2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLS review from North America

Overall this has been a pretty good vehicle. More repairs than I am used to however. At 8,000 miles minor things began happening.

First... Passenger door would not open from the inside. After 2 dealer service appointments the door was repaired. Wrong!... Now the door would not open from the outside! Repaired twice and after 5,000 miles the door decides on its own when it will open from the outside. Over three weeks to correct a brake problem.

Vehicle went in for 10,000 service. While driving home brakes began dragging. Smoke poured out of brakes when I arrived. After numerous calls to dealer, and an entire day wasted; car was towed to dealership. Dealer said the brake light switch was not adjusted properly. Well bad guess... car was in shop for several days for this professional repair! OK picked up car.. on way home same thing happened again! Back to dealer, another rental car... and this time the VW rep discovered the problem; a faulty brake boost servo. Plastic parts of generally poor quality. Hate the seat reclining knobs! Why not a lever like most cars? Mexican quality shows rather than German craftsmanship!

Postitives are I think the diesel engine is fantastic! Mileage is constant 50 plus MPG. I put a trailer hitch on it and it pulls a small utility trailer and a small fishing boat with little effort. (That was after dealership told me there was no hitch for the car.. WRONG again.

Dealership knowledge for the diesel has been only fair. So far warranty has covered the repairs.

I enjoy the handling of this car and it is comfortable. I would like to see the TDI engine in other VW models in the future.