Electrical System. Review the 148 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 108 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 104 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

31 crash reports71 fire reports69 injury reports

What owners actually said

702 reports

40,000 miles · Nov 1, 2007

SeatsFireInjury

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WARMER CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVER AND DRIVERS COAT WAS BURNED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10207608

29,000 miles · Oct 29, 2007

Engine And Engine Cooling

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VEHICLE IS A 2002 TDI JETTA GLS 4 DOOR SEDAN MANUAL TRANSMISSION. AT ABOUT 29,000 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH AND OBD 2 CODE OF (P0128 COOLANT THERMOSTAT-COOLANT TEMPERATURE BELOW THERMOSTAT REGULATING TEMPERATURE). TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER WHICH REPLACED THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR AND COOLANT FLUID. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM WHICH RECURRED. I THEN DID RESEARCH AND FOUND VW TECH BULLETIN 4-04 WHICH ADDRESSES THIS PROBLEM AND IS INTENDED TO GUIDE TECHNICIAN TROUBLESHOOTING. I FEEL THIS IS EITHER A PARTS DESIGN DEFECT, ENGINEERING FLAW, OR VEHICLE WIRING ASSEMBLY DEFECT. IT IS NOT A NORMAL MAINTENANCE OR WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE. DEALER IS ATTEMPTING SECOND ROUND OF TROUBLESHOOTING FOR THIS PROBLEM. REQUEST NHTSA ASSESS OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND PURSUE A RECALL FOR THIS VW KNOWN PROBLEM/DEFECT AS VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY BUT THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN TO OCCUR FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10207296

75,000 miles · Oct 22, 2007

Power Train

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I HAVE A 2002 VW JETTA GL 2.0. IT ONLY HAS 83,000 MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION IS ACTING UP ON IT ALREADY. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE ONLY SUGGESTION THEY COULD GIVE ME IS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION($3K - $6K) I HAVE READ THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE 2002 MODEL YEARS PERTAINING TO THE TRANSMISSION. MINE WON'T SHIFT FROM PARK INTO REVERSE, I HAVE TO GO FROM PARK TO DRIVE, LET IT SHIFT, THEN FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE, AND THAT SOMETIMES TAKES THREE OR FOUR TRIES. WHILE DRIVING IF I AM AT A STOP LIGHT, WHEN I BEGIN TO ACCELERATE, THERE IS A PAUSE BETWEEN WHEN I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND THE GIANT LUNGE FORWARD THE CAR MAKES AS IT SHIFTS INTO GEAR. IT ALSO SHIFTS VERY HARD BETWEEN ALL GEARS WHILE DRIVING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10206503

120,000 miles · Oct 14, 2007

Air Bags

I WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 10 MPH THROUGH A PARKING LOT, PULLING INTO A SPOT WHEN MY SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I SAW THAT THERE IS AN EXISTING COMPLAINT (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE04081) OUTLINING THIS EXACT PROBLEM. WHEN I GOT OUT OF MY CAR TO INSPECT I FOUND THAT I HAD HIT NOTHING. THERE WAS NO IMPACT, NOT EVEN A SCRATCH. THE REP…

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NHTSA ODI #10205628

58,137 miles · Oct 14, 2007

Power Train

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I PURCHASED MY DAUGHTER A BRAND NEW 2002 VW JETTA, AND MOST RECENTLY SHE HAS HAD SOME MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH HER VEHICLE. THIS WAS HER1ST VEHICLE AND I TAUGHT HER THE IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR MAINT OF HER VEHICLE. BUT AS I STATED ABOVE IT APPEARS THAT HER EFFORTS HAVE BEEN FOR NOT. IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE VW DEALERSHIP 3 XS, AND IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER, ALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, THE VEHCILE HARD JERKING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHCILE TURNING OFF AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT AND WHEN SHE IS TOPPED IN A TURNING LANE - WHICH IS OF COURSE THE MOST DANGEROUS CONCERN OF MINE ESPECIALLY IF IT DIES OUT WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE 1ST TWO VISITS THE DEALER STATED THEY FOUND NO PROBLEM. THIS VISIT (THE 3RD) TO DEALER MY DAUGHTER DROVE THE SERVICE MGR IN THE VEHICLE & HE WITNESSED THE PROBLEM. WE RECIEVED A CALL SAYING THEY NEEDED TO LOOK AT A DIAGNOSTIC OF THE TRANSMISSION WHICH OF COURSE WOULD BE AT A COST OF $330 REGARDLESS OF WHAT WAS FOUND! ( A VW RIP OFF ) & AS I SUSPECTED THE DIAGONISTIC CAME BACK REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $3800 (WARRANTY EXP OCT 06), SHE HAS 60K+ MILES . I AM IN SHOCK I HAVE OWNED OVER10 BRAND NEW AUTOS IN MY LIFETIME, & HAVE NEVER HAD A TRANSMISSION REPLACED ALL EXCEEDING 85K MILES. I BEGAN EDUCATING MYSELF WHICH LED ME TO YOUR WEB SITE TO REVIEW EITHER RECALLS OR OTHER COMPAINTS & TO MY SURPRISE I FOUND A LARGE NUMBER OF THE SAME COMPLAINT . BUT IT APPEARS THAT IF THERE HAS BEEN NO INJURIES YET OR DEATHS THE NUMBER DOES NOT MAKE A DIFF. I AM REGISTERING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE MY NEXT ACTION WILL BE TO AN ATTORNEY, THE IDEA THAT I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MY CHILD IS INJURED OR POSSIBLY KILLED BEFORE THE NHTSA WILL CONSIDER THIS AS A PROBLEM IS AMAZING TO ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10205625

