1995 Volkswagen Jetta: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed May 12, 2008 · Steering · 138,500 miles · OH

Smoke coming from steering wheel in hot weather.

Filed Dec 18, 2005 · Engine · 90,100 miles · TX

I was on my way back to galveston from houston (on I-45) with my spouse and a ten month old son in our 95 volkwagen jetta glx vr6. After crossing the land bridge, I suddenly found a dense white smoke coming from my ventilation ports and a different smell started coming. I could hardly see the road. Initially, I thought it must be the heavy dew (humidity) adsorbed on the windshield. Therefore, I slightly increased the temperature range of the heater but the situation became worst. The car was with a speed 55 MPH. I sensed the danger in continuing to drive and I pulled over, otherwise I could have crashed. I was too scared as my family was with me. I couldn't understand what was happening. I also saw that the coolant temperature indicator was flashing. Then I realized that there is something else that must have gone wrong. I cleaned the windshield and slowly reached home as I was very close to galveston. It was a nightmare for me. I thank god that nothing wrong happened. The next day, I contacted the auto mechanics to ask what the problem was and to estimate the cost to fix it. He told the heater core broke and repair is very costly. I was shocked to hear the price. He advised to by pass the heater. So I did. Now, my car is without heater. In these cold days I can''t take my family out anywhere. I hope my experience will help the other drivers in the states specifically those who are driving similar car as mine. I also hope that the part which failed on my car will be recalled and get fixed. I pray nobody should get in this kind of situation and mental stresses I went through.

Filed Dec 5, 2005 · Body, Electrical · OH

I bought my jetta iii gls in 1995 brand new. Within a year the molding on the doors started peeling off and eventually falling off. The dealer sent it to a body shop to have it glued and it never stuck. I've been driving for years with one molding missing. I have replaced multiple power window motors and parts. Failure of these power windows are consistantly failing one after the another. I had smoke and an electrical burning smell coming from the steering column and failing blinkers which were both related. I replaced the blinker system and problem was solved. The lock freeze easily in cold weather and I have had the driver side lock completely fall apart while unlocking the car. The seal on front windshield is wearing away causing leaking of rain and this will be fixed with $100 resealing of windshield. Rusting is occurring under car and on underside of doors, vw said it must be rusting from the inside out to be covered (wouldn't that be bigger problem if it occurred from the inside??). The oil seal is leaking. The oxygen sensor has been replaced and needs replaced again. The middle console was permanently locked and dealer took it lock out saying it was broken. The windshield washer fluid container has broken twice. This is all with 85,000 miles. These are common problems with jetta but window motors and molding are by far two main problems that should be covered with a recall, ask any jetta owner.

Filed Jun 15, 2004 · Electrical · DC · fire

1995 volkswagen jetta caught on fire while parked.*mr the fire started under the driver's side dash area. The car was totaled.

Filed Mar 4, 2004 · Electrical · 137,050 miles · PA

Smoke coming from the steering column on several occasions

Filed Dec 18, 2003 · Electrical · 80,000 miles · LA · fire

A pedestrian informed consumer that vehicle was on fire. Vehicle was pushed from under a car port onto the street, and the fire department extinguished the fire. Fire started from within the engine compartment and beneath the dash. The first owner of the vehicle claimed that the vehicle had many electrical problems. The dealer was aware of the problem, but the manufacturer was not.

Filed Apr 24, 2002 · Electrical · UT · fire

While driving wiring harness under dash caught on fire. Cause unknown. Dealer contacted. *ak consumer states that the dealer determined that both the main wiring harness and the wiring going to the driver's door had caught fire and needed to be replaced.

Filed May 11, 2000 · Electrical · NY

First noticed when A/C failed to emit cool air. Driving in hot weather, heavy traffic; then traffic starts moving, smelled painfully strong burning smell, I started to cough, noticed white smoke coming out of control panel on dashboard; pulled over, turned off car, white smoke pouring out from under hood; short in main wire harness and instrument main harness; may need A/C control switch of other parts; "open door" bell ringing when keys not in ignition was another symptom that electrical had failed.

Filed Jul 14, 1999 · Electrical · FL · fire

While driving the vehicle caught on fire under the dash area, cause unknown. Please give any further details.

Filed Jul 6, 1999 · Electrical · FL · fire

While driving vehicle caught on fire under the dash area, causing knobs on the dash to melt. Cause unknown. Please give any further details.

Filed Jul 30, 1998 · Electrical · VA · fire

While driving towards home noticed smoke coming from dashboard. The wires started sparkling & then flames appeared. Vehicle filled with smoke. Fire department arrived to put flames out.

Filed Jun 20, 1997 · Steering · CA

While driving vehicle about 50 MPH, noticed smoke coming from steering column area; applied brakes to slow down; the smoke started to disappear; happens at high rate of speed; took to dealer & they could not find anything wrong.