2003 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 1.8 turbo diesel from North America

Summary:

Lacks the quality that I am use to in Honda and Toyota

Faults:

The car rattles and is not very quiet.

I have noticed that I have a musty smell to the car.

After reading the water problems, I think my car applies.

General Comments:

Not on my list to buy another car of this type. Wish I had kept to Honda.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 25th October, 2007

2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T from North America

Summary:

I will never in a million years buy one again

Faults:

WELL...

I thought this car was absolutely wonderful. Which it was. Then My friend told me wait until you have reached 30,000 miles. I blew it off and was like no Volkswagens are reputable cars.. (for being crap).

All well until:

20,000 - battery died.. No reason. My dealership says it's standard. (oh OK standard.. that should've been in the contract)

25,000 - Radio stopped working... No reason. Of course dealership says its standard. (well yet another amendment to that contract.)

25,000 - brake lights not working... and yes folks this is standard.

26,000 - 40,000 - at least 4 times a year my rear lights have to get replaced. But don't worry yet another standard failure for VW's.

41,000 - My car dies while I drive it. It shuts off and turns on at will when I drive. I've had a few close calls with death. My dealership says they have no idea and think I'm fabricating the story.

42,000 - My cars power system shuts off and turns on. My transmission will soon begin getting affected by this. I've been in almost 6 fatal accidents because of this problem.

Well here I am..I've almost had a few fatal accidents on the highway due to this POS. I called my dealership yesterday and warned them that if I, or my family are injured due to this problem. I will slap VW of North America, VW worldwide, the dealership, and all managers involved in my cars mechanical inspection with the biggest law suit possible. I'm sick of these huge corporation making a mockery of consumers, not only a mockery, but this is a fatal situation.

General Comments:

If I had two broken legs and the only car I could buy was a VW I would much rather crawl.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 23rd October, 2007

28th Aug 2008, 23:40

I own a 2003 VW jetta GLS 1.8T 5speed manual and I had nothing wrong with the car EVER!!!

I bought it with the armrest broken and the headliner falling off but I have took care of that, and It RUNS LIKE NEW!!!

I have not heard of so many negaative comments on Jettas before.

But nobody has said one bad thing about the 2003 1.8T's...

Me and my brother own a jetta and I have to say that we got no lemons...

He has nothing wrong with his and I have nothing wrong with mine either, And his Jetta is a 1995 VW jetta GLX VR6 with 204k+ miles...

There are garbage cars out there and it does not have to be a VW!

6th Sep 2008, 03:58

I own a 2003 Jetta and is the worst car I ever had.

Starting with the brake lights.

Water pump, timing belt, radiator. Door switch is bad and right now is in the dealer with oil in the water for the second time in less than a month.

Oscar.

15th Sep 2008, 18:55

To the poster of Aug 28, 08, yes there are other cars out there that are lemons, but the way VW dismisses their customers complaints as nothing, when these things are known defects common to VW, and refuses to issue recalls on known safety problems, and other common problems is ridiculous. This is why there are so many of us out there that will never again buy another VW. Consider yourself very fortunate that you got a good one, but wait and see how you are treated when you stop getting satisfaction from anyone at VW. They are in the bottom of the reliability surveys for a very good reason, because they deserve to be there.

21st Sep 2008, 17:50

I own a 2003 Jetta 1.8t and I have absolutely no problems, love the car. The handling is great, that little turbo spools quicker than anything, and there is a lot of help on VW on the Internet... vwvortex.com