NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
103 reportsClear category filter22,000 miles · Dec 23, 2003
Power Train
MY VEHICLE WAS REPURCHASED BY VWOA (VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA) FROM THE FIRST OWNER FOR A RECALL PROBLEM. WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IT CAME WITH AN ALL INCLUSIVE 12 MONTH/12,000 MILE WARRANTY AND THEN THE REST OF THE 4 YEAR/50,000 MILE WARRANTY. AT 11,700 MILES THE CLUTCH STARTING STICKING AND WOULDN'T SHIFT, THE CAR ALSO WOUL…
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MY VEHICLE WAS REPURCHASED BY VWOA (VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA) FROM THE FIRST OWNER FOR A RECALL PROBLEM. WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IT CAME WITH AN ALL INCLUSIVE 12 MONTH/12,000 MILE WARRANTY AND THEN THE REST OF THE 4 YEAR/50,000 MILE WARRANTY. AT 11,700 MILES THE CLUTCH STARTING STICKING AND WOULDN'T SHIFT, THE CAR ALSO WOULD GO TO HIGH RPMS WHEN ACCELERATING, EVEN IF ONLY A LITTLE. THE NEXT DAY, I GOT OUT TO GET GAS AND I SMELLED BURNING. I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND I COULD TELL SOMETHING WAS BURNT. I CALLED VW FIRST THING MONDAY MORNING AND HAD IT TOWED TO THEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CAR "MAY BE" UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE A DOCUMENT THAT CLEARLY STATES THAT IT IS. THEY CONTACTED THEIR SERVICE REP, FRED HINGLE, AND WAS TOLD THAT IF IT WAS NOT "WEAR AND TEAR" THAT IT WOULD BE COVERED. WELL VW TORE THE CAR APART, AND AFFIRMED THAT IT MUST BE WEAR AND TEAR, DO TO THE BURNT CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL. AFTER THIS I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE AT MYVWLEMON.COM HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH GOING OUT AT 9,000 TO 26,000 MILES, INCLUDING CAR AND DRIVER GUIDE, WHO TEST DROVE THE JETTA AND HAD THE CLUTCH GO OUT AT 26,000 MILES, AND THESE ARE PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS! THEY TOLD ME THE REPAIRS WOULD TOTAL 1551.00 DOLLARS ALMOST 10% OF WHAT I PAID FOR THE CAR. MR. HINGLE THE CORPORATE REP REFUSES TO SPEAK WITH ME. I BELIEVE THE CLUTCH USED IN THIS MODEL AND YEAR IS INDEED DEFECTIVE AND VWOA REFUSES TO DISCLOSE IT.
NHTSA ODI #10051015
Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2003
Power TrainInjury
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. AS A RESULT, DRIVER SUSTAINED A CERVICAL STRAIN INJURY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10051860
34,000 miles · Nov 24, 2003
Electrical SystemPower Train
EPC WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, TAIL LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION I PARKED MY CAR AS USUAL. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR, IT STARTED, BUT I COULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. I CALLED THE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE NUMBER. THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO HIT THE BRAKE WIT…
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EPC WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, TAIL LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION I PARKED MY CAR AS USUAL. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR, IT STARTED, BUT I COULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. I CALLED THE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE NUMBER. THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO HIT THE BRAKE WITH MY FOOT AS HARD AS POSSIBLE. THIS ALLOWED ME TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THEY ALSO SUGGESTED THAT I TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOR SERVICE. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10047493
41,400 miles · Oct 31, 2003
Exterior LightingPower Train
UPON STARTING VEHICLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT INDICATOR AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE CONSOLE. WHEN THIS OCCURRED DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE GEAR SHIFTER FROM PARK. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10046105
1,000 miles · May 17, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train
I HAD BOTH THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW AND THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FALL INTO THE DOOR FRAME WITHIN A MATTER OF MONTHS. BOTH TIMES THE WINDOWS WERE FIXED, HOWEVER, THEY WERE RELUCTANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM AS IF IT HAD BEEN MY FAULT. I HAVE A SMALL CHILD AND I DON'T THINK HE APPRECIATES ASPHYXIATION FROM SO MUCH WIND IN HIS FACE ON TH…
