1997 Volkswagen Jetta window and wiper problems

VISIBILITY

IT WAS AT NIGHT RAINY AND COLD. I TURNED ON THE HEATER AND DEFROSTER BECAUSE MY CAR WINDOWS AND WHOLE INSIDE OF CABIN WERE OBSCURES BY A FOG. MY DEFROSTER CLEARED THE BACK WINDOW BUT ALL OTHERS NOT SO I ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS AND SHUT DOWN THE HEATER. I WAITED A WHILE AND USED CLOTHING TO WIPE THE WINDOW. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME IN 6 WEEKS APPX. I DID TURN ON THE FAN ALONE TO PUSH BROWN FOG OUT OF THE CAR. TODAY I CHECKED MY FLUIDS THE COOLANT WAS HALF GONE IN THE RESERVOIR SO I TOPPED IT UP. I SAW ON LINE VWOF AMERICA HAS HELPED PEOPLE IN THE PAST WITH A GOOD WILL HEATER CORE BUT THEY TOLD ME 4-152004 THAT THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME. THAT IS WHERE I'M AT NO $ AND I NEED MY CAR FOR WORK. THANK YOU

NHTSA complaint #10325882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

REPLACED IGNITION COIL FOR THE THIRD TIME IN AS MANY YEARS!! ELECTRIC WATER PUMP REPLACED. EATER CORE EXPLODED A COUPLE MONTHS LATER WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR! COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING AS CAR FILLED WITH ANTIFREEZE CLOUD. BELT DRIVEN WATER PUMP WENT A WEEK LATER. ENTIRE POWER STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WINDOW REGULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TWICE. DOOR HANDLE BROKE TWICE!.

NHTSA complaint #10185598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

REPLACED IGNITION COIL FOR THE THIRD TIME IN AS MANY YEARS!! ELECTRIC WATER PUMP REPLACED. EATER CORE EXPLODED A COUPLE MONTHS LATER WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR! COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING AS CAR FILLED WITH ANTIFREEZE CLOUD. BELT DRIVEN WATER PUMP WENT A WEEK LATER. ENTIRE POWER STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WINDOW REGULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TWICE. DOOR HANDLE BROKE TWICE!.

NHTSA complaint #10185598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

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.

NHTSA complaint #10143462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10130678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

I FEEL LIKE MY JETTA IS A DEATHTRAP. IN THE FOUR YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED IT, I HAVE HAD FOUR OF THE POWER WINDOW MECHANISMS MALFUNCTION. CURRENTLY, THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW IS STUCK SHUT, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE BACK WINDOW IS STUCK OPEN! THIS IS ESPECIALLY CONCERNING BECAUSE THROUGHOUT THE COLD SEASON, AT LEAST ONE, IF NOT ALL OF THE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN. PEOPLE THINK MY BOYFRIEND IS BEING A GENTLEMAN, BUT REALLY, HE HAS TO WALK AROUND AND LET ME OUT. THIS IS NOT THE FROZEN LOCK PHENOMENON COMMON TO MANY VEHICLES- THE ACTUAL LATCH MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONS. WE HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY TRAPPED IN OUR CAR AND HAD TO CLIMB OUT THE WINDOW! THE FAILURES ARE SO CONSISTENT, SO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR (AND THE REPAIRS DO NOT LAST) THAT WE DRIVE AROUND LIKE THIS BECAUSE COST OF THE REPAIRS EXCEEDS THE VALUE OF THE CAR. HELP!

