2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND CONTINUED TO FLASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY PROVIDED A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO RECEIVE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WITH THE DEALER AND THE FAILURE PROGRESSED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO PASS AN INSPECTION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E007000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

Mileage: 58,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE ENGINE WOULD ALSO MISFIRE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE B VALVE, THE GLOW PLUG AND THE GLOW PLUG HARNESS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SECOND DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX UNIT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED A RECALL FOR THE 2009-2010 MODELS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V333000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THE 2005 MODEL VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000. UPDATED 04/02/12*LJ

Mileage: 118,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND FLASHING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS MISFIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SPROCKETS HAD BEEN SHAVED DOWN, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE TIMING CHAIN SPROCKETS AS WELL AS OTHER COMPONENTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,005. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 60,005

AT ROUGHLY 6500 MILES MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BROUGHT IT TO DEALERSHIP TO CHECK OUT. FOUND OUT THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD JUMPED, OR STRETCHED, RESULTING IN POOR IDLE AND A $2700 ESTIMATE TO REPAIR. LOOKED IF OTHER PEOPLE HAD THIS ISSUE. TIMING CHAIN SHOULD LAST 2-3 TIMES LONGER. SINCE I'M OUT OF WARRANTY PERIOD I AM OUT OF LUCK. VW OFFERED $1500 CREDIT TOWARDS A NEW VW. THIS IS NOT ACPETABLE. MY LAST JETTA LASTED 180000 MILES BEFORE ANY ISSUES. IF MORE PEOPLE HAVE THIS ISSUE, THEN THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE COMPANY. BE WARY OF VW'S. *TT

Mileage: 65,000

DRIVING MY DAUGHTER HOME FROM SCHOOL, HOT COOLANT STARTED SPEWING INTO WHERE HER FEET REST ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

Mileage: 115,000

AS EMPHASIS BY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS CAR (HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?5457990-CLASS-ACTION-AGAINST-VW-FOR-TIMING-CHAIN-PROBLEM), VOLKSWAGEN DESIGNED A FLAWED SYSTEM WHICH ALLOWS THE TIMING CHAIN TO FAIL PRE-MATURELY. IN FACT, DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THIS MOTOR, A TIMING CHAIN FAILURE WILL DIRECTLY AND IMMEDIATELY LEAD TO OTHER CATASTROPHIC ISSUES SUCH AS A BENT VALVE IN MY SITUATION. UPON REPLACEMENT OF THE MOTOR, I HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUE HAPPEN LESS THAN 1 MONTH LATER (11/16/11). *TR

Mileage: 100,000

2005.5 VW JETTA, 2.5L 5 CYL ENGINE. CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER GUIDELINES. VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY WHEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS LIT STEADY, NOT FLASHING. STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND WAS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN SPEED. PULLED OFF ROAD AND IDLE WAS VERY ROUGH. TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IDLE WAS WORSE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL LIT AND NOT FLASHING. VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE GRINDING NOISE FROM DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WAS DIFFICULT TO MOVE VEHICLE UNDER ITS OWN POWER AND HAD CAR TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. REPAIR SHOP FOUND TROUBLE CODE P1340 AND AFTER MORE DIAGNOSTIC THAT TIMING WAS INCORRECT. CAM TIMING WAS VERY FAR OFF AND STRETCHED TIMING CHAIN SUSPECTED. COMPRESSION TEST REVEALED BENT VALVES AS WELL. LOCAL INDY MECHANIC AND LOCAL VW DEALER HAVE BOTH SEEN THIS ISSUE SEVERAL TIMES WITH 2005.5 AND 2006 MODEL JETTA AND RABBIT VEHICLES WITH THE 2.5L ENGINE, AND SEVERAL OTHER SIMILAR FAILURES ARE OUTLINED IN SEVERAL PLACES ONLINE. THE FAILURE OF THE TIMING CHAIN WAS VERY SUDDEN AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 98,590

