49 of the 354 complaints about the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta are about the electrical system — 14% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 80,000 miles.
49
Complaints
1
Crashes
9
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY CAR WHILE PARKED AND THE ENGINE GOING WILL STOP. ALSO WHEN I'M ON THE FREEWAY THE EPC LIGHT WILL TURN ON AND FEEL LIKE I HAVE A LOSS OF POWER AND IT FEELS LIKE IT IS ACCELERATING. MY MECHANIC HAS NO IDEA WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11406795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
STARTED HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS (RANDOM DASHBOARD LIGHTS, DOORS, LOCKS, WINDOWS WOULDN'T WORK, KEY FOB BATTERY DIED, ETC) THEN I HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. CONTINUED ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH NEW BATTERY, PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW/DOOR WOULDN'T OPERATE OR WORK AT ALL. NEEDED MASTER KEY FOB TO LOCK DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR BUT ALL OTHER DOORS WOULDN'T LOCK WITH FOB. NEXT, I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CAR NOT STARTING, PUT ANOTHER BATTERY IN IT. FROM THERE RANDOM DASHBOARD LIGHTS, DINGING WITH DRL AND FIRST FEW MINUTES OF OPERATING VEHICLE, AND AIRBAGS LIGHTS ARE ON. MY MECHANIC SENDS ME TO A MECHANIC SHOP THAT SPECIALIZES IN VW. MECHANIC REPLACES WINDOW MANAGER AND DRIVER SIDE DOOR HARNESS. STILL FIND ISSUES WITH AIRBAGS SO I TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP IN ST PETERS MO DURING A SNOW STORM. HAND THEM ALL MY PAPERWORK, THEY GO IN AND FIND THAT MY CAR IS BEING WORKED ON AND SEE THAT THEIR ARE SPLICES, CONNECTIONS BUTTED, SO THEY "FIX" THE AIRBAGS AND SEND ME ON MY WAY. HOWEVER, I HAVE A TODDLER IN THE BACKSEAT AND SHE WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING, ETC. DEALERSHIP CANNOT SPEAK TO OTHER MECHANIC SHOP'S WORK SO THEY DID THE RECALLS NEEDED (AIRBAGS) AND REPLACED THE HARNESS, APPARENTLY AGAIN. I HAVE ALL THE RECEIPTS FROM THE WORK, ALL THE PARTS ARE IN MY TRUNK OF MY CAR, ANOTHER APPOINTMENT TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE IS. CAR APPEARS TO BE STUCK IN SECURITY MODE BUT DOESN'T PROPERLY LOCK, NOT ABLE TO USE CHILD LOCK, AND UNABLE TO PROTECT VEHICLE SAFELY WITH PROPER LOCKING MECHANISM. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IF THERE IS AN INTRUDER OR IF MY TODDLER WERE TO TRY THIS STUNT AGAIN, ALSO CONCERNED OF THE FUEL ISSUES I'VE BEEN HAVING. REPLACED MY GAS CAP IN HOPES I WOULDN'T SEE LOSS OF FUEL, AND THE CAR HAS A SLIGHT OIL LEAK THAT NO MECHANIC CAN SEEM TO FIND. UNABLE TO ATTACH PAPERWORK AS THE DEALERSHIP HAS IT AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #11399370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. WHEN TURNING ON THE CAR, THE AIR BAG DEFAULT BUTTON COMES ON. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON. WHILE IDLE CAR RUMBLES AND SHAKES, WHILE ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING CAR SHAKES (FRONT END). MY FUELING SYSTEM IS TERRIBLE IT SEEMS AS IF GAS SOMETIMES DOESN'T GET TO MY CAR IT STALES VERY OFTEN WHILE DRIVING OR BRAKING AND ACCELERATING AGAIN. TERRIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN FRONT LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO. WHEN THE HEATER IS ON IT MAKES LOUD NOISE AND TICK EVEN WITH THE A/C ON IT DOES THE SAME THING. WHILE TURNING IT STALES AND THEN TAKE OFF REALLY FAST. WHILE IDLE CAR RUMBLES AND SHAKES, WHILE ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING CAR SHAKES (FRONT END). MY FUELING SYSTEM IS TERRIBLE IT SEEMS AS IF GAS SOMETIMES DOESN'T GET TO MY CAR IT STALES VERY OFTEN WHILE DRIVING OR BRAKING AND ACCELERATING AGAIN. TERRIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN FRONT LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO. WHEN THE HEATER IS ON IT MAKES LOUD NOISE AND TICK EVEN WITH THE A/C ON IT DOES THE SAME THING. WHILE TURNING IT STALES AND THEN TAKE OFF REALLY FAST. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE, WHILE IDLED IN A DRIVE THRU LINE AT A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #11316809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN TURNING ON THE CAR, THE AIR BAG DEFAULT BUTTON COMES ON. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON.
