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.
The windows and doors failed to unlock, the windows would not roll up or down, and the door ajar indicator would not turn off with the door securely shut. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed said the failure was caused by the drivers door wiring harness. The dealer replaced the driver door wiring harness. This occurred at 80,000 miles. Failure occurred again at 93,330 miles, and repaired by a different auto mechanic.
Left turn signal, drivers door/all remote window switches, trunk/fuel door release, drivers door lock key fob locking of drivers door/drivers door internal lock are all inoperative. Occasionally, the cabin interior light remains on with a drivers "door open" indication on the instrument cluster even though the drivers door is closed and secure (but unable to be locked from the drivers door lock switch in the passenger cabin). The primary safety issue related to this problem is that the left turn signal displays on instrument cluster, but does not activate on the rear turn signal light and drivers window (along with all other windows remotely controlled on drivers door) are inoperative if needed to make a hand turn signal or egress from the vehicle in an accident (or submerged under water for an egress). Dealer and manufacture both refused to cover the replacement cost of the faulty part. I have performed every manufacture required service required (all documented) since purchasing this vehicle in the interest of safety and reliability. It had very low mileage on my purchase in early 2007. Per VW technical service bulletin, group 97: 09-01 (201-7600), February 26, 2009, states that the drivers door wiring harness was manufactured 80 mm too short. This results in putting strain on the numerous wires in this harness near the door boot and connector plug causing wires to break and/or electrically short. My vehicle was affected by the VIN range of this manufactures service bulletin. The new replacement drivers door electrical harness are now 80 mm longer than the originally manufactured (installed) faulty part that the manufacture is unwilling to replace at their cost (parts or labor). I will pay for my repair personally, but believe that the safety aspect of this faulty part could compromise the safety of the driver and occupants in addition to other motorist.
Switches in the driver's door have become gradually (and intermittently) increasingly inoperable. Door lock/unlock, windows up/down, window lock, side-view mirror adjustment, and trunk release all have stopped working either entirely or intermittently. The major safety related issues are: 1. non-functional switches are a distraction while driving - can't close window at tool booth, etc. 2. the inability to adjust side-view mirrors. 3. the inability to lock rear windows combined with having small children riding in the back seat. 4. the inability to unlock rear doors (without using the keyless remote - one of which has also stopped working) to get to the kids in the back is a challenge and potentially hazardous. 5. the door switch that indicates to the on-board computer when the door is open or closed also is not functional, causing nighttime lighting issues when parked and opening door.
Hi, so my 2005.5 2.5L Volkswagen Jetta started making noises upon acceleration and the engine would shift quite heavily during idling. The check engine light went on and I took the car to dealership. Apparently, there is an issue with the timing chains of the engine. Never missed a maintenance, after only 68,000 miles it doesn't seem okay that timing chains are already affected. After looking at a few forums online, it seems that this is a very common problem for Volkswagen Jettas from that time. Please investigate! thank you.
Door locks intermittently fail to lock or unlock, either by the key fob button or door panel lock/unlock switch. I believe this is a safety issue as it may impede access to the vehicle in the event of an accident.
- Versailles, KY, USA
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I purchased this car from a dealership on 10-8-2012 up in the Washington, D.C. area and drove it back home to my house in SC. Everything was fine on the way home. The very next day on my way into work the car hesitated when it was supposed to shift from 3rd gear to 4th gear and then suddenly downshifted all the way back to 1st gear which made the car de-accelerate from 35-40mph to 10mph within 40 feet or so. The engine revved to 6000 plus rpms which scared me but not as much as the big truck that was towing a trailer that had to skid off the road and go around me to avoid an accident. This is now a daily occurrence. I carry my 16 month old daughter around in this car and I'm scared to death that someone is going to smash into the back of us. I've started pulling off the road and letting cars go to avoid accidents. Please help!
A few weeks ago, I went to start my car and all the lights were flashing and car didn't start. Jumped the battery, got the car running; but ever since my air bag light has stayed on and the driver's window is slow, the auto up/down feature not working, and if the driver door is open, I can't pop trunk or gas lid or roll down any of the windows. My car is no longer under warranty, so it's going to be very expensive to fix the multiple issues.
Windows, door locks, trunk and fuel door release and airbags non-functioning due to wiring harness located in drivers door. Found out there is issue concerning the length of the harness that causes wires to break over time.
The car has 83K miles, since approx 1 year ago (73K miles) the lcd multifuction display is getting dimmer and dimmer up to the point that sometimes is almost unreadable and the problem occur only when the car is exposed to high temperatures. (in the morning the lcd brightness is normal). I did some research in the internet and found other people have the same condition. The lcd multifunction display shows the odometer data, the transmission gear position and also shows safety warnings related to air bags malfunction and front and rear doors not properly closed. I was advised by a dealer service advisor to contact VW customer service because the repair of this defect is very expensive and according to him may be caused by defective parts. I was told by VW customer service that there is nothing they can do because is not recognized as a manufacturer defect. I understand that it is illegal for a car owner to alter the odometer during the lifetime of the car, if that is the case should be illegal a for a car manufacturer to sell a car that after six years you are unable to read the odometer information.
