NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
117 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Nov 27, 2005
Electrical System
THE IGNITION COILS ON MY 2001 V6 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA FAILED. WHILE VOLKSWAGEN HAD ANNOUNCED A RECALL ON ALL V6 2001 JETTAS, MY CAR'S VIN WAS FOR SOME REASON NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I SPENT $845 FIXING THE PROBLEM AND SUBSEQUENTLY HAD TO CHANGE THE IGNITION WIRE SET - SOMETHING THAT WAS BROUGHT ON BY THE FAILURE OF THE COILS. TH…
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THE IGNITION COILS ON MY 2001 V6 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA FAILED. WHILE VOLKSWAGEN HAD ANNOUNCED A RECALL ON ALL V6 2001 JETTAS, MY CAR'S VIN WAS FOR SOME REASON NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I SPENT $845 FIXING THE PROBLEM AND SUBSEQUENTLY HAD TO CHANGE THE IGNITION WIRE SET - SOMETHING THAT WAS BROUGHT ON BY THE FAILURE OF THE COILS. THE CAR WAS VERY UNSTABLE AND I WAS VERY SCARED TO EVEN DRIVE IT UNTIL MY APPOINTMENT WITH THE AUTO MECHANIC. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10143719
Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2005
Electrical SystemEquipment
I HAVE A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS VR6. IN APRIL OF 2003 I EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR WHERE ESPECIALLY IN WET CONDITIONS, THE CAR WOULD HESITATE AND MISFIRE THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD BLINK ON AND OFF. IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE BECAUSE IT WAS LOSING POWER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND…
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I HAVE A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS VR6. IN APRIL OF 2003 I EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR WHERE ESPECIALLY IN WET CONDITIONS, THE CAR WOULD HESITATE AND MISFIRE THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD BLINK ON AND OFF. IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE BECAUSE IT WAS LOSING POWER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS THE IGNITION COIL PACK WAS BAD. THEY EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS AN EXPENSIVE PART AND THAT IT WOULD COST OVER $1300.00 TO REPAIR AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT MANY SIMILAR VOLKSWAGENS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD A RECALL OUT ON THE COIL PACK. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY CLAIMED THAT MY ENGINE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL BUT THAT THEY WOULD GIVE ME A COURTESY AND COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. IN OCTOBER OF 2005 I BEGAN TO HAVE THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AGAIN. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AGAIN THEY DIAGNOSED THAT MY IGNITION COIL PACK WAS BAD. I AGAIN DID RESEARCH AND READ SEVERAL ARTICLES ONLINE THAT VW WAS RECALLING THE COIL PACK FOR MY PARTICULAR MODEL. I CONTACTED VW AND THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE IN THEIR SYSTEM, MY CAR DIDN'T QUALIFY. I EXPLAINED THAT THERE HAS ONLY BEEN ABOUT 20,000 MILES PUT ON THE CAR SINCE THE LAST OCCURANCE AND TO NO AVAIL WOULD THEY HELP ME OUT. THEY SAY THAT BECAUSE OF THE AGE AND MILEAGE ON MY CAR THEY WOULD NOT DO ANOTHER COURTESY AND BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE COIL PACK RECALL, IT WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHER FRIENDS WITH VW JETTAS THE SAME YEAR AS MINE AND THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY HASN'T VW LISTED MY CAR IN THE RECALL. HAVING THIS ISSUE TWICE IN THE SHORT LIFESPAN OF THE CAR SIGNALS THAT THERE IS A DEFAULT IN THE PART AND IT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE MANUFACTURER. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10142854
42,400 miles · Oct 26, 2005
Electrical System
MY 2001 VW JETTA HAS BEEN IN THE VW SHOP 7 TIMES FOR FAILED COILS THEY FIX IT AND ABOUT 4 MONTHS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE ENGINE RUNS ROUGH. THEY ALWAYS SAY IF THE PART FAILS THEY WILL REPLACE FOR FREE, SEEMS EVERYTIME WE TAKE IT IN THEY CLAIM SOMETHING ELSE CAUSED IT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10140806
85,300 miles · Sep 26, 2005
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
82,5310.00 JUST REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD SOME TYPE OF AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM FROM THE BEGINNING. CD PLAYER AND STEREO. CD LCD PANEL WOULD SAY NO CD IN WHICH YOU WOULD HAVE A CD IN THE JACKET IF YOU KEPT PUSHING THE BUTTON SOMETIMES IT WOULD WORK. AT TIMES YOU CAN ONLY READ HALF THE CALL LETTERS FO…