CAMSHAFT FAILURE CAUSING ALL ASSOCIATED/CONNECTING PARTS TO ALSO FAIL. NEVER DEVIATED FROM SPECIFIED MANUFACTURES REQUIRED OIL (505.01). THIS APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN PROBLEM, THAT IS COMMON ON ALL THESE DIESEL ENGINES (BRM), OF WHICH THE MANUFACTURE WILL NOT CORRECT AND THE OWNER IS REQUIRED TO CORRECT AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE AT A COST OF $2000 PLUS. *TR

Mileage: 108,000

OWN A 2005 VW JETTA, BROUGHT INTO DEALERSHIP TODAY WITH 106K MILES ON IT AND NOW THEY ARE SAYING THE TIMING CHAIN HAS JUMPED. THIS SOUNDS LIKE IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM, SO WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 106,543

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE RETURNING HOME AFTER SHOPPING. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. DIAGNOSIS WAS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF ENGINE DUE TO A TIMING CHAIN JUMP ON A 72K MILE, 2.5 LITER, 2005 VW JETTA TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. *TR

Mileage: 72,000

COILPACK FAILURE CAUSES THE CAR TO DECELERATE AND SPUTTER, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT STARTS TO RAIN. VOLKSWAGEN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM SINCE 2001. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF COMMENTS ON THIS DEFECT YET THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. *TR

Mileage: 39,000

VW JETTA 2.5L 2005 OUT OF THE BLUE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 81,000 MILES. RANDOM MISFIRE AND VACUUM LEAK CODES. TURN OUT TO BE TIMING CHAIN STRETCHED CAUSING THE PROBLEM COST $2000 TO FIX. *TR

Mileage: 81,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WHENEVER DECELERATING THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VALVE COVER DIAPHRAGM, COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR AND CRANK SHAFT SENSORS WERE REPLACED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,236.

Mileage: 100,236

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A NOISE COULD BE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE WHILE DECELERATING FROM ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TIMING CHAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 79,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 79,000

I HAVE A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND THE BATTERY BLEW UP UNDER THE HOOD. TOOK THE CAR IN AND WAS TOLD IT JUMPED TIMING TOOLS AND PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE AND THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED THIS TOOK THREE MONTHS AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION WILL GO INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING THE VOLKSWAGEN MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION AND IS 8 MILES OVER WARRANTY AND THEY WILL NO FIX THE CAR. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN NEW JETTA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OFF FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER NOR WAS THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A HARD JERKING AND IT ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COLD. UPDATED 05.02.11

Mileage: 40,000

2005.5 NEW JETTA 60,000 MILES AND THE TIMING CHAIN HAS SLIPPED TEETH AND THROWN THE ENGINE OUT OF TIME. NEW TIMING CHAIN FROM DEALER IS BETWEEN $4700-$5600. ALL MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE WAS DONE AT THE DEALER. FROM INTERNET SEARCHES IT APPEARS THIS IS A GROWING PROBLEM ON EARLY MODEL YEARS. THE DEALER HAS ALSO ADDED TO THEIR OWNERS MANUAL THAT THE TIMING CHAIN IS NOW A SERVICEABLE ITEM. HOWEVER IT WAS NEVER IN MY MANUALS. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT CAR I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM (SOUNDED LIKE) ENGINE. I ALSO NOTICED CAR NOT CHANGING GEARS SMOOTHLY. FELT AS IF IT WAS HAVING A HARD TIME SHIFTING ESPECIALLY UP HILL, I TOOK THE CAR IN AND WAS TOLD THIS IS JUST HOW A VW SHIFTS AND SOUNDS. I TOLD THEM I DID NOT NOTICE IT WHEN I INITIALLY OWNED THE CAR. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC SINCE NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON AT THEIR OWN WILL, THE CLOCK LOOSES TIME CONSTANTLY, AND THE NOISE HAS GOT A LOT WORSE AND SO HAS THE GEAR SHIFTING. THE DIAGNOSTIC THEY SAY SHOWED THE DUAL FANS ARE BOTH BURNED OUT. IF THEY ARE BURNED OUT WHY ARE THEY STILL MAKING A LOUD NOISE SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER I TURN THE CAR OFF? THEY HAVE ALSO TOLD ME NO TRANSMISSION PROBLEM EXISTS BUT ANOTHER DEALER TOLD ME THEY CANNOT KNOW THAT BECAUSE THE DIAGNOSTIC WILL NOT PICK UP ON A BAD TRANSMISSION ONLY A TOTALLY FAILED ONE. WHICH THE CAR WILL BE OUT OF WARRANTY THEN. THESE CARS HAVE OBVIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS THAT ARE BEING IGNORED. AFTER HAVING ALL THIS PROBLEM I LOOKED ON INTERNET AND WAS ASTONISHED AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS AS ME. SLOW AND HARD SHIFTS, WIPERS, CAR ACTING AS IF IT IS STALLING, CLOCK LOSING TIME, BATTERY GOING BAD TOO QUICK. BRAKES CONSTANTLY BAD. THIS CAR IS JUST A LEMON. WHY WILL THE GOVERNMENT NOT DO A TOTAL RECALL. THERE IS TOOOOOOO MUCH WRONG WITH TOOOOO MANY OF THEM. *TR