Front end crash into a stopped vehicle on county highway. Approximately 35 mph to 40 mph. None of the air bags deployed. Vehicle was totaled by insurance provider. Seat belt straining upon body, that took full force of stop no other absorption of impact energy. Vehicle kept energized even at the salvage storage area when keys were inserted no electrically safety relays disengaged the vehicle electrical system.
Wiring harness between the body and the doors flexes during opening and closing of the door. The wire coating becomes brittle with age and cracks causing stress points in the wire leading to breakage of 1 or more wires in the harness leading to inoperable controls and electronics in the door, possible electrical short, and potential fire hazard. This failure tends to occur after a couple years of usage. This particular vehicle failed at 65,000 miles. Usually the driver's door fails first as it is used most frequently. This equipment includes but may not be limited to window controls, door locks, door open sensor, air bag system crash sensor, trunk release switch, fuel door release switch, door mirror adjustment, mirror turn signal indicator, mirror heating element. Wiring harness must be replaced which costs approximately $150-$200. Harness should be redesigned with longer wires to avoid stretching of the wire and wire coating material changed to avoid brittleness with age and work hardening.
Turn signal switch malfunction and fire... right turn signal activated without switch being activated. After about 5-10 minutes in this condition, smoke came out of steering column. Fire/marking could be seen in the switch area. Eventually the turn signal went out and the smoke/fire stoppped. VW service replaced the switch and wire harnes. The plactic on the switch and harnes was melted and charred.
The airbag light has come on 4 times in my 2005 new Jetta 2.5 the seat belt sensors in front have been replaced once at dealership, this started when the car had only 22000 miles and kept coming on around every 10000 miles, they had to also replace the airbag(s) not sure which ones were replaced, the seatbealts don't wind back up properly sometimes as well. At around 25000 miles the brakes had to be replaced, we heard a clicking one day in the rear wheel well, we took it to the dealership they had replaced the brakes, rotors etc. I have documentation of these repairs.
The fuse for the rear window defroster melted into the fuse box. I called VW and they informed me that when they manufactured the vehicle they placed a 25 amp fuse in the fuse box and it should be changed to a 30 amp. They informed me that I can do this myself since there was a technical service bulletin placed on this. I told them there was no way that I can get the fuse out since it is melted into the fuse box, and they informed me that I would have to pay to have the fuse box replaced. I do not understand how I am responsible for something that I never did. I cannot use my rear window defroster, heated seats and my heated windshield washers don't even work. I have went the rounds with Volkswagen and they stick to telling me that I am responsible for the costs in replacing the fuse box. Its like they are telling me that I built the car and I placed the wrong fuse. If I did build the car and place the wrong fuse in the car I would pay for the damages associated with this, but I did not build it VW built it and I feel they need to take responsibility for placing the wrong fuse in the fuse box.
2005 Volkswagen Jetta bucks and shakes while driving. Consumer states that the vehicle sounds like it just wants to shut off and not run. While vehicle was in the shop the loaner got hit and dealer would not return her car until payment was made. The consumer stated the first time the problem happened, she had come to a full stop. When she went to accelerate, the vehicle almost stalled, starting bucking and was sluggish. Immediately afterwards, the engine light illuminated. The dealer stated the reset a component, however 1 month later the problem re-surfaced. The consumer was told the problem was several different things, but each time the components were replaced, the problem would come back.
There are multiple problems with electrical system on this vehicle specifically the rear brake lights, directional signals, remote entry to vehicle, making it unsafe at to drive" tried to make an appointment with local dealer and they advise they are booked out for 12 days - not sympathetic to the fact that these problems are safety related and need to be corrected immediately? either dealership has more problems with vehicles than they can handle or they are under staffed" would not recommend this product line due to poor service and unwillingness to address safety concerns promptly!
2005 Jetta caught on fire while driving. The dealer informed the consumer, that a lot of vehicles were having a lot of electrical problems with the taillights.
Call stalls out.. my VW2005.5 Jetta while drive turns off with no warning signs.. very dangerous.. on the highways. Been to gunther VW coconut creek fl for 2 times for the same problem.. the first time the car was brought in Aug 30. 2006 for the car stalling.. service advisor dean took in it.. my car was ready Sept 1 2006 I brought the car home and it stalled. So I brought the car back in for service they seem not to believe me until they drove it and it cut off on them while driving now its in the shop and no one has any idea what's going on..
When driving on the interstate at 65 mph my car suddenly lost all its power and was I could not go over 25 mph. We were very lucky to not get hit from behind. When this happened the traction control light, engine/exhaust light, esr light, esp light all came on. It also stalls out when sitting at an intersection. VW unable to fix as of yet, been in for repairs 3 times already for the same thing. Very dangerous problem, car very unreliable!!
The contact stated the vehicle caught on fire. The contact's son was driving and he felt that the vehicle was not getting any fuel. He pressed the gas pedal and then it stalled. He depressed the gas pedal while trying to restart it, and it started smoking. He got out of the vehicle and lifted the hood and it burst into flames. By the time the fire department arrived the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames. The vehicle was totaled, according to the auto body shop the only thing that remained were the head lights. There has been no investigation as to where the fire started. She contacted Volkswagen, and they told her there was a recall for a faulty fuel clamp. But she never received a recall letter. There was a police report 5021483 was taken at the scene.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Hudson, NH, USA