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82,5310.00 JUST REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD SOME TYPE OF AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM FROM THE BEGINNING. CD PLAYER AND STEREO. CD LCD PANEL WOULD SAY NO CD IN WHICH YOU WOULD HAVE A CD IN THE JACKET IF YOU KEPT PUSHING THE BUTTON SOMETIMES IT WOULD WORK. AT TIMES YOU CAN ONLY READ HALF THE CALL LETTERS FOR STATIONS. ROLLING DOWN BACK OF THE WINDOWS YOU WOULD HEAR A VERY LOUD PRESSURE THUMPING NOISE. SO LOUD YOU COULD NOT ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW IN THE BACK. WHEN YOU WOULD TAKE THE CAR IN. MECHANIC'S ALWAYS SAID, IT WAS BASICALLY OUR IMAGINATION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10137595
41,500 miles · Sep 19, 2005
Electrical System
2001 VW JETTA 1.8T ALL IGNITION COILS HAVE FAILED AND THERE ARE NONE AVAILABLE IN USA TODAY TO REPLACE. APPARENTLY THIS IS SUCH A PROBLEM FOR 2001 JETTA'S. VW CAN NOT KEEP THEM IN STOCK. REPEAT THERE ARE NONE AS OF 09/19/2005 IN USA TO REPLACE THIS VERY COMMON PROBLEM. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10136969
55,766 miles · Aug 30, 2005
Electrical System
2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA IGNITION COILS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A SHORT.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE SEVERAL INCIDENTS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE RUNNING ROUGH. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10135612
90,000 miles · Aug 17, 2005
Electrical System
YESTERDAY MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VR6 STARTED SHAKING SLIGHTLY WHEN I STARTED IT AND AT FIRST I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT, BUT AS SOON AS I GOT OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT I WAS IN THE MIL LIGHT (MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT) CAME ON AND EMISSION WORKSHOP STARTED BLINKING ON THE LITTLE SCREEN ON MY DASH. THERE WAS A MAJOR LOSS OF POWER…
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YESTERDAY MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VR6 STARTED SHAKING SLIGHTLY WHEN I STARTED IT AND AT FIRST I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT, BUT AS SOON AS I GOT OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT I WAS IN THE MIL LIGHT (MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT) CAME ON AND EMISSION WORKSHOP STARTED BLINKING ON THE LITTLE SCREEN ON MY DASH. THERE WAS A MAJOR LOSS OF POWER WHEN DRIVING THE CAR, I HAD TO NURSE IT HOME! I HAVE BEEN READING UP ON THESE ISSUES AND APPARENTLY FOR VWS AND AUDI'S (CERTAIN MODELS) OF THE YEARS 2001-2003 HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION COIL. THE SAD THING IS, WHEN YOU ACTUALLY CALL THE VW SERVICE NUMBER THEY ASK FOR YOUR VIN AND IF YOUR VEHICLE ISN'T IN THE SPAN FOR THAT RECALL THEY DO NOTHING TO HELP YOU. YET THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE WORKING ON FIXING THE IGNITION COIL PROBLEM WITH ALL 2001-2003 MODELS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10133161
Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2005
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train
EARLIER THIS YEAR, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON MY 2001 VW JETTA. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THIS. HOWEVER, WITHIN THE LAST MONTH, THE AUTOMATIC SHIFT LOCK (ASL) HAS NOT ALLOWED ME TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. USUALLY, I AM ABLE TO WAIT A MINUTE AND THE ASL LIGHT WILL GO OFF, OR I TURN OFF THE …
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EARLIER THIS YEAR, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON MY 2001 VW JETTA. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THIS. HOWEVER, WITHIN THE LAST MONTH, THE AUTOMATIC SHIFT LOCK (ASL) HAS NOT ALLOWED ME TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. USUALLY, I AM ABLE TO WAIT A MINUTE AND THE ASL LIGHT WILL GO OFF, OR I TURN OFF THE CAR OR FIDDLE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. HOWEVER, THREE TIMES THIS PAST WEEK I HAVE GOTTEN STUCK AND HAVE HAD TO ABANDON THE CAR TEMPORARILY. THE LAST TIME, I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET IT OUT OF PARK AND DRIVE IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC (I HAD AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY DEALERSHIP, BUT I COULDN'T GET IN FOR A WEEK). HE NOTICED THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE OUT AGAIN, AND BELIEVES THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT MALFUNCTION MAY BE RELATED TO THE ASL MALFUNCTION. THIS MAY EXPLAIN WHY THE ELECTRONIC POWER CONTROL (EPC) LIGHT TURNS ON WHENEVER THE ASL LIGHT TURNS ON, AS IT INDICATES A PROBLEM IN THE ELECTRONICS. THE LOCAL MECHANIC IS CURRENTLY EXAMINING THE PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10131230
