2005 Volkswagen Jetta Complaint Log

I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR AN EARLY 65K MILE SERVICE BECAUSE I NOTICED MY TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY & WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I THOUGHT HAVING THE 85K SERVICE DONE WOULD TAKE CARE OF THAT, IT DIDN'T & IT GOT WORSE, SO I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VALVE BODY WAS FAULTY & THAT IT WOULD COST $1000+ TO FIX. I JUST PAID OVER $1000 FOR THE K MAINTENANCE & OTHER REPAIRS; I CAN'T AFFORD THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSE. [XXX], IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, STATED THAT THE ISSUE WAS ??NOT THAT BAD, ...THAT THEY SEE MUCH WORSE, ?WON'T BE A PROBLEM TO KEEP DRIVING IT...?. I WASN'T CONVINCED THAT A MALFUNCTIONING VALVE BODY WOULDN'T CAUSE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS, BECAUSE WHEN I AM DRIVING IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS ABOUT TO DROP OUT OF THE CAR & THE CAR HESITATES TO THE POINT THAT IT IS NOT SAFE! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK STOPPED WORKING FOR PASSENGER DOOR BEHIND DRIVER. THERE IS NOT WAY TO MANUALLY LOCK. *TR

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.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN AN ACCIDENT IN FRONT OF ME CAUSED ME TO ABRUPTLY STOP. IN ORDER FOR ME TO BACK UP AND GO AROUND, I HAD TO GET OUT THE VEHICLE AND PUSH IT BACKWARDS DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. *TR

I WENT TO PRESS THE BUTTON ON THE REMOTE TO UNLOCK THE. CAR, BUT ALL DOORS UNLOCKED EXCEPT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. I MANUALLY HAD TO UNLOCK CAR DOOR. WHEN I WAS INSIDE I SHUT THE DOOR BUT THE CAR KEPT INDICATING THAT IT WAS OPENED. THE WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN, SIDE MIRROR CANNOT BE ADJUSTED, CANNOT OPEN TRUNK OR POP THE GAS TANK. DOORS ARE SUP POST TO AUTO LOCK AT A CERTAIN SPEED WHICH THEY NO LONGER LOCK WHILE DRIVING. THE SWITCHES ON EVERY OTHER DOOR ARE STILL OPERATING PROPERLY EXCEPT FOR SPEED LOCKS. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE CHILDREN MAY ATTEMPT TO OPEN CAR DOOR WHILE IT IS IN MOTION. I SEARCHED ONLINE FOR SAME VEHICLES THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THERE ARE SEVERAL THAT INDICATE WHAT THE ISSUE IS, THE WIRES ARE TO SHORT FOR THE DOORS TO OPEN AND CLOSE WHICH PULLS ON THEM AND WILL CAUSE THE CONNECTION TO BREAK LEAVING THE DOOR POWERLESS. *TR

I HAVE A VW JETTA 2005 THAT HAS THE 2.5 ENGINE. FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED SHIFTING GEARS BY ITSELF IN HARD SHIFTS, MOSTLY FROM 1ST TO 2ND AT ODD TIMES. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN THE VWS AND REQUIRED A TRANSMISSION REBUILD. (I'VE HEARD THAT A NUMBER OF TIME). I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT A COST OF $4,000 TO END THE PROBLEM. *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT ON IN VEHICLE INDICATING AN ERROR WITH THE SYSTEM. MANUAL SAYS THE BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY OR DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN I THINK THE CAR COMPANY SHOULD ADDRESS. *TR

I WROTE TO YOU ABOUT A MONTH AGO ABOUT RECALLING THE 2005 JETTA. NOTHING CAME OUT OF IT. IT IS MY FIRM BELIEF THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. GOOGLE THE PROBLEMS WITH THE 2005 JETTA AND YOU WILL SEE TONS ABOUT COMPLAINTS REGARDING THEIR TRANSMISSION WOES. PLEASE BE OBJECTIVE IN YOUR INVESTIGATION. *TR

