1997 Volkswagen Jetta

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/26/2002· POWER TRAIN

  MY 1997 VW JETTA HAS TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBELMS. IT SHIFTS ROUGHLY AS IT CHANGES TO THE LAST GEAR ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS BUT THE PROBLEM DOES NOT GO AWAY.

• 12/26/2000· POWER TRAIN

  I HAVE HAD THIS SERVICED BEFORE, AND STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. *AK

• 12/20/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  BATTERY EXPLODED WHILE TURNING THE IGNITION, DEALER SERVICE REP MENTIONED THAT HE HAD SEEN SEVERAL CASES OF THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

• 12/18/2003· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE WHEN IT IS TOO COLD OUTSIDE. DEALER SAYS THAT THE VACCUUM ACTUATORS (WHATEVER THOSE ARE) ARE THE PROBLEM AND NEED TO BE REPLACED, AT SIGNIFICANT COST. LSO, DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK CAME OUT COMPLETELY WITH THE KEY. DEALER REPLACED THE LOCK. ALSO, COOLANT LIGHT FLASHES RED WHEN CAR IS FIRST STARTED IN COLD WEATHER. COOLANT LEVELS AND FUSE ARE OK. ALSO, SIDE TRIM ON FRONT PASSENGER DOOR IS COMING LOOSE FROM THE DOOR.*AK

• 12/11/2000· TIRESCrash

  REAR WHEEL BLOWOUT, TIRE SEPARATION, DEFECTIVE TIRES. TIRE BLEWOUT ON THE HWY THE CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND ROLLED.( DOT NUMBER: MKHCFJDR13 TIRE SIZE: 195/60R14 )

• 12/10/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKE PADS CONTINUALLY FAILING CAUSING VIBRATION.

• 12/09/2013· STEERING,SUSPENSION,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKESCrash

  A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GT, EQUIPPED WITH FRONTAL AIRBAGS WAS IN A COLLISION DUE TO THE USE OF AFTERMARKET PARTS, WHICH INCLUDED AFTER MARKET BALL JOINTS NOT SUPPLIED FROM THE DEALER, THIS PART FAILED AFTER 12.7KM ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT 110KM/H 65MPH, THE CAR STEERING WAS VERY SHAKY WHEN ENTERING A SLIGHT TURN ON THE HIGHWAY, THE FRONT RIGHT BALL JOINT HAD FRACTURED IN THE HUB KNUCKLE AND HAD CAUSED THE WHEEL TO COLLAPSE, THE STEERING WAS NO LONGER WORKING BECAUSE THE TIRES WHERE NOT ON THE GROUND, THE CAR WAS RESTING ON THE RAD SUPPORT AND FRONT AXLE OF THE CAR, BRAKING ALSO FAILED DUE TO THE MAJORITY OF THE BRAKING FORCE BEING ON THE FRONT WHEELS THAT WERE NOT MAKING CONTACT WITH THE GROUND. THE CAR THEN STRUCK A GUARD RAIL 3 TIMES BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE REST, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS THERE WAS NO NEED DUE TO THE ANGLE IN WHICH THE CAR STRUCK THE RAIL. SAFETY BELTS WORKED AND CARS MECHANICAL OPERATION (BESIDES FRONT SUSPENSION, AND BODY DAMAGE) WAS STILL FINE. WHEEL BEARINGS, BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE ALL REPLACED A WEEK PREVIOUS TO CRASH. BEWARE NON-VOLKSWAGEN PARTS. *TR

