CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE VEHICLE. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THERE WAS A SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. *MR THIS RESULTED IN A COMPLETE LOST OF POWER AND A REPLACEMENT OF THE INJECTOR SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS MUDDY DIESEL FUEL BUT COULDN'T PRODUCE THE FUEL FILTER TO B…
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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE VEHICLE. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THERE WAS A SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. *MR THIS RESULTED IN A COMPLETE LOST OF POWER AND A REPLACEMENT OF THE INJECTOR SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS MUDDY DIESEL FUEL BUT COULDN'T PRODUCE THE FUEL FILTER TO BACK UP THE CLAIM. THERE WAS ANOTHER INCIDENT WHERE THERE WAS A PUFF OF SMOKE AND A LOST OF POWER DOWN TO 25 MPH ON THE ROAD. THE ENGINE HAD A #3 VALVE GO THROUGH THE PISTON AND RUN UP AND DOWN THE CRANKSHAFT. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH ANOTHER INJECTOR SYSTEM AND FUEL PUMP WAS ADDED. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, A HIGH PRESSURE OIL LINE BROKE FROM THE WELD AND SPEWED OIL EVERYWHERE. THE AXLE ASSEMBLY AND THE TRANSMISSION SLAVE CYLINDER WERE REPLACED AS WELL. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10079856
Mileage unknown · May 11, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment
PROBLEMS WITH AIR CONDITIONER ON 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. *MR THE AIR INTAKE DUCT LEAKED WHICH CAUSED WHITE SMOKE TO EMIT FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN PARKED AFTER A 75 MILE TRIP. THE PART HAD TO BE ORDERED. THE A/C CONDENSER LEAKED WHICH CAUSED THE A/C NOT TO COOL THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. THE DEALER SURMISED THAT THE DAMAGE TO THE CON…
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PROBLEMS WITH AIR CONDITIONER ON 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. *MR THE AIR INTAKE DUCT LEAKED WHICH CAUSED WHITE SMOKE TO EMIT FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN PARKED AFTER A 75 MILE TRIP. THE PART HAD TO BE ORDERED. THE A/C CONDENSER LEAKED WHICH CAUSED THE A/C NOT TO COOL THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. THE DEALER SURMISED THAT THE DAMAGE TO THE CONDENSER WAS FROM AN OUTSIDE SOURCE THEREFORE REFUSED TO REPLACE IT UNDER WARRANTY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10073783
26,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingCrash
THE OIL PUMP QUIT, CAUSING THE OIL PRESSURE LAMP TO COME ON. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT SINCE I CANNOT PRODUCE ALL OF THE RECEIPTS FOR OIL CHANGES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THEY WILL NOT COVER THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO OIL SLUDGE. I WAS NOT INFORMED THAT I HAD TO KEEP RECEIPT…
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THE OIL PUMP QUIT, CAUSING THE OIL PRESSURE LAMP TO COME ON. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT SINCE I CANNOT PRODUCE ALL OF THE RECEIPTS FOR OIL CHANGES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THEY WILL NOT COVER THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO OIL SLUDGE. I WAS NOT INFORMED THAT I HAD TO KEEP RECEIPTS FOR OIL CHANGES DURRING THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10070895
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
MY 2003 JETTA TDI WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY APARTMENT BUILDING FOR APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES. WHEN I WENT BACK OUT TO THE CAR TO GET IN IT, I FOUND IT WITH SMOKE BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AS I STARTED TO PULL THE HOOD RELEASE TO INVESTIGATE, I NOTICED FLAMES. I DID NOT OPEN THE HOOD AND INSTEAD QUICKLY CALLED THE FIR…
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MY 2003 JETTA TDI WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY APARTMENT BUILDING FOR APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES. WHEN I WENT BACK OUT TO THE CAR TO GET IN IT, I FOUND IT WITH SMOKE BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AS I STARTED TO PULL THE HOOD RELEASE TO INVESTIGATE, I NOTICED FLAMES. I DID NOT OPEN THE HOOD AND INSTEAD QUICKLY CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY RESPONDED ASAP. BY THE TIME THEY STARTED PUTTING OUT THE FIRE, FLAMES WERE ENGULFING THE WHOLE WINDSHIELD FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER THE FLAME WAS EXTINGUISHED IN REIGNITED AND HAD TO BE PUT OUT AGAIN. THE CAR IS INOPERABLE. I ONLY OWNED THIS CAR FOR THREE MONTHS AND IT WAS NOT EVEN DUE FOR ITS FIRST OIL CHANGE. NOW VOLKSWAGEN (VW) IS STALLING AND HAS NOT EVEN BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO PERFORM ITS INVESTIGATION. I AM VERY UPSET THAT AFTER TWO WEEKS NO ONE HAS GIVEN ME A PROGRESS UPDATE. I AM SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING SEEKING LEGAL ADVICE. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10049380
10,198 miles · May 15, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
10,000 MILES, MIL (MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP) CAME ON SOLID. AFTER I WAS TOLD THAT IF THE LIGHT WAS SOLID, THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. TOOK CAR HOME AND DROVE TO DEALERSHIP NEXT DAY. AFTER PRINCETON VOLKSWAGEN LOOKED AT THE CAR, TURNED OUT TO BE THAT MY 2003 JETTA GLS 1.8T THAT WAS LESS THAN 3 MONTHS OLD HAD A FUEL LEAK! I W…
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10,000 MILES, MIL (MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP) CAME ON SOLID. AFTER I WAS TOLD THAT IF THE LIGHT WAS SOLID, THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. TOOK CAR HOME AND DROVE TO DEALERSHIP NEXT DAY. AFTER PRINCETON VOLKSWAGEN LOOKED AT THE CAR, TURNED OUT TO BE THAT MY 2003 JETTA GLS 1.8T THAT WAS LESS THAN 3 MONTHS OLD HAD A FUEL LEAK! I WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL SENDER CLAMP WAS LOOSE AND HOSE WAS SMOKING. *JB
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2003 Volkswagen Passat sedan, Jetta, Jetta wagon, Golf, EuroVan, EuroVan Camper Van and EuroVan Chassis vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69X3.
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.
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
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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.
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.
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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