2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLS from North America - Comments

The internal transmission failed with less than 40,000 miles and nearly one month to the date that the transmission warranty expired.

I am very sorry that I selected a Volkswagen for my first new car.

I'd like to suggest you find an independent shop to do your work, they could find a used transmission and install it. BUT don't bother. You are in for a world of grief with this car. Take your losses (and it will be a huge loss... sorry to say) and unload it now. Then run far away from VW and don't look back. You can get a reliable car that is still fun to drive if you do your homework, and that is the important part. Talk to people in parking lots about their car, read the magazines. If I had done those things I could have avoided my VW.

My 2001 Jetta Diesel transmission died at 86,000 miles. I have been religious about having my local VW dealer service the car at the regular service intervals. The owners manual says at 80,000 they check the transmission. When I inquired with them why did the trans fail 6K miles after the 80K service, could you have done something wrong; they said that even though the owners manual says we should check it we don't because it is a "sealed unit" so we don't do that any more. I thought what a load of crap! I suspect this failure must be a common problem and am looking for other owners to speak up. The dealer wants $4400 to rebuild the transmission or $2500 to install a used transmission that they will not warranty. I have the extended warranty and it seems awfully easy for them to charge $2500 for a used tranny as that is all the extended warranty will allow. Volkswagon sux for not standing behind their product and playing this game with me.

I purchased a 2001 Jetta GLX September 2005 with less than 30,000 miles on it.

By November 2005, the transmission had been replaced THREE times. (and it's still not right)

I truly regret not having done thorough research before the purchase of this car, but it looked brand new, drove well and I figured since it had such low miles it would be a good buy.

WRONG.

I have since hired a lemon law attorney and it looks like VW is going to cave and buy the piece of @!#@! back, but it's been a long, drawn out process.

I don't recommend VW to anyone... please do your research.

:)

Similar to the above, my transmission has just went out in my VR6. The downside is, I absolutely do not have $2500 to fix it. I just had the 80,000 mile check up done on it...$650 out the window.

I really don't understand how German engineering could go so terribly wrong. Does it have to do with the production facilitys? This is embarassing for VW and enfuriating for me. I have a loan on this vehicle, on which I'm upside down a large amount. Completely stuck now with this piece of garbage. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. DO NOT PURCHASE A VW. Their "service specialists" are a joke. You don't even speak to the actual mechanic when you go to a dealership. You talk to a person who trys to upsale you on what should be fixed on the car. It allows them free reign to sell you on repairs, whether they exist or not. Not a good program.

I purchased a VW V6 from a wholesaler who got it at auction. It ran great for a week or two. I thought I got it for a good price, but after visiting the repair shop twice in the first two months for electrical problems... I was now down another $ 700.00. Then one month later (88,000 miles) my transmission started jerking into 2nd gear (automatic). I then RE-reseached my VW Jetta with the word transmission attached and I was shocked to read what some people went through with this car. There is no fix from what I understand. The next day, I ran to a Japanese dealer and traded the car the next day. Yea, I lost 3-4 thousand on the car in two months, but I feel lucky that I didn't fix the transmission only to have it break again like some other poor people. I promise I will never own a VW again.

I think that it must be noted that these transmission failures have most likely all been on automatic transmissions. Yes, if these people would have done their homework, they would have learned that VW sucks at making automatic transmissions, since people are not as lazy as us over there, and actually shift their cars.

The VW manual transmission is one of the best out there. If you are looking for a manual Jetta, or any VW, please do not let these above comments deter you from considering these cars!!! I have a 1996 VW Passat VR6 with 150,000 miles on it, and have never had to change the clutch or anything. It is a great car. Yes, the plastic items in these cars do break, but it is made up for with their great engines.

Stay away from the automatic transmissions! Go with a manual, it is not that hard to learn to shift your car.

I fail to see how a manual transmission that feels something akin to stirring oatmeal can be considered "one of the best out there". VW is great at making fantastic engines that even get great gas mileage, but everything else is suspect.

JUNE 06,2007. Well, I too, have a 2001 Jetta VR6 transmission that went completely out. I just picked it up from the dealership from having it looked at because my dash lights (EPC, ABS, CHECK ENGINE) kept coming on. I didn't have a problem with the transmission. Would't you know it! Two days later it leaves me sit an hour away from home and I find that my transmission went.

I have 115,000 miles on the car and of course it is out of warranty. Can anyone suggest anything?? I am unfortunately not financially sound and cannot afford this kind of expense.

Help!!

I have a 2001 Jetta GLS. I picked it up at the dealer with 27 miles. BEST CAR EVER!!

Of course, it is a manual, and by reading this thread, apparently those are the best in terms of quality.

I have had the car for 7 years. It now has 118K miles. So far, the only thing I have ever done to the car that was major: replaced rear brakes for about $50.00. My neighbor is a mechanic and I just paid for the parts.

I also bought a new battery after 7 years too - paid about $60.00.

The trunk release module went out (made of cheap plastic). Spent about $15 for that part and replaced myself.

As all might be aware of: the oil pan is made of aluminum and will strip the plug after many oil changes. Simply bought an oversized-beveled plug that made new threads on the pan, problem solved. Cost me about 3.00. I've read horror stories about getting entire pan replaced, no need to.

I spend good money on my oil changes at Jiffy Lube, and get them for around $45.00 every 3K miles, but it's worth every penny using synthetic for high mileage vehicles.

As far as tires, I buy them used from a local mom and pop tire shop. I usually get the used Michelin's for about $25.00 each, and another $5.00 to install. The used tires usually have enough tread to go another 10-15K miles. Might have already bought 6 used tires in 7 years. So I guess total for my car spent without oil changes: $250.00. I can honestly say I have gotten my money's worth.

Bought it for $17,500.00. After financing around 20K total. Oh and replaced a few tail light bulbs, front light bulbs and rear license plate bulbs too. Maybe $20 total there.

Email me with questions and I can give you tips!! agonzalez@frost.com