25 of the 488 complaints about the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta are about the seat belts — 5% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 64,000 miles.
25
Complaints
4
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SEAT BELTS
THE MIDDLE REAR SEATBELT LOCKS UP AND WILL NOT RELEASE. THE SEATBELT LOCKING MECHANISM IS LOCATED IN THE SEAT IN AN INACCESSIBLE LOCATION AND IS ALSO NOT AVAILABLE TO RELEASE THE SEATBELT.
NHTSA complaint #10448500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
1999 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, REAR MIDDLE PASSENGER SEAT BELT HAS BECOME TIGHTENED TO THE POINT THAT IT WON'T RELEASE. IT SEEMS THAT EACH TIME THE SEAT BACK WAS LOWERED TO INCREASE THE CARGO AREA OF THE TRUNK, THE BELT TIGHTENS MORE.
NHTSA complaint #10359081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
IN MY 99.5 VW JETTA GLS THE MIDDLE REAR SEAT BELT HAS TIGHTENED AND WILL NOT RELEASE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND HAVE HAD THEM WORK ON IT AND NORMALLY THEY CAN GET IT TO RELEASE. HOWEVER ONCE IT IS RELEASED, IT CAN'T BE USED B/C THE NEXT TIME I GO TO USE THE SEAT BELT AND PULL IT OUT IT LOCKS AGAIN. THE SEAT CAN'T BE USED. IT HAS ALSO MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO LAY DOWN THE BACK SEATS, OR ONCE I LAY IT FLAT THE SEAT CAN'T BE RETURNED TO THE UP RIGHT POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #10343827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
THE REAR MIDDLE SHOULDER BELT OF MY 1999 JETTA IS CONSTANTLY BROKEN. EVERY TIME I FOLD THE MIDDLE SEAT DOWN IN THE BACK THE SEATBELT GETS TIGHTER AND TIGHTER AND TIGHTER. THIS HAPPENS UNTIL EVENTUALLY THE BELT IS TOO TIGHT FOR ME TO EVEN FOLD THE SEAT DOWN ANY LONGER AND I HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR IN TO BE WORKED ON. APPARENTLY IT IS SOME "BUTTON" THAT IS BREAKING. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I TRY TO FOLD THE SEAT DOWN AND AS A RESULT I AM NOT ABLE TO SAFELY SECURE PASSENGERS IN MY MIDDLE SEAT. SO FAR I HAVE HAD THIS BUTTON REPLACED 3 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10198742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
1) SEAT BELT!!! CENTER SEAT BELT IN BACK SEA DOES NOT WORK. VW REFUSED TO FIX EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE! 2) MUSTY SMELL FROM A/C!! IT HAPPENS EVERY SUMMER. I TREAT IT WITH LYSOL BUT THAT ONLY LASTS A WEEK. HAS IT DONE PROFESSIONALLY, THAT ONLY LASTED ONE MONTH. 3) WINDOW REGULATORS NOT WORKING. DRIVER SIDDE WINDOW WILL ONLY GO ALL THE WAY UP OR ALL THE WAY DOWN. NOTHING IN BETWEEN. 4) GLOVE BOX LATCH BROKE. 5) RUBBERCOATING IS RUBBING OFF OF ALL HANDLES.
