Visibility. Review the 81 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 78 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

33 crash reports9 fire reports21 injury reports

What owners actually said

349 reports

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2001

Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

ENGINE CHECKLIGHT CAME ON WITH ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH. DEALER DIAGNOSED BROKEN MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND REPLACED. MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO EXTEND WARRANTY TO THIS PART. MANY OTHER OWNERS REPORT THIS PART FAILING AT 20K TO 40K MILES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #751290

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2001

Visibility

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PLASTIC CLIPS ON WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE CAUSING WINDOW TO FALL DOWN INTO DOOR. UNABLE TO CLOSE WINDOW. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THROUGHOUT THE VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER COMMUNITY. THIS PRODUCT FAILURE POSSES A SAFETY RISK AND EXTREME INCONVENIENCE, AS THERE IS NO WINDOW TO PROVIDE PROTECTION FROM OUTSIDE FORCES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PART ONCE UNDER WARRANTY. NO MATTER WHO PAYS FOR THE REPAIR, THE PART WILL BREAK AGAIN CAUSING THE SAME SAFETY CONCERNS. VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO PROVIDE SWIFT RECALL ACTION ON THIS MATTER IN ORDER TO PREVENT PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE--VW WOULD STAND KNOWINGLY LIABLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #750900

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2001

Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #750850

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2001

Structure

REGARDLESS WHERE I PARK, HOME,WORK, GROCERY STORES, THE CONCRETE PARKING STOPS RIP OFF THE BUMPER AND THE ASSEMBLY THAT HOLDS THE WHEEL WELLS TOGETHER. THE FRONT GRILL PIECES ALSO POP OUT. WHO IS NOT MEETING THE STANDARDS HERE THE PEOPLE INSTALLING PARKING BUMPERS OR THE MANUFACTURER OF THE CAR?

NHTSA ODI #750454

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2001

Fuel System, GasolineFuel System, Other

VEHICLE WOULD RUN OUT OF FUEL, WHILE GAS GAUGE WOULD REGISTER A 1/4 TANK OF FUEL LEFT. PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A DEFECT IN FUEL SENDING UNIT. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND REPAIRS WERE MADE AT CONSUMER'S COST. ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPLACEMENT COSTS OF THE SENDING UNIT. …

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NHTSA ODI #894051

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2001

Seat Belts

CENTER REAR SEATBELT LOCKS IN THE RETRACTED POSITION MAKING THE SEATBELT INOPERATIVE. THE SAME PART HAS NOW FAILED TWICE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #750138

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2001

Structure

FRONT BUMPER IS TOO LOW AND STANDARD. RIGHT SIDE/ LEFT SIDE CONTRETE GRILL WILL TAKE FRONT BUMPER OFF COMPLETELY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #893693

