2004 Volkswagen Jetta
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine and engine cooling is the leading concern among 233 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 14th highest complaint count among 26 Jetta model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 15 involved a crash and 20 involved a fire. 15 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderSep 23, 2020
Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.
Campaign 20E064000 on NHTSA.gov
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
Fuel system, dieselDec 15, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HIGH PRESSURE DIESEL PUMPS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPER FASTENER, WHICH COULD ALLOW DIESEL FUEL TO ESCAPE FROM THE PUMP.
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIESEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 04V586000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
233 reports, newest first.
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Electrical system, Apr 28, 2011
MY 2004 VW JETTA 1.8 TURBO WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IS HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. MY CAT HAS ONLY 66,000 MILES IN IT AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. IN THE PAST TWO YEARS I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, BATTERY, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, NUMEROUS VACUUM LEAKS ECT...BUT A TRANSMISSION???? VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL AS THIS IS WAY TO COMMON!! PLEASE HELP! *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Interior lighting, Feb 10, 2011
DOOR AJAR NOT WORKING, ALONG WITH INTERIOR LIGHT ON DRIVERS DOOR, & CABIN INTERIOR LIGHTS NOT COMING ON WHEN DOOR OPENS. REPLACED DRIVERS DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR VIA DEALER FIXES PROBLEM. A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX FOR A $17 MICROSWITCH (APPROX) PART ON THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR THAT FAILS VERY OFTEN. MANY VW OWNERS EXPERIENCE THIS. *TR
Seats, Feb 9, 2011, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE SEAT WARMER OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP BUT THERE WERE NO CODES PRODUCED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND TOOK A COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Air bags, Feb 9, 2011
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HAS TOO MUCH VOLTAGE GOING TO THE BAG AND AS SUCH DEACTIVATED ALL THE AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE. *TR
Seats, Feb 8, 2011
THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT IN OUR 2004 VW JETTA TDI BECAME EXTREMELY HOT NEAR THE DRIVER'S RIGHT THIGH AND THERE WAS A ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL IN THE CAR. MY WIFE, WHO WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME, HAD A MINOR SURFACE BURN AS A RESULT. FORTUNATELY, SHE WAS WEARING JEANS, WHICH PREVENTED IT FROM BEING WORSE. *TR
Seats, Jan 2, 2011
NOTICED DRIVERS HEATED SEAT WAS VERY HOT ON LEFT THIGH. YESTERDAY I SMELLED SMOKE, AND PUT MY HAND UNDER MY LEG. BURNED HAND. TURNED OFF HEATED SEAT AND PULLED OVER. NOTICED A BURN ON FABRIC. *TR
Seats, Dec 20, 2010
HEATED SEAT BURNED. ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL AND EXTREME HOT SPOT ON UPPER RIGHT THIGH. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 13, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED BECAUSE THE WATER PUMP FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED TAH THE RIM ON THE WATER PUMP MADE OF PLASTIC BROKE IN TWO PIECES. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 56,000. UPDATED 02/10/11 *BF UPDATED 10/12/11
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 10, 2010, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COILS AND THE CYLINDERS IN THE ENGINE. THE COILS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND FAILED AGAIN AFTER ONE MONTH. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED IN FEBRUARY 2010 WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SIX TIMES WITHIN A YEAR. ALL OF THE COILS DO NOT FAIL AT THE SAME TIME, BUT THE ALL FOUR COILS HAVE BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN ONE TIME. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135000.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Oct 6, 2010
