2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLS from North America

Summary:

Perfect for the Volkswagen enthusiast who wants to loosen up

Faults:

Have replaced the gas tank. Gas will not pump automatically into tank without shutting off at the pump.

Driver side window has been realigned to prevent the weather stripping from being pinched.

General Comments:

This car handles wonderfully.

Less road noise than other convertibles.

Interior seating isn't as plush as other GLS models (Jetta, Beetle), made for exposure to weather.

Trunk and back seat are small.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st January, 2003

2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8TDI from North America

Summary:

High price to pay for higher mileage and less fuel consumption

Faults:

Faulty ECM in car which resulted in our fuel injection pump needing replacement.

Dealer performed unauthorized service, resulting in a cost to us.

VW refusing to warranty.

Dealer calling us a liar.

VW Canada won't accept responsibility for there dealers actions.

General Comments:

Reason it went to dealer was because the MIL light came on one week prior to service date.

We had the required maintenance service performed on the car and yet they are saying it is our fault the pump went.

They took a fuel sample from the dirty fuel filter of the car and then took it upon themselves to drain a full tank (just filled that morning) of diesel fuel, replace fuel filter and charge twice the price for 5 liters of fuel to be put back in car.

VW Canada says that the dealers are independently owned and operated. Whic translates into we don't care what they do.

Dealer claims we had contaminated fuel in car. Funny thing is that the car drove in and had been driving for 4 days prior to service and continued to drive itself for 6 weeks till pump replaced, at a horrific cost to us!!!

The dealer had the never to to say that we lied about the ECM being part of the problem with the car, after another dealer said it was. Dealers got together and part was not warrantied.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th January, 2003

2002 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T from North America

Summary:

I love my Jetta :-)

Faults:

After I put 1000 miles on my car, the check engine light came on. It quickly went off without incident.

Now, at 14,500 miles, my coil went. I guess this is a defect in the 2002. Wish VW would recall but it sounds like they are having manufacturing problems.

Upon calling dealership I received excellent service: roadside assistance was fast and reliable, dealership had a local rental car co. pick me up there, dealership also paid for my rental & gave me a 2003 Jetta. The service rep gave me her name & number in case I have any questions, I'm happy to be in a nice rental while saving miles on my lease!

General Comments:

Great pick-up for an inexpensive car.

My only complaints about the design:

Black velour interior is a major lint magnet-no amount of vaccuuming will ever de-lint this horrible-but comfortable-interior. Leather is the only way to go.

The handle to adjust the lean of the seat is difficult to use, and irritating to crank. This has been improved on the 2003-now it is coated with rubber so that it's easier to grip. Better if it was automatic, but that's no going to happen in a $23,000 car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th January, 2003

2002 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T 1.8 turbo from North America

Faults:

Coil Pack failed, car had to be towed.

General Comments:

I purchased my 2002 Volkswagen Jetta in March of 2002. Up until two weeks ago, I had no complaints about my car and in fact was very pleased with its performance.

While driving to my office on Monday, December 30th, my Jetta began to lose power and the malfunction indicator light on the driver's panel lit up. I returned home and called my nearest Volkswagen dealer. I was told not to drive the car and to call Volkswagen Roadside Assistance for a tow to an authorized Volkswagen service facility.

Two days later I learned that my car had a coil problem and it was possible the dealer would not receive replacement parts for 12 to 18 days. I was offered a rental car which I gladly accepted.

I started to do some research on coil packs and was surprised to learn that other Volkswagen vehicles are experiencing similar problems at an alarming rate. I began to hear horror stories of one type or another, all of which were related to coil pack failures in Volkswagen Passats and Jettas. The truth, I came to learn, was that the coil pack failures were very widespread and presenting a real problem for Volkswagen.

I asked my Volkswagen Service Representative why there was not a recall on the vehicle to replace the coils. I was told there simply were not enough parts. I asked if all the coil packs in my car were to be replaced while it was in for service, and I was told that only the failed coil pack would be replaced, again, because of the parts shortage. I asked if it was likely that my other coil packs would fail, and I was told it was 'quite likely they would.'

I subsequently called Volkswagen Customer Assistance to see if I could get any further information about a recall or getting my other coils replaced before they failed while I was on a trip.

Unfortunately, I was told that this could not be done and I would simply have to wait until the other coils failed, then have my car towed to the nearest Volkswagen service facility and wait for parts to become available. I asked the representative if he thought Volkswagen would lose customers over this debacle and he said 'it was likely they would.' He offered to open a case report for me which I gladly accepted.

I ended up getting my car back on Thursday, January 9th. When I arrived at Volkswagen to pick up my car, I spoke to the service manager about the ongoing problem. He apologized and said that this was a real problem for Volkswagen, but they were doing the best they could under the circumstances.

I find this entire scenario to be more than unacceptable.

Volkswagen is willing to put their customers at risk on the road while we wait for our cars to fail and then wait for parts to be shipped to the US. Perhaps it would be a good idea to focus less on advertising your products and more on finding suitable vendors to produce the parts necessary to keep Volkswagen drivers on the road. Otherwise, I fear, your new strap line may be changed to "Lawyers Wanted."

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th January, 2003

1st Apr 2003, 11:30

I have been having the same problem with my Volkswagen Jetta. This is the second time my car will go in for this problem and I pay a pretty decent monthly payment for my Volkswagen lease. Why sell me a car that you know is going to fall apart... I won't be buying anything from Volkswagen again.