Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - SWITCHES - BRAKE LIGHT | |||||
| 0101 | 10/18/2001 | 632149 | Technical information on replacing / adjusting the brake switch. *tt | 07/11/2002 | |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - SWITCHES - BRAKE LIGHT | ||||||
| RQ03010 | VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC | 12/17/2003 | 03/01/2004 | BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH | 04V096000 | |
| 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. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - ANTILOCK - WHEEL SPEED SENSOR | |||
| 11/09/1999 | 4 | ||
| Speed sensor failed. nlm | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - DISC - CALIPER | |||
| 12/29/2002 | 0 | ||
| Calipers were stuck on and ruined the back left rotor on my vehicle. | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | |||
| 11/23/2009 | 126425 | 1 | |
| Brake lamps were operating correctly on 11/22/2009 and on 11/23/2009 they ceased working. checked with nhtsa to see if open recall was open none but wanted to make known the issue since there have been two recalls in the pass for the same issue. *tr | |||
| 10/15/2002 | 53000 | ||
| 2 days after we purchase the car a brake shoe braket came off and was rubbing the rear rotor. july, 3 windows went bad, 2 were the wiring and 1 was the motor. october the front wheel bearing needed replaced plus wheel alignment. september the exhuast broke off behind the catalytic converter i had it fixed myself. the exhuast had also broke off 6 months earlier in front of the muffler but i fixed it. one window that they fixed in july 2002 went bad again in june of 2003 and needed fixed. the rear brake on the same wheel that they fixed in january of 2001 has gone bad now. i'm done with this car. it's been in the shop more then i have ever had any car combined. thanks | |||
| 6 | |||
| The windshield wipers were intermittent. the dealer stated the wipers were incompatible. the wipers did not work in cold weather and did not have the proper speed in warm weather. the driver side window had fallen down into the door, the locking mechanism had malfunctioned and was replaced, the metal triangle pieces on the doors had been replaced, the cruise control never worked from purchase, and the front brakes had to be replaced. the consumer would like to know if there was a recall on the wipers. (no recall for wipers) mr scc *jb | |||
| 07/15/2002 | |||
| Reporting unknown problem with the abs brakes systems. vehicle would not stop properly when are applied in sudden stop. dealer has been notified. please provide further information. ts | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK | |||
| 05/01/2001 | 1 | 03/01/2001 | |
| My car has been in the shop nearly every month in the past year (except for 3 months when it was in the shop due to accident), the brake pedal would stick almost every time it was driven would contact dealer and they could not find anything wrong because it was not reporting to a computer. i finally figured out if i put my foot under the brake pedal and pull it back out it would release, it once would not go over 40 mph. i called a tow truck multiple times to have it taken down to dealer still no one could find anything wrong. then i was sitting in a drive thru and the care made a popping sound and the brake pedal went to the floor and i lost my brakes but i pressed them again and they were fine. i contacted vw and they did not know what it was. driving home i tapped the brakes to slow down a little and the brake stuck and threw me forward luckily no one was behind me. i called vw immediately and told them that i did not want my car back until it was fixed. the rep drove my car for a week and of course nothing happened til the mechanic drove it. i have had the master cylinder and the brake boosters replaced which has seemed to help the brake from sticking but now my rotars are ruined and vw does not want to replace them becasue they are maintenance parts when it was a warranty part that made them go bad. recently driving to san diego my cruise control would not keep my car at a set speed, would not pull hills (had a fully loaded semi pass me) would drop to 40 mph on grades, had to keep the car pegged to go posted speed limit on straight stretches. windows have fallen twice on each side, middle restraint in back seat locks up and has to be replaced, cup holder broke, brake relay went out several times (no brake lights almost rear ended). is there anything i can do on this will it fall under the lemon laws. i want to replace it due to high cost and time spent going back and forth to the dealer but i more than it is worth. what can be done about this?*ak | |||
