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2008 Volkswagen Jetta

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Jetta years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta are substantially higher than the model-year median of 68.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

160 reports with mileage · 28 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports4 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

188 reports
67,000 miles · Jul 22, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO PARK, THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO PARK, THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA ODI #10735710

132,911 miles · Jun 2, 2015
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A LEAK IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLING FAN MALFUNCTIONED AND THE LEAK WAS A CAUSED BY FAULTY PURGE PRESSURE SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A LEAK IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLING FAN MALFUNCTIONED AND THE LEAK WAS A CAUSED BY FAULTY PURGE PRESSURE SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,911.

NHTSA ODI #10722920

106,867 miles · Apr 19, 2015
Engine

SINCE 2012, I HAVE HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS THAT NO MECHANIC HAS BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE, BECAUSE EVERYTHING WAS FINE WHEN THEY WOULD CHECK THE KNOCK SENSOR. THEY WOULD RESET IT, AND SEE IF IT CAME ON AGAIN. HOWEVER, THERE WOULD BE LONG PERIODS WHERE IT WOULDN'T COME ON. IT HAS NOT COME ON, SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2014. 4/13/2015, AT APP…

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SINCE 2012, I HAVE HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS THAT NO MECHANIC HAS BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE, BECAUSE EVERYTHING WAS FINE WHEN THEY WOULD CHECK THE KNOCK SENSOR. THEY WOULD RESET IT, AND SEE IF IT CAME ON AGAIN. HOWEVER, THERE WOULD BE LONG PERIODS WHERE IT WOULDN'T COME ON. IT HAS NOT COME ON, SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2014. 4/13/2015, AT APPROXIMATELY 1900 HOURS, I WAS TRAVELING ON A MAJOR FREEWAY, IN AFTERNOON TRAFFIC IN HOUSTON. WHEN, MY ENGINE BEGAN TO DIE. MY CONTROL PANEL WENT DEAD, AND MY ENGINE WAS GRADUALLY DYING, WITH THE RADIO AND ELECTRICITY STILL WORKING. I ENDED UP BEING STRANDED IN A MOVING LANE, AT A SPLIT, WITH VEHICLES WHIZZING FROM 60-80 MPH. I CALLED FOR A WRECKER OVER A POLICE RADIO, BUT 5 MINUTES LATER MY VEHICLE RESTARTED LIKE EVERYTHING WAS FINE, DIED AND RESTARTED AGAIN ON SHOULDER OF FREEWAY. I THEN GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND WENT PARKING LOT TO PARKING LOT GOT HOME, TOOK IT TO VW DEALERSHIP FIRST THING. DUE TO NO ENGINE LIGHT OR FAULT CODE, DEALERSHIP GUESSED IGNITION SWITCH. DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH DEALERSHIP, TOOK VEHICLE FROM THEM AND PAID FOR DIAGNOSTIC. DISCOVERED IN REPORT THEY LISTED MALFUNCTIONING CAMSHAFT, WHICH THEY WERE GOING TO TRY AND HAVE ME PAY. I HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED, DIED ON ME AGAIN ON 4/19/15. BECAUSE SEARCHING WITH MY VIN DID NOT REVEAL DEFECTS OR INVESTIGATIONS AND MY VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR THE 1 RECALL -- I SEARCHED WITH THE ENGINE CODE "BPY", I FOUND THERE HAD BEEN AN INVESTIGATION AND VW DECIDED TO NOT DO A RECALL BUT "UPDATE", THUS DIDN'T HAVE TO GIVE OWNERS NOTICE. HOWEVER, THEIR OWN MECHANICS SEEM TO BE UNAWARE. I REALIZED THAT THE TECHNICIAN THOUGHT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH DUE TO GM BEING IN THE NEWS AFTER THE DEATHS, DUE TO SIMILARITIES. VW DID AN "UPDATE" TO SETTLE THE INVESTIGATION, DID NOT GIVE NOTICE, AND I WOULD HAVE HAD TO PAY EVEN THOUGH THEY AGREED TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS AND 120,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10706488