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I HAD BOTH THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW AND THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FALL INTO THE DOOR FRAME WITHIN A MATTER OF MONTHS. BOTH TIMES THE WINDOWS WERE FIXED, HOWEVER, THEY WERE RELUCTANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM AS IF IT HAD BEEN MY FAULT. I HAVE A SMALL CHILD AND I DON'T THINK HE APPRECIATES ASPHYXIATION FROM SO MUCH WIND IN HIS FACE ON THE LONG DRIVES TO THE DEALER TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS JUST ONE OF THE PROBLEMS ON THIS CAR, THE CLUTCH GETS STUCK (REPAIRED TWICE), THE SUNROOF TRIM BROKE OFF AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE ENGINE MAKES A RATTLING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING (FIXED TWICE), STEREO SYSTEM SWALLOWED MY CD (TWICE BEFORE NEW SYSTEM INSTALLED), AND AIR CONDITIONING RELEASES AN AWFUL MOLDY SMELL WHEN TURNED ON WHICH DEALER REFUSES TO ATTEMPT TO FIX. BOUGHT CAR IN VALENCIA VOLKSWAGEN IN VALENCIA, CA. SOLUTION SIMPLE, TRADED IN MY 1YR OLD CAR FOR A BETTER CAR, ONE THAT WORKS! *JB
NHTSA ODI #10018863
5,600 miles · Feb 28, 2003
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
I PURCHASED THIS CAR FOR MY DAUGHTER. THE MAJOR PROBLEMS ARE COMPLAINTS OF HAVING TROUBLE STOPPING. I WAS CONCERNED SO I DROVE IT AND IMMEDIATELY I HEARD A GRINDING NOISE AND FELT A VIBRATION WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL FIRESTONE TIRE AND THEY FELT THE VIBRATION AND HEARD THE GRINDING NOISE BUT THE BRAKE PA…
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I PURCHASED THIS CAR FOR MY DAUGHTER. THE MAJOR PROBLEMS ARE COMPLAINTS OF HAVING TROUBLE STOPPING. I WAS CONCERNED SO I DROVE IT AND IMMEDIATELY I HEARD A GRINDING NOISE AND FELT A VIBRATION WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL FIRESTONE TIRE AND THEY FELT THE VIBRATION AND HEARD THE GRINDING NOISE BUT THE BRAKE PADS LOOKED GOOD SO THEY ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER, AS IT WAS PROBABLY A WARRANTY ISSUE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHARGED ME $37.00 TO TELL ME THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND IT'S NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. I WAS ADVISED VW IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. (WHY CHARGE ME $37.00 FOR A PROBLEM THAT (THEY KNOW) THEY HAVE?). HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN ON A BRAND NEW CAR THAT DOESN'T EVEN NEED IT'S FIRST SET OF BRAKE PADS? I AM STILL NOT SURE WHAT TO MAKE OF THE BRAKING PROBLEM. THE ROTORS WERE JUST DISCOVERED BECAUSE I WAS COMPLAINING OF A BRAKING PROBLEM. *JB SECONDLY,WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR JERKS BACK AND FORTH AND SOMETIMES JOLTS. I AM CONCERNED AS TO WHAT THIS COULD BE. THE DEALER HAS NO IDEA. *JB I PAID $27,000 FOR THIS CAR TO INSURE MY CHILD'S SAFETY. I AM NOW WONDERING JUST HOW SAFE IT IS.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10008239
21,000 miles · Feb 3, 2003
Power Train
CLUTCH. IT WAS BECOMING INCREASINGLY DIFICULT TO SHIFT INTO 1ST AND REVERSE SO I TOOK MY CAR TO A DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. A FEW DAYS LATER IT WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT INTO 1ST AND I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY THEN TOLD ME THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH 1ST GEAR. AFTER TAKING THE TRA…
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CLUTCH. IT WAS BECOMING INCREASINGLY DIFICULT TO SHIFT INTO 1ST AND REVERSE SO I TOOK MY CAR TO A DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. A FEW DAYS LATER IT WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT INTO 1ST AND I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY THEN TOLD ME THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH 1ST GEAR. AFTER TAKING THE TRANMISSION APART AND FIXING 1ST GEAR THEY TEST DROVE IT THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS AGAIN NOT FIXED AND THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS NOW IN ESSENCE EATING ITSELF UP. I THEN HAD MY ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REPLACED BECAUSE EACH TOOTH IN THE GEARS AND RODS WERE BENT OR DAMAGED IN SOME WAY. IN THE END, THEY SAID MY TRANSMISSION MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE. TO MY KNOWLEDGE THERE HAVE BEEN NO CHANGES IN THE TRANSMISSIONS AND MY REPLACMENT IS THE SAME AS ALL THE OTHER JETTAS.
