IllustrationMY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING TO WORK ONE MORNING IN OUR 2002 VW JETTA, WITH THE SEAT WARMERS ON. WHEN SUDDENLY HE FELT A BURNING SENSATION ON HIS BOTTOM. TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER ONLY TO FIND OUT THERE WAS A BURN HOLE IN THE SEAT FROM THE SEAT WARMERS. SINCE THEN WE HAVE REFUSED TO TURN IT BACK ON AGAIN. *NM
2002 Volkswagen Jetta
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Jetta years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta are substantially higher than the model-year median of 68.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Jetta years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1150–25K
11125–50K
9550–75K
8075–100K
63100–150K
23150K+
487 reports with mileage · 215 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- 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 reportsI HAVE A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8L TURBO. MY FIRST CLUTCH STARTED SLIPPING AT 17K MILES, FINALLY REPLACED AT 20K. I FOUGHT WITH VW AND THEY ACTUALLY PAID FOR IT BECAUSE I HAD BROUGHT IT IN ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND NO ONE COULD FIND OR ADMIT TO A PROBLEM. NOW AGAIN AT 39K IT HAS STARTED SLIPPING AND IS NOW AT 41K.…
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I HAVE A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8L TURBO. MY FIRST CLUTCH STARTED SLIPPING AT 17K MILES, FINALLY REPLACED AT 20K. I FOUGHT WITH VW AND THEY ACTUALLY PAID FOR IT BECAUSE I HAD BROUGHT IT IN ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND NO ONE COULD FIND OR ADMIT TO A PROBLEM. NOW AGAIN AT 39K IT HAS STARTED SLIPPING AND IS NOW AT 41K. I AM DUE TO CHANGE IT ANY TIME. I AM ONCE AGAIN CALLING VW TRYING TO ARRANGE THEM TO TAKE CARE OF THE COST. I AM HOPING THEY WILL PAY FOR IT AS THE HAVE QUOTED ME $2200 TO FIX. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET & FOUND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AND REPLACING THE CLUTCH ISN'T A PERMANENT FIX AND MOST PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR IT. THEY HAVE BEEN BLAMING THE DRIVERS FOR POOR DRIVING SKILLS. MEANWHILE THEY ARE PUTTING MANY PEOPLE IN DANGER BECAUSE ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR WHEN YOUR CLUTCH DECIDES TO POP/ FAIL. ESPECIALLY ON THE FREEWAY. INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. ANYWAYS, MOST PEOPLE SAY THAT OIL IN THE FLYWHEEL IS LEAKING OUT SATURATING THE CLUTCH DISK CAUSING IT TO SLIP & EVEN BREAK UP. THEREFORE VERY EARLY BREAKDOWN AND SOMETIMES IMMEDIATE/ UNEXPECTED CLUTCH FAILURE. *NM
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS RECALL 04V096000 CONCERNING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON OTHER VEHICLES OF SAME MAKE/MODEL AND YEAR, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT IN RECALL. HE CANNOT GET VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER REPLACED THE PART, AND WANTED THE CONTACT TO PAY FOR IT. MANUFACTURER SAID THIS VEHICLE WA…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS RECALL 04V096000 CONCERNING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON OTHER VEHICLES OF SAME MAKE/MODEL AND YEAR, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT IN RECALL. HE CANNOT GET VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER REPLACED THE PART, AND WANTED THE CONTACT TO PAY FOR IT. MANUFACTURER SAID THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND OFFERED NO HELP TO CONTACT TO PAY THE EXPENSES. *AK
WE HAVE A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI GLS. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW WE HAVE HAD AN INTERMITTENT SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. WE LIVE NEAR FORT COLLINS, CO; WHEN WE TRAVEL TO OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY WITH LOWER ELEVATION, OUR BRAKES BEGIN TO MALFUNCTION. INITIALLY, THEY BEGIN TO DRAG; YOU USUALLY HAVE TO TURN OFF …