| 01/07/2001 | 11/01/1998 | ||
| Engine transmission light failed after 3 months, both windows have fallen down into door, front bumper has been torn off, antena and other plastic objects around car have fallen off,abs system light is on again, cover for gas tank will not open (i had to pry it open), cup holders and mirror covers have broken, inside of car started to bubble after 6 months, because of the plastic. all the service department in san antonio could say was that i did not know how to manage car. i didn't know i had to take a class in opening the gas cover. oddly enough, most of these things started to break after my two year warranty expired. all they had to say was that when it rains it pours. i would never recommend this car to anyone | |||
| 06/22/2001 | 2 | 07/01/1999 | |
| Car accelerated from 5 mph until hit the car in front.brake didn't work.this happened once before. dealer insulted driver instead of a followup. *ak | |||
| 01/01/1999 | |||
| In addition to above-key entry sporadically works, car under cover torn off two times parking in regular parking lot, chair will not stay in adjusted position and dealership represented that extended warranty covered same as factory warranty, which it does not. very dissatisfied with purchase. believe car is unsafe and looking to replace. believe car has serious electrical problems. dealership refused to give explanation for unusual burning of oil etc.*ak | |||
| While traveling in snow and when depressing brakes vehicle continued to travel, brakes froze. please provide further information. *ak | |||
| 11/30/2000 | 1 | 05/01/1999 | |
| While driving the posted speed limit, i attempted to slow down in preparation for a right hand turn. i turned on my signal, and slowly began to hit my brakes. as i hit my brakes, it began to to engage and then i felt a pop in the brake pedal. i hit the brake a little harder and nothing happened. i then began pumping the brakes in an attempt to stop the car. my attempt to stop the car failed and i hit a parked car at 30mph. moderate damage done to passenger front and quarterpanel of car. door wedged into car braking some glass on passenger side. upon impact, no airbags deployed whatsoever. i hit the windshield with my head and spidered the glass upon impact. impact jolted the car in such a way, it snaped my inside mirror off the front windshield.*ak | |||
| 08/17/1999 | 2 | 03/01/1999 | |
| The brake sensor caused the engine to think the brakes were applied and lose power. the brake system then failed while dirving and the brakes would just lock up. if the 2nd problem happened on the highway i fear i would have been rear ended. both problems could be relatd. the sensor problem would trigger a dash warning light for the glow plug relay. in general the car has had problems with the brakes for most of the summer. | |||
| 08/13/2000 | |||
| While driving approximately 35 mph consumer pressed on brakes to slow, and brake pedal hit the floor, but vehicle did not stop. this has caused vehicle to move out of control and hit a curb. consumer and passenger sustained minor injuries. *ak | |||
| While trying to reduce speed by depressing brake pedal, vehicle continued to travel causing consumer to lose control, and resulting in a collision. upon impact, air bags did not deploy. dealer has been notified. please provide further infortmation. | |||
| 4 | 07/01/1999 | ||
| No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak | |||
| 05/20/1999 | 03/19/1999 | ||
| Vehicle was involved in a head-on collisi0n, impact at approximately 30 mph. abs brakes failed to operate,causing vehicle to slow down but not stop. seat belt on driver's side failed to lock in place, causing consumer to sustain a head injury from hitting windshield. also, air bags did not deploy. dealer / manufacturer notified. *ak | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | |||
| 06/18/2002 | 1 | ||
| The entire braking system failed and was replaced, there was no warming of any brake problem (squeaking, squealing), and by design vw has thinner vented rotors that make them run cooler but wear out faster. *yh *nlm | |||
| 03/25/2002 | 1 | 05/01/1999 | |
| Technician noted during service that the front rotors and rear rotors were worn below minimum specifications, rear pads down to 1mm, dealer replaced front rotors and pads and rear rotors and pads. *tt | |||
