1999 Volkswagen Jetta Problems

VW WINDOW FELL OFF TRACK IN TO BOTTOM OF THE DOOR. *TR

WINDOW REGULATOR GOING BAD. RESEARCHED YOUR SITE AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. JUST PURCHASED CAR USED AND WAS UNAWARE OF PROBLEM AND OF COURSE IT IS TOO LATE FOR ANY EXTENDED WARRANTIES. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE RECONCILED REGARDLESS OF TIMEFRAME. *TR

WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY RECALLS ON MY JETTA. I CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I TOOK IT TO 4 REPAIR SHOP AND NO ONE COULD FIND WHATS WRONG WITH IT. I'VE PAID OVER 1200 ON OTHER REPAIRS. WHAT CAN I DO . *TR THANKS CHRISTINA

THE VW VEHICLE IS PROGRAMMED TO CRIPPLE THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND SPEED IN CASE OF AN EPC FAULT. ANY FAULT CAUSING A RICH OR LEAN CONDITION WILL CAUSE THIS "LIMP MODE". THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY PEOPLE ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65-75MPH AND A 80,000 POUND TRACTOR TRAILER BEHIND THEM AS ONE PERSON EXPERIENCED. THERE ARE TOO MANY NON-VITAL COMPONENT FAILURES TO LIST THAT CAN CAUSE THIS FAULT. I REFER TO NON-VITAL MEANING THE COMPONENT FAILURE WILL NOT HARM THE DRIVER OF THE CAR. THE FAULT LIGHT INDICATION ISN'T ENOUGH? NOW THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO FORCE YOU INTO A REPAIR SHOP AND BUY MORE VW PARTS. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A MONEY MAKING SCAM ENDANGERING OUR LIVES. WE DO NOT PUT A HALT ON THIS NOW- SOON ANY FAULT WILL CRIPPLE OUR CARS. IT'S NOT JUST VW (HYUNDAI DID A SIMILAR "LIMP MODE"). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, SMOKE BEGAN TO FILL THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND SAW THAT SMOKE WAS BELLOWING FROM BENEATH THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SMOKE DISAPPEARED AFTER SOME TIME. THE CONTACT THEN ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE RESULTS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,144.

THE VW VEHICLE IS PROGRAMMED TO CRIPPLE THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND SPEED IN CASE OF AN EPC FAULT. ANY FAULT CAUSING A RICH OR LEAN CONDITION WILL CAUSE THIS "LIMP MODE". THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY PEOPLE ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65-75MPH AND A 80,000 POUND TRACTOR TRAILER BEHIND THEM AS ONE PERSON EXPERIENCED. THERE ARE TOO MANY NON-VITAL COMPONENT FAILURES TO LIST THAT CAN CAUSE THIS FAULT. I REFER TO NON-VITAL MEANING THE COMPONENT FAILURE WILL NOT HARM THE DRIVER OF THE CAR. THE FAULT LIGHT INDICATION ISN'T ENOUGH? NOW THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO FORCE YOU INTO A REPAIR SHOP AND BUY MORE VW PARTS. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A MONEY MAKING SCAM ENDANGERING OUR LIVES. WE DO NOT PUT A HALT ON THIS NOW- SOON ANY FAULT WILL CRIPPLE OUR CARS. IT'S NOT JUST VW (HYUNDAI DID A SIMILAR "LIMP MODE"). *TR

BRAKE LAMPS WERE OPERATING CORRECTLY ON 11/22/2009 AND ON 11/23/2009 THEY CEASED WORKING. CHECKED WITH NHTSA TO SEE IF OPEN RECALL WAS OPEN NONE BUT WANTED TO MAKE KNOWN THE ISSUE SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN TWO RECALLS IN THE PASS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO SAFETY RECALLS 06V183000 AND 99V251000. , ONE RECALL WAS FOR THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLE AND THE OTHER WAS FOR THE B PILLAR MOUNTING CLIPS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN A CRASH WHILE GOING 40 MPH THE PERSON THAT HIT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SAID THAT HE HIT HIM BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT TURN ON, AND THEN HE FLED THE SEEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN, AND A COMPLAINT MADE TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE IF HE GOT A TICKET OR NOT FOR NOT HAVING BRAKE LIGHTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS COMING OFF OF THE EXPRESSWAY AT 40 MPH, THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR, AND THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE IN DAYLIGHT. THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD BEEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE BEFORE BECAUSE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SWITCHED THE BULBS AND THOUGHT EVERYTHING WAS ALRIGHT. THE CONTACT'S COMPLAINT WAS THAT HE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL MONTHS LATER ON THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH AFTER HE PAID FOR EVERYTHING. THE CONTACT WILL BE ABLE TO GET THE POLICE REPORT AND AN INSURANCE REPORT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 117392.*AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, SMOKE BEGAN TO FILL THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND SAW THAT SMOKE WAS BELLOWING FROM BENEATH THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SMOKE DISAPPEARED AFTER SOME TIME. THE CONTACT THEN ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE RESULTS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,144.

