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 contact owns a 2005 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, he noticed that the check engine light was illuminated and flashing. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where they advised him that the crank shaft sensor failed and the vehicle was misfiring. The vehicle was taken to another mechanic where they advised the contact that the timing chain sprockets had been shaved down, which caused the failure. The vehicle was repaired for the timing chain sprockets as well as other components. The manufacturer was contacted who offered no assistance because the vehicle was not taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The failure mileage was approximately 60,005. The VIN was unavailable.
At roughly 6500 miles my check engine light came on. Brought it to dealership to check out. Found out that the timing chain had jumped, or stretched, resulting in poor idle and a $2700 estimate to repair. Looked if other people had this issue. Timing chain should last 2-3 times longer. Since I'm out of warranty period I am out of luck. VW offered $1500 credit towards a new VW. This is not acpetable. My last Jetta lasted 180000 miles before any issues. If more people have this issue, then there should be a recall and it should be covered by the company. Be wary of VW's.
As emphasis by other owners of this car (forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5457990-class-action-against-VW-for-timing-chain-problem), Volkswagen designed a flawed system which allows the timing chain to fail pre-maturely. In fact, due to the design of this motor, a timing chain failure will directly and immediately lead to other catastrophic issues such as a bent valve in my situation. Upon replacement of the motor, I had the exact same issue happen less than 1 month later (11/16/11).
2005.5 VW Jetta, 2.5L 5 cyl engine. Car has been maintained according to manufacturer guidelines. Vehicle was operating normally when check engine light came on. Check engine light was lit steady, not flashing. Started to lose power and was difficult to maintain speed. Pulled off road and idle was very rough. Turned car off and back on and idle was worse and check engine light still lit and not flashing. Vehicle started to make grinding noise from driver's side of the engine compartment. Was difficult to move vehicle under its own power and had car towed to repair shop. Repair shop found trouble code P1340 and after more diagnostic that timing was incorrect. Cam timing was very far off and stretched timing chain suspected. Compression test revealed bent valves as well. Local indy mechanic and local VW dealer have both seen this issue several times with 2005.5 and 2006 model Jetta and rabbit vehicles with the 2.5L engine, and several other similar failures are outlined in several places online. The failure of the timing chain was very sudden and could have caused an accident.
- Ephrata, PA, USA
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Camshaft failure causing all associated/connecting parts to also fail. Never deviated from specified manufactures required oil (505.01). This appears to be a design problem, that is common on all these diesel engines (brm), of which the manufacture will not correct and the owner is required to correct at their own expense at a cost of $2000 plus.
Coilpack failure causes the car to decelerate and sputter, especially when it starts to rain. Volkswagen is aware of the problem since 2001. The internet is full of comments on this defect yet the problem continues.
VW Jetta 2.5L 2005 out of the blue check engine light came on at 81,000 miles. Random misfire and vacuum leak codes. Turn out to be timing chain stretched causing the problem cost $2000 to fix.
The contact owns a 2005 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact was driving 15 mph when the vehicle abnormally lunged forward. The contact stated that the failure would occur whenever decelerating the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the valve cover diaphragm, coolant temperature sensor and crank shaft sensors were replaced but to no avail. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,236.
The contact owns a 2005 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that a noise could be heard from the engine while decelerating from any speed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was told the vehicle needed a new timing chain. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The failure and current mileages were 79,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2005 Volkswagen new Jetta. The contact noticed that when attempting to take off for the first time after starting the vehicle, it would stall intermittently. The dealer was notified who informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer under warranty and provided no further assistance. The contact did not inform the manufacturer nor was the vehicle diagnosed or repaired. The current mileage was approximately 50,000 and the failure mileage was approximately 40,000. Updated 03/24/11 the consumer also stated the vehicle has a hard jerking and it only occurred when the vehicle was cold. Updated 05.02.11
I own a 2005 VW Jetta tdi. At approx. 60,000 miles the check engine light came on and I have replaced the same flap motor 3 times and it has failed again. I have also changed the thermostat, cooling kit, sensor, and it comes back as a flap motor failure. Has VW had a problem with intake flap motors on the turbo diesel motors?. VW will not do anything to help with this situation.
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.
The contact owns a 2005 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact noticed a strong gasoline odor emanating from her vehicle. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they changed the air filter; however, the replacement was only a temporary solution. She took the vehicle back to the dealer because the smell intensified. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure and could not repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was 23,635 and current mileage was 24,000. Updated 01/09/08. The cosumer was informed the smell was from the engine coolant. Updated
Oil pan was cracked do to contact with speed bump. Engine light did not come on until engine failed due to lack of lubrication. When obtaining a replacement oil pan from manufacturer a redesigned oil pan was used as a replacement. Instead of cast aluminum it was steel. If this pan was used as the original pan the incident would have never occurred. After investigating found out that steel pan is used in german built Jetta's but us made use cast product. VW refused to warranty engine with only 21,000 miles.
Dealership: Lindsay Volkswagen of dulles manufacturer: Volkswagen I have never heard from VW customer care since my initial complaint, filed 10.27.05 at 9:12 P.M., reference number 804030825. I called in Nov 05' to check on the status and a customer service rep told me I should file again (I have a reference number for that, too). I've yet to hear from them to this day. Since I bought my VW Jetta tdi 05' in March 05, I have documented how the VW dealership replaced the transmission module component, dealt with occurring problems with the asr light and a separate glow plug light situation, plus upper front strut mounts replacements. Each incident has equally colorful stories too detailed for your database character limitations.
I bought a 2005 Jetta tdi, brand new. When it had less than 2000 miles on it, it died without warning. I was luckily able to coast out of traffic, and after 20 minutes it finally restarted. Then 6 weeks later, with less than 4500 miles on it, it died without warning while I was going 70 mph on an interstate freeway. I had my 3 kids in the car. Again, I was fortunate enough to be able to coast out of traffic and onto a narrow shoulder. I called for roadside assistance, but again, after 20 minutes I was finally able to restart it. I could have been killed with my children since we trapped between a guardrail and the first lane. It was terrifying. The only indication that something was wrong was that after it died quietly, a light came on that said "emissions workshop." The dealer says it's running to specifications. That doesn't explain why a brand new car has quit twice without warning and failed to restart for 20 minutes each time.
The contact stated on 8-16-05 while driving on the highway the car died. Then it lurched forward, stopped and lurched forward again. This was the fifth time the car has been at the dealers. The first time the check engine light came on, and they replaced a fuel injector. The second time the ABS light, the air bag light, and the check engine light came on. They installed a full distributor rail. The third time the engine overheated, and the air conditioner would not work. They replaced the battery and cooling fans. The fourth time the check engine light came on again, and they replaced a valve. This last time the dealer gave him a loaner car. They have not diagnosed the problem yet. The dealer called on Friday to tell him they would not pay for the loaner car.
A few days after we purchased our new 2005 Jetta we noticed that after the car had been sitting for 6 hours or more we were hearing a very loud noise at start up. This happens every time we start the car from cold, becoming more loud the colder it is - the noise is very loud and most certainly not normal for a brand new car. It appears the noise is coming from the engine area. We have taken the car into the dealer and after looking at it, they said that this was normal and really did not explain as to what is making the noise. They did state that other Jetta's made the same noise. Again, I find this very concerning for a new car.
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- Milwaukee, WI, USA