42 of the
253 complaints about the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta are about the
electrical system — 17% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
69,050 miles.
D
42
Complaints
0
Crashes
6
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Switch
819.0%
12V/24V/48V Battery
716.7%
Ignition
716.7%
Electrical System
716.7%
Fuses AND Circuit Breakers
49.5%
Front Underhood
24.8%
Horn
12.4%
Wiring
12.4%
Module
12.4%
Interior/Under Dash
12.4%
Electrical System across every Volkswagen Jetta year
THE VEHICLES' ANTI THEFT HAD WENT HAYWIRE. WENT TO START, BEEP SOUND WENT OFF. THEN WAS LOCKED INSIDE CAR. WITH THE ALARM GOING OFF. WAS ONLY ABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE BY HAVING PASSERBY UNHOOK BATTERY, WHILE I HELD THE UNLOCK BUTTON. THIS WAS OVER 2 WEEKS AGO. WHEN HOOKING BATTERY BACK UP, THE ALARM STILL GOES OFF. I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE. THE BATTERY WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JUNE. NOTHING HAS BEEN ADDED TO VEHICLE. PLEASE ADVISE TO HOW THIS MATTER WILL BE RESOLVED & IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11046171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Durango, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE BEEN TRAPPED INSIDE THE FRONT SEAT OF THIS VEHICLE. BOTH FRONT DOORS WILL OCCASIONALLY NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE CAR, EVEN WITH THE DOORS UNLOCKED. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE PROBLEM THAT I FEEL IS QUITE DANGEROUS. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND HAD THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10484666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1 milesAshburn, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
LIKE OTHERS, I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION COIL REPLACED. THIS HAPPENED AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, OF COURSE. I HAVE ALSO HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOWS (REGULATOR AND MOTOR) FOR ALL OF THEM. NOW, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS FLASHING AND THE CAR IS SPUTTERING. I KNOW THE SECONDARY AIR INTAKE VALVE NEEDS REPLACING BUT IT DID NOT CAUSE PROBLEMS. NOW I'M WONDERING IF SOMETHING NEW IS WRONG??? ALSO, I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH LOSING COOLANT AND HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY REPLACE ANTIFREEZE. AFTER FIXING WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A SMALL LEAK THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WILL NOT PRODUCE COOL AIR! THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND VW SHOULD LOOK INTO ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS.
NHTSA complaint #10174774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,821 milesRaleigh, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
GLOW PLUG CONTROL UNIT FAILS ON 1998 VW JETTA TDI, BUT THERE IS NO PART FOR THE LAST 5+ MONTHS AVAILABLE FROM VOLKSWAGEN. ALSO, THERE IS NO ESTIMATE OF WHEN VOLKSWAGEN WILL HAVE A PART AVAILABLE. THIS IS NATIONWIDE. THE CONTROL UNIT IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE STARTING OF THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10161195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesRockford, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
1. DRIVING 2. LIGHTS WENT OUT, FAN WENT OUT AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #10127426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WAS FLAT. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME.
NHTSA complaint #10111335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Thomas, 00
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS WERE DIM. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. CONSUMER FOUND THERE WERE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE HEADLIGHTS. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE BULB WITH HIGHER WALTAGE. THERE WAS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSAT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL.
NHTSA complaint #10102001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesEllington, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY EXPLODED WHILE STARTING THE ENGINE. HOOD DAMAGED, BATTERY ACID RELEASED.
