WITHIN SECONDS EFFECTIVELY TURNED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF MY CAR INTO A GAS CHAMBER. THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE INCREASED AFTER I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY REMOVE THE VEHICLE OF THE HIGHWAY. MY CAR WAS SOLD WITH A PERMANENT MAINTENANCE FREE PINK VW ANTIFREEZE. THE DOCUMENTATION THAT CAME WITH THE CAR INDICATED THAT OTHER THAN TOPPING OFF THE ANTIFREEZE PERIODICALLY THAT NO MAINTENANCE WAS NECESSARY. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT MY HEATER CORE FAILED; THE DEALER SAYS IT FAILED BECAUSE OF LACK OF MAINTENANCE. IF THE SYSTEM IS MAINTENANCE FREE THEN HOW CAN A COMPONENT FAIL BECAUSE OF LACK OF MAINTENANCE? I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN VANDALIZED, BUT THE DEALER DIFFERED. I WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY WARNINGS OF THE POSSIBILITY OF THIS OCCURRING IN SERVICE BULLETINS OR ANY OTHER VW LITERATURE. IF THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF A HEATER CORE IS POSSIBLE DOESN'T THE MANUFACTURE HAVE A DUTY TO WARN THE PURCHASERS OF ITS PRODUCTS? *NM
1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Sep 11, 2005
ON SEPT 2, 2005 AND SEPT. 6, 2005, UNDER TWO CIRCUMSTANCES INVOLVING QUICK ACCELERATION WITH MODERATE LOAD (TWO ADULTS AND ONE KID. ABOUT 50 LB LOAD IN TRUNK), THE ENGINE KEPT HIGH REVVING AFTER THE GAS PADDLE HAD BEEN FULLY RELEASED, THUS PULLING FORWARD HARD UNINTENTIONALLY; IT KEPT SO DOING FOR SECONDS, EVEN AFTER BRAKING WAS APPLIED FOR THE FIRST FEW SECONDS, AND PUMPED. IT RECOVERED BACK TO NORMAL RESPONSIVENESS AFTER HARD BRAKING FOR AT LEAST FIVE SECONDS IN THE FIRST INCIDENT AND ABOUT THREE SECOND IN THE SECOND. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE CRUISE CONTROL NEVER WORKED SINCE THE PURCHASE IN 1996.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Sep 11, 2005
ON SEPT 2, 2005 AND SEPT. 6, 2005, UNDER TWO CIRCUMSTANCES INVOLVING QUICK ACCELERATION WITH MODERATE LOAD (TWO ADULTS AND ONE KID. ABOUT 50 LB LOAD IN TRUNK), THE ENGINE KEPT HIGH REVVING AFTER THE GAS PADDLE HAD BEEN FULLY RELEASED, THUS PULLING FORWARD HARD UNINTENTIONALLY; IT KEPT SO DOING FOR SECONDS, EVEN AFTER BRAKING WAS APPLIED FOR THE FIRST FEW SECONDS, AND PUMPED. IT RECOVERED BACK TO NORMAL RESPONSIVENESS AFTER HARD BRAKING FOR AT LEAST FIVE SECONDS IN THE FIRST INCIDENT AND ABOUT THREE SECOND IN THE SECOND. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE CRUISE CONTROL NEVER WORKED SINCE THE PURCHASE IN 1996.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL Sep 11, 2005
ON SEPT 2, 2005 AND SEPT. 6, 2005, UNDER TWO CIRCUMSTANCES INVOLVING QUICK ACCELERATION WITH MODERATE LOAD (TWO ADULTS AND ONE KID. ABOUT 50 LB LOAD IN TRUNK), THE ENGINE KEPT HIGH REVVING AFTER THE GAS PADDLE HAD BEEN FULLY RELEASED, THUS PULLING FORWARD HARD UNINTENTIONALLY; IT KEPT SO DOING FOR SECONDS, EVEN AFTER BRAKING WAS APPLIED FOR THE FIRST FEW SECONDS, AND PUMPED. IT RECOVERED BACK TO NORMAL RESPONSIVENESS AFTER HARD BRAKING FOR AT LEAST FIVE SECONDS IN THE FIRST INCIDENT AND ABOUT THREE SECOND IN THE SECOND. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE CRUISE CONTROL NEVER WORKED SINCE THE PURCHASE IN 1996.
