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.
Fuel system, Other, May 27, 2006
2004 TDI JETTA WAGON FAILED IN TANK FUEL PUMP. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, May 20, 2006
1. COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON (1ST TIME). 2. BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY PRESSURE TESTED THE SYSTEM AND REPORTED NO LEAKS. THEY TOPPED THE SYSTEM AND CHARGED ME $100 3. COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON (2ND TIME). 4. BROUGHT CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP, THEY NOW REPORT THAT PROBLEM AS THE EGR COOLER. THEY SUGGESTED I CONTACT VW OF CANADA TO DISCUSS THIS FAILURE AS IT IS BECOMING VERY COMMON. 5. CALLED VWOC AND THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THIS VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 18, 2006
GAS IDLES LIKE IT IS STUCK WHEN OVER 40 MPH OR LIKE I HAVE A STICK SHIFT AND I AM IN 3RD GEAR DRIVING AND NOT SWITCHING GEARS. TWO MONTHS AGO THE CAR WENT DEAD WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. AFTER ABOUT TWO WEEKS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF AGAIN AND AGAIN, THEN THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE COIL, BUT IT STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 10, 2006
DEVELOPED LARGE INTERNAL COOLANT LEAK @ ~47,000 MILES. THIS IS PROBABLY DUE TO INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE EGR COOLER. DEALER CANNOT ID PROBLEM, BUT THIS APPEARS TO BE WIDESPREAD WITH THIS ENGINE. THIS COULD RESULT IN ENGINE FAILURE AND ACCIDENT.
Fuel system, Diesel, Fuel system, Other, Mar 27, 2006
WAS DRIVING ALONG AFTER JUST ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT AND GOT UP TO SPEED (ABOUT 45 MPH). THEN I FELT WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE ENGINE FALTER, AND THE MOTOR JUST QUIT, NO WARNING WHATSOEVER. NO ODD SOUNDS EITHER. JUST LIKE I TURNED THE KEY "OFF". I COASTED TO A STOP OFF THE ROAD AND TRIED TO START IT A FEW TIMES. JUST CONTINUOUS CRANKING AND NOT EVEN A "COUGH". NO UNUSUAL NOISES, COMPRESSION SEEMED GOOD. TIMING BELT FAILURE APPEARS TO BE RULED OUT. NO EXTERNAL LEAK IN THE FUEL PUMP (THE ONE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT) EITHER. WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED ON, ALL THE NORMAL DASH LIGHTS LIGHT. YESTERDAY, I DID NOTICE A MORE PRONOUNCED SOUND COMING FROM THE IN-TANK LIFT PUMP WHEN I TURNED THE KEY TO "GLOW". AFTER THE ENGINE FAILURE TONIGHT, I COULD NOT HEAR ANY SOUND FROM THE LIFT PUMP. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE VW DEALER SINCE THE WARRANTY WAS STILL IN EFFECT. TODAY (THREE DAYS LATER) THE DEALER CALLED ME AND SAID THE IN-TANK FUEL PUMP FAILED AND IT WOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *JB
Fuel system, Diesel, Feb 20, 2006
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HEARD A NOISE UNDER MY CAR. THE GAS TANK WAS PUNCTURED BY SOMETHING ON THE ROAD DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH PROMPTED ME TO PULL OVER AND THE GAS WAS GUSHING OUT OF THE TANK. I THEN HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALER AND WAS LATER INFORMED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY WARRANTY DUE TO "OUTSIDE CONDITIONS" I THEN SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION AND THEY DENIED ANY COVERAGE UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THAT SOMETHING WAS PROPELLED FROM THE FRONT WHEEL INTO THE GAS TANK AND THAT THE POSITION OF THE GAS TANK MAY NOT BE PROPER. I BELIEVE IT IS A POSSIBLE DESIGN FLAW OR THAT THE GAS TANK WAS DEFECTIVE AND THUS MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO BEING PUNCTURED. *JB
