2008 Volkswagen Jetta Latches & Locks Problems
4 owner-reported latches & locks complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (4)
I would like to report driver door lock actuator goes bad over time, and could become an issue of getting out of the driver side of the door in a safely manner. I had to get door fixed a mechanic.
THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM STOPS WORKING AND THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE IN A LOT OF VW FORUMS ONLINE. THEY CALL IT THE ACTUATOR AND WHEN IT STOPS WORKING THE CHILD LOCKS DO NOT WORK AND THE VEHICLE THEN HAS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHICH RELATES TO "CHILD SAFETY SEATS THAT CONTAIN DEFECTIVE SAFETY BELTS, BUCKLES, OR COMPONENTS THAT CREATE A RISK OF INJURY, NOT ONLY IN A VEHICLE CRASH BUT ALSO IN NON-OPERATIONAL SAFETY OF A MOTOR VEHICLE." A DOOR THAT CAN BE OPENED BY A CHILD WHEN IN MOVEMENT OR PARKED IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. THE DOOR CAN BE EASILY PUSHED OPEN FROM THE INSIDE WHEN THE LOCKS DON'T WORK. ALSO, THE ALARM ON THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ARM BECAUSE THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK SO IF SOMEONE WENT DOOR CHECKING IN A PARKING LOT, MY CAR WOULD BE BROKEN INTO - IF NOT STOLEN ALTOGETHER DUE TO THIS. IN DECEMBER I PAID $450+ TO HAVE THE REAR DOOR LOCK REPLACED AND NOW, 3 MONTHS LATER, THE FRONT TWO DOOR LOCKS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. ANOTHER HAZARD FOR SAFETY HAPPENS WHEN YOU CANNOT LOCK YOUR DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. IF SOMEONE WANTED TO CARJACK ME AT A STOP LIGHT - I AM UNABLE TO LOCK MY DOORS! I CALLED VW CARE AND THEY HAVE DECLINED TO EVEN HELP ME WITH THIS COST AND I AM SLO FILING A CLAIM WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE IN THE FORUMS ONLINE, SOMETHING MUST BE DONE ABOUT THIS. *TR
DOORS DO NOT LOCK, OR UNLOCK, RANDOM OPENING OF SUNROOF AND DOOR LOCK MECHANISM. *TR
2008 WOLFSBURG EDITION JETTA: STARTED EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH ONE DOOR LOCK AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE LOCKS CAN GO BAD AND NEED TO BE REPLACED, COSTING $450 FOR THE REPLACEMENT. AFTER HAVING THIS FIXED, ONLY TWO MONTHS LATER, ANOTHER LOCK STARTED HAVING AN ISSUE. I HAVE NOT YET REPLACED THIS LOCK, BUT NOW A THIRD LOCK IS STARTING TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS ON THE SAME VEHICLE. AT THIS RATE, I EXPECT THE FOURTH AND FINAL LOCK TO START HAVING ISSUES. AT $450 FOR EACH LOCK REPLACEMENT, THIS SEEMS EXCESSIVE. ON A SINGLE CAR THAT IS KEPT IN A GARAGE, WITH ONLY TWO ADULTS (NO CHILDREN) USING THE FRONT DOORS, IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE HOW THREE DOORS CAN EXPERIENCE LOCK ISSUES, UNLESS THERE WAS SOME LARGER ISSUE WITH THE LOCKS. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AS THE LOCKS SERVE AS THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE IN ANTI-THEFT. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE AND SEEING OTHERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES, I DECIDED TO REPORT THIS. *TR