- Volkswagen is recalling 71,043 2011 Jetta vehicles in the U.S. because of a wiring problem that could cause the engine to completely shut off when the horn is used.
- A Volkswagen of America spokesperson told Inside Line on Tuesday that the stalling issue "would be a very rare circumstance, but we're taking it very seriously."
- There have been no injuries or accidents related to the defect.
HERNDON, Virginia — Volkswagen is recalling 71,043 2011 Jetta in the U.S. because of a wiring problem that could cause the engine to completely shut off when the horn is used, according to Volkswagen of America.
A wiring problem could cause the engine to stall and the headlights and windshield wipers to turn off when the horn or anti-theft system horn is used under certain circumstances.
"It would be a very rare circumstance, but we're taking it very seriously," said Sheriece Matias, a Volkswagen of America spokesperson in a phone conversation on Tuesday with Inside Line. "People can continue to drive their cars as normal."
Volkswagen of America said in a statement that no injuries or accidents have been reported as a result of this defect. Matias said there have been no reports from customers of any problems.
Under the current wiring layout, the horn wiring is protected by the same fuse that is connected to the converter box. If there was a short in the horn wiring, it could cause a short in the converter box and cause it to be disconnected from the power supply, she explained.
Volkswagen dealers will reconfigure the wiring layout by separating the wires for the horn and the converter box so that they are on separate fuses. There is no date for the start of the recall.
Matias said that about 49,000 Jetta vehicles affected by the recall are in customers' hands in the U.S. The rest are in transit or at dealerships.
The 2011 Volkswagen Jettas sold in Canada and South America are also subject to the recall, but Volkswagen was unable to provide specific numbers of affected vehicles in those countries.
As of Tuesday morning, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had yet to post any information about the recall on its Web site. Owners can contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
The U.S. is the number-one market in the world for the Jetta.
Inside Line says: If you own the aforementioned Volkswagen Jetta, be aware that a recall is in the works. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
mikechung88 says:
06:25 PM, 05/17/2011
I have a 2011 Jetta S automatic sedan that has stalled twice while driving. The car is still in motion. Power just dies. No warning.
ttbuyer says:
07:15 AM, 04/01/2011
Love the headline.
This is perfectly consistant with my VW ownership experience. And VW thinks it can sell 800,000 cars in the USA by 2014! (or 2018, I can't recall).
VW is a arrogant company build crappy cars with nice interiors (except it's new models don't even have that advantage). I have always said that VW makes cars with nice interiors so owners will have a pleasant place to sit while they wait for the tow truck.
blueprint1 says:
09:41 AM, 03/30/2011
Headline of the year!!!
cz_75 says:
09:06 PM, 03/29/2011
Typical German electrical gremlins, and from a car that has had most of the good points of a German auto removed.
426maxwedge says:
07:52 PM, 03/29/2011
Lucas is still making automotive wiring?
dg0472 says:
07:38 PM, 03/29/2011
OK, I have to say that on TTAC, I saw a link to a CNNMoney article that also stated it could cause stalling. Still, one of few.
dg0472 says:
06:36 PM, 03/29/2011
Boo to VW for being so coy about what the actual problem is. Even their presser didn't mention that the problem could cause stalling or loss of wipers or headlights. But kudos to IL for finding out. IL is the only media outlet I've seen say what the actual effect of the problem is (the recall hasn't made it to NHTSA's website yet).
angry_mushroom says:
03:06 PM, 03/29/2011
How does that work?
g33t33b33 says:
02:38 PM, 03/29/2011
There's a caption contest in here somewhere...
starliner54 says:
02:31 PM, 03/29/2011
OMG! I had the same problem on my 1967 MG 1300 sport sedan.