Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 07/01/2011 | 1 | ||
| I have been trapped inside the front seat of this vehicle. both front doors will occasionally not open from inside or outside the car, even with the doors unlocked. this is an intermittent and unpredictable problem that i feel is quite dangerous. these vehicles should have been recalled and had the door locking mechanism replaced. *tr | |||
| 07/01/2011 | |||
| I have been trapped inside the front seat of this vehicle. both front doors will occasionally not open from inside or outside the car, even with the doors unlocked. this is an intermittent and unpredictable problem that i feel is quite dangerous. these vehicles should have been recalled and had the door locking mechanism replaced. | |||
| 05/01/2006 | 1 | 10 | 09/15/2001 |
| Like others, i have had the ignition coil replaced. this happened after the warranty expired, of course. i have also had electrical problems with the windows (regulator and motor) for all of them. now, my check engine light is flashing and the car is sputtering. i know the secondary air intake valve needs replacing but it did not cause problems. now i'm wondering if something new is wrong??? also, i was having problems with losing coolant and had to continuously replace antifreeze. after fixing what i thought was a small leak the entire system will not produce cool air! this car has been nothing but problems and vw should look into all of these complaints. *jb | |||
| 10/10/2004 | 1 | ||
| While driving 40 mph driver noticed that the front left tire was flat. suddenly, the vehicle stalled. driver was not able to restart vehicle, and noticed fluid leaking from underneath. vehicle was towed home. *ak | |||
| 04/01/1998 | 2 | ||
| While driving headlights were dim. consumer took vehicle to the dealer. consumer found there were alot of complaints regarding the headlights. consumer had to replace the bulb with higher waltage. there was also a problem with the passat. however, the problem was electrical. *ak | |||
| 2 | 06/01/2000 | ||
| When turning the ignition on electrical components do not work. the headlights don't come, and heater doesn't work. consumer believes it is an electrical problem. *ak *mr | |||
| 05/23/1998 | 2 | 12/30/1997 | |
| Vehicle has experienced two electrical system failures. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | |||
| 10/11/1999 | 1 | 10/01/1997 | |
| No summary | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY | |||
| 05/13/2004 | 75000 | 1 | 08/10/1998 |
| Battery exploded while starting the engine. hood damaged, battery acid released. *ak | |||
| 01/25/2002 | 69050 | 09/18/1999 | |
| I own a 1998 volkwagen jetta gl. the car battery exploded while in operation. i have digital photos of the battery if requested. it didn't seem normal and so i figured i'd file a report. | |||
| 05/15/2001 | |||
| Battery acid leaked on reservoir causing reservoir to leak fluid, which could cause loss of steering.dealer contacted.*ak | |||
| 07/14/2001 | 2 | 07/01/1998 | |
| Battery exploded while starting the engine. after researching on line, i've determined that this may be a larger problem. *ak | |||
| 02/27/2001 | 1 | 05/18/1998 | |
| Battery failed to have an acid release hose. acid had dripped onto power steering reservoir & ate through it. this caused a loss of steering fluid, power steering, and control of vehicle.*ak *slc | |||
| 1 | 03/01/1998 | ||
| The battery exploded. nlm | |||
| 02/25/1999 | 1 | 05/01/1998 | |
| If battery is overfilled or leaks and drips onto the power steering reservoir the resevoir will fail. this failure is catastrophic in nature and can cause the loss of power steering, vehicle control and extensive damage to the power steering pump. the loss of fluid occured on my vehicle with only 9 months of service. fortunately the car was parked and the power steering pump was not impacted. the dealer support at randy hiley volkswagen in arlington texas was immediate and thorough. after discussion, volkswagen refunded all but the towing charges for this repair through randy hiley volkswagen in arlington, texas. on the 1999 model the part has been moved from underneath the battery. dealership service department personnel indicated that this was not the 1st time this failure had to be repaired at their franchise. my concern is that this repair cured the immediate symptom but what happens if acid contacts this component again during routine maintenance, later life battery changeout etc. the part is still located beneath the battery. the material of construction is unchanged. can this part be replaced in a recall with a material that is better suited for contact by acid? | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | |||
| 08/16/2001 | |||
| Vehicle was parked for over four hours when it suddenly caught on fire. fire department was called, which determined that brake lights housed within tail light assembly shorted out, melting wire and caught on fire. consumer has contacted manufacturer, which sent out a factory representative. please provide any further details.*ak | |||
| 08/16/2001 | 05/01/1998 | ||
| The brake lights spontaneously ignited while the car was parked in an apartment parking lot.*ak | |||
| 11/01/1999 | 0 | ||
| While driving over a bump and key moved all head lights turned off because of electrical wires shorting out through ignition system. manufacturer had been contacted, and they said just to move key and head lights will come back on.*ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | |||
| 02/03/2006 | 96821 | 1 | 07/14/1998 |
| Glow plug control unit fails on 1998 vw jetta tdi, but there is no part for the last 5+ months available from volkswagen. also, there is no estimate of when volkswagen will have a part available. this is nationwide. the control unit is essential for the starting of the car. *nm | |||
