Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | |||
| 08/06/2008 | 1 | ||
| I own a 2001 vw jetta. i bought it 3 years ago, used from the volkswagen dealership. the automobile was sold as a certified auto, which i found out later does not mean much. my trunk is locked shut and does not open manually or with remote, i've had to replace cv boots, catalytic converter, transmission and numerous headlight, taillight and blinker bulbs. and today one of my headlights is so dim, it doesn't really provide any light when it is dark. i have replaced it and replaced it. it stays fine for about 2 days and then just dims out again. i can't afford to keep taking it to volkswagen. it's a rip off and they don't even fix anything right anyway. my engine fan went out all of the sudden the other day, causing the car to overheat. i had to get it towed. that isn't the first time i have had to pay to have it towed. the interior plastic coating on armrests and all plastic inside is peeling and looks terrible. when i push unlock all doors, the driver's side back seat door will not open unless i reach inside and pull the lock open manually. there is so much more, but i don't want to waste my time. i know nothing will happen, even though it is so obvious that these cars are complete lemons, and they need to stop selling them to people. *tr | |||
| 07/22/2008 | 90000 | 1 | |
| My trunk release will not work, with or without the remote key. i contacted vw of america and they refuse to indicate this is a defect, even though multiple complaints are found online by other vw owners. *tr | |||
| 04/01/2006 | 62000 | 1 | 05/12/2001 |
| I drive a 2001 vw jetta. as i opened my glove compartment today, the handle including the lock mechanism fell into my hand. it just broke off right then and there. i do not use my glove compartment often so it is not from wear and tear. my issue is that now there is a hole in my glove compartment. if someone was thinking about breaking in, this could be the deciding factor for them knowing that the glove compartment is completely accessible and at times there are valuables located in compartments as well as trigger switches to trunks and in some cases even spare keys to the car or a person's home! i do not have any of those items in the compartment, but someone could be intrigued enough to try to break in. i contacted the warranty company and volkswagen and the most the dealership offered was 25% discount to fix it. just not enough to ensure the safety of the car. *jb | |||
| 06/06/2002 | 1 | ||
| Center console latch broke and had to be replacedl. *ak | |||
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES - DOORS - LATCH | |||
| 06/15/2001 | 15 | 06/15/2001 | |
| Numerous problems with 2001 vw jetta, purchased new in june, 2001.including : windows sporadically malfunctioning (when i called vw corporate as well as my local dealer, i was told that after the dealer evaluated problem i could be responsible for the labor charge depending on the outcome of their diagnosis!!); trunk latch has been replaced once (out of warranty) and now latch does not respond to remotes nor to the inside release on driver door; driver door lock does not respond to remotes nor to control on driver door (the other three door locks are presently functioning); interior coating on plastic door handles and center console began to peel within six months of delivery; center console latch broke long ago; check engine light comes on/off sporadically (brought car to certified mechanic but problem undiagnosed); a wax substance was constantly running into doorwells; vw dealer replaced coil, cables and buffer in response to rough engine idle complaint and i incurred all costs and inconvenience of car in shop , this at 72,000 miles,hazard lights malfunctioned; turn signals malfunctioned; now i hear of a brake light recall and an emergency light switch problem. i am just realizing recently that i am not alone with my jetta problems, that numerous jjetta owners are having the same problems ( i researched on internet) . vw customer service not helpful at all in resolving these problems. *tr | |||
| 03/15/2005 | 58000 | 20 | 02/15/2001 |
| Continuing problem-random occurrences: all doors will lock unexpectedly and alarm system arms itself. this has happened on numerous unexpected occasions without any activation by remote locking key fob. doors will lock with driver or passenger(s) inside or outside the vehicle. attempting to start the engine or open doors will trigger the alarm after the doors have automatically locked and armed. starter is disabled when alarm is triggered. safety concern from being locked out of car unexpectedly. car has locked with keys in the car and driver outside of car, such as at gas station filling tank. panic is induced when driver inadvertently triggers the alarm when trying to start the engine while unaware that the car has automatically locked itself and armed the alarm. fear of small child being trapped inside car when auto locking/auto arming occurs. *jb | |||
| 08/01/2006 | 1 | 09/15/2001 | |
| Driver side power door lock malfunctions. it does not always lock as it is supposed to when done with remote or when car reaches speed for auto-lock feature. may lock when it shouldn't as well-- locking you in vehicle and/or setting off alarm. *jb | |||
| 01/17/2005 | 66300 | 1 | 06/08/2001 |
