NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
50 reportsClear category filter84,000 miles · Oct 12, 2006
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER BY POLICE AND INFORMED THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. THE 3 BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE IN RAPID SUCCESSION AND REQUIRED THAT THE BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN AUGUST. THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED INTERMITTENTLY, AS WELL AS, THE LIGHTING IN TH…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER BY POLICE AND INFORMED THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. THE 3 BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE IN RAPID SUCCESSION AND REQUIRED THAT THE BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN AUGUST. THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED INTERMITTENTLY, AS WELL AS, THE LIGHTING IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BY THE HEAT SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT INFORMED THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 06V183000 FOR THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS: SWITCH DUE TO THE VIN, ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEMS WERE SIMILAR.
NHTSA ODI #10170672
92,000 miles · Oct 5, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
WAY TO MANY TO LIST HERE. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS FROM THE START. MORE THAN $7000 WORTH OF REPAIR (PLUS MORE THAT WAS COVERED BY WARR) THE FINAL ITEM THAT CAUSED ME TO SAY I WOULD NEVER CONSIDER ANOTHER VW PRODUCT WAS THE ENGINE DAMAGE CAUSED BY A TIMING BELT FAILURE. ALL SERVICES WERE PERFORMED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE USERS MANUAL …
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WAY TO MANY TO LIST HERE. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS FROM THE START. MORE THAN $7000 WORTH OF REPAIR (PLUS MORE THAT WAS COVERED BY WARR) THE FINAL ITEM THAT CAUSED ME TO SAY I WOULD NEVER CONSIDER ANOTHER VW PRODUCT WAS THE ENGINE DAMAGE CAUSED BY A TIMING BELT FAILURE. ALL SERVICES WERE PERFORMED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE USERS MANUAL STATES INSPECTION OF THE BELT AT SERVICES (THAT I PAID FOR) AND REPLACEMENT AT 120,000 MILES. I ONLY HAD 92,000 MILES. IT WILL COST $5,000 TO REPAIR THE ENGINE. IT IS NOT COST EFFECTIVE TO REPAIR THIS CAR. IT WAS A GREAT CAR TO DRIVE BUT QUALITY CONTROL IS POOR AT BEST. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10170044
45,000 miles · Sep 15, 2006
Exterior Lighting
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWICE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #06V183000 REGARDING EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 10/0/406. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10168406
58,975 miles · Sep 8, 2006
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE. I TURNED OFF MY CAR WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION. I READ THE MANUAL, AND IT WAS NOT HELPFUL. IT JUST STATED THAT I SHOULD TAKE THE CAR TO A DEALER OR QUALIFIED SPECIALIST AS SOON AS POSSIBLE (NOTE: THIS IS WHAT THE BOOKLET SAYS FOR THE MAJORITY OF ITEMS IN THE OWNERS' …
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THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE. I TURNED OFF MY CAR WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION. I READ THE MANUAL, AND IT WAS NOT HELPFUL. IT JUST STATED THAT I SHOULD TAKE THE CAR TO A DEALER OR QUALIFIED SPECIALIST AS SOON AS POSSIBLE (NOTE: THIS IS WHAT THE BOOKLET SAYS FOR THE MAJORITY OF ITEMS IN THE OWNERS' MANUAL). UPON RETURNING TO MY VEHICLE, I STARTED MY CAR ONCE MORE. MY ENGINE TURNED OVER, BUT THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT FROM PARK INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO AN AUTO SHOP. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE AUTO SHOP INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR HAD A "FEATURE" THAT DISABLED THE CAR FROM SHIFTING GEARS DUE TO A TAIL-LIGHT FUSE THAT BLEW OUT. IT IS BELIEVED THAT DISABLING THE VEHICLE SERVES THE PURPOSE OF MAINTAINING SAFETY ON THE STREETS- A VEHICLE IN MOTION WITHOUT TAILLIGHTS IS APPARENTLY MORE DANGEROUS THAN A DRIVER STRANDED ON THE ROAD BECAUSE THEIR CAR HAS STRANDED THEM. LUCKILY, I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH NOT TO BE IN A BAD SITUATION. SO FINALLY, THE CAR WAS FIXED, OF COURSE AFTER I PAID YET ANOTHER HEFTY BILL FOR MY CAR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10167711
51,000 miles · Aug 29, 2006
Exterior Lighting
I OWN A 2002 JETTA 1.8T MANUAL SPEED WAGON PURCHASED ON 3/31/06. LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY, MY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED. THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS RECALLS ON 2002 JETTA'S WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART, HOWEVER MY CAR'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL. AS THERE ARE FEW MANUAL WAGONS PRODUCED AND MANUAL TRANS…
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I OWN A 2002 JETTA 1.8T MANUAL SPEED WAGON PURCHASED ON 3/31/06. LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY, MY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED. THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS RECALLS ON 2002 JETTA'S WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART, HOWEVER MY CAR'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL. AS THERE ARE FEW MANUAL WAGONS PRODUCED AND MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS SEEM TO DECREASE THE FAILURE SLIGHTLY, THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THIS CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IS THE SAME PART AS THE RECALLED 2002 JETTAS AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL OR AT LEAST BE REQUIRED TO BE REPLACED BY VW AS IT IS A KNOWN FAULTY PART. I WOULD LIKE TO INCLUDE MY VIN ON THE RECALL AS IT IS USING THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART (AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES). *NM
NHTSA ODI #10166965
46,841 miles · Aug 16, 2006
Exterior Lighting
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED, WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS ON OR OFF. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V096000, REGARDING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
NHTSA ODI #10165654
80,000 miles · Aug 16, 2006
Exterior Lighting
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V183000, REGARDING THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS: SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN .
NHTSA ODI #10165609
Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2006
Exterior Lighting
I OWN A 2002 VW JETTA. RECENTLY, THE BRAKE LIGHT HAS BECOME INOPERATIVE AT TIMES AND REMAINS ON EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT RUNNING. I HAVE COMPLETED SEVERAL SEARCHES ONLINE AND HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE SAFETY RECALLS FOR 2002 JETTA'S EXHIBITING THE SAME PROBLEM, WITH THE POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED TO…
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I OWN A 2002 VW JETTA. RECENTLY, THE BRAKE LIGHT HAS BECOME INOPERATIVE AT TIMES AND REMAINS ON EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT RUNNING. I HAVE COMPLETED SEVERAL SEARCHES ONLINE AND HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE SAFETY RECALLS FOR 2002 JETTA'S EXHIBITING THE SAME PROBLEM, WITH THE POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED TO BE 377,130 IN 2004 AND 362,000 EARLIER THIS YEAR. WHEN I CONTACTED THE VW DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS LOOKED AT I WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE AS A RESULT OF THE RECENT RECALL. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP ON THE DAY OF THE SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT I WAS TOLD OTHERWISE. THE GENTLEMAN AT THE DEALERSHIP MENTIONED THAT MY VEHICLE DID NOT FALL IN THE VIN RANGE OF THE RECALL. I THEN CALLED VW OF AMERICA AND WAS TOLD ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THAT INDEED THE REPAIR WOULD BE COVERED FREE OF CHARGE. I THEN CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO RESCHEDULE THE APPOINTMENT AND WAS AGAIN TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSTICS TO BE COMPLETED ON MY VEHICLE AS WELL AS COVERING THE CHARGES FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THE ISSUE REMAINS THAT MY BRAKE LIGHT IS MALFUNCTIONING, THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL WHICH IMPACTS 2002 JETTA'S BUT I SEEM TO GET CONFLICTING INFORMATION FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES. CAN SOMEONE HELP? *JB
NHTSA ODI #10163768
Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2006
Exterior Lighting
TURN SIGNAL UNIT CLICKING AT TWICE THE SPEED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN TURN SIGNAL IS NOT EVEN TURNED ON. LIGHTS HAVE NEVER BEEN ACTUATED YET, BUT VW DEALER TOLD ME IT COULD HAPPEN AS MALFUNCTION PROGRESSES. VEHICLE ONLY 4 YEARS OLD WITH 88 000 KMS. NO RECALL BY MANUFACTURER YET, ALTHOUGH DEALER TOLD ME IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. COS…
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TURN SIGNAL UNIT CLICKING AT TWICE THE SPEED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN TURN SIGNAL IS NOT EVEN TURNED ON. LIGHTS HAVE NEVER BEEN ACTUATED YET, BUT VW DEALER TOLD ME IT COULD HAPPEN AS MALFUNCTION PROGRESSES. VEHICLE ONLY 4 YEARS OLD WITH 88 000 KMS. NO RECALL BY MANUFACTURER YET, ALTHOUGH DEALER TOLD ME IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. COST OF REPLACEMENT FOR STEERING STALK FLASHER UNIT IS 250 DOLLARS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10161393
61,000 miles · Jun 29, 2006
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
7TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. CAR IS IMMOBILIZED BY A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH - HAS HAPPENED EVERY SIX MONTHS SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10161081
Official recalls
5Feb 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.
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
7RQ06004 · 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.
EA04010 · Driver Side Front Seat Overheats
Opened Mar 30, 2004 · Closed Oct 21, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
THIS INVESTIGATION CONCERNS THE ELECTRIC SEAT HEATER INSTALLED IN SOME MY 2002-2003 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) JETTA VEHICLES.CONSUMERS ALLEGE THAT THE SEAT HEATER MAY OVERHEAT, RESULTING IN BURN DAMAGE TO THE SEAT COVER AND TO THE DRIVER'S CLOTHING AND/OR SKIN.THIS EA ADDRESSES WHETHER SUCH FAILURES MAY POSE A RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.ODI CONCLUDES THAT THE DRIVER-SIDE SEAT HEATER MAY FAIL OR MALFUNCTION DUE TO NORMAL VEHICLE USE, (I.E., DRIVER INGRESS AND EGRESS FROM THE VEHICLE).THE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT SUCH FAILURES DO NOT POSE A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF INJURY OR FIRE.ODI BELIEVES THAT FURTHER INVESTIGATION WOULD NOT LIKELY IDENTIFY A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND.THEREFORE, THIS EA HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.THE ATTACHED SUMMARY REPORT PROVIDES FURTHER DETAIL CONCERNING THIS EA.
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.
PE03052 · Driver Seat Overheats/burns
Opened Nov 19, 2003 · Closed Mar 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ELECTRICALLY HEATED DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS.INFORMATION RECEIVED DURING PE03-052 DISCLOSED A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF INCIDENTS OF MALFUNCTIONING/OVERHEATING OF THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ADDITIONAL INCIDENTS MAY OCCUR DURING THE FINAL MONTHS OF THE WINTER SEASON.THIS MATTER IS ALSO CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED BY TRANSPORT CANADA.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-010)IN ORDER TO FULLY INVESTIGATE THESE OCCURRENCES AND THEIR SAFETY IMPLICATIONS.
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