2002 Volkswagen Jetta
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 711 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 26 Jetta model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 32 involved a crash and 71 involved a fire. 75 people were injured and 10 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderMar 29, 2007
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
Campaign 07E023000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchFeb 20, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
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 APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. 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 07V063000 on NHTSA.gov
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
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
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
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipJan 31, 2002
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS).
THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 8, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 02V031000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
711 reports, newest first.
Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electrical system, Oct 12, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER BY POLICE AND INFORMED THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. THE 3 BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE IN RAPID SUCCESSION AND REQUIRED THAT THE BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN AUGUST. THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED INTERMITTENTLY, AS WELL AS, THE LIGHTING IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BY THE HEAT SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT INFORMED THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 06V183000 FOR THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS: SWITCH DUE TO THE VIN, ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEMS WERE SIMILAR.
Steering, Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 5, 2006
WAY TO MANY TO LIST HERE. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS FROM THE START. MORE THAN $7000 WORTH OF REPAIR (PLUS MORE THAT WAS COVERED BY WARR) THE FINAL ITEM THAT CAUSED ME TO SAY I WOULD NEVER CONSIDER ANOTHER VW PRODUCT WAS THE ENGINE DAMAGE CAUSED BY A TIMING BELT FAILURE. ALL SERVICES WERE PERFORMED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE USERS MANUAL STATES INSPECTION OF THE BELT AT SERVICES (THAT I PAID FOR) AND REPLACEMENT AT 120,000 MILES. I ONLY HAD 92,000 MILES. IT WILL COST $5,000 TO REPAIR THE ENGINE. IT IS NOT COST EFFECTIVE TO REPAIR THIS CAR. IT WAS A GREAT CAR TO DRIVE BUT QUALITY CONTROL IS POOR AT BEST. *NM
Air bags, Sep 22, 2006
I WAS DRIVING IN DOWNTOWN BOSTON IN A CONSTRUCTION AREA TRAVELING ABOUT 10-15 MPH, WHEN MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I CONTACTED VW, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS AN ACCIDENT THAT I HIT SOMETHING AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH MY INSURANCE. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING AS THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT DATE, I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK IT UP IN MY RECORDS AS IT HAPPENED 4 YEARS AGO. *NM
Seats, Sep 20, 2006
2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS - DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT BEGAN TO BURN AND SMOLDER. VOLKSWAGEN STATED THERE IS AN 'OPEN CAMPAIGN' ON THIS ISSUE AND THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD CORRECT. *NM
Exterior lighting, Sep 15, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWICE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #06V183000 REGARDING EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 10/0/406. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Sep 8, 2006
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY MIL LIGHT SINCE MY 5 YR/50,000 MILE WARRANTY EXPIRED-IN FACT, I HAVE LOST COUNT AS TO HOW MANY TIMES I'VE HAD TO TAKE MY CAR IN (THE NUMBER OF FAILURES LISTED BELOW IS JUST AN ESTIMATE). THE FIRST TIME THIS LIGHT CAME ON, THE CAR HAD 52 OR 54 MILES ON IT. IT WAS ONLY A FEW DAYS OLD. APPARENTLY SOMETHING HAD CRACKED. IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR, THREE OF THE CABLES BROKE, THEN NOT TWO WEEKS LATER THE OTHER THREE BROKE. THE PROBLEMS JUST KEPT ADDING UP. I HAVE TRIED TO BE PATIENT WITH THIS DEALERSHIP, BUT SIMPLY CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY ON AVERAGE, I END UP BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP, GETTING MY CAR SERVICED ON