The contact owns a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for maintenance work. While it was being test driven at 30 mph, the engine failed. The mechanic stated that a seal failed, which allowed the engine to fail. The contact was unaware of which seal was affected. The dealer repaired the vehicle and installed a new engine. The mechanic also stated that they were aware of the failure due to numerous others that have experienced the same failure. The failure mileage was 86,900 and current mileage was 89,000. Updated 03/05/09 the engine had 2 broken rods the #3 and #4 and there were large holes in the block. The failure was due to hydraulic lock or a volume of oil getting in the cylinder and stopping the piston. Updated 03/12/09.

- Ophir, OR, USA

While driving at 65 mph on a 2 lane undivided hi-way; engine cut out, without warning of any kind (1.9 litre diesel-2000 Jetta) this obviously caused an unsafe situation. Vehicle would turn over but not start. Dealer repaired by replacing power relay for engine control module (relay 109). Have researched this relay on various sites, and found dozens of failed relays, some in similar circumstances. Apparently, the original black relay fails, new relay is a change up (grey in colour).

- Eckville, 00, USA

1) I purchased a VW tdi with a diagnosis of a bad turbo and an intermittent check engine light. I had the car seven months and put 12,984 miles on it with no problems. I took the car to the dealer and had the car diagnosed as to why the C.E. light was on. When asked about repairing the turbo by the counter man I told him I intend to drive it until it breaks then have it repaired. I asked him if there would be a problem doing that he explained to me the car would be sluggish then not run. VW diagnosed my car as having a "turbo waste gate blown" I deferred the repair intending to drive the car until the turbo went. 2) on the way home, six miles from the dealership, the car ran slightly rough. I observed light smoke coming from my car in the head lights of the cars behind me. I deducted my car was burning carbon since carbon build up was noted on the report. I slightly depressed the accelerator and the car raced forward. I immediately removed my foot from the gas pedal and nothing happened. The car raced forward so quickly and with such force I would compare it to a muscle car being floored. The car kept accelerating. I looked at the tachometer and it was going by 4,000 RPM. This diesel engine was screaming. Instinctively I depressed the clutch to regain control of the car. The engine revved then blew. I was 7 miles from the dealership. Service manger stated that a gasket in the turbo let go causing the engine to suck oil from the crankcase fueling the engine. He told me that nothing could stop the engine from revving not even turning off the key. He told me that all diesel engines were made this way. There is nothing VW could do for me. I called VW customer service, level 2 operator told me since I was told about the turbo being broken there is nothing they can do. 3) my car is sitting with a blown engine and a blown turbo.

- Manchester, CT, USA

This complaint concerns the 2000 VW Jetta tdi diesel. Apparently, the egr system, in conjunction with the closed crankcase ventilation system, provides an opportunity for the crankcase oil vapors and soot from the egr to mix in the engine intake manifold. With time, the intake manifold becomes almost completely clogged with this oil/soot mixture, causing the engine to lose power and hamper such normal driving activities such as highway merging, passing, and emergency accident avoidance procedures due to loss of power. Volkswagen usa, the manufacturer, in many cases refuses to acknowledge the safety issue in regards to this gradual and severe loss of power, resulting in owner paid service charges which may exceed $1000 dollars (in some cases). Nowhere in any of the advertising or marketing literature of the VW tdi engines is a reference made to required periodic "intake cleanings" and it's inherent service costs. This vehicle is clearly not designed for safe and continued usage in the United States - people are going to get killed driving these things if VW doesn't acknowledge and repair this design defect, especially in high traffic areas.

- Bricktown, NJ, USA

2000 VW tdi manual transmission with 65,000 miles. Engine check light comes on, definite loss of power, worse when engine has been running for awhile. Car has no acceleration and can not hold speed going up relatively minor hills. Took it to the dealer who put it on the computer, said that the wastegate valve was stuck but was okay now. Problem reoccured. Definite safety problem on highway because there is no acceleration available to the driver.

- Enterprise, AL, USA

I am experiencing a loss of power on hills and when trying to accelerate an intermitant check engine light appears. I own a VW Jetta tdi 2000. The dealer diagnosed the problem 1st as a turbo control module, $252. Some increase in power but not very much, check engine light off. 2nd trip to dealer after an 1-1/2 hour discussion about charging me another diagnostic fee and my consenting the problem was diagnosed as carbon in intake and egr valve replacement. I asked 4 questions :how does carbon get in an air intake", how did the technician determine this was problem? why wasn't it identified the 1st time I took car in and what guarantee would I get" the dealer would not or could not answer these questions and the customer service rep at VW America has not answered them but has offered to pay 100% parts and labor for the repair after two days of calling and trying to get an answer from both of them. Don, is the customer service rep who offered to pay for repair upon my going to another dealer and paying for another diagnostic to verify the problem, as the first dealer has refused service to the vehicle because I insisted on answers to my questions before ok'ing repair. The number I called for VW America is 1-800- 822-8987. I have about 81,000 miles on the car and this problem creates a serious saftey hazard on the interstate or any highway where a slow moving vehicle may be a hazard.

- Ruther Glen, VA, USA

VW Jetta tdi- the turbo hasn't been working. Apparently, this vehicle is equipped with a ccv (crankcase vent) system and an egr (exhaust gas recirculation) system. Oily fumes from the ccv system combine with carbon particles from the egr system to form a black sticky tar in the intake system. This eventually starts restricting the amount of airflow into the engine, resulting in gradual power loss as the vehicle ages and the intake clogging becomes worse. This is apparently preventable by adjusting the intake air volume of 370 mg/stroke using a computer to reprogram the egr. Replacing the manifold & egr is an expensive proposition that is not covered under the powertrain warranty.

- Charlottesville, VA, USA

2000 VW Jetta tdi- turbo does not appear to work for past 6-8 months. This causes the car to slow down significantly on any hills, including on entrance ramps, when trying to accelerate on merge with traffic. Dealership unable to diagnose, but has offered expensive repairs including replacing mass air flow sensor, some type of valve in the turbo, for example. Also noted is the vehicle can intermittently provide some diesel boost- seems only when the gas tank is full. And the fuel filler neck interior door has broken off sometime in the past year. Is this related" is this safe"

- Charlottesville, VA, USA