NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
36 reportsClear category filter48,800 miles · Jul 18, 2016
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STOPPED WORKING. VEHICLE MILEAGE, AND SPEEDOMETER DO NOT WORK AT ALL. MILEAGE WHEN OCCURRED 48,800. EVERY SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED WITH NO CHANGE. I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW FAST I AM GOING, OR HOW MANY MILES ARE ON MY CAR WITHOUT TRACKING THEM MYSELF. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MULTIPLE VW'S AND AUDI'S …
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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STOPPED WORKING. VEHICLE MILEAGE, AND SPEEDOMETER DO NOT WORK AT ALL. MILEAGE WHEN OCCURRED 48,800. EVERY SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED WITH NO CHANGE. I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW FAST I AM GOING, OR HOW MANY MILES ARE ON MY CAR WITHOUT TRACKING THEM MYSELF. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MULTIPLE VW'S AND AUDI'S WITH NO APPARENT SOLUTION. I HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND STILL AM WITHOUT A SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER.
NHTSA ODI #10885722
50,000 miles · Jul 18, 2016
Electrical SystemFire
MY (GENERATOR CABLE - S177) ALTERNATOR CABLE MELTING THE FUSE BOX AND WIRES ABOVE THE BATTERY. MY CAR NEEDED A NEW ALTERNATOR. MY CAR DOES NOT ALWAYS START EVEN WITH A NEW BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR. MY CAR HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. VW ADMITS THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I AM THE SEC…
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MY (GENERATOR CABLE - S177) ALTERNATOR CABLE MELTING THE FUSE BOX AND WIRES ABOVE THE BATTERY. MY CAR NEEDED A NEW ALTERNATOR. MY CAR DOES NOT ALWAYS START EVEN WITH A NEW BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR. MY CAR HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. VW ADMITS THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10885715
156,000 miles · Apr 11, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED, BACK FIRED, AND IT WAS LEAKING COOLANT UNDER THE WATER PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED, BACK FIRED, AND IT WAS LEAKING COOLANT UNDER THE WATER PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THE WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E007000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
NHTSA ODI #10854705
91,000 miles · Feb 18, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemVisibility/wiper
OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS IT HAS BEEN RAINING HEAVILY & ALTHOUGH IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME ONCE BEFORE THIS TIME IS WHAT WORSE. MY CAR IS LEAKING FROM SOMEWHERE & ITS COMING ON THE INSIDE. MY CARPETS ARE CONSTANTLY WET, MY AIRBAGS ALONGSIDE WINDSHIELD LEAK, AND THE HANDLE WHERE YOU OPEN THE HOOD OF THE CAR IS LITERALLY A STREAM OF WATE…
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OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS IT HAS BEEN RAINING HEAVILY & ALTHOUGH IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME ONCE BEFORE THIS TIME IS WHAT WORSE. MY CAR IS LEAKING FROM SOMEWHERE & ITS COMING ON THE INSIDE. MY CARPETS ARE CONSTANTLY WET, MY AIRBAGS ALONGSIDE WINDSHIELD LEAK, AND THE HANDLE WHERE YOU OPEN THE HOOD OF THE CAR IS LITERALLY A STREAM OF WATER ENTERING THE CAR DURING HEAVY RAINFALL. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND THE CHECK ENGINE. I WAS MORE CONCERNED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SO I WENT AND GOT IT CHECKED. THE CODE CAME UP AS U0155 - WHICH REFERS TO (LOST COMMUNICATION WITH INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER (IPC) CONTROL MODULE) MEANING MY ENTIRE DASHBOARD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THIS LEAKING ! I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS TO VW DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICING (NEVER FOR THIS PROBLEM) AND THEY NEVER ONCE TOLD ME ANYTHING ABOUT CLEANING THE SUNROOF DRAINS EVERY TWO YEARS AS MAINTENANCE, IT IS VISIBLE TO THE NAKED EYE THAT MY SUNROOF IS MESSED UP BECAUSE WHEN I PURCHASED IT THE LINING ON THE CAR AROUND THE SUNROOF IS DROOPING AND I CANNOT OPEN THE SUNROOF BECAUSE OF THIS. I NEVER THOUGHT OF IT AS A BIG DEAL BECAUSE I DON'T USE A SUNROOF BUT HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW THERE WAS A LEAK WITHOUT ANYONE TELLING ME THAT WAS EVEN POSSIBLE. I LOOKED UP THIS PROBLEM ONLINE, THAT'S HOW I KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY CAR. I REFUSE TO GET IT "DIAGNOSED" AND SPEND OVER 200$ ON JUST A DIAGNOSIS WHEN I ALREADY KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND THEY'LL END UP CHARGING WAY MORE TO ACTUALLY FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS MY FIRST CAR AND I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF ANYTHING ABOUT CARS EXCEPT KEEPING UP WITH OIL AND FILTER CHANGES, FUEL INJECTORS, AND CHANGING MY TIRES WHEN THE TREAD IS GETTING LOW. I HAVE DONE ALL OF THAT AT EACH CHECKPOINT SINCE I PURCHASED AT 63,000 MILES. THERE IS SO MUCH CONDENSATION INSIDE I CAN BARELY SEE OUT MY WINDOWS, I HAVE SIT FOR AT LEAST A HALF HOUR CAR ON TO BE ABLE TO SEE & DRIVE.