• 11/26/1999· VISIBILITY

  POWER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED. YH

• 11/25/2001· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION ORIGINALLY STARTED OUT NOT SHIFTING INTO DRIVE UNTIL THE CAR REACHED 50 MPH. I HAVE REPEATEDLY COMPLAINED OF THIS PROBLEM OVER THE PAST 4 YEARS AND NOW MY CAR IS AT THE POINT THAT I HAVE TO PARK ON AN INCLINE SO THAT WHEN I START MY CAR AND GO FORWARD I JUST HOPE IT GOES INTO GEAR, IT WILL ROLL SLOWLY, AND AFTER IT WARMS UP, EVEN IN 70 DEGREE WEATHER OR ABOVE IT IS A PRAYER IF IT STARTS. GOING INTO REVERSE IS NOT A GIVEN. DON'T EVEN GO THERE. TWO DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGERS SAY THAT IT IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND THAT THE MFG. SHOULD REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, HOWEVER THEY DECLINE TO DO SO. I HAVE TO BE IN TRAFFIC AND TO TAKE OFF PUTS ME IN DANGER AND OTHER DRIVERS. MID AMERICA MOTORS ON NO. LINDBERGH SAYS THAT IT HAS TO BE FIXED. SUNTRUP WHO SOLD THE CAR DOESN'T WANT ANYTHING ELSE TO DO WITH THIS CAR, EVEN THOUGH PHYLLIS SUNTRUP SERVICE COORDINATOR KNOWS THAT VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD FIX IT, HER HANDS ARE TIED. AFTER WE HAVE HAD TWO OTHER DEALERSHIPS LOOK AT THE PROBLEM, WE NOW KNOW AND DISTRUST SUNTRUP TO DO ANYWORK ON THE CAR. I WANT MY CAR FIXED, BEFORE I AM KILLED IN IT. I HAVE CONSISTENTLY ASKED FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE FIXED OVER THE LAST 4 YEARS, NOW I AM RUNNING OUT OF TIME. BOB AT MID AMERICA SAYS I SHOULD TAKE THIS HIGHER AND YOU GUYS ARE IT. WHEN I BOUGHT THIS THE ADVERTISEMENT WAS BASED ON YOU COULD DRIVE THIS VEHICLE FOR 200,000 MILES. PLEASE HELP ME, BELIEVE IT OR NOT I AM A ONE CAR FAMILY WHICH IS UNHEARD OF TODAY, BUT WE ARE, AND WE JUST WANT IT TO WORK PROPERLY. MY FIRST AND LAST VOLKSWAGEN. *AK

• 11/22/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THERE WAS A LOSS OF EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTING. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE DISABLED. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. THE LIGHTS WILL SHUT OFF, BUT INTERMITTENTLY COME BACK ON. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE BATTERY, FUSES, AND THE ALTERNATOR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A DEALER , AND NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE DUE TO THE EXPENSE. *AK UPDATED 02/07/06. *JB

• 11/21/2001· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  JETTA WAS EVALUATED AT VW REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TESTED FOR SEVERAL DAYS OVER THE LAST 4 WORKING DAYS. ELECTRICAL AND FUEL SYTEM WAS CHECKED AND NOTHING FOUND SO FAR. CAR ENGINE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY REGARDLESS OF SPEED OR TEMPERATURE OF ENGINE. HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT ON THE FREEWAY DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND SUDDENLY THE ENGINE CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING. HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SLOWING DOWN OR ACCELERATING. CONCERNED THAT THERE MAY BE OTHER REPORTED PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO THIS IN THIS MODEL BUT CANNOT FIND ANY INFORMATION.

• 11/12/1997· POWER TRAIN

  WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT SPEEDS OVER 35 MPH , REGISTERS AT 4700RPMS BEFORE DOWNSHIFTING. ALSO THE GEAR CONSOLE FAULSELY READS THE GEARS. THE DEALER HAS BEEN MADE AWARE. *AK

• 11/10/1998· SUSPENSION

  CONSUMER EXPERIENCING AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE VIBRATING WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP AND INFORMED THAT CONSUMER NEEDS TO REPLACE TIRES. CONSUMER COMPLIED, AND CONDITION STILL OCCURS. DEALER STILL INSISTS THAT THE PROBLEM IS STILL IN CONSUMER TIRES. DEALER NOW SAYS THAT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *ML

• 11/10/1997· AIR BAGSCrash

  VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM ALL SIDES, AND PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

• 11/09/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. *NM THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL BUT IT KEPT RACING FORWARD. *TC *JB

