Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
VISIBILITY - SUN ROOF ASSEMBLY
000109/29/20009904618423Subject regarding sunroof binding or noisy due to broken slide(s). *tt04/12/2001
60 970411/14/199760 97-0154060Subject pertaining to power sunroof convenience close feature, function change. *ak03/30/1998

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM - WINDSHIELD - CONTROLS/WIRING
11/01/1997210/01/1997
 Defroster switch is defective. yh
VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM - WINDSHIELD - HEATER CORE
05/01/200611009/15/2001
 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
03/17/2001108/01/1999
 Heater core failed and coolant leaked into the cabin along with fumes. dealer was unable to repair did not have parts in stock.*ak
VISIBILITY - GLASS, SIDE/REAR
08/01/2001201/11/2001
 Both rear windows failed. window falls on it's own and does not come back up using the power controls. *nlm
VISIBILITY - POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
06/10/2007985001
 The windows in the doors are falling down and needing the mechanism replaced. this has happened to 3 of the doors so far. has this been a problem-was there ever a recall for this-this seems like a weird thing to have happen. it is a safety issue because you cannot roll the window up or down, as well as the interior getting wet from the weather. thank you. rebecca *tr
09/26/2007510/13/2000
 I have 1998 vw jetta--i presently have three electric windows which do not go up or down. two of them have previously been repaired. this appears to be a defect or needed recall. cause of problems is motors or regulators. these should be repaired by vw. of all the vehicles i have owned in the past 40 years with electric windows i have never had a problems except with the vw jetta. *tr
05/01/200611009/15/2001
 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
04/04/2006100000408/01/2002
 I purchased a used 1998 volkswagen jetta glx several years ago. within a year of purchase, the front driver side window failed to opperate properly. i had the regulator replaced. a year later the front passenger window failed. that regulator was replaced. a year later the front driver side failed again. before i could get it fixed, the rear diver side window failed as well. both regulators are being replaced. the total cost of these repairs will be over $2000. i find it appalling that the same problem can occur multiple times in the same vehicle. i have learned that this is a common problem for vw vehicles and yet nothing is being done to correct it - be it a design flaw, manufacturing problem, etc. failed regulators are both a safety and security problem. i hope that nhtsa takes these complaints seriously and investigates the problem. *nm
01/01/2005611/17/2000
 I have had the front driver's side window regulator replaced/repaired twice by the dealer under warranty. then i replaced it myself once, as the repair costs are too expensive. then it broke again and i don't have the funds to fix it, so i simply avoid rolling down the window. the rear driver's side regulator has been replaced once by the dealer under warranty. the rear passenger's side regulator is now acting up. i'm afraid to roll down my windows as they may not roll back up.
04/02/200475000201/17/2001
 Front driver and passenger windows completly stopped working. stuck in up position. to expensive to fix.
09/19/2004790001
 Window failure, falls into door. 1998 vw jetta. leaving a friends home the drivers rear window just drops into the door. unable to afford repair window still non usable, window tied off in the up position. i have read its due to the plastic clips. i don't know but would like more information. *jb
05/18/20042
 I have already had 3 regulators replaced, now i need one more replaced and have another window regulator on it's way out. window stops operating, your lucky if it stops in the up position. i understand this is a problem with all jetta's from various dealers / repair facilities.*ak
08/07/19981
 We have a 98 jetta and it has a problem with the electric window mechanisms. volkswagen is aware of the defect, however they only repair the defect on 99 and newer models. why? the dealer agrees that it is the same exact problem. we started to replace the mechanism ourselves, however the only replacement available was the same defective mechanism. the cable saws through parts within the mechanism which binds the motor causing it to make a grinding noise, overheat, blow fuses, etc. we have to just leave the windows up and not use them at all. we noticed an irregularity when we purchased the vehicle, but the dealer told us that it was a programmable control and we would have to learn to use it. *la
01/15/200018000
 This car has been a pain in the a-- almost since purchase. the most serious problems have involved what seems to be defective wiring with respect to the electric windows. these have been repaired 3 times since the first incidence cited above,to the tune of $250, the last time being 6 months ago. now i am told that it needs a new motor assembly to the tune of $650 parts and labor! other assorted door electrical problems. other problems have been: door moldings falling off (this must be an inherent problem with '98 jettas, because i've noticed that most of those that i see on the road have missing moldings). both front tires blew out within 2 weeks of each other after an inappropiately short usage. much lower gas mileage that originally promised. most of these problems started well within warranty.
01/06/200192000412/20/1997
 All 4 of my electric windows have failed, 3 of them fall down and 1 will not move.*ak
05/28/20031
 While traveling on the highway the window went up and down intermittently and made a loud grinding noise. *tt
01/01/2002202/12/1999
 Two of the windows on my 98 jetta have gone out. many of my friends who also drive jetta's had their windows go out also. *jb
301/01/2098
 No summary. dt
08/01/2001304/01/2098
 Total of $1300 spent on 3 windows now.*ak
06/02/19986
 Window regulator has been replaced six times, but the remedy is not working. contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything.*ak
10/03/2001107/01/1998
 Volkswagen needs to recall window parts on all 1998 jettas - even service tech agrees. *ak
09/25/2001207/01/1998
 Power windows fail to operate. front driver window is making noises leading me to believe it too will fail soon. first window was repaired by dealer under extended warranty. *ak
12/01/1997
 Power windows go all the way up then come back down, all windows do this intermittently. when left rear window is rolled down by button on door or on the front control panel it activates the factory alarm and locks all doors (it does not sound) you have to stop, roll down drivers window, turn off engine and reach outside and manualy disalarm car. i have filed a complaint with volkswagen they wanted a diagnostic wich i payed $80 for from stevens creek vw, i have to send this in and they will tell me if they can help me or if i have to pay for it. i have done research and there have been numerous problems related to this in all states, have you heard of this and if vw does not help me is there anything i can do? thank you
07/03/20010
 Passenger's side rear window stopped operating on 05/13/01/ drivers side rear window stopped operating on 07/03/01. consumer can hear motor, but window is stuck in door. dealer has not yet been contacted. please provide any further information.*ak
103/01/1998
 The remote locking device stopped working. nlm
3
 All four windows have failed, did not know warranty, was expired at 24k, took in at 26k, unable to fix. *ak
03/10/2000102/01/2000
 Its a bunch of crap. no safety defect listed in the summary. *ak
03/10/1999205/01/1998
 Electrical systems are suspect. these two problems have been into the dealer, but the window, even after being replaced, continues to have problems
02/01/1998102/01/1998
 Remote keyless entry receiver module failed. yh
VISIBILITY - SUN ROOF ASSEMBLY
09/06/1998105/28/1998
 Sunroof shattered while driving on the freeway with the sunroof open.
VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD
11/01/1998202/08/1998
 Window failed.
VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
10/02/2003770006
 While driving in the rain windshield wipers failed, causing driver to have poor visibility. it was an intermittent problem. will be taking vehicle to dealership to have mechanic check it out.*ak
09/23/20001
 Windshield wipers failed while driving in the rain. i consider this to be a serious safety problem.*ak
11/01/199801/12/1998
 Windshield washer.
VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER - SWITCH/WIRING
05/01/200611009/15/2001
 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
09/02/2004109/01/1998
 While driving smoke was coming from the steering column. consumer took the vehicle to dealer for inspection and the technician was unable to pin pinpoint the problem. the consumer determined that the wiper switch inside of the steering column needed to be replaced due to worn out switch. *ak an independent technician replaced the switch. *nm