NHTSA ODI #10836971
122,000 miles · Jan 29, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
I WAS DRIVING MY VW JETTA 2004 TDI ON A HIGHWAY, I WAS USING MY HIGH BEAM AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS TO YIELD TO INCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN ALL OF A SADDEN MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF, I HAD TO STOP IT WAS VERY DARK AND DANGEROUS ROAD, I MOVED AND WIGGLE THE LEVER TO SEE IF I COULD MAKE IT COME ON AGAIN, EVENTUALLY IT DID, IT DID THAT ABOUT…
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I WAS DRIVING MY VW JETTA 2004 TDI ON A HIGHWAY, I WAS USING MY HIGH BEAM AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS TO YIELD TO INCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN ALL OF A SADDEN MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF, I HAD TO STOP IT WAS VERY DARK AND DANGEROUS ROAD, I MOVED AND WIGGLE THE LEVER TO SEE IF I COULD MAKE IT COME ON AGAIN, EVENTUALLY IT DID, IT DID THAT ABOUT 4 TIMES,EVERY TIME IT SCARED THE ... OUT OF ME COULD NOT SEE ROAD. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL HIGH BEAM LOW BEAM AND CRUSE CONTROL LEVER, ITS ALL IN ONE LEVER. I LOOKED ON LINE TO SEE IF SOMEONE ELSE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS THAT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10823126
70,000 miles · Jan 17, 2016
Electrical System
THE HIGH VOLTAGE FUSE BOX, THAT SITS ON TOP OF THE BATTERY MELTED DUE TO HEAT AND POOR DESIGN. THIS CAUSED A SHORT AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER TO MY VEHICLE. THIS WAS BOTH DANGEROUS AND FRIGHTENING! I WAS ON THE FREEWAY GOING 60MPH AND COULD HAVE EASILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING AN INJURY OR FATAL ACCIDENT. I FOUND 44 …
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THE HIGH VOLTAGE FUSE BOX, THAT SITS ON TOP OF THE BATTERY MELTED DUE TO HEAT AND POOR DESIGN. THIS CAUSED A SHORT AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER TO MY VEHICLE. THIS WAS BOTH DANGEROUS AND FRIGHTENING! I WAS ON THE FREEWAY GOING 60MPH AND COULD HAVE EASILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING AN INJURY OR FATAL ACCIDENT. I FOUND 44 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE AND AM SURPRISED THAT THIS PUBLIC AGENCY HAS FAILED TO TAKE ANY ACTION ON THIS, AND DEMANDING A RECALL, AND THUS RESOLVING A DANGEROUSLY REOCCURRING ELECTRICAL ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10820663
97,000 miles · Sep 26, 2015
Electrical System
I HAVE REPLACED MY BATTERY TWICE AND MY ALTERNATOR ONCE. MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN WHEN I PART IT. I HAVE ALSO TURNED ON MY CAR AND THEN COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN BY ITSELF, YET IF I JUMP START IT WILL TURN ON. I'M NOT ABLE TO TURN MY CAR BACK ON, AS THOUGH SOMETHING IS DRAINING MY BATTERY. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR OVER ONE YE…
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I HAVE REPLACED MY BATTERY TWICE AND MY ALTERNATOR ONCE. MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN WHEN I PART IT. I HAVE ALSO TURNED ON MY CAR AND THEN COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN BY ITSELF, YET IF I JUMP START IT WILL TURN ON. I'M NOT ABLE TO TURN MY CAR BACK ON, AS THOUGH SOMETHING IS DRAINING MY BATTERY. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR OVER ONE YEAR NOW AND I'M GETTING STRANDED AT MY LAST DESTINATION AND HAVE HAD TO GET TOWED TO THE MECHANIC SHOW. IT'S GETTING VERY EXPENSIVE AND RIDICULOUS. THE MECHANIC HAS DONE HIS DUE DILIGENCE BUT PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY IN FEAR MY CAR WILL SHUT DOWN! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10777794
180,000 miles · Jan 28, 2015
Electrical SystemSeatsFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE HEATED SEATS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE BURNED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED . THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE HEATED SEATS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE BURNED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED . THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 05/31/17*LJ UPDATED 06/02/2017*JS
NHTSA ODI #10679573
90,000 miles · Jun 11, 2014
Electrical System
THE BATTERY FUSE BOX MELTED DUE TO CORROSION ON THE TERMINAL OF THE ALTERNATOR WIRE, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND CARS OF SIMILAR MAKE (AUDI A4, TT ETC.) AND CAN LEAD TO FIRES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10597643
110,000 miles · Dec 1, 2013
Electrical System
ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS OVERHEATED MY BATTERY FUSE BOX AND MELTED IT. THE VEHICLE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON SO I PULLED OVER, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, AND INSPECTED THE BATTERY, NOTICING THE DAMAGE (MELTED PLASTIC, SMOKE). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10554293