NHTSA ODI #10005191
15,600 miles · Jan 23, 2003
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEGAN UPSHIFTING AND DOWNSHIFTING BY ITSELF, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REDLINE AND NEARLY STRANDING OUR VEHICLE IN THE LANE WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE TRANSMISSION THEN LOCKED THE WHEELS, RENDERING THE CAR IMMOBILE. THIS OCCURRED ON 01/20…
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TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEGAN UPSHIFTING AND DOWNSHIFTING BY ITSELF, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REDLINE AND NEARLY STRANDING OUR VEHICLE IN THE LANE WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE TRANSMISSION THEN LOCKED THE WHEELS, RENDERING THE CAR IMMOBILE. THIS OCCURRED ON 01/20/03. ONE MONTH PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT I REPORTED TO VW THAT I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING INTO REVERSE FROM PARK-THIS OCCURRED TWICE ON THE SAME DAY. ON 12/19/03 VW INSPECTED MY TRANSMISSION. A WRITTEN REPORT FROM VW SERVICE WAS GIVEN TO ME THEY FOUND NO PROBLEMS. CURRENTLY VW IS REPLACING MY TRANSMISSION, THEYRE NOT ADMITTING THE POSSIBILITY OF ENGINE DAMAGE. THE SERVICE MANAGER CAREL TOLD ME,1/21/03,THAT THEY HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF THE NEW REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION MIGHT FAIL LIKE THE FIRST. MY CONCERN IS THAT I MIGHT NOT BE AS LUCKY NEXT TIME. I COULD BE REAR ENDED OR HIT HEAD-ON IF MY WHEELS LOCK UP AGAIN SPONTANEOUSLY.
NHTSA ODI #10003241
Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2002
Power Train
CONSUMER NOTICED FAILURE IN THE TRIP TONIC MANUAL AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA ODI #8021555
Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2002
Power Train
CONSUMER STATES WHEN PARKED ON AN INCLINE AND THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, AND THE VEHICLE IDLING, THE VEHICLE WILL SLIP OUT OF PARK AND START TO ROLL BACK. CONTACTED DEALER.*JB
NHTSA ODI #8017942
Official recalls
5Feb 20, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
May 24, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND CRUISE CONTROLS, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING SAFETY RECALLS 03V-265 OR 04V-096.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2006. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Dec 16, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HAZARD SWITCH AND FLASHER SYSTEM FUNCTION MAY DEGRADE OVER TIME BECAUSE OF DISTORTION AND MATERIAL TRANSFER OF THE CONTACTS OF CERTAIN HAZARD SWITCH RELAYS WHICH OCCURS DUE TO SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED ELECTRICAL CURRENT LOAD FROM HIGHER WATTAGE TURN SIGNAL BULBS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER FUNCTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Feb 20, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.
