2000 Volkswagen Jetta

What owners report most often

1. Engine and engine cooling123
2. Visibility77
3. Electrical system64
4. Service brakes44
5. Air bags41
6. Hydraulic41
7. Power train37
8. Exterior lighting32

Recalls and investigations

1. Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 7, 2014

   The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

   A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

   Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

   Campaign 14E007000 on NHTSA.gov

2. Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchMay 24, 2006

   ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND CRUISE CONTROLS, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING SAFETY RECALLS 03V-265 OR 04V-096.

   THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

   DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2006. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

   Campaign 06V183000 on NHTSA.gov

3. Exterior lighting, hazard flashing warning lights, switchDec 16, 2004

   ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HAZARD SWITCH AND FLASHER SYSTEM FUNCTION MAY DEGRADE OVER TIME BECAUSE OF DISTORTION AND MATERIAL TRANSFER OF THE CONTACTS OF CERTAIN HAZARD SWITCH RELAYS WHICH OCCURS DUE TO SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED ELECTRICAL CURRENT LOAD FROM HIGHER WATTAGE TURN SIGNAL BULBS.

   THIS MAY RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER FUNCTION.

   DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

   Campaign 04V584000 on NHTSA.gov

4. Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchFeb 20, 2004

   ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION.

   IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

   THIS RECALL HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY 06V-183. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD A REMEDY PERFORMED UNDER THIS RECALL SHOULD RETURN TO THEIR DEALER FOR THE REDESIGNED REMEDY. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

   Campaign 04V096000 on NHTSA.gov

5. Equipment, other, owners/service/other manualSep 12, 2002

   CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." CHILD SEAT ANCHORAGES INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE'S REAR SEATS MUST BE IDENTIFIED BY MARKINGS, AND THEIR LOCATION AND USE BE DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL.

   THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT MARKED OR DESCRIBED AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

   OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND ALSO ONE SET OF FOUR GUIDANCE FIXTURES INTENDED TO USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHILD SEATS EQUIPPED WITH RIGID OR SEMI-RIGID LOWER ANCHORAGE ATTACHMENTS. ALSO ENCLOSED WILL BE FOUR DECALS TOGETHER WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND A TEMPLATE FOR ATTACHING THE DECALS TO THE LOWER SEAT BACKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN SEPTEMBER 15, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.

   Campaign 02V244000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: electrical system

64 reports, newest first. Show all

1. Electrical system, Seats, Oct 3, 2024

   The contact owns a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving with the front driver’s side seat heater activated, the seat became extremely hot. The contact started smelling a burning odor coming from the seat. The contact felt a hole in the seat, which burned the contact's middle finger. The contact immediately pulled over and turned off the vehicle. The contact’s back started burning due to the extreme heat of the seat back. Upon inspection, the contact discovered a hole in his jacket and approximately four holes that had formed in the front driver seat due to the seat heater failure. The contact was not treated for the burns to his back. The contact stated that two dealers were notified of the failure but neither provided immediate assistance. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 489,000.

2. Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 31, 2012

   CAR WILL NOT START AFTER BEING DRIVEN FAR ENOUGH TO WARM-UP THE ENGINE. MUST WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES--UP TO AN HOUR--BEFORE IT WILL START AGAIN. THE PROCESS OF TRYING A RESTART RESULTS IN MUCH UNBURNED FUEL VAPOR IN THE EXHAUST STREAM. THE INTERIOR LIGHTING DOES NOT TURN ON OR OFF WITH THE OPENING OF A DOOR. HORN DOES NOT SOUND WHEN LOCKING THE CAR, AUTO-DRIVERS SEAT POSITIONING DOES NOT WORK. ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR PERFORMS QUITE WELL--GOOD ENGINE POWER, STEERING, ETC. HOWEVER, THE NON-STARTING AFTER BEING DRIVEN A DISTANCE COULD RESULT IN BEING STRANDED AND PLACED IN DANGER. *TT

3. Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Oct 17, 2009

   I OWN A 2000 VR6 JETTA AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COIL TWICE DUE TO THE DEFECTS OF THE IGNITION COIL CRACKING. I READ A COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON THIS WEBSITE BACK IN 2005 AND IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COIL. WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, I LOST POWER AND IT STARTED TO STALL ON ME. I ALMOST GOT INTO A CAR ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE I PANIC. I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT THAT RELIES ON MY CAR AND I TRAVEL 300 MILES TO COLLEGE. I NOTICED A LOT OF SPARKS BY THE IGNITION COIL AND I AM VERY SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE IT MIGHT CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE HELP!!! *TR

