2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLS from North America - Comments

Blower motor for defrost freezes in cold weather. Will not work until car has been warmed up - this makes it impossible to drive in cold weather.

(Car was built in Mexico)

Alarm system is faulty - does not appear to be connected to drivers door. You can open this door with the car security system armed and the alarm will not go off.

The drivers door will not set off the interior lights.

The headlights can be left on with no audible warning when you leave the car.

The monsoon speaker on the drivers door crackles and ruins the sound of the stereo.

The expensive tires on this car failed at 32,000 Km. The Goodyear Eagle brand retails at $200.00 each, but according to Goodyear, they are rated for only 60,000 Km. Dealers do not warranty tires. Buyer beware - they won't fix your flats for free either. I purchased new tires from Goodyear (Fountain Tire) and they provide free flat repair and road hazard warranty. You should also be aware that the factory tires are only rated for dry pavement (NOT snow or rain). V.W. uses them because the Jetta has no governor and can reach high speeds. These tires will run safely at high speed - when new and on dry pavement.

Fuel injector pump failed at 28,000 KM. VW would not provide warranty. It cost me $3000.00 to replace. This included four trips to the dealer. The dealership didn't provide a rental car until we literally screamed at them. The Jetta was eight months old at the time.

The windshield washer pump reservoir line blew off and emptied the fluid onto my lane way. Car was two days old.

The air conditioner is supposed to signal the engine speed to increase when it cycles. Mine does not work and has caused the engine to stall on several occasions - usually when I try to make a left turn at traffic lights in heavy traffic.

Windshield molding shattered in the cold last winter.

Factory wiper blades failed during first winter - car purchased in December.

Floor mat fasteners continue to break - dealers keep gluing them back together.

Front leather seats are heated on a 1 to 5 dial. Only 3 and 5 actually work.

I am sure there is more that I have forgotten.

I have complained beyond belief.

I called V.W. Canada (located in Michigan U.S.A.) and filed a complaint.

I called V.W. service managers and complained, general managers and complained and changed dealers three times.

I followed all owners manual procedures.

I filed a complaint with C.A.M.V.A.P..

This is the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan. I followed through with a hearing against two dealerships and the provincial representative.

C.A.M.V.A.P. is a scam. These people don't even follow their own rules! My rights were violated several times and I was lied to by their arbitrator. I would not advise anyone to use this option to resolve problems with Volkswagen. GO TO COURT AND SUE!!! C.A.M.V.A.P. is funded by the manufacturers and you wave your rights to go to court when you use them.

The Volkswagen I owned befor the 2002 Jetta GLS was a 2001 Jetta GLS loaded. Almost, identical to my current lemon. I managed to make them take it back at 26,000 Km. It was a electrical nightmare and no one knew how to fix it. The problems were mainly in the luxury package and not controlled by computer. V.W. only employs parts installers, not real mechanics with the ability to troubleshoot - Prove me wrong V.W.!!

Anyone thinking of buying one of these better have won the cash for life lottery to keep it going.

If you find yourself thinking of entering a Volkswagen dealership please keep the following instructions handy.

I) Upon reaching the front, side or rear door of the dealership, rotate your feet (body to follow) 180 degrees.

Ii) Place hands firmly over ears to avoid hearing the V.W. sales propaganda.

Iii) Run, preferably screaming back to your vehicle or current mode of transportation.

Iv) Find your nearest Internet cafe or Internet capable computer.

V) Log back on this site and review my submission again, because your obviously not the sharpest pencil in the box!

I have a 2002 and I am amazed, you are having a lot of the same problems that I am now having.

I whole heartedly agree with you! I am currently trapped in a 2000 VW Jetta and it is a pile of garbage! I've had numerous problems with mine. The type of problems I've had, are incredibly difficult to troubleshoot as they are problems that you would never experience with any other car.

Two years ago, I almost bought a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLS, it was BRIGHT RED with BLACK interior which I absolutely love the combo of the colors. I test drove, I liked it. Unfortunately that car got sold before I could purchase it, so I end up with a 2001 Honda Civic LX since I had a 98 Civic that I never had a problem with it. After reading more about this, I'm really glad I went with another Honda. Hope you'll get some luck in the future getting a reliable vehicle.

My father just called me, looking at this site, and told me you've got to post, so here it goes.

The day after I got it, I had trouble starting it; no worries, a battery problem...

The next week I could not reverse; that was a bit of a hassle, but was covered under the warranty we had bought, after calling the dealership many times, and actually bringing out the mechanics and telling them to try driving the car (because they didn't believe it had anything wrong with it).

Then just two days ago, I was driving and started smelling smoke. I didn't think that was unusual because of the amount of barbecues and campfires around this time of year. Certain lights in the dash board turned on and then off; at this point I pressed the gas and then the brake, but both failed me so I pulled to the side of the road and pulled the emergency brake. Smoke then started coming from under the hood and I got out of the car and called the police, because flames started to creep out from under the hood.

By the time the firefighters arrived, everything inside the hood was melted, as were my front tires and all that plastic. The fire got most of the front half of the car and the whole thing's a mess. As far as I know it was electrical, but the firefighters gave me different scenarios that might have happened, but none that made sense really. This is definitely not a car I would ever consider buying again.

I have to disagree with everyone. I have been driving a VW Jetta for 11 years. My first one was a 1995 Jetta GL and I bought it used with 46k miles on it. I had it until 130 and never had any major mechanical issues. I then traded up to to the 200 VW Jetta GLS and now 7 years later am looking to part ways with it. As of this point I have not replaced a clutch, only brakes once, tires once. I did have a cat converter replaced under recall.

I will say VW is known for weird electrical problems. My 95 had a power lock issue, the dashboards lights went out- not a bulb or fuse and was costly to replace but it was a stick so I pretty much always knew how fast I was going and it's not like it was impossible to see. I drove that car on a cross country trip 13K in 6 weeks and not a single issue!

My 2002 has been fabulous it has also traveled a lot. We moved from Boston to New Orleans and made the trip several times. We also made trip from Boston to Philly many times, and now we live in VA and have traveled to all three places from here. I love this car and am sad to move on from it but I figure I would part ways with it before it becomes an old car money pit.

I first bought a VW for it's reliability and longetivity. To those that had problems I am sorry that you did not get the the true VW experience- because owning a VW is like owning no other. VW forever!