22nd Nov 2006, 20:44

I have a 2003 Jetta Wagon that leaks from the bottom of the dashboard on the driver's side. It only seems to happen when the car is being washed, but there is enough condensation in the vehicle to suggest more water is getting inside. The frequency is ever-increasing. From everything I can find on line, this only effects up to 2003, as there are no complaints on newer models. This suggests that VW either corrected the problem in newer models, which also suggests that they are fully aware of the design defect, or it takes a couple of years for the problems to begin in most models (ie for sufficient debris in sunroof and door drains to build up). Mine showed no evidence of leaking or water damage until about three months ago. If anyone has successfully remedied this problem, please advise.

28th Nov 2006, 16:43

Rest assured that the sunroof drainage problems were NOT corrected in newer VW models. I'm waiting for my dealership to find the part that was shorted out when my driver's side floor turned into a pond. This is on a 2005 Passat that is parked outside, but there are no trees around to drop either leaves or needles on it, so I don't know what the cause of the blockage was. I agree with the comment that if this is so important then this is something that should be part of regular maintenance at the dealership. Barring that, during orientation when you purchase a new vehicle at the dealership, those of us with sunroofs should be warned of the potential problem. And since nobody warns us that this is a problem I think the warranty should cover the work. While I don't mind assuming responsibility for my negligence, if it is something I wasn't even made aware of, that seems rather unfair.

29th Nov 2006, 10:22

Wow, I am shocked. I own a 2000, and for the past month the passenger's side of my car has been accumulating 3 inches of water ever time it rains. Unsure of the issue, I called VW customer service to see if there was a recall (I have had several SERIOUS recalls on the 2000 Jetta). No recall, and the only thing they could recommend was to take it to a dealer to have it looked at. I am going to try to clean out the drainage hose as per the directions from the above post. At this point, I don't know whether to get rid of the car due to all its random problems, or to try to work through it.

30th Nov 2006, 06:50

I'm having the same exact problem with my 2002 Passat. Of course this began the week that I paid it off!! My back passenger floor was wet, then I began to notice an odor, so I figured it wasn't a 'new' spill or just a matter of leaving the window slightly open in the rain. I was away for a week, only to return to a few inches of water on the front passenger floor. I did some research and noticed it could be one of 2 problems. 1- clogged sunroof drains, or 2-a clogged pollen filter (I believe that's the correct name, it's located under the battery). I called 2 dealers, both claimed the damage is not covered by any warranty. I asked that they just check the pollen filter to see if that was the cause. They claimed they'd have to do a full water test, take the car apart, check under the rugs, the whole nine. they'd need to keep my car at least a day. Not at $90/hour they're not!!! Anyway, I'm looking into the possible problems with a local mechanic, one that I trust. From what I've read and hear, it's no use going to corporate VW. Maybe we should all try the Better Business Bureau??? Something is not right... too many of us have this problem.

11th Dec 2006, 15:28

I have a 2000 VS Passat and I am suddenly having condensation problems with my car. I have tried the air conditioner and it worked up until this morning. I live in Northern California, near the ocean and I am wondering if that is effecting this. It happens when it rains, but, I notice that often at the end of the day, it tends to happen.

So, is it the air vent that needs to be cleaned?

How exactly do you clean the air vent. Is is a procedure that only the dealer can do?

13th Dec 2006, 19:01

I too have a 2000 Jetta that now gets about 3 inches of water on the passenger side after it rains.

We took it to our body shop and they took it apart - but could not find anything wrong... Any solutions here?

30th Dec 2006, 20:50

I have a 2001 Jetta and recently started having water problems. As mentioned in other comments the dealer suggested cleaning the water drains... of course for a charge of $45. I used to be a huge VW fan, but I am souring quickly on VW's. I bough a 2003 golf to replace a 97 golf that I had. I offed that car after a year of headaches. The car felt cheap and nothing seemed to work correctly. I have since switched to buying Toyota's and unless VW fixes the water issue at no charge I will be getting rid of this Jetta soon too. Sounds like a recall is in order, but getting big businesses to cough up $ is never easy. Good luck to all with this issue.

5th Jan 2007, 13:39

I have a 2003 VW Jetta, at first it was a little water on the floor of my front passenger side floor mat. However, since the last major rain storm I had quite a bit of water. Haven't checked my sunroof, but will attempt to. I have a 1990 toyota truck with a sunroof that has never leaked. Whats up with VW.

7th Jan 2007, 18:46

My '99 Passat flooded 2 years ago, causing complete electrical system meltdown. Dealership told me sunroof drains had to be "modified", which makes me think they were improperly designed in the first place. I got nowhere with VW of America, ended up spending thousands on new everything. Now I'm getting water on the passenger side again! How do we file??? loutoby@hotmail.com.

15th Jan 2007, 09:18

I too am having water problems with my 02 Jetta. The water is coming in my front passenger side in the crack of the door nearest the front end. This last rain has been the worst & I'm in the process of drying it out - what a pain. My question is: What sort of long-term damage can result from not getting it bone dry? I live in Texas and it doesn't rain hard enough to flood my car often. I didn't catch the problem right away because at first the rugs just saturated, but no water pooled and no one ever sits in the passenger side so it stayed wet for a while.

The post before about it being oddly reassuring that others are having the same problem is true. I've been yelled at (by friends) for not fixing the leak, so it's weirdly good to know that others have a hard time resolving this problem too.