Remedy: THIS RECALL HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY 06V-183. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD A REMEDY PERFORMED UNDER THIS RECALL SHOULD RETURN TO THEIR DEALER FOR THE REDESIGNED REMEDY. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Jan 31, 2002
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 8, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
7RQ06004 · Brake Light Switch Failure
Opened Feb 28, 2006 · Closed Aug 7, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
BY LETTERS DATED MAY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 4, 2006, VOLKSWAGEN (VW) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO 06V-183) INVOLVING MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND 1999-2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN?S RECALL COVERS 646,246 VEHICLES.PREVIOUSLY, VW RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096) THAT WAS UNIQUE TO VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.BASED ON VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
BY LETTERS DATED MAY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 4, 2006, VOLKSWAGEN (VW) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO 06V-183) INVOLVING MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND 1999-2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN?S RECALL COVERS 646,246 VEHICLES.PREVIOUSLY, VW RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096) THAT WAS UNIQUE TO VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.BASED ON VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
BY LETTERS DATED MAY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 4, 2006, VOLKSWAGEN (VW) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO 06V-183) INVOLVING MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND 1999-2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN?S RECALL COVERS 646,246 VEHICLES.PREVIOUSLY, VW RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096) THAT WAS UNIQUE TO VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.BASED ON VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
DP05004 · Engine Stalling
Opened Aug 11, 2005 · Closed Dec 8, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:ignition:module
BY LETTER RECEIVED ON JUNE 24, 2005, MR. RONALD M. STRICKLAND OF RALEIGH, NC, SUBMITTED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE IGNITION COIL PLUGS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, GOLF AND PASSAT SEDANS.THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE STALLING EVENTS AS A RESULT OF ONE OR MORE IGNITION COIL PLUGS MALFUNCTIONING ON HIS 2002 VW JETTA SEDAN.AS A RESULT OF THE ENGINE STALLING, THE PETITIONER EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORTS WHEN HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.AFTER A FEW MINUTES PARKED ON THE SHOULDER HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE OPERATED AT REDUCED POWER.VW ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (CSC) ON JANUARY 31, 2003 TO INSTRUCT THEIR DEALERSHIPS TO INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ANY MALFUNCTIONING IGNITION COIL PACKS AND TO REPLACE THEM AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER.CONSUMERS WERE NOTIFIED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERSHIPS VIA OWNER LETTERS MAILED OUT ON JUNE 6, 2003.WHILE VW INITIALLY INSTRUCTED THE DEALERSHIPS TO ONLY REPLACE THE MALFUNCTIONING IGNITION COIL PACKS, A REVISED CSC WAS ISSUED TO DEALERSHIPS IN DECEMBER 2003 AND JANUARY 2004, INSTRUCTING DEALERSHIPS TO REPLACE ALL IGNITION COIL PACKS REGARDLESS OF THEIR PERFORMANCE.A REMINDER TO THE DEALERSHIPS WAS SENT BY VW ON APRIL OF 2004.ALTHOUGH THE CONCERNS OF THE PETITIONER COULD THEORETICALLY CREATE A SAFETY PROBLEM, THE RISK IS VERY SMALL, DUE TO THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING ON EITHER 3, 5, OR 7 CYLINDERS.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR INJURIES DUE TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ONCE DRIVERS ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM (LOSS OF POWER DUE TO ONE OF THE IGNITION COIL PACKS MALFUNCTIONING), DRIVERS ARE ABLE TO TAKE PRECAUTIONARY AND COMPENSATORY MEASURES AND STILL MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THEIR VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, FOUR FIRES WERE REPORTED TO ODI.THESE WERE IGNITION COIL BURNOUTS WITH NO ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND WERE LOCALIZED ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. DURING THE LAST 24 MONTHS THE NUMBER OF STALL AND DRIVABILITY COMPLAINTS REPORTED TO ODI HAS GREATLY DIMINISHED FROM A PEAK OF 195 IN JANUARY OF 2003 TO ONLY 3 IN AUGUST OF 2005.THIS COINCIDES WITH THE CSC RELEASED BY VW.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
PE04081 · Inadvertent SIDE-AIRBAG Deployment
Opened Dec 16, 2004 · Closed Apr 1, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH SIDE-THORAX AND SIDE-HEAD CURTAIN AIRBAGS TO PROTECT THE FRONT AND REAR OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A SIDE-IMPACT CRASH.THIS INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIED A TOTAL OF 499 REPORTS (482 OWNERS REPORTS AND 17 WARRANTY CLAIMS).THE CRASH SENSING SYSTEM?S ALGORITHM MAY RECOGNIZE CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS (WHEEL, TIRE AND UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS) AS DEPLOYABLE EVENTS.THE 97 ALLEGED INJURIES WERE MINOR IN NATURE AND CONSIST OF ABRASIONS, BRUISES, EAR RINGING AND HEADACHES.THERE WAS NO ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL CRASH AS A RESULT OF SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.ODI ALSO OBTAINED COUNTS OF ALLEGED INADVERTENT SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS FROM PEER MANUFACTURERS.THE DATA SHOWS THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE NOT UNIQUE IN BEING SUBJECT TO SUCH ALLEGATIONS.THE COMPLAINT RATE FOR NON-SUBJECT INDIVIDUAL MODEL VEHICLES VARIES WIDELY.THE RATE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS COMPARABLE TO THREE PEER MODELS, EACH WITH COMPACT CHASSIS/WHEELBASES.ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED ANY COMPONENT FAILURE OR MANUFACTURING TREND THAT MAY RELATE TO A COMPONENT OR MANUFACTURING ISSUE.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
