Electrical System. Review the 148 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 108 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 104 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

31 crash reports71 fire reports69 injury reports

What owners actually said

702 reports

64,000 miles · Dec 31, 2011

Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

DRIVER SIDE LOCK SWITCH, UNABLE TO LOCK MY 02 JETTA WITH REMOTE KEY. INTERIOR LIGHT ON THE DRIVER DOOR CONSTANTLY STAYS ON. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10441937

80,000 miles · Dec 30, 2011

Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND SHIFTING HARD BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD. THIS OCCURRENCE IS DUE TO A FAULTY TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT AND TRANSMISSION SOLENOID. IF NOT PROPERLY TAKEN CARE OF THIS MIGHT CAUSE A TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND ULTIMATELY A TRANSMISSION CRASH. THIS MEANS A NEW TRANSMISSION AND THE COST CAN RANGE FROM 3000…

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NHTSA ODI #10441753

143,050 miles · Dec 17, 2011

Electrical SystemSeatsFire

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WHILE DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT, MY SON AND I SMELLED SMOKE. WE EXITED THE VEHICLE, CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD, BUT FOUND NOTHING. WE CONTINUED HOME AND PARKED IN THE GARAGE. STILL SMELLING SMOKE, WE RE-INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE AN ORIGIN OR ANY VISIBLE EVIDENCE. BOTH SEAT HEATERS WERE ON DURING THE DRIVE HOME, BUT THE SEATS SHOWED NO VISUAL SIGNS OF DAMAGE AFTER PARKING. NEXT MORNING WE OPENED THE VEHICLE TO DISCOVER THE CABIN WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE WITH AN APPROXIMATE 1?HOLE BURNED UP THRU THE PASSENGER SEAT ON THE LOWER RIGHT BOLSTER. APPARENTLY THE SEAT HEATER INITIATED A THERMAL EVENT WHICH ERUPTED IN A SEAT FIRE AFTER WE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. FORTUNATELY, THE FIRE DID NOT ENGULF THE VEHICLE OR IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT OUR HOME ON FIRE, RESULTING IN POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH TO MY FAMILY. I BELIEVE WE DODGED A BULLET BECAUSE THE SEAT FIRE DID NOT SUSTAIN ITSELF AND ENGULF THE VEHICLE. VW HAS AGREED TO REPAIR THE BURNED SEAT AT THEIR EXPENSE AND MAKE A MITIGATION REPAIR. HOWEVER, VW HAS DECLINED MY REQUEST TO COVER ANY SIMILAR MITIGATION REPAIR TO THE OTHER SEAT. IN OCTOBER 2004, THE NHTSA ODI CONCLUDED THAT ?DRIVER-SIDE SEAT HEATER MAY FAIL OR MALFUNCTION DUE TO NORMAL VEHICLE USE? BUT ?SUCH FAILURES DO NOT POSE A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF INJURY OR FIRE.? THE ODI STATED THE INVESTIGATION DID NOT CONCLUDE THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST AND THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. (EA04010) EVIDENCE AND REPORTS INDICATE THAT SEAT HEATER CAUSED THERMAL EVENTS IN BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS IN THE VW JETTA HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE FOR NEARLY 10 YEARS NOW. NEAR MISSES CONTINUE TO OCCUR. I BELIEVE THAT A SEAT FIRE IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN. I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE NHTSA TO RE-EXAMINE THE CIRCUMSTANCES TO DETERMINE IF FURTHER ACTION IS WARRANTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440242

139,110 miles · Dec 4, 2011

Power Train

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MY 2002 VW JETTA GLX (AUTOMATIC) HAS SEVERE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WHEN ACCELERATING, IT HESITATES AND THEN POPS INTO GEAR JERKING THE CAR. THIS IS VERY ALARMING AND DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY WHEN I AM ON THE ROAD WITH OTHER VEHICLES AROUND ME. I ALMOST HAD SEVERAL ACCIDENTS DUE TO TRYING TO PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC BUT THE TRANSMISSION IS SO UNRELIABLE AND SLIPS THEREBY CAUSING ME TO STALL IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THEN, TODAY THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR NEUTRAL AT ALL. I'VE SEEN SO MANY TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS YEAR'S MODEL AND IT IS SO UNFAIR FOR THE CONSUMER TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10438515

