1992 Volkswagen Jetta problems

Filed Jul 6, 2004 · Acceleration, Brakes · CA · crash · 1 injury

While applying the accelerator pedal it failed to accelerate. After applying the accelerator pedal numerous times vehicle suddenly accelerated uncontrollably. Consumer applied the brake pedal, but it failed. This caused the vehicle to collide into a guard rail. Vehicle was towed to a garage for inspection. Driver sustained minor injuries.

Filed Jul 4, 2004 · Acceleration · IN · fire

2025 hrs: traffic was gentle, with trailers on the right and smaller cars and trucks passing on the left that day. I was traveling to crown point from lafayette using highway 65 north (60-65 MPH -with the flow of traffic), when 3/4 miles away from reneselaer the accelerator cable froze still halfway. It would not release to the full position, nor will it depress past halfway. At that moment, the engine revved and started speeding up. I watched with panic as my jetta's speedometer read 67, 70, 72 and 75 progressively. To slow the car down, I stepped on the breaks gradually; which helped a little, but not by much. I had just passed the "1/4 mile to reneselear" exit number 215, which merges with highway 114. Seeing the exit ahead (and still stepping on the brakes to slow me down), I turned into the exit and halfway through the exit, I turned the engine off and rolled to a stop at the stop sign on top of the hill exit. Before I stopped completely, I began to smell my brake pads smelting. And when I did roll to stop, there was smoke rising from the front wells. I got out and popped the hood to inspect further and to check my tires. As I bent down to check the wheels, I noticed my rotors were both red hot. Checking the left wheel, after inspecting the right, revealed a small lip of flame right next to the brake rotor. I then grabbed a full bottle of windshield wiper fluid and emptied it on both rotors. The thought of losing my beloved car to a fire and a hugh explosion -my gas tank was completely full at the moment- was morbidly petrifying. The fire was quickly extinguished after I poured it on the flames. To my west, about ~ 1000 meters, was a shell gas station with kelly's tires right before it, where I asked for help. A kind technician -from kelly's tires- informed me, after inspecting my car, that I would need a new accelerator cable before any work is done. I would need to special order the part and then bring it to them on or after tuesday (7-6-2004.

Filed Jun 26, 2003 · Engine · 119,646 miles · IN · 1 injury

The vehicle experienced a coolant leak from the heater core. *jb the consumer was driving when a boiling sound was heard coming from the air vent and viewed heavy steam coming from the dash board as well, and when the vents were opened, hot radiator coolant was splashed in the consumers face. *scc

Filed Mar 12, 2002 · Engine · CA

For over a year now, my car will just "die" while I am driving it. I have been in almost 2 accidents now because of it. It doesn't give any warning that it is going to die. I just notice it when the "dumy lights" come on or when I loose my steering. It can happen when the car is hot or cold, at any speed. It just doesn't matter. Sometimes I can tell, because the RPM will drop to almost 0. But usually nothing happens. I have taken it to the dealer 7 or 8 times over the last year and they have never been able to figure out what the problem is. They have gone as far as saying they cannot duplicate the problem. However, I have several witness's that have been with me in my car that can dispute this. I have had my car die as much as 7x in one day. I have contacted the manufacturer and they basically did nothing about it. They just contacted the dealer and they said they were trying to figure it out and that was the end of it. I called the manufacturer again and asked if they could send an engineer out to look at the car as it didn't seem the technicians at the dealer were able to figure it out and they told me "no" it is at the sole discretion of the service manager to decide this. So, till now, they have not been able to fix this problem, or even detect where it is coming from and they have no intentions to keep looking. In the meantime, I am driving a "death trap". The car is totally unsafe. 3 weeks after I bought this car I started having problems. It is a lemon and the dealer basicaly admitted it, but wants nothing to do with it. In the past 10 years that I have had the car. I have taken it in for service around 45 times. Is there anything I can do about this?

Filed Nov 6, 2000 · Visibility · GA

Heater coil bursted and cooliant came inside of vehicle through dashboard. Dealership wasn't aware of problem, but said that she will call them today.

Filed Nov 1, 2000 · Electrical · CA

This vehicle from new ( within 5 days of deliverly) has stalled out while driving. The warranty provided for replacemant parts but no mechanic could ever find the root of the cause. While driving the tachometer will bounce back and forth with the engine surging and attepmting to die out. And it will die out . No certian speed or circumstance will contribute to this. Vw just replaces parts without ever identifying what the actual cause is. The throttle position swith has been replaced 5 times at a cost of 300.00 each. This maskes the problem but due to its interminate nature no one can put it on a scope and say this it it. It becomes a safty problem while driving and the car suddenly jerks and quits while driving on the freeway or in stop and go traffic. All conectors are gold plated as the factory recall was issued, fuses have been replaced. We are looking for an answer as this has become dangerous to drive. Someone should be able to provide an answer to this problem. Please contact me with any information. .

Filed Dec 16, 1999 · Seat belts · NC · crash · 1 injury

When vehicle was involved in a rear end crash, the seat belt on the driver's side did not restrain the driver, causing injuries to the driver's neck/shoulder and back. Please provide any further information. *ak

Filed Nov 29, 1999 · Acceleration · NY · crash

When started vehicle heard a noise, smelled smoke, and vehicle lurged forward. Vehicle finally stopped when rear end collided with the front of a pickup truck parked in the lane. Driver suffered injuries, and vehicle sustained damage. Accident was caused by accelerator cable snapping in half. Applied brakes, but failed to stop vehicle prior to collision.

Filed Aug 9, 1999 · Electrical · RI

Ongoing/intermittent problem with starter overheating, and causing engine to shut off. Consumer learned of a service bulletin conerning same problem. But dealer/manufacturer were not conerned. Can the federal safety agency provide additional information or help in this matter.

Filed Dec 10, 1998 · Engine · NJ

The defective timing belt breaks annually which causes engine problem and the engine to seize while driving, which can cause an accident. Been to dlr 4 times. Cause unknown. Please provide further information.