Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-49
Greetings; My wife and I purchased a 1999 Jetta TDI, in May of 1999. Somewhere around 40,000 miles, we noticed fuel economy fell from 53 mpg to around 40 mpg, and we were losing power. Then in November of 2000, the engine stalled after starting, and would not restart. Towed to local garage, and they drained the fuel system, found no water, but could not figure out why it wouldn't start.
About 3 months later, the car started blowing blue smoke out of the exhaust, not oil, but unspent fuel. We took the car back to the original dealer, and they put it on the computer and said it was a relay to the injectors, and a mass airflow sensor, so replaced everything under warranty.
Same day my wife picked it up, she drove about 4 blocks to variety store. When she came out to leave, the car would not start. Dealer towed it back and said that there was a carbon problem in the EGR. They had to outsource the work, and it took several days. They already had a solution to a problem that is not a problem???
Since that time, we have been to several other certified VW dealers with the same blue smoke, loss of power, loss of fuel economy, but are always told there is not a problem with the vehicle, or they cannot get it to replicate the symptoms we describe.
Now I found a local import only repair shop who said the problem lies within the mass airflow/egr area, which was plugged again. He cleaned it all out and replaced the MAFS, but because VW will not share their spec cd's with anyone other than VW dealers, I cannot get my mechanic to reset the computer. I called another dealer nearby, and they said if your mechanic knows so much, have him fix everything, as they do not know what he means by reflashing the computer. There have been at least 4-6 updates on the computer system since I was last to a VW dealer, and they want at least $85/HR just to hook up their computer to tell me nothing is wrong... NOT AGAIN..
I'm wondering if anyone else has had this issue. I am reading a lot of comments about the MAF, and a lack of power, but I do not know if this is the same as what I am experiencing.
At almost exactly 60k miles, my car suddenly lost power while driving on the freeway. After about 5 seconds of panic, even checking to see if somehow I had kicked the car into neutral, the power came back and I was on my way. The next time I started the car, however, the engine light illuminated, and the car had no power again, and would only reach about 20 mph. Suddenly, as if someone flipped a switch, the engine regained power, and off I went.
The dealership could not find a code (even with the light illuminated), and told me "change your fuel filter". Of course, this did not fix anything.
I now need to start the car, sit and rev the engine to about 3000 rpm, let it suddenly drop to 1000 (without lifting my foot from the accelerator pedal), and then put it into gear and drive off, hopefully with power.
Is this the MAF? Once I perform this procedure, the car runs fine. It does not matter if it sits for a day or 5 minutes for this to occur.
Any suggestions?
Hi to All, I have been reading all of your comments and experiences. I have been looking for a TDI for two years now and found a really good deal on a 2000 Jetta with 75,000 miles on it, also owned by a BMW motorcycle technician. I am also a technician and I also have just started experiencing the loss of power problem, it started right after a long trip, I averaged 47.8 mpg @ 75-80 mph. I keep all of my vehicles up on maintenance and change my oil every 3,000 miles with Castrol Syntec and I use a K&N filter. I would suspect that I know have a MAF sensor problem and try the 2.0 Liter gas engine sensor in place of the factory one. I also replaced one glow plug, and found new Bosch plugs for under $30.00. I also agree with the one article that you should maintain your vehicles, It's Preventative Maintenance, but I understand it is hard to do if you aren't mechanically inclined. Thank You all for the Info, you saved me some time and money, I'll hopefully help you next time! I just need some more time to have more problems!
Thanks for all of your comments. I've been reading some of your complaints and I have a few of my own. I have generally enjoyed my tdi (Jetta 2001). I bought it to drive back and fort from home to where I was stationed in the Coast Guard. It had 84000 miles when I bought it, Now it has 138000 and attached to that is a 2500 dollar repair bill for a timing belt failure. I had it replaced at about 90000 miles and had a year and a half of trouble free driving and not to mention almost 50000 miles of driving. Now that I have the car back it runs good, maybe better, but now the dashboard lights and gauges have a mind of their own. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. Specifically the temp. light keeps flashing and the temp gauge is reading 0 and I know good and well the engine is at normal temp. The washer fluid light stays on when I can look under the hood a see good and well that it is full of fluid. It is a good thing I know how many miles I get per tank of fuel because the fuel gauge is reading guess what? That's right, E. Any comments will be helpful.
The carbon buildup issue that is being discussed here is an issue about how you drive your car. I have owned 2 vw diesels so far, although older, still have the issue if driven lightly. If you research the web www. tdiclub and others you will find that if you give your diesel engine a good workout the carbon buildup will not be an issue you really have to worry about. I go home every couple months and drive my father's 2003 tdi and drive it like I stole it. The car has 90,000 km on the engine already and no problems engine or body wise to speak of. To sum this all up, drive the car like you stole it for even just a few minutes each trip will help reduce your carbon buildup and future problems related.