WHEELS May 16, 2005
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. SHE SAID THAT IN 2003 HER REAR TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND ALMOST TAKING THE LIFE OF HER DAUGHTER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE WHEEL STRUTS. ON MAY 15, 2005 HER HUSBAND CHECKS THE VEHICLE REGULARLY TO MAKE SURE IT IS SAFE. WHILE CHECKING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THE WHEEL WAS LOOSE. THEY TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO A TIRE CENTER AND THEY SAID THAT EVERYTHING WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *TT
Crash
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE Mar 29, 2005
HEATER CORE RUPTURED, CAUSING THE COOLANT TO SPILL OVER THE DRIVER'S FEET. THIS EVENTUALLY CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO FOG UP, MAKING THE ABILITY TO SEE THE ROAD DIFFICULT.*AK WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, HE HIT A BUMP AND HOT COOLANT FELL ON HIS FEET. THE STEAM FROM THE HOT COOLANT FOGGED UP THE WINDOWS AND ESCAPED THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO PARKING LOT TO AVOID CRASHING BECAUSE OF THE STEAM ON THE WINDOW. VOLKSWAGEN AGREED TO REPAIR HEATING CORE.*SB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Jan 5, 2005
WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEAD LIGHTS WERE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR CHECK UP, AND RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK
STEERING:COLUMN Jan 4, 2005
SMOKE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, A PUFF OF SMOKE AROSE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND I LOST USE OF MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS. I HAVE BEEN ONLINE AND HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS TO THE SAME AFFECT. SHOULDN'T THIS BE A RECALL ITEM ? AVE HAD QUITE A FEW OTHERS PROBLEMS IN THE 6 MONTHS SINCE WE HAVE OWNED OUR 1996 JETTA. *AK
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER Jan 4, 2005
SMOKE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, A PUFF OF SMOKE AROSE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND I LOST USE OF MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS. I HAVE BEEN ONLINE AND HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS TO THE SAME AFFECT. SHOULDN'T THIS BE A RECALL ITEM ? AVE HAD QUITE A FEW OTHERS PROBLEMS IN THE 6 MONTHS SINCE WE HAVE OWNED OUR 1996 JETTA. *AK
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS Sep 22, 2004
CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT SIDE WINDOWS WERE NOT GOING UP AND DOWN AT WILL. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE MOTOR WINDOW REGULATOR WAS DEFECTIVE. TO HAVE THEM REPAIRED WOULD COST AT LEAST $500.00 PER WINDOW, WHICH CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE.*AK
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS Sep 5, 2004
THE REAR SIDE WINDOWS OF MY JETTA HAVE FALLEN INTO THE DOOR. *JB
STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:POWER ASSIST SYSTEM Jun 12, 2004
THE STEERING IN THIS 1996 JETTA IS JUST HORRIBLE, NO MECHANIC HAS BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR IT. IM TOLD THERE IS SOMETHING ON THE WHEEL BASE TORN (REAR) AND ITS GOING TO COST ME 800 TO FIX. YET, THE STEERING HAS BEEN THIS WAY SINCE IVE HAD THE CAR AND I HARDLY NOTICED UNTIL I RENTED A CAR (BECAUSE THE CRANK SHAFT IN THE JETTA BROKE TOO). THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN A COLLISION OR ANY MAJOR TRAMA TO HAVE ANYTHING TORN, IT ONLY HAS 66,000 MILES ON IT, YET IVE HAD TO REPLACE THE CRANK SHAFT, LAST WEEK THE ENTIRE COMPUTER, 2 YEARS AGO THE ENTIRE ENGINE FELL TO THE GROUND (MY LAND LORD DISCOVERED) AND NOW THE STEERING. I THOUGHT VWS WERE SUPPOSED TO BE WELL BUILT CARS. *AK
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS Jun 4, 2004