THE ENGINE SEIZED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO ENGINE LIGHTS, NO LOSS OF OIL. THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY THE ENGINE SEIZED. THEY REMOVED STARTER, REMOVED OIL PAN COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I CAME TO A STOP AND STOPPED THE CAR FOR 5 MINUTES AND IT WOULD NO LONGER RUN. THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING. THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED DEAD. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG. I WONDER IF THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 87,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CAM, ROCKERS, AND THE DUEL MASS FLY WHEEL IN HIS ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE VARIOUS COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE AT AN EXPENSE OF $6500.00. THE VOLKSWAGEN MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT BECAUSE HIS WARRANTY EXPIRED HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 114,000

I OWN A 2005 VW JETTA TDI. AT APPROX. 60,000 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAVE REPLACED THE SAME FLAP MOTOR 3 TIMES AND IT HAS FAILED AGAIN. I HAVE ALSO CHANGED THE THERMOSTAT, COOLING KIT, SENSOR, AND IT COMES BACK AS A FLAP MOTOR FAILURE. HAS VW HAD A PROBLEM WITH INTAKE FLAP MOTORS ON THE TURBO DIESEL MOTORS?. VW WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP WITH THIS SITUATION. *TR

Mileage: 5,900

I HAVE A 2005 VW 2.5 JETTA. MY FIRST INCIDENT WAS AT 32,000 MILES WHEN THE BACK BRAKES WENT OUT. FOLLOWING THAT, MY BRAKE LIGHTS BECAME FAULTY. AFTER REPLACING MY BRAKE LIGHTS, THEY WENT OUT AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO CHARGED ME $38 TO CHANGE THEM AGAIN. THEY WENT OUT ONCE AGAIN BEFORE THE DEALER DECIDED TO INFORM ME THERE WAS A DEFECT WHICH WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE NEXT PROBLEM WAS WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY CAR LOST POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO TOLD ME MY SPARK PLUGS WERE WET FROM THE RAIN. THEY SUGGESTED THE 40K MILE MAINTENANCE AT $500 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I AGREED TO DO THIS ONLY TO HAVE THE LIGHT COME ON AFTER I LEFT THE DEALER. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 4 MORE TIMES UNTIL THE DEALER FINALLY REVEALED THEY ARE AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE COILS. THEY WERE DYING ELECTRONICALLY ONE BY ONE AND THEY HAD TO ORDER 5 NEW UPDATED COILS FROM MICHIGAN FOR MY SPECIFIC VIN. 6 MONTHS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AT 50 MILES. NOW I AM BEING TOLD THE A/C FAN MOTOR HAS DIED. THERE IS NO SENSOR FOR THIS SO THE FAN MOTOR HAS TO BE REPLACED AT $780.00. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE LARGER FAN IS WORKING, BUT IT IS WEAK AND MIGHT NEED REPLACED AS WELL. THE CAR JERKS AND RUNS VERY ROUGH. MY CAR ALSO MAKES A LOUD NOISE WHEN I START IT. WHEN I AM SITTING AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT THE WHOLE CAR SHAKES. THIS DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT FOR A CAR THAT HAS 56K MILES CURRENTLY. *TR

