2002 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T from North America - Comments

I bought a 2003 VW Jetta GLS 1.8T 5-speed manual transmission in October 2005 with 27,000 miles just off a 2-year lease from the VW dealer. It's a certified used car with a warranty up to nearly 70,000 miles. Presently, I have about 36,000-miles on the car.

It's got the big 17" wheels with Pilot tires. Generally the car is a delight. It corners like a dream and has ample power for its size. The leather interior is very nice. Just one problem:

THE POPPING, RATTLING, SNAPPING, AND SQUEAKING FROM THE SUSPENSION MAKES ME WANT TO SCREAM! I’ve had it in to the dealer and they can’t diagnose the problem other than to say that, “The car has struts and struts make that kind of noise.” Bologna. My other car, a 1999 Dodge Stratus ES with 117,600-miles is a much better ride. Of course, they are totally different cars.

This is the 3rd Jetta I’ve owned. I also owned a 1995 GL (2.0L) and a 2000 GLX (2.8L VR6). The 2003 GLS 1.8T is the 1st Jetta I’ve owned with this problem. I’m considering dumping the car as this popping, rattling, snapping, and squeaking is intolerable.

Why don't you replace the struts then? and solve your problem.

The 2003 1.8T model is far better than the one produced in 2002. Windows don't fall in and injector coils don't go as frequently.

I am glad tat I have found this page. I have a 2002 Jetta 1.8T. So far, I have had the window clamps go bad, the arm rest has collapsed on me, I have a terrible hesitation (that the service dealer says that they cannot fix), an o-ring leak causing the car to over heat, a leak in the sun roof... All this on a "certified pre-owned car"- Garbage.--Buying this car was a mistake for sure.

I own a 2002 1.8T Jetta and the arm rest latch has broken. Just this past weekend my front floor carpets were soaked from the sun roof drains that evidently are clogged. Not sure what it is going to cost to have them fixed. I've always driven Jetta's and this by far is the worst I've ever had.

I have a 2002 VW Jetta 1.8T and I also have many of the problems with mine that other people have listed. The arm rest broke the second week I got the car. The front bumper thingy broke off one day when I parked to close to the curb. The car door open light comes on when I'm on quarter tank of gas (as opposed to the gas light) Now when I turn off the ignition my radio turns off (its not supposed to). I really loved my Jetta at first, but now I'm wondering if I did the wrong thing by buying it.

Do the later models (2003, 2004) have this problem?

Same thing. I have a 2002 1.8T.

Problems:

Windows crashing in the door (three times).

When driving on snow, the anti-slipping mechanism causes a horrendous grinding noise in the transmission (as if I'm trying to put the car in gear without depressing the clutch).

Armrest closing latch broke, then the latch holding the entire armrest broke.

Windshield washer fluid doesn't reach the windshield, but the motor runs (hose must have fallen off).

I'm just grateful I haven't had any of the major engine problems others have described.

Yea I have had a few problems with my 2002 VW Jetta 1.8T AUTOMATIC that I had to get fixed, but I have one main problem that I can't figure out and maybe somebody can help me if you have had a similar problem..

Every morning when I start my car to go to work, I pull out of my driveway and start driving. The car goes past first gear quickly then goes into second and as soon as it gets to second it stops accelerating it just gets stuck and the RPM's go up, but it never switches to third! I figured out a way to temporarily fix it, but it is a nightmare every time!

If I sit and let the car run for anywhere between 5 and 20 minutes then it starts to work. I figured out that it must have something to with the water temperature.

When the water temp. gauge on the left gets to around 190 (which is right in the middle) then it shifts into third, but it still sifts hard until you get going for a little bit then it gets fine as if it never happened.

Still,

It is a huge hassle every time I drive it and then go do something for a few hours and then start it up to drive it again and then I have to wait for 20 minutes to do anything!

I have no clue what it is or what to do.

Thoughts are either problem with sensors, problem with water pump, or problem with transmission.

I have no clue.

Somebody please help me!

Suckers Wanted...

My 2002 1.8 Turbo, without question the worst car for 2002, and the nightmare of my life. Bought brand new in November 2001 for 23K. Trouble from the first month, in the shop repeatedly towed (became a joke with the neighbors) I replaced all of the above items mentioned in previous posts, and many other items... including a $6000.00 "new" engine, At 64,000 miles the engine sludged and seized. Per VW of America this is a known problem with those little 1.8 turbos running so hot. Had it been a Passat they would have covered it, but since it was just a Jetta I was out of luck as it was over the warranty miles. I had to pay out of pocket to the dealer six thousand to drop a "rebuilt" engine (with the serial numbers ground off at that parts center) from the VW shop in California. No kidding, this is what they're doing, they send the old engines back to this parts center and those in turn get "refurbished" and the serial number ground off. BTW -the dealer gets a certain percentage $$ back in cash on those blown engines they return to the parts center. What a racket.

The cars are garbage and VW of America is worse.

I would NEVER buy another VW. Never.

Merrilee.

Hi, I own a 2003 jetta 1.8T and is really fun to drive don't have major problems as usual change oil, check oil, is funny, but I have just changed the battery everything works reaaaally well this is my favorite car I ever owned!! I have 50K on it and the engine runs as new really fast! so sorry if you are in the percentage of bad cars, but mine is reliable and fun to drive. Really enjoying my Jetta 1.8T, VW Driver! =)

Listen, those who say the car stalls or won't shift after you start-and-go.

I own a 2002 Jetta 1.8t, and it's a great car 95,000+ miles and it still works like a charm!

Cars just can't be started and then immediately afterwards, just go. You're asking for trouble and the car will not last you as long as it should.

YOU MUST WARM THE CAR UP FOR AT LEAST 5-10 MINUTES!!

I have treated every car I've owned the same way, and you get better over-all performance. Although probably 99.99999999% of humans with vehicles don't warm thier cars up, you should do it anyways. You payed thousands of dollars for it, why not treat it properly?

I am about to purchase a 2002 VW 1.8t, and I really hope it will hold up. I will treat it like a baby. I am buying used, so it might start out with problems. From what I've heard on this, I might buy a 2003.

Do NOT buy a newer Volkswagen, regardless of the price/model. You will in fact regret it.

I own a 2003 VW Jetta 1.8T and have been happy with it... I have not had any issue since I purchased. I got it when it had 47,000 miles. It has now a 145,000. I took care of the maintenance as it is recommended. The car still runs great. I took it nearly to its top speed 135 mph so far and it could actually go faster, I just did not push it to its limit!

I just have a minor issue with the back lights going out often that's all... I'm loving this car and enjoying the drive everyday! I have owned 3 Golf GTI's (2 were 16 valves), 2 Jetta's including the 03). I am a true V dub lover, and would recommend certain models more than others...