Power train, Feb 20, 2006
DAILY COMMUTE IS APPROXIMATELY 125 MILES ROUND TRIP 100+ MILES EXPRESSWAY TRAVEL AT CRUISE SPEED. CLUTCH FAILED AT 20,802 MILES. REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. WHEN CAR WAS PICKED UP AFTER REPAIR, NOTIFIED DEALER CLUTCH FELT STRANGE. WAS ADVISED THAT IT NEEDED BREAKING IN, BEING A VETERINARIAN NOT A MECHANIC I ACCEPTED THE STATEMENT AS FACTUAL. AT 44,226 OR 22,324 ADDITIONAL MILES OF SAME TRAVEL CONDITIONS CLUTCH FAILED AGAIN. REPAIRED THIS TIME AT A COST OF $1167.85. MY FATHER ARRANGED TO PICK THE CAR UP AFTER REPAIR AND NOTIFIED SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE CLUTCH WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. HE WAS ADVISED THAT CLUTCH NEEDED "BREAKING IN" HOWEVER HAVING A 2001 JETTA TDI AND BEING EXPERIENCE IN SUCH MATTERS HE QUESTIONED THE EXPLANATION . THE SHOP FOREMAN WAS CALLED AND AGREED THAT IT WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE CAR WAS TAKEN BACK FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER WAS FAILING INTERNALLY, HAD FLUID ON BOTH SIDES OF THE PISTON. CYLINDER WAS REPLACED AND CLUTCH FUNCTIONS CORRECTLY. I THINK IT LIKELY THAT THE FAILING CYLINDER CONTRIBUTED TO BOTH FAILURES AND THE SECOND SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER THE VEHICLE WARRANTY AS WAS THE FIRST. ADDITIONALLY I BELIEVE VOLKSWAGEN HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ADEQUACY OF THE CURRENT CLUTCH WHEN USED IN THE TDI DIESEL APPLICATION. THIS IS SUPPORTED BY THE EXPERIENCE OF OTHER OWNERS AS INDICATED ON THE WEBSITE WWW.FREDSTDIPAGE.COM THANK YOU. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 1, 2006, crash
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO THE PARKING LOT, I BRAKED BUT THE VEHICLE DIDN'T SLOW DOWN, AND I HIT A CONCRETE POLE. THE ONLY THING I HEARD WAS DRUMMING NOISE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO BRAKE HARD, BECAUSE IT KIND OF LOCKED. *JB
Exterior lighting, Feb 1, 2006
BRAKE LIGHT KEPT ON GOING ON INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL. *JB
Power train, Jan 25, 2006
WHILE I DROVE CAR THE CLUTCH STARTED TO SLIP IN 2004 JETTA. I TOOK IT TO HERITAGE VOLKSWAGEN IN UNION CITY GEORGIA, AND THEY SAID THAT THEY ADJUSTED THE CLUTCH. THE CLUTCH STILL SLIPS. IF I PULL OUT IN FRONT OF A CAR AND NEED TO GET OUT OF THE WAY THE CAR DOES NOT GO BECAUSE THE CLUTCH SLIPS. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT FIXED BY THE DEALER. THEY SAY THAT THE CLUTCH IS ERROR ON THE DRIVER. THIS CANNOT BE BECAUSE THE CLUTCH WITH THE ENGINE CAN ONLY HANDLE 8 MORE FEET-LBS THAN THE ENGINE PRODUCES. IF THE ENGINE, THEREFORE, PRODUCES A COUPLE MORE HORSE POWER FOR WHATEVER REASON THE CLUTCH SLIPS. IM NOT TALKING ABOUT ANY MODIFICATIONS TO THE CAR I AM TALKING ABOUT EVERY STOCK CAR WILL VARY IN HP AND TORQUE EVEN THOUGH THEY SAY THEY ARE ALL THE SAME. THIS IS RIDICULOUS, AND NOW AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR LONGER THAN 30 MINUTES FOR FEAR THAT THE CLUTCH WILL SLIP AND I WILL GET HIT FROM BEHIND AND DIE. *AK
Other or unspecified, Jan 2, 2006
AFTER RAIN, THE INTERIOR IS FLOODED WITH WATER. BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK OF THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR IS SOAKED WITH WATER.