NHTSA complaint #10114121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
I BOUGHT THE CAR IN AUGUST 2003, I NOTICED A REPAIR DOCKET FROM PREVIOUS OWNER FOR LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT AND LEFT TIE ROD ASSEMBLE W FRONT END ALIGNMENT ON 5/29/03 AT 34383 MILES. I HAD A LOT OF NOISE UNDER THE ENGINE. VW CAPISTRANO CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID IT WAS DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINT. I BOUGHT CAR FROM A FORD DEALER WHO DID NOT WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT. FINALLY, VW CAPISTRANO FORCED THEIR HAND AND PROCESSED IT THROUGH MY THEN CURRENT WARRANTY. AT THE TIME, I HAD 45K MILES ON THE CAR. I THOUGHT IT SHOCKING THAT A CAR SO YOUNG SHOULD HAVE SUCH A MAJOR PROBLEM (FOR THE SECOND TIME). WHEN I PICKED CAR UP, A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, I HEARD A LOUD CRUNCHING NOISE IN THE FRONT LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE MOTOR OR WHEEL. I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT, DROVE IT ANOTHER 5000 MILES, HAD TO REPLACE 4 TIRES, AND ASKED THE TIRE TECH TO CHECK IT OUT. HE SAID IT WAS THE STEERING KNUCKLE AND IT WAS IN BAD SHAPE. I CONTACTED VW WHO SAID, BAD LUCK, IT'S ONLY COVERED FOR 24K MILES OR 2YEARS. I AGAIN AM SHOCKED, FIRSTLY BECAUSE THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE ONE OF THESE SHOULD GO OUT SO EARLY, ADDED TO THAT, IF THE BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED, THEN ISN'T THE STEERING KNUCKLE, MOVED IN SOME WAY SHAPE OR FORM, SO THERE SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF RECOURSE. THIS CAR IS A LEMON, HOWEVER, CA LAW STATES IT ISN'T. I WAS RIPPED OFF BY THEODORE ROBBINS IN COSTA MESA AND WOULDN'T RECOMMEND ANYONE BUY FROM THEM, THEY WERE SUSPECT FROM DAY ONE ONCE I DROVE MY CAR FROM THEIR LOT. ALSO, THE BACK RIGHT SEAT BELT IS FIXED TO THE SEAT AND IS UNUSABLE, I COMPLAINED IT WAS DANGEROUS, FORD SAID TOO BAD, YOU BOUGHT IT THAT WAY FIX IT. SINCE THEN MY HORN HAS GONE OUT BECAUSE THE CAR 'LOST' IT'S UNDER WHEEL COVER AND WATER GOT INTO THE HORN. THIS CAR REPORTEDLY HAD A 100 POINT INSPECTION, WHICH I BELIEVE TO BE NOT TRUE. THE RADIO HAS NEVER WORKED A DAY, IT'S ALWAYS 'FUZZY'.
NHTSA complaint #10080543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
THE CENTER REAR SEATBELT LOCKED UP AND WILL NOT RELEASE, WAS TOLD BY DEALER AND VW CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT THIS IS EXTREMELY COMMON, I WAS ADVISED I CAN EITHER PAY THE $200 + TO GET IT REPAIRED OR ELSE CUT IT AND NOT USE IT.
NHTSA complaint #10062158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
REAR PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT BROKE. AFTER PUTTING THE SEAT IN THE RECLINING POSITION A PIN BROKE WHICH CONTROLLED THE RELEASING OF THE SEAT BELT, SAID THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10053472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
I OWN A 1999 1/2 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM ON THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BROKE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A SUBSTANTIAL COST OF MY OWN. THE PIECE THAT BROKE WAS THE BUCKLE WHERE THE BELT GETS INSERTED INTO. I WAS CURIOUS TO KNOW IF SEATBELTS HAVE LIFETIME WARRANTY WITH CARS. IF NOT, DOES THE VOLKSWAGEN JETTA HAVE A HISTORY OF SEAT BELT FAILURES? THANK YOU, [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10049780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED BECAUSE CEL ILLUMINATED INDICATING A FAILURE OF SAME. AFTER SOME TESTING, IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING APPROXIMATELY 9 OUT OF 10 TIMES THAT THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME TIME, THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL BEGAN ARCING. REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT SIGNAL BULB DUE TO CARBON BUILDUP ON THE BULB. ALSO REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL RELAY. RIGHT OUTER CV BOOT WAS FOUND TO BE LEAKING GREASE ON 5/22/2002 AND AGAIN ON 4/29/2003; IN BOTH CASES IT WAS REPLACED. BATTERY DIED ON 3/10/2003. ON 7/9/2002, THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT BECAME STUCK IN ITS RETRACTOR AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. ON 10/1/2001, THE DRIVER'S FRONT WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED AFTER THE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #10023910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
I WAS TRAVELING WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 15-25 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN I STRUCK THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO CAN IN FRONT, ALTHOUGH MY HOOD AND BUMPER WAS DENTED. ALSO, MY DRIVER''S SIDE AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED. NOT THINKING ANYTHING OF IT, I GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO INSPECT THE DAMAGE'WHEN I RETURNED TO THE CAR, I SAW A FIRE HAD IGNITED BY THE DRIVER''S SIDE SEAT BELT'(THIS STATEMENT WAS MADE TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE AT THE TIME) WITHIN 10 TO 15 MINUTES, WHILE WAITING FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THE ENTIRE CAR BURNED UP. I CONTACTED VW AFTER SEEING THE RECALL ON YOU WEBSITE AND NOTIFIED THEM THAT NO ONE HAD EVER CONTACTED BE ABOUT THE RECALL, THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT SINCE THE CAR WAS ALREADY 3 TO 4 YEARS OLD. I''VE PASSED ON ALL THE INFORMATION TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND HOPING THEY WILL SEEK REIMBURSEMENT FROM VW.