• 11/04/2003· VISIBILITY

  THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW STOPPED WORKING AT 26,000 MILES, FOLLOWED BY THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AT 30,000 MILES AND THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW AT 36,000 MILES. WE HAVE NOT REPAIRED ANY OF THESE BECAUSE WE WERE TOLD WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT, SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AFTER 24,000 MILES. LAST MONTH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR AS WELL. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A LOCAL DEALER THAT VW IS PAYING FOR WINDOWS TO BE FIXED IN THEIR JETTAS PURCHASED AFTER SEPTEMBER, 1999. HOWEVER, THIS WILL NOT HELP THOSE OF US WITH PROBLEM WINDOWS IN CARS MADE BEFORE THEN. VW KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM, THEIR DEALERS KNOW IT IS A PROBLEM, YET THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP THEIR CUSTOMERS. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT VW GETS A COPY OF THIS, AND IF THEY WISH TO CONTACT ME TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION, THEY MAY DO SO, BECAUSE AT THIS POINT, WE WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VW AGAIN, AND NEITHER WILL ANYONE WE KNOW BECAUSE OF THE VARIED PROBLEMS WE HAVE HAD WITH OUR CAR (THE WINDOWS ARE JUST ONE).*AK

• 10/31/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  MY 1997 JETTA WAS PURCHASED NEW IN AUGUST 1997 IN CANADA. IN 1997, THE ELECTRIC MOON ROOF AND THE ELECTRIC WINDOW HAD INTERMITTENT FAULT OF NOT OPERATING AND WERE FIXED. HOWEVER AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD ONE REAR ELECTRIC WINDOW COULD NOT BE OPERATED LOCALLY. IN OCT 28, 2004 THE GENERATOR WAS FAULTY AND WAS REPLACED BY A RE-BUILT UNIT AT OWNER'S COST. IN OCT 30, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. *JB FROM OCT 30 TO 31, 2004, AN INTERMITENT FAULT OCCURRED 5 TIMES ON THE PANEL CLUSTER, ALL READINGS IN THE CLUSTER (TACHOMETER, SPEEDOMETER, TEMPERAURE AND FUEL GAUGES) DROP TO ZERO FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND RESUMED NORMAL. THE DEALER HAS NOT YET LOCATED THE CAUSE OF THE INTERMITENT FAULT. IF THE PANEL C;USTER WERE FOUND FALUTY, IT WOULD BE A VERY COST REPAIR. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON MY 1997 JETTA ARE EXCEEDING UNRELIABLE WITH A HIGH INTERMITTENT FAULT. IT IS THE RESPONSIBLITY OF THE VWOA TO PAY THE REPAIR COST FOR SUCH FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

• 10/30/2002· SUSPENSION

  CONSUMER IS HAVIN PROBLEMS WITH THE BALLJOINT. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE RIGHT PASSANGERS WHEEL CAME OFF CAUSING A BALLJOINT SEPARATION. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INDICATED THAT THE PART WAS BADLY RUSTED WHICH IT SHOULD HAD NOT OCCOUR . TS

• 10/30/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING, TIMING BELT BROKE CAUSING IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER, THIS CAUSED OTHER ENGINE DAMAGE, VALVES WERE BENT AND A CYLINDER HEAD WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE OWNER'S MANUAL ONLY REQUIRES THAT INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE BE DONE AT 60,000 MILES. *SLC

• 10/26/1998· POWER TRAIN

  CLUTCH FAILED.

• 10/24/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  AFTER A CASUAL SUNDAY AFTERNOON DRIVE ( IN MY 1997 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA ) AT MODERATE SPEEDS I PARKED THE CAR FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES WHILE I ATE LUNCH. I THEN STARTED THE CAR, PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT, AND PUT THE BLINKER ON TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN. I STOPPED AT A LIGHT, AND WHILE THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE AND THE BRAKE WAS ON, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION. I THOUGHT I WAS IMAGING IT, BUT THEN IMMEDIATELY THE CAR BEGAN RACING WILDLY (LIKE IT WAS GOING 80MPH). LUCKILY I HAD MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE WHICH PREVENTED ME FROM LURCHING FORWARD INTO THE ONCOMING HIGHWAY TRAFFIC PASSING IN FRONT OF ME. I TRIED TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, BUT NOTHING I DID STOPPED THE CAR FROM RACING. FINALLY, IN A PANIC, I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE WITH THE KEY, AND PUT MY BLINKERS ON WHILE I RECOVERED FROM THE SHOCK OF WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I STARTED UP THE CAR AND WITH FEAR IN MY HEART PULLED FORWARD. THE CAR ACTED NORMALLY FOR THE REMAINDER OF MY TRIP HOME. I PLAN TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC TOMORROW TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. STILL SHAKING. GREGORY RYAN. *AK