| On our 2001 volkswagen jetta model, the driver door latch failed which is tied into the alarm, the cabin interior lights, open door warning chime, etc. on most automobiles, this is a simple switch built into the door jamb. but on this poorly engineered vehicle, it's built into the door latch in the door, resulting in the entire door having to be taken apart to get to this part, a $250-350 repair bill. i called 3 vw dealerships to get estimates, and all three service departments told me within the first minute on the phone what the problem was and that it was fairly common. three year old vehicles should not have these kinds of problems, nor should this mechanism have ever been engineered into a part that gets slammed shut repeatedly day in and day out. amazing! we are unsure if the latch itself is safe or not and have decided to park the vehicle. as i feel this is a serious safety issue, i called vw service reps about the problem but to no avail. any help your agency can be in this matter would be helpful. this isn't my first unusual problem with this vehicle. sincerely, todd & gwen whatley tri-cities, wa. *nm | |||
| 11/19/2004 | 24000 | 1 | |
| Driver's side door lock malfunctioned. it will open from the outside only. if you are in side the passenger can not exit the vehicle which is still under warranty but will not cover this defect, which was eligible up to 24,000 miles. *ak | |||
| 10/28/2003 | 57855 | 4 | |
| Interior console paint peeling, fabric fading, engine rattle noise, window actuator failure and noise, thermastat, fuel door actuator, seat springs snap, brake pad excessive wear, a/c runs hot.*ak | |||
| 1 | |||
| The lock on the driver side door did not lock with the key or the automatic locking system. the consumer had to lock the vehicle on the passenger side. *jb | |||
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES - HOOD - LATCH | |||
| 05/05/2005 | 907000 | 1 | |
| Dt: hood latch about 05/01/05 the safety feature of hood latch, which prevents hood from opening inadvertently failed. hood opened up while driving on flat land in dry weather. was driving about 35-40. on a 4 lane road. dealer is installing new hood latch. hood latch is bent. the arm that holds hood up when open had to be removed. and further cosmetic damage has resulted due to the hood latch. *nm | |||
| 08/07/2004 | 50000 | 1 | |
| All cars have safety latches on the front hoods. the safety latch did not work on my 2001 vw jetta. the inside latch had been released and then inadvertently, the car was driven around the corner. there is no idiot light on dash to indicate hood was not fully locked. at 40 mph, the hood flew up and almost resulted in serious accident. fortunately, no one was hurt, but significant damage was done to car and fenders. 1) why are there no idiot lights on dash to indicate hood is not closed when such lights exist for truck and this is far less dangerous? 2) why did safety latch on front not work---is this a defect in all vws?. *ak | |||
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES - TRUNK LID - LOCK | |||
| 06/15/2001 | 15 | 06/15/2001 | |
| Numerous problems with 2001 vw jetta, purchased new in june, 2001.including : windows sporadically malfunctioning (when i called vw corporate as well as my local dealer, i was told that after the dealer evaluated problem i could be responsible for the labor charge depending on the outcome of their diagnosis!!); trunk latch has been replaced once (out of warranty) and now latch does not respond to remotes nor to the inside release on driver door; driver door lock does not respond to remotes nor to control on driver door (the other three door locks are presently functioning); interior coating on plastic door handles and center console began to peel within six months of delivery; center console latch broke long ago; check engine light comes on/off sporadically (brought car to certified mechanic but problem undiagnosed); a wax substance was constantly running into doorwells; vw dealer replaced coil, cables and buffer in response to rough engine idle complaint and i incurred all costs and inconvenience of car in shop , this at 72,000 miles,hazard lights malfunctioned; turn signals malfunctioned; now i hear of a brake light recall and an emergency light switch problem. i am just realizing recently that i am not alone with my jetta problems, that numerous jjetta owners are having the same problems ( i researched on internet) . vw customer service not helpful at all in resolving these problems. *tr | |||
| 07/26/2004 | 57400 | 1 | 01/15/2001 |
| While driving engine exploded. consumer had the vehicle towed to a dealership, and had the vehicle inspected, and was told that the engine had a build up of sludge. *ak the consumer took the vehicle in for service to get the lock on the truck fixed because you could not open it from the outside. the engine began making noise and smoking while the consumer drove on the highway leaving the consumer stranded on the highway. the consumer did not keep reciepts of work done to the vehicle therefore can not be reimbursed. the consumer sent a formal demand for settlement in the amoount of repair bills and rental car expenses through her legal councel for negligent inspection of her vehicle. *tc | |||
| 05/17/2001 | 2 | 04/01/2001 | |
| The trunk protection plate (stainless steel) at the latch cutout area is razor sharp causing me to cut a chunk of meat out of my finger to the bone requiring medical attention. i called vw and they stated that the consumers safety was not their concern. i feel that they should have to recall this part and fit it with a protective gasket of some sort.*ak | |||