I purchased this vehicle recently and have noticed a distinct diesel smell when idling or driving at low speeds. Smells strong like leaking diesel fuel. The car idles very rough and sometimes stalls when coming to a stop. There is a very bad odor whenever I enter the vehicle. I am concerned that the car will stall and I might be in an unsafe position during traffic. I think the clutch might be defective. It sounds very loud. The vehicle has 260,000 miles. Diesls are supposed to run forever but I feel like I bought a lemon.

- Chesaning, MI, USA

2000 Volkswagen Jetta. Consumer writes in regards to engine and warning lights coming on. The consumer stated the day after purchasing the vehicle the engine, ABS, and traction control lights, illuminated. The dealer offered to repair the vehicle if the consumer bought the parts. The consumer declined.

- Shelton, WA, USA

I was driving in traffic around 35 mph. Saw smoke in my rearview mirror so immediately pulled off to side of road. The car wasnt overheating, and no warning lights came on until after I began slowing down to pull over. As I stopped and turned off the car, I realized the engine compartment was on fire, I grabbed my phone and called 911 as I got away from the vehicle.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving 80 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was maneuvered to the shoulder of the road and towed back to the contact's residence. The contact stated that the vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 245,000.

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

Water pump and back housing the coolant system

- San Antonio, TX, USA

I own a 2000 VW Jetta 2.0 gls automatic. I was coasting down a hill and coming to a stop. I started using my brakes and all of a sudden with out any warnings chimes or indication my car completely shut off, brakes and steering wheel felt locked up and I almost crashed if not for my friend helping me move my steering wheel towards a side street to figure out what happen. Car would not restart. Only after an hour or so of waiting for a tow truck did my car start but was different. This happened to me 4 more times. Last time this happened I was on my way home from new job at around 2 am est I got lost and car stalls out on me with no indication and it does not just stall and stop it stalls and continues to roll until you loose momentum this is not safe. Thankfully this problem did not happen to me while on a high way this problem could cause serious injury or even death if ones car stalls and they can not control it. I took the car to my mechanic and confirmed bad coil pack and crank position sensors.

- Johnston , RI, USA

Was driving down the road, when my Jetta lost complete power. I managed to steer of the road, put vehicle in park an turned the key off, then smoke started pouring out from under my hood. Raised the hood to only see flames! thank god a gentleman stopped an had gallon of water. Had the vehicle towed to my house(3 miles) an there it sits! most the damage is contained to the top of the motor on the drivers side. The car wasn't even over heating!! the only issue iv had in the year iv owned it is the transmission seemed to not go past third gear, which caused the RPM to rise, of course... honestly, just thankful a stranger stopped...signed, with out a car.

- Waxhaw, NC, USA

One year after purchasing this vehicle from a private owner, today was the second incident I've had regarding the clutch and the fumes it emits. Six months ago I noticed the clutch slipping and immediately took it into a repair shop. On top of the slipping clutch, the coolant and emissions workshop and electrical became a problem. "stop coolant low" would always appear on my dash, however the coolant would be filled. The engine light also stayed on. The mechanic did all he could to fix it. Six months later, today, I'm having the same issue with this vehicle. Only difference is, I immediately became ill while driving and breathing in the fumes the vehicle emit. I became nausea, dizzy and vomited. This issue regarding the clutch is an ongoing digression to the vehicle and the safety and health of myself and other drivers. I hope VW will take this seriously and investigate this case, I have friends who've also experience similar instances with their VW vehicles. I hope to get mine and all vehicles who have displayed similar issues repaired properly by the correct mechanics before anyone else becomes suddenly ill like I have today.

- Portland, ME, USA