39,215 miles · Aug 2, 2005
Electrical System
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE LIGHTS STAYING ON. ALSO HAD A LOSS POWER ISSUE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED. AFTER THE CAR LEFT THE DEALERSHIP IT RAN FINE FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS. THEN THE PROBLEM RECURRED. . THE LIGHTS WERE COMING BACK ON, AND THE…
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DT: THE CONSUMER STATED 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE LIGHTS STAYING ON. ALSO HAD A LOSS POWER ISSUE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED. AFTER THE CAR LEFT THE DEALERSHIP IT RAN FINE FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS. THEN THE PROBLEM RECURRED. . THE LIGHTS WERE COMING BACK ON, AND THE CAR WAS STILL LOSING POWER. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE. THE WAS KEPT IN THE SHOP FOR THREE WEEKS. THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY BOTH TIMES WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER THOUGHT THAT THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT FIXING THE CAR CORRECTLY. THE FIRST TIME THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 5 MPH. THEN SECOND TIME IT WOULD NOT GO OVER 60 MPH, THEN IT TOOK MORE TIME THAN USUAL TO GET UP TO 60 MPH. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED AT THIS POINT. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL . *AK
NHTSA ODI #10131003
45,000 miles · Aug 2, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLX VR6. VW RELEASED A RECALL ONLINE STATING RECALL ON ALL 2001 COIL PACKS. MY COIL PACK ARC'ED AS DEALER CALLS IT. ARC BURNED UP IGNITION WIRES, SPARK PLUGS AND ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. DEALER WANTED $900 TO REPLACE FAULTY COIL PACK AND IGNITION WIRES AND PLUGS. COIL PACK NOT ONLY WENT OUT BUT TOOK OUT…
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2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLX VR6. VW RELEASED A RECALL ONLINE STATING RECALL ON ALL 2001 COIL PACKS. MY COIL PACK ARC'ED AS DEALER CALLS IT. ARC BURNED UP IGNITION WIRES, SPARK PLUGS AND ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. DEALER WANTED $900 TO REPLACE FAULTY COIL PACK AND IGNITION WIRES AND PLUGS. COIL PACK NOT ONLY WENT OUT BUT TOOK OUT MULTIPLE PARTS. DEALERSHIP DIDN'T CARE ABOUT THE PROBLEM NOR DID VWOA. THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM HERE I HAVE READ 1,000 OF SIMILAR CLAIMS FROM JETTA OWNERS ONLINE. RECALL SHOULD BE MADE AND DRIVERS SHOULD BE REPAID FOR REPAIRS MADE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10130952
Official recalls
6Feb 20, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
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 APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. 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.
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.
Dec 16, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HAZARD SWITCH AND FLASHER SYSTEM FUNCTION MAY DEGRADE OVER TIME BECAUSE OF DISTORTION AND MATERIAL TRANSFER OF THE CONTACTS OF CERTAIN HAZARD SWITCH RELAYS WHICH OCCURS DUE TO SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED ELECTRICAL CURRENT LOAD FROM HIGHER WATTAGE TURN SIGNAL BULBS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER FUNCTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
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.
Sep 12, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." CHILD SEAT ANCHORAGES INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE'S REAR SEATS MUST BE IDENTIFIED BY MARKINGS, AND THEIR LOCATION AND USE BE DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT MARKED OR DESCRIBED AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND ALSO ONE SET OF FOUR GUIDANCE FIXTURES INTENDED TO USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHILD SEATS EQUIPPED WITH RIGID OR SEMI-RIGID LOWER ANCHORAGE ATTACHMENTS. ALSO ENCLOSED WILL BE FOUR DECALS TOGETHER WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND A TEMPLATE FOR ATTACHING THE DECALS TO THE LOWER SEAT BACKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN SEPTEMBER 15, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
Jan 31, 2002
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 8, 2002. 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.
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
5RQ06004 · 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
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.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
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.