Mileage: 44,500

2005 JETTA SOMEWHERE UNDER HOOD SPONTANEOUSLY BURST INTO FLAMES WITH CAR PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY AND ENGINE TURNED OFF AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES. FIRE CONSUMED ENTIRE ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS ACCORDING TO INSURANCE ADJUSTER. THERE WERE NO OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FIRE STARTED. CITY OF PLANTATION (FL) POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED AND WERE ABLE TO EXTINGUISH FIRE AFTER 15 MINUTES. *TR

Mileage: 35,000

SMALL RADIATOR COOLING FAN STOPPED. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA BUCKS AND SHAKES WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE SOUNDS LIKE IT JUST WANTS TO SHUT OFF AND NOT RUN. WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP THE LOANER GOT HIT AND DEALER WOULD NOT RETURN HER CAR UNTIL PAYMENT WAS MADE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME THE PROBLEM HAPPENED, SHE HAD COME TO A FULL STOP. WHEN SHE WENT TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE ALMOST STALLED, STARTING BUCKING AND WAS SLUGGISH. IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THE RESET A COMPONENT, HOWEVER 1 MONTH LATER THE PROBLEM RE-SURFACED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS, BUT EACH TIME THE COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED, THE PROBLEM WOULD COME BACK. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR EMANATING FROM HER VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHANGED THE AIR FILTER; HOWEVER, THE REPLACEMENT WAS ONLY A TEMPORARY SOLUTION. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE SMELL INTENSIFIED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,635 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000. UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ THE COSUMER WAS INFORMED THE SMELL WAS FROM THE ENGINE COOLANT. UPDATED

Mileage: 23,635

I OWN A 2005.5 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. JUST PRIOR TO THE 40K SERVICE THE CAR DEVELOPED A DANGEROUS POWER LOSS PROBLEM WHICH RENDERED THE CAR POWERLESS AND THE ONLY WAY TO CLEAR THE PROBLEM WAS TO PULL OVER, SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART. WE TOOK THE CAR INTO THE SHOP FOR OUR 40K SERVICE AND NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. IN JULY WE TOOK THE CAR ON A ROAD TRIP TO SANTA FE NM AND THE PROBLEM BECAME CHRONIC. WE TOOK THE CAR TO PREMIER MOTORCARS IN SANTA FE 505-428-5521 ON JULY 5TH, AND AS OF TODAY, AUGUST 24TH THE CAR IS STILL NOT REPAIRED. I HAVE ALSO JOINED A FORUM WHERE I HAVE MET OTHERS WITH THE CAME CAR, HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEIR CARS ARE NOT BEING REPAIRED. I HAVE THEIR NAMES, RO NUMBERS AND VW CLAIM NUMBERS UPON REQUEST. THERE APPEARS TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT SO FAR APPEARS TO AFFECT THE 05.5 JETTA TDI MODELS. THE PROBLEM CAUSES THE CAR TO ENTER A "LIMP MODE" WHERE BASICALLY THE HORSEPOWER IS REDUCED DRAMATICALLY AND CAN HAPPEN UNSUSPECTINGLY CAUSING THE DRIVER TO NOT BE AWARE OF AN UNSAFE CONDITION ENTERING TRAFFIC. TO MAKE AN EXAMPLE THE FIRST TIME IT DID THIS TO ME I WAS AT A STOP SIGN AT A BUSY HIGHWAY. I HAD SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE TO CROSS BUT UNKNOWN TO ME MY CAR HAD LOST POWER BUT I DIDN'T REALIZE THIS UNTIL ENTERING THE INTERSECTION CAUSING ME TO BARELY MISS AN ONCOMING CAR. VW HAS BEEN VERY UNCOOPERATIVE WITH ALL OF US AS FAR AS LETTING US SHARE OUR INFORMATION WITH THEM. I HAVE COMPILED THE SERVICE INFO FOR ALL OF THESE PEOPLE AND SHARED IT WITH EACH AND WHEN WE SPEAK TO VW THEY REFUSE THE INFORMATION. IT APPEARS THAT VW HAS NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM LEAVING MANY OF US WITHOUT OUR CARS FOR MONTHS. *TR

