2001 Volkswagen Jetta TDI review from North America

The rear brakes wear out rapidly. The front brakes never show any wear. This is curious.

The interior plastic peels off like sunburned skin.

The windshield developed a crack without visible or known impact damage.

The "VW" emblems fall off the hubcaps.

The engine wiring harness has been replaced twice: once at 25,000 miles and again at 30,000 miles.

At 35,000 miles, the driver's side window regulator broke and the window fell into the door.

One of the integrated remote/keys quit working at 40,000 miles. It is not the battery. I tried that.

At about 50,000 miles, there was a loud bang from the passenger seat, and a huge spring came flying out from under the seat.

Also at about 50,000 miles, the Mass Airflow Sensor failed.

I was very happy with this car for the first year. And it is still delightful to drive. The acceleration is excellent, the handling is crisp, and the road feel is quintessentially European. I have owned many fine European marques, and I should know. But it has been a troubled relationship since the first year.

Knock on wood, the car has been trouble free for a while now. But I feel like the other shoe is about to fall.

The final blow for me was the $968.00 repair bill to replace the timing belt. This is a standard maintenance item every 40,000 miles. The cost exploded for this scheduled event because, I was told, all the rollers must be replaced for the second scheduled timing belt exchange. The $500.00 charge for first this service the first time was bad enough. The delayed disclosure of this type information is the modus operandi of my dealer. Or, I should say, my former dealer.

Say goodnight, Volkswagen. Later this week, my lovely and talented wife gets a new mini-van. And you get a transporter ride back to Mexico.