NHTSA Complaint #10485830 — 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, AT ABOUT 68 MPH, WHEN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER. THE CAR, HAVING A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, WAS STILL IN GEAR AND SLOWED DOWN VERY QUICKLY WITHOUT ANY WARNING TO OTHER DRIVERS (NO BRAKE LIGHTS). I TRIED TO PUSH IN THE CLUTCH AND COAST TO THE SHOULDER, AND SUCCESSFULLY MADE IT OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR RESTARTED, AND I MADE IT A FEW MILES TOWARDS THE DEALER BEFORE IT HAPPENED AGAIN, LUCKILY ON A LOW-TRAFFIC STREET. THE CAR WAS TOWED THE REST OF THE WAY TOWARDS THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FUEL SYSTEM DAMAGE. THE FUEL RAIL, INJECTORS, PUMP, TANK, AND ALL LINES WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AS THE RESULT OF THE PUMP FAILURE CAUSED BITS OF METAL FLAKES TO CIRCULATE ABOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE DIAGNOSIS AND LISTED REPAIRS WERE DETERMINED BY THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER. *TR