RoadVitals

2004 Volkswagen Jetta Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine 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.
48
Latest Sep 28, 2024
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.
21%
of 231 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.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 48 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 engine

The 25 most recent of 48, in the owner's own words

ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 28, 2024

Unknown, very complex. Multiple issues. Have been addressed as well as parts been replaced however other issues arised that are definitely safety concerns between electrical issues engine motor etc

NHTSA ID
11617038
Incident
Sep 18, 2019
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Mar 20, 2019

MY CAR IS CURRENTLY STAGED AT MY HOME IT'S STILL DRIVABLE BUT I DON'T KNOW GOR HOW LONG! I RECENTLY BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A DEALER IN CALIFORNIA ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN I'M HAVING ISSUES WITH MY TRANSMISSION I CAUGHT THE ISSUE FAST AND TOOK IT TO A MULTISTATE TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD HAVE TO REBUILD MY TRANSMISSION WITH THE AMOUNT OF MONEY I ALREADY SPENT ON FIXING UP THIS CAR I AM EXTREMELY UPSET, I CANNOT AFFORD SUCH A INSANE AMOUNT EVERYTHING WITH THE CAR BESIDES THAT IS PERFECT THOUGH.

NHTSA ID
11190213
Incident
Mar 10, 2019
Mileage
141,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Oct 15, 2018

VEHICLE UNDER MULTIPLE OCCASIONS HAS STALLED OUT AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, LOCATIONS, AND DRIVING STYLES/ROADS AT OR UNDER A QUARTER OF A TANK

NHTSA ID
11140488
Incident
Sep 25, 2018
Mileage
168,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Mar 5, 2018
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD EARLY IN MORNING APPROX 2 MILES FROM HOUSE I JUST LEFT FROM MY 2004 JETTA SHUTS DOWN TOTAL LOSS OF ALL POWER I PULLED CAR OVER IN A CHURCH PARKING LOT I SMELLED SMOKE AND COULD SEE SMOKE COMING FROM FIRE WALL I RAISED HOOD AND PULLED BATTERY CABLE OFF I COULD SEE SMPOKE FILLING INSIDE OF MY CAR WALKED AROUND TO DRIVER DOOR TO GET MY PHONE AND I SEEN FUSE BOX ON FIRE.ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED TO HELP ME AND HE APPROACHED MY CAR AND THEN CALLED POLICE ,FULL FLAMES WERE COMING FROM MY CAR WITHIN 5 MIN SO I STOOD BACK AND WATCHED MY CAR BURN .FIRE DEPT SHOWED UP AND PUT FIRE OUT MY CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. IVE HAD ISSUES WITH ALTERNATOR,FUEL PUMP,AIR BAG LIGHT, HEADLIGHTS ARE REALLY DIM EVEN ON BRIGHT.NOTHING BUT ISSUES WITH THIS CAR SINCE I GOT IT. 115.000 MILES ONLY ON THIS CAR .SO MANY ISUES I CAN SEE WHY ITS LOW MILAGE

NHTSA ID
11076395
Incident
Mar 3, 2018
Mileage
115,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 11, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED, BACK FIRED, AND IT WAS LEAKING COOLANT UNDER THE WATER PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THE WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E007000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.

NHTSA ID
10854705
Incident
Aug 5, 2015
Mileage
156,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 4, 2016

VW IGNITION COILS ARE FAILED, CAUSING THE SPARK PLUG NOT TO FIRE AND CUTTING POWER TO THE ENGINE. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE ISSUE ABOUT 4 HOURS AND FINALLY FOUND THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS WORKING FINE ONE DAY AND WHILE AT THE BANK WITH MY BOYS IN THE BACK THE CAR SHUT OFF. I NEEDED TO GET OUT AND PUSH THE CAR INTO THE PARKING LOT TO GET OUT OF THE WAY.