NHTSA complaint #11290606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE IDLE CAR RUMBLES AND SHAKES, WHILE ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING CAR SHAKES (FRONT END). MY FUELING SYSTEM IS TERRIBLE IT SEEMS AS IF GAS SOMETIMES DOESN'T GET TO MY CAR IT STALES VERY OFTEN WHILE DRIVING OR BRAKING AND ACCELERATING AGAIN. TERRIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN FRONT LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO. WHEN THE HEATER IS ON IT MAKES LOUD NOISE AND TICK EVEN WITH THE A/C ON IT DOES THE SAME THING. WHILE TURNING IT STALES AND THEN TAKE OFF REALLY FAST.
NHTSA complaint #11282423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE TRANSMISSION IS TERRIBLY MADE. THERE IS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL INJECTION THAT DOES NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO RECEIVE THE CORRECT FUEL AS WELL AS THE GAS TANK. THE CAR JERKS BECAUSE OF THE GAS TANK AND THE CODES READ AD IF THE CAP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT THE WHOLE GAS TANK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #11243418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM - ONGOING ISSUE.. NO READING FOR SMOG CHECK
NHTSA complaint #11174978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT ISSUES WITH MY 2005 JETTA SINCE PURCHASING IT A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. THE FIRST ISSUE WAS LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING ME TO ALMOST BE STRUCK BY OTHER VEHICLES WHILE TURNING AT INTERSECTIONS. CAUSE: THE FUSE BOX ONTOP OF BATTERY MELTED, ALONG WITH THE FUSES AND GROUND WIRE. THEN THE COOLANT RESEVOIR HAD TO BE REPLACED. DUE TO THE FANS NOT TURNING ON BECAUSE OF THOSE FUSES MELTING. THEN, THEN RADIATOR. THEN THE BREAK PUMP, EXAUST MANIFOLD GASKET BLEW. THE THING RECENTLY WASNI HAD NO BREAK LIGHTS. WENT TO CHANGE BULBS. KEPT BREAKING THE FUSES. THEN STUCK IN PARK. SAW A RECALL LISTED FOR FAULTY BREAK SWITCH. CALLED VW THEY STATED MY RECAL HAD ALREADY BEEN SERVICED. SO SORRY IT WAS UP TO ME TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. TOLD THEM OF EVERY OTHER ISSUE. THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. BASICALLY I BOUGHT A VERY UNREALIABLE, UNSAFE, PIECE OF GARBAGE. THAT I ASSUMED WAS COMPLETELY OPPOSITE FOR MYSELF SND MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN TO BE DEPENDANT UPON GETTING US SAFELY PLACE TONPLACE.
