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 transmissions are bad on these cars and when it's shifting gears it jerks and almost takes you off the road. I've had my car completely stop as I was driving and almost cause a wreck hurting myself in the process of not trying to kill someone walking because these cars are KNOWN TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM THERE WAS AN ENTIRE LAWSUIT AGAINST VOLKSWAGEN AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. Please help if there is a recall done I can get the car fixed and continue working as an in-home caregiver. I am currently out of work because IT IS NOT SAFE TO TRANSPORT CLIENTS IN THAT DEATH TRAP. The mechanic said the entire transmission is built to brake and it's not a new problem these cars are bad.
On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly. When turning on the car, the air bag default button comes on. The interior lights do not come on. While idle car rumbles and shakes, while accelerating or decelerating car shakes (front end). My fueling system is terrible it seems as if gas sometimes doesn't get to my car it stales very often while driving or braking and accelerating again. Terrible electrical problems. Trunk will not open front light and brake lights work when they want to. When the heater is on it makes loud noise and tick even with the A/C on it does the same thing. While turning it stales and then take off really fast. While idle car rumbles and shakes, while accelerating or decelerating car shakes (front end). My fueling system is terrible it seems as if gas sometimes doesn't get to my car it stales very often while driving or braking and accelerating again. Terrible electrical problems. Trunk will not open front light and brake lights work when they want to. When the heater is on it makes loud noise and tick even with the A/C on it does the same thing. While turning it stales and then take off really fast. The vehicle suddenly caught fire, while idled in a drive thru line at a fast food restaurant. The fire started under the hood.
While idle car rumbles and shakes, while accelerating or decelerating car shakes (front end). My fueling system is terrible it seems as if gas sometimes doesn't get to my car it stales very often while driving or braking and accelerating again. Terrible electrical problems. Trunk will not open front light and brake lights work when they want to. When the heater is on it makes loud noise and tick even with the A/C on it does the same thing. While turning it stales and then take off really fast.
The contact owned a 2005 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly caught fire, while idled in a drive thru line at a fast food restaurant. The fire started under the hood. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was completely destroyed and towed to a junk yard. The contact was unsure if a police report or fire report were filed. The dealer mike haggerty Volkswagen (8920 S cicero ave, oak lawn, il 60453 (708) 425-8989) told the contact to call the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle and referred the contact to call the dealer. The failure mileage was unknown.
Engine misfires while driving or accelerating or slowing. Then vehicle vibrates and stalls. Intermittent and without warning lights on dash. VW garage could not solve this problem April 11, 2019 and May 7 to 11,2019. Vehicle had recall on coils approximately 2011 and coils were replaced but one failed few months later and manufacturer replaced it. Mileage now is slightly below 40,000. Vehicle has stalled while driving twice and not trustworthy. Policeman helped move vehicle off road once Volkswagen garage advised keep driving to see if problem continues after they switched two coil wires. It has not stopped misfiring of engine.
- Fremont, CA, USA
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The contact owned a 2005 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving 25 mph, the accelerator pedal failed to respond. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact veered off to the shoulder of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle approximately four times, but noticed flames coming from the hood of the vehicle. The contact received minor burns to the right arm that did not require medical attention. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the fire. A police and a fire report were filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was determined to be a total loss. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,000.
I am reporting a safety concern for Volkswagen Jetta 2005.5. my Jetta recently started having brake problems due to the master brake cylinder on 8/4/2017 I had to force my car off the road from hitting multiple vehicles due to the master brake cylinder failing. Volkswagen is very aware of this issue I have done research in found complaints as well as recalls but was told they couldn't help me the fuel line has also failed after replacing it causing a gas smell through out the vehicle when starting after pumping gas. I recently started having problems with the valve body damaged this is a big safety concern for my self in others who own the same vehicle the valve body damaged causes the car to slip in heavy traffic leading up to a car accident. I have done research and Volkswagen is aware of this issue with complaints they did add extended warranty to end 100,000 miles. Back in 2005 leading up to 2014 there are multiple 2005.5 Jettas around nashville with the same issues. But Volkswagen will not help fix the problem of the safety of there customers
The contact owns a 2005 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving 25 mph, the engine stalled and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence and then towed to wheeler auto parts (located at 8391 E monroe rd, wheeler, mi 48662; (989) 842-3158) where it was diagnosed that the timing belt and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the engine stalled in the shop's parking lot and the check engine indicator illuminated. In addition, the contact noticed a strong fuel odor coming the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (lafontaine Volkswagen located at 2200 S telegraph rd, dearborn, mi 48124; (313) 996-6000) where it was diagnosed that the timing belt and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed for the fuel odor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted at 800-822-8987 and stated that they would not be responsible for repairing the vehicle. Case number: 170791374 was provided. The failure mileage was 170,000.