Mileage: 47,400

MY CAR A 05.5 VW JETTA TDI HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE DEALER SINCE MAY 24,07 WITH THE SAME TROUBLE. LOSS OF POWER. INTERMITTENTLY, MOST OF THE TIME WITH OUT ANY INDICATION OR NOTICE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO CROSS THE STREET. IF CARS ARE COMING AND YOU PULL OUT INTO THE STREET AND YOUR CAR HAS LOST ITS POWER AND YOU DO NOT EXPECT IT. YOU END UP CROSS WAYS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH ON COMING TRAFFIC HAVING TO BRAKE AND WAIT FOR YOU TO GET OUT OF THEIR WAY. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY SO YOU CAN'T PREPARE FOR IT. IT ALSO WILL LOSE POWER WHILE YOU ARE CRUISING DOWN THE ROAD AND NEED TO PUSH YOUR ACCELERATOR DOWN, AND FIND OUT THAT NOTHING IS HAPPENING, AND YOU MAY HAVE TRY SOME OTHER EVADECIVE MOVE. I NO OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH SAME THE CAR, HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AND DEALER HAVE NOT FIXED THEIR CARS EITHER. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

OIL PAN WAS CRACKED DO TO CONTACT WITH SPEED BUMP. ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON UNTIL ENGINE FAILED DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION. WHEN OBTAINING A REPLACEMENT OIL PAN FROM MANUFACTURER A REDESIGNED OIL PAN WAS USED AS A REPLACEMENT. INSTEAD OF CAST ALUMINUM IT WAS STEEL. IF THIS PAN WAS USED AS THE ORIGINAL PAN THE INCIDENT WOULD HAVE NEVER OCCURRED. AFTER INVESTIGATING FOUND OUT THAT STEEL PAN IS USED IN GERMAN BUILT JETTA'S BUT US MADE USE CAST PRODUCT. VW REFUSED TO WARRANTY ENGINE WITH ONLY 21,000 MILES. *JB

Mileage: 21,400

DEALERSHIP: LINDSAY VOLKSWAGEN OF DULLES MANUFACTURER: VOLKSWAGEN I HAVE NEVER HEARD FROM VW CUSTOMER CARE SINCE MY INITIAL COMPLAINT, FILED 10.27.05 AT 9:12 P.M., REFERENCE NUMBER 804030825. I CALLED IN NOV 05' TO CHECK ON THE STATUS AND A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP TOLD ME I SHOULD FILE AGAIN (I HAVE A REFERENCE NUMBER FOR THAT, TOO). I'VE YET TO HEAR FROM THEM TO THIS DAY. SINCE I BOUGHT MY VW JETTA TDI 05' IN MARCH 05, I HAVE DOCUMENTED HOW THE VW DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION MODULE COMPONENT, DEALT WITH OCCURRING PROBLEMS WITH THE ASR LIGHT AND A SEPARATE GLOW PLUG LIGHT SITUATION, PLUS UPPER FRONT STRUT MOUNTS REPLACEMENTS. EACH INCIDENT HAS EQUALLY COLORFUL STORIES TOO DETAILED FOR YOUR DATABASE CHARACTER LIMITATIONS. *JB

WHEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL ITS POWER AND WAS I COULD NOT GO OVER 25 MPH. WE WERE VERY LUCKY TO NOT GET HIT FROM BEHIND. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, ENGINE/EXHAUST LIGHT, ESR LIGHT, ESP LIGHT ALL CAME ON. IT ALSO STALLS OUT WHEN SITTING AT AN INTERSECTION. VW UNABLE TO FIX AS OF YET, BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS 3 TIMES ALREADY FOR THE SAME THING. VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM, CAR VERY UNRELIABLE!! *JB

