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, Sep 19, 2009
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. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 18, 2009
1. IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE VOLKSWAGEN M6 RECALL. OR DEFECTIVE PART ON A VOLKSWAGEN TDI 2004, OR FAULTY DESIGN. 2. THE LOWER EGR COOLER PIPE #038131521CC. THIS PIPE CRACKS CAUSING IMPROPER EMISSIONS AND EXHAUST GASES INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT NEXT TO THE CABIN AIR FILTER INTAKE. POISON GASES IN THE VEHICLE INTERIOR. 3. REPLACED 3 CRACKED PARTS IN 1 YEAR. VOLKSWAGEN CLAIMS THERE IS NO PROBLEM AND WILL NOT LOOK INTO THE MATTER. *TR
Air bags, Aug 31, 2009
AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AFTER GOING OVER A BUMP. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 12, 2009
I HAVE A 2001 VW JETTA. WHEN IT GETS HOT OUTSIDE (SOMETIMES) THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING THEN REGAINS IT. ALSO WHEN IT STARTS ACTING UP IF U STOP THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF AND U GAVE TO RESTART IT. I HAVE TOOK THE CARE TO VW THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS (THROTTLE BODY, DWN FLOW 02 SENSOR, COIL PACK PLUGS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER) STILL DON'T KNOW. THE ONLY THING THE COMPUTER IS SHOWING IS COOLING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE. ONE VW DEALER SAID THERE WAS A WIRING PROBLEM THAT SOMETIMES CAUSES SIMILAR PROBLEMS. IF THIS IS THE CASE WHY IS IT NOT A RECALL SINCE THE WIRING IS FROM DEALER. THE INSIDE TEMP ON THE CARE NEVER RUNS HOT OR THE RADIATOR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Equipment, Jul 24, 2009
INTERMITTENTLY ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON - AT TIMES FOR MINUTES, OTHER TIMES HOURS, EVEN DAYS; THEN GOES OFF. AT TIMES IT GOES OFF WITH INTERVENTION AS DESCRIBED BELOW; OTHER TIMES BY ITSELF. AT TIMES THE ABS LIGHT TURNS ON JUST PRIOR TO BRAKING AT LOW SPEEDS/COASTING; OTHER TIMES IMMEDIATELY AFTER BRAKING, SOMETIMES ALONG WITH A NOISE AND BRAKE PEDAL SINKS SLIGHTLY UNDER MY FOOT PRIOR TO BRAKE BEING APPLIED. OTHER TIMES THE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY OR CITY STREETS. SINCE 12/2006 HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND 2 OTHER REPAIR FACILITIES WITH ABS LIGHT ON, DIAGNOSTICS ALWAYS SHOW CODE 00283, LEFT FRONT SPEED SENSOR MALFUNCTION, AND SENSOR REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. ABS CONTROL MODULE REPLACED 6/2009 AT SUGGESTION OF DEALER (REQUESTED OLD PART AND IN MY POSSESSION) TO REMEDY PROBLEM, BUT ABS LIGHT HAS COME ON AGAIN TWICE IN 7/2009. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Equipment, May 29, 2009
ELECTRONIC FUEL PUMP CRACKS AND LEAKS FUEL ONTO LIVE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS TO FUEL PUMP LOCATED UNDER REAR PASSENGER SEAT. BY TIME YOU SMELL GAS INSIDE OF VEHICLE, GAS HAS PUDDLED ABOUT 1/4" DEEP ON THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS POWERING THE FUEL PUMP. DEALER WARNS NOT TO DRIVE DUE TO RISK OF FIRE OR EXPLOSION. HAPPENED FIRST IN MAY OF 2007 AT 64,000 MILES. VW UNCONCERNED AND DID NOT REMEDY. HAPPENED AGAIN MAY OF 2009 AT 96,000 MILES. VW AGAIN UNCONCERNED. I ASSUME IT MUST BE SAFE TO DRIVE. DOES SOMEBODY HAVE TO DIE FIRST? *TR
Exterior lighting, Apr 19, 2009
REAR LIGHTS GO OUT- TAIL LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, ETC... HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS NUMEROUS TIMES. WAS TOLD BY PEOPLE FOLLOWING ME THAT THEY TEND TO FLICKER ON AND OFF AND THEN JUST OFF. ALSO WAS PULLED OVER BY POLICE OFFICER IN SEPT. BOUGHT THIS USED @ VW DEALERSHIP IN JUNE, IT HAD APPROXIMATELY 52,000 AT THAT TIME. *TR
