2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLS review from North America

I just happened to come across this web site right before going to bed, and felt utterly compelled to post.

My family has owned 9 VW's in the past 15 years, including 1 Sirocco, 2 Passats, 1 Golf, the anniversary addition GTI, and 4 Jettas. My '02 Jetta 1.8T is the last to go, and we won't be looking back.

I bought the car June 24, 2002. Warranty: 5 years/60000 miles.

August & September 2002: It started with ignition coils within a few weeks of buying the car. The car didn't want to start without a fight. One was replaced early on and then eventually (Dec 2002) they all were under the recall. When I first brought the car in, they could not duplicate the problem and I was sent home. Luckily they figured it out the second time.

December 2003: My driver's side heated seat caught on fire. That one was fun.

August 2004: The sunroof had a kink in the drain hose, which had flooded my car. It was also not set correctly. A week in the shop and all of the carpet was removed and all the padding was replaced. The sunroof was reset. Since then it will randomly open an close on it's own.

August 2005: Check engine light on - replaced oxygen sensor. Also started noticing a squeak in the front end, which was supposedly fixed by replacing both stabilizer bar coupling links. (It has never stopped squeaking.)

February 2007: The engine control module (computer) had to be replaced along with the gas pedal.

Summer 2007: Cheap plastic clip on center console breaks.

September 2007: I am now 3 months past my 5 year warranty, but I only have 51,000 miles on the car. My car starts to shift kind of rough. Turns out I need a new transmission. I was quoted $6800.00. I fought VW for 2 weeks to try and get them to pay this. (While I was without my car, I was riding my motorcycle as my only mode of transportation and was in an accident, which was not my fault, and totalled my bike.) I was also told that this was a fluke issue and not at all common. Um, yeah, whatever.

Luckily (I guess), VW agreed to pay half of the repair. I was hoping for better since I was just outside of my warranty time wise, but way under mileage wise and the fact that my family has owned so many VWs. (At one point I explained that I did not plan on buying another VW due to my car's history and my family's misfortune with different service departments and the offer was revoked. Turns out the VW customer service supervisor did not have the authority to do that.) I forked over the dough and put the car on the market.

November 2007: The driver's side CV joint needs to be replaced. Pretty sure this was a direct result of the transmission being replaced, since they had to remove the CV joint to do the transmission, but couldn't prove it. I spent $4000.00 in 2 months on repairs on a car with 51000 miles.

I do not drive this car hard and it is well maintained. This car just plain hates me and the feeling is mutual.

I love the look of that body style (mine is a black wagon with dark tinted windows), the interior is awesome, the turbo is wonderful and I hate hating the car, but it has given me no choice. I haven't driven the car since Nov because I'm afraid of what may happen next.

My husband was just given a company truck, so I now drive his Ford Ranger. The Jetta sits in the garage next to my new bike and I dread the day that someone will finally be interested in it and ask the dreaded question, "Do you have the maintenance records?"