2011 Volkswagen Jetta: brake failure

Filed Jul 5, 2018 · Brakes · 92,814 miles · NY

The rear drum brakes failed on more than one occasion causing loss of break pressure which on one occasion almost resulted in a rear end collision. Both times the rear drum break failure was confirmed by a volkswagen certified mechanic. On one occasion both rear brake systems were completely replaced including the brake drums. On the other occasion the rear brake drums were salvageable but the other components were replaced. The first time was on may 26th, 2015 and the second time was june 27, 2018. The first time a complaint was made with volkswagen in the untied states on june 5, 2015.

Filed Jul 6, 2016 · Brakes · 92,629 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 volkswagen jetta. While attempting to accelerate at 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed to the floorboard and the vehicle failed to respond effectively. The wrench and check engine lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The brakes failed to completely stop the vehicle on two separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure could not be determined. The dealer reset the electrical system, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 92,629.

Filed Mar 9, 2016 · Transmission · 42,000 miles · MD · crash

I parked on a driveway with a 15 degree pitch. I followed the same procedure each time I park, waiting 1 minute in idle, transmission to neutral, with my foot depressed on the brake pedal. After shutdown I engaged the parking brake and placed the transmission in 1st gear. I exited the vehicle for 10 to 15 minutes preparing the car for waxing. I left the area for about 15 minutes and returned to find the car had rolled down the driveway, crashed through a fence, down a hill, and into trees. (the parking brake was engaged but transmission was in neutral) I performed tests and determined that randomly, gear shifter appeared to be in 1st gear but when I released the parking brake the shifter returned to the neutral position and car started rolling back. I contacted vw customer service and reported this. A vw service manager asked me to replicate conditions of incident. I parked the vehicle on a slight upgrade, allowed one minute in idle, set the parking brake, and placed the shifter in 1st gear. The service manager informed me that manual transmission synchronizers can randomly catch while stationary preventing proper engagement into 1st gear. He also informed me that I had not fully engaged the parking brake. He pulled the parking brake up slowly (approximately 6-7 clicks). The service department reported parking brake and transmission tested ok and no repairs required. Questions for ntsb: 1 should order of operations outlined in vw owner's manual for parking car with manual transmission be revised to first place the transmission in 1st gear, release the main brake slowly, and determine if car remains stationary before engaging parking brake? This would prevent full load on transmission while insuring that the car remains stationary regardless of a parking brake failure. 2: should the vw manual state that the parking brake needs to be fully extended (6-7 clicks)?

Filed Oct 7, 2011 · Brakes · 3,750 miles · TX

I purchased a new volkswagen jetta 2011, it has 3700 miles on board, during my trip to work (my speed was about 35m/h) before the intersection I tried to brake on red light, and my brakes did not work, they just stopped working, I pressed brake pedal 3 times till it began working again. I passed the intersection line and fortunately there was no any cars in front of me and very fortunately my speed was low. What could happen if I were on highway? That event happened after 3 days I passed service check at dealership. My car was towed to dealership and it was checked. After I was called for test drive and they were convincing me that everything was fine with the car, computer really showed 0 problems. I did not want to pick up my car and asked them to test the car till the problem appears again, because I think that is very major problem. In the end the problem occurred, and they realized that the problem really had place. I was given a report from volkswagen service and I saw that the cause was: internal failure at brake master cylinder, so they replaced: 1 master cylinder, 2 brake fluid and 1 gasket were replaced. It means that car really had a problem in spite it is new. Now I am afraid the same problem not to occur again. I am trying to replace the car, but volkswagen does not do that, they tell me that the car was repaired under warranty. Now, when I am driving that car, I always try my brakes, before intersection, on highways and everywhere. I do not want to drive that car anymore, I always think that the same problem may occur again and it can cause a real accident.

Filed Jul 27, 2011 · Electrical · 5,800 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 volkswagen jetta. The contact was driving 10 MPH when the power steering malfunctioned and the brakes failed. The contact was unable to steer the vehicle and had to use the emergency brake to stop. The battery warning light illuminated and the vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The diagnostic test did not locate a failure and the contact drove the vehicle for twenty five miles before being able to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 5,800.