| 04/22/2004 | 7 | 08/15/2003 | |
| I own a 1998 volkswagon jetta, wolfsburg edition. i've been stranded a total of 6 or 7 times (losing count) on the interstate by this vehicle. purchased this vehicle from a private owner less than a year ago and have experienced numerous mysterious problems ever since. i work for the state of indiana, communte into indianapolis 5 days a week, i am an interstate traveler. i have forgiven most of the problems this car has had, but recently have reached the limit. just last week i was once again stranded on the interstate during rush hour and my car suddenly stopped running and smoke began to rise from my steering column. this situation terrified me. not only did i have to urgently coast to the shoulder of the interstate, but i was in fear that the car would be on fire due to seeing this smoke. the car was towed and the ignition coil was replaced; although the service man didn't think that was the source of the smoke from my steering column. i know from reading other complaints that the bad ignition coil in these vehicles is a common problem. there are existing recalls on some volkswagon ignition coils. this seems unjust considering they used the same ignition coil in the 1998 that they did in other vehicle years. this repair cost me $400, which is just icing on the cake for me right now. now my airbag light is on and the serviceman who replaced the ignition coil says all is connected and he thinks the smoke in the car was coming from the airbag wiring. he said there's no way to disconnect the airbag (to stop any chance of it exploding out on me while driving). if it comes out while driving..i am dead.if it fails in an accident.i could be dead. i am afraid to even have my family in the car. i honestly think it's entire electrical system is wired incorrectly. please assist me in getting justice served. i've heard of so many others who are mistreated and ignored by volkswagon. this vehicle's repeated failure should be noted. i appreciate anything you can do. *ak | |||
| 06/12/2003 | 1 | ||
| Ignition coil problem .dealer notified. *ak | |||
| 12/28/1999 | 1 | 03/01/1998 | |
| My lights, wipers and heat wouldn't work, discovered it was the ignition switch. contacted vw, and dealer, they want to charge me too much to fix it. i know 3 other people with jettas that had the same problem. obviously vw is installing defective ignitions. my emergency brake wasn't releasing, took it to dealer and they informed me that i had a torn brake cable boot that was allowing moisture to get in and freeze my cable. the 2 yr/24,000 mile warranty was expired. my check engine light started going on and off, when i took it to the dealer, it took them 3 times to figure out it's the rear oxygen sensor. this is the first brand new car i have ever purchased and i have had more things wrong with it than i ever had with previously owned vehicles.*ak | |||
| 2 | |||
| Total failure of lights and door buzer. | |||
| 05/05/2000 | 1 | 02/01/1998 | |
| I have spoken with vw and the dealership a number of times.. no one will help. | |||
| 12/31/1998 | 4 | 05/11/1998 | |
| Vehicle serviced several times due to engine light illuminating, replacement of the oil and ignition cable that had shorted out did not rectify problems with the intermittent engine light coming on. *mjs | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER | |||
| 02/09/2003 | 65000 | 1 | 10/31/1998 |
| Failure of door wiring harness. does not allow me to drive the car - the engin will not engage due to the electronic failure of the door wiring harness. there should be some way to override the electronic failure so that i can drive it. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH | |||
| 07/04/2005 | 12000 | 1 | 01/01/1997 |
| 1. driving 2. lights went out, fan went out and windshield wipers stopped working. | |||
| 05/18/2003 | 50000 | 1 | 10/15/1999 |
| My 1998 volkswagen (vw) jetta has an ignition switch problem. when driving, it falls back, turning off the electrical system (including lights and windshield wipers). vw has identified this as a problem in the 1996 and 1997 jettas (and sent out a recall on the part) but does not recognize it as a problem for the 1998 models. i have been told by a vw service person that the 1998 models use the same ignition switch as the 1996/1997's. vw representatives claim that they do not see a problem with the 1998's. this is a dangerous problem and should be addressed by vw. *la | |||
| 04/02/2003 | 100000 | ||
| The vehicles ignition switch failed and caused the headlight to shut off while driving on a dark country road. the dealer was notified. *nlm | |||
| 11/01/1999 | 0 | ||
| While driving over a bump and key moved all head lights turned off because of electrical wires shorting out through ignition system. manufacturer had been contacted, and they said just to move key and head lights will come back on.*ak | |||
| 06/18/1998 | 1 | 12/01/1997 | |
| Ignition switch failed. yh | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - STARTER ASSEMBLY | |||
| 02/01/1998 | |||
| Starter failed in oct, 99. new part replaced by dealer. starter failed again may, 2000. new part is needed again. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD | |||
| 01/12/2001 | |||
| A fire started in engine compartment while driving 45 mph. dealer notified. feel free to provide any further information.*ak | |||
| 03/10/1999 | 2 | 05/01/1998 | |
| Electrical systems are suspect. these two problems have been into the dealer, but the window, even after being replaced, continues to have problems | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | |||
| 03/03/2000 | |||
| Vehicle experienced an under the dash fire while traveling at 25 mph. consumer extinguished the fire before local fire deparment arrived. manufacturer notified. *ak | |||