VEHICLE HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER (MISFIRING VERY BADLY) AND WOULD NOT MAINTAIN SPEED. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON, AND THERE WERE NO TROUBLE CODES STORED. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO VW DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY CONFIRMED THE CAMSHAFT WAS COMPLETELY WORN AND "SEVERAL LIFTERS HAD CAVED IN." INTERNET SEARCHES CONFIRM THIS MODEL VEHICLE (TDI WITH A BRM ENGINE) HAS A KNOWN HISTORY OF CAMSHAFT FAILURE. ASIDE FROM THE COST OF REPLACEMENT ($2900 AT THE DEALER), THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING CRASH. *TR

WE BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A FIRST OWNER IN 2010 FOR MY DAUGHTER WHO WAS THEN A SENIOR AT UC DAVIS. NO PROBLEM FOR THE FIRST 2 YEARS BUT 2013 SEEMS TO BE THE BEGINNING OF SOME PROBLEMS. THE MOST MAJOR ONE IS THE TRANSMISSION. THERE IS A SLIPPAGE ON 2ND, 3RD, AND 4TH GEARS. THERE IS A JOLT ACCOMPANYING THE SLIPPAGE AND IF THERE IS A BABY ONBOARD, I PROBABLY FEEL THE BABY WILL BE SUFFERING SOME KIND OF PAIN. CHECKED THE INTERNET FOR SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL AND SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2005 JETTA BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR

I NOTICED THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE IN THE "ON" POSITION AFTER MY VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND ALL LIGHTS WERE IN THE OFF POSITION. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY LEFT IT OVERNIGHT AND EXAMINED IT THIS MORNING. THEY NOTED THIS WAS A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AND INDICTED THE HOUSING HAD MELTED OVERNIGHT. THIS SEEMS LIKE A FIRE HAZARD. ALSO, VOLKSWAGEN HAD A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE COMPLAINT # [XXX]. WHEN I SPOKE WITH VOLKSWAGEN THEY SAID THEY ARE ONLY COVERING VEHICLES WITH THIS ISSUE THROUGH MANUFACTURED YEAR 2003. MY CAR IS A 2005. OBVIOUSLY, THIS ISSUE PERSISTED BEYOND THE YEARS THEY INDICATED, AND THEY EXPECT THE OWNERS NOW TO FOOT THE BILL FOR A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AND DAMAGES CAUSED BY THIS ISSUE. I THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW THIS ISSUE EXTENDS BEYOND THE PERIOD THEY INDICATED AND I HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER MAKING THIS A RECALL ITEM. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF THIS ISSUE BECOMES A RECALL ITEM. I FEEL, AT A MINIMUM, THE DEALER SHOULD COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE WINDOWS AND DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK, THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN, AND THE DOOR AJAR INDICATOR WOULD NOT TURN OFF WITH THE DOOR SECURELY SHUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED SAID THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE DRIVERS DOOR WIRING HARNESS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER DOOR WIRING HARNESS. THIS OCCURRED AT 80,000 MILES. FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN AT 93,330 MILES, AND REPAIRED BY A DIFFERENT AUTO MECHANIC. *TR

07/22/13 I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR AN EARLY 100K MILE SERVICE BECAUSE I NOTICED MY TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY & WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I THOUGHT HAVING THE 100K SERVICE DONE WOULD TAKE CARE OF THAT, IT DIDN'T & IT GOT WORSE, SO I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VALVE BODY WAS FAULTY & THAT IT WOULD COST $1000+ TO FIX. I JUST PAID OVER $1000 FOR THE 100K MAINTENANCE & OTHER REPAIRS; I CAN'T AFFORD THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSE. [XXX], IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, STATED THAT THE ISSUE WAS ??NOT THAT BAD, ...THAT THEY SEE MUCH WORSE, ?WON'T BE A PROBLEM TO KEEP DRIVING IT...?. I WASN'T CONVINCED THAT A MALFUNCTIONING VALVE BODY WOULDN'T CAUSE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS, BECAUSE WHEN I AM DRIVING IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS ABOUT TO DROP OUT OF THE CAR & THE CAR HESITATES TO THE POINT THAT IT IS NOT SAFE! I DID SOME RESEARCH, FOUND THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VALVE BODY, HOWEVER, I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION IN ANYWAY REGARDING THIS, EVEN WHEN MY CAR HAD BEEN IN FOR SERVICE. I CONTACTED VW HEADQUARTERS & SPOKE TO [XXX] 8/30/13 WHO INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VALVE BODY, APOLOGIZED THAT I DIDN'T RECEIVED NOTIFICATION, THEN INDICATED THAT VW COULD NOT HELP ME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE & SHOULD BE COVERED BY VW. PLEASE HAVE SOMEONE CONTACT ME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH AND EXITING A HIGHWAY RAMP, A VERY A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY TO AN AUTO SERVICE CENTER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE TWO ALUMINUM BOLTS USED FOR THE MOTOR MOUNTS HAD FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE MOTOR TO FALL ONTO THE SUB-FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,362.

