The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving 50 mph, the contact noticed smoke under the hood that entered the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stopped the vehicle and opened the battery fuse box where he found that there were overheated wires and overwhelming smoke. The contact stated that the failure was recurring and the smoke was emitting from the battery fuse box. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000. The VIN was not available.

- Yonkers, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta. The vehicle has a fuse box that is under the hood located on top of the battery. The 150 amp fuse is for the alternator; however, the fuse itself is getting hot enough to melt the box. The dealer stated that there are no existing recalls; however, they have seen this failure occur frequently. The VIN is not available. The current and failure mileage were 79,000.

- Leesburg, VA, USA

My situation is very similar to ODI id number : 10136903. I have a 2003 Jetta. I was driving about 65 mph, my ABS warning light turned on, air bag warning light turned on, and my radio turned off. After stopping my car, it wouldn't start again. I had it towed to mechanic, who determined that my fuse panel (above the battery) had melted and he was very surprised that my car hadn't caught on fire. He replaced the fuse panel. A few days later, my car failed to start again. A jump start started it. Next day, my car failed to start again. A jump start started it. I drove it straight to mechanic. My alternator, which was fine last week, is now fried (after two drives), most likely because the fuse panel burnt it out. The alternator in my 2003 Jetta is a 90 amp alternator. VW stopped making these because they aren't powerful enough for the cars. I repeat, 90 amp alternators are no longer made for my car because it requires 120 amp alternator. Hmm.

- Durham, NC, USA