PE04073 · Turn Signal/hazard Flasher Failure
Opened Oct 19, 2004 · Closed Dec 16, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights; Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:flasher Unit
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON OCTOBER 19, 2004, BASED ON NINE REPORTS ON 2000 THROUGH 2001 JETTA AND GTI VEHICLES ALLEGING THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND OR HAZARD FLASHERS FAIL TO BLINK, OR FLASH.SOME OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD BLINK ONLY A FEW TIMES AND THEN STOP.SEVERAL OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT HAVING THE HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH REPLACED REPAIRED THEIR VEHICLES.BY LETTER OF DECEMBER 13, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 350,000 MODEL YEAR 2000 THROUGH 2002 JETTA, GOLF AND GTI VEHICLES TO REPAIR THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER SYSTEM.VW REPORTS 216 OWNER REPORTS, 4 FIELD REPORTS AND 4960 WARRANTY CLAIMS ON THIS POPULATION OF VEHICLES. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT TO REMEDY THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V584 FOR DETAILS.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON OCTOBER 19, 2004, BASED ON NINE REPORTS ON 2000 THROUGH 2001 JETTA AND GTI VEHICLES ALLEGING THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND OR HAZARD FLASHERS FAIL TO BLINK, OR FLASH.SOME OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD BLINK ONLY A FEW TIMES AND THEN STOP.SEVERAL OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT HAVING THE HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH REPLACED REPAIRED THEIR VEHICLES.BY LETTER OF DECEMBER 13, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 350,000 MODEL YEAR 2000 THROUGH 2002 JETTA, GOLF AND GTI VEHICLES TO REPAIR THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER SYSTEM.VW REPORTS 216 OWNER REPORTS, 4 FIELD REPORTS AND 4960 WARRANTY CLAIMS ON THIS POPULATION OF VEHICLES. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT TO REMEDY THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V584 FOR DETAILS.
Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON OCTOBER 19, 2004, BASED ON NINE REPORTS ON 2000 THROUGH 2001 JETTA AND GTI VEHICLES ALLEGING THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND OR HAZARD FLASHERS FAIL TO BLINK, OR FLASH.SOME OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD BLINK ONLY A FEW TIMES AND THEN STOP.SEVERAL OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT HAVING THE HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH REPLACED REPAIRED THEIR VEHICLES.BY LETTER OF DECEMBER 13, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 350,000 MODEL YEAR 2000 THROUGH 2002 JETTA, GOLF AND GTI VEHICLES TO REPAIR THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER SYSTEM.VW REPORTS 216 OWNER REPORTS, 4 FIELD REPORTS AND 4960 WARRANTY CLAIMS ON THIS POPULATION OF VEHICLES. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT TO REMEDY THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V584 FOR DETAILS.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:flasher Unit
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON OCTOBER 19, 2004, BASED ON NINE REPORTS ON 2000 THROUGH 2001 JETTA AND GTI VEHICLES ALLEGING THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND OR HAZARD FLASHERS FAIL TO BLINK, OR FLASH.SOME OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD BLINK ONLY A FEW TIMES AND THEN STOP.SEVERAL OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT HAVING THE HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH REPLACED REPAIRED THEIR VEHICLES.BY LETTER OF DECEMBER 13, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 350,000 MODEL YEAR 2000 THROUGH 2002 JETTA, GOLF AND GTI VEHICLES TO REPAIR THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER SYSTEM.VW REPORTS 216 OWNER REPORTS, 4 FIELD REPORTS AND 4960 WARRANTY CLAIMS ON THIS POPULATION OF VEHICLES. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT TO REMEDY THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V584 FOR DETAILS.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON OCTOBER 19, 2004, BASED ON NINE REPORTS ON 2000 THROUGH 2001 JETTA AND GTI VEHICLES ALLEGING THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND OR HAZARD FLASHERS FAIL TO BLINK, OR FLASH.SOME OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD BLINK ONLY A FEW TIMES AND THEN STOP.SEVERAL OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT HAVING THE HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH REPLACED REPAIRED THEIR VEHICLES.BY LETTER OF DECEMBER 13, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 350,000 MODEL YEAR 2000 THROUGH 2002 JETTA, GOLF AND GTI VEHICLES TO REPAIR THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER SYSTEM.VW REPORTS 216 OWNER REPORTS, 4 FIELD REPORTS AND 4960 WARRANTY CLAIMS ON THIS POPULATION OF VEHICLES. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT TO REMEDY THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V584 FOR DETAILS.