AVERAGE, TWO WEEKS AFTER THE CAR'S INITIAL APPOINTMENT. THE LAST TIME I WENT IN, I SPOKE WITH THE MANAGER. FIRST, HE DISPARAGINGLY ASKED ME IF I WAS MAKING SURE TO FILL THE GAS TANK WITH PREMIUM GAS, AS IS WRITTEN ON THE GAS FLAP. HE THEN PROCEEDED TO ASK IF I WAS TIGHTENING THE GAS CAP. HE REASSURED ME THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE FURTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS SPECIFIC PART, BECAUSE ALL THE PARTS PERTAINING TO THIS SPECIFIC LIGHT HAVE BEEN REPLACED. LO AND BEHOLD, TWO DAYS AGO, MY MIL LIGHT WENT ON. ON AVERAGE, EACH TIME I VISIT THIS PARTICULAR DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT, I END UP PAYING $350-600 DOLLARS. SOMEHOW, THAT DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT. I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT'S INSTRUCTIONS, AND TO MY DISMAY, THIS LONG-STANDING, EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *JB
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 8, 2006
THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE. I TURNED OFF MY CAR WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION. I READ THE MANUAL, AND IT WAS NOT HELPFUL. IT JUST STATED THAT I SHOULD TAKE THE CAR TO A DEALER OR QUALIFIED SPECIALIST AS SOON AS POSSIBLE (NOTE: THIS IS WHAT THE BOOKLET SAYS FOR THE MAJORITY OF ITEMS IN THE OWNERS' MANUAL). UPON RETURNING TO MY VEHICLE, I STARTED MY CAR ONCE MORE. MY ENGINE TURNED OVER, BUT THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT FROM PARK INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO AN AUTO SHOP. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE AUTO SHOP INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR HAD A "FEATURE" THAT DISABLED THE CAR FROM SHIFTING GEARS DUE TO A TAIL-LIGHT FUSE THAT BLEW OUT. IT IS BELIEVED THAT DISABLING THE VEHICLE SERVES THE PURPOSE OF MAINTAINING SAFETY ON THE STREETS- A VEHICLE IN MOTION WITHOUT TAILLIGHTS IS APPARENTLY MORE DANGEROUS THAN A DRIVER STRANDED ON THE ROAD BECAUSE THEIR CAR HAS STRANDED THEM. LUCKILY, I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH NOT TO BE IN A BAD SITUATION. SO FINALLY, THE CAR WAS FIXED, OF COURSE AFTER I PAID YET ANOTHER HEFTY BILL FOR MY CAR. *JB
Power train, Equipment, Aug 31, 2006
I OWN A 2002 VW JETTA GLI, AND IT HAS MERELY 54,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS COME IN STANDARD TRANSMISSION, AND WE BOUGHT IT WHEN IT WAS ISSUED AS NEW. AS I WAS ON MY WAY HOME HEADING TOWARDS NEW JERSEY, FROM NEW YORK. MY CLUTCH PEDAL BEGAN TO LOOSEN UP. I TRIED SWITCHING FROM 3RD GEAR TO 4TH, AND THE CLUTCH LOOSELY WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND IT WOULD NOT POP BACK UP. AS MY CAR ROLLED ON THE BRIDGE, IT STAYED IN NEUTRAL. HENCE, I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. NOW I HAVE BEEN READING OTHER FORUMS AND THEY HAVE GOTTEN THE SAME ISSUE. *NM
Exterior lighting, Aug 29, 2006
I OWN A 2002 JETTA 1.8T MANUAL SPEED WAGON PURCHASED ON 3/31/06. LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY, MY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED. THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS RECALLS ON 2002 JETTA'S WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART, HOWEVER MY CAR'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL. AS THERE ARE FEW MANUAL WAGONS PRODUCED AND MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS SEEM TO DECREASE THE FAILURE SLIGHTLY, THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THIS CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IS THE SAME PART AS THE RECALLED 2002 JETTAS AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL OR AT LEAST BE REQUIRED TO BE REPLACED BY VW AS IT IS A KNOWN FAULTY PART. I WOULD LIKE TO INCLUDE MY VIN ON THE RECALL AS IT IS USING THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART (AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES). *NM
Power train, Aug 18, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SHIFTING GEARS, THE SHIFTER BECAME STUCK IN PARK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LOCK SHIFT TWICE IN THE LAST TWO YEARS AND THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED.
Exterior lighting, Aug 16, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED, WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS ON OR OFF. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V096000, REGARDING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Exterior lighting, Aug 16, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V183000, REGARDING THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS: SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN .
Exterior lighting, Jul 28, 2006
I OWN A 2002 VW JETTA. RECENTLY, THE BRAKE LIGHT HAS BECOME INOPERATIVE AT TIMES AND REMAINS ON EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT RUNNING. I HAVE COMPLETED SEVERAL SEARCHES ONLINE AND HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE SAFETY RECALLS FOR 2002 JETTA'S EXHIBITING THE SAME PROBLEM, WITH THE POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED TO BE 377,130 IN 2004 AND 362,000 EARLIER THIS YEAR. WHEN I CONTACTED THE VW DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS LOOKED AT I WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE AS A RESULT OF THE RECENT RECALL. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP ON THE DAY OF THE SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT I WAS TOLD OTHERWISE. THE GENTLEMAN AT THE DEALERSHIP MENTIONED THAT MY VEHICLE DID NOT FALL IN THE VIN RANGE OF THE RECALL. I THEN CALLED VW OF AMERICA AND WAS TOLD ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THAT INDEED THE REPAIR WOULD BE COVERED FREE OF CHARGE. I THEN CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO RESCHEDULE THE APPOINTMENT AND WAS AGAIN TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSTICS TO BE COMPLETED ON MY VEHICLE AS WELL AS COVERING THE CHARGES FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THE ISSUE REMAINS THAT MY BRAKE LIGHT IS MALFUNCTIONING, THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL WHICH IMPACTS 2002 JETTA'S BUT I SEEM TO GET CONFLICTING INFORMATION FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES. CAN SOMEONE HELP? *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jul 18, 2006
WHILE DRIVING IN THE AFTERNOON, MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND ACCELERATION CAPABILITY WITH THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COMING ON AND BLINKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY. I AM INFORMED MY 2002 VW JETTA 1.8T HAS "3 FAULTY COILS." THE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN AND WITHOUT WARNING. I MAINTAIN MY CAR ACCORDING TO VW SPECS. IN 02/2003 VW ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBLEM WITH THIS IN OVER 530,000 2001 TO EARLY 2003 VEHICLES. I FEEL THE FAILURE WAS PREMATURE (AS TO WHAT COULD BE TYPICALLY EXPECTED OF AN ENGINE/VEHICLE FOR RELIABILITY), AND A DANGER. OBVIOUSLY THE FACT THAT IT HAS REMANIFESTED IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME SHOWS THAT IT WAS NOT PROPERLY ADDRESSED WITH THE ORIGINAL FIX ONLY 2 YEARS AGO. MY VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO ADEQUATELY MAINTAIN ITSELF WITHIN THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. I WAS LUCKY TO GET TO THE 'SLOW LANE' WITHOUT INCIDENT. VW DISCLAIMS ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFECT OR OTHERWISE AND SAYS THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY PERIOD I AM RESPONSIBLE ($454.00). I WILL PAY THIS, BUT HOW CAN I DRIVE KNOWING THAT THESE COILS COULD STOP ALL OR ANY ONE CYLINDER FROM CORRECTLY FIRING? THIS COULD KILL ME AND THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT CARE.. AS THEY QUITE BLUNTLY STATED. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 12, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A FAULTY ELECTRICAL BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MALFUNCTION AND THE BRAKE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALERS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF A RECALL ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES SIMILAR SYMPTOMS. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED ONLINE TO CHECK ON RECALLS PERTAINING TO THE VEHICLE'S SYMPTOMS, RECALL #04V096000 IDENTIFIED SIMILARITIES. THE DEALERS OFFERED TO REPLACE THE PART FOR A COST.
Exterior lighting, Equipment, Jul 4, 2006
TURN SIGNAL UNIT CLICKING AT TWICE THE SPEED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN TURN SIGNAL IS NOT EVEN TURNED ON. LIGHTS HAVE NEVER BEEN ACTUATED YET, BUT VW DEALER TOLD ME IT COULD HAPPEN AS MALFUNCTION PROGRESSES. VEHICLE ONLY 4 YEARS OLD WITH 88 000 KMS. NO RECALL BY MANUFACTURER YET, ALTHOUGH DEALER TOLD ME IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. COST OF REPLACEMENT FOR STEERING STALK FLASHER UNIT IS 250 DOLLARS. *NM
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 29, 2006
7TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. CAR IS IMMOBILIZED BY A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH - HAS HAPPENED EVERY SIX MONTHS SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR. *JB
Exterior lighting, Jun 22, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ILLUMINATE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THEY DETERMINED THE RECALL REMEDY REPAIR FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, # 04V096000, WERE PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE. THE DEFECT HAS REAPPEARED.
Exterior lighting, Jun 13, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V183000, REGARDING THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Air bags, Jun 6, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT SLOWED WITHOUT WARNING, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID THE VEHICLE. THE LEFT FRONT IMPACTED WITH THE RIGHT REAR OF THE SLOWED VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH EXTREME FORCE CAUSING THE CONTACTS HANDS TO BE REMOVED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN MOTION. THE DEPLOYED AIR BAG ALSO OBSCURED THE CONTACTS VIEW. THE VEHICLE THEN BECAME AIRBORNE OVER A DITCH AND CAME TO REST IN A FIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE BY BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER HOWEVER INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED AT THE SCENE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WAS NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE OF IMPACT.