85,000 miles · Apr 18, 2015
EnginePower Train

MY PCV VALVE GOT CLOGGED WHICH CAUSED THE REAR MAIN SEAL TO BLOW OUT CAUSING A LOT OF DAMAGE. THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN AT THIS MILEAGE. VOLKSWAGEN HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THEY ARE RECEIVING A LOT OF THESE VEHICLES BETWEEN 80K AND 100K, UNACCEPTABLE. THEY ARE NOT COVERING ANY REPAIRS. THERE HAS BEEN 3 REVISIONS BY VOLKSWAGEN TO TH…

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MY PCV VALVE GOT CLOGGED WHICH CAUSED THE REAR MAIN SEAL TO BLOW OUT CAUSING A LOT OF DAMAGE. THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN AT THIS MILEAGE. VOLKSWAGEN HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THEY ARE RECEIVING A LOT OF THESE VEHICLES BETWEEN 80K AND 100K, UNACCEPTABLE. THEY ARE NOT COVERING ANY REPAIRS. THERE HAS BEEN 3 REVISIONS BY VOLKSWAGEN TO THE PCV VALVE THATS IN MY VEHICLE BUT THEY WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE MINE IS FAULTY..WHY DID THEY REMAKE IT 3 TIMES? ALSO MODEL YEARS BEFORE ME HAD PCV VALVE RECALLS FOR THIS EXACT REASON. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10706445

116,000 miles · Mar 31, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG CRASH SENSORS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG CRASH SENSORS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A SHORTAGE WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

NHTSA ODI #10702806

74,900 miles · Mar 25, 2015
Air Bags

I AM GETTING A WARNING LIGHT ON MY DASH INDICATING THAT THERE IS AN AIRBAG FAULT IN MY 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, AND AFTER SPEAKING WITH THEM, THE DEALER GAVE ME A NUMBER TO WHAT HE SAID WAS THE VOLKSWAGEN CORPORATE OFFICE IN MICHIGAN. I WAS TOLD BY BOTH THE DEALER AND BY VO…

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I AM GETTING A WARNING LIGHT ON MY DASH INDICATING THAT THERE IS AN AIRBAG FAULT IN MY 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, AND AFTER SPEAKING WITH THEM, THE DEALER GAVE ME A NUMBER TO WHAT HE SAID WAS THE VOLKSWAGEN CORPORATE OFFICE IN MICHIGAN. I WAS TOLD BY BOTH THE DEALER AND BY VOLKSWAGEN CORPORATE THAT MY AIRBAG WAS PAST ITS WARRANTY AND THAT IT WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX IT. AN AIRBAG IS A LIFESAVING SAFETY COMPONENT, AND IT SEEMS TO ME TO BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CAR MANUFACTURER TO SEE THAT THE DRIVERS OF THEIR VEHICLES ARE SAFE. AN AIRBAG THAT IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY IS IN VIOLATION OF SAFETY STANDARD 201, ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA. I HAVE READ ONLINE HOW TOYOTA, HONDA, AND CHRYSLER HAVE RECALLED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THEIR VEHICLES DUE TO FAULTY AIRBAGS. I HAVE ALSO SEEN THAT THESE VEHICLES HAVE LIFETIME WARRANTEES ON THEIR AIRBAGS. SO, WITH THAT, SHOULDN'T VOLKSWAGEN BE RESPONSIBLE TO ENSURE THAT MY VEHICLE IS UP TO SAFETY STANDARDS? THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT AT THIS POINT, HOWEVER, IF THERE WAS, I COULD LOSE MY LIFE, AND I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO SMALL CHILDREN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10701778

