1997 Volkswagen Jetta GLS review from North America
"Major source of non-farfegnugen"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Front lights failed.
Door molding/side-guards fell off at 13,000 miles. Fixed by dealer. Fell off again at 26,000 miles.
Check engine light comes on for no-apparent reason. Costs $140 to trouble shoot.
Automatic transmission has never been right. Shift points sometimes as high as 4800 RPM under normal acceleration. Continually downshifts to D3 from Drive.
Electrical problems too numerous to list.
General comments?
We have owned VWs since 1968 (Beetle) to include an early Jetta, Quantum and Fox. This one has been a large disappointment.
The poor 2/24 warranty and the ease of explaining away "drive-train" claims shows the level of confidence that VW has in its own product.
Finally got the Transmission fixed at my own expense for $571. It was a "throttle postion sensor", not covered under the warranty.
Diagnostic procedures are an upfront $100 without regard to later maintenance action (most other major car-makers either drop or reduce this if work is done).
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  | Never want to give it up - ever! |
| Not with a ten foot pole, unless you plan to impale it! |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| First year of ownership | 1998 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.0 Manual |
| Performance marks | 5/10 |
| Reliability marks | 3/10 |
| Comfort marks | 5/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 8/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 3/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 12000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 37000 miles |
| Previous car | Volkswagen Fox |
| Date of Entry | 3rd January, 2003 |