10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 10
- Average Mileage:
- 29,246 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The vehicle experienced intermittent stalling.
- Astoria, NY, USA
When the vehicle accelerated from a stop, the vehicle stalled momentarily and then accelerated. There was approximately a 3-5 second delay in acceleration. Dealer was unable to duplicate problem.
- Point Washington, FL, USA
This is a complaint about the well known VW 1.8T ignition coil problem
- Medford, MA, USA
I have experienced 3 separate incidents in the last 4 months where an engine coilpack in my 2002 VW Jetta 1.8L turbo failed while I was driving the car. In each case, I have experienced a sudden, dramatic loss of power and the car begins to shudder. The last time this happened (1/25/2003), I was driving in traffic at ~45 mph and was nearly hit by another car due to my sudden engine trouble. VW continues to replace the coilpacks but acknowledges that they are prone to failing suddenly and without warning. The last time one failed, it was replaced with the newly designed coilpack which wasn't supposed to be failure-prone. I asked that each of the individual coilpacks (4 total) be replaced due to the fact that the older ones were susceptible to failure but was told that VW would only replace them as they failed. This time, the newly designed coilpack failed, as well as one of the other, older ones. I am awaiting 2 replacement coilpacks; however, they are the same design as the 2 which just failed. Frankly, I am afraid to drive my car at highway speeds, as there is absolutely no guarantee that the same problem won't happen again without warning.
- College Park, MD, USA
While driving the engine light goes on and very heavy vibrations are felt coming from the engine, it feels as if the car is shaking apart. After first occurrence VW repaired car and reported the problem as a faulty coil pack. Two months later the same problem occurred, engine light goes on and very heavy vibrations are felt from the engine. I have scheduled an appointment to get it repaired again.
- Kendall Park, NJ, USA
Engine failure due to complete failure of 2 ignition coils. Car does not get power, operates at dangerously low speeds, especially when you're on the highway. Acknowledged by dealer as a major problem with 2002 1.8turbo VW/Audi engines. Manufacturer defect but will only permit replacement of coils that are "bad" even though they know the others may go too.
- Baltimore, MD, USA
Problem with coil packs on 2002 VW Jetta 1.8T. Problem is widespread and incapacitates vehicle. Presents a danger to the safety of anyone driving the car on major public highways. Problem is widespread and a manufacturer recall must be made!!!
- Ashburn, VA, USA
Coilpack failure on the engine. The partial engine failure caused the car to shake violently while driving. It was difficult to bring the car over 25 miles per hour, even on the highway. After a few minutes, the car was smoking and smelled bad. The Volkswagen dealer told us that lots of cars, particularly the ones with 1.8T engines, are having this failure. He said that Volkswagen is aware of the problem but that the part is on a national backorder. Our car was in the shop for almost three weeks.
- Chicago, IL, USA
While driving at any speed and with no warning engine check light would come on; then, vehicle would shut off. Dealer notified. Ts...
- Forest Hills, NY, USA
While traveling on the highway and without prior warning, vehicle shut down and wouldn't restart. Please furnish additional information dealer is aware of the problem.
- Corvalis, OR, USA
- Dallas, TX, USA