86,300 miles · Mar 25, 2015
Latches/locks/linkages

THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM STOPS WORKING AND THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE IN A LOT OF VW FORUMS ONLINE. THEY CALL IT THE ACTUATOR AND WHEN IT STOPS WORKING THE CHILD LOCKS DO NOT WORK AND THE VEHICLE THEN HAS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHICH RELATES TO "CHILD SAFETY SEATS THAT CONTAIN DEFECTIVE SAFETY BELTS, BUCKLES, OR COMPONENTS THAT CREAT…

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THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM STOPS WORKING AND THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE IN A LOT OF VW FORUMS ONLINE. THEY CALL IT THE ACTUATOR AND WHEN IT STOPS WORKING THE CHILD LOCKS DO NOT WORK AND THE VEHICLE THEN HAS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHICH RELATES TO "CHILD SAFETY SEATS THAT CONTAIN DEFECTIVE SAFETY BELTS, BUCKLES, OR COMPONENTS THAT CREATE A RISK OF INJURY, NOT ONLY IN A VEHICLE CRASH BUT ALSO IN NON-OPERATIONAL SAFETY OF A MOTOR VEHICLE." A DOOR THAT CAN BE OPENED BY A CHILD WHEN IN MOVEMENT OR PARKED IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. THE DOOR CAN BE EASILY PUSHED OPEN FROM THE INSIDE WHEN THE LOCKS DON'T WORK. ALSO, THE ALARM ON THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ARM BECAUSE THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK SO IF SOMEONE WENT DOOR CHECKING IN A PARKING LOT, MY CAR WOULD BE BROKEN INTO - IF NOT STOLEN ALTOGETHER DUE TO THIS. IN DECEMBER I PAID $450+ TO HAVE THE REAR DOOR LOCK REPLACED AND NOW, 3 MONTHS LATER, THE FRONT TWO DOOR LOCKS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. ANOTHER HAZARD FOR SAFETY HAPPENS WHEN YOU CANNOT LOCK YOUR DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. IF SOMEONE WANTED TO CARJACK ME AT A STOP LIGHT - I AM UNABLE TO LOCK MY DOORS! I CALLED VW CARE AND THEY HAVE DECLINED TO EVEN HELP ME WITH THIS COST AND I AM SLO FILING A CLAIM WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE IN THE FORUMS ONLINE, SOMETHING MUST BE DONE ABOUT THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10701665

78,000 miles · Mar 7, 2015
Electrical SystemStructure

DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND REAR DOORS DON'T LOCK. THERE IS NO OPTION TO MANUALLY LOCK IT, THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND THERE IS NO WAY TO LOCK THESE DOORS. THERE IS RISK OF THE DOORS FLINGING OPEN IN CASE OF ACCIDENT ESPECIALLY WITH A CHILD SITTING IN THE REAR SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10692721

5,700 miles · Mar 5, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainCrash

WHILE ENTERING A PARKING LOT, PARKING SPACE, AFTER STOPPING COMPLETELY, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN ACCELERATOR WAS LIGHTLY DEPRESSED, THERE WAS A 1 TO 3 SECOND DELAY, AND THEN THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD CRASHING INTO THE OPPOSING PARKED VEHICLE, DAMAGING THE FRONTS OF BOTH VEHICLES. THIS HESITATION WAS NOTED ONCE BEFORE AT ABOUT …

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WHILE ENTERING A PARKING LOT, PARKING SPACE, AFTER STOPPING COMPLETELY, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN ACCELERATOR WAS LIGHTLY DEPRESSED, THERE WAS A 1 TO 3 SECOND DELAY, AND THEN THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD CRASHING INTO THE OPPOSING PARKED VEHICLE, DAMAGING THE FRONTS OF BOTH VEHICLES. THIS HESITATION WAS NOTED ONCE BEFORE AT ABOUT 3800 MILES WHILE ENTERING A HIGHWAY FROM A STOP. AGAIN, THE HESITATION WAS FOLLOWED BY A SUDDEN LUNGE. SELLING VW DEALER SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE A DSG TRANS PROBLEM, BRING BACK FPR EVALUATION AFTER ITS REPAIRED. THIS UNEXPECTED SURGE PROBLEM IS THE DIRECT CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. THERE SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL. NOTE: WHILE THIS VW JETTA IS 7 YRS OLD, IT IS NOT DRIVEN OFTEN AS CAN BE SEEN BY LESS THAN 500-800 MILES PER YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10692387