NHTSA complaint #10072598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fortville, INFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I OWN A 1998 VOLKSWAGON JETTA, WOLFSBURG EDITION. I'VE BEEN STRANDED A TOTAL OF 6 OR 7 TIMES (LOSING COUNT) ON THE INTERSTATE BY THIS VEHICLE. PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE OWNER LESS THAN A YEAR AGO AND HAVE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS MYSTERIOUS PROBLEMS EVER SINCE. I WORK FOR THE STATE OF INDIANA, COMMUNTE INTO INDIANAPOLIS 5 DAYS A WEEK, I AM AN INTERSTATE TRAVELER. I HAVE FORGIVEN MOST OF THE PROBLEMS THIS CAR HAS HAD, BUT RECENTLY HAVE REACHED THE LIMIT. JUST LAST WEEK I WAS ONCE AGAIN STRANDED ON THE INTERSTATE DURING RUSH HOUR AND MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING AND SMOKE BEGAN TO RISE FROM MY STEERING COLUMN. THIS SITUATION TERRIFIED ME. NOT ONLY DID I HAVE TO URGENTLY COAST TO THE SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE, BUT I WAS IN FEAR THAT THE CAR WOULD BE ON FIRE DUE TO SEEING THIS SMOKE. THE CAR WAS TOWED AND THE IGNITION COIL WAS REPLACED; ALTHOUGH THE SERVICE MAN DIDN'T THINK THAT WAS THE SOURCE OF THE SMOKE FROM MY STEERING COLUMN. I KNOW FROM READING OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT THE BAD IGNITION COIL IN THESE VEHICLES IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THERE ARE EXISTING RECALLS ON SOME VOLKSWAGON IGNITION COILS. THIS SEEMS UNJUST CONSIDERING THEY USED THE SAME IGNITION COIL IN THE 1998 THAT THEY DID IN OTHER VEHICLE YEARS. THIS REPAIR COST ME $400, WHICH IS JUST ICING ON THE CAKE FOR ME RIGHT NOW. NOW MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE SERVICEMAN WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL SAYS ALL IS CONNECTED AND HE THINKS THE SMOKE IN THE CAR WAS COMING FROM THE AIRBAG WIRING. HE SAID THERE'S NO WAY TO DISCONNECT THE AIRBAG (TO STOP ANY CHANCE OF IT EXPLODING OUT ON ME WHILE DRIVING). IF IT COMES OUT WHILE DRIVING..I AM DEAD.IF IT FAILS IN AN ACCIDENT.I COULD BE DEAD. I AM AFRAID TO EVEN HAVE MY FAMILY IN THE CAR. I HONESTLY THINK IT'S ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS WIRED INCORRECTLY. PLEASE ASSIST ME IN GETTING JUSTICE SERVED. I'VE HEARD OF SO MANY OTHERS WHO ARE MISTREATED AND IGNORED BY VOLKSWAGON. THIS VEHICLE'S REPEATED FAILURE SHOULD BE NOTED. I APPRECIATE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO.
NHTSA complaint #10068345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duvall, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THE E BRAKE LIGHT, AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAY ON ONCE THE CAR IS STARTED. TODAY THIS PROBLEM HAS INCLUDED THE HEATER FAN NOT WORKING, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON, AND THE WIPERS WILL NOT WORK. IF I LEAVE THE LIGHT SWITCH ON, AND LEAVE THE WIPER SWITCH ON, I HAVE FOUND I CAN PULL THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH, AND THE WIPERS COME ON.
NHTSA complaint #10063863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sherman Oaks, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION ON ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS DO NOT WORK. THE HEADLIGHTS DON'T COME, AND HEATER DOESN'T WORK. CONSUMER BELIEVES IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10062962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,563 milesProspect Heights, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE IGNITION SWITCH IN MY CAR IS GETTING WORSE. THE FIRST TIME IT MALFUNCTIONED WAS ON A COLD AND SNOWY NIGHT. I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE LIGHTS WENT OUT, THE WIPERS STOPPED, THE DEFROSTER FAN STOPPED AND THE ABS LIGHT WENT ON. IT WAS A LITTLE UNSETTLING. THE VW DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS A BAD INGNITION SWITCH AND IT WOULD COST ABOUT $300.OO DOLLARS TO REPLACE. WHEN I ASKED THE PARTS DEPARTMENT IF THEY HAD THE SWITCH IN STOCK HE LAUGHED AND SAID "OH YEAH". I AM NOW DRIVING MY CAR ONLY IN THE DAYTIME WHILE I SAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE THE SWITCH. I HAVE OWNED OVER 30 CARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD AN IGNITION FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #10056921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesSeattle, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
MY 1998 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) JETTA HAS AN IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. WHEN DRIVING, IT FALLS BACK, TURNING OFF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (INCLUDING LIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS). VW HAS IDENTIFIED THIS AS A PROBLEM IN THE 1996 AND 1997 JETTAS (AND SENT OUT A RECALL ON THE PART) BUT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IT AS A PROBLEM FOR THE 1998 MODELS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A VW SERVICE PERSON THAT THE 1998 MODELS USE THE SAME IGNITION SWITCH AS THE 1996/1997'S. VW REPRESENTATIVES CLAIM THAT THEY DO NOT SEE A PROBLEM WITH THE 1998'S. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY VW.
NHTSA complaint #10047652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,000 milesIndianapolis, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. WITH THE CAR RUNNING, THERE HAVE BEEN OCCASIONS WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE TURNED OFF, AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAVE SEEN APPROXIMATELY 5 POSTINGS ON DIFFERENT MESSAGE BOARDS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10045153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Youngstown, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION COIL PROBLEM .DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10022904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesSilver Spring, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE VEHICLES IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND CAUSED THE HEADLIGHT TO SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON A DARK COUNTRY ROAD. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10017148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FAILURE OF DOOR WIRING HARNESS. DOES NOT ALLOW ME TO DRIVE THE CAR - THE ENGIN WILL NOT ENGAGE DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC FAILURE OF THE DOOR WIRING HARNESS. THERE SHOULD BE SOME WAY TO OVERRIDE THE ELECTRONIC FAILURE SO THAT I CAN DRIVE IT.