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WE HAVE A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI GLS. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW WE HAVE HAD AN INTERMITTENT SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. WE LIVE NEAR FORT COLLINS, CO; WHEN WE TRAVEL TO OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY WITH LOWER ELEVATION, OUR BRAKES BEGIN TO MALFUNCTION. INITIALLY, THEY BEGIN TO DRAG; YOU USUALLY HAVE TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION TO GET THEM TO RELEASE. SOMETIMES YOU CAN PUMP THEM HARD AND GET THEM TO RELEASE. DURING THIS PHASE THE BRAKES WEAR QUICKLY AND BECOME VERY HOT. WITHIN A DAY THE PROBLEM PROGRESSES TO A MUCH WORSE CONDITION. AS YOU PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL FEELS AS THOUGH IT IS PULLING AWAY FROM YOUR FOOT. AS YOU PRESS A LITTLE MORE, THE PEDAL SUDDENLY PULLS VIOLENTLY FROM YOUR FOOT AND THE VEHICLE BRAKES SLAM ON. AT THIS TIME THE ABS DOES NOT WORK AS FAR AS I CAN TELL. WHEN THE BRAKES PULL FROM YOUR FOOT THERE IS A NOISE LIKE AIR BEING SUCKED INTO SOMETHING. WHEN THE BRAKES SLAM ON IN THIS FASHION, ONE OF SEVERAL THINGS HAPPEN. THE BRAKES MAY STAY LOCKED ON, LEAVING YOU TO TRY TO GET THEM TO RELEASE, OFTEN IN AN INTERSECTION OR TRAFFIC. THEY MAY RELEASE ENTIRELY, AND BE OKAY UNTIL THE NEXT BRAKING INCIDENT. MANY TIMES THEY DRAG SOMEWHERE BETWEEN LIGHT ENOUGH THAT YOU MIGHT JUST THINK THE CAR IS RUNNING POORLY TO SO HEAVILY THAT YOU CAN BARELY MOVE THE CAR WITHOUT KILLING THE ENGINE. WE WERE MOST RECENTLY IN THE PORTLAND, OREGON AREA WHEN THIS HAPPENED. IT BEGAN TO HAPPEN THE FIRST NIGHT WE WERE IN TOWN, WITH THE DRAGGING. THE NEXT MORNING WE DROVE TO THE COAST, AND THE MORE SERIOUS MALFUNCTION BEGAN. WE TRIED TO DRIVE AROUND A SMALL COASTAL TOWN, ONLY TO HAVE TO PARK AND WALK EVERYWHERE WE NEEDED TO GO. ON THE WAY BACK WE WERE UNFORTUNATE TO FIND OURSELVES IN BUMPER TO BUMPER, STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. WITH NEARLY EVERY SINGLE USE OF THE BRAKES, THEY WOULD SLAM TO THE FLOOR. WE HAVE TO TRY TO STAY FAR ENOUGH AWAY FROM OTHER VEHICLES TO AVOID BEING HIT FROM BEHIND OR SKIDDING INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US. *NM
WITHIN TWO BLOCKS OF LEAVING MY HOME AND TURNING ON MY CAR SEAT WARMER TO A LEVEL 2 (OF 5) MY CAR SEAT WAS ON FIRE AND BURNED MY REAR. I HAD TO JUMP OUT OF MY CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. THIS HAPPENED OVER A WEEKEND AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY COMMUNICATION BACK FROM VW. *NM
AFTER MAKING A RIGHT TURN GETTING UP TO A SPEED BETWEEN 25-30 MPH MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON EVEN WITH THE ROADS IN GOOD CONDITION. 30-40 SECONDS MORE AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN MERGING ON TO ON A BUSY INTERSTATE IN WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN PERSONAL INJURY TO MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS, ALONG WITH CAR DA…
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AFTER MAKING A RIGHT TURN GETTING UP TO A SPEED BETWEEN 25-30 MPH MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON EVEN WITH THE ROADS IN GOOD CONDITION. 30-40 SECONDS MORE AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN MERGING ON TO ON A BUSY INTERSTATE IN WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN PERSONAL INJURY TO MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS, ALONG WITH CAR DAMAGES. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED BEFORE TIME. VW REP REFUSES TO SOLVE THE ISSUE BY REPLACING THE SEAT AND ALL SIDE AND SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS (AS I SUSPECTED DUE TO READING OTHER COMPLAINTS ON HERE AND OTHER INTERNET SOURCES). THEY FOUND THE SENSORS HAD REASON TO GO OFF WHAT REASON THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO ESTABLISH THE CAUSE MAKING THIS A MECHANICAL ISSUE AND NOT A DRIVER ISSUE. I AM IN A LOANER VW JETTA AND STILL FRET THE SIDE AIRBAGS WILL GO OFF. AFTER BEING A LOYAL BUYER OF VW SINCE 1987, THEY CAN COUNT ONE LESS IN THE FAMILY. I HAVE ALREADY CONTACTED A LAWYER AND WILL BE CONTACTING MY LOCAL NEWS STATION TO TRY AND "OUT THIS PROBLEM" AND MAKE SURE THAT THIS INFORMATION BE KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC OF VW'S LACK TO INVESTIGATE THESE ISSUES AND LACK OF COMPASSION AND CUSTOMER SERVICE IN SEVERE ISSUES LIKE THIS. *JB
CONSUMER VEHICLE STALLED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS CAUSING CONSUMER TO REPLACE COIL. *TS THE VEHICLE HAD ERRATIC ACCELERATION LIGHT PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND IN AN EVEN PATTERN, INSTEAD IT WOULD SUDDENLY SPEED UP DANGEROUSLY. *JB
I OWN A 2002 VW JETTA TDI. THREE TIMES NOW I HAVE HAD A SERIOUS INCIDENT WITH MY BRAKES. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, UNDER 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS PULLED ITSELF TO THE FLOOR AND SHARPLY APPLIED THE BRAKES WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MY FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR WHILE THIS OCCURRED. THERE IS ALSO A LOUD PRESSURE RELEASE SOUND…
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I OWN A 2002 VW JETTA TDI. THREE TIMES NOW I HAVE HAD A SERIOUS INCIDENT WITH MY BRAKES. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, UNDER 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS PULLED ITSELF TO THE FLOOR AND SHARPLY APPLIED THE BRAKES WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MY FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR WHILE THIS OCCURRED. THERE IS ALSO A LOUD PRESSURE RELEASE SOUND COMING FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AFTER IT APPLIED ITSELF. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT IT YET. *JB
I HAVE TAKEN MY 2002 VW JETTA TURBO TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR THAT I HAVE OWNED IT, INCLUDING TWO DAYS AFTER I PURCHASED IT FOR A "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT. IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS, MY CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT MORE THAN I HAVE DRIVEN IT. I JUST PICKED UP MY CAR LAST WEDNESDAY, AND THE LIGHT CAME ON…
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I HAVE TAKEN MY 2002 VW JETTA TURBO TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR THAT I HAVE OWNED IT, INCLUDING TWO DAYS AFTER I PURCHASED IT FOR A "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT. IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS, MY CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT MORE THAN I HAVE DRIVEN IT. I JUST PICKED UP MY CAR LAST WEDNESDAY, AND THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN TODAY. *NM
A CAR PULLED OVER IN FRONT OF ME TRYING TO TURN LEFT. I HAD THE RIGHT OF ME WITH NO STOP OF TRAFFIC LIGHT AT THIS INTERSECTION. I HIT THE LEFT SIDE OF THAT CAR WITH THE FRONT/FRONT LEFT CORNER OF MY CAR AT 45 MPH AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I WOULD EXPECT THAT AT SUCH A SPEED AT LEAST ONE AIRBAG WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. PLE…
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A CAR PULLED OVER IN FRONT OF ME TRYING TO TURN LEFT. I HAD THE RIGHT OF ME WITH NO STOP OF TRAFFIC LIGHT AT THIS INTERSECTION. I HIT THE LEFT SIDE OF THAT CAR WITH THE FRONT/FRONT LEFT CORNER OF MY CAR AT 45 MPH AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I WOULD EXPECT THAT AT SUCH A SPEED AT LEAST ONE AIRBAG WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. PLEASE ADVISE. *NM
Official recalls
507V063000 · 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
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.