Air bags, Dec 21, 2005, crash
THE CONSUMER SUSPECT A DEFECT OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FRONT AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DESPITE THE HIGHEST IMPACT (1 OUT OF 14 SCALE) DAMAGE ON THE FRONT. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND REQUESTED FOR AN INSPECTION; THE MANUFACTURER EXPLAINED WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BUT IT WAS NO MORE THAN A DESCRIPTION IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT WILLING TO SEND A TECHNICIAN TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTS FOR A THIRD-PARTY EXPERTS INSPECTION. 1) ACCIDENT NARRATIVE (BASED ON CITY OF WHEELING, WV, POLICE REPORT): THE VEHICLE (VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2004) WAS ON THE FIRST LANE OF I-70 W. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST A CONTROL AND WENT ONTO THE SECOND LANE AND WENT BACK ONTO THE FIRST LANE. THE VEHICLE HIT THE GUARD RAIL WITH THE FRONT LEAVING 25 FEET OF THE GUARD RAIL DAMAGED; THE VEHICLE BOUNCED OFF AND STRUCK A TRUCK TRAILER WITH THE RIGHT REAR END. 2) DESPITE THE SEVERE DAMAGE ON THE FRONT (THE CONSUMER HAS PHOTOS; THE FRONT IS ALMOST GONE), NONE OF THE FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED EXCEPT FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN. THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT WILLING TO SEND A TECHNICIAN TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTS FOR A THIRD-PARTY EXPERTS INSPECTION. THE CONSUMER IS WILLING TO PROVIDE THE PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGED VEHICLE TO NHTSA FOR AN ANALYSIS. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 16, 2005
CAR IS LOOSING COOLANT WITH NO EXTERNAL LEAKAGE. MANY PEOPLE ARE REPORTING EGR COOLER FAILURES. VW NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL AND ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *NM
Air bags, Dec 7, 2005
2004 VW JETTA GLI INVOLVED IN FRONTAL OFFSET COLLISION. CAR DECLARED TOTALED BY INSURANCE COMPANY. NONE OF THE SIX AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VW HAS STATED THAT THE IMPACT DID NOT ENTER THE 60 DEGREE FIELD OF THE AIR BAG SENSOR. I WAS SIDESWIPED SENDING MY CAR INTO THE BACK OF A ROW OF PARKED CARS. I RECEIVED NECK, BACK AND WRIST INJURIES. THE CAR SHOULD STILL BE AVAILABLE AS I HAVE NOT RELEASED IT YET. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY EVEN WITH THE FRONT OF THE CAR DESTROYED AND THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT ROOF AND FLOOR BUCKLED. AT THE VERY LEAST, MY NECK INJURIES WOULD HAVE BEEN MINIMIZED IF EVEN JUST THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG HAD DEPLOYED. *NM
Power train, Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Seats, Nov 3, 2005
OUR 2004 VW JETTA 1.8T HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS FROM A CLICKING/POPPING NOISE IN THE FRONT END AT APPROXMIATELY 10,000 MILES, TO THE TRANSMISSION LOCKING UP WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE. THE CLUTCH/DISC WENT COMPLETELY OUT AT 15,000 MILES. ALL THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WENT OUT AS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IN THE DARK ON A NON LIT BACK ROAD TO WORK, TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEARS, TRANSMISSION STILL SLIPPING, BACK DOOR LOCKS DO NOT UN-LOCK WHEN REMOTE IS ACTIVATED, SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS RE-TORQUED EVERYTHING ON VEHICLE BUT THIS HAS NOT MADE PROBLEMS GO AWAY. SINCE MAY 2005, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP HAS HAD MY CAR FORA TOTAL OF 62 DAYS FOR SERVICE AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. PROBLEMS CONTINUE TO MOUNT AND THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE MOST PART STATES "THAT THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM." THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED ALL THE WHEEL BEARINGS IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THIS DID NOT STOP THE CLICKING/POPPING NOISE, THEY REPLACED THE CLUTCH DISC THIS DID NOT CLEAR UP THE PROBLEM, THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPLICATED PER DEALERSHIP, THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO HAVE A WHISTLING NOISE, TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO SLIP. THE DRIVER'S SIDE LEATHER SEAT HAS THE SEAMS POOPING LOOSE AND A PART OF THE FRAME IS PUSHING THROUGH THE LEATHER. TRUNK LATCH HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES. DEALERSHIP STATES CAR IS SAFE TO OPERATE, I BEG TO DIFFER!
