NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
103 reportsClear category filter17,000 miles · Oct 28, 2004
Power Train
EVERYDAY FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS. WHEN THE CAR GOES TO SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND, THE CAR JERKS. THIS HAPPENS AGAIN GOING FROM 3RD TO 4TH. BETWEEN GEARS IT TAKES A LONG TIME FOR THE NEXT GEAR TO CATCH AND WHEN IT FINALLY DOES, IT JERKS THE WHOLE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THIS NO…
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EVERYDAY FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS. WHEN THE CAR GOES TO SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND, THE CAR JERKS. THIS HAPPENS AGAIN GOING FROM 3RD TO 4TH. BETWEEN GEARS IT TAKES A LONG TIME FOR THE NEXT GEAR TO CATCH AND WHEN IT FINALLY DOES, IT JERKS THE WHOLE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THIS NORMAL AND THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. I HAVE DONE MANY SEARCHES AND HAVE FOUND THAT LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.**AK
NHTSA ODI #10097949
71,000 miles · Oct 23, 2004
Power Train
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON MY VW JETTA TDI (2002) FAILED AT ~71,000 MILES WITH NO WARNING. I DRIVE IN NON-CITY, OPEN HIGHWAY CONDITIONS WITH NO STRESS TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION IS SEALED, SO THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A WAY TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. DEALER SAYS SINCE THE UNIT IS SEALED, NO REPAIRS CAN BE MADE...ONLY …
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON MY VW JETTA TDI (2002) FAILED AT ~71,000 MILES WITH NO WARNING. I DRIVE IN NON-CITY, OPEN HIGHWAY CONDITIONS WITH NO STRESS TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION IS SEALED, SO THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A WAY TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. DEALER SAYS SINCE THE UNIT IS SEALED, NO REPAIRS CAN BE MADE...ONLY REPLACE THE WHOLE UNIT FOR ~ $4,300. I'M 40 YEARS OLD AND HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A TRASMISSION FAILING SO SOON AND WHEN THEN VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN IN CONDITIONS STRESSFUL TO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS WAS MY FIRST TRY AT A VW PRODUCT AND MY LAST. THE MANUFACTURER HAS PATHETIC CUSTOMER SERVICE AS I CALLED TO SEE IF THIS WAS NORMAL FOR VW TRANSMISSIONS AND TO SEE IF THEY WOULD PAY FOR A PART OF THE COST AND WAS TOLD "NOTHING VW CAN DO, THE WARRANTY ENDED AT 60,000 MILES." THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME I BUY FROM A COMPANY THAT MAKES ME PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR A FAILED TRANSMISSION THAT CLEARLY WAS FAULTY. I DON'T KNOW IF THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION IS STILL AT THE DEALER AS I HAVE NOT YET PICKED UP THE VEHICLE. THE CAR IS STILL SITTING THERE UNTIL I FEEL LESS ANGRY OVER THE FACT OF THE COST AND VW'S POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE ATTITUDE. I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT VW WOULD HAVE RATHER PAID FOR THEIR DEFECTICVE TRANSMISSION (E FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS IS NOTHING TO A LARGE CORPORATION) RATHER THAN ALL THE NEGATIVE PUBLICITY FROM ME AND MY FAMILY TO EVERYONE WE EVER TALK TO ABOUT VW AS A COMPANY AND THEIR PRODUCT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10096264
49,469 miles · Oct 12, 2004
Power Train
MY CAR STARTED TO CLUNK AND JERK WHEN I WAS TURNING CORNERS. IT STARTED JUST CLUNKING ONCE AND GOT WORSE AND WORSE WITHIN THE SAME DAY. IT WOULD JERK GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP WHEN IT JUST QUIT. I COULDN'T ACCELERATE OR PUT IT INTO GEAR. I GOT IT OFF THE ROAD AND HAD TO PUSH IT INTO A PARKING LOT …
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MY CAR STARTED TO CLUNK AND JERK WHEN I WAS TURNING CORNERS. IT STARTED JUST CLUNKING ONCE AND GOT WORSE AND WORSE WITHIN THE SAME DAY. IT WOULD JERK GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP WHEN IT JUST QUIT. I COULDN'T ACCELERATE OR PUT IT INTO GEAR. I GOT IT OFF THE ROAD AND HAD TO PUSH IT INTO A PARKING LOT UNTIL I COULD HAVE IT TOWED. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO LATER SAID MY CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. THEY QUOTED ME $1640.00. THAT'S RIDICULOUS FOR THAT TO GO OUT SO EARLY. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULDN'T BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I HAVE DRIVEN MANUALS FOR YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. THEY SAID I WAS EITHER "RIDING THE CLUTCH" OR "DRIVING HARD". I STARTED LOOKING AROUND AND ALL THE MECHANICS I TALKED TO WERE VERY SURPRISED IT WAS OUT ALREADY AND THAT IS WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I LOOKED UP THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND A TON OF OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND TOLD THE SAME THING. OUR CLUTCHES SHOULD NOT BE GOING OUT THIS EARLY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10095606
97 miles · Sep 21, 2004
Power TrainSeats
VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN ASR LIGHT AND WHEN DRIVING ON A SMOOTH ROAD THE ASR LIGHT WILL COME ON ,AND THE VEHICLE WILL DOWN SHIFT. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THEY WERE COMPLETELY BAFFLED, CLEARED OUT THE CODES, AND REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT MODUL…
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VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN ASR LIGHT AND WHEN DRIVING ON A SMOOTH ROAD THE ASR LIGHT WILL COME ON ,AND THE VEHICLE WILL DOWN SHIFT. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THEY WERE COMPLETELY BAFFLED, CLEARED OUT THE CODES, AND REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT MODULES, BUT WERE UNABLE TO SOLVE THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. ALSO, HEATED SEATS OVERHEATED. CONSUMER WA S FURIOUS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10092935
Mileage unknown · May 26, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
