2001 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T from North America

Summary:

Cute and sporty, but highly unreliable and costly to maintain

Faults:

3 months after I leased the car, EPC light came on, due to a faulty sensor. Took dealership 1 week to fix, they left a wrench in my engine. Car began shaking after having for 6 months on cold start. 2 new computers later, new plugs several times, car constantly showing misfiring, it still does it every day. Car has to "warm up", before I drive it off. Have taken to different dealerships, and they cannot figure it out. Window regulators went bad several times, and finally dealership installed metal regulators, so it hasn't happened since. Catalytic converter has been replaced about 2-3 times in the last couple of years. Every 6 months, the brake switch goes bad, and cannot shift the car out of park. Dealership broke my windshield twice when they had to remove whole dashboard to fix a problems in the steering column. For the 1st few years, wax leaked out of all doors onto the paint. Door handles seem like they are made of rubber, they peel. My console button has broken many times. The ash tray/lighter tray is broken. AC/radio area also peeling.

General Comments:

I like the car itself, I bought it with all options. However, I am beyond fed up with all of the constant problems. The fact that no one can figure out why it shakes, and fix it, is beyond me. I will never buy another Volkswagen in my life, especially after the service technician even said he wouldn't buy another one. Not reliable, especially with a young child. I think my next car will be American!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 24th April, 2006

2001 Volkswagen Jetta GL 2.0 gasoline from North America

Summary:

I love it and hate it at the same time

Faults:

Well, thirty two days after I bought the car, without getting the warranty, my car starts overheating. pegging itself at 250 degrees. Called the dealer I bought the car at, and had it been within the 30 days, they would diagnosis for free, but 2 days makes a difference. So no I'm trying to figure out how to diagnosis it at home, without the scanner thing. Any Ideas. or any ideas where the thermo-time switch is?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 19th April, 2006

19th Apr 2006, 21:10

Used car scam cough cough...

2001 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI from North America

Summary:

Reliable, but buy the Ext Warranty for safety

Faults:

I purchased the VW extended warranty at 23K for total coverage to 93K miles.

Monsoon Sound System Replaced at 15K MFG Defect.

The Air conditioner broke at 20k and the dealer replaced every single item (in the order of least priced piece) because they could not find the problem, but it was fixed at no cost to me.

All repairs due to Extended Warranty Coverage

Mass airflow sensor replaced at 65K / no charge fix.

Remote lock would not work at 66K / Door switch replaced no charge fix.

Replaced timing belt at 65K scheduled maintence $850.

One batch of Fuel was poor quality and had little anti-gel and the fuel lines froze on me the dead of winter. $65.

Currently the front end shakes a little and I am looking into the repair at 89K.

General Comments:

I bought this car new from the dealer, added the extended warranty at 23K. Except for wear items / maintence items its covered for repairs to 93K.

I average 45-40 mpg @ 65-80mph. This car has been nothing, but good compared too many other cars I have owned. (Knock on Wood)

From now forward I will only buy new with the extended warranty purchase just before the original warranty is to expire.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th April, 2006

2001 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 2.8 VR6 from North America

Summary:

Best bang for your buck

Faults:

The only thing that I can say badly about the car is that the rear most O2 sensor has gone off once and that there is a minor vacuum leak. Other than that there is nothing else that I can say badly about the vehicle.

General Comments:

In general I would rate this car 7.5-8. I feel that there could be a little more rear seating room. But I love how the car handles. And after my last car this car is heaven. Thanks VW. And as far as problems that other people are having I just want to say, make changing your fluids 2nd nature to you and always get your car tuned up or checked out every year. My other ride has 240,000 miles and is still running hard.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 9th April, 2006