100,000 miles · Mar 4, 2015
EnginePower Train

VEHICLE JERKS HARSHLY WHEN DOWN SHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 2ND & 2ND TO 1ST GEARS. USUALLY RIGHT AROUND 20MPH TO 15MPH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10692042

Official recalls

4

19V679000 · Unknown Or Other

Sep 25, 2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.

10V621000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Dec 10, 2010

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. THE JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN, AND RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE NEW BEETLE AND THE NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FASTENING CLAMP ON A HYDRAULIC HOSE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THAT MAY BE LOCATED IN AN IMPROPER POSITION WHICH COULD CAUSE CHAFING AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL LINE. ADDITIONALLY, DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE MODEL, DEALERS WILL EITHER REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR, OR INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE FASTENING CLAMP AND ADJUST THE RELATED FASTENING CLAMP INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

09V164000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

May 19, 2009

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 25,594 MY 2006-2009 JETTA 5TH GENERATION EQUIPPED WITH 2.01 ENGINE. THE FASTENING SCREW CONTACT SURFACES ON THE DRIVESHAFT COVER PLATE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. SOME SCREWS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED PROPERLY DURING ASSEMBLY AND COULD LOOSEN OVER TIME, CAUSING A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE DRIVESHAFT SCREWS COULD LOOSEN TO THE POINT WHERE THE DRIVESHAFT DETACHES FROM THE GEARBOX.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE IS MOVING WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE DETACHED DRIVESHAFT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE THE GEARBOX HOUSING. A DAMAGE GEARBOX HOUSING COULD LEAK GEARBOX OIL ONTO THE STREET AND CREATE A RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND OTHER MOTORISTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVESHAFT SCREWS AND REPLACE THE SCREWS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

07V442000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Sep 24, 2007

CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." SOME VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE HAD A REQUIRED CAP INSTALLED WHICH DISABLES THE HEADLIGHT HORIZONTAL AIM AND SOME VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A CAP THAT DISABLES THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: NONCOMPLIANCE CAN INHIBIT PROPER HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT FOR ROADWAY ILLUMINATION, IMPROPERLY AIMED HEADLAMPS COULD CAUSE REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE LOW BEAM HORIZONTAL AIMING SCREW AND INSTALL ONE IF MISSING, AND INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW AND IF PRESENT, THE CAP WILL BE REMOVED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 31, 2007. 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

1

PE09035 · Vehicle Stall/loss Motive Power

Opened Jul 17, 2009 · Closed Nov 19, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:manual Transmission

