Side/window Air Bag problems of the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta - part 1

The passenger side air bag on my 2001 vw Jetta deployed while I was parking my car at work. As I came to a full stop where I was going to park my car I heard a loud bang from inside the cab of my Jetta. The loud bang distorted my thinking process as I was trying to figure out where the loud noise came from. As the smoke filled my car I still could not figure out what just happen until I looked around inside the cab of my car and with the smoke inside the cab I was able to see a white bag sticking out of the passenger seat in my car, this is when I knew that the air bag on the passenger seat had deployed. There were no other cars near me, there were no heavy winds blowing early that morning, and I did not hit any potholes nor did I hit any side curves while parking my car and the air bag still went off.

The contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph over a bump in the road, the front passenger side air bags deployed. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The failure mileage was 170,345.

The contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta tdi diesel. While driving 25 mph the driver side curtain and chair air bag deployed without warning and without any damage being done on to the vehicle. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer and there were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 150,000.

I own a 2001 Jetta, I am the original owner. On Tuesday October 14, 2008 I was driving in California for about 20 minutes when my airbag light started blinking on and off. About every 10-15 seconds it would turn on, then 15 seconds later it would turn off. About 15 minutes later I was on the 91 freeway in rush hour traffic and going about 5-10 mph in the slow lane when all of a sudden I heard a big explosion. It sounded like someone threw a large cement block at my window and I felt a surge up pain rush up my left side of my body towards my fingertips. I immediately started choking due to the powder that was coming from my car when I realized it was my airbag. I pulled over to the side of the freeway and assessed the damage. The side airbag came out from the seat of my car and thrust me to the right of my car. I could not hear in my left ear and the left side of my body (from my shoulder down to my hip, down to my fingers) was throbbing. My left pinky and ring finger became numb and even though I rolled the window down, I could barely breathe and could not stop coughing. After sitting for about 10 minutes, I got back on the road and stayed in the slow lane not proceeding 40 mph.

Today, my daughter was driving our 2001 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1. 8t down the road. The right side wheels went a few inches off the edge of the road. She remained straight and guided the car back onto the road. Once back on the road fully, the side airbag (driver's side) deployed. She was able to guide the car off the road to the shoulder. There was no impact with anything. There is no damage. The tires aren't even dirty. She received a welt on her left arm, (probably soon to be a bruise. ) she has a ringing in her left ear and a reduction in hearing (probably temporary. ) a very scary situation. It just happened today and I'm not certain what steps to take from here. I know it is a very costly repair to replace an airbag and I will be very nervous about my daughter driving this car on the highway if a minor bump in the road might set her airbag off and cause her to crash at 65 miles per hour.

I was driving the vehicle about 5mph and went over a water drain in the road the passenger side seat air bag deployed along with the visor airbag on the same side. My niece was in the passenger seat when this incident happened and received white powder in her eyes and scrapes on the side of here face. There was no reason for the vehicle to deploy the airbags at all causing about $2,000. 00-$3,000. 00 in damages to the vehicle for no reason.

Inadvertent passenger side airbag deployment: while driving along on the express way (I-495 w, long island, NY), my passenger-side airbag deployed for no reason. I did not come into contact with any other vehicle nor did I notice any debris hitting my vehicle at the time of the impact. Both the passenger side air curtain and passenger seat airbag deployed. Additionally, the engine cut off. Upon pulling over, I was able to start the vehicle without issue, and drive home.

The contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving the contact's vehicle hit something in the road and flattened the tire on the front passenger side. Three or four days later while driving 40- 45 mph the driver's side air bag deployed. The current and failure mileages were unknown.

I was driving on the freeway going about 70 mph when my driver side curtain airbag deployed for no reason. I pulled off the side of the road and called 911, the officer who came out told me that no damage was done to the tires or body of the car. There was no reason for this to have happened. I took it into the dealer they have sent pictures to vw and so far nothing has been done to fix this, which was 3 weeks ago!.

As I was driving the passenger side airbags deployed for no apparent reason. I stopped to check for damage, did not see anything, and could not find anything in the road. Now I have a car with the headliner and front passenger seat blown apart. I took the car to the dealer for a diagnostic. They found a dent and told me that was the cause and I should report it to my insurance company to be covered under my collision. The insurance adjuster found the dent identified by the dealer showed signs of age and was not the cause. Making a judgment the presence of dirt, road grime and some surface rust suggested it was older damage. It was most likely caused by incorrectly adjusting the lift when work was done under the car. Finding no other damage that would cause deployment they closed the claim and my car was not repaired. Vw refuses to take responsibility.

: the contact stated while traveling 25 mph, the dashboard lights began to flicker on and off. Then, without an accident, the side curtain and seat airbags deployed on the driver's side. The vehicle was pulled over and towed to the dealership who was unable to determine the problem.

Ran over debris on interstate and seat side airbag deployed. Vehicle was repaired with new airbag and was replaced with new module and sensors. No injuries just ear ringing. Happened 2nd time going around a corner at approx. 35 miles an hour, seat side airbag deployed again resulting in loss of control of vehicle and severe burns to left arm. No repairs have taken place to vehicle yet.