| 01/10/2000 | 7 | ||
| Left front brakes grabbed. other three failed to work. took vehicle to dealer at least 7 times. each time brakes were replaced/repaired. also, air bags failed to deploy after hitting a deer on left front side of vehicle. front grill was crushed. insurance company indicated vehicle was repairable. *ak | |||
| Driver side seat belt release button does not release, causing the driver to be trapped in the seat, consumer also having problems with the brakes. when making a normal or graudal stop, the brakes travel to the floorboard, causing extended stopping distance. consumer has contacted the dealer. seat belts have been taken care off. *ak | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC | |||
| 06/13/2002 | 1 | 11/01/2099 | |
| Rear brakes were sqeualing for months. took into dealership 5 times and they could not duplicate noise. finally rear brakes went all together and had them replaced at another dealership. dealer said they should not have gone after just over 30,000 miles so volkswagen covered half of costs. one week later picked up car as i was driving home malfunction indication light came on. took into dealership again. all three oxygen sensors had blown. day after picking up from dealership passenger window fell into door and is currently back in being fixed. i know these are all common problems with 1999 jetta. vw was somewhat helpful on cost but will do nothing now because they have already been too kind. this car is dangerous and i do not feel comfortable driving it anymore. now i have to cover the cost of an early lease termination for fear of injury or more $ for damage repairs.*ak | |||
| 01/15/2001 | 12/01/1998 | ||
| Engine consumes about 1+ quart of oil every 1,500 miles. front rotors need to be replaced at 30,000 miles, while brake pads are less than 50% used. refrigerant in air conditioner gone at around 30,000 miles with normal use in mild climate. | |||
| 10/03/1999 | 0 | ||
| While on i-95 between two exits the right rear passenger's side tire exploded and punctured a whole in the gas tank. dealer told consumer that consumer was responsible that must have run over something. *ak | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - CALIPER | |||
| 01/01/1901 | 8 | ||
| Consumer has had an ongoing problem with the brakes since the initial leasing of this vehicle. the vehicle failed eight times with the service station doing actual repairs four of those times. teh problem lies with the caliper suspension that controls the brakes. *jg *cb | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR | |||
| 11/01/2000 | |||
| At 12000 miles rotors were warped and glazed. then, 14000 miles later problem reoccurred. dealer does not want to replace rotors because this is regular wear and tear. please provide more information. *ak | |||
| 04/07/2001 | 07/01/1999 | ||
| At 30000 miles steering wheel shakes when applying brakes.asked dealer to check on alighment problems. dealer no alignment needed, but brakes were worn down 50% & also needed new rotors. dealer insisted car okay to drive and advised to come back. 35000 service to have new brakes and rotors installed, aprox. $600. after service, i drove home about 50 miles and problem got worse, including a loud rumbling noise. i called dealer, and they referred me to a dealer closer to my home, 3 days and 300 miles later, 2nd dealer asked how many times i had changed the brakes, because i now, needed rotors, and worse, all my tires were cupped. i also needed a whole new set of tires...i asked 2nd dealer if it was safe to drive my car. they said it was ok to drive, but recommended changing brakes, rotors and tires @ a cost of $1,100. dealer also explained that the lack of rotating a balancing tires could have contributed to the uneven wear (aka: cupped tires). i was also told that the loud rumbling noise, would eventually go away, since the tires had been rotated. the 2nd dealer invoiced the 1st dealer for this service charge. 3 days later, i went to goodyear tire shop (for 3rd opinon) because i thought the tires may be defective. goodyear advised me that cupped tires result from uneven wear (usually recommend rotating & balancing tires every 10k mi.), if not, problems w/brakes & rotors. goodyear couldn't determine why the problem occurred @ only 30k mi. such a problem could occur at about 60k miles, but not rotors. goodyear balanced & rotated my tires & also discovered that the driver's side tire was rubbing against the wheelwell, causing a large gash in the wheelwell. in the interest of consumer protection, i seek your professional assistance in bringing a positive resolve to this matter. my car has spent a lot of time @ dealer service shop. volkswagen must be held accountable for bad craftsmanship & poor service advice. please help! | |||