CATASTROPHIC DRIVE TRAIN FAILURE OF A VW JETTA TDI 5-SPEED. WHILE TRAVELING AT 65-70 MPH ON RELATIVELY FLAT TERRAIN ON A CLEAR ROADWAY IN 5TH GEAR WITH NO INPUT TO THE CLUTCH OR THE TRANSMISSION, OCCUPANTS FELT & HEARD A SINGLE, MUFFLED 'THUMP'. ORIGINATING DRIVE TRAIN FAILURE EVENT OCCURRED SPONTANEOUSLY AND COMPLETELY UNEXPECTEDLY. AFTER THE ANOMALY, A LOW METALLIC RATTLE WAS HEARD. ONCE CLEAR OF SURROUNDING TRAFFIC, IN TROUBLESHOOTING ATTEMPT THE DRIVER ENGAGED CLUTCH AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL; IMMEDIATELY THE RATTLING BECAME MORE PRONOUNCED. FIFTH GEAR IMMEDIATELY REENGAGED AND NOISE ABATED. DRIVER NAVIGATED VEHICLE UNDER POWER TO RIGHT LANE & SUBSEQUENTLY EXITED EXPRESSWAY. UPON APPROACH TO SIDE STREET TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CLUTCH WAS REENGAGED RESULTING IN A RENEWED RATTLING; TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. WHEN CLUTCH WAS LET OUT, THE CONSTANT RATTLING NOISE CONTINUED AS ENGINE IDLED. WITH SIGNAL CHANGE, CLUTCH REENGAGED & TRANSMISSION SHIFTED TO 1ST GEAR. CLUTCH SLOWLY, CAREFULLY RELEASED: NOTICEABLE NOISE INCREASE FOLLOWED BY SHORT SERIES OF LOUD, SHARP NOISES. VEHICLE LURCHED AND STALLED. TWO ATTEMPTS TO RESTART ENGINE FAILED; NO ENGINE RESPONSE. POLICE NOTIFIED & VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. SIGNIFICANT FLUID LEAKAGE NOTICED. SUBSEQUENTLY NOTIFIED BY VW DEALER THAT MAIN SHAFT OF TRANSMISSION CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED PRESSING FLYWHEEL INTO MOTOR DAMAGING CASING, BEARINGS & CRANKSHAFT LOBS RESULTING IN IMMEDIATE SEIZING OF THE DIESEL POWER PLANT. TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE ASSEMBLY REQUIRED (EST ~$11K). THIS VEHICLE HAD ALL MAINTENANCE SERVICE PERFORMED REGULARLY AT 5K INTERVALS BY VW DEALER (DOCUMENTED) AND HAD RECENTLY HAD FULL 100K SERVICE INCLUDING TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT. NO NOTIFICATION/CONCERN FOR ADDITIONAL TRANSMISSION INSPECTION/SERVICE. CLUTCH RECENTLY SEEMED TO BE ENGAGING A WEE BIT FURTHER BUT NO BOTTOMING OF PEDAL OR CLUTCH SLIPPAGE. OWNER EXPECTED TO SCHEDULE CLUTCH INSPECTION/WORK DURING NEXT 5K SERVICE VISIT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 28, 2010
BOTH RADIATOR FANS FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY, CAUSING CAR TO OVERHEAT AND STOP ALMOST INSTANTANEOUSLY IN HOT WEATHER. CAR ONLY HAS 55K MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED. BOTH RADIATOR FANS WERE REPLACED. *TR
Air bags, Aug 29, 2010
I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY FIVE MPH AS I LEFT MY HOME WHEN THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. *TR
Power train, Jul 23, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME HESITANT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE FAILURE HAD BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT WAS HOW THE TRANSMISSION WORKED AND NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE VEHICLE ALSO MADE A KNOCKING NOISE AND WOULD BECOME SLUGGISH WHEN ACCELERATING. THE DEALER RECENTLY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE VALVE BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57396.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 4, 2010
CAR BEGAN TO STUTTER AND SHAKE LIKE IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS. SHORTLY AFTER I HAD AN EPC LIGHT THAT WOULD FLASH ON EVERY TIME I GOT UP TO SPEED AND IT WOULD START THE STUTTERING SOUND AGAIN. AFTER SEVERAL COSTLY TRIPS TO DEALERSHIP THEY DISCOVERED IT WAS A COOLANT MIGRATION PROBLEM. WHERE A DEFECTIVE PART THAT VW KNOWS ABOUT LEAKS COOLANT IN TO THE WIRE HARNESS. COOLANT CAN MIGRATE THROUGHOUT ALL ELECTRICAL ROUTES THROUGHOUT THE CAR. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE 1998 AND VW WILL NOT DO A RECALL OR REIMBURSE FOR THE WORK. IF YOU HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH YOUR VW THIS IS MOST LIKELY THE CAUSE. WE HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH TAILLIGHTS BLOWING VERY FREQUENTLY. THIS CAN BE A CAUSE OF COOLANT MIGRATING THROUGH THE WIRES. *TR
Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 28, 2010
2004 JETTA TDI 4 DOOR SEDAN, IT'S A TURBO DIESEL. THE STALK HAVE TO GOES TO HIGH BEAM IN ORDER FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL TO WORK. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART, IT HAVE BEEN WITH THIS CAR FOR MANY YEARS BUT WE DO NOT HAVE TIME TO FIX THIS AND IT'S COST LOST OF MONEY TO REPLACE. WHEN CLICK ON THE TURN SIGNAL THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN OFF, IT'S VERY DANGEROUS ON THE FREEWAY. I BELIEVE THIS PARTS OF THE CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED, IT'S DANGEROUS. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 7, 2010
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (ALL VW) HAVE PLASTIC IMPELLER WATER PUMP THAT BREAKS, CAUSING RAPID OVERHEATING AND POSSIBLE ENGINE SEIZURE. ENGINE SEIZURE MAY RESULT IN REAR END COLLISION. VOLKSWAGEN KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO RECALL THE VEHICLES. NEW WATER PUMP IS REQUIRED TO REPAIR THE CONDITION. THE PARTS COSTS OVER $200.00. FAIRLY EASY TO REPLACE BUT THE PLASTIC PARTS COULD ALSO BREAK LOOSE AND GET PUMPED THROUGH THE ENGINE AND TURBO AND CAUSE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 5, 2010
ON MARCH 25, 2007, I WOKE UP TO A STRONG FUEL LEAKAGE ODOR, SEEKING FOR AIR, ALMOST FINDING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO BREATHE PROPERLY, FORCING ME TO EVACUATE MY HOUSE AT LATE HOURS OF THE NIGHT THE GAS SMELL WAS COMING FROM MY CAR IN THE GARAGE. I CALLED DEALER, EXPLAINED MATTER. DEALER TOLD ME MY CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY FOR THIS KIND OF SERVICE/OR REPAIR. THE CAR HAD 49,419 MILES AND WAS 4 YEARS OLD BUT VOLKSWAGEN WARRANTY IS COVERED FOR 50,000 MILES OR 5 YEARS WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN BUT THEY ONLY CONFIRMED THE DEALER'S STATEMENT. TOOK CAR TO LOCAL SHOP, THEY REPLACED FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP ON MARCH 26, 2007, COST $754.11. THREE MONTHS AFTER THE STRONG GAS SMELL CAME BACK ONLY DIFFERENCE THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND SMELL WAS NOT AS STRONG. I TOOK CAR TO A DIFFERENT SHOP ON MAY 22, 2008 THEY REPAIRED GAS TANK AND FUEL PUMP SEAL COSTING ME $316.20. THIS APRIL RECEIVED A LETTER FROM VOLKSWAGEN FOR FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER, RESEARCHED CONNECTION TO POTENTIAL GAS LEAK AND FOUND IN DISBELIEF THE GAS LEAK RECALL ON 2005, WHICH I WAS NOT NOTIFIED IN 2005 OR 2007. *TR
Fuel system, Diesel, May 12, 2010, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE WHERE THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED ACCORDINGLY. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V586000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THEY HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000.
Exterior lighting, May 6, 2010
MY CAR'S SIGNAL LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS PERIODICALLY LEADING TO THE SIGNAL LIGHT BECOMING STUCK IN A LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN POSITION BLINKING AT A FAST SPEED. THIS IS OCCURRING ABOUT 25% OF THE TIME WHILE DRIVING. AS A CONSEQUENCE I HAVE TO MAKE UNSAFE LANE CHANGES (EG. WHEN CHANGING INTO R LANE THE SIGNAL LIGHT BE STUCK IN THE LEFT HAND BLINKING SEQUENCES FROM THE PREVIOUS LEFT TURN). TO CORRECT THE FAILURE THE SIGNAL LIGHT ARM HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 29, 2010
LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN CARTER ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING A SITUATION INVOLVING HIS VW JETTA RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT (DOT/I # 2010-2106) *TGW ON JANUARY 18, 2010 THE CONSUMER TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF A RECALL RECEIVED, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED NOTHING COULD BE DONE SINCE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT ON. SIX DAYS LATER, THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS MORE THAN 450 MILES AWAY FROM HOME. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP AND THE SERVICE WAS COMPLETED. THE CONSUMER THEN SUBMITTED A CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT ONCE HE RETURNED HOME, BUT TO DATE HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM VW. *JB