AS MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD HER DRIVER SIDE WINDOW SUDDENLY DROPPED INTO THE DOOR, CREATING A LOUD NOISE AND SERIOUS DRIVING DISTRACTION. SHE REPORTED SWERVING AND SLAMMING ON HER BRAKES AS SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HAD HAPPENED. IT TURNS OUT THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT, SEE TECHNICAL BULLETIN 64-08-06 AND THE WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED TO COVER THIS PART, BUT WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED. APPARENTLY, THERE WAS NO RECALL NOTICE, DESPITE KNOWING OF THIS ONGOING PROBLEM, ONLY A WARRANTY EXTENSION AFTER THE PROBLEM OCCURS. THIS HOW NOW EXPIRED. SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, IN THE SNOW, AND THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

LEFT TURN SIGNAL, DRIVERS DOOR/ALL REMOTE WINDOW SWITCHES, TRUNK/FUEL DOOR RELEASE, DRIVERS DOOR LOCK KEY FOB LOCKING OF DRIVERS DOOR/DRIVERS DOOR INTERNAL LOCK ARE ALL INOPERATIVE. OCCASIONALLY, THE CABIN INTERIOR LIGHT REMAINS ON WITH A DRIVERS "DOOR OPEN" INDICATION ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER EVEN THOUGH THE DRIVERS DOOR IS CLOSED AND SECURE (BUT UNABLE TO BE LOCKED FROM THE DRIVERS DOOR LOCK SWITCH IN THE PASSENGER CABIN). THE PRIMARY SAFETY ISSUE RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM IS THAT THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL DISPLAYS ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, BUT DOES NOT ACTIVATE ON THE REAR TURN SIGNAL LIGHT AND DRIVERS WINDOW (ALONG WITH ALL OTHER WINDOWS REMOTELY CONTROLLED ON DRIVERS DOOR) ARE INOPERATIVE IF NEEDED TO MAKE A HAND TURN SIGNAL OR EGRESS FROM THE VEHICLE IN AN ACCIDENT (OR SUBMERGED UNDER WATER FOR AN EGRESS). DEALER AND MANUFACTURE BOTH REFUSED TO COVER THE REPLACEMENT COST OF THE FAULTY PART. I HAVE PERFORMED EVERY MANUFACTURE REQUIRED SERVICE REQUIRED (ALL DOCUMENTED) SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY AND RELIABILITY. IT HAD VERY LOW MILEAGE ON MY PURCHASE IN EARLY 2007. PER VW TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, GROUP 97: 09-01 (201-7600), FEBRUARY 26, 2009, STATES THAT THE DRIVERS DOOR WIRING HARNESS WAS MANUFACTURED 80 MM TOO SHORT. THIS RESULTS IN PUTTING STRAIN ON THE NUMEROUS WIRES IN THIS HARNESS NEAR THE DOOR BOOT AND CONNECTOR PLUG CAUSING WIRES TO BREAK AND/OR ELECTRICALLY SHORT. MY VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED BY THE VIN RANGE OF THIS MANUFACTURES SERVICE BULLETIN. THE NEW REPLACEMENT DRIVERS DOOR ELECTRICAL HARNESS ARE NOW 80 MM LONGER THAN THE ORIGINALLY MANUFACTURED (INSTALLED) FAULTY PART THAT THE MANUFACTURE IS UNWILLING TO REPLACE AT THEIR COST (PARTS OR LABOR). I WILL PAY FOR MY REPAIR PERSONALLY, BUT BELIEVE THAT THE SAFETY ASPECT OF THIS FAULTY PART COULD COMPROMISE THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS IN ADDITION TO OTHER MOTORIST. *TR

