Hot day (~107f), car started fine but after a mile of driving ALL ELECTRICAL systems appeared to STOP with the following error: "Starter System Faulty. Please Service Vehicle." The engine kept going, and the car was driven home (with no signals, speedo, air conditioning, lights etc.) If this had happened in a more demanding situation (e.g. weather, night or traffic) there could have been an accident. There are numerous threads online about this happening to 2019 Jettas in hot weather, and the ignition switch being blamed. I recreated the issue in the heat of the day, but the car worked fine later on when the day cooled down.
2019 Volkswagen Jetta lights complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 26 of 26, newest first, as owners wrote them.
A minute after starting my car sitting in a hot parking lot, the entire car and engine shut off. A message popped up saying “please check starter system”. I looked this up and seems to be an extremely common issues with 2019 Jettas, and everyone has had issues with getting it fixed. Mechanics have said there’s “no issue” with the car because it won’t shut off every time. Some even had their cars shut off on the highway. My car has about 25,000 miles and is in great shape. I’m terrified to drive it for safety reasons, and I don’t have money to take it in anywhere. I’m so disappointed there has not been a recall on this common, extremely dangerous issue. There were no prior warning lights or signs.
When the car sits in direct sunlight and the interior temperature raises above 100F, the car will start and all is well for a minute or so and then the ignition fails. Dash says check starter system and all gauges, clusters, infotainment system, interior and exterior lights turn off. The car thinks that it is off electronically but it still runs, shifts, and drives. Attached photo was taken after I left home, traveling on highway at ~55mph.
The Car lost all electrical components, gauges, turn signals, and possibly break lights while in operation. If I had been unlucky, I could have been rear-ended or ended up in an accident if my brake lights were not working and I could not tell how fast I was going. First, the car dinged and said "Please check starter system" while I was downshifting while coming to a stop. The engine remained running, but I lost all gauges, dashboard lights, cabin controls, and turn signals.
Vehicle parked under the sun, temperature reaching 85 degree, hotter inside the cabin. Vehicle started with no issues but "Check starter system" warning comes up and all the electrical component shut off its power, including all the gauge in the dashboard and radio. Headlight is not working as well after few min. Car drives (manual transmission) with no issues. When the car is placed under the shade/cools down, shows no problems. Some of owners reported the faulty ignition switch, part number 5Q1-905-865-A. Google search of "2019 Jetta check starter system" results in multiple complaints. The part in question is in national back order, suggesting the issue is more wide spread.
While driving, the following warning will appear “Starter system faulty! Service vehicle.” The instrument panel will then shut down entirely, and brake lights, headlights, and blinkers will not work. This can happen anywhere—on the highway traveling at 70 mph at night, for example. When the vehicle is pulled over and turned off, it will restart as normal—but while driving it might shut down again. There are numerous complaints on the internet, in VW forums and elsewhere, and the dealers do not seem to know how to correct the problem because it doesn’t happen all of the time. It is unpredictable. This creates an extraordinarily dangerous situation, and the vehicles should be recalled and VW should correct the issue immediately.
As I was driving, all gauges went black. The vehicle continued to run until I came to a complete stop then the engine stopped. It would start for a few minutes. When it did it would shut down when I put it in gear. After letting it cool down, it started and I was able to get home. It still happens. Sometimes the lights will work when it happens other time they won't. I got it diagnosed and the could find any thing wrong. The check starter system warning comes on as well as ignition switch warning. It seems to happen during hot days.
When going fast real quick the car start to smell like something is burning. My right light isn’t working right
Issue: 2019 VW Jetta, the problem first occurred at 46,000 miles and has occurred approximately 8 times while in operation both when at a full stop and in motion at speeds from 10 to 50mph. When this happens all electronics shut off, dashboard goes blank, to include turn signals, side and front warning indicators, head lights and brake lights. This appears to happen in elevated outside temperatures. The vehicle will still drive, however without any electronics, lights etc. Vehicle starts up again with full electronics after stopping and restarting engine, usually takes two or three attempts. This has put my safety and drivers around me at risk of accident. I took the vehicle to the VW dealership, they did not observe the problem to my knowledge but said diagnostics indicated the original battery was malfunctioning and needed replacement, which I had done, not by VW. After battery replacement and recoding of electronics according to VW specifications, same issue occurred again two days later. Dashboard warning message, “Please check starter system” appears when this failure happens. Also states pull over immediately and address problem. Research online indicates this is a common problem in VW’s and appears to be an electrical switch problem. See attached VW Dealership docs.
dash goes dark a check engine start system comes up. I have no lights inside or outside no turn signals or brake lights no heat, the engine still runs and drives but with the windows not working I cannot use hand signals. I took it to a dealer in Bend Or they did not fix the problem. It happened again in Boise Id. that was fun.I called the dealer in Bend and have an Appointment the end of December does not help if it goes out again. This has happened several times since June? it is happening more and more
The contact's wife owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact's wife started noticing that the passenger’s side headlight had started to dim while driving. His wife took the vehicle to a dealer where she was informed that the passenger’s side headlamp needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V671000 (Exterior Lighting) which he linked to the failure; however, the dealer had informed him that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Interior ambient lighting issue on 2019 jetta gli autobahn: the ambient lights inconsistently light up during some starts. In some cases, none come on. In other cases, some # of the 6 zones will come on. Attached are pics where the driver side panel and center console lighting zones are off while all others are lit. I've taken it to the dealer twice without any resolution. The first time one LED was out (in front of the shifter). At 4k miles, LED lights should not be burning out. Other than that, the inconsistent lighting is still occurring sporadically, and the dealer states there are no faults detected, so nothing they can do.
The car is equipped with an automatic headlight system that switches on the headlights under conditions of darkness. However, the car has no provision to provide the driver with feedback as to whether the headlights are actually on or off at any given moment. This leaves the driver uninformed. The driver is responsible for turning headlights on to comply with local laws, but the car does not provide feedback to the driver as to whether the headlights are actually on or off. This deficiency seems to be a design flaw. This is as yet unrelated to a specific incident.
Factory wipers result in streaking, replaced at less than 5k miles. Problem alleviated. Typical metallic grinding at low speeds, as described by other reports. Passenger LED headlight ring excessively dim. Multiple sources report open recall for this, however, no sources including dealer agree my vehicle is included. Several people have pointed out my faulty headlight ring. Review of photos containing vehicle indicate headlight issue was not present at purchase. Can not confirm.
The tail lights of my new 2019 vw jetta, are a hazard for anyone washing the vehicle. They are very sharp at the bottom edge and you can cut your self. As a matter of fact that happened to the sales agent that I negotiated with on december 27th at vw gunther on delray beach florida. He went to help with the cleaning of the car for the delivery, and came back bleeding with a bandage in his finger. Now I am afraid to clean that area and I told everyone in my family to be careful. I think vw should correct this issue asap
Tl* the contact owns a 2019 volkswagen jetta. The contact just purchased the vehicle and stated that the headlights were faulty. The vehicle was taken to sheehy volkswagen of springfield (6601 backlick rd, springfield, va 22150, (703) 544-2973), but after several repairs, the headlights were still faulty. The dealer informed the contact that he could not exchange his vehicle for another one. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that they would call the contact back if the vehicle could be exchanged. The failure mileage was 24.
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