2004 Volkswagen Jetta: engine stalls while driving

Filed Oct 15, 2018 · Engine, Fuel system · 168,000 miles · CA

Vehicle under multiple occasions has stalled out at various speeds, locations, and driving styles/roads at or under a quarter of a tank

Filed Nov 16, 2017 · Fuel system · 145,000 miles · OH

The car randomly stalls while driving whether at highway speeds or in town. This causes a loss of power steering and power brakes which is inherently dangerous in certain situations. It has been doing this regularly with the previous owner for the last 3 or 4 years and has done it 4 times while under my ownership since september 2017 it usually happens while there is less than 1/4 tank of fuel. When it happens there is no check engine light nor does the ecu store any codes from the problem. Previous owner made several repairs including a fuel pump and filter, engine speed sensor and alternator wiring harness in an attempt to fix the issues with no success. This issues also comes up regularly on several vw forums and no one seems to have an answer. This is a known and regular issue with no consistent repair and needs to be remedied.

Filed Aug 1, 2017 · Electrical · 74,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen jetta. While driving approximately 65 MPH, all the warning indicators started to flash on the instrument panel. The door chime sounded and the vehicle stalled. The contact coasted the vehicle onto the shoulder. The contact had the vehicle jump started and drove to a nearby parking lot. The failure occurred two other times and the vehicle was repaired by an independent mechanic. The fuse box melted and had to be replaced. The vehicle operated normally after the repairs were completed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.

Filed Aug 1, 2017 · Fuel system · 165,000 miles · UT

Randomly stalls on the freeway when down to 1/4 tank of gas. After pulling over and turning off the key and turning the key back on, it will start and run great. This happens about every other time the car gets down to about 1/4 tank. No shop can duplicate the problem or correct it. I have tried the ignition coil, grounds, fuel pump... No fix. There are countless threads on various vw forums about this same problem. It is very dangerous to stall on the freeway. Something needs to be done to correct this.

Filed Aug 12, 2016 · Electrical · 70,000 miles · CA

Alternator cable melted the fuse block and wires above the battery. I will need to replace the alternator, alternator wiring harness, the fuses, and possibly the battery. My car has shut down while driving and this is dangerous not just for me but for others on the road around me. Too many vw owners are experiencing this exact same issue. Vw please take ownership of this ongoing safety issue. This same issue is being addressed in a class action for beetles.

Filed Jul 18, 2016 · Electrical · 50,000 miles · KY · fire

My (generator cable - s177) alternator cable melting the fuse box and wires above the battery. My car needed a new alternator. My car does not always start even with a new battery and alternator. My car has shut down while driving on the highway. Vw admits this is a known problem but will not do anything about it. I am the second owner of this vehicle. Thousands of people are having this same problem.

Filed Apr 11, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 156,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled, back fired, and it was leaking coolant under the water pump. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Prior to this failure that the vehicle had experienced leaking. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 14e007000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 156,000.

Filed Sep 24, 2014 · Engine · 80,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen jetta. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle jerked, the epc warning indicator illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the mass air flow system failed. The dealer previously replaced the mass air flow system due to the check engine indicator illuminating, but the failure persisted. The technician stated that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Feb 16, 2014 · Seats · 130,000 miles · NJ · fire

The car ran into a big puddle of water and the engine stall. When trying to restart the car the car it started with severe hesitation in engine. Tried stepping on gas to keep engine going the exhaust got real loud and the smoke started filling up the cabin. Stepped out of car to find that the car caught on fire. The flames can be seen on under side of the car, in the middle section right under the armrest area between the two seats. Thankfully I was able to escape unharmed. I think thats a manufacturing or design defect that allowed the heat from exhaust to penetrate inside the cabin where it reached the floor carper that caught fire.

Filed Jan 30, 2012 · Electrical · 48,000 miles · AL

I have a 2004 vw jetta. It has about 48,000 miles on it. A little over a year ago, it developed an electrical problem. It progresses from the dashboard lights flickering initially & the trip mileage going away, to beeping 3 times, and eventually to stalling when I stop. It's progressive, the longer it happens the more frequently it happens. This makes the car unreliable and dangerous. I've taken the car to the dealership 4 times. The first 2 times, they said it was a short. I was charged for the service. The next time they said it was the ignition switch. I paid for the part but not the labor. The last time, they said it was the fuel pump relay switch. I wasn't charged. I got the car back thursday. The problem reoccurred saturday. I spoke to vw corp. Prior to the third & fourth times I took it to the dealer. The fourth time, I asked for other options, but all they would do is tell me to take it in for repairs. I spoke to them again today. They said to take it in to the dealer once more. I pointed out that I had just done that last week. They still insisted I return it to the dealer. They said eventually, they might give me credit for the car towards a new car. They wouldn't specify how many more times I'll have to take it in to be considered for the credit. They didn't say how much credit they would offer. I don't want another vw. I asked that, as the car was unreliable & they couldn't fix it, that they buy it back from me at the blue book price. They said that would never happen. Do you have reports of similar problems with 2004 vw jettas? Do you have any suggestions as to what my rights are relative to this situation?

Filed Apr 29, 2011 · Engine · 94,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen jetta. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact did not inform the dealer or manufacturer of the failure. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who inspected the vehicle and advised the contact that the timing belt was fractured and would need to be replaced. Also, the tensioner and engine may have been damaged and the contact was awaiting the results. The current and failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

Filed Oct 6, 2010 · Engine, Transmission · 105,000 miles · TN

Catastrophic drive train failure of a vw jetta tdi 5-speed. While traveling at 65-70 MPH on relatively flat terrain on a clear roadway in 5th gear with no input to the clutch or the transmission, occupants felt & heard a single, muffled 'thump'. Originating drive train failure event occurred spontaneously and completely unexpectedly. After the anomaly, a low metallic rattle was heard. Once clear of surrounding traffic, in troubleshooting attempt the driver engaged clutch and shifted into neutral; immediately the rattling became more pronounced. Fifth gear immediately reengaged and noise abated. Driver navigated vehicle under power to right lane & subsequently exited expressway. Upon approach to side street traffic light, the clutch was reengaged resulting in a renewed rattling; transmission shifted into neutral. When clutch was let out, the constant rattling noise continued as engine idled. With signal change, clutch reengaged & transmission shifted to 1st gear. Clutch slowly, carefully released: noticeable noise increase followed by short series of loud, sharp noises. Vehicle lurched and stalled. Two attempts to restart engine failed; no engine response. Police notified & vehicle towed to dealer. Significant fluid leakage noticed. Subsequently notified by vw dealer that main shaft of transmission catastrophically failed pressing flywheel into motor damaging casing, bearings & crankshaft lobs resulting in immediate seizing of the diesel power plant. Total replacement of transmission and engine assembly required (est ~$11k). This vehicle had all maintenance service performed regularly at 5k intervals by vw dealer (documented) and had recently had full 100k service including timing belt replacement. No notification/concern for additional transmission inspection/service. Clutch recently seemed to be engaging a wee bit further but no bottoming of pedal or clutch slippage. Owner expected to schedule clutch inspection/work during next 5k service visit.