Latch from armrest broke off under normal usage (IE: no kids, etc)
Driver's side window fell into door 3 times.
Passenger side front window fell into door 3 times. This was due to the clips being made out of plastic. They have finally made them out of metal now and have actually both recalled it and have extended everyone's warranty for 7 years for it. Problem is, I took my last incident to a VW dealer to get the last window-fall-in fixed, they assured me and reassured me that they used the new metal clips on both sides. My window just fell in again and a second VW dealer (hellish nightmare of a place) showed me the broken part UPON MY REQUEST and indeed it was PLASTIC. So either the first dealer lied to me and lied on my work order sheet that they replaced it, or they used the old defective plastic clips.
Plastic piece randomly flew off of the moon roof one day as I was opening it. Might just be a cosmetic part since the moonroof still works, but still. I *just* went over my 2 year warranty and they want to charge me approximately $20 for it. Mind you I bought the 5 YEAR EXTENDED Warranty and apparently nothing is covered under this warranty. Scam.
My engine light just went on. The second dealer wanted to charge me $80.00 just to see why it was on. They found the reason is a faulty Coolant Temperature Sensor. Guess what, this sensor is NOT covered under the 5 year extended warranty I paid for. It's considered "wear and tear". On a 2 year old car. A sensor. Asinine.
Since buying the car, it hesitates when I first start up the car in the morning and make my first stop sign stop. The car doesn't respond to hitting the gas pedal for a good 2 seconds. When you're trying to merge into traffic this is a terrifying feeling to experience every morning. Now it happens twice every morning, the second being while trying to enter onto a road where people speed faster than the limit.
I have brought this up to my dealership numerous times when I brought my car in for something. They:
1) say they don't know what causes it
2) act as if I'm making a big deal out of nothing
3) have never checked it out, even after mentioning it to them countless times! They always snipped back "Well, is the tank empty?" to which I always felt intimidated and tried explaining that it happened all the time, regardless of fuel levels. Since it was only happening in the mornings going to work I didn't know how to deal with it (since the mechanics weren't) so I had no choice, but to let it be.
Now that my warranty is up, and now that it's happening 2 times every morning, they want to charge me $80 to check it out. They also won't do a thing until they can recreate it. Stupid, since I can just go on YAHOO search and find countless other VW owners who deal with the same dangerous problem.
The gears slip, usually when going on an incline/hill. But it has happened on straight roads as well.
The radio. Sigh, the radio was a year's endeavour. Living in LA I listen to AM talk radio often, and after hitting a pothole, the signal was fully staticky. It would pop in and out of being perfectly clear and being nothing but static. Upon telling the mechanics this they kept insisting it was the stereo itself and not the antenna no matter how much I protested and gave them symptoms to back up my assessment. Then the CD player (single) would randomly say CD's were "errors" (it even said it on a brand new CD I had just unwrapped from the store, so no, it was not the CD's) and since the cup holder goes over the slot of the CD insert, I'd be driving down the freeway and the CD would be clicking, trying to make it's way out of the player while pressing into the back of the cup holder. After going through about 3 of their stereos, they finally admitted that they can't do a recall because they don't have working stereos to replace them with. Finally, 1 young German kid who was working there did something so simple as to wiggle the antenna (AS I HAD BEEN STATING 3 STEREOS AGO) and sure enough it caused static. He had found what was wrong with the AM stereo (loose antenna, duh), but the CD player itself was still malfunctioning and defective.
Even VW's own employees had the same stereo issues with their cars. And as a side note, when the AM stereo wouldn't "duplicate the problem" while sitting there, the mechanic flat out blatantly implied I was lying. I asked him "Are you calling me a liar?" he said "well, the gauge is saying it's not broken" to which I responded "get the H__L out of my car" and left. I was through with the abuse.