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) TRANSMISSIONS, WHICH FEATURE A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC GEARBOX WITH TWO WET RUNNING CLUTCHES (DUAL CLUTCH) IN WHICH THE CLUTCH MECHANISM AND GEAR CHANGES ARE ELECTROHYDRAULICALLY OPERATED BY A MECHATRONIC CONTROL UNIT.THE DSG MECHATRONIC CONTROLLER INCLUDES EXTENSIVE SELF DIAGNOSTIC FUNCTIONS AND STRATEGIES TO ENSURE SAFE OPERATION AND PREVENT SYSTEM/COMPONENT DAMAGE IN THE EVENT OF COMPONENT FAILURES OR HARSH OPERATING CONDITIONS.THE BASIC HIERARCHY OF FAULT MODES INCLUDES SOME THAT ONLY RESULT IN THE STORAGE OF A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) AND CAUSE NO LOSS OF FUNCTION, SOME THAT STORE A DTC AND REDUCE VEHICLE OPERATION TO A LIMP HOME MODE, AND SOME THAT STORE A DTC AND CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF MOTIVE POWER (I.E., OPEN CLUTCH).THE DRIVER IS ALERTED TO THE LATTER TWO MODES BY THE DASH GEAR POSITION INDICATOR (PRNDS) FLASHING. ONE OF THE CONDITIONS THAT RESULTS IN INTERRUPTION OF MOTIVE POWER IS EXCESS GEARBOX TEMPERATURE.THE SYSTEM INITIALLY RESPONDS TO INCREASED GEARBOX TEMPERATURE BY RAMPING DOWN ENGINE TORQUE.IF THE TEMPERATURE KEEPS RISING THE MECHATRONIC UNIT RESPONDS BY OPENING THE CLUTCH.IN A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT SUBMITTED TO NHTSA ON AUGUST 20, 2009, VOLKSWAGEN DESCRIBED A POTENTIAL DEFECT IN THE WIRING HARNESSES OF THE DSG GEARBOX TEMPERATURE SENSORS USED IN APPROXIMATELY 16,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2009 AND 2010 VOLKSWAGEN (EOS, JETTA AND GTI) AND AUDI (A3 AND TT/TT ROADSTER) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DSG TRANSMISSIONS AND BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 2008 THROUGH AUGUST 2009 (NHTSA RECALL NO. 09V-333, VOLKSWAGEN RECALL NO. 37E3/S7 AND AUDI RECALL NO 37E4/J7). VOLKSWAGEN PROVIDED THIS DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFECT, THE WIRING HARNESS OF A TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE DSG MAY HAVE CONNECTOR WIRES THAT WERE INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED BY THE CONNECTOR SUPPLIER DURING A LIMITED PRODUCTION PERIOD.WITH INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED CONNECTOR WIRES, A TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FALSELY DETECT A HIGH GEARBOX OIL TEMPERATURE, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO ABRUPTLY SHIFT TO NEUTRAL.IF THIS HAPPENS, THE SELECTOR LEVER POSITION INDICATOR WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL FLASH.IN ADDITION, THE DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL INDICATOR LIGHT WILL BE ILLUMINATED, ALERTING THE DRIVER TO APPLY THE BRAKES.IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.VOLKSWAGEN ESTIMATED THAT LESS THAN ONE PERCENT OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN THE DEFECT CONDITION. ODI IDENTIFIED 40 COMPLAINTS THAT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR DEFECT CONDITION DESCRIBED BY VOLKSWAGEN.VOLKSWAGEN RECEIVED 139 COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THE CONDITION, WITH 7 INVOLVING VEHICLES REPORTED TO ODI, RESULTING A 172 TOTAL COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND VOLKSWAGEN.ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS INVOLVE THE MY 2009 AN 2010 VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL 09V-333. ODI ALSO IDENTIFIED COMPLAINTS OF HARSH/JERKY SHIFTING IN SOME VOLKSWAGEN VEHICLES WITH DSG.VOLKSWAGEN ATTRIBUTED THIS CONDITION, WHICH TYPICALLY OCCURS AT VERY LOW SPEEDS, TO EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE BUSHINGS OF THE TWO SOLENOID VALVES IN THE MECHATRONIC UNIT THAT CONTROL CLUTCH OPERATION.VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT THE THIS CONDITION IS A SAFETY DEFECT BECAUSE THE CHANGES IN SHIFT QUALITY DEVELOP GRADUALLY OVER TIME, DO NOT CAUSE A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND HAVE NOT RESULTED IN ANY FATALITIES, INJURIES OR SERIOUS CRASHES (THERE WERE THREE REPORTED PROPERTY DAMAGE INCIDENTS RESULTING IN MINOR BODY DAMAGE IN VERY LOW SPEED, PARKING MANEUVERS).VOLKSWAGEN ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM IN THE FIELD WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES THE REPLACEMENT OF POTENTIALLY AFFECTED MECHATRONIC UNITS AS WELL