NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
455 reportsMileage unknown · Feb 15, 2006
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ON FEB. 14, 2006, I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH ON FREEWAY, EXPERIENCED LOUD EXPLOSION-TYPE NOISE - AFTER COMING TO REALITY AND OUT OF SHOCK REALIZED SUNROOF WAS BLOWN OUT - AND I WAS COVERED IN GLASS - FIRST REACTION WAS TO BELIEVE THAT I HAD BEEN SHOT WITH GUN OR THAT SOMETHING WAS THROWN FROM OVERPASS - AFTER POLICE INVESTIGATION, PHO…
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ON FEB. 14, 2006, I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH ON FREEWAY, EXPERIENCED LOUD EXPLOSION-TYPE NOISE - AFTER COMING TO REALITY AND OUT OF SHOCK REALIZED SUNROOF WAS BLOWN OUT - AND I WAS COVERED IN GLASS - FIRST REACTION WAS TO BELIEVE THAT I HAD BEEN SHOT WITH GUN OR THAT SOMETHING WAS THROWN FROM OVERPASS - AFTER POLICE INVESTIGATION, PHOTOGRAPHS BY DEALERSHIP AND DOZENS OF EYEWITNESSES VIEWING THE REMAINING OUT GLASS OF THE SUNROOF (THAT WAS STILL ATTACHED BUT SHATTERED) WAS POINTED IN AN UPWARD POSITION TOWARDS SKY - NOT INTO VEHICLE AS IF IT IMPLODED FROM THE INTERIOR TO EXTERIOR - EVERYONE DETERMINED THAT IT HAD NOT BEEN STRUCK BY ANYTHING BUT RATHER JUST BLEW OUT. THIS WAS VERY FRIGHTENING AND DANGEROUS - I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED BY THE GLASS OR BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT FROM THE INCIDENT. EVERYONE SENT PHOTOS AND SPOKE TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA - THEY DO NOT CARE - AND REFUSE TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY OR EVEN QUESTION ME ABOUT INCIDENT EVEN THOUGH - I HAVE INFORMED THAT I AM FEARFUL TO EVEN DRIVE VEHICLE NOW - EVERYONE THAT SAW THE CAR IN PERSON - IS IN AWE AND THINKS THIS IS WEIRD - HOWEVER, VW AMERICA THE ONLY PARTY WHO DID NOT SEE THE VEHICLE IN PERSON - IS STILL STICKING BY THEIR ANSWER THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY SOMETHING STRIKING THE CAR - THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE WITH OTHER TYPES OF CARS ON THE INTERNET WITH THIS SAME EXPERIENCE AND THEY ALSO KNOW THAT THEY WERE NOT STRUCK - I HAD A POLICE REPORT AND PHOTOS WITH PROOF THAT THE GLASS BLEW FROM THE INTERIOR OUT - VW IS SHOWING NEGLIGENCE TOWARDS ME AND OTHER DRIVERS. THIS IS THE 10TH ODD INCIDENT THAT I HAVE HAD WITH VW - AND THE SECOND SAFETY HAZARD - I AM TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE LEASE BECAUSE I AM TOO SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR NOW. THEY NEED TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE - AND I AM APPALLED THAT THEY WERE NOT EVEN CONCERNED WITH MY SAFETY OR IF I HAD INJURIES. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10150385
73,305 miles · Feb 15, 2006
Exterior Lighting
JETTA BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (ON OUR INVOICE IT IS PART NO. 1JO-945-511-E") ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE DEPT AT COMMONWEALTH VW, THIS SWITCH HAS BEEN RECALLED AS DEFECTIVE IN OTHER VW'S, BUT NOT THE JETTA. WHEN IT FAILS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT AND THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW FOR MY DAUGHTER, M. B., THE REGISTERED OWN…
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JETTA BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (ON OUR INVOICE IT IS PART NO. 1JO-945-511-E") ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE DEPT AT COMMONWEALTH VW, THIS SWITCH HAS BEEN RECALLED AS DEFECTIVE IN OTHER VW'S, BUT NOT THE JETTA. WHEN IT FAILS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT AND THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW FOR MY DAUGHTER, M. B., THE REGISTERED OWNER, AND I DO NOT LIKE THE IDEA THAT SHE IS DRIVING A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE TO AND FROM OUR HOME IN VILLA PARK, CA. TO SCHOOL IN RIVERSIDE, CA. (ABOUT 60 MILES ROUND TRIP) DAILY, AND AT NIGHT! THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED FROM ALL VEHICLES. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10150368
31,000 miles · Feb 7, 2006
Air BagsCrash
