2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLS review from North America

There was an immediate problem with the transmission, which violently downshifted at inappropriate times. Several service reps blew me off and said that it was "normal" for an automatic to do that. It took several visits to have somebody tell me that "It's a very common software glitch." Then it took another month of waiting for the one guy who could fix it to come back into town.

Defective windshield wiper inserts.

Personal items were missing from the car after having it detailed at the dealership. They promised a certificate for a free oil change which never materialized.

The stereo unit went completely inert due to a fuse popping out. I got the "It's a common glitch" line and had to wait a week and a half for somebody to simply re-seat the fuse, which I could've done myself, but they refused to tell me where it was.

There was a faulty regulator concerning my power windows, which refused to close. (refer to "common glitch" line.)

The knobs kept breaking off the face of the radio. Many replacements. I finally just glued them back on.

Defective sunroof shade.

Plastic latch on the arm rest lid broke inside the unit.

The entire arm rest assembly refused to move up or down, and then fell apart completely.

The door handle on the driver's side is peeling.

Yellow viscous fluid is still leaking from all doors.

I thought that I had done the proper research on this car and I received a very good "vibe" during the purchase process. Obviously, I didn't do enough searching. My old Saturn was much more reliable!

The service is terrible and has no concept of "follow up."

The repairs take hours longer than first promised. Oil changes average about two and a half hours- even with the earliest appointment of the day.

The treatment I have received from the staff has either been extraordinarily immature or extremely aloof.