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2001

Electrical SystemVisibility

THE PASSENGER WINDOW BROKE IN THE DOWN POSITION AND BECAME INOPERABLE. *YH

NHTSA ODI #562356

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2001

Visibility

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I RECENTLY HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR. MY WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT BURLINGTON VW LOCATED IN BURLINGTON, NJ ON JULY 13 TO TRY AND GET THIS FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD PUT THE WINDOW IN THE UP POSITION FOR ME, BUT IT WOULD BE A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE THEY COULD ACTUALLY FIX THE PROBLEM. ON JULY 14, I DECIDED TO GO TO A REPAIR SHOP (ANTHONYS CORNER INC., LOCATED IN MT. HOLLY, NJ) THAT COULD HOPEFULLY FIX THE PROBLEM MUCH SOONER. THE REPAIRMAN AT ANTHONYS PUT THE WINDOW IN THE UP POSITION AND ORDERED A NEW WINDOW REGULATOR FOR ME. ABOUT A WEEK LATER IT CAME TO MY ATTENTION THAT VW IS AWARE OF THIS COMMON PROBLEM, SO I WAS HOPEFUL THAT VW WOULD COVER THE COSTS OF THE REPAIR. I FILLED OUT THE CUSTOMER CARE FORM ON VW.COM JULY 24 EXPLAINING THE PROBLEM THAT I WAS HAVING. A VW CUSTOMER CARE REP LEFT ME A VOICE MAIL MESSAGE THE NEXT DAY, SO I FOLLOWED UP WITH THEM ON JULY 26. THE VW CUSTOMER CARE REP INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TO A VW DEALER FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, THUS REQUIRING ME TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE FOR SOMETHING I ALREADY KNEW WAS BROKE. IN ADDITION, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS THE ONLY WAY THEY WILL CONSIDER ASSISTING ME. I THEN CALLED BACK TO BURLINGTON VW ON JULY 26, AND SPOKE TO SOMEONE IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I WAS THEN TOLD THERE WAS KNOW NEED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THE PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. ADDITIONALLY, I WAS TOLD BY THE BURLINGTON VW REPAIRMAN THAT SINCE I HAVE OVER 36,000 MILES (VW GOOD-WILL PERIOD) VW WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. IN CONCLUSION, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM ANTHONYS JULY 27, LETTING ME KNOW THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR HAD COME IN. IN MY OPINION VW IS HIDING THE FACT THAT THIS MODEL YEAR (AND MAYBE OTHERS) HAVE DEFECTIVE WINDOW REGULATORS. MY OTHER WINDOWS MAKE NOISE OCCASIONALLY, SO I KNOW ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE ANOTHER WINDOW DROPS INTO THE DOOR.

NHTSA ODI #749515

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2001

Visibility

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WINDOW REGULATORS FAIL DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN SENDING GLASS CRASHING DOWN INSIDE THE DOOR WITH NO WARNING. THE PART IS BEING REPLACED WITH ONE THAT HAS BEEN REDESIGNED. VOLKSWAGEN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT HAS FAILED TO NOTIFY VEHICLE OWNERS. THIS IS A SAFTEY ISSUE. WHILE OPERATING A VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR IN BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS ONE SHOULD NOT EXPECT THE WINDOW TO FALL DOWN INSIDE THE DOOR. MY DEALER HAS STATED THAT THEY ARE REPLACING ATLEAST ONE A DAY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #749132

Official recalls

06V183000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

May 24, 2006

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND CRUISE CONTROLS, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING SAFETY RECALLS 03V-265 OR 04V-096.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2006. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

04V096000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Feb 20, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

Remedy: THIS RECALL HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY 06V-183. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD A REMEDY PERFORMED UNDER THIS RECALL SHOULD RETURN TO THEIR DEALER FOR THE REDESIGNED REMEDY. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

03V156000 · Equipment:other:labels

Apr 23, 2003

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.8L VR6 ENGINES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE PUBLISHED ON THE LABEL FOR TIRES OF THE SIZE 205/50 R15 86H IS 0.1 BAR (1.45 PSI) TOO LOW. IT SHOULD BE 2.5 BAR (36.3 PSI). THE LABEL RECOMMENDS 2.4 BAR (34.8 PSI = 35 PSI).

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: UNDER INFLATED TIRES CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING, AND DRIVING WITH SUBSTANTIALY UNDER INFLATED TIRES PUTS THE CONSUMER AT A RISK FOR A CRASH.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS, OR A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL IF THE OWNER WISHES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 29, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VW AT 1-800-893-5298.

02V026000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Jan 25, 2002

ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK CAN SUFFER ABRASION DAMAGE IF THE REAR TIRE GOES FLAT AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNTIL THE TIRE DISINTEGRATES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL FIT PASSAT VEHICLES WITH A NEW WHEEL HOUSE LINER THAT WILL BETTER PROTECT THE CAR'S FILLER NECK. JETTA VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH A DIFFERENT METAL SHIELD DESIGNED TO ENHANCE ABRASION PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF TIRE DISINTEGRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

99V251000 · Structure:frame And Members

Sep 17, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE HEAD INJURY CRITERION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THE UPPER RETAINER CLIP NEAR THE BP1 IMPACT LOCATION IS DESIGNED TO BREAK WHEN IMPACTED BY THE HEAD FORM. IN SOME CASES, THE MATERIAL OF THE TRIM PART MAY BE MORE IMPACT RESISTANT AS A RESULT OF VARIATIONS IN THE MOLDING PROCESS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT THE CLIP FROM BREAKING ON IMPACT AND RESULT IN LESS DEFORMATION IN THE IMPACTED AREA AND A HIGHER DECLERATION OF THE HEAD FORM, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE TRIM COVER FROM EACH OF THE B PILLARS AND INSTALL A NEW COVER.

