2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS from North America - Comments

WHERE do I begin? The back doors wouldn't open. The front door got jammed. The thermostat went out. The brake lights went out. The check engine light came on randomly for no reason. There were "knocking" sounds when turning the steering wheel. The transmission would "JUMP" into random gears, up or down, when accelerating. The trunk would "pop open" when closing the driver's door at times. a Headlight went out. The driver's heated seat got stuck on the "ON" position, even though the switch was "OFF". The latch on the console broke. The back rear door lock wouldn't pop up. After getting the back doors fixed because of not opening, they stopped opening again, randomly, which was a PAIN if you had rear seat occupants, and they couldn't get out, which happened several times. I could probably go on, but i'll stop now.

Junk, trash, comfortable, peppy engine, very unreliable. Gas mileage was not that good, maybe because it was Turbo. The Dealership was a pain to deal with. They could never seem to fix the problems with the back door, or the trunk "popper" lever which mysteriously activated when closing the driver's door. Their response was always shrugged shoulders and smirks. I became a regular there. As a matter of fact, the receptionist would welcome me back by name, and ask, "What's wrong this time? Coffee, Magazine?". I always left knowing I would be back in a month or two with either the same un-repaired problem, or something new. Again, Junk. Trash. Check Consumer Reports, or any online blog. You'll see that Volkswagens, in general, are some of the most UNRELIABLE AUTOMOBILES ON THE ROAD IN THE USA!!! RE THINK your purchase. Buy something else.

So it sounds like you got a lemon. Every car company has them. I've never had a fraction of the problems with mine that you have had with yours.

This guy is trying to make VW look bad. The GLI doesn't have problems like that.

I'm a VW Dealer - that should be known upfront. I certainly sympathize with this owner if they have truly experienced these problems. I honestly have never seen what he's describing on his car happen to anyone. Have you contacted VW directly to let them know? My experience has been that they are very helpful. I've worked with many manufacturers before VW (Honda, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Mazda) and VW has been the most customer centric in my experience. Give the Customer Relations line a call.

As a driver of a Jetta 1.8t, I have never had these problems myself. As for the car "jumping" into gears when accelerating, that is common since the car is a turbo. It will automatically drop shift to third to build RPMs so it can accelerate faster and spool up the turbo. And I'm sure every driver has thrown themselves forward when they let off the gas suddenly after accelerating.

I think you probably have a lemon car. I had a VW Jetta GLI. It had a few fixes, but that is about it.

Just trade it and get something else if you are really having a bad luck with your VW.

I am having similar problems with my car! I have had my car for almost 5 years and it was great till a couple of months ago. The problems I am having are knocking when I am making a u-turn, I feel like it jumps from gear to gear or loses power when accelerating, the check engine light comes on and off, I just replaced both brake lights, and my headlights look foggy like there is something on the plastic! I am so mad because my car will be paid off in August!