TOOK MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MY AIRBAG LIGHT CHECKED, THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD CLEAR IT. IT WAS CLEARED, THEN POPPED UP AGAIN AND HAS SINCE THEN STAYED ON. *TR

THE VW VEHICLE IS PROGRAMMED TO CRIPPLE THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND SPEED IN CASE OF AN EPC FAULT. ANY FAULT CAUSING A RICH OR LEAN CONDITION WILL CAUSE THIS "LIMP MODE". THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY PEOPLE ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65-75MPH AND A 80,000 POUND TRACTOR TRAILER BEHIND THEM AS ONE PERSON EXPERIENCED. THERE ARE TOO MANY NON-VITAL COMPONENT FAILURES TO LIST THAT CAN CAUSE THIS FAULT. I REFER TO NON-VITAL MEANING THE COMPONENT FAILURE WILL NOT HARM THE DRIVER OF THE CAR. THE FAULT LIGHT INDICATION ISN'T ENOUGH? NOW THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO FORCE YOU INTO A REPAIR SHOP AND BUY MORE VW PARTS. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A MONEY MAKING SCAM ENDANGERING OUR LIVES. WE DO NOT PUT A HALT ON THIS NOW- SOON ANY FAULT WILL CRIPPLE OUR CARS. IT'S NOT JUST VW (HYUNDAI DID A SIMILAR "LIMP MODE"). *TR

1999.5 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS VR6, ALWAYS GETTING DTC CODES OF P1117, P0140, P1198, P1472, P1435, P0102, P0343, P1421.. THAT ALWAYS SAYS ABOUT OPEN OR SHORT CIRCUIT CONDITIONS AND POOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS, AND SHORT TO GROUNDS FOR ELECTRICAL, WHICH IS ALL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, IF YOU SEARCH ONLINE THEM CODES YOU WILL SEE NUMEROUS PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS, AND AS WELL AS ALOT OF US HAVE TO BUY THE PARTS THAT IS LISTED AND PROBLEMS STILL AREN'T FIXED, WHICH TELLS US ITS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE, NOT ISSUES WITH THE PARTS, WHICH CAUSES OUR #43 FUSE BLOW ALOT, AND ALOT OF HESITATION AND STALLING, I CANT EVEN TURN AROUND A CORNER OR TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT STALLING, PLEASE FIX THESE PROBLEMS, ITS HAPPENING TO WAY TO MANY OF US AND IT IS ALSO AN SAFETY ISSUE. *TT

I WAS DRIVING UP 24 NORTH, DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES PER HOUR. WHILE IN THE FAST LANE, MY ABILITY TO ACCELERATE JUST STOPPED. MY ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN, HOWEVER, MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT DRIVING ON THIS HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR SO I WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER TO THE BREAK DOWN LANE. VOLKSWAGEN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED IN MY CAR. MY CONCERN IS THAT THERE WERE ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING SIGNS OR INDICATIONS THAT THIS PART WAS GOING TO FAIL. HAD I BEEN ON THIS HIGHWAY DURING A BUSIER TIME OF THE DAY, MY CAR COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT DUE TO THE FAULTY PART.*AK

THE CAR WILL TURN ON, BUT WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKES AND TRY TO TAKE THE CAR OUT OF PARK IT WILL NOT MOVE, AND THE EPC LIGHT COMES ON. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER IT RAINED, EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT SPECIFY WHERE THE LEAK WAS LOCATED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT IT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DISCUSS THE FAILURE WITH HIM DUE TO A PENDING LAWSUIT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 113,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