• 10/23/1998· SUSPENSION

  WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH CONSUMER HIT A PIECE OF RUBBER ON THE ROAD AND THE SUSPENSION DID NOT HOLD, AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK

• 10/22/2003· POWER TRAIN

  VEHICLE SHIFTS ROUGH BETWEEN LOWER GEARS, AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE FOR A PERIOD OF 1 YEAR. THE TRANSMISSION HAS LOST 4TH GEAR AND IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL FAILURE AS WELL. *LA

• 10/17/2000· TIRES

  MULTIPLE SIDEWALL CRACKING, ALL TIRES. TREAD: GOOD TO EXCELLENT. SIDEWALL CRACKING NOT NOTED UNTIL "FIX-A-FLAT" WAS NOTED TO SQUIRT OUT OF SIDEWALL. ALL TIRES THEN CHECKED; ALL HAD MULTIPLE CRACKING.*AK (TIRESIZE: P195/60R14)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P195/60R14 )

• 10/17/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT

  ADD'T DEALER REPAIR INFO: NORTHLAND VW. CIN OH. AIR SYSTEM SMELLS ROTTEN, WATER PUMP WENT OUT DUE TO BELTS GOING BAD, ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS CAUSED CAR TO STALL & NOT OPERATE, CIGARETTE LIGHTER IS STUCK -CAN NOT PULL OUT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP 9 TIMES IN 3 YRS.

• 10/07/1999· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED HESITATION AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH, REPAIR REQUIRED INSTALLATION OF EXTRA RESISTOR WIRE TO MAINTAIN BASIC SETTINGS. MJS

• 10/04/2002· POWER TRAIN

  I BOUGHT THE 97 JETTA USED IN OCT. 1999. I AM THE SECOND OWNER. THEN IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO FAIL AND IT TURNED OUT THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I FEEL THAT THE CAR IS TOO NEW AND HAS FEW TOO MANY MILES FOR THIS TO OCCUR. I HAVE TRIED TO GET VOLKSWAGEN TO HELP ME OUT BUT THEY REFUSED BECAUSE THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. I THINK THE WARRANTY SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. I HAVE SEEN OTHER PEOPLE NOW WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS WITH THEIR VEHICLES. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT IF THERE ARE SEVERAL OWNERS OUT THERE WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THEN THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THE CAR AND FIXED IT FREE OF CHARGE. THANK YOU,[XXX] MR PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

• 10/03/2000· VISIBILITY

  THE FIRST WINDOW FAILURE INCIDENT INCLUDED THE TWO FRONT WINDOWS AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE REGULATORS AND MOTORS. I HAD TO PAY 20% OF THE TOTAL COST. THE SECOND WINDOW FAILURE INCLUDE THE SAME TWO FRONT WINDOWS AND ALSO THE REAR RIGHT WINDOW. THE DEALER IS QUOTING A PRICE OF APPROXIMATELY $1,354.00 PLUS TAX. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD PAY UP TO 50% OF THE COST OF THE PARTS. I FEEL THAT THESE ITEMS ARE A DEFECT AND THEY SHOULD MAKE REPAIRS AT NO COST TO ME.*AK

• 10/01/2001· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE BATTERY EXPLODED AS CONSUMER TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE. POSSIBLE MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *YH

• 09/23/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  MY COMPLAINT IS REGARDING THE THROTTLE BODY ON THE MOTOR. THE CAR RAN VERY ERRATICALLY AND STALLED A NUMBER OF TIMES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON OFTEN. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. THE OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. *JB