I was making a right hand turn around 5 mph. The passenger side curtain airbags and seat bag deployed unexpectedly. The passenger seat belt also no longer functions. There is no damage anywhere on the vehicle. Vwoa is looking into the problem.

While driving 60 mph suddenly there was a flash followed by a loud bang. The smell was of smoke as if there was fireworks. The consumer pulled over immediately. The passenger's side air bags deployed. The consumer was startled and concerned. He called 911. There was no crash, damage, or injury other than the shock and loud noise ringing in the ears. 911 instructed the consumer to drive home if able or call for a tow truck. The consumer got out and inspected the vehicle and decided to drive home. There have been no previous problems with the airbags. The consumer was on a newly paved highway. The consumer felt this could not be due to a road hazard at that time. The consumer contacted Volkswagen dealer, who said it was not their problem. The consumer contacted manufacturer, who said they did not have a problem or any issues like that with the airbags. No corrections or repairs have been made.

Dt: contact states the drivers' side curtain air bags deployed without a collision. The seat belt jammed and could not be latched after this incident occurred. There is a police report (#05-5207) states there was no evidence that the vehicle had an impact. The air bag light was not illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a service dealer and told to contact vw of America. She did fax the police report to the manufacturer and they agreed to repair the vehicle without cost. The service dealer could not find what caused the air bag to deploy. The consumer is still driving a rental car because the car has not been repaired. A wheel and tie rod was replaced.

While driving vehicle hit a pot hole and the right side door air bag inadvertently went off. No injuries reported. Driver took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, but mechanic could not duplicate the problem.

On 4/5/05 @ 5:15pm. . . . My wife (driver), 11 month old daughter(rear facing car seat in back center), & I (front passenger) were at a complete stop at a traffic light. When we proceeded through the intersection (with cars in front/back of us) we hit a small pot hole after completing the left turn onto route 117. Once we hit this small pot hole, the passenger side airbags deployed (curtain & passenger seat bags) we immediately called the warwick police dept. Office theodore insisted that this had to be a malfunctioning air bag. Please note that there wasn't any other damage to the car. . . No flat tire. . . Nothing except for the malfunctioning airbags in the car having been deployed and caused interior damage to my car. I went to the vw dealer and they refused to repair the damage and suggested going through my insurance (liberty mutual), who also refused to pay for the repairs. Interior damage: ceiling panel, curtain airbag, passenger leather seat ripped and its airbag deployed. Car is currently at the dealer and I am not sure what to do at this point but I need the car to be repaired since we need it for transportation. . . So I may need to go ahead and have it repaired at my cost for now. (between $2,000 - $3,000 worth of damage).

The passenger side air bag deployed after running over a small pot hole at 15 mph. Consumer has an appointment with the dealer to inspect the vehicle.

While driving 55 mph driver's front/rear side air bags inadvertently deployed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

I just purchased in October a Jetta GLS 2001 car from the vw dealership in college park maryland. Last month while I was making a right hand turn, I hit the curb with my tire but no visible damage to my car was done nor another car involved. To my alarm, my airbag on my right front seat side deployed. I took this to the dealership and they said airbags don't go off there was an accident ect. They would not hear my complaint nor help me. Now I witnessed on the fox news that these Jetta make/models have false airbag deployment and 109 cases have been reported. I want to be added to the list and also I want to file this complaint. This is not only a safety issue but an outrage. The dealership needs to fix my car. In fact, I have a 3 yr warranty on my car but the vw dealership told me to go through my insurance or pay $1900 for them to fix it.

When t-bone at 10 mph, the side air bags did not deploy. The consumer suffered minor injuries. The vehicle was towed.

While driving down the highway for no visable reason, airbags on passenger side deployed. Side seat airbags and all the celling airbags deployed. I did not see anything in the road and no physicall damage was donr to my car. Vw said to contact my ins and tell them I had a reck. I did not and would not lie to them. At this time nothing has been fixed.

I was driving at 60 mph on the freeway and for no apparent reason my passenger side and curtain airbags deployed. I had my 2001 Jetta towed to my local vw dealer and they're response it that I must have hit something for the airbags to deploy. However, I have no body damage to the car and there are no signs of impact anywhere to be seen. The dealership was not helpful and told me to file the issue with my insurance company as an accident. This seems to be insurance fraud.

While driving at 25 mph, the passenger side air bag inadvertently deployed. No injuries were sustained because the seat wasn't occupied at the time of the incident. The dealership indicated that water had gotten into the air bags electrical system. (side curtain air bag).