I threatened them with exposure on 20/20, Dateline, and every other show I could get to because everyone, including their own employees, knew of the defective *overpriced* stereos VW was installing into our cars, knowing full well most of them are defective. VW, after a year of dealing with this, bought my stereo back full price after my threat of exposure on TV shows. I bought my own stereo/MP3 player from Circuit City and it rocks and kicks that VW stereo's rear-end out of the water. When they tell you that you cannot have your own stereo, it's false. All you have to do is keep their old hunk of junk so that when the Engine Check light goes on (oh, and it will) they can do their diagnostics through the stereo.
Yes, you heard me right, they do their engine diagnostics through the stereo. So, this last time just the other day, I, personally, took out the stereo myself (mind you, I'm a girl, but I'm not afraid to take care of business!) and left their crappy stereo on my car seat and let them do their precious diagnostics through the stereo system (stupid engineering, and hey, I'm German. I'm embarrassed to admit it when it comes to this VW fiasco...)
The netting in the trunk is broken. The little plastic plugs fall out easily. Forget putting anything in there.
The front right side makes this odd clicking noise that gets faster and faster until it stops. I have no idea what this is. Hah, if I don't know, VW sure doesn't know. They don't even bother checking.
The doors POP and CREAK every time they have to replace the clips when the windows fall in. It does this on every stop and go, and every turn. Highly annoying and makes the car sound like a junker inside.
Doors squeak and popping noises come from inside the doors themselves.
On hot days this GOO comes pouring out of the doors. It looks like a waxy/oily lubricant. This is "normal" according to VW. What's normal about ruining your clothing as you enter and exit your automobile? It's so bad that it collects on your driveway and smears across the sides of your car as you wash it. Wax and oil are the 2 biggest stain-makers. Good going, VW.
I really wanted to love this car. It's like an abusive relationship in that I still want to love this car, and I appreciate how it drives as if it's gliding across wet ice. I love so many things about the car, but again, it's an abusive situation because of the incredible amount of problems it causes me. And dealing with the second dealer has made me go through tears, frustration, anger, and downright abuse from everyone from the service department to the head honcho.
I can give one example here of oh so many: When I was dealing with the car stereo situation he gave me a phone number to call: an #800 number. He, in all his glory, assured me this was the number to call and they would help me and take care of my problem, etc. I felt relieved, but deep down I knew better from all my previous dealings with his company.
I requested to use his phone right there and then to call the number. Thank goodness I did because when I dialled I got those familiar 3 tone-beeps followed by "This number is no longer in service... the number you have reached is disconnected or no longer in service". When I brought this to his attention, he frantically dialled the number 2 more times.
I give him an Oscar for his acting abilities... I looked at him and said "This, sir, is why I asked to use your phone to call right now". I could go on with similar stories, but you get the idea of the "quality", the treatment, and the overall hassle I've had to deal with owning a 2001 Jetta VW.
Very sad to me since I am German, I have pride in being German, and I really want to keep this car so badly, but at what cost.
06.04.2003 update:
Now my gear won't go out of PARK on hot days.
VW says they have to re-create it, yet in the next breath they told me "This is a common problem for Jettas and Bugs". Idiots. So FIX IT!!! Then they told me if I want it fixed without re-creating it I can pay $50 because my "deductable" won't fully cover it. "Deductable"?? What deductable?? I have the 5 year extended warranty.. which apparently covers NOTHING!!
I also have a 2001 Jetta Wolfsburg. I haven't had as many problems as you (yet, I'm sure) but I have had my windows fall in.. twice on two separate occasions and for some reason they didn't bother repairing both at once, even though they KNEW the other one was going to fall eventually (thus the need for the recall).
Anyway, the dealer wanted to charge me 399 for the 30k maintenance, whereas a local mechanic only wanted 120.
I have a vr6 and the transmission was bad and slipping like you said -it was under warranty and replaced the window regulators also replaced under warranty.