FRONT BUMPER TOO LOW, GETS CAUGHT AND DETACHES FROM BODY OF CAR. *TR

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. *TR

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. *TR

WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY RECALLS ON MY JETTA. I CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I TOOK IT TO 4 REPAIR SHOP AND NO ONE COULD FIND WHATS WRONG WITH IT. I'VE PAID OVER 1200 ON OTHER REPAIRS. WHAT CAN I DO . *TR THANKS CHRISTINA

1999.5 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS VR6, ALWAYS GETTING DTC CODES OF P1117, P0140, P1198, P1472, P1435, P0102, P0343, P1421.. THAT ALWAYS SAYS ABOUT OPEN OR SHORT CIRCUIT CONDITIONS AND POOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS, AND SHORT TO GROUNDS FOR ELECTRICAL, WHICH IS ALL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, IF YOU SEARCH ONLINE THEM CODES YOU WILL SEE NUMEROUS PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS, AND AS WELL AS ALOT OF US HAVE TO BUY THE PARTS THAT IS LISTED AND PROBLEMS STILL AREN'T FIXED, WHICH TELLS US ITS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE, NOT ISSUES WITH THE PARTS, WHICH CAUSES OUR #43 FUSE BLOW ALOT, AND ALOT OF HESITATION AND STALLING, I CANT EVEN TURN AROUND A CORNER OR TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT STALLING, PLEASE FIX THESE PROBLEMS, ITS HAPPENING TO WAY TO MANY OF US AND IT IS ALSO AN SAFETY ISSUE. *TT

RECENTLY MY 1999 VW JETTA PASSENGER'S SEAT BACK CAUGHT FIRE, BURNING FROM INSIDER THE SEAT BACK, THE SEAT AND MY HUSBAND'S WINTER COAT (I HAVE PICTURES I CAN SEND) WHILE WE WERE DRIVING IN A SNOW STORM DOWN I-93. THE VW DEALERS I WENT TO SEE, LET ALONE MY CALL TO VW NORTH AMERICA, WERE ASKED TO PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT SEAT, TO CHECK THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS, ETC. THE RESPONSE WAS ALMOST UNIFORM AS TO NOTHING THEY COULD DO, NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE, NOT WITHIN WARRANTY, ETC. NOW MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS ASKING FOR $500 DEDUCTIBLE FOR ME TO PAY FOR THIS REPLACEMENT! MY INSURANCE GUY AND THE HEAD OF SERVICE AT WELLESLEY VW BOTH SAID IN ALL THEIR YEARS, THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING THIS BAD. BUT WHAT REALLY GETS MY GOAT IS THAT THE FIRE WAS A SERIOUS, LIFE-THREATENING HAZARD; THERE ARE MANY CASES THE INTERNET OF JETTAS' SEATS CATCHING FIRE ' BUT NOT ONE RECALL LIKE THEY DID WITH THE PASSAT A FEW YEARS BACK. I HAVE OWNED VWS SINCE 1987 WHEN I GOT MY LICENSE; MY PARENTS SINCE 1953. I CONSIDER MYSELF BRAND-LOYAL BUT AM NOW BAFFLED AS TO THEIR UNIFORM, UNHELPFUL RESPONSES. I NEED SOME GUIDANCE, LET ALONE HELP TO HAVE THEM FIX THIS PROBLEM. SOMEONE MIGHT HAVE BEEN KILLED HAD THE SEAT FULLY CAUGHT FIRE OR MY HUSBAND WAS WEARING SOMETHING OTHER THAN LEATHER THAT TAKES LONGER TO SMOLDER THAN, LET'S SAY, FLEECE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS THEIR "LIABILITY", AND THEY SHOULD MAKE GOOD ON CORRECTING THE SITUATION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT HAS HEATED SEATS IN HIS VEHICLE. THE HEATING ELEMENTS IN THE SEATS BECAME SO HOT THAT THEY BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT TO HIS JACKET. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE HAD TOO MANY MILES ON IT FOR THEM TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY RECALLS ON MY JETTA. I CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I TOOK IT TO 4 REPAIR SHOP AND NO ONE COULD FIND WHATS WRONG WITH IT. I'VE PAID OVER 1200 ON OTHER REPAIRS. WHAT CAN I DO . *TR THANKS CHRISTINA

VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE, CAUSING THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. TIRE WAS CHANGED, BUT THE TIRE LEANED INWARD INTO THE VEHICLE. RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE REAR AXLE BROKE WHEN TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.*AK

THE BLINKER ON MY CAR IS FAILING. IT IS IN THE UNIT ON THE STEERING COLUMN. AFTER TURNING A CORNER IT WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF. WHEN DRIVING IT WILL DROP DOWN AND COME ON SOMETIMES. IT SOMETIMES DOES NOT WANT TO COME ON AND I HAVE TO PUSH IT HARD. THE VEHICLE IS A 1999.5 VW JETTA. I HAVE READ ON THE FORUMS ALSO THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX. *TR

TURN SIGNALS AND FLASHERS NOT BLINKING AS DESCRIBED IN RECALL ID NUMBER: 04V584000 WHICH CALLS FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH, HOWEVER THE 1999 NEW JETTAS ARE NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. *NM

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'. *AK

ENGINE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH WITH NO WARNING. LOST POWER ASSISTED STEERING.*AK

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY JETTA TAKES LONG TO SHIFT ## VIN PASSED ## VOLKSWAGEN,JETTA,1999 ## *KB

1999 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS.*MR WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, THE REVERSE SYNCHRO FAILED AND AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE HAD NO REVERSE GEAR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A 10 YEAR/100,000 WARRANTY, BUT WHEN THE CONSUMER NOTIFIED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE THE DEALER REFUSED TO MAKE THE REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY. *NLM *JB

MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 70 MPH. I STARTED TO HEAR A STRANGE NOISE AND BEGAN TO PULL OVER. AS I SWITCHED LANES THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION AND THE FRONT RIGHT PORTION OF THE CAR WAS SCRAPING ALONG THE GROUND. I GOT THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN AND PULLED OVER. WHEN WE GOT OUT TO LOOK WHAT WE SAW AMAZED US. THE ENTIRE STEEL BELTED RADIAL HAD BLOWN OUT OF ONE SECTION OF THE TIRE. IT RIPPED THROUGH ALL THE LAYERS OF THE TIRE ALL AT ONCE. I FEEL VERY UNEASY ABOUT THE OTHER 3 THAT REMAIN. *NM

AT 30000 MILES STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN APPLYING BRAKES.ASKED DEALER TO CHECK ON ALIGHMENT PROBLEMS. DEALER NO ALIGNMENT NEEDED, BUT BRAKES WERE WORN DOWN 50% & ALSO NEEDED NEW ROTORS. DEALER INSISTED CAR OKAY TO DRIVE AND ADVISED TO COME BACK. 35000 SERVICE TO HAVE NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS INSTALLED, APROX. $600. AFTER SERVICE, I DROVE HOME ABOUT 50 MILES AND PROBLEM GOT WORSE, INCLUDING A LOUD RUMBLING NOISE. I CALLED DEALER, AND THEY REFERRED ME TO A DEALER CLOSER TO MY HOME, 3 DAYS AND 300 MILES LATER, 2ND DEALER ASKED HOW MANY TIMES I HAD CHANGED THE BRAKES, BECAUSE I NOW, NEEDED ROTORS, AND WORSE, ALL MY TIRES WERE "CUPPED. " I ALSO NEEDED A WHOLE NEW SET OF TIRES...I ASKED 2ND DEALER IF IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE MY CAR. THEY SAID IT WAS OK TO DRIVE, BUT RECOMMENDED CHANGING BRAKES, ROTORS AND TIRES @ A COST OF $1,100. DEALER ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THE LACK OF ROTATING A BALANCING TIRES COULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE UNEVEN WEAR (AKA: CUPPED TIRES). I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE LOUD RUMBLING NOISE, WOULD EVENTUALLY GO AWAY, SINCE THE TIRES HAD BEEN ROTATED. THE 2ND DEALER INVOICED THE 1ST DEALER FOR THIS SERVICE CHARGE. 3 DAYS LATER, I WENT TO GOODYEAR TIRE SHOP (FOR 3RD OPINON) BECAUSE I THOUGHT THE TIRES MAY BE DEFECTIVE. GOODYEAR ADVISED ME THAT CUPPED TIRES RESULT FROM UNEVEN WEAR (USUALLY RECOMMEND ROTATING & BALANCING TIRES EVERY 10K MI.), IF NOT, PROBLEMS W/BRAKES & ROTORS. GOODYEAR COULDN'T DETERMINE WHY THE PROBLEM OCCURRED @ ONLY 30K MI. SUCH A PROBLEM COULD OCCUR AT ABOUT 60K MILES, BUT NOT ROTORS. GOODYEAR BALANCED & ROTATED MY TIRES & ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE WHEELWELL, CAUSING A LARGE GASH IN THE WHEELWELL. IN THE INTEREST OF CONSUMER PROTECTION, I SEEK YOUR PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE IN BRINGING A POSITIVE RESOLVE TO THIS MATTER. MY CAR HAS SPENT A LOT OF TIME @ DEALER SERVICE SHOP. VOLKSWAGEN MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR BAD CRAFTSMANSHIP & POOR SERVICE ADVICE. PLEASE HELP!