I own a 2000 TDI Beetle. Originally this was to be my wife's car, but the consistent problems have forced us to trade cars and I have been living with the Beetle for a few years now. Every time I think I have the TDI beetle straightened out another problem arises. I've changed the coolant sensor and the mass airflow meter on separate occasions, which seem to be a common problem. I've also changed out all of the power window switches.
Currently the vehicle is approaching 70,000 miles. I had the 60,000 mile service conducted at 59,000 which cost me around $1,200 by the time all of the work was complete. In contrast, the Honda civic my wife drives cost $450 for the identical maintenance.
My biggest disappointment with the TDI Beetle is the lack of an appropriate mechanic. The first time the check engine light came on the dealer said the problem was the wiring harness to the main airbag in the steering console. Cost to repair, $750. I declined, had them change my oil while I was there and sought a second opinion for the dealer diagnosis of the main airbag harness. I found a local guy with a VagCom and the error the dealer claimed was the steering console airbag turned out to be the coolant sensor (which I fixed on my own). A few days after that trip to the dealership I noticed engine oil on my driveway. After inspecting the problem it turns out the dealer had used an impact wrench on my oil pan that was now fully stripped. I returned to the dealer and they of course denied any wrong doing. They said they would change my oil pan at a cost of $600. I went to a local auto parts store and bought an oversized plug and fixed it myself for less than $3.
The day after having the 60,000 service conducted (at a different dealership) I noticed power steering fluid all over the ground under the vehicle. After additional detective work I concluded the dealer had rested the full engine weight on one of the power steering reservoir hoses which indicated heavy stretching and a tear. While poking around I also noticed my oil pan had been changed. When I confronted the dealer they told me they changed the oil pan as “a favor” but after pressing them I finally got the truth. The dealer jacked my engine up with a standard floor jack while working on the timing belt. The aluminum oil pan collapsed under the weight of the engine and compromised my power steering hose when it fell. The dealer agreed to supply me a new power steering hose as long as I agreed they had not participated in any wrong doing.
I have spent countless weekends and week day evenings addressing all of the problems the TDI Beetle has thrown at me (check engine light came on again yesterday). My time is worth something and I'm exhausted from all of the effort this vehicle demands. The car has been meticulously cared for, but it never seems to work through its problems.
I owned a 1983 VW (gas) Rabbit and never had any problems. The Rabbit was reliable and any problems were cheap and easy to fix. The TDI Beetle has been the opposite. The second car I own is a Honda Civic. Both the TDI Beetle and the Civic were purchased within a few months of each other and currently are with 2000 of each other (69k and 71k). I have saved every receipt I have spent on either vehicle (maintenance costs, parts, etc) and the TDI Beetle is over 4x the cost of the Civic. The Beetle mileage is regularly between 45 and 50 mpg while the Civic is regularly between 35 and 40. The savings in fuel have not warranted the extra cost of the TDI Beetle assuming my time was worth nothing.
In summary, I feel as though VW has relaxed their standards of quality and reliability based on my experience of owning an 1983 Rabbit and this 2000 TDI Beetle. I also feel that VW dealerships do not properly support diesel engines based on the problems I've encountered. This TDI Beetle is the last VW I will own. The only remaining question is when to step out from under this money pit.
I bought my daughter a 2002 TDI Jetta this past April. She was attracted to the look and I was interested in the fuel mileage and the safety design of the vehicle. I decided on the TDI, because according to the VW dealership salesman, the diesel engine would last a very long time. This made sense to me based on my little knowledge of the diesel engines installed in American made trucks.
This vehicle had 63,000 miles on it at the time of purchase. Today it has 69,000 miles and it sits in a dealers repair bay with major engine damage. This is due to what I understand as a failed timing belt sprocket. Little did I know that my purchase of which I was lead to believe would be a safe and reliable vehicle, would leave my daughter stranded on the side of a highway 100 miles from home at 9:45 p.m. Wow, what a deal I made!
I paid top dollar for a diesel vehicle, I still owe VW Credit a bunch of money, and I can't even start the engine because it is trashed. VW's Customer Service only will say that they cannot do anything because it is past the warranty time period. Hey, I agree it's past the period, but never in my lifetime would I expect to have to rebuild a diesel engine for any reason at 69,000 miles. VW ought to be embarrassed to produce such crap. Accountability, they have none.
Word of advice, think twice before you put your loved one in this unreliable vehicle and send them on their way. Don't say you were not warned because your salesman or VW USA won't!!!