DP05004 · Engine Stalling
Opened Aug 11, 2005 · Closed Dec 8, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:ignition:module
BY LETTER RECEIVED ON JUNE 24, 2005, MR. RONALD M. STRICKLAND OF RALEIGH, NC, SUBMITTED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE IGNITION COIL PLUGS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, GOLF AND PASSAT SEDANS.THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE STALLING EVENTS AS A RESULT OF ONE OR MORE IGNITION COIL PLUGS MALFUNCTIONING ON HIS 2002 VW JETTA SEDAN.AS A RESULT OF THE ENGINE STALLING, THE PETITIONER EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORTS WHEN HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.AFTER A FEW MINUTES PARKED ON THE SHOULDER HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE OPERATED AT REDUCED POWER.VW ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (CSC) ON JANUARY 31, 2003 TO INSTRUCT THEIR DEALERSHIPS TO INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ANY MALFUNCTIONING IGNITION COIL PACKS AND TO REPLACE THEM AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER.CONSUMERS WERE NOTIFIED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERSHIPS VIA OWNER LETTERS MAILED OUT ON JUNE 6, 2003.WHILE VW INITIALLY INSTRUCTED THE DEALERSHIPS TO ONLY REPLACE THE MALFUNCTIONING IGNITION COIL PACKS, A REVISED CSC WAS ISSUED TO DEALERSHIPS IN DECEMBER 2003 AND JANUARY 2004, INSTRUCTING DEALERSHIPS TO REPLACE ALL IGNITION COIL PACKS REGARDLESS OF THEIR PERFORMANCE.A REMINDER TO THE DEALERSHIPS WAS SENT BY VW ON APRIL OF 2004.ALTHOUGH THE CONCERNS OF THE PETITIONER COULD THEORETICALLY CREATE A SAFETY PROBLEM, THE RISK IS VERY SMALL, DUE TO THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING ON EITHER 3, 5, OR 7 CYLINDERS.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR INJURIES DUE TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ONCE DRIVERS ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM (LOSS OF POWER DUE TO ONE OF THE IGNITION COIL PACKS MALFUNCTIONING), DRIVERS ARE ABLE TO TAKE PRECAUTIONARY AND COMPENSATORY MEASURES AND STILL MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THEIR VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, FOUR FIRES WERE REPORTED TO ODI.THESE WERE IGNITION COIL BURNOUTS WITH NO ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND WERE LOCALIZED ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. DURING THE LAST 24 MONTHS THE NUMBER OF STALL AND DRIVABILITY COMPLAINTS REPORTED TO ODI HAS GREATLY DIMINISHED FROM A PEAK OF 195 IN JANUARY OF 2003 TO ONLY 3 IN AUGUST OF 2005.THIS COINCIDES WITH THE CSC RELEASED BY VW.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
PE04081 · Inadvertent SIDE-AIRBAG Deployment
Opened Dec 16, 2004 · Closed Apr 1, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH SIDE-THORAX AND SIDE-HEAD CURTAIN AIRBAGS TO PROTECT THE FRONT AND REAR OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A SIDE-IMPACT CRASH.THIS INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIED A TOTAL OF 499 REPORTS (482 OWNERS REPORTS AND 17 WARRANTY CLAIMS).THE CRASH SENSING SYSTEM?S ALGORITHM MAY RECOGNIZE CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS (WHEEL, TIRE AND UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS) AS DEPLOYABLE EVENTS.THE 97 ALLEGED INJURIES WERE MINOR IN NATURE AND CONSIST OF ABRASIONS, BRUISES, EAR RINGING AND HEADACHES.THERE WAS NO ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL CRASH AS A RESULT OF SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.ODI ALSO OBTAINED COUNTS OF ALLEGED INADVERTENT SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS FROM PEER MANUFACTURERS.THE DATA SHOWS THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE NOT UNIQUE IN BEING SUBJECT TO SUCH ALLEGATIONS.THE COMPLAINT RATE FOR NON-SUBJECT INDIVIDUAL MODEL VEHICLES VARIES WIDELY.THE RATE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS COMPARABLE TO THREE PEER MODELS, EACH WITH COMPACT CHASSIS/WHEELBASES.ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED ANY COMPONENT FAILURE OR MANUFACTURING TREND THAT MAY RELATE TO A COMPONENT OR MANUFACTURING ISSUE.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
PE04073 · Turn Signal/hazard Flasher Failure
Opened Oct 19, 2004 · Closed Dec 16, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights; Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:flasher Unit