NHTSA complaint #10992965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FOR THE PAST YEAR I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO VW SHOPS AND HIGHLY RATED TOP VW SHOPS IN LA . MY CAR WAS DYING IF I DIDN'T DRIVE IT EVER DAY. I HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP FOR OVER A MONTH AND AFTER DOING ELECTRICAL CHECKS, GIVING ME AN ALTERNATOR, REPLACING COUNTLESS BATTERIES THE PROBLEM IS STILL TO THIS DAY UNSOLVED.IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS THINGS HAVE BECOME WORSE AND CAN LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT IF NOT FIXED. MY CAR HAS BEEN DECELERATING WHILE I AM DRIVING ON THE ROAD, IT HAPPENS AT ALL DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND IS RANDOM. THE CAR WILL LOCK UP SO THAT I CAN NOT MAKE IT PICK UP SPEED WHEN IT STARTS DECELERATING AND THEN OUT OF NO WHERE IT WILL WORK AGAIN BUT INSTEAD OF LETTING ME GRADUALLY INCREASE THE SPEED IT BLASTS OFF IN AN UNCONTROLLABLE MANNER. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I HAVE TRIED TO GET THIS FIXED AND DIAGNOSED BUT NO ONE NOT EVEN VW HAS ANY IDEA WHAT IS HAPPENING BECAUSE EVERY TIME I TAKE IT TO THE SHOP IT SOMEHOW DOESN'T HAPPEN. NOW IN THE PAST WEEK MY CAR IS TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH THE DECELERATION AND ACCELERATION BUT ON TOP OF THAT NOW IT IS JUST DYING WHILE I AM DRIVING IT AFTER DOING THE JERKY THING. I LITERALLY WAS DRIVING ON THE HWY AND IT JERKED A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THEN THE CAR JUST DIED WHILE DRIVING AND THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER BUT IT WAS ABSOLUTELY TERRIFYING AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND I TURNED OFF THE CAR. WHEN I TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON IT STARTED UP LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED. I THEN TRIED TO DRIVE TO SAFETY BUT IT WOULD DIE OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS SITE AND I DECIDED TO READ SOME REPORTS. TURNS OUT THERE ARE 100S OF OTHER CASES JUST LIKE MINE. WHY THEN DOES VW ACT LIKE THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHATS WRONG WITH MY CAR. APPARENTLY THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN GET THEM TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT IS TO HAVE A TRAGEDY! SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. PLEASE HELP!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10783012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FUSE BOX ON THE TOP OF THE BATTERY CAUGHT FIRE AND MELTED THE FUSIBLE LINK FROM THE ALTERNATOR TO THE BATTERY CONNECT. GOING AT 40 MILES PER HOUR AND CAR SHUTS OFF, NO BRAKES NO POWER ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS OFF DASH LIT UP LIKE CHRISTMAS TREE. THANK GOD FOR THE DITCH AND THAT WE WEREN'T ON INTERSTATE OTHERWISE SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR INJURED SUCH AS MY PREGNANT WIFE.
NHTSA complaint #10760846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ENGINE CONTINUALLY WOULD NOT START WITH NUMEROUS DOCUMENTED CAR ELECTRICAL THE PROBLEM IS A VOLKSWAGEN FAULTY ELECTRICAL DESIGN CAUSED MY WIRING TO BURN UP AS A RESULT WHEN THEY PLACED THE WIRING FUSE BOX ON TOP OF THE BATTERY CAUSING BOTH HEAT AND CHEMICAL CORROSION STRESS ON THE VEHICLES'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. CURRENTLY, NO PUN INTENDED, THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO REPAIR OR DRIVE WHAT SHOULD I DO? I CANNOT SAFELY REPAIR THE CAR AND SELL IT TO AN UNSUSPECTING WOULD-BE OWNER NOR DOES THE LOCAL VW WANT TO HELP ME OUT THANKS
NHTSA complaint #10748182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVERS SIDE WINDOWS AND DOOR LOCKS WON'T WORK. WARNING INDICATOR SAYING DOOR/S ARE OPEN AND WARNING BEEP WILL NOT STOP UNTIL KEY REMOVED FROM IGNITION. CONTINUES TO DO THIS EVEN WHILE DRIVING WILL ALL DOORS PROPERLY CLOSED AND SEAT BELTS FASTENED. ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWS THERE IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE DOOR WIRING HARNESS, THEY WERE MANUFACTURED TOO SHORT AND EVENTUALLY BREAK.