Power train, Mar 7, 2009
I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 VW JETTA DIESEL TDI 5-SPEED HOME FROM WORK. IT HAS 78,000 MILES ON IT. THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE HIGHWAY/INTERSTATE MILES DUE TO MY WORK BEING A LONG DISTANCE FROM HOME. I WAS IN 4TH GEAR DOING ABOUT 45 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND WAS ALMOST HOME. I HEARD A "BANG" FROM UNDER THE CAR AND LOST POWER. FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDER THE CAR, AND I COULD NO LOGGER SHIFT GEARS. I HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THEY ORIGINALLY SAID A PART OF THE CLUTCH HAD BROKEN OFF AND PUNCTURED THE TRANSMISSION CASE. AFTER ADDITIONAL REVIEW THEY DETERMINED IT WAS A PIECE OF THE "DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL" THAT HAD BROKEN OFF AND DONE THE DAMAGE. I WAS FORCED TO PAY APPROXIMATELY $2,500.00 IN PARTS AND LABOR FOR A NEW CLUTCH, FLYWHEEL, REBUILT TRANNY, ETC... TO GET MY CAR REPAIRED. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM MORE I FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM WITH VW'S DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL IS A PRETTY COMMON PROBLEM. SEE THIS LINK FOR ONE SOURCE... HTTP://FORUMS.TDICLUB.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=137014&HIGHLIGHT=G60+CLUTCH IF THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL HAD EXPLODED UPWARD TOWARD THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR RATHER THAN DOWNWARD THERE LIKELY WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. THIS WOULD SEEM TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN TO VW. *TR
Fuel system, Diesel, Jan 27, 2009
MY CAR LITERALLY TURNED OFF WHEN I WAS TURNING A CORNER...LUCKILY I WASN'T ON THE FREEWAY. THE BATTERY WAS FINE. IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE LIFT FUEL PUMP FOR MY 2004.5 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI PD BEW. I WAS CHARGED $400 BY A LOCAL VW MECHANIC. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD CHARGE $800. IF I HAD IT DONE IN TDI CLUB, IT WOULD BE AROUND $200. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 5, 2009
NOISE STARTED, A HIGH-PITCHED WHINING. TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND IT IS THE SAME DARNED THING IT WAS IN FEBRUARY, 2008! THE FUEL PUMP. HE TELLS ME HE CHANGES THEM OUT ON VW'S ALL THE TIME. THE PART IS A VW DEALER PART ONLY AND IT'S DEFECTIVE, JUST LIKE THE 2003 VW PASSAT PUMPS WERE! *TR
Visibility, Jan 5, 2009
I HAVE A 2004 JETTA TDI, WHICH I PURCHASED USED IN 2006 WITH 80,000 MILES ON IT. AT 135,000 MILES, I WAS DRIVING IN FEBRUARY, 2008 IN SLUSHY CONDITIONS. I TRIED TO TURN ON MY WINDSHIELD WIPER-WASHER TO CLEAN OFF MY WINDSHIELD, BUT THE WIPERS WOULD NOT FUNCTION. I TOOK THE CAR TO A VW DEALER WHO REPAIRED THE WIPERS, SAYING THERE WAS AN ADJUSTMENT TO THE WIPERS THAT REQUIRED REMOVING "COWL" SO AS TO ACCESS CONNECTIONS THAT NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED. AT 154,000 MILES, THIS HAPPENED AGAIN; IN BOTH CASES IT HAPPENED DURING COLD WEATHER, AND SPECIFICALLY AT A TIME WHEN IT WAS HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE WITHOUT A FUNCTIONAL WINDSHIELD WASHER-WIPER. IN BOTH CASES, I WAS ABLE TO STOP AT SERVICE STATIONS INTERMITTENTLY AND CLEAN MY WINDSHIELD OFF MANUALLY TO A SUFFICIENT DEGREE UNTIL I REACHED MY DESTINATION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 5, 2009