99V022000 · Structure:frame And Members

Feb 5, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOUND ABSORBING MAT ATTACHED TO THE INSIDE OF THE B-PILLAR SIDE TRIM PANEL COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. SURFACE AND EDGES OF THE MAT COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS. IT COULD IGNITE WHEN EXPOSED TO THE EXHAUST GAS OF THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER IGNITER IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE FRONT OR SIDE COLLISION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE MATTING MATERIALS FROM INSIDE THE B-PILLAR ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

RQ06004 · Brake Light Switch Failure

Opened Feb 28, 2006 · Closed Aug 7, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

BY LETTERS DATED MAY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 4, 2006, VOLKSWAGEN (VW) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO 06V-183) INVOLVING MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND 1999-2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN?S RECALL COVERS 646,246 VEHICLES.PREVIOUSLY, VW RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096) THAT WAS UNIQUE TO VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.BASED ON VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

RQ03010 · Brake Light Switch

Opened Dec 17, 2003 · Closed Mar 1, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

THE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND MANUFACTURER FAILURE REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING AND OR INACCURATE INFORMATION.THE INJURY NOTED ABOVE WAS MINOR.ON FEBRUARY 26, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC. (VW) SUBMITTED A DEFECT NOTIFICATION (PER 49CFR573) TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) ADVISING THAT CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 - 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES MANUFACUTURED WITH THE SAME BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AS RECALLED UNDER 03V-265 (MY 1998-2002 NEW BEETLE) ARE AFFECTED BY A SAFETY DEFECT.SPECIFICALLY, IF THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD FAIL TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, OR COULD STAY ILLUMINATED CONTINUALLY EVEN WHEN THE BRAKES ARE NOT APPLIED.EITHER CONDITION RESULTS IN THE INABILITY OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOTIFY OTHER MOTORISTS OF VEHICLE BRAKING, THUS INCREASING THE RISK OF A REAR END COLLISION AND OCCUPANT INJURY.ACCORDINGLY, VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING JETTA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 1998 TO NOVEMBER 2001 TO INSPECT AND REPLACE FREE OF CHARGE ANY AFFECTED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES.THE RECALL PROGRAM, VW CODE WX, WILL COMMENCE IN APRIL 2004.

EA00028 · Fuel Tank Puncture

Opened Dec 28, 2000 · Closed Jan 29, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

No summary supplied.

PE00033 · Fuel Tank Puncture

Opened Aug 10, 2000 · Closed Dec 28, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON AUGUST 10, 2000 BASED ON 9 REPORTS REGARDING PUNCTURED FUEL TANKS INVOLVING THE JETTA, PASSAT, AND CABRIO MODELS.THE REPORTS INDICATE ADDITIONAL REPORTS IN ITS RESPONSE TO THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED FOR FURTHER STUDY.

PE99007 · Passenger Compartment Fire

Opened Jan 29, 1999 · Closed Feb 8, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other

IN ITS LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 4, 1999, VOLKSWAGEN STATED THAT IT WILL RECALL APPROXIMATELY 23,600 REDESIGNED 1999 JETTA AND GOLF 4-DOOR VEHICLES, OF WHICH APPROXIMATELY 11,000 HAVE BEEN SOLD TO CUSTOMERS, TO CORRECT A DEFECT THATMAY CAUSE A FIRE IN THE PASSENGEER COMPARTMENT AFTER A VEHICLE COLLISION.A SOUND INSULATION MATERIAL ATTACHED TO THE INSIDE OF THE B-PILLAR TRIM PANEL COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED.IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION SEVERE ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER, THE HOT EXHAUST GAS FROM THE PRETENSIONER COULD IGNITE THE INSULATION MATERIAL IF IT IS TOO CLOSE TO THE PRETENSIONER.VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE INSULATION MATERIAL FROM THE B-PILLARS.