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.
Car will not start after being driven far enough to warm-up the engine. Must wait several minutes--up to an hour--before it will start again. The process of trying a restart results in much unburned fuel vapor in the exhaust stream. The interior lighting does not turn on or off with the opening of a door. Horn does not sound when locking the car, auto-drivers seat positioning does not work. On the highway, the car performs quite well--good engine power, steering, etc. However, the non-starting after being driven a distance could result in being stranded and placed in danger.
My 2000 Jetta gls VR6 has on three different occasions lost power when driving and the check engine light came on. On all three occasions, I brought the car to the VW service department to have it diagnosed as a faulty coil pack and wires. Each time I replaced paying over $1000 out of my own pocket, for what is clearly a defective part with the VW coil packs in VR6 engines.
The contact owns a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The spark plugs were changed on the vehicle. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they noticed that the sixth valve was losing pressure. The manufacturer recommended that the engine be replaced. The contact feels that the manufacturer should replace the engine because it was a safety issue. The current mileage with the new engine was 2,000 and the failure mileage with the old engine was 188,000. Updated 08/21/09. Due to the cylinder 5 failure, the engine is burning excessive amounts of oil, emitting smoke from the tailpipe. The engine had already been replaced, but performing poorly. Updated 08/26/09.
My 2000 VW Jetta was being driven today by my fiance on 295 South in Rhode Island. He noticed the coolant light come on, and so looked at the temp gauge and saw that it had not risen any higher than normal. After keeping an eye on the gauge for a few minutes, he noticed it suddenly drop to 0 and so he pulled over, figuring a hose had broken or something to that extent. When he exited the vehicle he noticed some black smoke coming out from under the hood, and the hood itself starting to bubble from the heat. The car itself burst into flames at that point and my fiance had to back away from it immediately for fear that it would explode. The car had recently been inspected and was working perfectly fine except for a small coolant leak up until today, so we have no idea what caused such a sudden combustion. No one was hurt, thankfully, but it was only a matter of minutes before the car went from operating normally to being completely engulfed in flames, so he could very well have been hurt or worse. The fire dept and state police arrived and secured the area, which included blocking traffic completely on the highway for fear of an explosion, and put out the fire. The car was completely burned beyond recognition.
I purchased a used certified 2000 Volkswagen Jetta in January 2004, after only one week of purchasing the vehicle, the engine light came on, the accelerator was making a vibrating sound and stalling continuously. Okay, the transmission went out and it had to be replaced at my expense - I purchased a used transmission and then the engine throttle failed and the car wouldn't even start one day - had that replaced at my expense $1700. No the old parts are not available. Okay, there's more, the brakes have been replaced a total of four times within three years, the engine light is still on, air bag light on, brake light on, lights and fog interior fuses and exterior lights have been replaced I don't know how many times, I have put so much money into this vehicle - and it still is running badly. As of today, the car won't move without warming it up first for about 45 minutes fully - when you press on the accelerator without warming it up first - it will stall and make a loud embarrassing noise as if the engine is going to explode - and you have to literally make it move by pressing very hard on the accelerator and praying that it won't just shut off while driving and never start again. My vehicle has 117,000 miles on it had 43,500 when I bought it (I know stupid wasn't I) it was my first vehicle. I know a car is not suppose to last forever, but dam does it have to cost so much to try and keep it running until it dies. Please help me with any information you may have to assist me in this matter.
- Mount Prospect, IL, USA
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Owner's son was driving Volkswagen and it started overheating. During the course of the evening, he tried a few times to let car cool down and then continue driving, but the engine would continue to overheat. He managed to continue driving and noticed smoke coming from the back of the Volkswagen. He shut the engine off and coasted to a stop. He got out and noticed sparks dripping from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle became engulfed in fire. Cause undetermined, but spark plugs showed evidence of a rich air/fuel mixture.
After coming up a steep hill in a heavy snowstorm, the engine of my 2000 gls V6 Volkswagen Jetta caught fire and burned up. The car was in excellent condition and well serviced. I parked the car in the garage and there was no sign or smell of smoke. After the third trip out to the car to unload groceries, smoke began to come out from the hood. Fortunately, I was able to get the car out of the garage or my home would have burned to the ground. Despite the cold temperatures and snowstorm outside, flames soon began to drop below the car from the engine and flames 8 feet high engulfed the front half of the car before the fire department could put out the fire. Just before arriving home, by low gas light came on (it was expected), but no warning appeared about the temperature of the engine. I would have immediately pulled over had there been a high temperature warning. The coolant level was normal. Because of the unusual circumstances, I believe the cooling system is faulty.