I have a 2001 VR6...hate it. I haven't had the window problem yet (knock on wood). However, I have had the check engine light go on (the dealer told me it would cost $75 just to check) - went to a friend who checked it for free... turns out nothing was wrong!! Also have the annoying goop on hot days, also had the glove compartment door handle break off - dealer's response "it's normal...afterall, it's a plastic part, not metal like they used to make them back in the day". I also had to shelve out $$$$$ earlier this year because my alternator died!!! A 3 year old car, and the alternator died!!
I just got my 2001 Jetta VR6 3 months ago, and already I had to bring it to the dealer 5 times for the same exact problem. Every single time, they tell me that its not a big problem, they tell me they have capable mechanics that can fix the problem, but they never do. Every single time, I get the "Oil pressure low - Turn off Engine" light pop up one day later. In one occasion, the light popped up minutes later after leaving the dealer. Either they're lying to me or they can't fix the dam car.
Friend had mention to me the Lemon Law, but I don't know how to go about it. What I'm getting from my few research, is that if I take my car to the dealer to fix for more than four times, for the same exact problem (which I have) I have the right to another car (same model) or my money back. The reason why I am hesitant, is because I don't know whether to get a lawyer now or I should be happy they fix my car (the problem was fix, but now I'm getting other problems), I just don't know how to go about it.
The 2000 Jetta stalls intermittenly and the dealer can't figure it out. Sensors go bad routinely and the "check engine light" is like a blinking Christmas ornament. The dealer is a ripoff and charges for parts inserted on guess work. I suspect their mechanics are incompetent.
Yes, I've had all the same problems that everyone else has with their Jetta. Such a shame. I love Volkswagen, but would not buy again. Has anyone had water build up inside car possibly from their sunroof? I've gone through it twice. The water was at least 2 to 3 inches deep.
Mine is actually 99. VW is the worst car company in the world. PLASTIC window holders---obviously broke. PLASTIC coolant impeller. Brake light switch faulty... they look cool and are supposed to work, but they absolutely do not. The body designers are the only ones who should not be fired.
Wow, I have a 2001 Jetta VR6.I also have the hot goo from the doors. You think it would run out of goo after a while. There must be a goo fairy. No window problems yet (also knock on wood) My ASR, EPS and check engine lights are on. Dealer wants $120 just to look at it. Let me say this "I don't think so bud".I will continue to drive it as long as it doesn't heat up and sounds O.K..It also does that hesitation thing when you first take off. Very scary in traffic. Man I can't stand this thing.
I have a 2001 VR6. When I first bought the car used, with only 29,000 miles on it a year ago, the passenger window fell in. They fixed that. I've had no problems since. The interior trunk latch would not open the trunk, after 3 visits back to the dealer, they finally fixed that. A few months ago there was a recall on some hazard light sensor, that was fixed. A few weeks ago my remote entry stopped working. The car smells like crayons, which I read on here was some kind of wax. It doesn't bother me that much, but I get tired of people getting in the car and saying "your car smells like crayons"! The center armrest console is broken, it keeps falling down. The seats attract lint terribly. About 2 months ago, the check engine light came. I had it in the shop every day for the past two weeks and they replaced some sort of sensor, the car was over-heating, so they replaced the thermostat and coolant. The car isn't over-heating anymore, but guess what!!?? The check engine light is back on. And when I crank the car on cold mornings, the temperature gauge light comes on and flashes a few seconds until the car heats up... so I guess I am back to the shop. I have also noticed that the car doesn't want to seem to change gears correctly or get up and go like it should at times. This car only has 46,000 miles on it so I am very upset.
The car drives great and looks good, but I am afraid I am going to end up going broke fixing all these little problems.