I HAVE A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI DIESEL, WHICH HAS THE PD TYPE ENGINE. THIS PD DESIGN HAS A WELL-KNOWN DEFECT; SPECIFICALLY, AN EXTRA LOAD IS PLACED ON THE CAMSHAFT BECAUSE IT DRIVES THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, AS OPPOSED TO PREVIOUS VW TDI MODELS IN WHICH AN EXTERNAL ROTARY PUMP DROVE THE FUEL INJECTORS. BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT, VW INSTITUTED A SPECIAL OIL REQUIREMENT FOR THIS CAR TO SATISFY THE ADDITIONAL LUBRICATION DEMANDS OF THIS DESIGN. INITIALLY THAT OIL SPECIFICATION WAS VW 505.01; MOST RECENTLY IT HAS BEEN CHANGED TO VW 507 OR CASTROL OE PROFESSIONAL 5W/30. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED WITH 80,000 MILES ON IT IN JULY, 2006, AND HAVE ALWAYS HAD MY OIL CHANGES DONE AT VW DEALERSHIPS: ONE IN MERRILLVILLE, IN AND ONE IN BENSENVILLE, IL. ON ALL BUT ONE OCCASION, BOTH DEALERSHIPS DOCUMENTED THE USE OF VW 505.01 COMPLIANT OIL IN MY CAR. ON THE ONE OCCASION IN WHICH VW 505.01 OIL WAS NOT USED, THE DEALER IN BENSENVILLE, IL PUT A GENERIC OIL IN MY CAR THAT HAD NO IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS, OTHER THAN ITS DRAMATICALLY LOWER PRICE PER QUART. I DID NOT NOTICE THIS AT THE TIME, BECAUSE AT THIS FEBRUARY 23, 2008 SERVICE THE DEALER HAD ALSO POINTED OUT THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE ALL 4 BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED, SO I DID NOT HAVE A LOWER SERVICE COST TO ALERT ME; THIS SERVICE COST FAR MORE THAN USUAL AND I DID NOT REALIZE AT THE TIME THAT I COULD TELL EXACTLY WHAT OIL THEY WERE PUTTING IN MY CAR FROM THE PART NUMBER ON MY INVOICE; I THOUGHT THAT PART NUMBER CORRESPONDED TO THE OIL CHANGE SERVICE ITSELF. ON AUGUST 8, 2008, I HAD A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE OF THE SORT THE VW SERVICE MANUAL WARNS ABOUT IF THE WRONG OIL IS USED, "...EVEN IF ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF INCORRECT OIL IS ADDED TO THE CORRECT OIL TO TOP OFF THE LEVEL." I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT, AND THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS AROUND ME WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, BUT I INCURRED ABOUT $8,000 OF REPAIR COSTS DUE TO DAMAGE TO MY CAMSHAFT, VALVE LIFTERS, TOTAL EGR-INTAKE SYSTEM AND TURBOCHARGER. *TR
Seats, Dec 17, 2008, fire
I SMELLED A BURNING OR FOUL-SMELLING CHEMICAL ODOR AFTER DRIVING FOR 01 MINUTE AND NOTICED THAT MY SEAT WAS SO HOT THAT IT BURNED MY HAND WHEN I TOUCHED IT. I THEN SMELLED SMOKE AND I IMMEDIATELY SWITCHED OFF THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER. AFTER STOPPING, I NOTICED THAT THE SEAT APPEARED BURNED IN A ROUGHLY CIRCULAR PATCH THAT LOOKED SIMILAR TO A CIGARETTE BURN. THE FOUL ODOR HAS PERSISTED EVEN WITH THE SEAT HEATER OFF AFTER THE INCIDENT. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON 16 DEC 2008. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Nov 18, 2008
VWOA HAD A RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE EGR COOLER SYSTEM ON 2004 AND 2005 VW TDI'S. SUBSEQUENT TO THE RECALL CAMPAIGN, THE LOWER EGR FLEX PIPE IS KNOWN TO CRACK ON NUMEROUS VEHICLES IN WHICH THE RECALL CAMPAIGN WAS PERFORMED. WHEN THE EGR PIPE CRACKS, DIESEL EXHAUST IS SUCKED INTO THE CABIN WHEN THE HEATER FAN IS OPERATED CAUSING DISCOMFORT AND LIGHT HEADED FOR THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS. VWOA HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AND OFFERS NO SOLUTION TO THE VEHICLE OWNER OR A FIX. NOT ONLY IS IT AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR, BUT IT CAN ALSO BE CAUSING MEDICAL PROBLEMS FOR THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS. MY EGR PIPE WAS CRACKED FOR 2-4 MONTHS BEFORE I REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING. IT MAY HAVE BEEN CRACKED LONGER WITH OUT MY KNOWLEDGE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Nov 10, 2008