Car temperture gauge suddenly shot up to 230 degrees this particular morning. The vehicle usually signals us if there is something wrong I.e. brake light, engine light, oil, etc. Without prior warning and knot knowing why this is happening the car was driven to the dealership instead of the intended destination. The customer service rep at dealeship guestimated that a water pump needed replaced which is causing the vehicle to overheat. The car could not be serviced that day due to prior appointments of the dearlership. The car was driven back home until late Sunday evening when the car was driven back to the dealership for possible repair Monday morning. Car was smoking and then tunred off. The car was towed to the dealership Monday evening. As of Tuesday 6/7/05 the mechanins at the dealership report that the car cannot be repaired due to the hoses melting into the engine. The car was serviced several times prior to the incident at the same dearlership, once even for inspection in February 2005 and this repair was never mentioned. Since Feb. The car has been serviced for oil changes and several minor repairs needed such as mirror, cup holder, tires, etc. Prior to the incident the car was driven over 300 miles and no warning light or signal was given. Now the car is unrepairable. The dearlership claims that a 2000 VW Jetta is only worth 1500 dollars!
Most recently, the water pump failed. Apparently this is another common failure, which should be covered by a recall. Here is the list of other problems I have had: -both window regulators failed (covered by recall) -tensioner pulley on serpentine belt failed at 40000 miles ($400) -maf sensor at 47000 miles (covered by recall) -catalytic converter failed 50000 miles (covered by emissions recall) -alternator failed at 55000 miles ($450 - using rebuilt alternator) -water pump failed at 60,000 miles ($350 repair bill). The question is...what's next? I plan to sell the car within the next few months.
From stop the vehicle would sometime stall. The consumer was unable to accelerate. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The vehicle had a bad mass air flow sensor (maf) and was replaced. The dealer found nothing wrong with the vehicle. The driver side door lock did not always lock automatically and would cause the alarm to sound. The problem was diagnosed but the problem was not fixed. The vehicle alarm would sound when the vehicle was started.
Took car for routine oil change. Was informed that there was a crack in the engine block and that the entire engine needs to be replaced. This was confirmed by a VW dealer, however, no one seems to know why the engine block would get a crack. In fact, the dealer told me that they had only ever seen this incident once before. My car had never overheated or anything prior to this. The car is now sitting in my garage because I cannot do anything with it. It cannot be sold and I can't afford $7100 for a new engine. In fact the car is not even worth that much. This is not the first problem that I have had with the car...there have been numerous other things (such as the check engine light/mass air flow sensor, fuel tank had to be replace twice, the trunk latch broke one day, the rear breaks had premature wear, glove box latch broke). These are poorly constructed vehicles. I wish I could get rid of it.
When driving at an undetermined speed check engine light appeared on the dashboard, then the vehicle stalled. Consumer had informed the dealer about this issue. However, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem.
My vehicle is a tdi diesel -computer/engine - engine diagnosis light has come on - diagnosis ($85) gate on turbo charger does not operate properly. Was told could drive vehicle but performance may deteriorate. Engine light still comes on ocaaisionaly. Rear brakes seized and wore completely out - dealer refused any warranty - wrote V/w customer service - they refunded about 90% of my cost
Brake pads went callipers went and rotters went with brakes. VW used the wrong callipers for the car. Ac went did not go cold. Starter went had to replace with new one that was the other. Paint staring chipping part of the cost was a key scratch. Engine light came on had to replace massive air flow meter.
While driving at any speed vehicle lost power and stalled. Dealer replaced the intake air filter which was clogged at consumer's expenses of $ $1,892.94. The consumer was informed that the problem was due to the throttle body and the intake had carbon build up. The intake and egr were cleaned and the air mass meter was replaced. The air meter was defective. After the repairs, the consumer noticed that the engine would continue to come on.
Vehicle suffered a lost of power when check engine light illuminates. On March 7 2002 university VW discovered a defective airflow meter. The windshield was replaced for a cracked rain drain. The brake servo was changed for a pin hole air leak. Consumer was told that the glow plug harness might be the cause as to why the brake lights come on. The hazard switch switched on and off distressing other drivers behind. Replaced the hazard relay switch (on the dash) by myself. Back brake pad wore down to the rivets. Vehicle overheated on 3 occasions had pressure test and thermostat changed and problem still exist.
Check engine light coming on intermittently and the car began to idle poorly and stall, becoming dangerous to drive. The car was checked for error codes and it was determined the mass air flow sensor had to be replaced. The car is just out of warranty and the service dept quoted over $400 to repair. Spoke with an independent parts store, they said the same part is used in 4 cyl and 6 cyl 2000 Jetta's, and VW is charging around $60 for the 4 cyl and well over $150 for the 6 cyl, for the same part. I have the 2000 6 cyl Jetta and they would not sell me the part.
On three occasions my driver/and or passenger side windows fell into the doors. VW fixed them at no charge...after much arguing. Ever since I first bought the car (brand new), my car is down 2 quarts before the 3000 mile oil change. VW says that this is normal.I don't think that is right.
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- Oak Park, CA, USA