RECENTLY MY 1999 VW JETTA PASSENGER'S SEAT BACK CAUGHT FIRE, BURNING FROM INSIDER THE SEAT BACK, THE SEAT AND MY HUSBAND'S WINTER COAT (I HAVE PICTURES I CAN SEND) WHILE WE WERE DRIVING IN A SNOW STORM DOWN I-93. THE VW DEALERS I WENT TO SEE, LET ALONE MY CALL TO VW NORTH AMERICA, WERE ASKED TO PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT SEAT, TO CHECK THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS, ETC. THE RESPONSE WAS ALMOST UNIFORM AS TO NOTHING THEY COULD DO, NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE, NOT WITHIN WARRANTY, ETC. NOW MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS ASKING FOR $500 DEDUCTIBLE FOR ME TO PAY FOR THIS REPLACEMENT! MY INSURANCE GUY AND THE HEAD OF SERVICE AT WELLESLEY VW BOTH SAID IN ALL THEIR YEARS, THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING THIS BAD. BUT WHAT REALLY GETS MY GOAT IS THAT THE FIRE WAS A SERIOUS, LIFE-THREATENING HAZARD; THERE ARE MANY CASES THE INTERNET OF JETTAS' SEATS CATCHING FIRE ' BUT NOT ONE RECALL LIKE THEY DID WITH THE PASSAT A FEW YEARS BACK. I HAVE OWNED VWS SINCE 1987 WHEN I GOT MY LICENSE; MY PARENTS SINCE 1953. I CONSIDER MYSELF BRAND-LOYAL BUT AM NOW BAFFLED AS TO THEIR UNIFORM, UNHELPFUL RESPONSES. I NEED SOME GUIDANCE, LET ALONE HELP TO HAVE THEM FIX THIS PROBLEM. SOMEONE MIGHT HAVE BEEN KILLED HAD THE SEAT FULLY CAUGHT FIRE OR MY HUSBAND WAS WEARING SOMETHING OTHER THAN LEATHER THAT TAKES LONGER TO SMOLDER THAN, LET'S SAY, FLEECE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS THEIR "LIABILITY", AND THEY SHOULD MAKE GOOD ON CORRECTING THE SITUATION. *TR

THE WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE A TENDENCY TO BREAK. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE PLASTIC AND IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT THEY BREAK FREQUENTLY.

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER WILL NOT TURN OFF. WHILE THE KNOB THAT CONTROLS THE SEAT HEATER IS SET AT 0 (OFF), THE SEAT HEATER REMAINS ON. THE PROBLEM BEGAN OVER A YEAR AGO WITH IT JUST BEING WARM, BUT IT IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY HOTTER. IT IS GETTING SO HOT THAT THE LEATHER SEAT IS BURNING AND TURNING BLACK AND BROWN. VW HAS HAD RECALLS ON SIMILAR MODELS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT FIX MY CAR UNDER SIMILAR RECALLS. *NM

DT: CONSUMER STATES THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE LOCAL SERVICE DEALER DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A RECALL ON 2002 MODEL REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE. *TT