2004 Volkswagen Jetta: gas smell in the cabin

Filed Jul 1, 2013 · Fuel system · 100,000 miles · AZ

A little under 3 years ago (oct. 2010) I started noticing a faint gas smell coming from my car. Over a 2 week period the smell gradually got stronger and my mpg slowly decreased. After taking my car into a shop it was determined there was a crack near the fuel pump gasket and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. Now 2 weeks ago (may 2013) the exact same symptoms started up again and after taking my car back to the shop they told me the exact same thing. There was a small crack near the gasket on my fuel pump and it needed to be replaced. There is an obvious design flaw to cause me to replace 2 fuel pumps in a 3 year span.

Filed Jun 3, 2013 · Fuel system · 145,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, he noticed a strong fuel odor. Upon inspection, it was found that the fuel pump had failed. The manufacturer advised that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number 04v586000 (fuel system, diesel). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 145,000 and the current mileage was 146,177.

Filed Jan 8, 2013 · Fuel system · 172,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that a fuel odor was being emitted from the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was found that fuel was leaking around the area of the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and informed the contact that the diesel fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure and although the part number for the failed component was the same as in the recall, the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 04v586000 (fuel system, diesel). The failure and current mileages were 172,000.

Filed Aug 30, 2012 · Fuel system · 110,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted a strong fuel odor, the contact inspected the vehicle and found that the supply line cracked and as a result, the fuel neck to spill over top of the tank and ground. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised that the vehicle was not included in (the federal safety agency campaign id number: 05v154000 fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump) the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 110,000.

Filed Jun 5, 2010 · Fuel system · FL

On march 25, 2007, I woke up to a strong fuel leakage odor, seeking for air, almost finding it impossible to breathe properly, forcing me to evacuate my house at late hours of the night the gas smell was coming from my car in the garage. I called dealer, explained matter. Dealer told me my car was no longer under warranty for this kind of service/or repair. The car had 49,419 miles and was 4 years old but volkswagen warranty is covered for 50,000 miles or 5 years whichever occurs first. I called volkswagen but they only confirmed the dealer's statement. Took car to local shop, they replaced fuel tank and fuel pump on march 26, 2007, cost $754.11. Three months after the strong gas smell came back only difference the engine light came on and smell was not as strong. I took car to a different shop on may 22, 2008 they repaired gas tank and fuel pump seal costing me $316.20. This april received a letter from volkswagen for faulty catalytic converter, researched connection to potential gas leak and found in disbelief the gas leak recall on 2005, which I was not notified in 2005 or 2007.

Filed Jun 7, 2006 · Transmission · 37,100 miles · VA

I am the original owner of a 2004 vw jetta gli (vr6), purchased in fall '04. The car was delivered off the truck at the time of purchase (never driven by other customers). It currently has 37,100 highway miles on it. I am a previous owner of a '03 vw jetta gli and traded it in (47k mi.) for my current car. Both vehicles have a manual transmission. On 6/6/06, I experienced serious problems shifting gears. The car started to rev, even though I was methodically letting the clutch out, shifting accordingly, to see if I could troubleshoot. Unfortunately after 4 mi., each subsequent gear started breaking-I could no longer shift into 2nd, then 3rd, up to 6th. Then reverse failed. Smoke also came up from under the hood with a fuel smell. I took my car to an authorized vw dealer (still under warranty) & the original diagnosis (without removing the transmission) was the clutch had completely failed. It is clear there is a manufacturing issue with the vw clutches. They should not fail at 37k mi. The dealership stated that it could be from normal wear-tear or "user error". I'm not new to driving manual; I have been driving stick shift for about 10 years. To have a car that is driven primarily (80% of travel) on the highway have clutch failure is unfathomable. Additionally, I had the 30k maintenance completed & there was no indication of clutch problems. While waiting for final diagnosis for the failure, I conducted research & found this is not an usual problem with vws or vw corporation. According to vw owners, the clutches are failing starting at 19k mi., even after not driving the car hard. This is unacceptable & for the company to know this is a common issue, costing owners thousands in repairs & subsequent bills, endangering people who are driving during failure (without any warning lights from the car), to not cover such issues under warranty, & automatically default the problem being "user error" is unethical & unsafe.