Ignition problems of the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta

While driving home at night, my son and I smelled smoke. We exited the vehicle, checked under the hood, but found nothing. We continued home and parked in the garage. Still smelling smoke, we re-inspected the vehicle, but were unable to determine an origin or any visible evidence. Both seat heaters were on during the drive home, but the seats showed no visual signs of damage after parking. Next morning we opened the vehicle to discover the cabin was filled with smoke with an approximate 1?hole burned up thru the passenger seat on the lower right bolster. Apparently the seat heater initiated a thermal event which erupted in a seat fire after we turned off the ignition and parked the car in the garage. Fortunately, the fire did not engulf the vehicle or it could have caught our home on fire, resulting in possible injury or death to my family. I believe we ?dodged a bullet? because the seat fire did not sustain itself and engulf the vehicle. Vw has agreed to repair the burned seat at their expense and make a mitigation repair. However, vw has declined my request to cover any similar mitigation repair to the other seat. In October 2004, the NHTSA odi concluded that ?driver-side seat heater may fail or malfunction due to normal vehicle use? but ?such failures do not pose a significant risk of injury or fire. ? the odi stated the investigation did not conclude ?that a safety-related defect does not exist? and ?the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances. ? (ea04010) evidence and reports indicate that seat heater caused thermal events in both driver and passenger seats in the vw Jetta have been an issue for nearly 10 years now. Near misses continue to occur. I believe that a seat fire is a significant safety concern. I would encourage the NHTSA to re-examine the circumstances to determine if further action is warranted.

While driving in the afternoon, my vehicle suddenly lost power and acceleration capability with the "check engine" light coming on and blinking. I took it to the dealer immediately. I am informed my 2002 vw Jetta 1. 8t has "3 faulty coils. " the failure was sudden and without warning. I maintain my car according to vw specs. In 02/2003 vw acknowledged a problem with this in over 530,000 2001 to early 2003 vehicles. I feel the failure was premature (as to what could be typically expected of an engine/vehicle for reliability), and a danger. Obviously the fact that it has remanifested in such a short period of time shows that it was not properly addressed with the original fix only 2 years ago. My vehicle was unable to adequately maintain itself within the flow of traffic. I was lucky to get to the 'slow lane' without incident. Vw disclaims any responsibility for defect or otherwise and says that because the vehicle is out of its warranty period I am responsible ($454. 00). I will pay this, but how can I drive knowing that these coils could stop all or any one cylinder from correctly firing? this could kill me and the manufacturer does not care. . As they quite bluntly stated.

Please refer to my previous complaint submitted 9/17/2005 regarding my '02 vw Jetta. The crash was a result of sudden acceleration and extended braking distance. The reason I am writing again is to address the fact that my local news (denver channel 7 news) did an undercover feature in regards to the Volvo's sudden acceleration and deceleration. The mechanic used in the piece determined the problem was the electronic throttle. Thus, Volvo is announcing a major recall on all 1999-2002 Volvo's. This issue is rampant among the auto industry including vwoa. Please extend your investigation to include vw and hopefully vwoa will do a major recall on all cars equipped with electronic throttles. Please note that I was required to attend dmv court since I was issued a ticket. The judge ruling over my case ended up dismissing my case because of the evidence I had brought to court. More over, the judge was a former mechanic for 8 years and he has worked extensively on vw's. He was very familiar with my situation. I don't have my VIN # handy, but it was listed in my complaint odi id #: 10136890. Please refer to my case number for further details.

Consumer vehicle stalled on two different occasions causing consumer to replace coil. The vehicle had erratic acceleration light pressure on the gas pedal. The engine did not respond in an even pattern, instead it would suddenly speed up dangerously.

I bought a used 2002 Jetta and as soon as I drove it off the lot it began with the bucking. It took 3 visits to the service department, 2 different service sites, and 3 weeks without a vehicle to find the problem. The service department is replacing the coil, however stated they were going to charge me. I am currently disputing the charge. I feel unsafe and unhappy with my purchase.

The defect is a faulty engine coil pack. Dealer change the faulty coil pack. Please provide further information. Ph.

Coil pack failure, 2coil packs have malfunctioned on my 02 Jetta 1. 8t. Dealer says 4-6 weeks for parts. Recall??????????????????????????????.