NHTSA complaint #10706411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE WIRING HARNESS OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR FAILED, WHICH PREVENTS THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, WINDOWS, DOOR LOCKS AND GAS FILL DOOR FROM FUNCTIONING. THE CAR BECOMES UNSAFE SINCE THE LEFT SIGNAL WILL NOT WORK AND THE WINDOW WILL NOT OPERATE SO THE DRIVER CAN DO A MANUAL SIGNAL. VW HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE ISSUE STATING THAT THE ORIGINAL WIRING HARNESS IS TOO SHORT AND BREAKS CAUSING THIS ISSUE, BUT THEY REFUSE TO RECALL THE CAR AND FIX THE PROBLEM. A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT HAS BEEN FILED ON THIS ISSUE, AND IS CLOSE TO SETTLEMENT, BUT WILL ONLY COVER CARS LESS THAN 8.5 YEARS OLD. MOST OF THE CARS EFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE, 2005 AND 2006 MODEL YEARS, ARE OLDER THAN 8.5 YEARS SO VW WILL NOT FIX THEM. THE FOLLOWING YOUTUBE VIDEO DEMONSTRATES ALL OF THESE ISSUES, PLEASE VIEW IT FOR FULL DETAILS: WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=P1EQ5XL-ZPM THE FOLLOWING WEB SITE HAS INFORMATION ON THE CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT: HTTP://WWW.WIRINGHARNESSSETTLEMENT.COM/
NHTSA complaint #10640658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR WIRING HARNESS HAS BROKEN, RESULTING IN NO OPERATION OF POWER WINDOW OR DOOR LOCK. DOOR WILL NOT LOCK. SERVICE TECHNICIAN HAS ADVISED REPLACEMENT OF THE WIRING HARNESS.
NHTSA complaint #10637223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE COMPRESSOR AND THE FUSE BOX OVERHEATED CAUSING THE AIR CONDITIONER TO STOP WORKING. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED TWICE WITHIN A YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE FUSE BOX CATCHING ON FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,480.
NHTSA complaint #10611030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SOMETIME IN EARLY TO MID 2013, I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM VOLKSWAGEN THAT I NEEDED TO BRING MY 2005 JETTA IN TO HAVE THE DRIVER'S SEAT WIRING HARNESS REPAIRED DUE TO A RECALL. I HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAGS OR WARNING LIGHTS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND THEY DID THE WORK. WITHIN A FEW DAYS, I GOT AN ERROR MESSAGE IN THE DISPLAY THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE AIR BAGS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO VOLKSWAGEN. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TECHNICIAN FAILED TO CLEAR SOMETHING IN THE COMPUTER MEMORY SO THE FAILURE MESSAGE HAD COME ON. THEY INDICATED THEY CLEARED THE MESSAGE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DISPLAY DID GO OFF. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE AIR BAG ERROR MESSAGE CAME ON AGAIN. I TOOL THE CAR BACK TO VOLKSWAGEN. THIS TIME THEY SAID IT WAS NOT RELATED TO THE WIRING HARNESS AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE A NEW DRIVER'S SEAT SIDE AIRBAG INSTALLED, AT A COST OF ABOUT $700. IN NOVEMBER 2013 I CORRESPONDED WITH VOLKSWAGEN AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE ISSUE BECAUSE I HAD NO PROBLEMS UNTIL THEY REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS. VOLKSWAGEN'S RESPONSE WAS THAT, EVEN THOUGH I HAD BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR RECALLS ON "A CAMPAIGN RELATED TO AIRBAG CONNECTORS AND WIRING", IT WAS NOW THE AIRBAG ITSELF THAT WAS BAD NOT THE CONNECTORS OR WIRING, SO THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DISPLAY IS STILL THERE.