NHTSA ID
10839806
Incident
Feb 11, 2016
Mileage
70,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Aug 8, 2015

I PURCHASED MY CAR BACK IN OCTOBER 2013. WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR, THE MECHANIC SAID THAT HE REPLACED THE ABS SYSTEM. THE LIGHTS WERE NOT ON WHEN I BOUGHT IT. A FEW MONTHS LATER, OUT OF THE BLUE IN ABOUT APRIL 2014, I WAS TURNING MY CAR ON AND THE ENGINE LIGHT, THE ABS LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT ALL CAME ON MOMENTARILY AFTER TURNING MY ENGINE ON AS I WAS STILL IN PARK. MY CAR HAD CLOSE TO 100,000 MILES ON IT. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY AND SHORTLY CAME BACK A WEEK LATER. EVER SINCE, IT HAS BEEN ON. EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, ALL OF THE LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF. LUCKILY THE LIGHTS ALL WENT OFF FOR A FEW DAYS AROUND MY INSPECTION TIME FOR THE 2014 YEAR AND MY CAR PASSED. NOT EVEN THREE DAYS LATER THEY ALL CAME BACK ON. THIS TIME OCTOBER 2015 INSPECTION IS COMING UP AND MY LIGHTS ARE ALL ON. SINCE THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, I CANNOT PASS INSPECTION. THE CODE READER SAYS IT IS A MISCOMMUNICATION ERROR, OR A U0121 ERROR. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF INVESTIGATION AND CLEANING UP THE MODULE AND THE CONTACTS, CLEARED THE CODES, AND MY PROBLEM IS STILL THERE.

NHTSA ID
10747218
Incident
Apr 29, 2013
Mileage
100,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 24, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED, THE EPC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SYSTEM FAILED. THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE MASS AIR FLOW SYSTEM DUE TO THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATING, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID
10638712
Incident
Aug 2, 2013
Mileage
80,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 5, 2014

I DRIVE A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA AND IN 2008 IT BEGAN SMELLING OF CRAYONS. THE SMELL HAS SLOWLY PROGRESSED OVER THE YEARS TO THE POINT OF NAUSEATING MYSELF AND MY PASSENGERS. ON MY DRIVE TO WORK THE SMELL IS SO POTENT THAT I AM NOT ABLE TO UST THE A/C AS IT HAS THE SMELL STUCK IN IT AND WHEN THE WINDOWS ARE UP THE SMELL IS VERY BAD. IF YOU EVEN SIT IN THE CAR FOR A MINUTE WHEN YOU EXIT YOUR CLOTHES AND HAIR AND SKIN SMELL LIKE CRAYONS. WHEN THE CAR GETS HOT FROM SITTING IN THE SUN THE SMELL IS VERY VERY STRONG. WHEN OTHER PASSENGERS ENTER MY CAR, THEY EXPERIENCE HEAD ACHES, EXTREME ALLERGY SYMPTOMS, AND SICK TO THE STOMACH FEELINGS. I'VE REACHED OUT TO VOLKSWAGEN THROUGH BOTH DEALER AND THE VW OF AMERICA WEBSITE. DEALERSHIPS SAY THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS SMELL (CAUSED BY AN OUTGASSING OF SOUND DEADENING MATERIAL). VOLKSWAGEN DENIES CLAIMS OF THIS BEING AN ISSUE. HOWEVER, IF YOU TYPE "MY JETTA SMELLS LIKE" INTO ANY SEARCH ENGINE IT IMMEDIATELY POPULATES WITH "CRAYONS". I AM FRUSTRATED THAT MY CAR PHYSICALLY MAKES ME SICK AND THE MANUFACTURER REMAINS PURPOSEFULLY OBLIVIOUS TO WHAT COULD ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS A DESIGN FLAW. I'M POSTING THIS CLAIM AS A PUBLIC RECORD TO A DESIGN FLAW IN OLDER MODELS OF VWS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10608275
Incident
Jan 1, 2008
Engine
Filed Jun 3, 2014