Vw Jetta egnition coils - one failed, dealership will not replace them all even though another will likely malfunction. Why is this not a recall, the situation can be dangerous. Does there have to be a fatality for a recall?.

Ignition-coil problem.

Vw Jetta 1. 8t abrupt engine failure stopping car dead in heavy freeway traffic. Was told it was known ignition defect fixed one of four defective "coils". Vwoa would not replace other three and said thay would probably fail also but it is not their problem until it fails. Extremely dangerous! this seems to be widespread throughout Audi andvw.

Loss of power. . . . Rough idle. . . . Check engine light on. . . . . Coil pack failure.

While traveling on the highway without prior warning the vehicle started shaking and vibrating and shut off. Please fill in additional information dealer is aware of the problem. Ts.

The coils in the 2002 vw Jetta 1. 8t engine are failing. When they fail, this creates a saftey issuse with the car stalling. This happens unexpectly without warning, and could happen while traveling in a high speed lane. Over a half million cars are affected by this poorly designed part. An indepth report appeared in the boston Sunday globe automotive section (1-26-03) describing the problem we have been experiencing. Vw choses only to fix failed components, not the ones that have not failed. There are four coils on this engine, and the consumer has four chances of being in a accident when the part fails. Vw should replace all four parts of this known problem, and not wait for the accidents to happen.

Coil pack failure (2nd in less than 3000 miles).

>I have a car problem. I have a 2002 Jetta and have made only 9 payments. >> it has been in the shop 2 times in a month, both times it was a "coil" >> problem and 2 coils had to be replaced. I have found out that this is a >> major problem and vw has chosen not to issue a recall on the cars affected by this "coil" problem. I see tons of notes on the internet from people all over the us with the same issue. Some people are having to wait over a month for the part to come in b/c vw cannot make enough, quickly enough. Who should I contact to express my concern and hopefully get a recall issued? I have called vw directly and they just tell me they are sorry >> and offer me 100. 00 gift cert for their merchandise. There are 4 coils in >> the engine, so at this point some of us just have to cross our fingers and >> pray we don't break down again, instead of vw just recalling the cars and >> replacing all of the coils at one time, they say they must be broken to be >> fixed.

Coil packs which control spark to the engine failed on cylinders #2 and #4. Replaced by dealer under warranty. Five days later coil pack on cylinder #3 failed. Also replaced by dealer. The coil pack failures resulted in a considerable loss of power and a foul odor from the exhaust. In addition, the coil pack broke apart allowing the electrical parts to be exposed.

In the last six months my 2002 Jetta 1. 8t has been in the shop 3 times for faulty coil packs and now I need all new fuel injectors. This is a serious safety issue that should be investigated. I have had 2 new sets of redesigned coil packs and I still get an engine light causing the car to lose power and run rough, not something you want happening to you while driving 65 miles a hour on a busy highway. I wish Volkswagen would issue a recall before someone really gets hurt.

Failure results in disabling of vehicle. Vw is only replacing failed coils even though they admit that the others will probably fail eventually. Dt.

Coil has broken twice in two weeks. Known issue with vw and they refuse to replace all potentialy defective parts, only will replace currently broken parts. Dt.

One coil pack failure in miami, repaired by esserman vw. Another failed in NW georgia mountains, repaired by obtaining part thru local techician. Dt.

This is a complaint about my 2002 volkswagon Jetta 1. 8t that has been towed twice to repair faulty engine coils. Volkswagon refused to replace all for coils and says the only way they will replace them is if they fail.

Cylinder coil packs are the problem. Dims 11 ivoq entry posted after 12/12/2002 cut-over-to artemis. . . . . . 770758.

Coil pack failure on 2002 vw Jetta, car failed to make it through an intersection when the problem happened. Almost got into an accident because of this, car has been towed to the dealer and they are only going to replace one and said that the others will fail also.

Coil pack failure - this is a widespread problem with newer vw and Audi models with the 1. 8t engines. While vw says it's not a safety issue - what happens if you're on a highway at 70mph with a truck right behind you and you suddenly stall or lose power? what about turning in front of traffic and losing power or stalling?.

Vehicle stalled numerous times at any speed due to a faulty ignition coil. Dealer inspected and replaced just one out the five coil. Provide further information. Ts.