2008 Volkswagen JETTA: complaints, problems and recalls

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE BRAKES JERKED WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DRIVER'S FOOT WAS KNOCKED OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED A SECOND TIME TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 7,300.

Owner-reported narrative. 7,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10220180 at NHTSA ↗

TL*CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. TWO AND A HALF MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, HE OBSERVED A BLISTER ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT HE HAS TO PURCHASE A NEW TIRE SINCE THERE WAS NO WARRANTY ON THE TIRE AND TO CONTACT BRIDGESTONE FOR ASSISTANCE. THEY ALSO INFORMED HIM THAT THEY DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. THE DOT, TIRE PRESSURE AND SIZE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 1800. UPDATED 4/29/08 *CN

Owner-reported narrative. 1,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10221509 at NHTSA ↗

THE FRONT DEFROST SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. THERE APPEARS TO BE A SECRET FORMULA NEED TO GET THE DEFROST SYSTEM TO DEFROST THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. I HAVE MADE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT ONLY 1 OTHER PERSON HAD COMPLAINED OF THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT. NORMALLY I'M DRIVING THROUGH A STORM, THE WINDSHIELD FOGS UP AND I CAN'T SEE. I END UP PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEREVER I CAN. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10233657 at NHTSA ↗

WINDSHIELD WIPER STREAKING PROBLEM: I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SE ON MAY 6, 2008. THE FIRST RAIN THE CAR WAS DRIVEN IN (WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF PURCHASE) THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS LEAVING A STREAK APPROXIMATELY THREE INCHES WIDE AT EYE LEVEL OF THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RETURNED FOR DEALERSHIP SERVICE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE WIPER BLADE TWICE AND THE WIPER ARM. THIS HAS NOT CORRECTED THE STREAK ISSUE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INDICATES THE STREAK IS IND…

Owner-reported narrative. 350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10234584 at NHTSA ↗

EXCESSIVE DRIVE BY WIRE THROTTLE DELAY. THROTTLE RESPONSE DELAYED APROX. 1-2 OR MORE SECONDS AFTER DEPRESSING THROTTLE PEDAL. THROTTLE DELAY CAUSING HAZARDOUS DRIVING SITUATIONS WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC ETC. THIS "DELAY" IS PROGRAMMED INTO THE CAR'S SOFTWARE BY DESIGN. UNSAFE, CAUSED NEAR MISS ACCIDENT. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 2,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10243132 at NHTSA ↗

THE FRONT WINDSHIELD FOGS UP, AND YOU CANT SEE ANYTHING THROUGH IT. YOU NEED TO TURN ON THE AIR-CONDITIONING, SO THAT IT HEATS THE FRONT WINDSHIELD UP. IF YOU DON'T DO THAT, YOU WILL CRASH BECAUSE OF 0% VISIBILITY. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10244051 at NHTSA ↗

THIS ISSUES INVOLVES THE FAILURE OF WINDSHIELD WIPERS SET ON THE HIGHEST SETTING TO REMAIN AT THAT SPEED. VW HAS CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM AT A DEALERSHIP BUT OFFERS NO FIX TO THE PROBLEM. ESCALATION WITHIN VW HAS YET TO PRODUCE A SATISFACTORY ANSWER TO THIS OBVIOUS PROBLEM. IN HEAVY RAIN, DRIVING IS UNSAFE BECAUSE THE WIPERS VARY IN SPEED AND TO KEEP A CONSTANT WIPER RATE REQUIRES REPEATED CHANGING OF THE SETTINGS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 2,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10244718 at NHTSA ↗

EXCESSIVE REAR BRAKE WEAR. BRAKE NEEDED REPLACING AT 12K. CAR IS A 5-SPEED MANUAL AND BRAKES ARE USED VERY LITTLE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10246563 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2007-09-24 (September 24, 2007)

CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." SOME VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE HAD A REQUIRED CAP INSTALLED WHICH DISABLES THE HEADLIGHT HORIZONTAL AIM AND SOME VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A CAP THAT DISABLES THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW.

Consequence: NONCOMPLIANCE CAN INHIBIT PROPER HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT FOR ROADWAY ILLUMINATION, IMPROPERLY AIMED HEADLAMPS COULD CAUSE REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE LOW BEAM HORIZONTAL AIMING SCREW AND INSTALL ONE IF MISSING, AND INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW AND IF PRESENT, THE CAP WILL BE REMOVED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

Reported: 2009-05-19 (May 19, 2009)

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 25,594 MY 2006-2009 JETTA 5TH GENERATION EQUIPPED WITH 2.01 ENGINE. THE FASTENING SCREW CONTACT SURFACES ON THE DRIVESHAFT COVER PLATE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. SOME SCREWS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED PROPERLY DURING ASSEMBLY AND COULD LOOSEN OVER TIME, CAUSING A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE DRIVESHAFT SCREWS COULD LOOSEN TO THE POINT WHERE THE DRIVESHAFT DETACHES FROM THE GEARBOX.

Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE IS MOVING WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE DETACHED DRIVESHAFT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE THE GEARBOX HOUSING. A DAMAGE GEARBOX HOUSING COULD LEAK GEARBOX OIL ONTO THE STREET AND CREATE A RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND OTHER MOTORISTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVESHAFT SCREWS AND REPLACE THE SCREWS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Reported: 2010-12-10 (December 10, 2010)

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. THE JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN, AND RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE NEW BEETLE AND THE NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FASTENING CLAMP ON A HYDRAULIC HOSE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THAT MAY BE LOCATED IN AN IMPROPER POSITION WHICH COULD CAUSE CHAFING AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.

Consequence: IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL LINE. ADDITIONALLY, DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE MODEL, DEALERS WILL EITHER REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR, OR INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE FASTENING CLAMP AND ADJUST THE RELATED FASTENING CLAMP INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Reported: 2019-09-25 (September 25, 2019)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

Consequence: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.