Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
13
Latest Sep 6, 2003
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 192 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2
What this page shows
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 13 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming brake
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
Brakes
Filed Sep 6, 2003
Crash reported
STOP BRAKE LIGHT TOO DIM ON VW JETTA 1999 OLD BODY STYLE. I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD WITH A SAFE DISTANCE TO THE CAR INFRONT OF ME ( A JETTA 1999 OLD BODY STYLE) ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STOPPED AND I NEVER SAW ITS TAIL LIGHTS TURN ON. CONSEQUENTLY I REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF MY VEHICLE. INTERESTINGLY THE DRIVER IN THE CAR INFRONT OF ME TOLD ME THAT EVER SINCE HE HAD PURCHASED THIS CARD (ABOUT 2 YRS AGO) HE HAS BEEN REAR ENDED 3 TIMES BEFORE. TODAY I WAS DRIVING DOWN AND I NEARLY REAR ENDED ANOTHER JETTA OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. I WAS OBEYING ALL TRAFFIC LAWS AND MAINTAINING A VERY SAFE DRIVING DISTANCE TO THE VEHICLE INFRONT OF ME. I MY SELF OWN THE SAME JETTA AND SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE HEARD COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER DRIVERS THAT MY TAIL LIGHTS ARE TOO DIM AND THEY NEARLY REAR ENDED ME. I WILL REALLY APPRECIATE IF THE OFFICE CAN INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. THIS WILL SAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM GETTING INJURED. THANK YOU JUNAID . *AK
NHTSA ID
10037343
Incident
Jan 22, 2003
Brakes
Filed Jan 5, 2003
THE FRONT DISK BRAKE ROTORS WERE UNDERSIZED IN DIAMETER. THIS ALLOWED THE DISC BRAKE PADS TO WEAR IN A MANNER THAT ALLOWED THE PADS TO CONTACT OUTSIDE OF THE ROTOR AND RESULT IN REDUCED PRESSURE ON THE ROTOR. PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE PROBLEM ARE AVAILABLE. BRAKE FADING AND LOSS OF BREAKS FROM OVERHEATING ON MOUNTAIN ROADS THEN OCCURRED. THE CAR MODEL IS A VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI MODEL YEAR 1998. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT USED BUT IT WOULD BE UNLIKELY THAT THE DISK ROTORS WOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH LESS THAN 80000 MILES.
NHTSA ID
10000740
Incident
Nov 1, 2002
Mileage
80,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 24, 2002
THE ABS INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON AND THEN IT WENT OFF AGAIN BEFORE I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE IT IN FOR A CHECK. THIS HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER 2001. THEN RECENTLY THE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS, SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO BE CHECKED. THEY SAID THAT IT NEEDED AN ABS HYDRAULIC PUMP. ALTHOUGH MY BRAKES WORK FINE, APPARENTLY MY ABS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. THE CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION UNTIL I CARE FOR THIS MATTER, BUT AT MORE THAN $1100.00. I WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL INSPECTION TO CARE FOR THIS ITEM. I JUST THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT THIS TO NHTSA WHILE I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY. DT
NHTSA ID
770072
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine+1 more
Filed May 25, 2002
VOLKSWAGENH OF AMERICA HAS NOT BEEN SUPPORTIVE OR HELPFUL IN RESOLVING THESE COMPLAINTS NOR HAVE THE VOLKSWAGEN TECHNICIANS BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSIS THE TRUE PROBLEM; THEY JUST FIX THE PROBLEM "SYMPTOMS". NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
NHTSA ID
762268
Incident
May 17, 2002
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 11, 2002
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.*AK
NHTSA ID
758101
Incident
Dec 28, 1999
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Sep 22, 2000
Crash reported1 injury reported
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND AFTER APPLYING BRAKES REARENDED A MID-SIZED TRUCK. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURIES. *AK
NHTSA ID
871234
Incident
Aug 9, 2000
BrakesHeating & air conditioningEngine+1 more
Filed Sep 12, 2000
CONTINUAL PROBLEMS, SOME UNDIAGNOSED. UNSYMPATHETIC DEALERSHIP. REOCCURING PROBLEMS. MOST PROBLEMS OCCURRING AFTER LEASE/WARRANTY WERE UP. TOO MANY PROBLEMS FOR A CAR THAT IS ONLY ABOUT 2 AND A HALF YEARS OLD. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE WHY BRAKE LIGHT IS ON, A/C NOT WORKING, ENGINE NOT STARTING ALTHOUGH STARTER WAS REPLACED, OR WHY ENGINE BEGAN SMOKING. ALL THE PROBLEMS APPEAR RELATED. THEY ALL OCCUR AT THE SAME TIME.THE CAR IS UNSAFE AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT NOW BECAUSE NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT.*AK
NHTSA ID
731100
Incident
Apr 26, 2000
Brakes
Filed Sep 8, 1999
LOUD BRAKES.
NHTSA ID
6900288
Body & structureBrakesFuel system
Filed Mar 3, 1999
FUEL SENDERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING THE GAS GAUGE TO READ INACCURATELY.
NHTSA ID
544248
Incident
Sep 14, 1998
Brakes
Filed Feb 1, 1999
BRAKES MAKE HIGH PITCHED NOISE DURING STOPS. YH
NHTSA ID
606399
BrakesSteering
Filed Jan 19, 1999
1) WHEN THE STEERING FAILED IT COULD HAV E CAUSED A FATAL ACCIDENT 2) WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A FATAL ACCIDENT. 3) WHEN THE OIL LIGHT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL THE MOTOR COULD HAVE LOCKED UP, CAUSING A FATAL ACCIDENT. I FIND THE ABOVE PROBLEMS VERY SERIOUS. I BOUGHT THE VW JETTA NEW 09/12/98 WITH 15 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THANK YOU BILL HAMANN.
NHTSA ID
700989
Incident
Sep 19, 1998
Brakes
Filed Jan 5, 1999
Crash reported1 injury reported
NO SUMMARY. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 13 )
NHTSA ID
701892
Incident
Apr 1, 1998
BrakesSteering
Filed Oct 28, 1998
THE FACTORY INSTALLED ALARM SOUNDS INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA ID
542320
Incident
Jun 16, 1998
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own