WHILE DRIVING WITH THE AIR-CONDITIONING RUNNING THERE WAS FOAM COMING OUT OF THE AIR VENTS, HITTING THE FACE AND EYES AND CAUSING A NEAR MISS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE WORSENED AND FOAM GETS ALL OVER YOUR CLOTHES AND IN YOUR CAR. THE PROBLEM HAS GONE SO FAR THAT THE AIR BLEND IS AFFECTED. THE AIRFLOW COMES FROM ALL VENTS REGARDLESS OF WHAT SECTION YOU HAVE SELECTED. CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA AND THEY ARE SAYING THAT THERE IS NO DANGER AND NO REASON FOR A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10595832
Incident
Jun 5, 2012
Mileage
70,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Apr 21, 2014

VW CORP REJECTED CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACEMENT WHEN WE IDENTIFIED THAT THE FLEX PIPE WAS LEAKING/LOUD AND WAS OVER THE MILEAGE WARRANTY (VW EXTENDED THE PART WARRANTY TO 10YRS OR 120K MILES) OUR CAR HAD 120,110 MILES. THERE WAS NO LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP TO ID REPAIRS NEAR WHERE I WAS WORKING. THE PART DID FAILED BEFORE THE 120K MILES; AND HAS BEEN LEAKING OR DAMAGED FOR SOMETIME. SINCE IT WARMED UP AND I HAD THE WINDOWS DOWN I WAS ABLE TO HEAR THE LEAK. THIS PART WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY PREVIOUSLY AND WAS A RECALL ITEM ON THIS MODEL AND YEAR. IS THERE A "RANGE" ON MILEAGE THAT THE VW IS REQUIRED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT FOR TRAVEL TO NEAREST VW DEALER LOCATION FOR REPAIRS OR WRITTEN WITHIN THE CURRENT EMISSIONS WARRANTY LAW?? *TR

NHTSA ID
10583941
Incident
Mar 3, 2014
Mileage
119,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 7, 2014

I DRIVE A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA AND IN 2008 IT BEGAN SMELLING OF CRAYONS. THE SMELL HAS SLOWLY PROGRESSED OVER THE YEARS TO THE POINT OF NAUSEATING ME AND MY FELLOW PASSENGERS. THIS MORNING ON MY DRIVE TO WORK THE SMELL WAS SO POTENT THAT I HAD TO PULL OVER TWICE TO THROW UP. WHEN OTHER PASSENGERS ENTER MY CAR, THEY EXPERIENCE HEAD ACHES, EXTREME ALLERGY SYMPTOMS, AND SICK TO THE STOMACH FEELINGS. I'VE REACHED OUT MULTIPLE TIMES TO VOLKSWAGEN THROUGH BOTH DEALER AND CORPORATE MEDIA. DEALERSHIPS SAY THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS SMELL (CAUSED BY AN OUTGASSING OF SOUND DEADENING MATERIAL). VOLKSWAGEN DENIES CLAIMS OF THIS BEING AN ISSUE. HOWEVER, IF YOU TYPE "MY JETTA SMELLS LIKE" INTO ANY SEARCH ENGINE IT IMMEDIATELY POPULATES WITH "CRAYONS". I AM FRUSTRATED THAT MY CAR PHYSICALLY MAKES ME SICK AND THE MANUFACTURER REMAINS PURPOSEFULLY OBLIVIOUS TO WHAT COULD ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS A DESIGN FLAW. I'M POSTING THIS CLAIM AS A PUBLIC RECORD TO A DESIGN FLAW IN OLDER MODELS OF VWS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10577893
Incident
Feb 8, 2012
Mileage
70,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Apr 23, 2013

WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF A 2004 JETTA WITH 2.0 ENGINE WITH 98K AS OF APR 2013. WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR CLUES FROM VW DEALER OR AUTO SHOP, THE CAR WOULD NOT START; CAR WOULD TURN OVER THE ENGINE BUT NO FUEL PRESSURE. DEPENDING ON SEASON (WINTER) AND LOCATION (MIDDLE OF NO WHERE) THIS CAN CAUSE A HAZARD FOR THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER. THE CAR WOULD START AFTER LEAVING IT ALONE FOR 2-3 HRS AND TRY RESTARTING. THE WARNING SEEMS TO BE WHEN THE INTERIOR LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON WHICH MEANS THE SWITCH IS ACTING UP; THE FUEL SYSTEM IS AT A LOW PRESSURE WILL CAUSE A NO START. UNDER VW NEW CAR AND INDEPENDENT SHOPS CAN NOT DUPLICATE; MANY ON-LINE OWNERS HAS HAVE POINTED THE FINGER AT A DOOR LATCH/PRIMING CIRCUIT BOARD THAT CONTROLS THE FUEL PUMP PRIME WHEN THE DRIVER DOOR IS OPENED. GOOD PICS ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD FAILED/CRACKED SOLDER JOINT. THIS DOOR LATCH PRIMING IS USED ON MANY VW GROUP CARS; WE OWN A CAYENNE AND I CAN HEAR THE PRIMING. PLEASE CONSIDER A RECALL OF THIS VW PART OR TELLING VW TO STOP PLACING THE FUEL PUMP PRIMING CIRCUIT IN THE DRIVER DOOR LATCH. THE IGNITION KEY SEEM TO BE WHAT OTHER CAR MAKERS USE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10509326
Incident
Apr 1, 2008
Mileage
26,000 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Jul 13, 2012

2004 VW JETTA GLS TDI OPERATING AT 75MPH ON INTERSTATE ON CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTOFF COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE STILL HAD ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENGINE WOULD CRANK BUT WOULD NOT START. I ROLLED THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ATTEMPTED TO RE-START THE ENGINE AND IT FINALLY CRANKED AND DROVE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 500 MILES BEFORE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR ISSUE. SINCE THAT TIME VEHICLE HAS HAD SAME ISSUE OVER 10 TIMES. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE THREE TIMES AND HAS NOT DISCOVERED ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10465504
Incident
Apr 30, 2012
Mileage
118,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 11, 2012

THERE IS A TERRIBLE SMELL THAT MY CAR HAS ON THE INTERIOR NOW. IT SMELLS OF MELTING BURNT CRAYONS. IT IS WORSE IN THE SUMMER OR WHEN I RUN THE HEAT. THE SMELL STAYS ON MY CLOTHES AND OTHER PEOPLE SMELL IT ON ME. IT GIVES ME HEADACHES. (I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE). APPARENTLY IT IS FROM THE SOUND-PROOFING AND FIREWALL? I READ THIS IN A FORUM. THE SMELL IS SOMETHING THAT HAS DEVELOPED OVER TIME AND DID NOT EXIST WHEN I FIRST PURCHACED THE VEHICLE, USED (NOT NEW), IN 2006. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS IN FORUMS AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS AND IT SEEMS THAT VW SHOULD JUST FIX THE PROBLEM OR MAYBE NOT CREATE THE PROBLEM IN THE FIRST PLACE. IF I HAD KNOWN THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN, THEN I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED THIS CAR. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VW AND I HAVE EVEN TALKED SOMEONE ELSE OUT OF BUYING A VW BECAUSE OF THIS. MAYBE IF VW CARED A LITTLE MORE ABOUT FIXING THE PROBLEMS AND LESS ABOUT FATTENING THEIR WALLETS! *TR

NHTSA ID
10443473
Incident
Apr 1, 2010
Engine
Filed Apr 29, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS FRACTURED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE TENSIONER AND ENGINE MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE RESULTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000.