I have a 2000 Jetta TDI with 120,000 miles on it. No major problems for the past 6 years. I have followed the recommended service schedule and replace all parts before the due date. I get 50 mpg on average. I plan on putting 300K on my Jetta.
I bought a 2001 jetta tdi for my wife. At 50k we had the transmission replaced twice (first replacement failed), At 75k we blew an alternator, at 90k we had the electrical power center that is mounted over the battery melt. At 101k we had the electrical power center melt again. The check engine light has been reset and is back on again and again. This car is fun to drive, great on fuel, but it is a money pit!
I am amazed at the troubles you guys seem to be having. I have a 1999.5 Jetta TDI, which I bought with approx. 28,000 miles on it and now has 80,000 miles on it. I drive it everyday and absolutely love it. I have not had it in the show for anything other than regular maintenance ever. I have changed the oil at the recommended 10,000 mile increments. I have replaced the brake pads once, and the tires once. I also replaced the fuel filter recently, but other than that it has been absolutely perfect. This car rocks! I get the 50mpg that I hoped when I bought it, and using B20 Biodiesel I am able to help the environment, local farmers, and the nation. I am glad I have this car and I love it. TDI forever.
I purchased my 2003 VW Jetta GLS TDI with 8900 miles on it and now I have close to 80k with only a few issues.
The turbo went out at a little over 50k covered by warranty.
Now the EGR valve is faulty and needs to be replaced. Going to do it myself for $250 off the internet (Dealer Price is around $290).
They recommed replacing the EGR cooler also, but I don't think that it will be nessasay to do so. The dealer goes over board with repair lists sometimes, so that they keep their mechanics employeed.
(Dealer wants almost $1200 to replace EGR Valve and the Cooler).
Other than that the gas mileage is great, it helps out at the fuel pump. I drive an average of 20k per year enduring the Alaskan winters.
Great car, but costly repairs and maintenance.
Digest this, $1,200-$1,400 for timing belt replacement. Depending on the extent work required.
I recently purchased a 2004 TDI Passat Wagon and haven't had much luck with driving the car. I had owned several different VW diesels prior to this and have always had good luck. This is different. When we purchased used with 45K I thought I had made a decent deal. Little did I know all of the problems that would surface. First time out with car and my wife had the engine light come on and the the dashboard light comes on saying STOP! Pulled into a dealership and they said the vehicle was low on fluid. Filled 'er up and drove away. Got up to 65MPH and same problem. To keep it short, the car was purchased in April and we haven't driven it for more than a week and have had to bring the vehicle back. This last time, "Every thing's perfect, no problems" just had to do some work on the head. Got about a mile from home and the engine gave out. I will be hard pressed to allow this vehicle in my garage. VW reliability and service is not getting any good points from me.
Bought my 2000 Jetta TDI 2 years ago. It had 90,000 miles. I took the time to LEARN about the car and how to properly maintain the vehicle. It now has 165,000 miles and so far aside from regular oil changes with high quality synthetic oil every 10,000 miles, all that I've had to do is have the timing belt changed at a cost of $600. I upgraded the belt to a 100,000 mile belt and don't expect to do it again until 2009.
These cars are not meant for stop and go in town driving, yes the intake manifolds will carbon up with this kind of usage. However for someone who DRIVES these cars they are wonderful. If you need an in-town driver, then a gas-electric hybrid would be a better bet.
I bought a 2000 TDI Jetta with 73k and have had nothing, but problems with the vehicle. After about 5k miles the injector pump failed and cost $2000 to replace. Then about 3 months later I had to replace all four injector seals, and also had to replace a injector that the dealership wanted almost four hundred dollars for, but found on ebay for $145. I just replaced it and the injector light and check engine light are on, and the car does not drive faster than 55 miles per hour. My wife and I had a jetta deisel before and had great luck with it, but after purchasing this one I will never own one agian. They are great when they run good, but if something happens you better be ready to spend a lot of money for repairs.
I have had a 2000 Jetta TDI for three years. It had 82K miles on it when I bought it. Now it has 157K. The only major things I have had to do is replace the timing belt, before it broke, and replace the radiator due to my son driving into a snow bank. Many small things though, like glove box door hinge broke (cheap plastic), in dash cup holder broke (cheap plastic) and many many tail light/side marker light going out all the time. Sometimes within a week of replacing in same location. I think these electrical issues have something to do with a grounding problem. Otherwise we love the car, it consistenly has gotten 40mpg with my lead footed son driving it. I agree that biodiesel is the only realistic future. Hybrids are only a stepping stone at best. I'm buying a very clean 2003 Jetta GLS TDI with 68K this week. Yes there are problem cars. Has anyone ever considered if some of these TDIs made in Mexico or another country has more issue then others made somewhere else?