NHTSA — Service Brakes, Hydraulic: Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1999 Volkswagen Jetta brakes problems

brakes problem

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1999 Volkswagen Jetta Owner Comments

problem #11

May 012001

Jetta Diesel

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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?

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #10

Jan 072001

Jetta

  • miles
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

- Laredo, TX, USA

problem #9

Jun 222001

Jetta

  • miles
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.

- Arcadia, CA, USA

problem #8

Apr 022001

(reported on)

Jetta

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #7

Feb 212001

(reported on)

Jetta

  • miles
While traveling in snow and when depressing brakes vehicle continued to travel, brakes froze.

- Kennewick, WA, USA

problem #6

Nov 302000

Jetta

  • miles
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.

- Portsmouth, VA, USA

problem #5

Aug 171999

Jetta Diesel

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Fairfield, CT, USA

problem #4

Aug 132000

Jetta

  • miles
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.

- Winnetka, CA, USA

problem #3

Mar 172000

(reported on)

Jetta

  • miles
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.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #2

Feb 212000

(reported on)

Jetta Diesel

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Olympia, WA, USA

problem #1

May 201999

Jetta

  • miles
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.

- Catlettsburg, KS, USA

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