FORD PICKUP TRUCK WAS STOPPED TO MAKE LEFT TURN. MY ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED AND I FAILED TO STOP. HIT TRUCK IN REAR. PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER AIR BAG OR SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT. SEAT BELT PREVENTED PERSONAL INJURY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10149621
68,000 miles · Feb 4, 2006
StructureCrashInjury
ENGINE MOUNTS AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS BROKE AND CAUSED CAR TO CRASH. ALSO INJURING MY DAUGHTER. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10149457
800,000 miles · Feb 2, 2006
Exterior Lighting
VW CLAIMS THE EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTING SWITCH ISN'T A RECALL ITEM OR PROBLEM BUT NOT ONLY AM I HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ONE FOR ME CAR BUT THE OTHER VW OWNERS HERE AT MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT HAVE ENCOUNTERED THE SAME PROBLEM AS WELL. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10149291
41,000 miles · Jan 25, 2006
Electrical System
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOUR TIMES. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR DEPARTMENT REPLACED THE GLOW PLUG, THE RELAY TO THE GLOW PLUG AND THE THERMOSTAT, HOWEVER THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10148547
59,400 miles · Jan 20, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
NUMEROUS TIMES THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON MY 2003 JETTA. FIRST VISIT WAS 9/12/02. THE OTHERS WERE: 2/21/03, 6/13/03, 10/21/04, 1/6/05, 12/14/05, 12/21/05, 1/9/06, 1/13/06. IT IS CURRENTLY ON AND IS WAITING FOR A CAT. CONVERTER. THEY CHARGED ME TO HOOK UP TO COMPUTER, REPLACED ALL COILS & SPARK PLUGS AND THE LIGHT IS …
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NUMEROUS TIMES THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON MY 2003 JETTA. FIRST VISIT WAS 9/12/02. THE OTHERS WERE: 2/21/03, 6/13/03, 10/21/04, 1/6/05, 12/14/05, 12/21/05, 1/9/06, 1/13/06. IT IS CURRENTLY ON AND IS WAITING FOR A CAT. CONVERTER. THEY CHARGED ME TO HOOK UP TO COMPUTER, REPLACED ALL COILS & SPARK PLUGS AND THE LIGHT IS STILL ON. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10148174
34,700 miles · Jan 19, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON A SLUSH COVERED HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO FISH TAIL AND HIT THE RETAINING WALL IN THE MEDIAN. THIS WAS A FRONTAL IMPACT, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BU…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON A SLUSH COVERED HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO FISH TAIL AND HIT THE RETAINING WALL IN THE MEDIAN. THIS WAS A FRONTAL IMPACT, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10148118
52,000 miles · Jan 4, 2006
Seats
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT WARMER OVERHEATED AND STARTED SMOKING. ALTHOUGH A SMALL HOLE FORMED IN THE SEAT CUSHION THERE WAS NOT VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF A FIRE OTHER THAN SMOKE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10146885
63,590 miles · Dec 27, 2005
Seats
I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE 10/31/02. I PURCHASED IT NEW. I BOUGHT IT FOR MY TEENAGERS TO DRIVE AS THEY BEGIN SINCE IT IS A SAFE CAR. LAST WEEKEND, (12/17/05) I WAS PERSONALLY DRIVING THE CAR, AND THE SEAT WARMER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE GOT SO HOT THAT IT ACTUALLY BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT, AND THE CAR SMELLED TERRIBLE FOR SEVERAL…
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I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE 10/31/02. I PURCHASED IT NEW. I BOUGHT IT FOR MY TEENAGERS TO DRIVE AS THEY BEGIN SINCE IT IS A SAFE CAR. LAST WEEKEND, (12/17/05) I WAS PERSONALLY DRIVING THE CAR, AND THE SEAT WARMER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE GOT SO HOT THAT IT ACTUALLY BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT, AND THE CAR SMELLED TERRIBLE FOR SEVERAL DAYS AFTER. I THINK THAT HAVING TO FEAR AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN MY CAR IS OUTRAGEOUS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10146161
NHTSA investigations
4DP05004 · 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.
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.
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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