NHTSA complaint #10005750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,050 milesSAN Diego, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
I OWN A 1998 VOLKWAGEN JETTA GL. THE CAR BATTERY EXPLODED WHILE IN OPERATION. I HAVE DIGITAL PHOTOS OF THE BATTERY IF REQUESTED. IT DIDN'T SEEM NORMAL AND SO I FIGURED I'D FILE A REPORT.
NHTSA complaint #10005025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,000 milesAlbany, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VR6 HAS HAD SECOND IGNITION COILPACK FAIL, CREATING A DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION AND RENDERING THE CAR INOPERABLE. CAR CURRENTLY HAS 58,000 ON JAN. 13TH., 2003 AND REQUIRED IGNITION COILPACK REPLACEMENT. IGNITION COILPACK WAS ALSO REPLACED ON 06/26/2000 WHEN VEHICLE HAD 34,119 MILES. VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE MANAGER AGREES THAT THIS FAILED PREMATURELY, BUT CUSTOMER COMPLAINT CENTER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM EXISTS. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL AND SPUTTER IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, THUS CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MY FAMILY AND SURROUNDING VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #10002791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Littleriver, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY ACID LEAKED ON RESERVOIR CAUSING RESERVOIR TO LEAK FLUID, WHICH COULD CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING.DEALER CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #8016039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laurel, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY LIGHTS, WIPERS AND HEAT WOULDN'T WORK, DISCOVERED IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. CONTACTED VW, AND DEALER, THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME TOO MUCH TO FIX IT. I KNOW 3 OTHER PEOPLE WITH JETTAS THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY VW IS INSTALLING DEFECTIVE IGNITIONS. MY EMERGENCY BRAKE WASN'T RELEASING, TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT I HAD A TORN BRAKE CABLE BOOT THAT WAS ALLOWING MOISTURE TO GET IN AND FREEZE MY CABLE. THE 2 YR/24,000 MILE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED GOING ON AND OFF, WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, IT TOOK THEM 3 TIMES TO FIGURE OUT IT'S THE REAR OXYGEN SENSOR. THIS IS THE FIRST BRAND NEW CAR I HAVE EVER PURCHASED AND I HAVE HAD MORE THINGS WRONG WITH IT THAN I EVER HAD WITH PREVIOUSLY OWNED VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #758101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mechanicsburg, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
A FIRE STARTED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8003831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clarksville, MDFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR OVER FOUR HOURS WHEN IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, WHICH DETERMINED THAT BRAKE LIGHTS HOUSED WITHIN TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY SHORTED OUT, MELTING WIRE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, WHICH SENT OUT A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #895404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clarksville, MDFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
THE BRAKE LIGHTS SPONTANEOUSLY IGNITED WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN AN APARTMENT PARKING LOT.
NHTSA complaint #750942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Birmingham, ALFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY EXPLODED WHILE STARTING THE ENGINE. AFTER RESEARCHING ON LINE, I'VE DETERMINED THAT THIS MAY BE A LARGER PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #748456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kalilva-Cona, HI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AND KEY MOVED ALL HEAD LIGHTS TURNED OFF BECAUSE OF ELECTRICAL WIRES SHORTING OUT THROUGH IGNITION SYSTEM. MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN CONTACTED, AND THEY SAID JUST TO MOVE KEY AND HEAD LIGHTS WILL COME BACK ON.
NHTSA complaint #888070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kalilva-Cona, HI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AND KEY MOVED ALL HEAD LIGHTS TURNED OFF BECAUSE OF ELECTRICAL WIRES SHORTING OUT THROUGH IGNITION SYSTEM. MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN CONTACTED, AND THEY SAID JUST TO MOVE KEY AND HEAD LIGHTS WILL COME BACK ON.
NHTSA complaint #888070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redding, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TOTAL FAILURE OF LIGHTS AND DOOR BUZER.
NHTSA complaint #9002207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Emmans, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY FAILED TO HAVE AN ACID RELEASE HOSE. ACID HAD DRIPPED ONTO POWER STEERING RESERVOIR & ATE THROUGH IT. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING FLUID, POWER STEERING, AND CONTROL OF VEHICLE.*AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #884022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNK, UN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
THE BATTERY EXPLODED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #557361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.