• 09/19/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE METAL SHIELD FAILED THAT PROTECTS THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V026000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP) AND REFUSED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

• 09/19/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WE BOUGHT THE 1997 JETTA USED IN 2000. SINCE THEN IT HAD IT'S IGNITION CHANGED (NEW KEY TO START ENGINE). THE THIRD STARTER WAS JUST PUT IN. WE THOUGHT THE NEW STARTER WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM OF THE ENGINE NOT TURNING OVER, BUT IT'S BACK AGAIN LESS THAN 21 DAYS AFTER THE STARTER WAS PUT. IT'S IN THE SHOP , STARTER WAS CHECKED; IT'S NOT THE STARTER. *JB

• 09/15/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ON THE FIRST OCCASION WE NOTED THAT BATTERY ACID HAD OVERFLOWED AND CONCACTED THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR, WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE BATTERY TRAY. THE RESERVOIR WAS REPLACED, THIS WORKED FOR SEVERA MONTHS. ON THE 2ND OCCURANCE, THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. THE FLUID POURED OUT OF THE RESERVOIR IN ABOUT 30 TO 40 SECONDS. THE SERVICE MANAGER THEN REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR REGULATOR, BATTERY TRAY AND POWER STEERING RESERVOIR. HE ALSO INSTALLED A SEPERATE DRAIN LINE FROM THE BATTERY VENT TO AN AREA WHICH WAS CLEAR OF ANY WIRING/RESERVOIRS. THE BATTERY WAS ALSO REPLACED TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHSE, IT IS THOUGHT THAT THE OVERCHARGE RUINED THE BATTERY. I DID WRITE A LETTER TO VOLKSWAGEN AMERICA, DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM AND REMEDY. THEY REPLIED THAT THIS HAD NOT HAPPENED BEFORE, THANKS FOR THE NOTICE.

• 09/14/1999· AIR BAGSCrash

  CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN 40 MPH COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

• 09/12/2002· SUSPENSION

  WHILE DRIVING AT NO MORE THAN 5 MPH BOLT JOINTS BROKE IN TWO PIECES, CAUSING FRONT PASSANGER WHEEL TO LOCK UP UNDER THE FENDER.*AK

• 09/12/1997· SEAT BELTSCrash

  WHILE DRIVING 30MPH VEHICLE WAS INV0LVED IN A COLLISION . THE PASSIVE RESTRAINTS MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING DRIVER TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD EVEN THOUGH THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *AK

• 09/10/2002· STEERING,VISIBILITY

  THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATOR HAS BROKEN (TWICEIN THE REAR AND ONCE IN FRONT) WHERE THE PLASTIC IS MOLDED TO THE METAL. THE HYDRAULIC STEERING UNIT STARTED LEAKING AT THE SEALS OF THE UNIT CAUSING THE RUBBER BOOT TO DISINTERGRATE. LOSS OF POWER STEERING RESULTED. VOLKSWAGEN REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF THE WHOLE UNIT INCLUDING TIE ROD ENDS (NOT REPAIRABLE). FUEL STORAGE TANK IS LEAKING SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE CAR AND THE TANK.*AK

• 09/07/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE TURNING THE KEY TO START VEHICLE, BATTERY EXPLODED, CAUSING ACID TO GO INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND DENT THE HOOD. VOLKSWAGEN REPLACED BATTERY WITH ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN BATTERY. ALSO, SEPT, 1, 2000, WITH 45,000 BATTERY EXPLODED AGAIN IN THE SAME MANNER. *AK DEALER CLAIMS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *YH

• 09/03/1998· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION, BRAKE, AND GAS GAUGE MALFUNCTION, AND MUSTY SMELL FROM AC. ALTHOUGH THESE AND OTHER REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE THE AC STILL SMELLS AND THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT SMOOTHLY.

