1998 Volkswagen Jetta Problems

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.

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. *TR

THE WINDOWS IN THE DOORS ARE FALLING DOWN AND NEEDING THE MECHANISM REPLACED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO 3 OF THE DOORS SO FAR. HAS THIS BEEN A PROBLEM-WAS THERE EVER A RECALL FOR THIS-THIS SEEMS LIKE A WEIRD THING TO HAVE HAPPEN. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU CANNOT ROLL THE WINDOW UP OR DOWN, AS WELL AS THE INTERIOR GETTING WET FROM THE WEATHER. THANK YOU. REBECCA *TR

I HAVE 1998 VW JETTA--I PRESENTLY HAVE THREE ELECTRIC WINDOWS WHICH DO NOT GO UP OR DOWN. TWO OF THEM HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT OR NEEDED RECALL. CAUSE OF PROBLEMS IS MOTORS OR REGULATORS. THESE SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY VW. OF ALL THE VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED IN THE PAST 40 YEARS WITH ELECTRIC WINDOWS I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEMS EXCEPT WITH THE VW JETTA. *TR

TO YO PROXIES FOUR INNER IM ASSUMING TIRE BANDS? FAILED CAUSING A BULGE ON THE INER PART OF MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE. NEVER STRUCK ANY OBJECT I WAS JUST DRIVING AND STARTED TO NOTICE A WOBBLE I THOUGHT IT WAS A FRONT END ISSUE SO DIDN'T CHECK TIRE BUT HAD FRONT END LOOKED AT AND TIRE STILL WASN'T NOTICED BECAUSE OF THE PLACEMENT OF FAILURE WAS DIFFICULT TO SEE HOWEVER NOW IS VERY APPARENT. HAD TO REPLACE FRONT SHOCKS ON 98 VW JETTA AS WELL AS FRONT END BUSHINGS AND PASSENGER A ARM

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. *AK

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. *JB

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE POWER RETURNED IN ABOUT 2-3 MINUTES. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER, AND THEY TOLD HER UNLESS THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST DISCOVERED AT THE DEALERSHIP, THEN THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. IT DID NOT HAPPEN AT THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE ONE HAD TO BE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER MAINTAINED THAT THIS WAS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IN MOVING TRAFFIC IF VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN IT COULD BE HIT FROM REAR. *AK

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. *TR

TOTALLY RUSTED OUT AREA AROUND GAS INTAKE PIPE. VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1998. *TR

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

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.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT MADE A NOISE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD WHEN STOPPING. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT WOULD COST NEARLY $500. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING RACK WOULD MAKE A NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE MECHANIC ADDED STEERING FLUID AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL LEAK, WHICH WAS WORSENING. THE ESTIMATE TO REPAIR THE LEAK WAS $1,084.84. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000.

IT WAS RAINING. MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ON. WHITE SMOKE CAME UP FROM MY STEERING COLUMN FOR A COUPLE SECONDS. WHAT MAKES THIS PARTICULARLY FRUSTRATING, THIS HAPPENED ON A 94 JETTA I ONCE OWNED. THIS HAPPENED ON A 96 JETTA MY SISTER OWNED. EVENTUALLY, SOMETHING IN THE STEERING COLUMN BURNED OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE BOTH PAID FOR THOSE TO BE REPLACED. NOW, YEARS LATER, I AM FACED WITH ANOTHER BURNING STEERING COLUMN. I HOPE TO FIND THAT VW IS OWNING UP TO POOR DESIGN, AND WHEN THIS ONE FINALLY BREAKS, THAT THEY FOOT THE BILL FOR THEIR FAILURE. REFERRED TO THIS SITE BY THIS LINK: HTTP://WWW.SPORTCOMPACTRACING.COM/VBULLETIN/PRINTTHREAD.PHP?T=36741 I DID A QUICK YAHOO SEARCH TO FIND THAT THIS WAS NOT A JINX THAT HIT JUST MY FAMILY. *NM

WHILE BACKING UP THERE WAS A CLUNKING SOUND AND TRANSMISSION POPPED OUT OF REVERSE. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION LINKAGE.*AK

TRANSMISSION SLIPS BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR. THIS PROBLEM WAS FIRST REPORTED TO GOSSETT MOTOR CARS ON 05/06/98, AND HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM EVER SINCE. CRUISE CONTROL HAS FUNCTIONED PROPERLY THREE TIMES AND FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES. GOSSETT MOTOR CARS SAYS THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM.. *AK