I was on vacation, over the July 4th weekend. On my way home, I was driving along when for no reason at all, my passenger side airbag along with the seat airbag, deployed. I got out of the vehicle to inspect why such a thing would happen . There was no clear sign as to why it had gone off. I had to drive home with the side curtain hanging down, my dog hyperventilated all the way home , due to the loud bang of the deployment. When I got home I immediately called tulley vw and told them my situation, they told me my car was under warrenty and to bring it down, they would give me a rental and fix the airbags. I did just that, although a few hours later I received a call stating that they would not cover the cost of the airbag, stating that they insist I was in a crash. There is clearly no damage to my car, and it is apparent that there must be some kind of computer malfunction. I am wondering what I should do in my next step to getting this resolved under my warrenty. I have not gotten into any accident and I do not understand why vw will not cover this.

While turning left from a stop sign at about 5 mph, the right rear tire skimmed a pothole. The passenger side curtain and side impact airbags deployed. I was thankful I was not driving at a faster speed because the entire car filled with powdery smoke and I could not see out my windshield for several seconds. In addition the noise startled me so much, I am pretty sure it would have been hard to control the car afterwards had this happened on the highway. I was also thankful my infant son was not in the car. My right ear was bothering me for about a day and a half afterwards, I'm sure had my son been in the car, his sensitive ears may have been permanently damaged, never mind that it would have traumatized him. Volkswagen claims the codes they downloaded from the car indicated a side impact occurred and that a "mark" on the undercarriage verifies that the airbags deployed correctly. I'm pretty sure that with 90k on the car there are several "marks" on the undercarriage. Customer service and the dealership were unmoved by the incident and claimed no responsibility. Claim was filed with metlife, who covered the $3500 repair bill to replace the airbags and front passenger seat cover. No repairs were required to the car frame, undercarriage, axle, rear tire etc, yet still they claim an accident occurred!.

Front passenger side air bag deployed prematurely while driving. Dealership processed the information from the on road computer, which indicated an impact discharged the side air bag, and locked up the seat belt reel and high resistance on the driver side seat.

While driving 25 mph and without warning both frontal air bags deployed. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and pulled over. Vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection, but dealer could not duplicate or resolve the problem.

1. I am an 8 month pregnant mother who was driving a vw Jetta when the side airbags deployed for no apparent reason. I was not involved in a car accident, nor did I hit anything when I made a left turn off the Lincoln tunnel on the way to drop my dog off to his new home 3/21/04. 2. Took it to bayside vw dealer on 3/22/04, was told that the computer reads that it was an outside influence that set the airbag off, and was told that I must have hit a pothole. Since the bayside manager saw a bubble on my tire, he made the assumption that the airbag went off because of a pothole. Was also told that it was an accident, even though I was not hit, nor did I hit anybody, and that the insurance would take care of it. Came home and called vw customer service @ 1-800-822-8987 and put in a complaint. Do airbags normally go off because for something so easily as a pothole ? we live in NY city, and potholes are everywhere especially after the winter we had! 3. Finally spoke to jim meyers from vw customer service airbag dept, and all he could say was sorry the computer says it was an outside influence so vw will not do anything, see your insurance agency!.

Complaint received via e-mail. My son-in-law last year was driving down the expressway and they just went off. Thank goodness no one was hurt. Had he had his kids in the car, lord only knows what would have happened. They live in toledo, ohio. They have since gotten it fixed out of their own pocket, and no cooperation by Volkswagen of any kind. My son also has a Jetta and it caused me concern for him and his wife also. They live in portland, oregon.

While driving 25 mph driver's side door and window air bags deployed inadvertently. Driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection.

While driving down a residential street, at approximately 25-30 mph, both the driver and passenger side curtain airbags deployed for absolutely no reason. There were no holes or bumps in the road and the weather conditions were good. Approximately 7-10 minutes previous to this, while on the freeway, the inside light turned on and off, the door locks were going up and down and the control panel went berserk. It stopped as suddenly as it started. This had happened one time before and the dealer was unable to duplicate the problem.

I own a 2001 vw Jetta wolfsburg addition. While pulling into traffic from a stop, I ran into a pothole (the size of a moderate speed bump), which in turn deployed the passenger curtain and side airbags in the Jetta. I was not going more than 5 - 10 mph, and there is no damage to the car or the tires aside from that produced by the airbag deployment. (the dealership tried to say that a bubble, which had developed on the sidewall of one of the tires, some time ago, was a result of the impact. I informed them that this was one of the reasons I had scheduled a service appt. For the following Monday, a week prior to the entire airbag incident) I contacted the nearest dealer, who in turn stated they would contact the regional manager. Their response to this was that "since the sensor indicated an impact, there would be no assistance from vw in the repair of the damage caused", and that I should contact my insurance company. I then contacted their customer service hotline, and was given the same answer.

On March 12th driving at approximately 5 miles an hour making a right hand turn the passenger side curtain air bag and seat bag deployed for no reason. Dealer said that the 'computer' indicated that there was impact at some point and warranty would not cover. The only incident that car has had was a dent last January when we hit a street bumper which caused a dent on the drivers side back door --very bottom. Anyone can tell that dent had been there quite a while. Furthermore, a dent there should not have cause the passenger curtain to deploy. Insurance will not pay because they say it wasn't an accident and they are right. Vw says they stand by their computer and won't repair. Help please.

The passenger's side air bag deployed without impact. . . . . .