NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
231 reports9,501 miles · Sep 15, 2005
Power Train
FIRST OCCURRENCE 05/11/2005, WHEN STOPPING AUTO-TRANSMISSION WAS DOWN SHIFTING HARSH. DEALER FOUND OPEN CIRCUIT FOR IGNITION AND INSTALLED A GROUND WIRE. PROBLEM NOT FIXED. SECOND TIME, 06/03/05, TRANSMISSION WAS DOWN SHIFTING HARSH AGAIN, DEALER FOUND INTERNAL MALFUNCTION WITH TRANSMISSION AND REPLACED TRANSMISSION. THIRD T…
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FIRST OCCURRENCE 05/11/2005, WHEN STOPPING AUTO-TRANSMISSION WAS DOWN SHIFTING HARSH. DEALER FOUND OPEN CIRCUIT FOR IGNITION AND INSTALLED A GROUND WIRE. PROBLEM NOT FIXED. SECOND TIME, 06/03/05, TRANSMISSION WAS DOWN SHIFTING HARSH AGAIN, DEALER FOUND INTERNAL MALFUNCTION WITH TRANSMISSION AND REPLACED TRANSMISSION. THIRD TIME, 06/08/05, WHEN WARMED UP TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWN SHIFT HARSH AND JERK INTO GEAR, VW FIELD REP. WILL LOOK AT CAR. ALSO HAD THE ALIGNMENT FIXED FROM WHEN TRANS. WAS REPLACED. FOURTH TIME, 06/16/05, WHEN ACCELERATING CAR HAD JERKED VERY HARD INTO GEAR. DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM, WAITING FOR FIELD REP. 06/25/05, FIELD REP. DROVE CAR AND STATED THAT CAR WAS WITHIN MANUFACTURE SPECS. DEALER ALSO REPAIRED DENT IN HOOD FROM PREVIOUS VISIT. SERVICE MANAGER FROM DEALER STATED THAT HE DROVE ANOTHER VW JETTA TO SEE IF CAR DID SAME THING AS MINE AND PROBLEM WAS NOT THERE WITH OTHER CAR. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE 2003 PASSATS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM BUT WORSE AND IT ENDED UP BEING A SOFTWARE ISSUE. CAR STILL HAS AN ISSUE. CURRENTLY HAVE A LAWYER FOR THE LEMON LAW.
NHTSA ODI #10136632
400 miles · Sep 13, 2005
Electrical SystemEquipmentVisibility
DT: THE CALLER HAD THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPLACED 5 TIMES. THE WINDOWS/THE ALARM SYSTEM/THE LIGHTS/THE GAUGES, AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FAILED. AS THE CALLER INDICATED EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONED. THE CALLER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND A FEW TIMES HE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. DEALER COULD N…
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DT: THE CALLER HAD THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPLACED 5 TIMES. THE WINDOWS/THE ALARM SYSTEM/THE LIGHTS/THE GAUGES, AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FAILED. AS THE CALLER INDICATED EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONED. THE CALLER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND A FEW TIMES HE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. DEALER COULD NEVER GIVE HIM AN ANSWER WHY THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING THESE PROBLEMS. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP HIM FOR FREE, AND SINCE THE PROBLEM INCLUDED DIFFERENT COMPONENTS IT DID NOT FALL UNDER THE LEMON LAW. MANUFACTURER SAID THAT IF THE CALLER GOT A LOAN ON THE VEHICLE IT WOULD BE A DIFFERENT SITUATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10136369
20,000 miles · Sep 8, 2005
Power Train
I PURCHASED MY 2004 JETTA IN OCTOBER 2004. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR SEPTEMBER 2, 2005 BECAUSE THE GEARS HAD BECOME DIFFICULT TO SHIFT (ESP. INTO AND OUT OF REVERSE). AFTER ONLY 20,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND 10 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, VW TELLS ME I NEED A NEW CLUTCH. FURTHERMORE, THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THE WARRANTY IS OUT SIN…