| 04/07/2001 | 07/01/1999 | ||
| 30k service, reported to dealer that steering wheel shakes when applying brakes...asked dealer to check on alighment problems. dealer no alignment needed, but brakes were worn down 50% & also needed new rotors. dealer insisted car ok to drive & advised to come back @ 35k service to have new brakes & rotors installed @ aprox. $600. after service, i drove home about 50 mi. & problem got worse, including a loud rumbling noise. i called dealer & they referred me to a dealer closer to my home, 3 days & 300 miles later, 2nd dealer asked how many times i had changed the brakes, because i now, needed rotors, and worse, all my tires were cupped & i also needed a whole new set of tires...i asked 2nd dealer if it was safe to drive my car. they said it was ok to drive, but recommended changing brakes, rotors & tires @ a cost of $1,100. dealer also explained that the lack of rotating & balancing tires could have contributed to the uneven wear (aka: cupped tires). i was also told that the loud rumbling noise, would eventually go away, since the tires had been rotated. the 2nd dealer invoiced the 1st dealer for this service charge. 3 days later, i went to goodyear tire shop (for 3rd opinon) because i thought the tires may be defective. goodyear advised me that cupped tires result from uneven wear (usually recommend rotating & balancing tires every 10k mi.), if not, problems w/brakes & rotors. goodyear couldn't determine why the problem occurred @ only 30k mi. such a problem could occur at about 60k miles, but not rotors. goodyear balanced & rotated my tires & also discovered that the driver's side tire was rubbing against the wheelwell, causing a large gash in the wheelwell. in the interest of consumer protection, i seek your professional assistance in bringing a positive resolve to this matter. my car has spent a lot of time @ dealer service shop. volkswagen must be held accountable for bad craftsmanship & poor service advice. please help!! | |||
| 12/12/1999 | 4 | 04/18/1999 | |
| Consumer had to replace brakes every 25 miles. front disc rotors wore out. when consumer applied brakes car shook terribly. *ak | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - POWER ASSIST | |||
| 03/18/2001 | 2 | 05/01/1999 | |
| Car dies while driving at any speeds no power-brakes or steering. *ak | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - POWER ASSIST - VACUUM - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | |||
| 1 | 03/01/2000 | ||
| Vacuum line to turbo failed, causing near total lack of acceleration -- almost causing an accident | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - SWITCHES - BRAKE LIGHT | |||
| 06/23/2006 | 70500 | 1 | 09/01/1999 |
| Dt*: the contact stated while driving the brake light switch failed. a nhtsa recall, #06v183000 was performed on the vehicle concerning, the brake light switch however, the recall did not remedy the problem. the dealership would not offer a second repair without charge under the recall. | |||
| 07/17/2005 | 102 | ||
| The parking light switch is locking up. the car is stalling in the middle of the traffic because i was not able to shift from parking to any other gear. the parking light lit and will unlit about 30 minutes later. as of now, the light lit constantly and i have to disassemble the battery and the light would still re-appear once i put the battery back in. the car is not drive able. | |||
| 11/14/2002 | 8 | 07/03/1999 | |
| Brake light switch replaced because cel illuminated indicating a failure of same. after some testing, it became apparent that the brake lights were not illuminating approximately 9 out of 10 times that the brakes were applied. at approximately the same time, the right turn signal began arcing. replaced the right front signal bulb due to carbon buildup on the bulb. also replaced the turn signal relay. right outer cv boot was found to be leaking grease on 5/22/2002 and again on 4/29/2003; in both cases it was replaced. battery died on 3/10/2003. on 7/9/2002, the center rear seat belt became stuck in its retractor and would not release. seat belt assembly was replaced. on 10/1/2001, the driver's front window regulator was replaced after the window fell into the door without warning. *jb | |||