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON OCTOBER 19, 2004, BASED ON NINE REPORTS ON 2000 THROUGH 2001 JETTA AND GTI VEHICLES ALLEGING THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND OR HAZARD FLASHERS FAIL TO BLINK, OR FLASH.SOME OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD BLINK ONLY A FEW TIMES AND THEN STOP.SEVERAL OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT HAVING THE HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH REPLACED REPAIRED THEIR VEHICLES.BY LETTER OF DECEMBER 13, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 350,000 MODEL YEAR 2000 THROUGH 2002 JETTA, GOLF AND GTI VEHICLES TO REPAIR THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER SYSTEM.VW REPORTS 216 OWNER REPORTS, 4 FIELD REPORTS AND 4960 WARRANTY CLAIMS ON THIS POPULATION OF VEHICLES. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT TO REMEDY THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V584 FOR DETAILS.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON OCTOBER 19, 2004, BASED ON NINE REPORTS ON 2000 THROUGH 2001 JETTA AND GTI VEHICLES ALLEGING THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND OR HAZARD FLASHERS FAIL TO BLINK, OR FLASH.SOME OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD BLINK ONLY A FEW TIMES AND THEN STOP.SEVERAL OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT HAVING THE HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH REPLACED REPAIRED THEIR VEHICLES.BY LETTER OF DECEMBER 13, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 350,000 MODEL YEAR 2000 THROUGH 2002 JETTA, GOLF AND GTI VEHICLES TO REPAIR THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER SYSTEM.VW REPORTS 216 OWNER REPORTS, 4 FIELD REPORTS AND 4960 WARRANTY CLAIMS ON THIS POPULATION OF VEHICLES. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT TO REMEDY THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V584 FOR DETAILS.
Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON OCTOBER 19, 2004, BASED ON NINE REPORTS ON 2000 THROUGH 2001 JETTA AND GTI VEHICLES ALLEGING THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND OR HAZARD FLASHERS FAIL TO BLINK, OR FLASH.SOME OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD BLINK ONLY A FEW TIMES AND THEN STOP.SEVERAL OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT HAVING THE HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH REPLACED REPAIRED THEIR VEHICLES.BY LETTER OF DECEMBER 13, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 350,000 MODEL YEAR 2000 THROUGH 2002 JETTA, GOLF AND GTI VEHICLES TO REPAIR THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER SYSTEM.VW REPORTS 216 OWNER REPORTS, 4 FIELD REPORTS AND 4960 WARRANTY CLAIMS ON THIS POPULATION OF VEHICLES. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT TO REMEDY THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V584 FOR DETAILS.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:flasher Unit
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON OCTOBER 19, 2004, BASED ON NINE REPORTS ON 2000 THROUGH 2001 JETTA AND GTI VEHICLES ALLEGING THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND OR HAZARD FLASHERS FAIL TO BLINK, OR FLASH.SOME OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD BLINK ONLY A FEW TIMES AND THEN STOP.SEVERAL OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT HAVING THE HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH REPLACED REPAIRED THEIR VEHICLES.BY LETTER OF DECEMBER 13, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 350,000 MODEL YEAR 2000 THROUGH 2002 JETTA, GOLF AND GTI VEHICLES TO REPAIR THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER SYSTEM.VW REPORTS 216 OWNER REPORTS, 4 FIELD REPORTS AND 4960 WARRANTY CLAIMS ON THIS POPULATION OF VEHICLES. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT TO REMEDY THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V584 FOR DETAILS.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON OCTOBER 19, 2004, BASED ON NINE REPORTS ON 2000 THROUGH 2001 JETTA AND GTI VEHICLES ALLEGING THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND OR HAZARD FLASHERS FAIL TO BLINK, OR FLASH.SOME OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD BLINK ONLY A FEW TIMES AND THEN STOP.SEVERAL OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT HAVING THE HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH REPLACED REPAIRED THEIR VEHICLES.BY LETTER OF DECEMBER 13, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 350,000 MODEL YEAR 2000 THROUGH 2002 JETTA, GOLF AND GTI VEHICLES TO REPAIR THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER SYSTEM.VW REPORTS 216 OWNER REPORTS, 4 FIELD REPORTS AND 4960 WARRANTY CLAIMS ON THIS POPULATION OF VEHICLES. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT TO REMEDY THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V584 FOR DETAILS.
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.
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