JUST PURCHASED MY FIRST VW JETTA. MAY BE MY LAST VW PERIOD. MY WINDOWS WORK WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, I FOUND OUT THIS IS A EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM THAT VW TAKES NO REPONSIBILITY FOR. FIXING IT MYSELF, IT COSTS ME $150 EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS. I SHOULD CHARGE VW $70 AN HOUR FOR LABOR!*AK
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS Apr 27, 2004
SINCE I HAVE HAD MY 1996 VW JETTA GLS, ALL FOUR WINDOW REGULATORS AND ALL FOUR WINDOW MOTORS HAVE BROKEN. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR JETTAS. *AK
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS Feb 22, 2004
ALL FOUR WINDOWS IN MY '96 JETTA HAVE MALFUNCTIONED. PROBLEMS INVOLVE THE WINDOW REGULATORS AND THE MOTORS. AS IT IS TODAY, MY VEHICLE HAS THREE OPERATING WINDOWS WITH DEFECTS (MAKES LOUD CRUNCH SOUND WHEN ROLLED ALL THE WAY DOWN) TO A STUCK-HALF-WAY WINDOW THAT WON'T GO UP OR DOWN. *JB
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Feb 2, 2004
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS DAMAGED DURING A COLLISION. THE DOOR WAS REPAIRED AND PAINTED. THE PAINT FUMES ARE VERY STRONG IN THE PASSENGER CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. *NM
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH Jan 8, 2004
1996 VW JETTA - DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT OPERATE WHEN TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 0 C OR 32 F. THIS MATCHES TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN # 57 9702 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER 53643. *LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH Dec 4, 2003
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, 1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS, FROM THE STORE, I NOTICE THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN MY THERMOSTAT STARTED TO GO BACK AND FORWARD LIKE IT WAS OUT OF CONTROL, THEN SMOKE CAME OUT OF MY VENTS INSIDE OF MY CAR. I THOUGHT THIS WAS STRANGE, THAT SMOKE(WHITE SMOKE) CAME FROM INSIDE MY CAR, SO I STOPPED THE CAR AND OPENED THE HOOD, BUT NOTHING WAS BURNING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I TOLD MY HUSBAND ABOUT THIS AND WE TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS GONE OR WAS BURNED OUT. I THEN ASKED HIM HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO GET IT FIXED AND HE STATED THAT THIS COULD BE A COSTLY JOB. I NEEDED MY CAR FIXED SO I TOOK IT TO A EUROPEAN SPECIALIST AUTO SHOP AND THEY FIXED IT FOR A COST OF $800.00 PLUS TAX!!!!! THIS WAS OUTRAGEOUS, BUT I NEEDED TO GET IT FIXED. WHERE CAN I CALL TO GET MY REFUND??? THIS IS ENTIRELY A LOT OF MONEY!!!!! *NLM
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS Oct 14, 2003
CONSUMER PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE FROM DEALER AND VEHICLE NEEDED REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS AND BRAKE SHOES. THE WHEEL CYLINDERS WERE LEAKING, AND THE BRAKE SHOES CRUMBLED WHEN REMOVED FOR REPAIR DONE BY CONSUMER SINCE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.*AK
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS Oct 14, 2003
CONSUMER PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE FROM DEALER AND VEHICLE NEEDED REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS AND BRAKE SHOES. THE WHEEL CYLINDERS WERE LEAKING, AND THE BRAKE SHOES CRUMBLED WHEN REMOVED FOR REPAIR DONE BY CONSUMER SINCE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.*AK
WHEELS Aug 29, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL FELL OF WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR Aug 20, 2003
WHILE DRIVING REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR FLEW OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS Jul 7, 2003