Mileage: 11,200

I BOUGHT A 2005 JETTA TDI, BRAND NEW. WHEN IT HAD LESS THAN 2000 MILES ON IT, IT DIED WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO COAST OUT OF TRAFFIC, AND AFTER 20 MINUTES IT FINALLY RESTARTED. THEN 6 WEEKS LATER, WITH LESS THAN 4500 MILES ON IT, IT DIED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE I WAS GOING 70 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE FREEWAY. I HAD MY 3 KIDS IN THE CAR. AGAIN, I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO COAST OUT OF TRAFFIC AND ONTO A NARROW SHOULDER. I CALLED FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, BUT AGAIN, AFTER 20 MINUTES I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO RESTART IT. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED WITH MY CHILDREN SINCE WE TRAPPED BETWEEN A GUARDRAIL AND THE FIRST LANE. IT WAS TERRIFYING. THE ONLY INDICATION THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WAS THAT AFTER IT DIED QUIETLY, A LIGHT CAME ON THAT SAID "EMISSIONS WORKSHOP." THE DEALER SAYS IT'S RUNNING TO SPECIFICATIONS. THAT DOESN'T EXPLAIN WHY A BRAND NEW CAR HAS QUIT TWICE WITHOUT WARNING AND FAILED TO RESTART FOR 20 MINUTES EACH TIME. *JB

Mileage: 4,500

WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING AN ISSUE WITH OUR 2005 JETTA SINCE PURCHASE. WHENEVER WE START THE CAR FROM COLD WE EXPERIENCE A VERY LOUD NOISE THAT LASTS FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT A NORMAL SOUND. UNFORTUNATELY AT FIRST THEY SAID THIS WAS NORMAL. ONLY NOW ARE THEY ADMITTING THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR A NEW CAR. THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS AND VOLKSWAGEN ARE STATING THIS IS A NORMAL ISSUE. THE DEALER DID REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHICH DID NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP.*JB

ANY TIME THE VEHICLE IS NOT OPERATED FOR A FEW HOURS OR LONGER, THE ENGINE MAKES A VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE UPON STARTING. THE NOISE LASTS LESS THAN 30 SECONDS, THEN A HIGH-PITCHED NOISE FOLLOWS BEFORE BOTH NOISES CEASE. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THESE NOISES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS DUE TO THIS NOISE, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND THAT ALL NEW VEHICLES ON THE LOT WERE MAKING THE SAME NOISE. THE SALESMAN SUGGESTED THAT THE GRINDING NOISE WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS STARTING UP AND THE HIGH-PITCHED NOISE THAT FOLLOWED WAS THE FUEL PUMP. STILL, IT DOES NOT SOUND NORMAL, AND THE NOISE DOES NOT OCCUR IF THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY BEEN RESTING FOR A MATTER OF MINUTES. I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT A NORMAL FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE SUCH A NOISE, AND THEN ONLY MAKE IT ON CERTAIN OCCASIONS. *JB

Mileage: 100

DT: THE CONTACT STATED ON 8-16-05 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR DIED. THEN IT LURCHED FORWARD, STOPPED AND LURCHED FORWARD AGAIN. THIS WAS THE FIFTH TIME THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERS. THE FIRST TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THEY REPLACED A FUEL INJECTOR. THE SECOND TIME THE ABS LIGHT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THEY INSTALLED A FULL DISTRIBUTOR RAIL. THE THIRD TIME THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT WORK . THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY AND COOLING FANS. THE FOURTH TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, AND THEY REPLACED A VALVE. THIS LAST TIME THE DEALER GAVE HIM A LOANER CAR. THEY HAVE NOT DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM YET. THE DEALER CALLED ON FRIDAY TO TELL HIM THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE LOANER CAR. *AK

Mileage: 10,000

DT: THE CONTACT STATED ON 8-16-05 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR DIED. THEN IT LURCHED FORWARD, STOPPED AND LURCHED FORWARD AGAIN. THIS WAS THE FIFTH TIME THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERS. THE FIRST TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THEY REPLACED A FUEL INJECTOR. THE SECOND TIME THE ABS LIGHT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THEY INSTALLED A FULL DISTRIBUTOR RAIL. THE THIRD TIME THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT WORK . THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY AND COOLING FANS. THE FOURTH TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, AND THEY REPLACED A VALVE. THIS LAST TIME THE DEALER GAVE HIM A LOANER CAR. THEY HAVE NOT DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM YET. THE DEALER CALLED ON FRIDAY TO TELL HIM THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE LOANER CAR. *AK