Structure, Apr 14, 2010
CAR IS FLOODED AFTER A RAIN; HAD SUNROOF DRAINS CLEANED BY MECHANIC @ $245; DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM; RUGS SMELL OF MILDEW CAUSING RESPIRATORY DISTRESS. THE LAST CONSIDERABLE RAIN STORM WE HAD PRODUCED MEASURABLE WATER BUILDUP. HAD TO USE WET VAC. *TR
Suspension, Mar 10, 2010
I HIT A POT HOLE WITH MY 2004 VW JETTA TDI (I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT). WHEN I TURNED THE CORNER I HEARD A "POPPING" SOUND. DROVE IT TO A NEARBY MECHANIC. THE CLOSET VW DEALER IS 70 MILES AWAY. THE SPRING ON THE DRIVER SIDE WAS BROKEN. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT AS HE HAS NEVER SEEN A SPRING BREAK LIKE THAT. THERE WAS EROSION IN THE SPRING. I STILL HAVE THE SPRING. REPLACED AT $347. CONTACTED THE VW DEALERSHIP. THEY FIRST TRIED TO BRUSH ME OFF SAYING THEY DIDN'T SEE THE POT HOLE ETC. EVENTUALLY THEY GAVE ME THE VW HEADOFFICE PHONE #. BRUSHED OFF THERE TOO AS IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY. IT'S NOT THE WARRANTY. IT'S A FAULTY SPRING THAT WAS PLACED IN MY CAR. IT ALSO RUINED THE SHOCK. *TR
Seat belts, Jan 8, 2010
1. SEAT BELT BECOMES DIFFICULT TO PULL AND LOCK. THEN FAILS. 2. BACK SEAT, CENTER POSITION SEAT, BELT TENSIONER UNIT FAILS, CANNOT PULL AND FASTEN SEAT BELT. 3. REMOVE SEAT, REPLACE BELT TENSIONER UNIT. OLD PART AVAILABLE. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 8, 2009, fire
ELECTRICAL FIRE IN IGNITION HARNESS MELTED HARNESS (INCLUDING COILS) WHICH RESULTED IN STALL-OUT. IGNITION FUSE TO COMPUTER WAS DISABLED PREVENTING RE-START OF AUTOMOBILE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Equipment, Oct 18, 2009
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI, WHICH I GARAGE AT MY CONDOMINIUM. IN MARCH 2006, THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION ISSUED A RECALL OF VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI 2003 CARS WITH 1.8L TURBO ENGINES DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMPS. I RAISE THE POSSIBILITY OF MY CAR BEING INVOLVED IN THE MANUFACTURING MALFUNCTION, BUT NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. 07/17/2009: CAR TOWED TO VOLKSWAGEN AUTOBARN OF EVANSTON. COSTS: $74.15. 07/25/2009: INFORMED THAT THE CAR REQUIRED A NEW BATTERY AND FUEL PUMP. PARTS & LABOR COSTS: $905.85. AFTER PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS AND WAITING FOR DELIVERY, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. 07/27/2009: RETRIEVED THE CAR AFTER VW AUTOBARN SERVICE INSTALLS A SECOND FUEL PUMP, DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE PREVIOUS PART. I DROVE THE CAR HOME AND PARKED UNDERGROUND. 07/28/2009: I DROVE TO THE FAA REGIONAL OFFICE IN DES PLAINES, IL. AT APPROXIMATELY 18:30, I ATTEMPTED TO LEAVE HOWEVER, THE CAR DID NOT START IN THE SAME FASHION THAT LED TO THE INITIAL REPAIR. THE CAR IS TOWED BACK TO VOLKSWAGEN. 08/17/2009: INFORMED BY THE VW AUTOBARN SERVICE MANAGER THAT THEY HAVE GONE TO EXTRAORDINARY EFFORTS TO REPAIR THE CAR: DRIVEN THE CAR ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS INCLUDING TAKING IT HOME OVERNIGHT; COMMUNICATED WITH THE GERMAN SERVICE OFFICE TO PURSUE OTHER POSSIBLE CAUSES FOR FUEL PUMP FAILURES. COSTS FOR TOWING, FUSES, RELAY SWITCHES, LEADS, CONNECTORS AND TECHNICIAN LABOR: $574.11. AFTER PAYING FOR THE ABOVE REPAIRS, AGAIN, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. 08/28/2009: INFORMED THE FUEL IN THE CAR CONTAINED 40% ALCOHOL AND IS THE CAUSE OF FAILURE OF THE THREE PREVIOUS FUEL PUMPS. MOREOVER, I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR VOIDING THE WARRANTY OF THE PREVIOUS FUEL PUMPS AND NOW FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR $1400 IN NEW CHARGES, INCLUDING THE COST OF A FOURTH FUEL PUMP. I LAST PURCHASED 12.63 GALLONS PREMIUM FUEL ON JUNE 26 WITHOUT ISSUE UNTIL JULY 17. *TR