Air bags, Jun 6, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE DRIVER AND SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DETERMINED BY COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC THAT A CRASH OCCURRED ALTHOUGH NO CRASH ACTUALLY OCCURRED. THE DEALER CAN GIVE NO OTHER REASON FOR THE DEPLOYMENT.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 5, 2006
I'M NOT POSITIVE THIS CONSTITUTES A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT IT MAY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT SINCE AN ALUMINUM OIL PAN COULD BE SEVERELY DAMAGED AND COULD CAUSE AN OIL SPILL, BUT BELOW IS A PORTION OF THE LETTER I SUBMITTED TO VOLKSWAGEN USING THEIR ONLINE FORM. IF THIS IS NOT UNDER YOUR OFFICE'S RESPONSIBILITIES, CAN YOU TELL ME WHO I SHOULD CONTACT NEXT? BASICALLY THEY TOLD ME IT COULD TAKE THEM 2 TO 3 YEARS TO ISSUE A RECALL IF EVER. THANK YOU. I TOOK MY 2002 JETTA IN ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 10TH FOR WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, BUT $330 DOLLARS LATER WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW OIL PAN. SOMETHING THAT IS 99% OF THE TIME ONLY REPLACED AFTER AN ACCIDENT OR AFTER 15 YEARS OR SO IF IT'S RUSTED OUT. THE REASON: THE OIL PAN ITSELF IS MADE OF ALUMINUM AND THE DRAIN PLUG IS MADE OF STEEL. ANYONE WITH HALF AN OUNCE OF ENGINEERING OR MATERIALS KNOWLEDGE (SOMETHING I WOULD HOPE AND ASSUME A VOLKSWAGEN PARTS DESIGNER HAS) KNOWS THAT YOU DON'T MANUFACTURE A PART OUT OF A SOFT METAL WHICH HAS SOMETHING SCREWED INTO IT MADE OUT OF A HARDER METAL. THE THREADS EVENTUALLY GET COMPLETELY STRIPPED AFTER REPEATED OIL CHANGES. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE SCHEDULE IN MY OWNER'S MANUAL, OIL CHANGES ARE MANDATORY SERVICE REQUIRED TO KEEP THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY. ALSO THIS COULD VERY WELL PRESENT A SAFETY ISSUE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT DUE TO LEAKING OIL IF THE PAN WAS DAMAGED SINCE IT'S MADE OF ALUMINUM. WHAT HAS ANGERED ME THE MOST ABOUT THIS IS THAT VOLKSWAGEN OBVIOUSLY KNOWS ABOUT THIS DESIGN DEFECT AND HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. WHEN MY MECHANIC CALLED THE LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER (AND WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR) THE PARTS DEPARTMENT TOLD HIM "OH YEAH, WE KNOW ABOUT THAT PROBLEM. IN FACT WE STOCK THE REDESIGNED PART". THE BOTTOM OF MY NEW OIL PAN IS NOW MADE OF STEEL WHICH IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE FIRST PLACE. *NM
Seats, Jun 3, 2006
2002 VW JETTA WITH LEATHER SEATS - SEAT HEATER BURNED DAUGHTER'S LEG AND MADE BURN MARK ON THE SEAT, SMOKE, BUT NO FIRE. IS THIS A RECALL? *NM
Electrical system, May 24, 2006
TURN SIGNAL STALK IS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSING A FULL ELECTRICAL LOOP CAUSING A FAST CLICKS AS IF THE TURN SIGNAL FLASHER WAS ON, BUT IT'S NOT. AT TIMES IT HAS CAUSED THE FLASHER LIGHTS TO COME ON WHEN I HAD NOT EVEN TOUCHED THE TURN SIGNAL STALK. *JB
Exterior lighting, May 19, 2006
THE TURN SIGNAL ON MY 2002 VW JETTA, VIN [XXX] OPERATES AT RANDOM. THIS CONDITION SOMETIMES OCCURS AFTER GOING OVER BUMPS OR AFTER COMPLETING A LANE CHANGE MANEUVER. THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IS IN THE CENTER, OR "OFF" POSITION BUT THE TURN SIGNAL / HAZARD FLASHER STARTS AND/OR STOPS AT RANDOM. VW'S SAFETY RECALL VX DATED MARCH 2005 CLAIMS THAT MY VEHICLE IS OUTSIDE THE RANGE OF AFFECTED VINS BUT CLEARLY THIS IS NOT THE CASE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS CONCERN AND CONSIDER FORCING VW TO DO A MORE EXTENSIVE RECALL AS THIS PROBLEM IS NOT JUST ANNOYING, IT IS POTENTIALLY A SAFETY CONCERN. AN ACCIDENT OR ELECTRICAL FIRE COULD POSSIBLY RESULT FROM THIS CONDITION. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)