EA04010 · Driver Side Front Seat Overheats
Opened Mar 30, 2004 · Closed Oct 21, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
THIS INVESTIGATION CONCERNS THE ELECTRIC SEAT HEATER INSTALLED IN SOME MY 2002-2003 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) JETTA VEHICLES.CONSUMERS ALLEGE THAT THE SEAT HEATER MAY OVERHEAT, RESULTING IN BURN DAMAGE TO THE SEAT COVER AND TO THE DRIVER'S CLOTHING AND/OR SKIN.THIS EA ADDRESSES WHETHER SUCH FAILURES MAY POSE A RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.ODI CONCLUDES THAT THE DRIVER-SIDE SEAT HEATER MAY FAIL OR MALFUNCTION DUE TO NORMAL VEHICLE USE, (I.E., DRIVER INGRESS AND EGRESS FROM THE VEHICLE).THE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT SUCH FAILURES DO NOT POSE A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF INJURY OR FIRE.ODI BELIEVES THAT FURTHER INVESTIGATION WOULD NOT LIKELY IDENTIFY A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND.THEREFORE, THIS EA HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.THE ATTACHED SUMMARY REPORT PROVIDES FURTHER DETAIL CONCERNING THIS EA.
RQ03010 · Brake Light Switch
Opened Dec 17, 2003 · Closed Mar 1, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
THE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND MANUFACTURER FAILURE REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING AND OR INACCURATE INFORMATION.THE INJURY NOTED ABOVE WAS MINOR.ON FEBRUARY 26, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC. (VW) SUBMITTED A DEFECT NOTIFICATION (PER 49CFR573) TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) ADVISING THAT CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 - 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES MANUFACUTURED WITH THE SAME BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AS RECALLED UNDER 03V-265 (MY 1998-2002 NEW BEETLE) ARE AFFECTED BY A SAFETY DEFECT.SPECIFICALLY, IF THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD FAIL TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, OR COULD STAY ILLUMINATED CONTINUALLY EVEN WHEN THE BRAKES ARE NOT APPLIED.EITHER CONDITION RESULTS IN THE INABILITY OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOTIFY OTHER MOTORISTS OF VEHICLE BRAKING, THUS INCREASING THE RISK OF A REAR END COLLISION AND OCCUPANT INJURY.ACCORDINGLY, VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING JETTA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 1998 TO NOVEMBER 2001 TO INSPECT AND REPLACE FREE OF CHARGE ANY AFFECTED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES.THE RECALL PROGRAM, VW CODE WX, WILL COMMENCE IN APRIL 2004.
PE03052 · Driver Seat Overheats/burns
Opened Nov 19, 2003 · Closed Mar 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ELECTRICALLY HEATED DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS.INFORMATION RECEIVED DURING PE03-052 DISCLOSED A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF INCIDENTS OF MALFUNCTIONING/OVERHEATING OF THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ADDITIONAL INCIDENTS MAY OCCUR DURING THE FINAL MONTHS OF THE WINTER SEASON.THIS MATTER IS ALSO CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED BY TRANSPORT CANADA.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-010)IN ORDER TO FULLY INVESTIGATE THESE OCCURRENCES AND THEIR SAFETY IMPLICATIONS.
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