2003 Volkswagen Jetta engine and engine cooling problems

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ADDED WATER TO THE VEHICLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,072.”

“MY WATER PUMP FAILED SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE OVERHEAT SIGN LIT UP. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. AFTER A PAINFULLY LONG DRAWN OUT TOW, TAXI, RENTAL CAR, AND RETURN TO PICK UP THE CAR 1 WEEK LATER (DRIVE 200 MILES THERE AND THEN BACK TO DO SO), THE GARAGE WHICH REPAIRED MY CAR INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A BAD "DESIGN FLAW" TO THE WATER PUMP WHERE IT HAD A PLASTIC PART THAT WOULD COMMONLY FAIL DURING THE LIFE OF THE CAR. THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A "WELL-KNOW" PROBLEM IN THE JETTA, MANY PEOPLE HAD EXPERIENCED & WRITTEN ONLINE ABOUT IT. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I INSTALL AN "AFTER-MARKET" PUMP WITH ALL METAL PARTS SO THAT IT WOULD NOT OCCUR AGAIN, WHICH I DID. MY CO-WORKER WHO OWNED A JETTA A FEW YEARS OLDER THAN MINE (2001?) FOR 10 YEARS AND LATER TRADED IT IN, INFORMED ME THAT SHE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND IN FACT HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP 3 TIMES DURING THE PERIOD SHE OWNED THE CAR. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE WATER PUMP DESIGN IN THE VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. IF IT HAD BEEN RECALLED & FIXED PRIOR TO MY BREAKDOWN, I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO ENDURE THE WHOLE ORDEAL I WENT THROUGH. *TR”

“I STARTED EXPERIENCING A HOT SPOT IN THE DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT IN THE FALL OF 2012. I HAVE TO PUT A CUSHION BETWEEN MY RIGHT LEG AND THE SEAT OR IT WILL NEARLY BURN. I HAVE ALSO BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH EITHER THE O2 SENSOR OR CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHENEVER IT RAINS AND IT'S COOL WEATHER. THE CAR WILL LOSE POWER, SPUTTER AND LURCH UNTIL IT HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR A WHILE THEN IT ACTS NORMALLY. FINALLY, FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS THE REAR DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY OR BY HITTING THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE DOOR. I JUST REACHED THE 100K MARK AND KEEP UP REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON MY CAR SO I'M A LITTLE UPSET THAT THINGS LIKE THIS ARE HAPPENING SO EARLY. *TR”

“I HAVE NOTICED A BURNING CRAYON SMELL IN MY 2003 VW JETTA FOR A FEW MONTHS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR DETAILED AND HAD THE DEALER CLEAN THE AC DUCTS YET THE SMELL REMAINS - AND GETS STRONGER IN HOT/HUMID WEATHER DAYS. I SEE OTHERS HAVE LISTED COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE - AND THE SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL UNDER THE CARPET SEEMS TO BE THE CULPRIT. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL AFFECT BREATHING AND COULD BE TOXIC. *TR”

“RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE, OIL PUMP WAS NOT PUMPING OIL AND CAMSHAFT CHAIN TENSIONER (TIMING BELT) RATTLING FROM LACK OF OIL. I WAS INFORMED I NEEDED TO REPLACE ENGINE DUE TO METAL PARTICLES AND CARBON IN THE OIL PAN.”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AFTER BEING PREVIOUSLY REPLACED UNDER THE WARRANTY TWO YEARS PRIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO PASS EMISSIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THE DEALER COULD MAKE REPAIRS BUT AT HIS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.”