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I PURCHASED MY 2004 JETTA IN OCTOBER 2004. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR SEPTEMBER 2, 2005 BECAUSE THE GEARS HAD BECOME DIFFICULT TO SHIFT (ESP. INTO AND OUT OF REVERSE). AFTER ONLY 20,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND 10 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, VW TELLS ME I NEED A NEW CLUTCH. FURTHERMORE, THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THE WARRANTY IS OUT SINCE IT HAS OVER 12,000 MILES AND THAT THEY WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT IS DUE TO "DRIVER ERROR". THIS CANNOT BE POSSIBLE, AS I'VE BEEN DRIVING MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A CLUTCH FAIL BEFORE--MY LAST CAR, A 1997 JETTA HAD OVER 100,000 MILES AND NEVER NEEDED A CLUTCH REPLACEMENT. FURTHERMORE, VW HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT AS I'VE TRIED TO NEGOTIATE MANUFACTURER'S COVERAGE--NOT RETURNING CALLS FOR DAYS, SENDING ME IN CIRCLES ASKING ME TO CALL THE DEALER, THE VW OF AMERICA AGAIN AND AGAIN.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10135842
22,603 miles · Aug 24, 2005
Electrical System
ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF AGO I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT MY 2004 JETTA GL WAS STARTING TO RUN A LITTLE ROUGH. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEAL AND HAD A TEST DONE ON IT TO FIND OUT THE MY IGNITION COIL WAS BAD. AFTER ABOUT 2 WEEKS THE CHECK ENGINE LIKE CAME ON IT THE CAR AND I CALLED THE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. AGAIN MY IGNITION COIL …
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ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF AGO I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT MY 2004 JETTA GL WAS STARTING TO RUN A LITTLE ROUGH. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEAL AND HAD A TEST DONE ON IT TO FIND OUT THE MY IGNITION COIL WAS BAD. AFTER ABOUT 2 WEEKS THE CHECK ENGINE LIKE CAME ON IT THE CAR AND I CALLED THE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. AGAIN MY IGNITION COIL HAD GONE BAD. THEN YET ANOTHER TIME A WEEK AND A HALF LATER THE SAME ISSUE. THE IGNITION COIL HAD GONE BAD. THREE DAYS LATER AFTER THAT INCIDENT I WAS DRIVING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS WAS THE FORTH TIME THAT I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME THE DEALER CHANGED THE WIRING HARNESS AND SAID THAT THAT WAS THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE CURED. ALL OF THE TIMES THAT I PICKED UP THE CAR FROM THE DEALER I NOTICED THAT THE IDLE IT THE CAR WAS STILL A LITTLE ROUGH AND NEEDLE FOR THE TACOMETER WAS MOVING SLIGHTLY. I AM STILL WEARY TO SAY THAT THE CAR IS FIXED AND FEAR SOMETHING MORE EXSTENSICE IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THE PARTS WERE REPLACED BUT CONSUMER SATISFACTION IS LOW.
NHTSA ODI #10134138
8,000 miles · Aug 10, 2005
Power Train
WHEN STARTING ENGINE THEN GOING FROM PARK AND SHIFTING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE, THERE IS A LONG DELAY TO ENGAGE THE GEAR. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS IF THE VEHICLE IS ON ANY INCLINE, AS IT WILL ROLL AS IF IN NEUTRAL BEFORE ENGAGING THE DESIRED GEAR, ALMOST LIKE USING A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, HOWEVER YOU…
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WHEN STARTING ENGINE THEN GOING FROM PARK AND SHIFTING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE, THERE IS A LONG DELAY TO ENGAGE THE GEAR. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS IF THE VEHICLE IS ON ANY INCLINE, AS IT WILL ROLL AS IF IN NEUTRAL BEFORE ENGAGING THE DESIRED GEAR, ALMOST LIKE USING A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, HOWEVER YOU HAVE NO CONTROL SINCE YOU TOOK YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND ONTO THE ACCELERATOR TO PROCEED AND THEN IT STARTS ROLLING. THIS IS NOT SAFE, NOR ACCEPTABLE! WHEN WE FIRST BROUGHT IT IN TO THE DEALER (FLADEBOE, IRVINE, CA) THEY VERBALLY SAID IT'S MADE THAT WAY - IT'S NORMAL. THEN TODAY AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER STATES THAT THE " VEHICLE OPERATES TO MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS". ARE THE QUOTED "SPECIFICATIONS" CONSISTENT WITH U.S. SAFETY STANDARDS OR FLAWED? OUR VEHICLE IS UNDER THE NEW CAR WARRANTY AND WE HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. I OWN A VW 2001 PASSAT AND IT DOES NOT HAVE THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM - THIS APPEARS TO BE A JETTA TRANSMISSION DEFECT AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED AT MANUFACTURER'S SOLE COST. WE FEAR THAT WE WILL HIT OTHER VEHICLES, PROPERTY OR PEOPLE - UNFORTUNATELY WE FEEL IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME WITH THIS UNSAFE CONDITION. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10132181
28,000 miles · Aug 2, 2005
SeatsFire
MY WIFE JUST PULLED INTO THE GARAGE AFTER A SHORT TRIP TO THE STORE. WHEN SHE BACKED IN SMOKE AND FLAMES CAME FROM THE SEAT HEATER CONTROL (SEAT HEATER WAS OFF AT THE TIME). THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS IF WE HAD BEEN DRIVING AT THE TIME!*JB
NHTSA ODI #10131197
22,325 miles · Jul 28, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
TDI ENGINE. MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST POWER INTERMITTENTLY. PRESS ACCELERATOR; NO CHANGE IN RPM - JUST IDLED. "GLOW PLUG" (FLASHED) AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHT (STEADY) LIT AFTER 1ST TWO OCCASIONS; NOT ON 3RD. RE-START SOLVES PROBLEM FOR 30 SECONDS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLE…
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TDI ENGINE. MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST POWER INTERMITTENTLY. PRESS ACCELERATOR; NO CHANGE IN RPM - JUST IDLED. "GLOW PLUG" (FLASHED) AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHT (STEADY) LIT AFTER 1ST TWO OCCASIONS; NOT ON 3RD. RE-START SOLVES PROBLEM FOR 30 SECONDS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM IN TWO ATTEMPTS. VEHICLE IS IN FOR 3RD ATTEMPT AS OF 07/05. *MD *JB
NHTSA ODI #10130503
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2005
Unknown Or Other
THE CHROME PANEL COVERING THE GEAR SHIFTER REFLECTS SUNLIGHT. THE SUNLIGHT REFLECTS OFF THE PANEL TOWARDS THE DRIVER, CAUSING A DISCOMFORT AND DISTRACTION. VW HAS NO SOLUTIONS FOR THE PROBLEM AND HAS REFUSED TO FIX THE SITUATION.
NHTSA ODI #10129847
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2005
Structure
CHROME PROTECTOR STRIP ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR BECAME UNGLUED. WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED, THE CHROME STRIP WAS BENT, AND DAMAGED PAINT ON PASSENGER DOOR.
NHTSA ODI #10129845
Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2005
Interior Lighting
IHAVE A 2004 VW JETTA WAGON. THE INSTRUMENTS ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE IN SOME LIGHTING CONDITIONS, ESPECIALLY THE SPEEDOMETER. THE NEDDLE IS A DARK, NON REFLECTIVE RED AGAINST A BLACK BACKGROUND. WITH A BRIGHT FOREGROUND OUTSIDE, THE SPEEDOMETER CANNOT BE SEEN, EVEN WITH THE LIGHTS TURNED BRIGHT. I E-MAILED VW, BUT NEVER RECEIV…
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IHAVE A 2004 VW JETTA WAGON. THE INSTRUMENTS ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE IN SOME LIGHTING CONDITIONS, ESPECIALLY THE SPEEDOMETER. THE NEDDLE IS A DARK, NON REFLECTIVE RED AGAINST A BLACK BACKGROUND. WITH A BRIGHT FOREGROUND OUTSIDE, THE SPEEDOMETER CANNOT BE SEEN, EVEN WITH THE LIGHTS TURNED BRIGHT. I E-MAILED VW, BUT NEVER RECEIVED AN ANSWER.
NHTSA ODI #10128972