41,500 miles · Nov 21, 2011

Power Train

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION-WHEN SHIFTED INTO D-LAGS FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD-TRANSMISSION SHIFTS IN AN ODD MANNER-CAR ONLY HAS 43000 MILES ON IT-ORIGINAL MILES-. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436643

130,000 miles · Nov 19, 2011

Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT 35MPH THE TACHOMETER WILL INCREASE AND DECEASE AT 2000RPM'S AND CAR WILL SLIGHTLY INCREASE AND THEN DECREASE IN SPEED. THERE IS A JERKING BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR. ALSO THERE IS A SLIGHT DELAY OF MOVEMENT FROM PARK TO REVERSE. BOTH ARE SAFETY HAZARDS WHILE ON STREETS WITH TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436448

119,000 miles · Nov 7, 2011

Power Train

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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WHEN COLD WILL HESITATE OR NOT CATCH AT ALL WHEN PUTTING INTO DRIVE. PUTTING THE CAR INTO 1ST, THEN MOVING IT TO DRIVE WILL USUALLY WORK. SHUDDERS WHEN COMING TO STOP AFTER HEATING UP AT TIMES. MECHANIC SAYS IT NEEDS A TRANSMISSION REBUILD AT $3000. FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND CASCADING TO THE MASTER CONTROL MODULE CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION NOT TO LEAVE THE PARK POSITION, THAT TOW AND REPAIR WAS $300 ABOUT 30 DAYS AGO. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION FAILING REPEATEDLY, A FAULTY DESIGN. WE NEED A RECALL FROM VOLKSWAGEN TO FIX THIS DESIGN FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434774

Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2011

Electrical SystemPower TrainCrashInjury

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2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. CONSUMER WRITES TO EXPRESS DISCONTENT REGARDING REPAIRS AT LOCAL DEALER *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THREE DAYS AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, FOR MAINTENANCE WORK, THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE ALTERNATOR. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS INVOLVED IN A HIT-AND RUN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE REAR END IMPACT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER STATED EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, HE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. UPDATED 12/08/11

NHTSA ODI #10434489

120,000 miles · Oct 18, 2011

Power Train

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I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH 108000 MILES ON IT, I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD; HOWEVER NOW IT HAS BEEN GETTING WORST. I HAVE DONE TONS OF RESEARCH AND THE ISSUES SEEMS TO BE A ISSUE THAT IS MORE OF A RECALL ISSUE THAN JUST ONE CARE ISSUE. I ALSO DO NOT LIKE HOW VW OF AMERICA IS JUST FLUFFING IT OFF LIKE IT IS ALL THE OWNERS FAULTS. I ALSO HAVE READ THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE PAID FOR THE TRANSMISSIONS TO BE REPLACED AND OR FIXED FOR OVER 5K AND THE ISSUE COMES UP AGAIN, IT WOULD BE NICE IF SOMEONE WOULD TAKE AND LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE BECAUSE MANY OF US BOUGHT THE CAR BECAUSE THEY LIKED VW AND WILL SOON BE GETTING RID OF THEM AS WELL AS NO LONGER BUYING FROM VW DUE TO VW IGNORING OUR COMPLAINTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10430588

70 miles · Oct 17, 2011

Engine And Engine CoolingFire

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WE WERE TRAVELING 70 MPH ON A HIGHWAY IN OUR 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WAGON (GLS 1.8T) WHEN, WITHOUT WARNING, AN LOUD "POOF" SOUND WAS HEARD, THE CAR LOST ALL POWER, AND WE SMELLED BURNING PLASTIC. THE CAR REGAINED POWER, THEN A SECOND "POOF" SOUND WAS HEARD, AND THE POWER FLICKERED IN THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THE CAR BEGAN FILLING WITH SMOKE. WE ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS, PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER, AND EVACUATED THE VEHICLE. WE PULLED OUT WHAT BELONGINGS WE COULD, BUT RETREATED FROM THE CAR ONCE FLAMES APPEARED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR. APPROXIMATELY 1 MINUTE LATER, THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND WAS A TOTAL LOSS. WE ARE THANKFUL TO HAVE ESCAPED WITH OUR LIVES. HERE ARE THE SPECIFICS OF OUR VEHICLE: MODEL:JETTA TRIM:GLS BODY STYLE:4 DOOR WAGON ENGINE:1.8L I4 20V MPFI DOHC TURBO TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10430536

Official recalls

07V063000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Feb 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.

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.

04V584000 · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch

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.

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.

02V031000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

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

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

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

Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:flasher Unit

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

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.