Several problems:
1. It creates a tapping noise from the fuel line. According to the service department of the dealer where I got the car, it is the vacuuming process to get the air out of the tank. But I'm not satisfied with this answer. I mean, this is a pretty high-tech car. So having that tapping noise for the first several minutes of running a car is kind of uncomfortable. It makes it feel like I'm driving a junk car.
2. When I drive over 60 mph, it creates air noise. Again, according to the dealer, it is caused by the air movement inside the side-mirror. But again, it really doesn't make sense if you look at it from a scientific perspective. I have even tested the side-mirror design using my school's aerodynamics lab facility.
3. It creates a diesel-like noise when starting the car (when the engine is cold). It smoothens up after 20 seconds. It gives you the feeling that the car is old-junk.
It is a nice car, without the problems that I mentioned above. Good power, environmentally-friendly (Partial Zero Emission Vehicle), and good handling. But after experiencing all of that, I don't think I am interested in buying VW for my next vehicle. I owned Japanese cars before, and they really gave me almost zero problems. They won't have the prestige and class that German cars have, but they sure do give the comfort and satisfaction while owning and using them.
I guess VW STILL hasn't fixed quality control problems on their cars...
Kinda sad actually, esp since you easily spent a premium over its Japanese counterpart.
Did anyone even read the "gripes" the original poster had to do with quality control?
The wind noise is hardly a quality control issue, and the loud diesel-like startup noise on the 2.5 engine equipped Jettas has been discussed ad nauseum. The noise is NORMAL!
Yeah I own one too. total garbage I'm so upset and their service is still terrible. As for the engine start up noise its been uncovered it's a defect in manufacturing that they are trying to cover up. after much trouble they did finally fix the start up noise, but now I have even more problem with this 1 year old car. my old run down Toyota ran better than this hunker its whole 12 year life i owned it. Also the "refridgerated glove box" is a total joke. They run the air conditioner into the glove box...real german inginuity.
The best car to date I've owned is a VW FOX, 1988. Light years ahead of it's japanese counterparts in comfort, construction and performance. Owned it 13 years and 220K miles. We now have a Jetta III GT which has taken a beating for 9 years and the thing is bullet proof, and the paint still shines. Our '02 Passat V6 will cruise at 120 all day with no ceremony. Autobahn tuned road king. Japanese cars are sterile appliances. If you want to drive, buy a German car.
VW cars in Europe are very reliable and appreciated. But much more expensive than the ones sold in US which are build/assembled in Mexico. I guess that the German quality is a little bit altered into the Mexican plants. I have a 96 Jetta which is running great (144k) but it had some issues mostly cosmetic issues nothing major except for an engine crank sensor and the car was not starting anymore. It is frustrating to own a new car that has issues which you are told by the dealer that are NORMAL. But hey if we are not buying them, then it will be only hondas and toyotas on the roads... Depressing...
I agree that the noise is normal as well - remember that these cars are engineered differently than the North American cars. I've owned both and although my Pontiac drives quiet, it's been one repair bill after the other. Our VW is louder, but even after 18 years, rarely has it required repairs. We are looking for a newer one (VW) and thus I'm checking the reviews here and appreciate everyone's feedback.
Sorry to hear you are disappointed.
There is a a TSB for the fuel line tapping noise you are hearing. The dealer should have this information on hand and insulate the lines somehow.
There also should be a fix for the wind noise, it was a problem in early production cars, but is now fixed. Again, ask the dealer.
As to the noise you hear at startup, it is normal, and they all do that. It is the Secondary Air Injection pump in action. What that does is help to lower your air emissions by heating up the catalytic converter faster. There was also supposedly a TSB about this which would quiet it down somewhat, but not 100%.
I went to the dealership for the 20,000 mile tune up and complained about the loud engine noise on my 2005 1/2 Jetta. It's a 2.5. They said that it only happens when its cold out. I was told there was a software update coming soon to lessen that noise. That was in Nov. of 2006. So keep a look out.
I'm another disappoint Jetta owner. I got the start up engine noise fixed and then the check engine light came on. This was fixed and then another, air bag light came on. Once that was fixed it was good for 3 months until our brake lights stayed on 100% of the time, even when the car was off. This was then fixed and my dead battery replaced (after A LOT of haggling with VW when it was under "warranty") and 2 month later I get rear-ended because my tail-lights were stuck on again and the guy behind me just ignored them. Great job Volkswagen! I'll never be coming back!
You don't really need a lab for the mirror problem. My cousin and I both have a whistling sound starting from 80 km/h and he solved both cars' problems with about 5 cm of appropriately placed sticky tape.
I have a 2005 1/2 Jetta wherein my clock has been losing time since I purchased it in 9/05. Service keeps telling me that they don't have a "fix" for it yet and that there's been many complaint of new Jettas losing time. Does anyone else have the same troubles? If so, have you or your dealer found a fix for it? Thanks.
I have a 2005 New Jetta, which is more like a 2006 Jetta with all the options.
I first had problems with the trunk not closing so I had that fixed. Now its the brakelights and the sunroof lifts and opens on its own.
I know the breaklights have a recall, bit the dealer said they would change the switch on the sunroof too.
I am contemplating whether to do the 20,000 mile service, since its $400...I don't know if it is really worth it.
WOW! I thought I was the only one with these issues. I have owned my 2005 Jetta 2.5 since 3/06, I had issues regarding the start up noise, hoe embarrassing when you have a NEW car and it makes that noise. VW should have thought about the customer satisfaction on that one. I have also had issues with the dealership and their workmen ship, they left my oil cap off and I didn't find out until the nxt oil change, so 3 mo my car was driven with no oil cap, LOVELY! Now my car idles funny, they say its NORMAL. My fans had to be replaced as well, BOTH of them, the dealership replaced the wrong one the first time. I had also had issues with my truck latch, REPLACED. Time... My car is now losing time, I noticed that the other day, when I was late for work. Issues... Issues. How do I go about SUING the dealership for poor workman ship and getting my money back LESS miles.
I have a clicking noise in my AC/Heater I have taken it in more times then I can count to have it fixed. They have replaced the flap thing and the dials, the blower and now the climate control and still I have clicking. It is very agrivating. I also had the problem with loosing time, but that seems to be fixed now. I also had problems with my stereo's buttons peeling so I am now on my 3rd stereo.
I'm shocked after reading these reviews. I love my 2005 jetta, but I am having problems with the electrical system and I'm worried where this might lead. The sunroof opens and closes by itself. The alarm turns on and emergency flasher stay on after alarm is turned off. Auto window in passenger rear opens by itself. I just accepted the engine noise, but I did go back to the dealer with electrical concerns. They simply said they could not duplicate the problem. Three times I left the car and got the same anwser.
The miles per gallon calculator jumps every second to random numbers. I even made my mechanic take a new car off the lot to show him how one works that is functioning properly. He agreed with me and said he did not know what to do to fix mine.