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER JUST LIKE IGNITION TURNED OFF. ALMOST WAS REAR ENDED DUE TO SUDDEN SLOWING DOWN. HAD TO PULL OVER TO LEFT LANE ON VERY BUSY INTERSTATE BECAUSE I WAS IN CARPOOL LANE. HAD LIMITED SHOULDER AREA TO STOP. NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. ONCE STOPPED TRIED TO START ENGINE. IT WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START. CONTINUED ATTEMPTS CAUSED ENGINE PRESSURE WARNING. HAD TO BE TOWED FROM BUSY INTERSTATE LEFT LANE. NOW THE CAR HAS FAILED LIKE THIS WHILE ON THE ROAD 3 TIMES. THERE IS NO WARNING OR INDICATION OF FAILURE. CAR JUST DIES. ALL THREE INCIDENTS WHERE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. 2 WERE ON HILLS NEAR STOP SIGN AND I HAD TO ROLL VEHICLE BACK AROUND OTHER CARS TO SAFE PLACE. *TR

THE CAR WOULD BUCK AND BUCK THEN GO INTO GEAR , THEN IT WOULD BUCK GET STUCK IN 3RD OR 4TH GEAR I WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF LET IT SIT THEN TURN IT BACK ON . THE PRNDS PANEL WOULD ALL LIGHT UP AND STAY ON AND SOMETIMES GO OFF IF THE CAR SAT FOR LIKE 2-3 DAYS BUT THE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON AND THE CAR WOULD DO THE SAME THING . THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT THE MECHANIC STATED THE 3RD OR 4TH GEAR WAS STRIPPED AND THAT IT WILL COST ME ANYWHERE FROM 4K TO7K TO GET IT FIXED. *TR

SOMETIME IN EARLY TO MID 2013, I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM VOLKSWAGEN THAT I NEEDED TO BRING MY 2005 JETTA IN TO HAVE THE DRIVER'S SEAT WIRING HARNESS REPAIRED DUE TO A RECALL. I HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAGS OR WARNING LIGHTS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND THEY DID THE WORK. WITHIN A FEW DAYS, I GOT AN ERROR MESSAGE IN THE DISPLAY THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE AIR BAGS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO VOLKSWAGEN. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TECHNICIAN FAILED TO CLEAR SOMETHING IN THE COMPUTER MEMORY SO THE FAILURE MESSAGE HAD COME ON. THEY INDICATED THEY CLEARED THE MESSAGE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DISPLAY DID GO OFF. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE AIR BAG ERROR MESSAGE CAME ON AGAIN. I TOOL THE CAR BACK TO VOLKSWAGEN. THIS TIME THEY SAID IT WAS NOT RELATED TO THE WIRING HARNESS AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE A NEW DRIVER'S SEAT SIDE AIRBAG INSTALLED, AT A COST OF ABOUT $700. IN NOVEMBER 2013 I CORRESPONDED WITH VOLKSWAGEN AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE ISSUE BECAUSE I HAD NO PROBLEMS UNTIL THEY REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS. VOLKSWAGEN'S RESPONSE WAS THAT, EVEN THOUGH I HAD BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR RECALLS ON "A CAMPAIGN RELATED TO AIRBAG CONNECTORS AND WIRING", IT WAS NOW THE AIRBAG ITSELF THAT WAS BAD NOT THE CONNECTORS OR WIRING, SO THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DISPLAY IS STILL THERE. *TR

HI, SO MY 2005.5 2.5L VOLKSWAGEN JETTA STARTED MAKING NOISES UPON ACCELERATION AND THE ENGINE WOULD SHIFT QUITE HEAVILY DURING IDLING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP. APPARENTLY, THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TIMING CHAINS OF THE ENGINE. NEVER MISSED A MAINTENANCE, AFTER ONLY 68,000 MILES IT DOESN'T SEEM OKAY THAT TIMING CHAINS ARE ALREADY AFFECTED. AFTER LOOKING AT A FEW FORUMS ONLINE, IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR VOLKSWAGEN JETTAS FROM THAT TIME. PLEASE INVESTIGATE! THANK YOU. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

