2001 Volkswagen Jetta from North America - Comments

The cylinder rings had to be replaced because it was burning almost all of the oil between the 3000 mile oil changes. This happened when the car was only a year or two old. The dealerships we went to said that Volkswagen felt that this amount of oil use was within tolerance. We had to take the Jetta back to the dealership every 500 miles to do an oil consumption analysis test.

To do the consumption analysis tests, the dealership gave us a piece of paper with mileage points listed on them. We would have to stop in at every 500 miles to get a service dept employee to pull the dipstick and the level marked on the piece of paper. Sounds easy enough.

We normally drove 500 miles within a week or two. If we missed the 500 mile point, we would have to start the process over again. If the service department was closed, the salespeople were unable to pull the dipstick and mark the level on the piece of paper, so we’d have to start the process over again. This process was not user friendly. They dealership knew we were using a lot of oil and stated that Volkswagen said this amount of oil usage was within tolerance. Seriously, it was not uncommon for us to check the oil level between oil changes (every 3000 miles) and there wouldn’t be any oil on the dipstick. We were advised to carry extra oil in our trunk and that it is our responsibility to check the oil every time we stop for gas. If the oil was low, just add some, because the amount of usage was within tolerance. That was one of our biggest frustrations.

Another huge frustration is the electrical system. I can’t tell you how many times me or my wife has been pulled over by the police because one of the taillights was out, or both were out, or the brake lights were out. We’ve had the Jetta in the shop on numerous occasions for this issue. We know that there is an electrical problem (SAFETY ISSUE) because it happens so frequently. The dealership, with guidance from VW, acts as if there is not a problem. I challenge you to pay attention to the VW Beatles, Jettas, Passat, etc, during hours of limited visibility. See how many you see with either a headlight out, or any of the rear lights. This has been a major frustration because we are always getting pulled over by the police.

The interior is not made well the cup-holders have broken, the latch on the arm rest between the driver and passenger broke. Too expensive to justify getting it fixed. By the way, this broke shortly after the purchase of the vehicle.

The protective layer that goes over the door handles used to close the doors after entering the vehicle started wearing off within a year or two of purchase.

We’ve had many visits to the dealership service dept. One time, when we went to pick up our Jetta after getting either the rings replaced or lights fixed, the employee was bringing out our car and the driver’s side window broke. We were like, “What the heck just happened?” It was then that we were informed that this actually happens quite often with the Jettas. Something about the window support breaking, causing the window to drop and break.

Overall, our experience with the dealership (s), we are in the military and travel a lot, have not been good. They seem to live in a state of denial when it comes to the reliability of their cars. They did fix the rings, which helped with the oil consumption, but it was a real painful hassle to go through in order to get them to do it. It really took a lot of perseverance. We’ve had to pay for labor for serve light replacements, we could do it, but we keep taking the Jetta to the dealer so we can document how often we have to replace the lights. I have a 96 Chevy truck and have never had to take it to the shop to get the lights replaced. I’ve only had to replace three bulbs in the rear tail-lights since 96.

Even though VW boasts a great warranty, it is very difficult to get them to stand behind their product. When we first started having issues with our Jetta (shortly after our purchase), we complained to the dealer. Their solution was to give us a $2000 rebate for another VW. At this time, I can honestly say that I don’t ever plan on buying another VW.

We like the look of our Jetta, we like the way it drives, but we don't like all the mechanical and electrical issues that are associated with the Jetta.

Wow, I own a 2000 VR6 GLS and I haven't had any problems. Of course I do understand that Jetta's are not race cars and I don't push the pedal to the metal, ever. From my experience is usually operator error. Especially in these cars. I haven't had to drop one dollar in my car for extra repairs except oil. I have now 96,000 Miles on it and it still runs quiet, and has 95% HP/Tourque left. I believe people think these cars are just racers...

The comment that any problem encountered with Jettas is "operator error" is simply insulting to the hundreds of people who have written negative Jetta reviews on the site. I would challenge the poster to reveal how alledged driving practices could cause light bulbs to blow on a very regular basis, or the plastic clips holding the windows to snap. A one sample size survey (the commentator's car which allegedly has never had a problem) does not outweigh the hundreds of other reviews posted here.