NHTSA complaint #10607030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER CONTROLS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED. THE WINDOW, LIGHTING, FUEL DOOR LATCH, TRUNK LATCH, AND SIDE MIRROR FAILED TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
NHTSA complaint #10592560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WIRE HARNESS IN BOTH FRONT DOORS ARE BROKEN DUE TO SHORT WIRES AND THE PURGE VALVE IS ALSO BROKEN AND THE OVER HEAD LIGHT IS FAULTY AND I FEEL LIKE THE 2005 -2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2.5 SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO FAULTY WIRING IN THE VEHICLE AND VOLKSWAGEN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE AND I THINK THEY SHOULD AT LEAST FIX THE PROBLEM FOR THE CONSUMER. I HOPE SOMEONE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE ASAP!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10577550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK STOPPED WORKING FOR PASSENGER DOOR BEHIND DRIVER. THERE IS NOT WAY TO MANUALLY LOCK.
NHTSA complaint #10561557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WENT TO PRESS THE BUTTON ON THE REMOTE TO UNLOCK THE. CAR, BUT ALL DOORS UNLOCKED EXCEPT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. I MANUALLY HAD TO UNLOCK CAR DOOR. WHEN I WAS INSIDE I SHUT THE DOOR BUT THE CAR KEPT INDICATING THAT IT WAS OPENED. THE WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN, SIDE MIRROR CANNOT BE ADJUSTED, CANNOT OPEN TRUNK OR POP THE GAS TANK. DOORS ARE SUP POST TO AUTO LOCK AT A CERTAIN SPEED WHICH THEY NO LONGER LOCK WHILE DRIVING. THE SWITCHES ON EVERY OTHER DOOR ARE STILL OPERATING PROPERLY EXCEPT FOR SPEED LOCKS. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE CHILDREN MAY ATTEMPT TO OPEN CAR DOOR WHILE IT IS IN MOTION. I SEARCHED ONLINE FOR SAME VEHICLES THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THERE ARE SEVERAL THAT INDICATE WHAT THE ISSUE IS, THE WIRES ARE TO SHORT FOR THE DOORS TO OPEN AND CLOSE WHICH PULLS ON THEM AND WILL CAUSE THE CONNECTION TO BREAK LEAVING THE DOOR POWERLESS.
NHTSA complaint #10561021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2005.5 JETTA--VEHICLE HAS ROUGH SHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. AS WELL AS DOWNSHIFTING. WHILE DRIVING ON A MOUNTAINSIDE, GOING 65 MPH, THE CAR SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED TO 3RD GEAR AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN, WITH CARS FLYING BY ME. THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS UNTIL TURNED OFF AND ON AGAIN. THIS IS NOW HAPPENING DURING REGULAR ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN, AS I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE DUE TO LOSS OF POWER/SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #10533883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE WINDOWS AND DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK, THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN, AND THE DOOR AJAR INDICATOR WOULD NOT TURN OFF WITH THE DOOR SECURELY SHUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED SAID THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE DRIVERS DOOR WIRING HARNESS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER DOOR WIRING HARNESS. THIS OCCURRED AT 80,000 MILES. FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN AT 93,330 MILES, AND REPAIRED BY A DIFFERENT AUTO MECHANIC.