I have had nothing but issues with my 2005 Jetta since purchasing it a little over a year ago. The first issue was loss of power while driving, causing me to almost be struck by other vehicles while turning at intersections. Cause: The fuse box ontop of battery melted, along with the fuses and ground wire. Then the coolant resevoir had to be replaced. Due to the fans not turning on because of those fuses melting. Then, then radiator. Then the break pump, exaust manifold gasket blew. The thing recently wasni had no break lights. Went to change bulbs. Kept breaking the fuses. Then stuck in park. Saw a recall listed for faulty break switch. Called VW they stated my recal had already been serviced. So sorry it was up to me to repair the issue. Told them of every other issue. They said there was nothing they could do for me. Basically I bought a very unrealiable, unsafe, piece of garbage. That I assumed was completely opposite for myself snd my two small children to be dependant upon getting us safely place tonplace.
Engine shuts off while driving. When pushing the accelerator, engine will sporadically shut off and the car will need to be stopped and restarted. No error codes come from the computer and the problem is not replicable at the dealership or at auto shops. The vehicle is either stationary or in motion, the deciding factor is the accelerator being pushed.
Engine continually would not start with numerous documented car electrical the problem is a Volkswagen faulty electrical design caused my wiring to burn up as a result when they placed the wiring fuse box on top of the battery causing both heat and chemical corrosion stress on the vehicles's electrical systems. Currently, no pun intended, the vehicle is unsafe to repair or drive what should I do? I cannot safely repair the car and sell it to an unsuspecting would-be owner nor does the local VW want to help me out thanks
The contact owns a 2005 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving approximately 40 mph, an abnormal sound emitted from the engine compartment and the vehicle shut off as the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the timing chain and timing chain tensioner needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. MA 08/06/15 updated 8/14/15
Car began to stutter and lose power while on I95 doing highway speed. Proceeded to do it multiple times. Once I got off the highway it lost power and shut down completely. I let the car sit for an hour and it started back up working fine. Happened again 3 hours later. Happened the entire week in Florida on vacation. Once the car got back into cooler weather problem went away until two days ago when it was about 70 degrees out. Happened on I97 doing 60 mph. I managed to get off the highway once again to have my car die in the middle of route 2. it did not do it for my mechanic who had it for 2 weeks. Other VW owners say this is a common problem with no known fix. This must be looked into, someone could be killed!
Over the past 3 weeks the check engine light has cycled on/off. Took the vehicle into the dealership today and they concluded that my timing chain needs to be replaced at a cost of $3700(parts&labor). I have had the car for 9 years and have approx 65000 miles on it. I have had oil changes every 5000 miles as well as all recommend factory maintenance. Since my car is no longer under warranty and Volkswagen of America states that the timing chain should be replaced every 10 years/100,000 miles they refused to help with covering any cost of the repairs. Upon searching the internet it has become clear that this is a known issue with the 05/06 Volkswagen engines yet they refuse to admit it. Timing chains should not be failing at 65000 miles and Volkswagen of America needs to take responsibility and do right by their customers.
Check engine light came on. Took car to have checked at advance auto. Technician found fault failure cam shaft positioning sensor. Car taken to VW dealership, told it was the timing belt, estimate repair $2700 not guarantee that would fix the problem. Total engine replacement $6400. Timing belt should not fail on a car with 109K miles, car has been keep on routine maintenance since purchased 5 years ago.
The car would buck and buck then go into gear, then it would buck get stuck in 3rd or 4th gear I would have to turn the car off let it sit then turn it back on. The prnds panel would all light up and stay on and sometimes go off if the car sat for like 2-3 days but the light would stay on and the car would do the same thing. The transmission went out the mechanic stated the 3rd or 4th gear was stripped and that it will cost me anywhere from 4K to7K to get it fixed.
Vehicle had a sudden loss of power (misfiring very badly) and would not maintain speed. The service engine light never came on, and there were no trouble codes stored. Vehicle was brought into VW dealership for diagnosis and they confirmed the camshaft was completely worn and "several lifters had caved in." Internet searches confirm this model vehicle (tdi with a brm engine) has a known history of camshaft failure. Aside from the cost of replacement ($2900 at the dealer), this could have caused a potentially life threatening crash.
Driving on interstate vehicle suddenly lost all power just like ignition turned off. Almost was rear ended due to sudden slowing down. Had to pull over to left lane on very busy interstate because I was in carpool lane. Had limited shoulder area to stop. No power steering or brakes. Once stopped tried to start engine. It would turn over but not start. Continued attempts caused engine pressure warning. Had to be towed from busy interstate left lane. Now the car has failed like this while on the road 3 times. There is no warning or indication of failure. Car just dies. All three incidents where while driving down the road. 2 were on hills near stop sign and I had to roll vehicle back around other cars to safe place.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Cosmopolis, WA, USA