ALL FOUR WINDOWS BROKE IN MY VW JETTA GLS. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED, AS THAT WAS WHAT I COULD AFFORD. WHEN THE FIRST TWO BROKE, I CALLED VW USA (NOT THE DEALERSHIP) TO GET AN ESTIMATE ON WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT. I TOLD THEM I FOUND THE TECHNICAL BULLETINS DESCRIBING THE EXACT ISSUE I WAS EXPERIENCING. THEY TOLD ME SPECIFICALLY "MA'AM, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO THE CAR, THEREFORE WE CAN ONLY PAY FOR 1/2 OF THE COST OF REPAIR". I WAS FURIOUS AT THE SUGGESTION THAT ALL I DO ALL DAY IS SIT IN MY CAR AND BURN OUT THE WINDOW MOTORS. I IGNORED IT UNTIL A FEW MONTHS LATER WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR AS I WAS ENTERING THE PARKING GARAGE AT MY PLACE OF BUSINESS. I CALLED VW AGAIN AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE I WAS A 2ND OWNER AND THERE WAS NO WARRANTY FOR ME. I GOT TWO OF THE THREE FIXED TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT $900 (WHICH WAS HALF OFF) AND LEFT THE 3RD (IN THE REAR) BROKEN. NOW, ALL FOUR WINDOWS HAVE BROKEN AND I REFUSE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OF THE TWO REMAINING BROKEN WINDOWS SINCE IT IS NOW A 100% FAILURE RATE. 50% IS UNACCEPTABLE, BUT 100% IS DOWNRIGHT RIDICULOUS AND NO CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS FRUSTRATION OVER AND OVER AGAIN. ALSO, I KNOW TWO OTHER JETTA OWNERS (BOTH OWN 1997 MODELS) AND BOTH OF THEM HAVE HAD AT LEAST 2 WINDOWS BREAK. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE, EVEN FOR 2ND OWNERS OF THIS PARTICULAR BRAND OF AUTOMOBILES.*AK
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS May 1, 2003
3 OF 4 WINDOWS DON'T WORK. MOTOR BURNED OUT ON RT FRONT, REGULATOR BURNED ON LFT FRONT, RT REAR DOES NOTHING. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WOULD COST UPWARD OF $800 TO FIX. *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*734295
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Apr 2, 2003
I HAVE NOW HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN MY ONE OWNER AUTOMATIC JETTA, THREE TIMES. MY LAST TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 35,000 MILES AGO, AND I NOW NEED TO SPEND 1,700 DOLLARS TO REPLACE IT. *NLM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Feb 27, 2003
MY CAR WAS A LEMON THE ENGINE SEIZED WHEN THE CAR HAD NOT EVEN REACHED 60,000 MILES DESPITE REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS.*JB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Feb 17, 2003
EACH TIME IT RAINS HEAVY ENOUGH FOR WATER TO SPLASH UNDERNEATH THE CAR WHEN DRIVING (IE A PUDDLE; SPLASH FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING BY; CAR WASH) - THE CAR STALLS, HAS TO BE TOWED AND ENDS UP HAVING THE IGNITION WIRES REPLACED. THIS HAS AVERAGED ABOUT 1-2X PER YEAR SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN AUGUST OF 1996
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Nov 26, 2002
THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT ALLOW KEY TO TURN ALL THE WAY. THE SWITCH WOULD WEAR OUT OVER TIME OF USAGE. TS
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Aug 21, 2002
WHILE DRIVING 2-3 MPH BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, NO INJURIES.*AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD Aug 19, 2002
AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1-2 HOURS CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE. AFTERWARDS FOUND OUT THAT FIRE WAS SHOOTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. DURING FIRE SUN ROOF WAS AUTOMATICALLY OPENING AND CLOSING BY ITSELF, ALSO, VEHICLE POPPED ITSELF INTO REVERSE AND WENT BACKWARD DURING THE FIRE.*AK
Fire
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS Jul 22, 2002
3 OF 4 WINDOWS DON'T WORK. MOTOR BURNED OUT ON RT FRONT, REGULATOR BURNED ON LFT FRONT, RT REAR DOES NOTHING. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WOULD COST UPWARDS OF $800 TO FIX.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH Jul 10, 2002
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH HOOD FLEW OFF, BREAKING WINDSHIELD . DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS Jun 17, 2002
