2004 Volkswagen Jetta TDI from North America - Comments

Nothing yet... I haven't actually purchased the car, and will not be purchasing it either! This was just a story about my test-drive!

I love Volkswagen's more than any other car ever made! I grew up in a VW household... everyone in my family drives them and they are all as crazy for them as I am!

I own 2 VW's at the moment. An 89' Jetta GTX 16 Valve and an 83' GTI. Both of these cars are amazing... they drive well, feel solidly built and have been extremely reliable (knock on wood!) I finally decided to buy a new car, and I wanted a turbo diesel Jetta for 2004...I did my research and finally made an appointment with the dealer and this is what went down!

After being ignored on the lot for about 15 minutes (Speedway Motors in Victoria is not known for their service!) I finally approached someone and got on the road. I love the performance of the new 100hp diesel engine... the car was beautiful looking and surprisingly powerful! However, the interior (again, beautiful looking) seems to be made from cheap material... every time we went over a groove in the road, I could hear something inside the dash rattling. When I got onto the hi-way, the wind noise was so loud that it felt like the windows were going to implode. The whole time the sales person sat there saying that the sounds were normal and she drives a Jetta too and that this one is superior sounding to hers! I personally couldn't stand it My 89' Jetta is way smoother and quieter and never makes a sound when I go over bumps in the road! Then, already unimpressed, I turned around and went back to the dealer. When I was turning into the dealership, I depressed the clutch and it stuck to the floor! I couldn't even get it up the slight incline until a minute later when it slowly returned to normal position... the sadDest thing is that the sales rep did not looked surprised. After I parked, I looked at her, handed back the keys, thanked her for her time and marched straight to my car.

I am so disappointed... this is not what I would expect from a car that is $30,000 CAD! VW quality has diminished and when I was researching them, I was assured that their factory in Mexico was among the best in the world! I don't think so, I think they should inspect their factory! What am I going to buy now... I can't stand Honda's or Acura's. Guess I will drive my old school VW's forever!

I've just purchased a 2004 Jetta GL and I've got to say I was VERY impressed with the quality of the car for such a reasonable amount of money. My car is quiet and handles very well. I think you may have test driven the one that fell off the car carrier! My advice is to drive one more before you give up completely. Best of luck!

I'd echo the comment about trying another drive from one at another dealership. I just came back from test-driving one today (better dealer experience than your's, he was helpful, and just let me go driving by myself for 'as long as you like'). Highway noise was quieter than my current Intrepid, which I considered good, up until over 130 or 135kph when the rpm's get a little higher than I'd like, a taller 5th or adding a 6th would have been better. No rattles either, though I hated the stiff turn-to-adjust seatback controls.

I too would echo the above comment regarding test-driving another vehicle. I -finally- decided on an 03 Wolfsburg Jetta after much thought toward another Diesel (my previous was a 95 Golf - 360,000km and still decent resale!). I must say, I miss the mileage of a diesel, but man do I love that 1.8T! Woooohoooo! Do yourself a favour though, if you go into the dealership looking for a TDI, don't take out the 1.8T or you'll never buy a diesel!

We've had our 2004 TDI for about three months and are extremely happy with it. It's great in commuter traffic and fantastic on the highway. And the gas mileage!!!

My wife drove it from Edmonton to Vancouver (about 1200 km) basically on one tank of gas... just as advertised.

The only glitch was a seat adjustment knob broke off, but was replaced for free by the dealer. The leather interior is excellent and the seats are very comfortable as well.

The sound system is excellent and it includes a cassette

player for boomers (dinosaurs?) like me who still have a lot of music on tape. All in all, I highly recommend the TDI.

You had a truly strange experience. Are you sure it was a Jetta you were driving? Maybe someone glued a VW hood ornament onto some GM product. With 24,000 miles on my 2004 Jetta TDI, I've had nothing, but joyful driving... quiet on the highway, powerful, responsive, and totally, absolutely rock-solid dependable.