NHTSA complaint #10129842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

THIS IS ANOTHER OF THE MANY CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE POWER WINDOWS IN VOLKSWAGEN CARS. CURRENTLY, MY FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW IS STUCK DOWN AND WILL NOT RAISE. IT WILL REQUIRE A NEW WINDOW REGULATOR. MY BACK WINDOWS ARE ALSO CURRENTLY STUCK IN THE UP POSITION. I HAD PREVIOUSLY BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO CHECK THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW. VOLKSWAGEN INFORMED ME THAT IT NEEDED A REGULATOR AND THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD COST $800!!! FOR ONE WINDOW!!! I STILL HAD ONE MORE WINDOW TO FIX AT THAT POINT. THE REPAIRS WOULD COST ALMOST 1/3 OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF MY CAR!! SO NEEDLESS TO SAY, MY REAR WINDOWS HAVE BEEN STUCK UP FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS. NOW MY FRONT WINDOW IS STUCK DOWN. THIS IS A SAFETY RISK. THE CAR IS NOW COMPLETELY VULNERABLE TO THEFT AND THE ELEMENTS. DOING SOME RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS DEFECT. I HAVE ALSO FOUND A TECHNICAL BULLETIN REGARDING WINDOW REGULATOR MOTORS. BULLETIN #9704039704F. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY VOLKSWAGEN AND A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, IVE BEEN LUCKY SO FAR. MOST OF THESE DEFECTIVE WINDOWS SIMPLY FALL INTO THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY RISK FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE CAR AND NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH.

NHTSA complaint #10127267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY

THE CONSUMER'S 1997 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS HAD MULTIPLE COMPONENT FAILURES. **NAR** *NM THERE WAS AN ENGINE COOLANT LEAK, THE A/C DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, THE WINDSHIELD WAS BROKEN, THE BODY HAD RUST DAMAGE, THE DRIVERS SIDE POWER WINDOW MADE NOISE, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE RUST TO THE MUFFLER, EXCESSIVE WORN TIRES, ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION SENSORS. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10115572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

'RECALL CAMPAIGN' FOR VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1997 INSTALL PROTECTIVE SHIELD IN RIGHT REAR WHEELHOUSING. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS CHAGRED FOR A RECALL REGARDING THE WINDOW REGULATORS.

NHTSA complaint #10113739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

PAST YEAR: AUTO DOOR LOCKS FAILED, COULD NOT OPEN EITHER FRONT DOOR; TRANSMISSION FAILED, EXHAUST SYSTEM RUSTED OUT, HEADLIGHTS OUT, SIGNALS OUT, WHEEL BEARINGS NEED REPLACED, AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON, HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE CAR IN NEARLY 1 YEAR, REQUIRED NEARLY $5000 WORTH OF DAMAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10064584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO OPERATE THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SIDE WINDOW SWITCH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED.

NHTSA complaint #10063416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

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).

NHTSA complaint #10045441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10031829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

CONSUMER STATED THAT WINDOW WOULD FALL INSIDE THE DOOR WHEN TRYING TO OPERATE. DEALER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10029925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

3 OUT OF THE 4 WINDOW REGULATORS ON MY 1997 VW JETTA HAVE GONE BAD WITHIN THE PAST 9 OR SO MONTHS. I SEARCHED THE NHTSA SITE TO SEE IF ANY RECALL HAD BEEN ORDERED, AND FOUND NOTHING. DURING THE LAST INCIDENT (MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW), THE WINDOW MADE A LOUD NOISE, AND THEN WOULD NOT GO BACK UP...IN THE MIDDLE OF MY DRIVING. THE OTHER 2 WINDOWS (BOTH BACK WINDOWS) FALL COMPLETELY DOWN. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE WINDOWS CAN "FALL" AT ANY MOMENT. WHAT IF YOU HAVE YOUNG PASSENGERS IN THE CAR? WHAT IF THE WINDOW FALLING CAUSES A DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER? WHAT IF IT IS RAINING OR SNOWING, AND YOU CAN'T GET THE WINDOWS BACK UP? AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND MANY OTHER VW CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM..AND NO RECALL IS IN PLACE. NOT TO MENTION THAT REPAIR COST FOR 1 WINDOW IS OVER $200.

NHTSA complaint #10028730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING

BOUGHT JETTA GLS NEW 12/97. MOLDINGS FALL OFF CONSTANTLY. THREE OF FOUR POWER WINDOWS HAVE FAILED, ALL NEEDING REGULATORS REPLACED. SLOW WIPER SPEED CUTS OFF AND SOMETIMES DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. OIL LEAK. CAN'T LOCK DOORS ON DRIVER SIDE WITH MY MASTER KEY, CAN ONLY LOCK AND SET ALARM ON PASSENGER SIDE. TS

NHTSA complaint #10002855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.