FOR CLARIFICATION, MY CAR IS A MARK 5 2005.5 NEW JETTA, NOT A MARK 4 2005 JETTA. WHEN YOU SHUT THE TRUNK, IT SEEMS TO CLOSE COMPLETELY. IT STAYS IN THE CLOSED POSITION AND CANNOT BE PULLED OPEN. HOWEVER, ONCE YOU DRIVE OFF, THE TRUNK MAY OPEN SUDDENLY AND YOU CANNOT SEE ANYTHING BEHIND YOURSELF BECAUSE THE TRUNK HOOD OBSTRUCT YOUR REAR WINDOW. THIS HAS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES TO ME, AND MANY OTHER JETTA OWNERS CAN BE SEEN SAYING THAT THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ON ONLINE FORUMS. SOMETIMES, THE TRUNK CANNOT BE CLOSED AT ALL. YOU CAN STAND THERE AND SHUT THE TRUNK OVER AND OVER AGAIN, AND IT WILL NOT LATCH. *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN THE MORNING. NOTICED ROUGH IDLE AND POOR ACCELERATION ON MY MORNING COMMUTE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON FOR MISFIRES ON CYLINDERS 2 - 5. TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP THAT EVENING. DEALERSHIP PERFORMED $900 OF REPAIRS ON THE CAR AND THEN DECLARED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD STRETCHED, CAUSING THE MISFIRES). THIS ISSUE OCCURRED SUDDENLY AND WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS HAD IT OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY, INSTEAD OF SURFACE STREETS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH 2005/2006 JETTAS (DOCUMENTED AT: HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?5457990-CLASS-ACTION-AGAINST-VW-FOR-TIMING-CHAIN-PROBLEM AS WELL AS MANY OTHER FORUMS). I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER CARE OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE IS 16,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. A TIMING CHAIN FAILING AT 76,000 MILES IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND IS NOT LISTED WITH A SERVICE INTERVAL PER THE OWNERS MANUAL (LATER ADDED AT 105K MILES ON NEWER CARS). VEHICLE FAILED JUST UNDER 76,000 MILES. *TR

MY 2005 VW JETTA GLI STALLED SUDDENLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING @ 35-MPH. AFTER PULLING OVER AND OPENING THE HOOD TO ASSESS DAMAGE, I TURNED THE IGNITION KEY BUT ALL I HEARD WAS THE STARTER BEING ENGAGED. ONCE THE CAR WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THE TIMING BELT BROKE/SNAPPED. I WAS SKEPTICAL BECAUSE MY OWNER'S MANUAL SAYS TIMING BELTS SHOULD BE REPLACED AT 110,000 MILES ACCORDING TO VW'S RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. DURING REPAIRS, THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT MY VALVES WERE BENT BECAUSE THE 1.8T IS AN INTERFERENCE ENGINE WHICH MEANS THAT CAMS, ROCKERS AND LIFTERS MUST BE REMOVED IN ORDER FOR THE CYLINDER HEAD TO BE SENT TO A MACHINE SHOP FOR ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. TOTAL COSTS = $3,865.66. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST VW TIMING BELTS BUT I WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BY THE ADMINISTER/CUSTODIAN CLAIMS WERE NO LONGER ACCEPTED AFTER 2009. I SPOKE WITH [XXX] AT VW CUSTOMER SERVICE 1-800-822-8987 WHO SAID THERE ARE NO TIMING BELT RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS CONCERN AND SEE OTHER IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS AT HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/VOLKSWAGEN/T33RHDPDVBRPO8D2P/P3 FOR MORE INFORMATION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP ON 10-8-2012 UP IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA AND DROVE IT BACK HOME TO MY HOUSE IN SC. EVERYTHING WAS FINE ON THE WAY HOME. THE VERY NEXT DAY ON MY WAY INTO WORK THE CAR HESITATED WHEN IT WAS SUPPOSED TO SHIFT FROM 3RD GEAR TO 4TH GEAR AND THEN SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED ALL THE WAY BACK TO 1ST GEAR WHICH MADE THE CAR DE-ACCELERATE FROM 35-40MPH TO 10MPH WITHIN 40 FEET OR SO. THE ENGINE REVVED TO 6000 PLUS RPMS WHICH SCARED ME BUT NOT AS MUCH AS THE BIG TRUCK THAT WAS TOWING A TRAILER THAT HAD TO SKID OFF THE ROAD AND GO AROUND ME TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS NOW A DAILY OCCURRENCE. I CARRY MY 16 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER AROUND IN THIS CAR AND I'M SCARED TO DEATH THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO SMASH INTO THE BACK OF US. I'VE STARTED PULLING OFF THE ROAD AND LETTING CARS GO TO AVOID ACCIDENTS. PLEASE HELP! *TR

