Coil Pack failed, car had to be towed.
I purchased my 2002 Volkswagen Jetta in March of 2002. Up until two weeks ago, I had no complaints about my car and in fact was very pleased with its performance.
While driving to my office on Monday, December 30th, my Jetta began to lose power and the malfunction indicator light on the driver's panel lit up. I returned home and called my nearest Volkswagen dealer. I was told not to drive the car and to call Volkswagen Roadside Assistance for a tow to an authorized Volkswagen service facility.
Two days later I learned that my car had a coil problem and it was possible the dealer would not receive replacement parts for 12 to 18 days. I was offered a rental car which I gladly accepted.
I started to do some research on coil packs and was surprised to learn that other Volkswagen vehicles are experiencing similar problems at an alarming rate. I began to hear horror stories of one type or another, all of which were related to coil pack failures in Volkswagen Passats and Jettas. The truth, I came to learn, was that the coil pack failures were very widespread and presenting a real problem for Volkswagen.
I asked my Volkswagen Service Representative why there was not a recall on the vehicle to replace the coils. I was told there simply were not enough parts. I asked if all the coil packs in my car were to be replaced while it was in for service, and I was told that only the failed coil pack would be replaced, again, because of the parts shortage. I asked if it was likely that my other coil packs would fail, and I was told it was 'quite likely they would.'
I subsequently called Volkswagen Customer Assistance to see if I could get any further information about a recall or getting my other coils replaced before they failed while I was on a trip.
Unfortunately, I was told that this could not be done and I would simply have to wait until the other coils failed, then have my car towed to the nearest Volkswagen service facility and wait for parts to become available. I asked the representative if he thought Volkswagen would lose customers over this debacle and he said 'it was likely they would.' He offered to open a case report for me which I gladly accepted.
I ended up getting my car back on Thursday, January 9th. When I arrived at Volkswagen to pick up my car, I spoke to the service manager about the ongoing problem. He apologized and said that this was a real problem for Volkswagen, but they were doing the best they could under the circumstances.
I find this entire scenario to be more than unacceptable.
Volkswagen is willing to put their customers at risk on the road while we wait for our cars to fail and then wait for parts to be shipped to the US. Perhaps it would be a good idea to focus less on advertising your products and more on finding suitable vendors to produce the parts necessary to keep Volkswagen drivers on the road. Otherwise, I fear, your new strap line may be changed to "Lawyers Wanted."
I have been having the same problem with my Volkswagen Jetta. This is the second time my car will go in for this problem and I pay a pretty decent monthly payment for my Volkswagen lease. Why sell me a car that you know is going to fall apart... I won't be buying anything from Volkswagen again.
I also had this problem. Back in December I had to have my car towed to the nearest dealer (which is $25.00 over the allotted $100 towing the useless roadside assistance program offers... which is why I now just use my AAA card instead.) They replaced Engine Coil #4 and sent us on our way. Now it is June and the tow truck just left my house an hour ago with my 2002 VW Jetta SLS 1.8T. Same problem, different engine coil. My service technician assured me that they were going to replace all of the engine coils when they received the car at the shop. I hope that actually happens, and puts an end to this problem. This is ridiculous for this to be happening to a $24,000 vehicle that prides itself on its reputation for reliability and longevity! Those were the reasons we bought the car in the first place. I have an hour commute to work each way and a newborn baby. Now I am afraid that I will be stuck somewhere in the future, either with the baby or while someone else is watching him! I hope other people with this problem are beginning to receive a much faster resolution now that time has passed and VW has seen the light.
I just found I have the same problem on a 1998 Jetta GLX with 70000 miles. I can't believe how expensive this part is, and nothing is covered under warranty. Very frustrating.
I've had the same problem and am still researching the issue. I've taken the car in a 5 separate occasions now and they replaced coils, sensors, even the engine wiring harness, but I still have the problem. They now tell me that it's a known issue in about 1% of their 1.8T inventory and the "factory" is working on a solution. To quote the desk clerk from my last visit, "...the car will do that for the rest of it's life..." That's reassuring! I've contacted Volkswagen corporate and received about the same response except they told me to try taking it to another dealer. I'm amazed at the lack of customer service and this will definitely be my last VW purchase.