• 09/02/1999· SEAT BELTS

  CONSUMER BUCKLED UP AND DROVE AROUND, THEN PARKED VEHICLE. WHEN SHE TRIED TO BUCKLE UP AGAIN, SHE COULDN'T BECAUSE THE ORANGE BUTTON DID NOT RETURN UP. THIS HAPPENED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. *AK

• 08/28/2002· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

• 08/28/2002· POWER TRAIN

  CLUTCH FAILED TO ENGAGE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WHILE DRIVING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

• 08/28/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  MALFUCTIONED IGINITION SWITCH IS CAUSING STARTER TO ENGAGE WHEN APPLYING CLUTCH. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

• 08/28/2002· STRUCTURE

  POWER DOORS ARE MALFUCNTIONING, UNABLE TO UNLOCK DOORS INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

• 08/21/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHEN SITTING AT LIGHTS. CAR HAS BEEN IN SHOP 4 DAYS PROBLEM CANNOT BE FOUND.*AK

• 08/08/2000· VISIBILITY

  TWO OF MY WINDOW REGULATORS AND MOTORS BROKE LAST AUGUST. THE OTHER TWO BROKE A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND I RARELY USE THE REAR WINDOWS. VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT REPLACE. I WAS CHARGED $60 FOR DIAGNOSIS... EACH WINDOW COSTS $600 TO FIX AT THE VW DEALER. I AM NOW DRIVING WITH ONLY ONE BACK WINDOW OPERATING.

• 08/02/1999· AIR BAGS

  AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF. DIGANOSTIC PERFORMED BY DEALER REVEALED THAT IGNITOR WAS BAD. AFTER SOME DISCUSSION, DEALER AGREED TO PAY FOR AIR BAG IF I PAID FOR LABOR. ALTHOUGH I AGREED, I WAS SUPRISED TO HEAR THAT AIRBAGS DO NOT FALL UNDER THE SAME WARRANTY REQUIRMENTS AS SEAT BELTS. ALTHOUGH I'M THANKFUL THAT VW AGREED TO COVER THE $600 FOR THE AIRBAG, I DO NOT BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO COVER THE $100 IN LABOR FOR A SAFETY DEVICE ON A VEHICLE THAT IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD AND LESS THAN 50,000 MILES.

• 08/01/2003· VISIBILITY

  CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOWS ON VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT SHE WILL NEED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DELAER TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE WINDOWS. BUT CONSUMER WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK

• 08/01/2000· EQUIPMENT

  AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING. ENGINE WOULDN'T HOLD FREON. DEALER FOUND A LEAK IN EVAPORATOR, AND ADMITTED THAT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART. CONSUMER RESPONSIBLITY FOR COVERAGE. *AK

• 07/31/2005· VISIBILITY

  WHILE PARKING MY 1992 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO BACK IN LATE JANUARY 2005, MY HEATER CORE LEAK ALL OVER MY PASSENGER FLOOR, AND HAD STEAM COMING OUT THE VENTS AND FOGGING UP MY WINDOWS. AFTER INVESTIGATING ON THE INTERNET I SAW THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON WATER COOLED VOLKSWAGENS. ON 7/30/05 I HAD A SIMILAR EVENT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING MY WIFE'S 1997 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY FOGGED UP AND HAD STEAM COMING FROM THE VENTS AND A COOLANT SMELL IN THE CAR. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD TO WIPE THE WINDSHIELD WITH MY HAND SO THAT I CAN SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED MY COOLANT TANK, THERE WAS A DROP IN FLUID. WHAT IS IN COMMON BETWEEN BOTH VEHICLES IS THEY ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME ENGINE, THE 2.8L VR6. AFTER RESEARCHING AGAIN ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THE CARS IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 92V050000 AND MOST WATER COOLED VOLKSWAGEN MANUFACTURED AFTER THAT DATE SHARE THE SAME PART NUMBER FOR THE HEATER CORE. IT SEEMS THAT THE FAULTY PART IS THE HEATER CORE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS, LUCKILY THERE WAS NOT MUCH TRAFFIC WHEN MY WINDSHIELD FOGGED UP, AND NO ONE WAS HURT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *JB