NHTSA complaint #10003088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
POWER WINDOWS AND REAR CENTER SEATBELT FIRST FAILED WITHIN MONTHS OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS MADE REPAIRS BUT SAME COMPONENTS CONTINUE TO FAIL IN THE SAME FASHION. I NEVER KNOW WHEN THE DRIVER OR PASSEBGER WINDOW WILL FALL INTO THE DOOR AND CANNOT BE RAISED UNTIL THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY IS REPLACED. THE REAR CENTER SEATBELT PERIODICALLY RETRACTS TO THE POINT WHERE IT WILL NOT RELEASE MAKING IT UNUSEABLE UNTIL THE DEALER REPAIRS IT.
NHTSA complaint #762993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
MIDDLE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RELEASE. AFTER LOWERING AND RAISING THE REAR SEAT THE SEAT BELT IS INOPERABLE BECAUSE IT WILL NOT RELEASE.
NHTSA complaint #755025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
CENTER REAR SEATBELT LOCKS IN THE RETRACTED POSITION MAKING THE SEATBELT INOPERATIVE. THE SAME PART HAS NOW FAILED TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #750138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
CENTER REAR SEATBELT LOCKS IN THE RETRACTED POSITION MAKING THE SEATBELT INOPERATIVE. THE SAME PART HAS NOW FAILED TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #750138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
REAR MIDDLE SEATBELT IS IN LOCKED POSITION, CONSUMER UNABLE TO USE IT. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE RACKET MECHANISM WHIS IS DESIGNED TO CATCH IN AN ACCIDENT BUT BE FREE TO MOVE UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES, HAS LOCKED AND THE BELT IS TIGHT AGAINST THE SEAT BACK, THIS PREVENTS THE MECHANISM FROM RELEASING.
NHTSA complaint #887958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
AFTER I PUT DOWN THE REAR SEAT (TO OPEN UP THE 60/40 SPLIT) THE CENTER SEATBELT LOCKS. I HAVE LOOSENED THE SEATBELT TO ENSURE SLACK BUT IT STILL LOCKS MAKING THE CENTER SEATBELT UNUSABLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. EACH TIME I HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT FIXED IN ORDER TO MAKE IT USABLE AGAIN.. I DO PLAN TO SEND THIS COMPLAINT TO VW AS WELL AS PAUL FORD CLARK.
NHTSA complaint #744208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT ANCHOR BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #881619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #729174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK UP UPON IMPACT, AND DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CAUSE UNKNOWN, ALSO STEERING RACK AND PINION WAS DAMAGED . *AK PASSENGER WINDOW FELL OFF TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #865899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
CENTER REAR RESTRAINTS MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING OCCUPANT (S) TO BE UNRESTRAINED. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE 4 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #863944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTON DOES NOT RELEASE, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BE TRAPPED IN THE SEAT, CONSUMER ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. WHEN MAKING A NORMAL OR GRAUDAL STOP, THE BRAKES TRAVEL TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. SEAT BELTS HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OFF.
NHTSA complaint #851351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
UPON FOLDING REAR SEAT DOWN, THE MIDDLE SAFT BELT LOCKS IN PLACE AND BECOMES INOPERABLE. I'M AWARE OF SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WITH 1999 JETTA THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #709591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISI0N, IMPACT AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. ABS BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE,CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN BUT NOT STOP. SEAT BELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED TO LOCK IN PLACE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO SUSTAIN A HEAD INJURY FROM HITTING WINDSHIELD. ALSO, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #838283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH THE SHOULDER AND LAP BELT DISENGAGED OR UNBUCKLED, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER REPLACED COMPLETE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WHICH HAS NOT REMEDIED THE PROBLEM. THE BUCKLE CONTINUES TO UNLOCK. *AK.ET.
NHTSA complaint #831913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.