TOTALLY RUSTED OUT AREA AROUND GAS INTAKE PIPE. VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1998. *TR

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. *AK

LATE IN APRIL, 2013 I INSTALLED A PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM ON A 1998 VW JETTA TDI. THE CONTROL ARM WAS PURCHASED FROM AUTOZONE ( THEIR PART # 520-782) AS AN ASSEMBLY WITH THE BALL JOINT INSTALLED. THE CAR RAN FINE FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS. THEN WHILE DRIVING IT BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. ON EXAMINATION, 2 OF THE 3 BOLTS WHICH HOLD THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM WERE MISSING, AND THE THIRD WAS EASILY REMOVED BY FINGER. WHEN IT WAS INSTALLED ALL 3 WERE IN PLACE. THE ONE BOLT REMAINING DID NOT HAVE ANY LOCKING COMPOUND, NOR DID IT HAVE A MECHANICAL LOCKING DEVICE, SUCH AS A LOCK WASHER OR LOCK NUT. I INSTALLED 3 HARDENED BOLTS WITH LOCKING COMPOUND, AND THE CAR HAS BEEN FINE FOR THE PAST 5 DAYS. IF THE THIRD BOLT HAD FALLEN OUT, THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL, AND THE PROBABLE RESULT WOULD HAVE BEEN A CRASH. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE AND SUSTAINED A FLAT TIRE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO REPLACE THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE AND THE JACK BROKE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE JACK WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WOULD BE THE CONTACTS RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE IT. THE JACK WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

Airbag Warning Light On

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A TREE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.

LATE IN APRIL, 2013 I INSTALLED A PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM ON A 1998 VW JETTA TDI. THE CONTROL ARM WAS PURCHASED FROM AUTOZONE ( THEIR PART # 520-782) AS AN ASSEMBLY WITH THE BALL JOINT INSTALLED. THE CAR RAN FINE FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS. THEN WHILE DRIVING IT BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. ON EXAMINATION, 2 OF THE 3 BOLTS WHICH HOLD THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM WERE MISSING, AND THE THIRD WAS EASILY REMOVED BY FINGER. WHEN IT WAS INSTALLED ALL 3 WERE IN PLACE. THE ONE BOLT REMAINING DID NOT HAVE ANY LOCKING COMPOUND, NOR DID IT HAVE A MECHANICAL LOCKING DEVICE, SUCH AS A LOCK WASHER OR LOCK NUT. I INSTALLED 3 HARDENED BOLTS WITH LOCKING COMPOUND, AND THE CAR HAS BEEN FINE FOR THE PAST 5 DAYS. IF THE THIRD BOLT HAD FALLEN OUT, THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL, AND THE PROBABLE RESULT WOULD HAVE BEEN A CRASH. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT MADE A NOISE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD WHEN STOPPING. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT WOULD COST NEARLY $500. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING RACK WOULD MAKE A NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE MECHANIC ADDED STEERING FLUID AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL LEAK, WHICH WAS WORSENING. THE ESTIMATE TO REPAIR THE LEAK WAS $1,084.84. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000.

WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

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

(1) FIRST, THE TURN SIGNALS BEGAN TO ACT STRANGE. WHEN USING THEM THEY FLASHED, PAUSED, THEN CONTINUED TO FLASH. LATER IN THE DAY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE HAZARD LIGHTS ON, THEY DIDN'T WORK. AFTER THAT, THE TURN SIGNALS DIDN'T WORK EITHER. (2) SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING, BUT NO ACCIDENT/INJURY OCCURRED. (3) TOOK CAR TO INDEPENDENT VW MECHANIC WHO REPLACED HAZARD/TURN SIGNAL SWITCH ASSEMBLY. (4) NOW RESEARCHING PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT A RECALL FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005 (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V584000); HOWEVER IT DIDN'T INCLUDE THE 1998 MODEL YEAR. WHY NOT? IT'S EVIDENT THAT THE DEFECT WAS PRESENT IN THAT YEAR ALSO. *JB

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. *AK

AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR FAILED WITH ONLY 45000, I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF JETTA OWNERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME DEFECT. THE COST ESTIMATED AT VOLKSWAGEN WAS 1600 DOLLARS. *AK

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

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR SEAT BELT UNLATCHES IT SELF. TS

THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN REAR LEFT SEAT BELT, CANNOT INSTALL ANY CHILD SEAT. CHILD TECHNICAN UNABLE TO INSTALL SEAT. *AK.

WHILE DRIVING 60 TO 65 MPH HOOD FLEW UP AND BROKE WINDSHIELD. IT BROKE ONE SIDE OF HOOD CONNECTION WHERE HOOD IS ATTACHED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WILL LOOK AT VEHICLE AND GET BACK WITH CONSUMER. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK

SECOND REPLACEMENT OF SEAT TRACKS, CONTINUALLY LOOSE/WOBBLY FRONT SEATS. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER WOULD NOT RELEASE OUT OF PARK BECAUSE THE BRAKE SENSOR FAILED. EACH TIME THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT HER EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

WHILE DRIVING, SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *TT