NHTSA — Latches/Locks/Linkages: Doors: Latch Problems

3.4

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
38,000 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.

1997 Volkswagen Jetta accessories - exterior problems

accessories - exterior problem

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1997 Volkswagen Jetta Owner Comments

problem #6

Nov 012006

Jetta 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 100,000 miles

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

Replaced ignition coil for the third time in as many years!! electric water pump replaced. Eater core exploded a couple months later while I was on the highway at 65 mph with my child in the car! couldn't see anything as car filled with antifreeze cloud. Belt driven water pump went a week later. Entire power steering rack needed to be replaced. Window regulator needed to be replaced twice. Door handle broke twice!.

- Jewett City, CT, USA

problem #5

Jul 242005

Jetta 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 50,000 miles
I feel like my Jetta is a deathtrap. In the four years that I have owned it, I have had four of the power window mechanisms malfunction. Currently, the front passenger window is stuck shut, and the driver's side back window is stuck open! this is especially concerning because throughout the cold season, at least one, if not all of the doors will not open. People think my boyfriend is being a gentleman, but really, he has to walk around and let me out. This is not the frozen lock phenomenon common to many vehicles- the actual latch mechanism malfunctions. We have been repeatedly trapped in our car and had to climb out the window! the failures are so consistent, so expensive to repair (and the repairs do not last) that we drive around like this because cost of the repairs exceeds the value of the car. Help!

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #4

Oct 012003

Jetta

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles
Front driver and passenger doors will not open from inside or outside when it is too cold outside. Dealer says that the vaccuum actuators (whatever those are) are the problem and need to be replaced, at significant cost. Lso, driver's door lock came out completely with the key. Dealer replaced the lock. Also, coolant light flashes red when car is first started in cold weather. Coolant levels and fuse are ok. Also, side trim on front passenger door is coming loose from the door.

- Pueblo, CO, USA

problem #3

Apr 211997

Jetta

  • miles

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

Driver's door would not open from inside. Feel free to provide any further information.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #2

Jan 032001

(reported on)

Jetta

  • miles
During cold weather both front door and trunk locks freeze up and consumer is unable to enter the car. Nlm

- Westboroug, MA, USA

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problem #1

Feb 121999

Jetta

  • miles
Door latches freeze and doors will not open from the inside or outside of the car - recurring design problem.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

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