4. Electrical system, Jan 14, 2009

   MY 2000 JETTA VR6 HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING COIL ISSUES FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS WHENEVER THE WEATHER IS WET/RAINY AND HIGH HUMIDITY. IF THE CAR SITS IDLE FOR 6-8 HOURS WITH A COLD ENGINE IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO START THE ENGINE WITHOUT CONSTANT SPUTTERING. THERE IS NO POWER IN ACCELERATION UNTIL THE ENGINE WARMS UP COMPLETELY. DURING THIS TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES AND REMAINS ON UNTIL THE NEXT TIME I START UP THE ENGINE OR UNTIL THE WEATHER BECOMES LESS HUMID. THIS ALSO OCCURS WHEN DRIVING THRU A PUDDLE OF WATER CAUSING IT TO SPLASH THE COIL AREA. I REPLACED THE IGNITION WIRES TO THE TUNE OF $145 BUT THAT DID NOT ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM. *TR

5. Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Equipment, Nov 27, 2008

   I OWN A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, THE CAR HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS, I REALIZE THE CAR IS OLD AND WAS BOUGHT AS IS IT STILL SHOULD MAINTAIN TO PROPERLY RUN. IT HAS CAUSED A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN THE CARS WATER PUMP FAILED WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY DOING 75MPH, IT STARTED TO STALL I WAS IN THE FAR LEFT LANE, I PULLED OVER THREW HEAVY TRAFFIC, IT WAS A 1000 DOLLAR REPAIR, I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT A FAILED WATER PUMP, ALSO, THE CAR STARTS AND REVS AT 2000 RPMS OR IT HAS TROUBLE STARTING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY AND CANT FIND THE PROBLEM, ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS ARE NUMEROUS, I FEEL I SHOULD HAVE SOME COMPENSATION FROM THE VW CORPORATION AND ALL THE OTHER OWNERS OF A VW OF THIS YEAR WITH THE SAME ISSUES. *TR

6. Electrical system, Aug 28, 2008, fire

   FIRE IN 2000 VW JETTA VR6, POINT OF ORIGIN AT IGNITION COIL PACK ON THE TOP LEFT-FACING SIDE OF THE ENGINE. *TR

7. Electrical system, Aug 13, 2008

   TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER CHANGED THE BULB. AFTERWARDS, SHE WAS PULLED OVER BY A POLICE OFFICER WHO POINTED OUT THE MALFUNCTIONING BRAKE LIGHT. SHE PROVIDED THE OFFICER WITH THE PAPERWORK OF HER RECENT REPAIR. THE OFFICER INSTRUCTED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE BULB AND REALIZED THAT IT WORKED. SHE PURCHASED NEW BULBS, BUT THEY WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. SHE ASSUMED THAT THE ISSUE WAS DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ON AUGUST 12, 2008, THE CONTACT HAD HER DAUGHTER FOLLOW HER TO A DEALER 30 MILES AWAY. HER DAUGHTER WAS INSTRUCTED TO SOUND THE HORN EVERYTIME HER BRAKE LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED. HER DAUGHTER SOUNDED THE HORN A TOTAL OF 13 TIMES ON THE 30 MILE TRIP TO THE DEALER. WHEN SHE ARRIVED AT THE DEALER, THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 113,000.

8. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 7, 2008

   I HAVE A 2000 VW JETTA ALREADY HAVE HAD EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE STALLING EVENTS AS A RESULT OF ONE OR MORE IGNITION COIL PLUGS MALFUNCTIONING ON MY 2000 VW JETTA AS A RESULT OF THE ENGINE STALLING I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORTS WHEN I PULLED VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES PARKED ON THE SHOULDER WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE OPERATED AT REDUCED POWER............................ALSO MY BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN STICKING ON AND NOT WORKING ALL THE TIME AS WELL.................NOT SURE HOW TO EXPLAIN THIS ONE BUT HERE GOES RIGHT BY MY AC SWITCH ON MY CAR THERE IS A BUTTON THAT IS SUPPOSED TO CIRCULATE THE AIR THROUGH THE CAR BUT WHEN I PUSH IT IN A LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD COMES ON AND SAYS BRAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND I HAVE A LOSS OF BRAKE POWER, ALSO MY CRUISE CONTROL HAS STOPPED WORKING AND MY HAZARDS HAVE STOPPED AS WELL WAS HOPING YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP ME AS THE DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT MY ISSUES. *TR

9. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Electrical system, Jun 2, 2008

   I AM REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE IGNITION COIL PLUGS ON THE MODEL YEAR 2000, VOLKSWAGEN, JETTA. I HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE STALLING EVENTS AND CAR NOT STARTING UP AFTER UP OR BEING PARKED AFTER SHUTTING OFF ENGINE AS A RESULT OF ONE OR MORE IGNITION PLUS MALFUNCTIONING ON MY 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GL. AS A RESULT OF THE ENGINE STALLING AND NOT STARTING WHEN IGNITION IS ACCELERATED, I HAVE ALSO I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND INCREASED BREAKING EFFORTS WHEN I PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WOULD NOT START WHEN SITTING FOR A WHILE. AFTER ABOUT 45 MINUTES OR LONGER - I WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE OPERATED AT A REDUCED POWER. THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND WILL NOT START UP FOR NO REASON AT ALL. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE AND NERVOUS WHEN DRIVING - AND HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM OVER AND OVER AND HAVE PAID FOR COSTLY REPAIRS. STILL TO NO AVAIL, IT KEEPS HAPPENING. TIRED OF THE VEHICLE - WILL NEVER EVER PURCHASE A VOLKSWAGEN AGAIN! PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IGNITION MODULE ON VOLKSWAGEN JETTAS - YEAR 2000 PLEASE ASAP !!! I HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN THE WORST PLACES WITH THE VEHICLE - WITH NO HELP TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. *TR

10. Electrical system, Apr 22, 2008

    2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8T. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON MY VW JETTA KEEPS MALFUNCTIONING AND LIGHTS UP AGAIN AND AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS AND THEY SAY THEY FIXED IT, BUT IT KEEPS COMING BACK. OVER THE LIFETIME OF THIS CAR (I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 8 YEARS), I HAVE HAD THIS CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT MALFUNCTION OVER 10-15 TIMES. *TR

11. Electrical system, Feb 29, 2008

    BOUGHT USED VW FROM A DEALER. DEALER WAS DOING BRAKES/INSPECTION, AND ON PICKING UP THE VEHICLE STUNK OF BURNT ELECTRIC SMELL. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THIS WAS AROUND 50,000 MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON ALTHOUGH NUMEROUS CODES CONTINUE TO COME UP NOTHING IS FOUND. DEALER SENT CAR TO AUTHORIZED VW DEALER TO FIX - LIGHT STILL REMAINS ON. AROUND 87,000 MILES CAR BEGAN TO DRAIN BATTERY AND WOULD NOT START EVEN AFTER NEW BATTERY. TOOK TO AUTHORIZED VW CAR SHOP. SEEMS SOMETHING WITH FUSES/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. AGAIN MANY CODES BUT NOTHING SEEMS WRONG, ACCEPT FOR THE WHOLE NOT STARTING. IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED - LIGHT STILL ON. LIGHTER SOCKET NO LONGER WORKS. NOW AROUND 89,000 MILES AND IT IS NOW EARLY 2008. *TR

12. Electrical system, Dec 31, 2007, fire

    MY 2000 VW PASSAT CAUGHT ON FIRE DEC 28, 2007. I HAD IT TOWED TO A NEARBY DEALER FOR SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY IGNITION COIL. THE FINAL COST TO REPAIR (IF IT CAN BE REPAIRED) IS STILL BEING INVESTIGATED. I FIND IT VERY PERTURBING TO FIND OUT THAT VW KNEW OF THESE (COIL) DEFECTS YET DID NOTHING TO INFORM OWNERS. I HAD TWO SMALL CHILDREN AGES 2 AND 4 IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE. FORTUNATELY, MY QUICK INSTINCTS PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH LIMITED ENGINE DAMAGE AND WITHOUT CASUALTIES. *TR

13. Electrical system, Oct 4, 2007

    MULTIPLE AND VARIOUS DASH INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING COSTLY AND UNNECESSARY DEALER VISITS TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OWNERS MANUAL. *TR

14. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Tires, Oct 3, 2007

    I PURCHASED A USED CERTIFIED 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA IN JANUARY 2004, AFTER ONLY ONE WEEK OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE ACCELERATOR WAS MAKING A VIBRATING SOUND AND STALLING CONTINUOUSLY. OKAY, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE - I PURCHASED A USED TRANSMISSION AND THEN THE ENGINE THROTTLE FAILED AND THE CAR WOULDN'T EVEN START ONE DAY - HAD THAT REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE $1700. NO THE OLD PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. OKAY, THERE'S MORE, THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES WITHIN THREE YEARS, THE ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON, AIR BAG LIGHT ON, BRAKE LIGHT ON, LIGHTS AND FOG INTERIOR FUSES AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES, I HAVE PUT SO MUCH MONEY INTO THIS VEHICLE - AND IT STILL IS RUNNING BADLY. AS OF TODAY, THE CAR WON'T MOVE WITHOUT WARMING IT UP FIRST FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES FULLY - WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR WITHOUT WARMING IT UP FIRST - IT WILL STALL AND MAKE A LOUD EMBARRASSING NOISE AS IF THE ENGINE IS GOING TO EXPLODE - AND YOU HAVE TO LITERALLY MAKE IT MOVE BY PRESSING VERY HARD ON THE ACCELERATOR AND PRAYING THAT IT WON'T JUST SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND NEVER START AGAIN. MY VEHICLE HAS 117,000 MILES ON IT HAD 43,500 WHEN I BOUGHT IT (I KNOW STUPID WASN'T I) IT WAS MY FIRST VEHICLE. I KNOW A CAR IS NOT SUPPOSE TO LAST FOREVER, BUT DAM DOES IT HAVE TO COST SO MUCH TO TRY AND KEEP IT RUNNING UNTIL IT DIES. PLEASE HELP ME WITH ANY INFORMATION YOU MAY HAVE TO ASSIST ME IN THIS MATTER. *JB

15. Electrical system, Sep 12, 2006

    MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR & WIRING HARNESS FAILURE ON 2000 JETTA TDI WITH 55,000 MILES. CAR LOST ACCELERATION AND AUTOMATIC SHIFTING ABILITY ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY CREATING VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN FAILURE PROBLEM WITH VW SINCE I WAS TOLD IT IS COVERED BY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY & "IT'S HAPPENED TO A LOT OF OTHERS". WE HAD TO LEAVE CAR WITH A DEALER IN NJ & RENT A CAR TO GET HOME TO MASSACHUSETTS. *JB

16. Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Aug 2, 2006

    AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES AS I WAS DRIVING UPHILL THE ENGINE FELT AS IF IT WAS FAILING AND LOSING POWER. IT REGAINED POWER, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO RAN A DIAGNOSTIC, AND FOUND MANY CODES ON IT, BUT NOTHING WRONG. HE CLEARED OUT THE COMPUTER AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. I NOW HAVE 87,000 MILES AND HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM CONTINUOUSLY. NOW, I HAVE TO TAKE MY CAR REGULARLY BY MY MECHANIC TO HAVE THE COMPUTER CLEARED OUT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 2 DAYS AFTER HE CLEARED IT LAST TIME. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BUT THAT THEY HAVE HAD THIS COMPLAINT BEFORE. *NM

17. Electrical system, Jul 26, 2005

    COIL PACK FAILURE ON 2000 VW JETTA GLX V-6; THIS JETTA MANUFACTURED LATE IN 2000 AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN RECALL FOR 2001-2003 YEARS.

18. Electrical system, Jul 25, 2005

    DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE DEALER AND THEY TOLD HIM THE IGNITION COIL WAS BAD. THEY WANTED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COIL AT A COST OF OVER $700.00; PARTS ONLY. THE CONSUMER HAS VISITED A WEBSITE AND FOUND A RECALL ON A LATER MODEL; 2001 VW JETTA. HIS CAR IS DOING THE SAME THING AS LISTED ON THIS RECALL. HE HAS TALKED TO VW AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP HIM. HE NOTICED PROBLEMS ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO. THE DEALER TOLD HIM IT HAD A 100,000 10 YEAR WARRANTY, BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX IT UNDER THE WARRANTY. 8JB

19. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 17, 2005

    MY CAR HAD RECALL #04V096000 PERFORMED APPROX 1.5 YEARS AGO (A SWITCH WAS REPLACED). THAT SAME SWITCH HAD BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE. IT IS THE SWITCH THAT DETECTS WHETHER OR NOT I HAVE PRESSED THE BRAKE, ALLOWING ME TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. SOMETIMES IT ALSO AFFECTS MY BRAKE LIGHTS, CAUSING THEM TO NOT TURN ON WHEN THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED. HOWEVER, ON MAY 14, 2005 I BROUGHT THE CAR IN AGAIN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, EVEN AFTER THE RECALL. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME IT HAS HAPPENED. THIS TIME IT DID AFFECT THE BRAKE LIGHTS - THEY WOULD NOT COME ON WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE WAS NOT DUE TO A FUSE, BUT DUE TO THAT SWITCH, AND THAT THE TWO ARE CONNECTED. WHEN THE SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD MALFUNCTION AS WELL. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SWITCH (AGAIN). THIS IS THE 4TH TIME THAT PART HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ELECTRICAL FAILURES SUCH AS A SHORT TO THE GROUND WHICH REQUIRED A NEW FUEL PUMP RELAY, ESP LIGHT WHICH INDICATED A BAD BRAKE LIGHT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING A BAD ABS PUMP AND RELAY. UPDATED 01/27/06. *JB

20. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Equipment, Apr 23, 2005

    I AM THE PRIMARY REPAIR PERSON FOR THIS VEHICLE. OVER ITS HISTORY, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPONENT FAILURES THAT IN MY OPINION ARE UNACCEPTABLE FOR A VEHICLE WITH THIS MILEAGE AND AGE. I PERSONALLY KNOW THE OWNER, AND KNOW THAT IT IS NOT OPERATED UNDER UNUSUALLY HARSH CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR COSMETIC CRASH EARLY ON, OTHERWISE, THERE HAVE BEEN NO UNUSUAL OUTSIDE FACTORS. AT THIS POINT, THE CAR HAS ONLY 37,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. PRIMARY USE IS ON LONG TRIPS. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND STORED FOR ABOUT 3-6 MONTHS EACH YEAR. FIRST PROBLEM: AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM LEAK: THE EXPANSION VALVE FAILED, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. CHECK ENGINE/ MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT: HAS COME ON SEVERAL TIMES, EACH TIME WITH THE SAME DTC, A MANUFACTURER SPECIFIC CODE RELATED TO THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. THE POWER WINDOWS HAVE FAILED, ULTIMATELY RESULTING IN FREE REPAIR OF THE WINDOWS WITH A REVISED RETAINING CLIP, AS THIS PROBLEM OCCURS FAR TOO OFTEN, AND FINALLY, THE REAR BRAKE PADS HAVE WORN COMPLETELY WITH THE FRONT PADS IN VIRTUALLY NEW CONDITION. THIS IS ACCOMPANIED BY ALL FOUR ROTORS BEING EXCESSIVELY PITTED, WITH LARGE AREAS OF THE ROTOR FACE ACTUALLY FLAKING OFF. MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT I MAY END UP NEEDING TO REPLACE THE REAR CALIPERS, AS WELL, DUE TO POOR DESIGN. *JB

21. Electrical system, Mar 10, 2005

    1) NO EVENTS OR PRIOR WARNING OF FAILURE. 2) FAILURE -- KEY LOSES PROGRAMMING AND CANNOT COMMUNICATE WITH ELECTRONIC IMMOBILIZER. CAR CANNOT BE STARTED AND MUST BE TOWED TO DEALER FOR REPROGRAMMING OF KEYS. *AK 3) LOST PROGRAMMING OF KEY IN JUNE 2004 WHILE CAR PARKED AT HOME. CAR TOWED TO DEALER WHO REPROGRAMMED KEYS. OCCURRED AGAIN ON 3/9/05 WHILE 70 MILES FROM HOME. CAR TOWED TO NEAREST DEALER WHO REPROGRAMMED THE ONLY KEY -- THE SPARE & VALET KEYS NOW INOPERATIVE, REQUIRING CAR TO BE DELIVERED TO DEALER TO GET ALL 3 KEYS REPROGRAMMED TO MATCH.

