I bought the jetta at 20,000 and is a daily driver. I've never broken down once and I can honestly say, I treat my car like its my child. My jetta now has 111,000 miles on it, and the engine is currently being ripped out of it as we speak for several issues.
Check Engine light came on at 50k, taken to dealer and they couldn't find the problem, Roughly $200.
Check Engine light again at 60k, again, couldn't find a problem! ANOTHER $200!
Water Pump went at 70,000 and was relatively cheap to fix. I think around 500-600 all together.
After getting the water pump replaced, my car was very shaky and smelled of gas when operating! Living with some car buffs, they told me it was most likely my timing, which the belt has to be removed when installing a new water pump on my car. VW would not fix it and was going to charge me about 500-700 to fix the timing and replace the belt!
I got into an accident with the car at around 90k, hit a curb, they had to replace pretty much all the steering equipment and two rims. The Grand total of 3,300! OUCH! Somehow, when I got my car back, I couldn't lock my doors. VW told me it must have been that way when I took it in there, they also burnt a small hole in my back seat (looks like a cig burn) They denied all claims of everything and basically told me it was all my problem and they aren't going to pay for damages I had to my car before hand. WHICH THEY WEREN'T!
Door Hinge with sensor $150, I INSTALLED IT!
I Love my jetta till recently, its now leaking a red fluid (determining weather its coolant, tranny fluid or power steering) the engine is being taken out to fix the timing issue and all other existing issues.
As I've read other reviews on the jetta before I bought one, it was hit or miss. Fortunately, I think all my issues are from my large commutes to and from work daily (160 miles a day) and not from poor manufacturing.
The main things I do not like about this car are:
Parts of the interior are coated in rubber, that peels off when scratched, and becomes discolored easily.
NO BACK SEAT!
The Trunk Switch and the Trunk latch on the same fuse (if you blow it, you can't get into it! VERY INCONVENIENT!)
VW Dealerships, they are all the same, they are totally out to get you for your money, and if you don't have good knowledge of cars, you WILL GET SHAFTED!
And other small details, like I've heard mentioned before, (ex. Cup Holders over the radio)
I have purchased a 2001 VW Jetta GLS 2.0 sedan. The car runs very well!! I love this car and everything about it. My car has 120,000 miles and runs like new!
Now just to be sure, I took my Jetta for a courtesy inspection. The inspection revealed nothing wrong and Volkswagen replaced some recalled parts at no charge! If I have any advice to those owners or seekers, maintain your Jetta!!! And replace your timing belt, pully-tensioner, and waterpump every 60,000 miles. It will cost you around six hundred dollars, and if you think that's expensive, try a cool 3,500 dollars to replace the damage it will cause when the timing belt snaps.
Yes ladies and gents, it will almost most definitely take out the head or heads; not cool, so take my advice and trust your Volkswagen dealership, they are not out for your money!!
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