Mileage: 10,000

A FEW DAYS AFTER WE PURCHASED OUR NEW 2005 JETTA WE NOTICED THAT AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING FOR 6 HOURS OR MORE WE WERE HEARING A VERY LOUD NOISE AT START UP. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME WE START THE CAR FROM COLD, BECOMING MORE LOUD THE COLDER IT IS - THE NOISE IS VERY LOUD AND MOST CERTAINLY NOT NORMAL FOR A BRAND NEW CAR. IT APPEARS THE NOISE IS COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR INTO THE DEALER AND AFTER LOOKING AT IT, THEY SAID THAT THIS WAS NORMAL AND REALLY DID NOT EXPLAIN AS TO WHAT IS MAKING THE NOISE. THEY DID STATE THAT OTHER JETTA'S MADE THE SAME NOISE. AGAIN, I FIND THIS VERY CONCERNING FOR A NEW CAR. *NM

WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS IT MAKES A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN YOU START IT. THIS LASTS FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS AND THEN GOES AWAY, BUT IT OCCURS EVERYTIME YOU START THE CAR AFTER IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A LITTLE WHILE. I WAS TOLD THE NOISE WAS NORMAL BY MY SALES REP. I HAVE HAD THE CAR 2 AND 1/2 MONTHS AND THE NOISE JUST DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT. *JB

Mileage: 200

I HAVE ENCOUNTERED SEVERAL ISSUES THE MOST ALARMING CURRENTLY IS A SMELL OF BURNING OIL UPON HEAVY ACCELERATION WHICH HASN'T BEEN LOCATED BY THE DEALER EVEN THOUGH THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MAY OF 05.*JB

WHEN WE COLD START OF OUR 2005 JETTA, THE ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE AN AIRPLANE ENGINE FIRING UP -- THE CAR REVS ITSELF AFTER 10 SECONDS AND THEN WHEN YOU PUT IT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE -- IT LUNGES. CALLED VW AND HAD THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY AGREED THAT THE CAR HAD AN ISSUE AND SENT OUT A VW TECH TO PUT A RESONATOR ON THE CAR -- DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEN AFTER 2 MONTHS OF FIGHTING THE DEALERSHIP AND VW, WE WEE TOLD THAT THE CAR IS PERFORMING TO SPEC AND THAT VW WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX THIS ISSUE. *NM

WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS IT MAKES A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN YOU START IT. THIS LASTS FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS AND THEN GOES AWAY, BUT IT OCCURS EVERYTIME YOU START THE CAR AFTER IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A LITTLE WHILE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE SECONDARY AIR PUMP AND THAT IT'S NORMAL. WE'VE HAD THE CAR FOR A WEEK, AND THE NOISE JUST DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT.

Mileage: 20

DT: THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE WHEN HE APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR. THIS CAUSED SOOT BUILD UP ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THE SOOT WAS WORSE IN THE BACK OF THE STATION WAGON. SOOT AFFECTED THE WHOLE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP FIVE TIMES FOR THIS COMPLAINT. CONSUMER STATED THAT IT WAS SIX TIMES, BUT THE DEALER DID NOT LOG THE FIRST COMPLAINT IN THE COMPUTER. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE FIRST COMPLAINT. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT THE EMISSION PROBLEM BECAUSE THIS WAS A NEW TYPE OF DIESEL ENGINE. THE TYPE OF ENGINE HAD A PUMP MADE TO USE EURO DIESEL WHICH WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE IN THE UNITED STATES UNTIL 2007. THIS INFORMATION WAS NOT MADE AVAILABLE TO THE CONSUMER BEFORE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER DIDN'T WISH TO POLLUTE THE ENVIRONMENT. HE ALSO STATED IT WAS NOT SAFE FOR BREATHING. SOOT COULD CAUSE BLACK LUNG DISEASE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND CLAIMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, AND IT WILL NOT POLLUTE THE ENVIRONMENT UNTIL 2007 WHEN THE DIESEL WAS CONVERTED. THE CONSUMER HAD A MEETING WITH THE VOLKSWAGEN REPRESENTATIVE. THEY OFFERED TO REFUND THE COST OF CLEANING THE CAR FROM THE SOOT ON THE INSIDE. THE DEALERS PHONE NUMBER WAS NOT PROVIDED.*AK

Mileage: 7,000