22. Electrical system, Feb 28, 2005

    2000 VW JETTA, VR6 ENGINE, 49,3331 MILE. WHENEVER MY CAR WAS IDLE FOR MORE THAN 6-8 HOURS AND WAS EXPOSED TO RAINY\WET WEATHER, THE ENGINE WOULD EXPERIENCE PERFORMANCE ISSUES. IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING THE CAR UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE ENGINE WOULD SPUTTER AND SOUND LIKE IT WAS ON THE VERGE OF STALLING. IF I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE CAR WITHOUT LETTING IT FULLY WARM-UP, THE ENGINE WOULD EXPERIENCE A SEVERE PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION, CHARACTERIZED BY POOR, ROUGH ACCELERATION. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ALSO ILLUMINATE, AND I WOULD RECEIVE THE EMISSIONS WORKSHOP WARNING MESSAGE. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST 1-2 YEARS. AT FIRST THE PROBLEM WAS MILD, BUT OVER TIME IT WORSENED. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION COIL AND IGNITION LEADS NEEDED REPLACEMENT TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THESE PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, AND THUS FAR THE ISSUE WITH MY ENGINE HAS NOT REAPPEARED. VW ISSUED AN IGNITION COIL RECALL FOR VARIOUS OTHER 2001, 2002 AND 2003 MODELS. IT APPEARS THE IGNITION COIL RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE OTHER MODEL YEARS AS THIS IS NOT THE KIND OF PART THAT SHOULD NEED REGULAR REPLACEMENT. IT'S QUITE OBVIOUS THERE'S A DEFECT WITH THIS PART.

23. Electrical system, Feb 7, 2005

    THE ABS MODULE HAS AN INTERNAL ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT FAILURE. THE WARNING LIGHT AND BEEPER CANNOT BE DISCONNECTED. THE BRAKES ARE OK BUT THE WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUE TO ACTIVATE SPORADICALLY. *JB

24. Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 2, 2004

    1) VEHICLE COMFORT MODULE SPONTANEOUSLY FAILED. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING THE CAR! 2) A MAJORITY OF THE FUNCTIONS CONTROLLED BY THIS MODULE FAILED, INCLUDING ALARM GOING OFF WHILE DRIVING, FUEL CAP RELEASE NOT WORKING, DOOR LOCKS, TRUNK RELEASE, ETC. ALL FAILED. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY, THE ALARM WENT OFF AND THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO TO TURN IT OFF. CALLED EMERGENCY ROADSIDE SERVICE AND THEY SHOWED ME HOW TO DISABLE THE ALARM (TURN THE KEY IN THE DOOR LOCK ON AND OFF SEVERAL DOZEN TIMES). HOWEVER NONE OF THE OTHER FUNCTIONS WORKED, MOST SERIOUS WAS THAT THE FUEL CAP COULD NOT BE OPENED. I HAD TO GET THIS FIXED BEFORE I RAN OUT OF FUEL! 3) TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THEY REPLACED THE COMFORM MODULE AND MOST OF THE SYSTEM OPERATIONAL AGAIN. 4) HOWEVER OVER TIME, ONE BY ONE VARIOUS SYSTEMS STARTING MALFUNCTIONING AGAIN. WITHIN WEEKS, ONE OF THE REAR DOOR LOCKS WOULDN'T CLOSE AUTOMATICALLY. LATER THE TRUNK RELEASE DIDN'T WORK WITH THE REMOTE. THEN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULDN'T GO OFF AUTOMATICALLY. OTHER DOOR LOCKS STOPPED FUNCTIONING, ETC. 5) SINCE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THESE WERE NOT CRUCIAL FUNCTIONS, I LIVED WITH THESE FAILURES. BUT NOW I'M UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THE CAR, NOT KNOWING WHERE AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, EVERYTHING STOPS WORKING AGAIN. 6) I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN AND DESCRIBED THIS. THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO GO TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AND FIXED AT MY OWN COST. THEY SAID THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY COULD NOT HELP FIX THIS. I ARGUED THAT THIS WAS A CORE COMPONENT THAT FAILED - NOT DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR OR MISUSE, BUT THEY STILL SAID SORRY!*AK

25. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Nov 9, 2004, crash

    NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. PERIODICALLY THE BRAKING PRESSURE WAS RELEASED AND A PEDAL PULSE WAS FELT WHILE STOPPING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM TO THE ABS PUMP LEAKED INTO THE ABS MODULE. *JB THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN A PARKING LOT AS A RESULT OF THE BRAKES RELEASING CAUSING HER TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE PERSON IN THE OTHER VEHICLE SOUGHT MEDICAL TREATMENT. *SC