CAR WAS SMELLING OF GAS. LOOKED UNDER CAR AND FOUND GAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH CAR. TOOK IT TO CAR DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE FUEL PUMP HAD TWO SMALL PIN HOLES IN IT. REPLACED IT AT NO COST. *TR
Seat belts, Nov 10, 2008
DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT LATCH BROKEN. TRIED TO BUCKLE SEAT BELT AND A PART IN SEATBELT LATCH MECHANISM BROKE OFF INSIDE. SEATBELT WILL NOT LATCH. *TR
Tires, Oct 21, 2008
A RIP APPEARED IN THE SIDEWALL OF MY FRONT TIRE OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL DAYS. THE TIRE APPEARS TO BE SEPARATING. I NOTICED IT AFTER HEARING A CLICKING SOUND WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY IN A PARKING LOT. THIS WAS NOT PROCEEDED BY ANY IMPACT TO THE TIRE. THE RIP IS GETTING LARGER. ONLINE RESEARCH INTO THIS TIRE SHOWS THAT NUMEROUS OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR TIRE FAILURE INCIDENTS, OFTEN RESULTING IN COSTLY REPAIRS AND MEDICAL BILLS. I BELIEVE THAT THIS TIRE MODEL IS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
Power train, Oct 14, 2008
I HAVE HAD THIS CAR INTO THE AUTOMOTIVE SHOP AT THE LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE IN LATE 2007 FOR THE SAME INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WILL DO A HARD JOLTING ACTION WHILE SHIFTING (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) BETWEEN GEARS, AS IF THERE IS A BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT OR A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I HAVE GOTTEN NO SATISFACTION FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE REPEATEDLY TOLD ME THAT THE CAR SHIFTS PROPERLY ACCORDING TO VW STANDARDS. NOW THAT MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL CONTINUE AND LEAD TO MORE COSTLY REPAIRS DOWN THE LINE. HAVING THIS MATTER RESOLVED WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Electrical system, Sep 16, 2008
THE LATEST INCIDENT WITH THIS 2004 VW JETTA IS ONE IN WHICH EVERYTHING ELECTRIC STOPS WORKING. NO A/C, NOT LIGHTS, NO BLINKERS, NO WINDOWS, NO HORN - AND THERE IS A SMELL OF SMOKE IN THE CAR. THIS FIRST HAPPENED IN JANUARY/08 AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS WIRING. NOW IT HAPPENED AGAIN! OCCURS JUST WHILE DRIVING ALONG. CAR SMELLS LIKE SMOKE AND EVERYTHING STOPS WORKING. I GET THE RUNAROUND FROM THE DEALER, VISTA VW IN POMPANO BEACH, FL. THEY ALWAYS SEEM TO FIND SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR NOW THAT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS - THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THESE JETTA'S! I HAVE FOUND 100'S OF COMPLAINTS ON CONSUMER SITES ABOUT THIS CAR. I AM TIRED OF PAYING MY HARD EARNED DOLLARS TO THE DEALER WHEN THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE MANUFACTURER OF THIS CAR. I ADVISED THE DEALER OF THIS WHEN I TOOK IT IN IN JANUARY; HIS RESPONSE WAS, TOO BAD, YOU DO NOT QUALIFY FOR THE CAR LEMON LAW SINCE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANT AND PURCHASED IT IN DEC/05. PLEASE DO SOMETHING FOR US CONSUMERS THAT ARE TIRED OF BEING MANIPULATED AND OVERCHARGED FOR ISSUES THAT SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE AUTO MANUFACTURER. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYONE OTHER AGENCY I CAN CONTACT. I WILL NOT GIVE UP ON THIS AND HOPE YOU CAN ASSIST ME. THANK YOU. *TR
Fuel system, Diesel, Aug 29, 2008