I have had the same problem on my 2002 Jetta 1.8 turbo. The ignition coil has been replaced twice now. Now my electronic power control light has come on, and my car barely starts. I too have had my car towed at least 4 times from the time it was two months old. I called Volkswagen to ask what this EPC light is and they told me it is a problem with the brakes. I will never buy another Jetta again.
My girlfriends car just started bucking and skipping yesterday out of the blue along with a flashing CEL (check engine light)
It really scared her and really made me hate the car more than I already do. This is very dangerous and I'm not happy.
After researching I've found this coil pack issue. I hope this is it.
I think it's time for the car to go to a dealership and never come home.
She was a die hard VW fan, but after all the issues shes had, and seeing how I have no issues with my Subaru. shes been converted.
This is ridiculous.
I own a 2002 Jetta 1.8T, and I believe in around 2003 or 2004 I received a recall letter from VW, stating that parts would be replaced at no cost and towing/rental expenses would be covered by VW. When one coil did begin failing, I took it to my dealer, who replaced the parts at no cost within a day. I am very satisfied with my VW.
I've had my 2001 Volkswagen Golf for about 3 months now and I've had similar problems with the coil packs as everyone else, but I have them replaced twice since I've had the car. I have recently found out that the coil pack isn't the issue for me, but the wiring harness connected to the coil pack. The wires are cheaply made a put right on top the engine to be pretty much baked. The heat from the engine caused the plastic insulators on the wires to crack, which then makes them short out and misfire. I also found out that this replacement part costs at least $500 bucks that I don't have. Needless to say I'm not exactly happy with Volkswagen right now.
I am yet ANOTHER victim of the ignition coil and wire harness problem!!! This is absolutely dumb. I have a 2002 Golf GLS 2.0 Liter with only 54,000 miles on it which I purchased from a previous owner (who probably experienced the same problem). I purchased extended warranty on the car, but it sounds like these coils are not covered under the original or new warranty. SO, after some research, I did manage to find a recall press release about the coil problem and am going to bring that press release into the dealer. The press release states that VW must repair and replace the coils FREE of charge AND cover car rental. Let's hope this is true. I'm bringing it in tomorrow. If anyone knows of any way I can get get VW to cover these costs, please email me at grass612@gmail.com. I live in Minneapolis, MN. It is so unfair. If you're having this problem now, please contact me. I'm sure that if people gathered together and made a huge enough fuss, VW will HAVE to listen. I'm willing to do it and if you are, please email me. Thanks and good luck to all of you.
The coil pack problems usually occur on the 1.8T models, and that is what the recall is for. It's not as common on the 2.0.
2.0 coils do fail, but usually around 50k+. Their failure is rather typical.
I own a 2001 Jetta VR6 and have replaced my engine coils once around 50k, now I'm at 70k and my EPC light has been coming on. I'm having trouble getting anyone at VW (on the phone) to pin down what's causing this issue short of paying $65 an hour for diagnostic work at my local VW dealership. It's very frustrating. Any ideas?
There is NO way ANYONE can diagnose this car over the phone.
The dealer will want you to bring it in for 3 days of unnecessary work that will not fix your problem, costing you time and money.
That thing will need a full diagnostic check run. I would look for a well recommended independent VW shop, instead of the lame dealer (stealer sp?) network.
I own a used 2002 Volkswagen (VW) Passat GLS 1.8T/A5 FWD. It has an oil sludge problem. I am told by VW customer care that an 8 year extended warranty is in place to assist in needed repairs. However, to get assistance you must have followed the recommended maintenance schedule. I believe VW's 5000 miles or 6 month oil change should be emphasized as a requirement instead of a recommendation. I asked VW to take responsibility for its engineering flaw and cover the cost of cleaning the reported engine sludge problems and they declined unless the recommended maintenance schedule is followed. I have concerns about Volkswagen's corporate fairness.
I have a 2002 jetta 1.8t gls. always heard vw are reliable. I bought it at 37k in apr 06, since I've replaced both O2 sensors, battery (didn't run it down, it just started acting funny when I first started the car), and now I'm having problems with my number 1 cylinder misfiring. I've heard all the other complaints about this, but had a question. do any of you have this other problem, I seem to get most boost when I'm only press 1/4 pedal distance and then release just a little. my friend said lag, but lag would catch up if I left it holding at 1/4 but it doesn't. was thinking it might be the pedal position indicator module. any comments?