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 key becomes difficult to remove or stuck in the steering column. This was identified on my 2012 VW Jetta in 2015 at 81K miles and recommended to be replaced by a VW dealership. At the time, I was unable afford the replacement cost. This has happen throughout my time owning the car (typically in the warmer months). I experience the issue where the key became stuck yesterday. When I got home yesterday I received a letter from VW stating that this is a known-issue and that they are extending the warranty coverage to 10 years or 100km miles to cover this issue. My car has 130K miles on it now and I just spoke with VW and highlighted that a VW dealership identified the issue in September 2015 (81K miles) when the car would have been covered under this extended warranty. They told me because I chose not to pay for the repair then, there was nothing they could do now. This is extremely frustrating. VW did not just decide this month that this was an issue and should pay for these repairs as the extended warranty doesn't do enough as many cars are probably well beyond it.
Key gets stuck in ignition and cannot be removed. Vehicle is in park. Steering wheel is not locked at this point. Engine can be turned off, but key cannot be removed. Volkswagen has replaced ignition lock cylinder but problem reappears.
Key stuck in ignition. After arriving home and parking after a normal drive, I was unable to turn key to off position with engine running. Had to stall engine with clutch to stop it. After 10 minutes of jiggling, tapping, twisting with no result, I found that holding the key in the start position and allowing it to snap back would free it up. This behavior continued without exception for two days until I could get it to the dealer. Diagnosis "ignition lock housing internally binding". they removed and replaced Volkswagen part # C6-905-841 "steerlock" and the problem was resolved. This seems to be a very common problem with a variety of VW vehicles, with hundreds of reports in online forums.
The key will not come out of the ignition. We have tried everything possible and VW said this is a known issue but wont recall and have to pay 1000+ to fix. What if something happened with myself or kids in the car and needed to get the keys out!
When my car is on, I cannot turn the key in the ignition to turn the car off. I was told this is an extremely common problem in Jettas. The car is just under 5 years old, less than 80,000 miles on it. I've learned that VW knows about the problems, but won't recall to fix the problems that happen in so many Jettas. It is no coincidence, and VW should be responsible.
Key gets stuck in ignition when turning off the engine. The key wont move or turn off the engine no matter what I do, and I am not able to turn the car off!! I tried for over an hour and finally had to drive to dealer - they werent able to get the key to turn off the engine either and had to pop the hood and pull wires.
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving approximately 65 mph, the electronic power control warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle lost acceleration. The contact merged the vehicle to the road shoulder to a complete stop. The engine was turned off and then restarted. The contact stated that the vehicle had been experiencing the failure for approximately six months. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic (wallen auto II in Michigan city, Indiana) for diagnostic testing and the accelerator pedal was replaced twice, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.
Key gets stuck in ignition and I cannot turn off engine. This has been happening for weeks. When it first started it was only once and awhile but now every time I park my car it takes me twenty or more minutes to try and get my keys out and turn off engine.
Key stuck in ignition, unable to turn off engine only by releasing the clutch in first gear. Problem happens all the time but I have been able wiggle it out, however now its stuck for sure!
Ignition locks up preventing key from being released or engine turning off. After inspection VW can find no fault by driver, but not covered under warranty. Required ignition parts replacement.
Vehicle will not turn off. Key gets stuck in ignition switch and you cannot turn off vehicle or remove key. Dealer says this is common and once it starts happening, you cannot turn off the engine routinely. To finally turn it off, you have to use tremendous force and if that doesn't work, drive the vehicle around for a bit and then try again.
Key stuck in on or off position - can't turn car off. Can't turn it on. Please look at the complaints under unknown/other - there are 38 other complaints about the key getting stuck in the ignition in either the on or off position. People don't realize it falls under electrical. I can't turn my car on half the time and can't turn it off other times. The key is just stuck in the ignition switch and nothing I do will make it move. It's just been towed to the shop for the last time! VW knows about this, the dealers know about this. It's dangerous! what am I supposed to do when I come out of a mall in the dark and my key won't turn in the lock" or when I go to park somewhere and the car won't turn off in the 92-degree heat. I am a single woman and this is extrememly dangerous. Imagine if ther are children in the car and you can't turn it off" I've tried everything everyone else has tried and now I'm going to trade the car in. But someoe needs to do something about this. The dealer (and multiple websites) say it's the ignition cylinder and very common with these cars. Dealers want $600 and up to fix it. And some people have replaced theirs more than once. This has been going on for nearly a year with my car. My car only has 70,000 miles on it. There are others with even fewer miles. Why is no one paying attention to this"?? read the complaints under unknown/other - this is a very very common complaint with these vehicles and very dangerous. Where is the recall????"
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Rosemount, MN, USA