This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I feel like my Jetta is a deathtrap. In the four years that I have owned it, I have had four of the power window mechanisms malfunction. Currently, the front passenger window is stuck shut, and the driver's side back window is stuck open! this is especially concerning because throughout the cold season, at least one, if not all of the doors will not open. People think my boyfriend is being a gentleman, but really, he has to walk around and let me out. This is not the frozen lock phenomenon common to many vehicles- the actual latch mechanism malfunctions. We have been repeatedly trapped in our car and had to climb out the window! the failures are so consistent, so expensive to repair (and the repairs do not last) that we drive around like this because cost of the repairs exceeds the value of the car. Help!
This is another of the many customer complaints regarding the power windows in Volkswagen cars. Currently, my front passenger window is stuck down and will not raise. It will require a new window regulator. My back windows are also currently stuck in the up position. I had previously brought the car in to check the right rear window. Volkswagen informed me that it needed a regulator and that the repairs would cost $800!!! for one window!!! I still had one more window to fix at that point. The repairs would cost almost 1/3 of the total value of my car!! so needless to say, my rear windows have been stuck up for the past 3 years. Now my front window is stuck down. This is a safety risk. The car is now completely vulnerable to theft and the elements. Doing some research, I have found hundreds of complaints regarding this defect. I have also found a technical bulletin regarding window regulator motors. Bulletin #9704039704F. This issue needs to be addressed by Volkswagen and a recall needs to be issued. As I understand it, ive been lucky so far. Most of these defective windows simply fall into the car. This is a safety risk for the people in the car and needs to be dealt with.
'recall campaign' for Volkswagen Jetta 1997 install protective shield in right rear wheelhousing. The consumer was chagred for a recall regarding the window regulators.
Past year: Auto door locks failed, could not open either front door; transmission failed, exhaust system rusted out, headlights out, signals out, wheel bearings need replaced, air bag light stays on, have not been able to drive car in nearly 1 year, required nearly $5000 worth of damage.
The front passenger window stopped working at 26,000 miles, followed by the rear driver's side window at 30,000 miles and the rear passenger's side window at 36,000 miles. We have not repaired any of these because we were told we would have to pay for it, since the vehicle was out of warranty after 24,000 miles. Last month the front driver's side window fell into the door as well. We have been told by a local dealer that VW is paying for windows to be fixed in their Jettas purchased after September, 1999. However, this will not help those of us with problem windows in cars made before then. VW knows this is a problem, their dealers know it is a problem, yet they will not do anything to help their customers. Please make sure that VW gets a copy of this, and if they wish to contact me to rectify this situation, they may do so, because at this point, we will never buy another VW again, and neither will anyone we know because of the varied problems we have had with our car (the windows are just one).
- Birmingham, AL, USA
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Consumer called complaining about having problems with the windows on vehicle. Manufacturer was contacted, and stated that she will need to take the vehicle to a delaer to see what was wrong with the windows. But consumer will have to pay for it because warranty expired.
3 out of the 4 window regulators on my 1997 VW Jetta have gone bad within the past 9 or so months. I searched the NHTSA site to see if any recall had been ordered, and found nothing. During the last incident (my front passenger side window), the window made a loud noise, and then would not go back up...in the middle of my driving. The other 2 windows (both back windows) fall completely down. I feel this is a safety issue. The windows can "fall" at any moment. What if you have young passengers in the car" what if the window falling causes a distraction to the driver? what if it is raining or snowing, and you can't get the windows back up" after doing some research on the internet, I found many other VW customers who have had the exact same problem..and no recall is in place. Not to mention that repair cost for 1 window is over $200.
Since I have purchased my vehicle brand new off the lot, I have had nothing but problems with my car windows, everyone on the vehicle, I have had to repair at some point costing at least $200 a pop, now I know things happens but I am the only person riding in my vehicle so I really don't understand why all the windows are breaking and I was pretty sure there had to be some kind of recall on this because I refuse to believe it is just happening to my car and I have had enough of this problem and it has also determined if I will ever buy another Volkswagen and I will not recommend Volkswagen to my friends at all, some of which I have already told I would never buy another Volkswagen, because it will nickel and dime U to death.....I don't expect to have to fix all my windows 1 maybe but all 4 of mine have gone bad!!!and I don't think I should have to pay for this the dealer/manufacturer should repair them free....and reimburse me my money 1 window cost me $270 with parts and labor, that is crazy to have to pay that for 1 window, I will not buy another Volkswagen ever....please see that the dealer/manufacturer get a copy of this..thank you..
The rear passenger window regulator has broken (twicein the rear and once in front) where the plastic is molded to the metal. The hydraulic steering unit started leaking at the seals of the unit causing the rubber boot to disintergrate. Loss of power steering resulted. Volkswagen requires replacement of the whole unit including tie rod ends (not repairable). Fuel storage tank is leaking somewhere between the car and the tank.
Every Volkswagen owner I have ever talked has had one of these windows fail and yet Volkswagen not only hasn't fixed the problem they kept the design the same when they redesigned much of the rest of the car. I know its just a power window. But think about a 4 sqft hole opening up in your car as you drive down the freeway with a child or pet in the back seat.
The power window motor and regulator had failed five times in 3 of the 4 window on the car. Volkswagen knows of the problem, but refuses to repair the probelm without charging for the repair. This is a widespread problem with Volkswagen from 1997-1999. I even had a window regulator and motor installed brand new out of the box that was faulty. Help.
The first window failure incident included the two front windows and the dealer replaced the regulators and motors. I had to pay 20% of the total cost. The second window failure include the same two front windows and also the rear right window. The dealer is quoting a price of approximately $1,354 plus tax. I contacted the manufacturer and they said they would pay up to 50% of the cost of the parts. I feel that these items are a defect and they should make repairs at no cost to me.
Two of my window regulators and motors broke last August. The other two broke a couple of months ago. The car has not been in an accident and I rarely use the rear windows. Volkswagen will not replace. I was charged $60 for diagnosis... each window costs $600 to fix at the VW dealer. I am now driving with only one back window operating.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Denver, CO, USA