ABS CONTROL MODULE DOES NOT ALLOW BRAKES TO FULLY ENGAGE. *TR

2005.5 JETTA--VEHICLE HAS ROUGH SHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. AS WELL AS DOWNSHIFTING. WHILE DRIVING ON A MOUNTAINSIDE, GOING 65 MPH, THE CAR SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED TO 3RD GEAR AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN, WITH CARS FLYING BY ME. THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS UNTIL TURNED OFF AND ON AGAIN. THIS IS NOW HAPPENING DURING REGULAR ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN, AS I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE DUE TO LOSS OF POWER/SPEED. *TR

I TRIED TO PULL ACROSS A BUSY INTERSECTION AND THE ENGINE DIED. IT WAS BUCKING AND KEPT STALLING OUT WHEN I TRIED TO MOVE THE CAR ACROSS TO GET OUT OF ON COMING TRAFFIC. *TR

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

AT ROUGHLY 7500 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. TIMING CHAIN SHOULD LAST THE LIFETIME OF THE ENGINE NOT TO FAIL AROUND 75000 AND I CHECKED THE OTHER COMPLAINT AND IT LOOKED LIKE ALOT OF OTHER 05 TO 06 OWNERS HAS THE SAME ISSUE . *TR

SWITCHES IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR HAVE BECOME GRADUALLY (AND INTERMITTENTLY) INCREASINGLY INOPERABLE. DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK, WINDOWS UP/DOWN, WINDOW LOCK, SIDE-VIEW MIRROR ADJUSTMENT, AND TRUNK RELEASE ALL HAVE STOPPED WORKING EITHER ENTIRELY OR INTERMITTENTLY. THE MAJOR SAFETY RELATED ISSUES ARE: 1. NON-FUNCTIONAL SWITCHES ARE A DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING - CAN'T CLOSE WINDOW AT TOOL BOOTH, ETC. 2. THE INABILITY TO ADJUST SIDE-VIEW MIRRORS. 3. THE INABILITY TO LOCK REAR WINDOWS COMBINED WITH HAVING SMALL CHILDREN RIDING IN THE BACK SEAT. 4. THE INABILITY TO UNLOCK REAR DOORS (WITHOUT USING THE KEYLESS REMOTE - ONE OF WHICH HAS ALSO STOPPED WORKING) TO GET TO THE KIDS IN THE BACK IS A CHALLENGE AND POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS. 5. THE DOOR SWITCH THAT INDICATES TO THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER WHEN THE DOOR IS OPEN OR CLOSED ALSO IS NOT FUNCTIONAL, CAUSING NIGHTTIME LIGHTING ISSUES WHEN PARKED AND OPENING DOOR. *TR

A FEW WEEKS AGO, I WENT TO START MY CAR AND ALL THE LIGHTS WERE FLASHING AND CAR DIDN'T START. JUMPED THE BATTERY, GOT THE CAR RUNNING; BUT EVER SINCE MY AIR BAG LIGHT HAS STAYED ON AND THE DRIVER'S WINDOW IS SLOW, THE AUTO UP/DOWN FEATURE NOT WORKING, AND IF THE DRIVER DOOR IS OPEN, I CAN'T POP TRUNK OR GAS LID OR ROLL DOWN ANY OF THE WINDOWS. MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, SO IT'S GOING TO BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX THE MULTIPLE ISSUES. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILS TO ENGAGE INTO THIRD GEAR, THEN ENGINE REVS UP, THEN SLAMS INTO GEAR. TRANSMISSION STAYS IN THIRD GEAR REGARDLESS OF SPEED. TRANSMISSION STAYS IN FIFTH GEAR REGARDLESS OF SPEED. *TR