NHTSA complaint #10520370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
LEFT TURN SIGNAL, DRIVERS DOOR/ALL REMOTE WINDOW SWITCHES, TRUNK/FUEL DOOR RELEASE, DRIVERS DOOR LOCK KEY FOB LOCKING OF DRIVERS DOOR/DRIVERS DOOR INTERNAL LOCK ARE ALL INOPERATIVE. OCCASIONALLY, THE CABIN INTERIOR LIGHT REMAINS ON WITH A DRIVERS "DOOR OPEN" INDICATION ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER EVEN THOUGH THE DRIVERS DOOR IS CLOSED AND SECURE (BUT UNABLE TO BE LOCKED FROM THE DRIVERS DOOR LOCK SWITCH IN THE PASSENGER CABIN). THE PRIMARY SAFETY ISSUE RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM IS THAT THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL DISPLAYS ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, BUT DOES NOT ACTIVATE ON THE REAR TURN SIGNAL LIGHT AND DRIVERS WINDOW (ALONG WITH ALL OTHER WINDOWS REMOTELY CONTROLLED ON DRIVERS DOOR) ARE INOPERATIVE IF NEEDED TO MAKE A HAND TURN SIGNAL OR EGRESS FROM THE VEHICLE IN AN ACCIDENT (OR SUBMERGED UNDER WATER FOR AN EGRESS). DEALER AND MANUFACTURE BOTH REFUSED TO COVER THE REPLACEMENT COST OF THE FAULTY PART. I HAVE PERFORMED EVERY MANUFACTURE REQUIRED SERVICE REQUIRED (ALL DOCUMENTED) SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY AND RELIABILITY. IT HAD VERY LOW MILEAGE ON MY PURCHASE IN EARLY 2007. PER VW TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, GROUP 97: 09-01 (201-7600), FEBRUARY 26, 2009, STATES THAT THE DRIVERS DOOR WIRING HARNESS WAS MANUFACTURED 80 MM TOO SHORT. THIS RESULTS IN PUTTING STRAIN ON THE NUMEROUS WIRES IN THIS HARNESS NEAR THE DOOR BOOT AND CONNECTOR PLUG CAUSING WIRES TO BREAK AND/OR ELECTRICALLY SHORT. MY VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED BY THE VIN RANGE OF THIS MANUFACTURES SERVICE BULLETIN. THE NEW REPLACEMENT DRIVERS DOOR ELECTRICAL HARNESS ARE NOW 80 MM LONGER THAN THE ORIGINALLY MANUFACTURED (INSTALLED) FAULTY PART THAT THE MANUFACTURE IS UNWILLING TO REPLACE AT THEIR COST (PARTS OR LABOR). I WILL PAY FOR MY REPAIR PERSONALLY, BUT BELIEVE THAT THE SAFETY ASPECT OF THIS FAULTY PART COULD COMPROMISE THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS IN ADDITION TO OTHER MOTORIST.
NHTSA complaint #10509420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SWITCHES IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR HAVE BECOME GRADUALLY (AND INTERMITTENTLY) INCREASINGLY INOPERABLE. DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK, WINDOWS UP/DOWN, WINDOW LOCK, SIDE-VIEW MIRROR ADJUSTMENT, AND TRUNK RELEASE ALL HAVE STOPPED WORKING EITHER ENTIRELY OR INTERMITTENTLY. THE MAJOR SAFETY RELATED ISSUES ARE: 1. NON-FUNCTIONAL SWITCHES ARE A DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING - CAN'T CLOSE WINDOW AT TOOL BOOTH, ETC. 2. THE INABILITY TO ADJUST SIDE-VIEW MIRRORS. 3. THE INABILITY TO LOCK REAR WINDOWS COMBINED WITH HAVING SMALL CHILDREN RIDING IN THE BACK SEAT. 4. THE INABILITY TO UNLOCK REAR DOORS (WITHOUT USING THE KEYLESS REMOTE - ONE OF WHICH HAS ALSO STOPPED WORKING) TO GET TO THE KIDS IN THE BACK IS A CHALLENGE AND POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS. 5. THE DOOR SWITCH THAT INDICATES TO THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER WHEN THE DOOR IS OPEN OR CLOSED ALSO IS NOT FUNCTIONAL, CAUSING NIGHTTIME LIGHTING ISSUES WHEN PARKED AND OPENING DOOR.
