2001 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg 1.8T

Summary:

POS

Faults:

Besides the numerous little things that others have reported this car is straight out of hell. I just got done replacing my catalytic converter ($1300) and then I'm driving home a week later from school and my timing belt snaps on the freeway. 89000 miles and my timing belt snaps. At 80000 it was inspected by Volkswagen and said to be OK. These are supposed to last until 105000 miles. If you're not familiar with these engines then let me enlighten you, when your timing belt snaps your whole engine goes. The valves are bent, the head is cracked and the pistons have stress and crack marks. VW's quote for a new engine, $9000. More than the car is worth. Normally this would be covered under the power-train warranty, but because I am the second owner VW will not honor it. 9000 miles out of my extended warranty and the car is now com pletely worthless. Vw has been less than helpful in the matter. Apparently they don't feel the need to honor their vehicle when you are the second owner. POS Geo's run longer than this. 89000 miles for a 2001 vehicle is ridiculous. I thought VW's were supposed to be reliable? I also thought they were supposed to have friendly helpful service. You're timing belt is not supposed to snap. It should never reach that point, especially 15000 miles before the suggested time of change. I have been a good customer, the previous customer performed all her services with VW and when I acquired the car I did the same and still VW is not willing to do anything about it. Stay away from this vehicle and probably all others unless this is the kind of treatment you wish to receive.

General Comments:

Great until your engine blows and you get the middle finger from VW.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 22nd November, 2005

23rd Nov 2005, 16:16

Timing belts can last 105,000 miles, but you are supposed to have them changed at around 75k. I had one snap on my old Audi 90 and it was my fault for not paying atention...

Jose.

15th Dec 2006, 20:03

Take the V Dubya's to the highest car court!!! Crazy Germans!!!

16th Sep 2008, 22:11

Someone's ripped you off if you paid $1300 for a cat. There is no reason whatsoever to pay that much.

2001 Volkswagen Jetta VR6

Summary:

Unfit for use and dwindling in value

Faults:

We too are having problems with the noxious car smell. The Volkswagen service center (authorized dealer) just quoted us a price of $2,145 to have the carpet and sound absorbers replaced. This is unacceptable. We have called Volkswagen Customer Care in MI (800-822-8987) and received a reference number. Please call and write to the following address and tell them you are having the same problem. Volkswagen Customer Care, 3499 W. Hamlin Road, Rochester Hills, MI 48309. We bought the car earlier in 2005 through the certified preowned car program. Has anyone found other forums where people are sharing info about this problem? The more people that contact them the better chances we have of them fixing the problem rather than us having to pay $2,100 to fix it. The Volkswagen Customer Care claims to not have heard of this problem before, and they need to hear from us in order to make it a recall (like they did with the window problem). The dealer hadn't heard about the problem either, but they did a simple test of sitting in the car with the windows up and pulling back the carpet and were able to immediately diagnose the problem.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 14th November, 2005

15th Nov 2005, 15:58

Oh my goodness! I absolutely hate that smell! It is horrendous-apparently, everyone just gets the runaround about it, but its supposed to some type of insulation they used in the 2001 model that gives off that odor, especially after the first few weeks after beginning to sit out in the sun. It's really embarrassing! They told me when I bought mine certified pre-owned that it was just the cleaner they used-now I know differently. They definitely know what you are talking about at the dealership, they are just playing dumb to talk people into buying what appears to be a great car. Until it starts to fall apart!