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 18, 2005
2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI. ENGINE WILL STALL AT TIMES DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING INTERNALLY INTO INTAKE MANIFOLD THROUGH FAULTY EGR COOLER. CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE STEERING AND BRAKE ASSIST. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 7, 2005
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI WITH 9200 MILES. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE, A CLUNKING SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. THE CLUNKING NOISE HAS INCREASED IN SOUND LEVEL AND SENSITIVITY TO ROAD SURFACES SINCE THEN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO BE SERVICED BY FLETCHER JONES CHICAGO VW AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKE PAD IS LOOSENING IN THE CALIPER AND IS CAUSING THE CLUNKING SOUND. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY MY WARRANTY AS THEY SUGGESTED THE CAR WAS STILL DRIVABLE AND THE PROBLEM WAS LIKELY DUE TO WEAR ON THE PAD. AT THE TIME OF THE SERVICE DIAGNOSIS BY FLETCHER JONES, THE CAR HAD 10,173 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. PRIOR TO PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE, IT WAS FULLY INSPECTED BY A SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT HAS BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY FOR OVER TEN YEARS, AND WHOM I KNOW PERSONALLY. I WAS TOLD THIS VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES. FURTHERMORE, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MAKING A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN I PURCHASED IT. RATHER, THE SOUND DEVELOPED OVER A WEEK AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. \I AM CONCERNED THAT THE PART WILL FAIL AND THAT VW IS NOT GOING TO FIX IT UNDER MY WARRANTY THAT IS STATED TO COVER SUCH THINGS FOR 4 YEARS/50,000 MILES, OR WHICH EVER ONE COMES FIRST. *JB
Power train, Sep 15, 2005
FIRST OCCURRENCE 05/11/2005, WHEN STOPPING AUTO-TRANSMISSION WAS DOWN SHIFTING HARSH. DEALER FOUND OPEN CIRCUIT FOR IGNITION AND INSTALLED A GROUND WIRE. PROBLEM NOT FIXED. SECOND TIME, 06/03/05, TRANSMISSION WAS DOWN SHIFTING HARSH AGAIN, DEALER FOUND INTERNAL MALFUNCTION WITH TRANSMISSION AND REPLACED TRANSMISSION. THIRD TIME, 06/08/05, WHEN WARMED UP TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWN SHIFT HARSH AND JERK INTO GEAR, VW FIELD REP. WILL LOOK AT CAR. ALSO HAD THE ALIGNMENT FIXED FROM WHEN TRANS. WAS REPLACED. FOURTH TIME, 06/16/05, WHEN ACCELERATING CAR HAD JERKED VERY HARD INTO GEAR. DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM, WAITING FOR FIELD REP. 06/25/05, FIELD REP. DROVE CAR AND STATED THAT CAR WAS WITHIN MANUFACTURE SPECS. DEALER ALSO REPAIRED DENT IN HOOD FROM PREVIOUS VISIT. SERVICE MANAGER FROM DEALER STATED THAT HE DROVE ANOTHER VW JETTA TO SEE IF CAR DID SAME THING AS MINE AND PROBLEM WAS NOT THERE WITH OTHER CAR. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE 2003 PASSATS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM BUT WORSE AND IT ENDED UP BEING A SOFTWARE ISSUE. CAR STILL HAS AN ISSUE. CURRENTLY HAVE A LAWYER FOR THE LEMON LAW.
Electrical system, Visibility, Equipment, Sep 13, 2005
DT: THE CALLER HAD THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPLACED 5 TIMES. THE WINDOWS/THE ALARM SYSTEM/THE LIGHTS/THE GAUGES, AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FAILED. AS THE CALLER INDICATED EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONED. THE CALLER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND A FEW TIMES HE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. DEALER COULD NEVER GIVE HIM AN ANSWER WHY THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING THESE PROBLEMS. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP HIM FOR FREE, AND SINCE THE PROBLEM INCLUDED DIFFERENT COMPONENTS IT DID NOT FALL UNDER THE LEMON LAW. MANUFACTURER SAID THAT IF THE CALLER GOT A LOAN ON THE VEHICLE IT WOULD BE A DIFFERENT SITUATION. *AK
Power train, Sep 8, 2005
