2001 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg 1.8T from North America

Summary:

An unreliable piece of garbage!!!

Faults:

First, the ECM went out on my car. Took about 3 weeks to fix.

Next, the engine coil went bad. While in the shop, the starter apparently went out too. Took about 4 weeks.

Now the tires need replaced. They make an awful vibrating noise.

Cruise control doesn't work anymore, AC is no longer working, and the car is less than two years old.

General Comments:

I would never purchase another VW product, and I cannot wait to get rid of this vehicle. I am currently trying to get is sell-able so I know longer have this burden.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 4th March, 2003

2001 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg 1.8 turbo from North America

Summary:

Fun to drive, but very unreliable

Faults:

My ignition coil failed at 25,400 miles. I had it repaired and four weeks later at 26,000 miles, the ignition coil failed again.

My brake light switch failed at 25,000 miles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 10th January, 2003

2001 Volkswagen Jetta GLS from North America

Summary:

Unreliable, but a nice drive

Faults:

Driver's side window fell completely out into door (33,000kms)

Car "surged" while in cruise control on a flat service. I was going 90km/hr at the time, my car nearly redlined... not apparent reason.

The entire ignition and its chamber has to be replaced (46,000kms). The parts need to be ordered from Germany, it will take 4 weeks, AND IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED Warranty!!

General Comments:

I loved my Jetta when I leased it. Yesterday the car died. Now I have to wait 4 weeks to have it fixed, and it isn't covered under the extended warranty that I purchased on the recommendation of the financial agent at my VW dealership.

VW Canada has offered to absorb the entire cost, including my rental car for the next 4 weeks.

The service I've received at the dealer and VW Canada was excellent! However, the car itself is a lemon.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 7th January, 2003

26th May 2003, 16:49

Well at least VW Canada will work with you, VW America pretty much tells everyone they can't do anything for you. Sorry~

2001 Volkswagen Jetta VR6 GLS 2.8 litre V6 from North America

Summary:

Most regrettable purchase we've ever made!

Faults:

Most notably, after more than a year of complaints and what can only be described as a fight with the VW rep, our transmission had to be replaced. It was slipping when cold and was clunking when up-shifting. On one occasion they told us that the problem was "winter tire noise"!

Our check engine light comes on periodically and has been doing so since 20k km. They've tried guessing and testing by replacing the oxygen sensor, the mass air flow meter, the spark plug wires & the coils. It still runs rough, has poor fuel economy, runs rich (black smoke when cold), and has a terrible sulfurous smell. Light still comes on.

We've had a litany of smaller complaints such as: two front seat frames separated & had to be replaced; rear speaker was rattling because it came loose; we've had a noise in the suspension for approx. 8k km & is as yet undiagnosed; the air ducts had a restriction & were replaced (when it was new) ; our remotes only work within 10 feet of the car, but we're told this is normal (although they used to work from a much greater distance) ; and even the "Jetta" badge has become pitted and discolored and is being replaced.

Just recently, two days before Xmas, we had to have it towed to the dealership because it overheated when it lost all its coolant. This happened suddenly and the car ran extremely hot (over 130 degrees Celsius) with smoke coming out from under the hood. We've had previous complaints on our work orders that the coolant light was coming on (and/or flashing). Their response: we refilled your coolant reservoir. This time they told us that the fan blade had chafed through the radiator hose & they've had the car for almost two weeks now to take care of this.

P.S. We're told that they no longer give service loaners & so we should be lucky that they've rented us a fabulous Ford Focus. I could buy two of those for what I pay for that VR6 Lemon!

General Comments:

Thank God this all happened under warranty.

We're trying to get them to buy the car back through CAMVAP. (In Canada we have a body called the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan which settles disputes between consumers and manufacturers. You get to avoid court and it's free. Check out www.camvap.ca).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 2nd January, 2003

8th Aug 2005, 20:30

Same situation as far as the coolant leak is concerned. Thanks for your stories.