NHTSA ID
10398302
Incident
Apr 28, 2011
Mileage
94,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Apr 28, 2011

MY 2004 VW JETTA 1.8 TURBO WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IS HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. MY CAT HAS ONLY 66,000 MILES IN IT AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. IN THE PAST TWO YEARS I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, BATTERY, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, NUMEROUS VACUUM LEAKS ECT...BUT A TRANSMISSION???? VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL AS THIS IS WAY TO COMMON!! PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ID
10398143
Incident
Apr 19, 2011
Mileage
66,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 13, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED BECAUSE THE WATER PUMP FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED TAH THE RIM ON THE WATER PUMP MADE OF PLASTIC BROKE IN TWO PIECES. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 56,000. UPDATED 02/10/11 *BF UPDATED 10/12/11

NHTSA ID
10370438
Incident
Dec 7, 2010
Mileage
56,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 10, 2010
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COILS AND THE CYLINDERS IN THE ENGINE. THE COILS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND FAILED AGAIN AFTER ONE MONTH. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED IN FEBRUARY 2010 WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SIX TIMES WITHIN A YEAR. ALL OF THE COILS DO NOT FAIL AT THE SAME TIME, BUT THE ALL FOUR COILS HAVE BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN ONE TIME. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135000.

NHTSA ID
10365234
Incident
Feb 16, 2010
Mileage
101,000 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed Oct 6, 2010

CATASTROPHIC DRIVE TRAIN FAILURE OF A VW JETTA TDI 5-SPEED. WHILE TRAVELING AT 65-70 MPH ON RELATIVELY FLAT TERRAIN ON A CLEAR ROADWAY IN 5TH GEAR WITH NO INPUT TO THE CLUTCH OR THE TRANSMISSION, OCCUPANTS FELT & HEARD A SINGLE, MUFFLED 'THUMP'. ORIGINATING DRIVE TRAIN FAILURE EVENT OCCURRED SPONTANEOUSLY AND COMPLETELY UNEXPECTEDLY. AFTER THE ANOMALY, A LOW METALLIC RATTLE WAS HEARD. ONCE CLEAR OF SURROUNDING TRAFFIC, IN TROUBLESHOOTING ATTEMPT THE DRIVER ENGAGED CLUTCH AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL; IMMEDIATELY THE RATTLING BECAME MORE PRONOUNCED. FIFTH GEAR IMMEDIATELY REENGAGED AND NOISE ABATED. DRIVER NAVIGATED VEHICLE UNDER POWER TO RIGHT LANE & SUBSEQUENTLY EXITED EXPRESSWAY. UPON APPROACH TO SIDE STREET TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CLUTCH WAS REENGAGED RESULTING IN A RENEWED RATTLING; TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. WHEN CLUTCH WAS LET OUT, THE CONSTANT RATTLING NOISE CONTINUED AS ENGINE IDLED. WITH SIGNAL CHANGE, CLUTCH REENGAGED & TRANSMISSION SHIFTED TO 1ST GEAR. CLUTCH SLOWLY, CAREFULLY RELEASED: NOTICEABLE NOISE INCREASE FOLLOWED BY SHORT SERIES OF LOUD, SHARP NOISES. VEHICLE LURCHED AND STALLED. TWO ATTEMPTS TO RESTART ENGINE FAILED; NO ENGINE RESPONSE. POLICE NOTIFIED & VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. SIGNIFICANT FLUID LEAKAGE NOTICED. SUBSEQUENTLY NOTIFIED BY VW DEALER THAT MAIN SHAFT OF TRANSMISSION CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED PRESSING FLYWHEEL INTO MOTOR DAMAGING CASING, BEARINGS & CRANKSHAFT LOBS RESULTING IN IMMEDIATE SEIZING OF THE DIESEL POWER PLANT. TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE ASSEMBLY REQUIRED (EST ~$11K). THIS VEHICLE HAD ALL MAINTENANCE SERVICE PERFORMED REGULARLY AT 5K INTERVALS BY VW DEALER (DOCUMENTED) AND HAD RECENTLY HAD FULL 100K SERVICE INCLUDING TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT. NO NOTIFICATION/CONCERN FOR ADDITIONAL TRANSMISSION INSPECTION/SERVICE. CLUTCH RECENTLY SEEMED TO BE ENGAGING A WEE BIT FURTHER BUT NO BOTTOMING OF PEDAL OR CLUTCH SLIPPAGE. OWNER EXPECTED TO SCHEDULE CLUTCH INSPECTION/WORK DURING NEXT 5K SERVICE VISIT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10359493
Incident
Sep 30, 2010
Mileage
105,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 28, 2010

