2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS from North America - Comments

The dashboard display has continually to go out randomly while driving in the warmer weather of Florida. The dealership said that the crystals in the screen would fade out, but they had run a diagnostic test with their computers and everyone checked out to be OK...OK...

The brake pedal on the car needs to be pushed in fairly far in order to get any response or pressure from it. The brakes also vibrate and shimmy when braking. I don't want the brake pedal to get too close to the floor or else I would be in danger of ruining the master cylinder.

When I accelerate and slow down, the driver seat makes a clicking noise or clink noise like it is loose and not secured or tight enough.

The transmission shifts very hard from first to second. When downshifting to get better acceleration while driving faster, the car acts like I am asking so much from it and jerks around.

This Jetta handles pretty well considering it is a 2.0 Litre engine with only 115 horsepower! The automatic does hold back better power potential.

A lot of my friends tell me, after they have driven it, that it drives like a fat old lady. I still really like the car though. It's plenty fast enough for me and I don't need any more speeding tickets.

I previously owned a 1996 Jetta GLX-VR6 and it had over 200,000 miles on it. I think that the older style Jettas were built much better than these newer ones. I never really had anything wrong with that car besides the annoying check engine light that just stayed on, but nothing was ever really wrong with it. This car, the check engine light has not come on.

I have not had the problems that other people have had with their Jettas, like the window things, knock on wood, and etc. Hopefully I won't ever. I also think that after 3 or 4 years of building cars that fell apart, Volkswagen tried a little better to revive their genuine quality products that they used to manufacture, now with this 2004 model. It seems very well built and secure, except for some rattles and brake issues. Oh well, its German and it is a Volkswagen now, it's supposed to be this way.

Doyou know if the car you have is made in Mexico or is it made in Germany?

Hi I bought my 2004 about 4 months ago for my wife

I was not the daily driver,I had occasion to use it while my car was being serviced

The car had only 800 miles on it when I noticed the pulsing in the front brakes

I called the dealership and had them replaced- not turn the rotors. They had no problems doing it under warranty and told my this was not

uncommon.

I just bought a used 1998 Jetta GLS and when I first bought it just the passenger side window didn't work, but now the driver side doesn't either! I see that this is kind of common, but has anyone figured out how to fix it? Also the two front left speakers are'nt working either. I was thinking it was a fuse, but I checked them and they were all good so any help would be awesome.

All Jetta sedans sold in North America are built in Mexico. The Jetta wagons are made in Germany.

I have a 2003 VW jetta and, as far as the brakes go, they wear out very quickly and I just paid $780 to have the front and back replaced. Seems a little steep for brakes considering how little I had to pay for brakes on my previous car: a honda civic. I also got more life out of them.

Transmission: I also just had my entire transmission replaced at 50k miles, the dealer said something about it could have snapped(?).

Theses are only a few problems on the long list that I've had with my Jetta. Not to mention needing an entire brand new Air Conditioning unit at 25K miles.

My only concern is that the problems won't stop. If you're not in the same position as me, and paid so much for the car initially, and wouldn't be so far upside-down in payments, I would get rid of it ASAP.

I have not checked my comments left on my post since 2004 and I apologize.

I have recently traded the 2004 silver Jetta GLS 2.0 automatic for a 2007 gti 6-speed manual. My Jetta had some issues at the beginning, relating to the brakes and seat click and such, but over a month, the brake pedal tightened up, and the click I got used to. I had no other problems with the car after that.

I drive my cars a lot, and I traded it in with 80000 miles on it in less than three years. We will see how the new GTI works out. I will post something for this car too. Thanks for all your concerns.

My very unhappy experience with VW Jetta 2004 (zero miles) Recap of my experience...

1st. month: I have to take it for repairs (something wrong with the turbo system) I couldn't go more than 30 mph, two days without a car.

2nd month more repairs, a re-call, I couldn't go more than 40 miles/hour, this time, 3 days without a car.

4th month passenger window didn't go up, I have to drive this brand new car with a garbage bag taped to the door, for two days.

5th month light went on, back to service.

6th month more problems and more repairs.

04/10/07 more problems and more problems, in March I spent $700.00 in repairs, yesterday, I paid $225.93 for another repair, so I can take an emission test.

I called VW Corporate office in the last four years, several time, I asked them if I can return the car (or piece of...) and get some of my money back: no answer.

My next car: a TOYOTA or HONDA.

I have had 2 VWs. My advice to all VW owners is to learn to do the required maintenance yourself. My first VW was in the shop all the time. I NEVER took our second VW to the shop and it works flawlessly. The 2 VW were identical models and the same year. Peace.

I've noticed a distinct difference between VWs made in Germany and elsewhere.I've just bought models from Germany, not that it was intentional. Sirocco and Golfs were indestructible.Indeed, they outlasted the Audi, Saab and Peugeot 505 I've owned.I've had a 06' Rabbit for 2 years now (made in Wolfsburg) and it's been bulletproof so far.