WINDOWS, DOOR LOCKS, TRUNK AND FUEL DOOR RELEASE AND AIRBAGS NON-FUNCTIONING DUE TO WIRING HARNESS LOCATED IN DRIVERS DOOR. FOUND OUT THERE IS ISSUE CONCERNING THE LENGTH OF THE HARNESS THAT CAUSES WIRES TO BREAK OVER TIME. *TR

VEHICLE HAS MANUAL TRANSMISSION, DRIVER SELECTED FIRST GEAR AT AN INTERSECTION, PULLED AWAY FROM LIGHT WHEN IT CHANGED TO GREEN, TRIED TO CHANGE TO SECOND GEAR, HOWEVER GEAR LEVER STUCK IN FIRST GEAR, WOULD NOT MOVE INTO NEUTRAL, LUCKILY DRIVER HAD ENOUGH FORWARD MOMENTUM TO CLEAR INTERSECTION AND ROLL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WITH ENGINE RUNNING DRIVER IS UNABLE TO SELECT A GEAR, ONLY WAY TO PUT TRANSMISSION INTO A GEAR IS TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE, VEHICLE TAKEN TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALER FOR REPAIR, CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE HAD CRACKED IN HALF. *JS

I BOUGHT THE CAR IN MARCH OF 2012 AND ON THE WAY HOME I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WASN'T SHIFTING AT THE APPROPRIATE TIMES AND THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE. AFTER I GOT HOME I CALLED THE DEALER AND ASK THEM OF THE CAR HAD ANY PREVIOUS ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION, HE SAID NO AND NATURALLY I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION THAT WAS COMPATIBLE. 2 YEARS LATER I AM NOW HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE CAR AND I DID RESEARCH AND NOTICED I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE I HAVE MY CAR AND ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE I AM. THAT BEING SAID THIS ISN'T A COINCIDENCE AND I AM IN THE SAME SITUATION I WASN'T TWO YEARS AGO HAVING TO PAY $1200 FOR A FIXED OR A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE REASON I KNOW THIS IS WHEN THE CAR IS IN FIRST IT DOESN'T WANT TO SHIFT TO SECOND AND HAS A BUMP AT EVERY OTHER GEAR.IF IT WAS JUST ME I WOULD UNDERSTAND BUT THERE ARE MULTIPLE FORUMS THIS ISSUE HAS CAUSED PEOPLE. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW TO DISSATISFIED I AM ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I LOVE MY CAR AND I CAN'T KEEP AFFORDING TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. I HOPE THIS CAN BE FIXED IN THE FAVOR OF THE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THIS THANK YOU. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,500.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED THE TRUNK FAILED TO CLOSE. THE CONTACT HAD TO SLAM THE TRUNK SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER FOR IT TO CLOSE PROPERLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LOCK AND THE OPEN DOOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,375. ... UPDATED 02/28/13 *BF UPDATED 03/11/13

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.

AS I TRY TO ACCELERATE THE GEARS JUMP ERRADICALLY.

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

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

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

3 OCT 2011: THIS VEHICLE'S FLYWHEEL ASSY FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 85,000 MILES. FORTUNATELY, THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE I WAS AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED IN A NON-CONGESTED AREA. AFTER THE EVENT, I HAVE COME TO REALIZE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON DSG TRANSMISSIONS AS INSTALLED ON A VARIETY OF VW MODELS. VW DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE INTERESTED IN DISCUSSING THIS ISSUE FOR MODEL YEARS 2005 / 2006. I AM ONE OF THE LUCKIER ONES AS I REGULARLY MAKE LONG DISTANCE - INTERSTATE TRIPS WITH FAMILY IN-TOW. VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO ACCEPT FULL FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO NOT ONLY TAKE CARE OF CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SUCH LOW-TIME FAILURES BUT, ALSO, EXPAND ANY RECALL THAT MAY BE IN-PLACE FOR LATER MODELS SO AS TO PREVENT POTENTIAL LIFE-THREATENING ACCIDENTS WITHIN THE OVERALL DRIVING POPULATION. I HAD BEEN DRIVING A "TIME BOMB" FOR ALMOST 5 YEARS AND, TO DATE, VOLKSWAGEN OF NORTH AMERICA HAS ONLY ISSUED A LIMITED RECALL FOR LATER MODELS, THE 2008-2010, I BELIEVE. THIS EPISODE WILL COST AT LEAST $3000.00 USD AND NONE OF IT IS COVERED BY VOLKSWAGEN. WHAT IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THIS AND HOW DO I KNOW THAT MY REPLACEMENT DSG TRANSMISSION WILL NOT BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THIS HAPPENING AGAIN CAUSING POTENTIAL VEHICLE, PROPERTY, AND PERSONAL DAMAGE IN THE FORM OF A VEHICLE "MISHAP".??? *TR