I know what I'm writing about, because I rent about 50 various models of other cars every year in my travels, and I wouldn't have any of them over my jetta.

Try again! Your experience was too strange to be anything other than a total fluke.

I've been driving my 2004 Jetta TDI for four years now and have 129,000 miles on the car. It's been one of the best cars I've ever owned. The problems I've had with the car I mostly attribute to the incompetence of the local VW "stealer"ship. The seats are not as comfortable as I would like on long trips, but at 40 - 45 mpg, I'll deal with it.

I bought my 2004 Jetta TDI used with 60,000 miles. I couldn't buy a new one because they were sold out. This is no doubt the best car I have ever owned. I haven't had one single problem with this car. I love the power and the excellent mileage.

If I had to improve on anything, I would put a more powerful stereo in it.

This car is awesome and I look forward to lots of miles on this TDI engine.

I cannot express how much I Love My 2004 TDI. Not too mention the great steal I got on it! It was purchased in 2005 and I paid 18000 for it. It drives like a dream and the mileage it gets is well worth the extra $ I pay. I have told my husband this will be the last car I will ever need, Good Lord willing, and I am 48. Here's the real kicker, blue book has it valued at 21000. A car that is worth more than when I bought it, enough said...

I loved my '04 Jetta TDI... for the first three years. Year 4 has been another story.

Part of the problem has been horrible service at the dealership I leased the car from. I could fill an entire page with the errors and poor work.. but I won't.

I could also tell you about the time my driver's side window suddenly plunged down inside the door.. in -20C weather.. but I won't.

I will detail one major problem that occurred in early 2008 and seems to be happening again in early 2009. The car started running rough just out of the blue. I managed to get it in for a look after about three weeks of waiting. I was told it was a fuel injector. I was also told the $2000 repair wasn't covered by the warranty because I was over the mileage limit. I pointed out I was still under the limit when I first called about the problem three weeks earlier. Eventually, Volkswagen Canada agreed to pay 2/3 of the tab out of "good will"!!

Now, less than a year later, same problem. I haven't called yet.. but I know it will be another $2000.. and likely no good will this time.

Here's another example of the VW "4 year itch": A few months ago the signal light "ticker" started ticking intermittently while driving. It got worse.. ticking more often. I called the dealer and got it in for a look in under two weeks... amazing! Then, I was told it would be a $500 repair! $280 for the part... and $200+ for the labour. "No damn way" said I... except that now, the damn ticker is going ALL THE TIME and driving me crazy.

So, take my advice: if you own a 2004 or 2005 Jetta, SELL NOW... before the 4 Year Itch bites you in the behind!

Own a 2004 5 speed TDI.

Problems started at 150,000 miles. Turbo charger went, then an injector problem resulted in a new cylinder head replacement, dealer claimed it was more cost effective.

Timing belt, inter cooler, turbo went again after another 80,000 miles, and now the clutch went. 235,000 miles on the car to date.

The dealerships rob customers by choice, I know, had a relative quit as a mechanic due to shop practices.

The car is fun to drive, it is everything people are saying. I guess I'm foolish thinking I can take this diesel to 500,000 miles like I planned. You can't get honest repair work and everything is expensive. Very hard on the pocket book; 8000.00 in repairs to date.

I have a 2004 TDI Jetta GL wagon I bought new at an end of year clearance. Traded in my 2001 Golf TDI 5 speed that got 53 mpg. The wagon is automatic since my wife didn't like the five speed. Wagon gets 36-44 mpg. Still not bad mileage.

I have had absolutely no problem to date. Due for 80,000 mile service soon. I looked at the new ones and see they are made in Mexico. Mine is made in Wolfsburg, so guess I will be keeping it a long time. We love VWs!

Just purchased a brand new 2009 Jetta Wagon. The wind noise from the driver’s window is driving me absolutely crazy. Can be heard at speeds as low as 50 km/hr. Has anyone else had this problem? Does anyone know of a fix? I will be taking the car back to the dealership early next week for them to take a look at it.