NHTSA Defect Investigation #DP05004

ENGINE STALLING: Electrical System:Ignition:Module

CLOSED

no recall issued

2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA -- By letter received on June 24, 2005, mr. Ronald M. strickland of raleigh, nc, submitted a petition requesting that the Agency investigate the performance of the ignition coil plugs on model year (MY) 2000-2003 Volkswagen jetta, golf and passat sedans.the petitioner alleges that he had experienced multiple stalling events as a result of one or more ignition coil plugs malfunctioning on his 2002 vw jetta sedan.as a result of the engine stalling, the petitioner experienced a loss of power steering and increased braking efforts when he pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road to control the vehicle.after a few minutes parked on the shoulder he was able to restart the vehicle although the engine operated at reduced power.vw issued a customer satisfaction campaign (csc) on January 31, 2003 to instruct their dealerships to inspect the vehicles for any malfunctioning ignition coil packs and to replace them at no cost to the consumer.consumers were notified to bring their vehicles to their dealerships via owner letters mailed out on June 6, 2003.while vw initially instructed the dealerships to only replace the malfunctioning ignition coil packs, a revised csc was issued to dealerships in December 2003 and January 2004, instructing dealerships to replace all ignition coil packs regardless of their performance.a reminder to the dealerships was sent by vw on April of 2004.although the concerns of the petitioner could theoretically create a safety problem, the risk is very small, due to the engine still running on either 3, 5, or 7 cylinders.there are no reported crashes or injuries due to the alleged defect.once drivers are aware of the problem (loss of power due to one of the ignition coil packs malfunctioning), drivers are able to take precautionary and compensatory measures and still maintain control of their vehicles.in addition, four fires were reported to ODI.these were ignition coil burnouts with no additional damage to the vehicle and were localized on top of the engine. During the last 24 months the number of stall and drivability complaints reported to ODI has greatly diminished from a peak of 195 in January of 2003 to only 3 in August of 2005.this coincides with the csc released by vw.a safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of Agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.the Agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. Investigation was initiated on August 11 2005. Closed on December 08 2005. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #DP05004 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #RQ06004

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE: Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch**

RECALL »

Recall #06V183000

** This defect investigation is filed under 2 related vehicle components.
2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA -- By letters dated May 24, 2006 and August 4, 2006, Volkswagen (vw) notified the Agency that it is conducting a safety recall (NHTSA recall no 06V-183) involving model year (MY) 1998-2002 Volkswagen new beetle and 1999-2002 Volkswagen jetta vehicles equipped with cruise control.Volkswagen¿S recall covers 646,246 vehicles.previously, vw recalled these vehicles to replace a defective brake light switch (recalls 03V-265 and 04V-096) that was unique to vehicles with cruise control.Volkswagen reports that the brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly during recalls 03V-265 and 04V-096.Volkswagen will install a new design brake light switch.based on Volkswagen's safety recall action, this investigation is closed. Investigation was initiated on February 28 2006. Closed on August 07 2006. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #RQ06004 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #RQ03010

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH: Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch**

RECALL »

Recall #04V096000

** This defect investigation is filed under 2 related vehicle components.
2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA -- 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. Investigation was initiated on December 17 2003. Closed on March 01 2004. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #RQ03010 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #PE04073

TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE: Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights**

RECALL »

Recall #04V584000

** This defect investigation is filed under 4 related vehicle components.
2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA -- This investigation was opened on October 19, 2004, based on nine reports on 2000 through 2001 jetta and gti vehicles alleging that the turn signals and or hazard flashers fail to blink, or flash.some of the complainants reported that the lights would blink only a few times and then stop.several of the complainants reported that having the hazard flasher switch replaced repaired their vehicles.by letter of December 13, 2004, Volkswagen notified the Agency that it will conduct a safety recall of 350,000 model year 2000 through 2002 jetta, golf and gti vehicles to repair the turn signal and hazard flasher system.vw reports 216 owner reports, 4 field reports and 4960 warranty claims on this population of vehicles. Volkswagen dealers will install a new hazard flasher switch/relay kit to remedy the defective vehicles.please see safety recall 04V584 for details. Investigation was initiated on October 19 2004. Closed on December 16 2004. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE04073 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #EA00028

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE: Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages

RECALL »

Recall #02V026000

2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA -- It allege that the fuel tank and fuel fill pipe puncture from tire blow-out Investigation was initiated on December 28 2000. Closed on January 29 2002. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #EA00028 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #PE00033

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE: Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages

CLOSED

no recall issued

2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA -- The Office Of Defects Investigation has received nine reports regarding punctured fuel tanks involving the jetta, passat and cabrio models.the reports indicate the fuel tank was punctured as a result of a blow-out of the right rear tire.this investigation has been opened to further study this issue. Investigation was initiated on August 10 2000. Closed on December 28 2000. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE00033 »