THE CAR INTERIOR HAS A CRAYON SMELL MOST NOTICEABLE ON HOT DAYS. I AM CONCERNED THAT I AM BREATHING IN POSSIBLY TOXIC FUMES FROM THE EVAPORATION OF CHEMICALS THAT WERE USED WHEN THE CAR WAS BUILT. AFTER TYPING INTO GOOGLE ONLY THE 2 WORDS "CRAYON SMELL" I GET MANY MANY HITS FOR VW CARS THAT HAVE THE EXACT SAME SMELL AS MINE, SO THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS A LARGE GROUP OF VW VEHICLES. *TR

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

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

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A BURNING WAX ODOR EMITTING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING VENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE CARPET. THE ODOR RETURNED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR DURING SUMMER MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED $1500 TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF A NEW VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NO REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

2005 .5 MODEL YEAR VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI (TURBODIESEL) WITH AUTOMATIC (DSG) TRANSMISSION. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING CAR, THE TRANSMISSION WILL FOR NO REASON SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, AND ALL TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHTS 'PRNDS' WILL FLASH SIMULTANEOUSLY. SO FAR, IF ENGINE IS SHUT OFF AND THEN RESTARTED, THE TRANSMISSION WILL AGAIN FUNCTION NORMALLY. I BELIEVE THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 OR 5 TIMES NOW. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CAR WAS IN AN INTERSECTION WHEN IT BECAME IMMOVABLE WHICH PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD.I CAN SEE THAT THERE IS A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF INFO ON MANY VW INTERNET SITES ABOUT THIS ISSUE, IN FACT IF YOU SIMPLY GOOGLE 'VW DSG FLASHING PRNDS' OR 'VW DSG TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS' ANYONE CAN FIND IT. IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I SEE THAT HHTSA HAS BEGUN AN INVESTIGATION BASED ON THIS FOR 2007 THRU 2009 MODEL YEARS, OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM ON 2005/2006 VW WITH DSG TRANSMISSION AS WELL. VW HAS INITIATED A NEW CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM TO ADDRESS CUSTOMER CONCERNS RELATED TO CERTAIN DSG EQUIPPED MODELS BUT APPARENTLY MINE (AND MANY OTHERS) ARE NOT COVERED THEY SAY BY THIS PROGRAM- NEVERTHELESS A SAFETY ISSUE EXISTS WITH 2005 AND 2006 DSG EQUIPPED VW'S. I CALLED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE (NATIONAL) TODAY 11/3/11 AND REP SAID "I AM NOT AWARE OF THIS ISSUE' FOR THIS YEAR- SO THEY ARE EITHER LYING OR INCREDIBLY UNDERINFORMED. I HAD THE CAR TO VW DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS, AND THEY STATED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOWED A MALFUNCTION IN A PART THAT CONTROLS TRANSMISSION OPERATION AND WAS CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL BY ITSELF. THEIR RECOMMENDATION, "SPEND $2000 TO REPLACE THE PART, OR JUST GET A NEW TRANSMISSION = $4000. SINCE THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY RELATED DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL- I FEEL THE NHTSA SHOULD EXPAND THE INVESTIGATION TO INCLUDE ALL YEARS OF VW DSG TRANSMISSION EQUIPPED VEHICLES SOLD IN THE USA. *TR