I own a 2000 model year Jetta GLS. I purchased the car used from a private sale in 2002. At first, few (if any0 problems revealed themselves, then all sorts of things started to happen. The car has had several recalls, which I've taken care of. The hinge on the glove box broke (requiring a new glove box lid), the CD changer stopped reading CD's, the taillights go out (not the bulbs, but the sockets get oxidation, causing the lights to die), she burns about a quart of oil every 1500 miles, the center rear seat belt broke, the coating has worn off of the inside door handles, and there is a water leak somewhere under the dashboard when it rains. This dumps water on the passenger side floor. Oh, how could I forget the electrical system gremlins, where the door locks start working intermittantly and the drivers door control panel dies, just to start working again the next day. Don't even get me started about the poor quality of the remote door openers. We also had a problem with an electronic control module for the fuel injection.

I know I drive a lot and now have over 135,000 miles on the car, but I used to have a 1984 Jetta TurboDiesel that ran for quite a while and accumulated over 380,000 miles before finally got totaled by a drunk driver. (The car was parked at the time).

2000 Jetta problems (fixed/under warranty) : worst car ever.

-gas tank gauge stopped working.

-brake lights intermittently stopped working (Jetta issued a recall at some point for this)

-driver side window stopped working, then the passenger side.

-gas tank gauge stopped working again, the whole tank had to be replaced (the car was 6 months old).

-key stopped working, had to have the electronic chip replaced.

-check engine light would come on, dealer would run diagnostic that would show nothing wrong, and the light would come on again a day or two later (this went on for about a year).

-problem with cruise control (recall)

-brake light problems returned.

-the car now consumes and obscene amount of oil and the dealer refuses to acknowledge the problem. A quick Google search reveals that others are experiencing this as well.

I will never buy another Volkswagen.

I am currently looking to purchase a Volkswagen, I have a few friends whom have the VR6 and the 1.8T, they have said they have not had any problems other than sensors and the required maintenance especially on the 1.8T's... but if anyone can give me any advice, it would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks!

I've got a 2000 VW Jetta and as much as I love the car, I too have had problems with it from day 1.

In the first 6 months of having the car I had the following problems:

* Driver side window fell into the door while I was on vacation and had to cut my trip short since I didn't feel safe leaving the car out in the parking lot with the window down.

* Sun roof sliding door came off its track

* Check oil light came on a few times because of the large amounts of oil usage - this actually happened in the first month of driving the car.

* Passenger side window wouldn't close.

I've also had to have the transmission replaced, thank goodness it was under warranty. I've had additional problems with the windows and became the biggest pest until the dealer finally agreeded to fix the problem again.

I just took the car in today for an oil change and to start an oil consumption test and when the dealer went to start it he said it sounded "funky" - not sure what the heck that means, but those were his exact words. He said it had a problem starting up/ turning over. Has anyone had this same issue?

I love the car because it was the first car I bought on my own, but now wish I would have choose a Honda or Toyota instead. I've taken good car of my car and always take it in for its required service, but it just keeps falling apart on me and I'm so sad about it.

Hope you all have better luck than me.

I own a 2000 vw jetta...it's crap... never buy a vw... i have change everything in the car... spent about $8,000 in 4 years on my vw crap...

Just so everyone knows. If you have any problems with the windows falling off the tracks, the tail lights going out, or turn signals not working, these are now all on recall, get them fixed for free, DO NOT PAY FOR THEM.

Called Vw Canada about the falling windows, I was mostly concerned about my children safety. VW Canada rep admitted that the falling windows was a major issue, but told me that there is nothing they intended to do. And also admitted that he had some concerns for my 10 month old and 3 year old and suggested that I sell the car!?! I ended up calling Transport Canada.

Called VW Canada about the falling windows, I was mostly concerned about my children safety. VW Canada rep admitted that the falling windows was a major issue, but told me that there is nothing they intended to do. And also admitted that he had some concerns for my 10 month old and 3 year old and suggested that I sell the car!?! I ended up calling Transport Canada because it was obvious that VW didn't care!