I PURCHASED MY 2004 JETTA IN OCTOBER 2004. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR SEPTEMBER 2, 2005 BECAUSE THE GEARS HAD BECOME DIFFICULT TO SHIFT (ESP. INTO AND OUT OF REVERSE). AFTER ONLY 20,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND 10 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, VW TELLS ME I NEED A NEW CLUTCH. FURTHERMORE, THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THE WARRANTY IS OUT SINCE IT HAS OVER 12,000 MILES AND THAT THEY WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT IS DUE TO "DRIVER ERROR". THIS CANNOT BE POSSIBLE, AS I'VE BEEN DRIVING MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A CLUTCH FAIL BEFORE--MY LAST CAR, A 1997 JETTA HAD OVER 100,000 MILES AND NEVER NEEDED A CLUTCH REPLACEMENT. FURTHERMORE, VW HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT AS I'VE TRIED TO NEGOTIATE MANUFACTURER'S COVERAGE--NOT RETURNING CALLS FOR DAYS, SENDING ME IN CIRCLES ASKING ME TO CALL THE DEALER, THE VW OF AMERICA AGAIN AND AGAIN.*JB
Electrical system, Equipment, Aug 24, 2005
ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF AGO I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT MY 2004 JETTA GL WAS STARTING TO RUN A LITTLE ROUGH. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEAL AND HAD A TEST DONE ON IT TO FIND OUT THE MY IGNITION COIL WAS BAD. AFTER ABOUT 2 WEEKS THE CHECK ENGINE LIKE CAME ON IT THE CAR AND I CALLED THE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. AGAIN MY IGNITION COIL HAD GONE BAD. THEN YET ANOTHER TIME A WEEK AND A HALF LATER THE SAME ISSUE. THE IGNITION COIL HAD GONE BAD. THREE DAYS LATER AFTER THAT INCIDENT I WAS DRIVING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS WAS THE FORTH TIME THAT I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME THE DEALER CHANGED THE WIRING HARNESS AND SAID THAT THAT WAS THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE CURED. ALL OF THE TIMES THAT I PICKED UP THE CAR FROM THE DEALER I NOTICED THAT THE IDLE IT THE CAR WAS STILL A LITTLE ROUGH AND NEEDLE FOR THE TACOMETER WAS MOVING SLIGHTLY. I AM STILL WEARY TO SAY THAT THE CAR IS FIXED AND FEAR SOMETHING MORE EXSTENSICE IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THE PARTS WERE REPLACED BUT CONSUMER SATISFACTION IS LOW.
Power train, Aug 10, 2005
WHEN STARTING ENGINE THEN GOING FROM PARK AND SHIFTING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE, THERE IS A LONG DELAY TO ENGAGE THE GEAR. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS IF THE VEHICLE IS ON ANY INCLINE, AS IT WILL ROLL AS IF IN NEUTRAL BEFORE ENGAGING THE DESIRED GEAR, ALMOST LIKE USING A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, HOWEVER YOU HAVE NO CONTROL SINCE YOU TOOK YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND ONTO THE ACCELERATOR TO PROCEED AND THEN IT STARTS ROLLING. THIS IS NOT SAFE, NOR ACCEPTABLE! WHEN WE FIRST BROUGHT IT IN TO THE DEALER (FLADEBOE, IRVINE, CA) THEY VERBALLY SAID IT'S MADE THAT WAY - IT'S NORMAL. THEN TODAY AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER STATES THAT THE " VEHICLE OPERATES TO MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS". ARE THE QUOTED "SPECIFICATIONS" CONSISTENT WITH U.S. SAFETY STANDARDS OR FLAWED? OUR VEHICLE IS UNDER THE NEW CAR WARRANTY AND WE HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. I OWN A VW 2001 PASSAT AND IT DOES NOT HAVE THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM - THIS APPEARS TO BE A JETTA TRANSMISSION DEFECT AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED AT MANUFACTURER'S SOLE COST. WE FEAR THAT WE WILL HIT OTHER VEHICLES, PROPERTY OR PEOPLE - UNFORTUNATELY WE FEEL IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME WITH THIS UNSAFE CONDITION. *NM
Seats, Aug 2, 2005, fire
MY WIFE JUST PULLED INTO THE GARAGE AFTER A SHORT TRIP TO THE STORE. WHEN SHE BACKED IN SMOKE AND FLAMES CAME FROM THE SEAT HEATER CONTROL (SEAT HEATER WAS OFF AT THE TIME). THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS IF WE HAD BEEN DRIVING AT THE TIME!*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 28, 2005
TDI ENGINE. MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST POWER INTERMITTENTLY. PRESS ACCELERATOR; NO CHANGE IN RPM - JUST IDLED. "GLOW PLUG" (FLASHED) AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHT (STEADY) LIT AFTER 1ST TWO OCCASIONS; NOT ON 3RD. RE-START SOLVES PROBLEM FOR 30 SECONDS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM IN TWO ATTEMPTS. VEHICLE IS IN FOR 3RD ATTEMPT AS OF 07/05. *MD *JB
Other or unspecified, Jul 24, 2005
THE CHROME PANEL COVERING THE GEAR SHIFTER REFLECTS SUNLIGHT. THE SUNLIGHT REFLECTS OFF THE PANEL TOWARDS THE DRIVER, CAUSING A DISCOMFORT AND DISTRACTION. VW HAS NO SOLUTIONS FOR THE PROBLEM AND HAS REFUSED TO FIX THE SITUATION.