CAR STARTED NORMALLY, PULLED TO ENTRANCE TO ROAD, ENGINE STALLED SUDDENLY AND WOULD NOT RESTART. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, ENGINE STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY. AFTER 10 MILES, STOPPED AT CONVENIENCE STORE. ENGINE STARTED NORMALLY AND ABRUPTLY STALLED WHILE ENTERING INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. AGAIN DIFFICULT TO RESTART, BUT FINALLY DID. RAN FINE FOR NEXT 45 MILES. A THIRD STALL HAPPENED THE NEXT MORNING. ALL THREE STALLS HAPPENED WITHIN 30 TO 90 SECONDS OF STARTUP. SUSPECT THAT THE IN-TANK "LIFT PUMP" WAS FAILING INTERMITTENTLY. THERE WOULD BE ENOUGH FUEL IN THE FILTER TO RUN ENGINE FOR A WHILE WITHOUT THE LIFT PUMP FUNCTIONING. THE LIFT PUMP HAS NOW BEEN REPLACED. *TR
Exterior lighting, Aug 6, 2008, crash
I OWN A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WAGON TDI. THE ORIGINAL OWNER SOLD THE CAR TO ME AND COMPLAINED OF POOR LIGHTING. I HAVE REPEATEDLY BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. THERE IS NO PERIPHERAL LIGHTING AND THE LIGHTS DO NOT PROJECT FAR ENOUGH TO SEE AND HAVE DARK SPOTS. I HIT A BEAR 6 WKS. AGO AND DIRECTLY BLAME THE LIGHTS FOR AN IMPAIRED ABILITY TO REACT. THE PLASTIC LENS ARE ALSO A PROBLEM AS THEY YELLOW AND SCRATCH OVER TIME DIMINISHING VISIBILITY BY APPROX 50%. A PROBLEM THAT DOES NOT OCCUR WITH GLASS LENS AND IS PARTICULARLY BAD IN PLACES LIKE COLORADO WHERE MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE IS APPLIED TO THE ROADS IN WINTER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 9, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD AN EMISSIONS CONTROL DEVICE REPLACED BECAUSE OF A RECALL, SPECIFICALLY REGARDING THE EGR COOLER IN SEPTEMBER OF 2006. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LEAK COOLANT SO HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FIRST REPAIR WAS NOT PERFORMED CORRECTLY AND WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,866 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
Seat belts, Jun 19, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT DOES NOT COME OUT IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE USED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY FOUR TIMES WITH NO RESOLUTION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,057 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,173. UPDATED 07/15/08. *JB
Equipment, Jun 17, 2008
I HAVE A 2004 VW JETTA 1.8 TURBO. I JUST CAME OFF FROM HAVING MY CAR CHECKED BY ROYAL VOLKSWAGEN IN WINTER PARK, FL ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON. THEY DID A MALFUNCTION CHECK. TWO DAYS LATER MY MALFUNCTION LIGHT WENT ON BLINKING. I READ THE MANUAL AND IT SAID THAT I SHOULD DRIVE SLOWLY TO A DEALER. BECAUSE THIS DEALER HAS GIVEN ME PROBLEMS--MEANING AFTER TIME I LEAVE THE DEALERSHIP A FEW DAYS LATER SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS..I AVOIDED TAKING MY CAR TO THEM. I TOOK IT A LOCAL MECHANICAL..LONG STORY SHORT I HAD TWO IGNITION COILS GO OUT ON ME. IN A TWO DAY PERIOD I LOST A 1/2 TANK OF FUEL. WHEN I DROVE INTO THE MECHANIC DOWN THE ROAD HE SAID MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS A "GRILL" RED AND HE TOLD ME THAT IS CAUSED BY RAW FUEL ENTERING THE CONVERTER. BASICALLY, I WAS TOLD HE WAS LIKE LIGHTING A MATCH NEXT TO A GAS TANK. THE CONVERTER WAS SO HOT BECAUSE TWO OF THE FOUR COILS FAILED THAT IT COULD BEEN LIFE THREATENING AND STARTED A FIRE. THIS IS SERIOUS! I AM WORKING WITH VW OF AMERICA AND HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT OTHER SITUATIONS ABOUT THE DEALERSHIP. *TR
Power train, Jun 12, 2008
THE CLUTCH FAILED AND LEFT MY WIFE STRANDED ON THE ROAD. DEALER STATES THE CLUTCH FAILURE WAS DUE TO DRIVING, BUT RECENT SEARCHES ON THE INTERNET APPEAR TO POINT TO OTHER OWNERS WITH PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURES ON VOLKSWAGEN TDI'S. *TR