2004 Volkswagen Jetta Steering Problems
4 owner-reported steering complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (4)
LOOSE STEERING CHANCE OF LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO INCORRECT TIE ROD END FROM KIT SPECIFIC TO VEHICLE. RESULTING IN RUINED TIRES AND ALIGNMENT. HTTPS://WWW.AUTOPARTSWAREHOUSE.COM/SKU/VOLKSWAGEN/JETTA/REPLACEMENT/CONTROL_ARM_KIT/2004/TDI/4_CYL_1-DOT-9L/REPV281502.HTML . THE KIT I BELIEVE HAS A TIE ROD END MEANT FOR A PREIOUS GENERATION VOLKSWAGON AS IT IS SMALLER IN DIAMETER AND CANNOT TAPER LOCK. IT TOOK ABOUT A MONTH OF DRIVING FOR IT TO LOOSEN UP. THE PHYSICAL PROBLEM IS THE OUTER TIR ROD BUT THE INNER TIE ROD IS OF A SMALLER DIAMETER AND ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE INSTALLING SO THE DUST BOOT WOULD PROPERLY SEAL BUT IT WAS MECHANICALLY COMPATABLE.
2004 VW JETTA GLS TDI OPERATING AT 75MPH ON INTERSTATE ON CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTOFF COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE STILL HAD ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENGINE WOULD CRANK BUT WOULD NOT START. I ROLLED THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ATTEMPTED TO RE-START THE ENGINE AND IT FINALLY CRANKED AND DROVE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 500 MILES BEFORE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR ISSUE. SINCE THAT TIME VEHICLE HAS HAD SAME ISSUE OVER 10 TIMES. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE THREE TIMES AND HAS NOT DISCOVERED ISSUE. *TR
CLICKING/POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN MAKING TURNS. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP TWO TIME AND THEY STATE THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE SOUND. DROVE TECH AROUND AND DUPLICATED SOUND FOR HIM. DEALERSHIP STILL STATED THEY COULD NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SERVICE ALSO STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD HAVE TO GET WORSE BEFORE THEY COULD DO ANYTHING. *TR
THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH IS INTERFERING WITH THE STEERING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. OWNER WILL CONTACT MANUFACTURER. *JB