120,039 miles · Oct 6, 2007

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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BRAKE BOOSTER IS FAILING AFTER USE IN TRAFFIC. THE BRAKE PEDAL SLOWLY SINKS AND WHEN LIGHTLY TAPPED, IT SLAMS TO THE FLOOR. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, A LOUD SUCTION CAN BE HEARD INSIDE THE CAR, AND THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED FULLY. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS AFTER BRAKES ARE USED SOME TIME, SAY IN A TRAFFIC JAM. THERE IS A SITE, TDICLUB.COM, WHICH HAS FORUMS WHERE MANY PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON THEIR 2002 MODEL YEAR VW JETTA. THE DANGER IS THAT THE BRAKES COME ON FULLY, WHICH STARTLES NOT ONLY THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER(S), BUT THE VEHICLES THAT ARE FOLLOWING. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM (BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE) BUT CAN BE REPLICATED IF THE BRAKES ARE USED HEAVILY. WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTS TO HAPPEN, IT WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE BRAKES ARE NOT USED FOR QUITE SOME TIME. ONCE THIS STARTED HAPPENING TODAY, VIRTUALLY EVERY OTHER APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES CAUSED THE SYMPTOMS ABOVE. THIS OCCURRED ABOUT SEVEN TIMES THIS DAY. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY FOR A FEW YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10205146

98,250 miles · Sep 27, 2007

Seats

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WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, I HEARD A VERY LARGE "CRACK" SOUND AND FELT MY SEAT SHUDDER. THE SOUND AND IMPACT MADE ME THINK THAT SOMETHING HAD STRUCK THE CAR UNDER MY SEAT. HOWEVER, WHEN I RETURNED HOME, I DISCOVERED THAT A SPRING ATTACHED TO MY SEAT HAD DISLODGE. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE PLACES WHERE THE SPRING CONNECTED HAD BROKEN OFF - APPARENTLY METAL FATIGUE. THIS STRUCK ME ODD BECAUSE WHILE CLEANING MY CAR EARLIER IN THE SUMMER, I HAD NOTICED THAT A SPRING WAS LOOSE UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT AND ALSO FOUND THE NUB OF WHERE IT ATTACHED. I HAVE KEPT BOTH PIECES AND THE SPRINGS. I THINK THERE IS A STRUCTURAL DEFECT WITH THE PART. I AM NOT A VERY HEAVY PERSON - 180 LBS - SO I DOUBT I PUT THAT MUCH STRESS ON THE SEAT. I THINK THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND THAT IS WHY I AM REPORTING IT. WHEN THE SYSTEM FAILED I SWERVED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AS THE SOUND WAS INCREDIBLY UNNERVING. I ALSO NOW WONDER ABOUT THE SEATS STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY IF IT WERE INVOLVED IN A COLLISION.

NHTSA ODI #10204301

118,500 miles · Sep 17, 2007

Engine And Engine Cooling

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. HE HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MILEAGE EXCEEDED THE WARRANTY. THE MIL LIGHT HAS BEEN ILLUMINATED SINCE MAY OF 2007 DUE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED TWICE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BOTH TIMES THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 118,500. UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA ODI #10203184

20,000 miles · Aug 16, 2007

Structure

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THERE IS A LEAK IN THE FRAME OF MY VEHICLE, YET EVERY TIME I BRING IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP IN HONOLULU, THEY FAIL TO LOCATE THIS LEAK. WHEN IT RAINS, THE FRONT RIGHT FLOOR OF MY JETTA FILLS WITH WATER THAT SEEPS DOWN INTO THE FRAME FROM THE ROOF. IF I PARK THE VEHICLE FACING UPHILL, THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN, NOR IF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A LEVEL SURFACE, ONLY WHEN FACING A DOWNHILL SLOPE. I DON'T KNOW WHY THIS ISSUE CANNOT BE RESOLVED BY VW, BUT THE PAST 10 TIMES I'VE HAD MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE, IT HAS NEVER BEEN RESOLVED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10199767

79,000 miles · Aug 3, 2007

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE POWER BOOSTER SUDDENLY FAILS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND VEHICLE BRAKES REALLY HARD AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FLOORS ON ITS OWN. THIS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10198426

Official recalls

07V063000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Feb 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.

06V183000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

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.

04V584000 · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch

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.

04V096000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

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.

02V031000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

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

RQ06004 · 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

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

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

Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:flasher Unit

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

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.