NHTSA complaint #10505477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HI, SO MY 2005.5 2.5L VOLKSWAGEN JETTA STARTED MAKING NOISES UPON ACCELERATION AND THE ENGINE WOULD SHIFT QUITE HEAVILY DURING IDLING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP. APPARENTLY, THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TIMING CHAINS OF THE ENGINE. NEVER MISSED A MAINTENANCE, AFTER ONLY 68,000 MILES IT DOESN'T SEEM OKAY THAT TIMING CHAINS ARE ALREADY AFFECTED. AFTER LOOKING AT A FEW FORUMS ONLINE, IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR VOLKSWAGEN JETTAS FROM THAT TIME. PLEASE INVESTIGATE! THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10492036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DOOR LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO LOCK OR UNLOCK, EITHER BY THE KEY FOB BUTTON OR DOOR PANEL LOCK/UNLOCK SWITCH. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT MAY IMPEDE ACCESS TO THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10491512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP ON 10-8-2012 UP IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA AND DROVE IT BACK HOME TO MY HOUSE IN SC. EVERYTHING WAS FINE ON THE WAY HOME. THE VERY NEXT DAY ON MY WAY INTO WORK THE CAR HESITATED WHEN IT WAS SUPPOSED TO SHIFT FROM 3RD GEAR TO 4TH GEAR AND THEN SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED ALL THE WAY BACK TO 1ST GEAR WHICH MADE THE CAR DE-ACCELERATE FROM 35-40MPH TO 10MPH WITHIN 40 FEET OR SO. THE ENGINE REVVED TO 6000 PLUS RPMS WHICH SCARED ME BUT NOT AS MUCH AS THE BIG TRUCK THAT WAS TOWING A TRAILER THAT HAD TO SKID OFF THE ROAD AND GO AROUND ME TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS NOW A DAILY OCCURRENCE. I CARRY MY 16 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER AROUND IN THIS CAR AND I'M SCARED TO DEATH THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO SMASH INTO THE BACK OF US. I'VE STARTED PULLING OFF THE ROAD AND LETTING CARS GO TO AVOID ACCIDENTS. PLEASE HELP!
NHTSA complaint #10484085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A FEW WEEKS AGO, I WENT TO START MY CAR AND ALL THE LIGHTS WERE FLASHING AND CAR DIDN'T START. JUMPED THE BATTERY, GOT THE CAR RUNNING; BUT EVER SINCE MY AIR BAG LIGHT HAS STAYED ON AND THE DRIVER'S WINDOW IS SLOW, THE AUTO UP/DOWN FEATURE NOT WORKING, AND IF THE DRIVER DOOR IS OPEN, I CAN'T POP TRUNK OR GAS LID OR ROLL DOWN ANY OF THE WINDOWS. MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, SO IT'S GOING TO BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX THE MULTIPLE ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #10478747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WINDOWS, DOOR LOCKS, TRUNK AND FUEL DOOR RELEASE AND AIRBAGS NON-FUNCTIONING DUE TO WIRING HARNESS LOCATED IN DRIVERS DOOR. FOUND OUT THERE IS ISSUE CONCERNING THE LENGTH OF THE HARNESS THAT CAUSES WIRES TO BREAK OVER TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10465358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CAR HAS 83K MILES, SINCE APPROX 1 YEAR AGO (73K MILES) THE LCD MULTIFUCTION DISPLAY IS GETTING DIMMER AND DIMMER UP TO THE POINT THAT SOMETIMES IS ALMOST UNREADABLE AND THE PROBLEM OCCUR ONLY WHEN THE CAR IS EXPOSED TO HIGH TEMPERATURES. (IN THE MORNING THE LCD BRIGHTNESS IS NORMAL). I DID SOME RESEARCH IN THE INTERNET AND FOUND OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME CONDITION. THE LCD MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAY SHOWS THE ODOMETER DATA, THE TRANSMISSION GEAR POSITION AND ALSO SHOWS SAFETY WARNINGS RELATED TO AIR BAGS MALFUNCTION AND FRONT AND REAR DOORS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED. I WAS ADVISED BY A DEALER SERVICE ADVISOR TO CONTACT VW CUSTOMER SERVICE BECAUSE THE REPAIR OF THIS DEFECT IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND ACCORDING TO HIM MAY BE CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE PARTS. I WAS TOLD BY VW CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BECAUSE IS NOT RECOGNIZED AS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS ILLEGAL FOR A CAR OWNER TO ALTER THE ODOMETER DURING THE LIFETIME OF THE CAR, IF THAT IS THE CASE SHOULD BE ILLEGAL A FOR A CAR MANUFACTURER TO SELL A CAR THAT AFTER SIX YEARS YOU ARE UNABLE TO READ THE ODOMETER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10461511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.