WHEN LOCKING PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR ENTIRE CYLINDER FELL OUT. UNABLE TO UNLOCK OR LOCK DOOR.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL May 20, 2002
IT SEEMS THAT ON A VERY RAINY DAY OR A DAMP DAY THE CAR STALLS OR DOESN'T START AT ALL. I GET A "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT THAT COMES ON AS WELL. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO KOPPELL VW IN NYC AND THEY ALWAYS BLAME THE HEATED O2 SENSOR FOR THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT. THEY ALSO HAVE CHANGED THE IGNITION WIRES, ROTOR AND ROTOR CAP FOR THE STALL. IT HAS BEEN AN ON AND OFF PROBLEM SINCE THEN. THE O2 SENSOR HAS BEEN CHANGED 4 TIMES AND THE IGNITION WIRES, ROTOR AND CAP HAVE BEEN CHANGED 6 TIMES. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM SOLVED. THE CAR IS STILL PROTECTED UNDER THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY BUT IT SEEMS THEY (KOPPELL VW IN NYC OR VW THEMSELVES) DON'T WANT TO HONOR THE WARRANTY. THANK YOU.*AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION May 20, 2002
IT SEEMS THAT ON A VERY RAINY DAY OR A DAMP DAY THE CAR STALLS OR DOESN'T START AT ALL. I GET A "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT THAT COMES ON AS WELL. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO KOPPELL VW IN NYC AND THEY ALWAYS BLAME THE HEATED O2 SENSOR FOR THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT. THEY ALSO HAVE CHANGED THE IGNITION WIRES, ROTOR AND ROTOR CAP FOR THE STALL. IT HAS BEEN AN ON AND OFF PROBLEM SINCE THEN. THE O2 SENSOR HAS BEEN CHANGED 4 TIMES AND THE IGNITION WIRES, ROTOR AND CAP HAVE BEEN CHANGED 6 TIMES. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM SOLVED. THE CAR IS STILL PROTECTED UNDER THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY BUT IT SEEMS THEY (KOPPELL VW IN NYC OR VW THEMSELVES) DON'T WANT TO HONOR THE WARRANTY. THANK YOU.*AK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:UNIT May 14, 2002
UPON DEPRESSING THE FOUR-WAY FLASHER SWITCH, USUALLY ONLY ONE TURN SIGNAL BLINKS, INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE, ONLY THE LEFT OR RIGHT TURN SIGNAL BLINKS, AFTER DEPRESSING THE SWITCH SEVERAL TIMES, THE FOUR-WAY FLASHERS WILL WORK NORMALLY. *TT
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH May 8, 2002
WHILE DRIVING 35-45 MPH HOOD CAME UNLATCHED AND HIT WINDSHIELD. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH Apr 4, 2002
FRONT DOOR LATCHES FAIL TO OPERATE, CAUSING OCCUPANTS TO BE TRAPPED IN THE CAR.*AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD Dec 28, 2001
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ALONG AND SMELLED SMOKE FROM INSIDE. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM REAR. CONSUMER PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND GETTING OUT NOTICED GAS TANK HAD FLAMES COMING OUT. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND NOT CONCERNED.*AK
Fire
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH Nov 16, 2001
CYLINDERS CAME OUT WITH THE KEY. THEY JUST STOPPED WORKING AND CAME OUT! I CAN NO LONGER LOCK MY CAR OR USE THE KEY TO GET INTO IT. I HAVE TO LEAVE IT UNLOCKED AND CLIMB IN THROUGH THE BACK SEAT.*AK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:UNIT Oct 30, 2001
UPON DEPRESSING THE FOUR-WAY FLASHER SWITCH, USUALLY ONLY ONE TURN SIGNAL BLINKS, INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE, ONLY THE LEFT OR RIGHT TURN SIGNAL BLINKS, AFTER DEPRESSING THE SWITCH SEVERAL TIMES, THE FOUR-WAY FLASHERS WILL WORK NORMALLY. *TT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Aug 1, 2001
EVERY SUMMER ESPECIALLY DURING 90 DEGREE TEMPERATURE, THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE MOVES TO HIGHEST SETTING AND OFTEN TIMES VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF TO COOL DOWN. VEHICLE WILL STARTS AGAIN AFTER COOLING DOWN. THIS HAPPENS ONLY DURING HOT SUMMERS.*AK