1) TRANSMISSION SLIPS, AND CAUSES A THUD. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. 2) LED DISPLAY DISAPPEARS. HAVE INFORMED DEALERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM TWICE AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. 3) BRAKES ARE MUSHY. HAVE INFORMED DEALERSHIP ONCE AND NOTHING HAS …
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1) TRANSMISSION SLIPS, AND CAUSES A THUD. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. 2) LED DISPLAY DISAPPEARS. HAVE INFORMED DEALERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM TWICE AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. 3) BRAKES ARE MUSHY. HAVE INFORMED DEALERSHIP ONCE AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. 4) VEHICLE IS SLUGGISH WHEN ACCELERATING. HAVE INFORMED DEALERSHIP ONCE. 5) ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON, AND THERE IS PECULIAR SMELL. HAVE INFORMED DEALERSHIP ONCE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10073219
89,918 miles · Feb 19, 2004
Power TrainStructure
WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO FOUND THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE BROKEN AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FALL TO THE GROUND. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE, ENGINE BLOCK, TIMING BELT AND THE LOWER SHIELD. ALSO AT 59,000 THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED BEC…
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WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO FOUND THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE BROKEN AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FALL TO THE GROUND. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE, ENGINE BLOCK, TIMING BELT AND THE LOWER SHIELD. ALSO AT 59,000 THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE CONSUMER COULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10059310
85 miles · Feb 16, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingInterior LightingPower Train
I BOUGHT THE CAR 3 DAYS LATER THE PROBLEM(S) STARTED. AND THEY HAVE BEEN GOING EVER SINCE. SHIFTING HARD, DISPLAY LIGHTS, WOULD NOT START, WONDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN, OR IFF THEY DID, THEY MADE A LOUD THUD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10058283
14,817 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train
THIS CAR HAS HAD TOO MANY SERIOUS PROBLEMS TO BE LIMITED TO THIS SMALL SPACE. IT IS CLEARLY A LEMON. THESE PROBLEMS SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIR THE USE AND VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR RECEIVED A NEW TRANSMISSION YESTERDAY AFTER WE HAD REPORTED 3 PREVIOUS TIMES THAT THERE IT REMAINED IN REVERSE AFTER SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. EACH TIME WE…
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THIS CAR HAS HAD TOO MANY SERIOUS PROBLEMS TO BE LIMITED TO THIS SMALL SPACE. IT IS CLEARLY A LEMON. THESE PROBLEMS SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIR THE USE AND VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR RECEIVED A NEW TRANSMISSION YESTERDAY AFTER WE HAD REPORTED 3 PREVIOUS TIMES THAT THERE IT REMAINED IN REVERSE AFTER SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. EACH TIME WE WERE TOLD IT WAS UNREPRODUCEABLE AND THE COMPLAINT WAS NEVER NOTED ON THE WORK ORDERS. FINALLY, THE DEALERSHIP DID RELENT AND REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. WE ENCOUNTERED THE SAME TYPE OF TREATMENT WITH THE ENGINE BURNING OIL, AND IT WASN'T UNTIL THE ENGINE RAN COMPLETELY OUT OF OIL, THAT THE DEALER WOULD ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME WE HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT THE OIL WAS 2 MONTHS AFTER WE HAD BOUGHT THE CAR!!!
NHTSA ODI #10070890
27,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Power Train
THE CLUTCH COMPLETELY BLEW OUT ON MY 2002 JETTA VR6 AT 27,000 MILES ON 8/25/2003. IT IS COSTING $966 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH (I WILL KNOW THE EXACT PARTS ONCE I GET IT BACK FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT). I WAS TOLD BY THE VW DEALERSHIP AND VW OF AMERICA THAT THIS IS "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR" AND NOT COVERED BY THE WAR…
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THE CLUTCH COMPLETELY BLEW OUT ON MY 2002 JETTA VR6 AT 27,000 MILES ON 8/25/2003. IT IS COSTING $966 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH (I WILL KNOW THE EXACT PARTS ONCE I GET IT BACK FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT). I WAS TOLD BY THE VW DEALERSHIP AND VW OF AMERICA THAT THIS IS "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR" AND NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. I DO NOT RIDE THE CLUTCH AND DRIVE ALL HIGHWAY MILES. THE CLUTCH WAS NOT RUINED BY "POOR DRIVING" OR "CITY DRIVING" DESPITE WHAT VW OF AMERICA AND THE DEALERSHIP IS CLAIMING. THE CLUTCH MUST BE DEFECTIVE. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH VW JETTA STANDARD TRANSMISSION CARS MADE DURING/AFTER 1999 (THE YEAR VW REMODELED THEIR CARS). THESE PEOPLE HAVE ALSO HAD THEIR CLUTCH GO OUT WITH 10,000-35,000 MILES ON THEIR CARS, WERE EXPERIENCED DRIVERS, AND WERE FORCED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. ALSO, WHEN I DID GET MY CAR BACK I ASKED FOR THE PARTS THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED (SO I COULD HAVE AN INDEPENDANT MECHANIC LOOK AT THEM) AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD ALREADY BEEN SENT BACK TO THE FACTORY. THIS LEAVES ME WITH NO WAY TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE PARTS. SINCE THEN I HAVE WRITTEN VW DEMANDING IT FIND & RETURN THE PARTS OR REFUND THE REPAIR COSTS.
NHTSA ODI #10070733
42,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
3 ENGINE COILS HAVE FAILED AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED. NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE AND THEY ARE REPLACING THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION THE LEFT FRONT DOOR LATCH HAS FAILED TOO.
NHTSA ODI #10069087
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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