2001 Volkswagen Jetta review from North America

Engine coolant leak at 14000 miles.

Problem with a window not working at 19000 miles.

Problem with another window not rolling down at 23000 miles.

Recall brake light switch at 23789 miles.

Am radio stations have static at 29000 miles.

Recall for brake light 32000 miles.

Malfunction indicator light on at 37666 miles.

Replaced oxygen sensor

Replaced catalytic converter.

Engine coolant leak at 41000 miles.

Fuse for air conditioner problem at 43500 miles.

Random cylinder misfire at 55000 miles.

Bad engine valve at 61000.

I purchased this 2001 Jetta VR6 new. I liked that the car has pretty good horsepower and the feeling of low end torque. It handled well too.

Soon things started to go wrong with the car. One day, after about 14000 miles, a puddle of orange fluid was left underneath where the front part of the car was. It turned out to be engine coolant.

About 5000 miles later, I started to have problems with the driver and passenger side front windows. It was kind of funny - when I tried to raise a window it would some times randomly go down and vice versa. On another occasion a window would stop responding at all and it wouldn't move.

Later, I brought the car in for the recalls for the brake light switches. I've had one of three brake lights stop working on about two occasions. Also, each of the front headlights stopped working once so far.

At about 29000 miles, I couldn't listen to AM radio stations because of a static sound.

A potentially very expensive problem occurred at 37666 when the check engine light went on. The dealer diagnosed it as a faulty oxygen sensor and catalytic converter. Fortunately the dealer agreed to cover it under a warranty with no hassles and no fee.

At 41000 miles my engine coolant leaked again. I was fortunate that some one else noticed the now recognizable orange spot.

Now at 61000 miles a serious problem developed with the engine. Cylinders randomly misfired and the whole car shook as the check engine light went on. Eventually my mechanic diagnosed the culprit as a bad engine valve.

With this engine problem I'm starting to look for a new car. It has had many problems for the relatively low mileage I have put on it.

I enjoy driving it around still, but it seems like it is going to be too difficult to keep on the road.