2000 Volkswagen Jetta: doors won't lock, open or latch

Filed Feb 24, 2009 · Locks · 98,500 miles · ID

My 2000 jetta is locking and arming automatically. Recently, I opened my passenger door (driver's side) and put my 3 month old baby in her car seat. When I shut the door and reached to open the driver's door the doors locked and armed. Thankfully I had my keys in my hand and was able to quickly unlock and get into my car, but I shudder to think what could have happened to my child if it had been a hot summer day and I couldn't get into my car quickly enough. This has happened several times (intermittently) within the last two months. When I contacted my local dealerships service department I was told that the problem is a faulty door latch and that this is a common problem with vw cars. This was upsetting not only because my child could have been hurt, but because I had just replaced another door latch just prior to the birth of my child. I?m not sure why the service department didn't check the other door latches at that time, but I think that should be standard practice as these can become dangerous if unfixed. Until I can afford the $400 to fix the door latch (or buy a new car at this point) I no longer lock my doors or use my remote in order to prevent this from happening again. However, even if service department replaces my door latch I am not confident that this will not happen again. In talking to people who have serviced vw cars I have learned that this is a recurring problem. I understand that car parts stop working at some point; however what they should not do is turn the car into potential death trap. It is frightening to think that my child could become trapped in my car because of this problem. I also don?t feel that simply replacing the door latch with another possible faulty door latch will fix this problem or restore my confidence as a vw driver. As a parent I want to feel secure that the car I drive will be safe for my family. I feel that this issue requires further attention from vw and the us department of transportation.

Filed Dec 2, 2004 · Electrical, Locks · 25,000 miles · NJ

1) vehicle comfort module spontaneously failed. This happened while driving the car! 2) a majority of the functions controlled by this module failed, including alarm going off while driving, fuel cap release not working, door locks, trunk release, etc. All failed. In the middle of the freeway, the alarm went off and there was nothing I could do to turn it off. Called emergency roadside service and they showed me how to disable the alarm (turn the key in the door lock on and off several dozen times). However none of the other functions worked, most serious was that the fuel cap could not be opened. I had to get this fixed before I ran out of fuel! 3) took the vehicle to the dealer. They replaced the comform module and most of the system operational again. 4) however over time, one by one various systems starting malfunctioning again. Within weeks, one of the rear door locks wouldn't close automatically. Later the trunk release didn't work with the remote. Then the interior lights wouldn't go off automatically. Other door locks stopped functioning, etc. 5) since the car was out of warranty and these were not crucial functions, I lived with these failures. But now I'm uncomfortable driving the car, not knowing where again in the middle of nowhere, everything stops working again. 6) I called volkswagen and described this. They said I would have to go to a dealer to have the problem diagnosed and fixed at my own cost. They said that since the vehicle was out of warranty, they could not help fix this. I argued that this was a core component that failed - not due to wear and tear or misuse, but they still said sorry!

Filed Aug 30, 2004 · Electrical, Engine · 45,453 miles · TX

From stop the vehicle would sometime stall. The consumer was unable to accelerate. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak the vehicle had a bad mass air flow sensor (maf) and was replaced. The dealer found nothing wrong with the vehicle. The driver side door lock did not always lock automatically and would cause the alarm to sound. The problem was diagnosed but the problem was not fixed. The vehicle alarm would sound when the vehicle was started.

Filed Jun 24, 2004 · Electrical, Engine · 49,725 miles · PA

Mass air flow sensor failed at least 6 times in the past 60,000 miles, causing the vehicle to stall. Consumer discussed this with volkswagen, and asked manufacturer for an extended warranty. However, volkswagen was not listening. *ak the driver's side seat up/down lever spring broke. The micro switch failed and as a result the trunk light and gas light on the dash were inoperative. The automatic door locks failed.

Filed May 19, 2004 · Body, Electrical · FL

I thought my first new car purchase (a 2000 jetta vr6 gls) was a lemon. I, like many others, have experienced several problems. Problems such as: - rear cup holders broken - middle/rear seatbelt locked, cannot be used - 02 sensors both replaced since mil light kept illuminating - mas sensor replaced (and later recalled) - both front windows have fallen to the "black hole" (and later recalled; including a recall to the recall b/c they went from metal clips to plastic or vice versa) - paint peeling from inside door handles - alarm system faulty on passenger side door (dealer told me that unless the car beeps at me, the alarm is not secured. So, I must lock the door. Stand by for 15 seconds, lock the door again and this time when the car beeps, the passenger door is secured. And, furthermore, (this is good - keep reading) I was told that if I drive too close to a jea bus, their bus computer systems are run on the same channel as my jetta's computer system and sometimes being too close to a jea bus will cause my cars computer system to scramble). Computer system can be reset, and did you know that while resetting, vw can make your car beep in different patterns? That's probably a "feature"! - center console/armrest latch broken - large spring sits underneath my passenger side front seat - seat belt no longer click, indicating locked in position (dealer told me it still works. So, now I have to push it down and then tug on it, hoping that it really is locked -- if not, I may fly out that recalled window.) - child restrain seat locks recalled - trunk lock wouldn't stay latched - front fender separating from body of car - grinds going into second gear (manual transmission) - when car is put into 1st gear, it waits a few second before it gets enough power to fully accelerate - brake dust covers alloy wheel, in just hours of cleaning drivers wanted...but they're all in the dealer waiting room!

Filed Sep 9, 2003 · Acceleration, Body · MA

Consumer concerned with engine and wheel bearing issues. Wants to know who is going to reimburse for repairs. Oxygen sensor had to be replaced several times. The driver side inner door handle was difficult to operate. The left side axle shaft was replaced because it was making a whining noise. While driving the vehicle stalled. It was later determined that a small rodent had built a nest which clogged the air box. The vehicle stalled again and this time they replace the maf sensor. The cruise control was inoperative.

Filed Aug 12, 2003 · Electrical · 37,115 miles · MA

Problem with engine control module which caused electrical failure throughout vehicle, in particular, disabled all door locking systems, trunk and gas door buttons, overhead lights and heating/cooling pannel lights. This caused serious issue as owner was unable to manually open gas door to fill vehicle due to button on the door being diabled and was unable to set vehicle alarm system due to locking system being disabled. Issue was traced to comfort covenience module, and traced to main wiring harness that was causing a short and blown fuses. To merely find and diagnose the problem took dealer over 11 hours to replace $2.88 worth of parts---an extremely excessive amount of time. Volkswagon USA stands by dealer and refused assistance even though customer service reps acknowledged that repair time seemed extremely excessive in nature. Have seen similar complaints regarding vw electrical system issues and will be filing complaints with oag's in ma and nh.

Filed Nov 6, 2002 · Electrical · FL

Vehicle electrical system failed while driving. Causing the vehicle automatic door lock,turn signals and factory installed alarm system to be inoperative. Wiring in the turn signal lever was shorted.

Filed Sep 24, 2002 · Locks · FL · 1 injury

Power door locks lock on their own after car reaches a certain speed. It happens quickly, and if arms or fingers are nearby, the skin gets pulled into lock hole. It's very painful, like a very strong pinch or shock. Happens very frequently and causes bleeding occasionally. Ph *nlm **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**767679