I also have a 2001 VW Jetta VR6, man, when nothing happens, I love this car, it looks cute, runs great. But when it breaks, it never stops breaking. I had it second-handed a year and half ago with 30,000 miles on it. Check engine light went on 3 months after I had it, took back to the dealer, charged me $105 just to run the computer scanning and pull the codes out, it turned out to be a coolant system sensor was broken, a $7 part, half an hour labor, this trip to the dealer cost me more than $150 and my warranty didn't cover it. last winter, a busy Monday morning, right after I started my car, the thermostat light was on and it's RED, so scary. Then I found out some sort of reddish liquid on the ground, God, this car was leaking! Dealer said that the combination radiator hoses were broken, 2 of them, $90 each and they didn't have the parts at the moment, have to order from GERMANY!!! 3 days after, I saw the parts, 2 pieces of black PLASTIC hoses, it looked like that you can buy it from Wal-Mart. And they are $180!!! Well, had no choices, fixed it, $400, : (A month after that, I was on my way to do Christmas shopping. The scary red thermostat sign lit up again, and heavy white smokes came out of the hood, oh man, GREAT! Called my road side assistant, got it towed to dealer again. You know what, this time, the water pump in the engine was broken on a 33,000 miles car!!! Thank god the warranty covered this otherwise it would be another $1,000. At the same time, they told me my coil pack was arching and my driving belt had a big crack, both conditions would make the car stall at any time. Well, the stupid coil pack itself cost $525, "I'll drive the car until it stalls", I told them and left. It runs alright until 2 days ago, the check engine light went on again, maybe it's time for the coil pack to die. I'm not as scared as before when the lights are on after so many problems in just a year and half. I'm still driving it around as long as the light is not blinking. I'll take the car to Advance Auto Parts to run the computer scanning and pull the codes out for FREE, yeah. Midas charges $86.95, and some other places such as Meineke and Monro Muffler can't do it on Jetta.
I don't think I'm gonna ever buy VW again, this one will be my first and last.
Update 11/26/05.
After badgering my VW dealership and being ARMED WITH INFORMATION, VW *finally* admitted defeat and gave me a brand new transmission about 7 months back. Doing more research online, I'm seeing that a lot of 2001 Jetta owners are getting brand new transmissions just months/years after buying new cars. But guess what, the slight hesitation in the mornings is starting up again! I cannot believe this. What good is a free new transmission if the same problem is starting up again.
And the crayon/mildew stink is still there.
And my front bumper finally grabbed it's last grab and tore off so badly it's partly damaged (typical problem/bad design).
I also have a 2001 Jetta with the 2.0 engine, and I have that goo problem. That thing is annoying.
Also, all my friends tell me that it smells like crayons. Nice way to pick up girls though... LOL. The other day, I went over a parking stopper (that brick at the end of parking spots), and when I backed out, the right corner popped out. Anyone know how to fix it? Don't want to go to the dealer because they overcharge.
I have a 2002 jetta vw. the same day I brought it home from the lot the left hand brake light went out. It's now 2007 the same brake light is out. only god knows how many times they "fixed" it. I've had a water leak under my glove compartment since the day I purchased the car. They said they "fixed" that too yet my car still smells like a bathroom on rainy days. Of course my trunk latch, my armrest & glove compartment is broken still because its been "fixed" already 3 times. Now that my warranty is up I refuse to pay for their error. I've had my coils changed & new clips for the windows. My digital time says error every now and than.
Same problems here as well. Goo coming out of the door, lots of problems with the lights, stereo issues, strange smell (not of crayons tho, smells more like brown sugar to me), blinkers/hazard light stopped working, and I hate the upholstery. Its way too hard to clean. The plastic front bumper pulls off all the time as well. The best way I've found to get the bumper back on is to take a rubber mallet to it. Put the clips back in as far as you can and then hammer them the rest of the way in with the mallet. Its worked so far, but do it with care. I finally had my father put screws from the plastic bumper into the body. It may not look pretty, but I'm tried of crawling around on the ground hammering those things back in.
My Jetta is currently in the shop getting a broken vacuum hose replaced. The car was dying at stop lights and in traffic, so hopefully this will fix the problem. $180 to fix. When I spoke to the dealership this morning they wanted to do $1600 in repairs which included replacing the secondary air pump, changing spark plugs, replacing the fuel filter, timing belt, water pump and some kind of thermometer. Yeah... no thanks. I just want to be able to get to work without it stalling in traffic.