BOTH RADIATOR FANS FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY, CAUSING CAR TO OVERHEAT AND STOP ALMOST INSTANTANEOUSLY IN HOT WEATHER. CAR ONLY HAS 55K MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED. BOTH RADIATOR FANS WERE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10358101
Incident
Aug 27, 2010
Mileage
55,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 4, 2010

CAR BEGAN TO STUTTER AND SHAKE LIKE IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS. SHORTLY AFTER I HAD AN EPC LIGHT THAT WOULD FLASH ON EVERY TIME I GOT UP TO SPEED AND IT WOULD START THE STUTTERING SOUND AGAIN. AFTER SEVERAL COSTLY TRIPS TO DEALERSHIP THEY DISCOVERED IT WAS A COOLANT MIGRATION PROBLEM. WHERE A DEFECTIVE PART THAT VW KNOWS ABOUT LEAKS COOLANT IN TO THE WIRE HARNESS. COOLANT CAN MIGRATE THROUGHOUT ALL ELECTRICAL ROUTES THROUGHOUT THE CAR. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE 1998 AND VW WILL NOT DO A RECALL OR REIMBURSE FOR THE WORK. IF YOU HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH YOUR VW THIS IS MOST LIKELY THE CAUSE. WE HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH TAILLIGHTS BLOWING VERY FREQUENTLY. THIS CAN BE A CAUSE OF COOLANT MIGRATING THROUGH THE WIRES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10341395
Incident
Jun 12, 2010
Mileage
84,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 7, 2010

VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (ALL VW) HAVE PLASTIC IMPELLER WATER PUMP THAT BREAKS, CAUSING RAPID OVERHEATING AND POSSIBLE ENGINE SEIZURE. ENGINE SEIZURE MAY RESULT IN REAR END COLLISION. VOLKSWAGEN KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO RECALL THE VEHICLES. NEW WATER PUMP IS REQUIRED TO REPAIR THE CONDITION. THE PARTS COSTS OVER $200.00. FAIRLY EASY TO REPLACE BUT THE PLASTIC PARTS COULD ALSO BREAK LOOSE AND GET PUMPED THROUGH THE ENGINE AND TURBO AND CAUSE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10335151
Incident
Jun 7, 2010
Mileage
72,879 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 29, 2010

LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN CARTER ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING A SITUATION INVOLVING HIS VW JETTA RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT (DOT/I # 2010-2106) *TGW ON JANUARY 18, 2010 THE CONSUMER TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF A RECALL RECEIVED, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED NOTHING COULD BE DONE SINCE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT ON. SIX DAYS LATER, THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS MORE THAN 450 MILES AWAY FROM HOME. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP AND THE SERVICE WAS COMPLETED. THE CONSUMER THEN SUBMITTED A CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT ONCE HE RETURNED HOME, BUT TO DATE HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM VW. *JB

NHTSA ID
10328528
Incident
Jan 24, 2010
Engine
Filed Sep 19, 2009

VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (ALL VW) HAVE PLASTIC IMPELLER WATER PUMP THAT BREAKS, CAUSING RAPID OVERHEATING AND POSSIBLE ENGINE SEIZURE. ENGINE SEIZURE MAY RESULT IN REAR END COLLISION. VOLKSWAGEN KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO RECALL THE VEHICLES. NEW WATER PUMP IS REQUIRED TO REPAIR THE CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10284588
Incident
May 19, 2009
Mileage
49,000 mi

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.

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Data on this page last refreshed .