2001 Volkswagen Polo SE from UK and Ireland - Comments

Everything that goes wrong with a VW in warranty seems to be "wear and tear".

I love my little Polo match 1.4 2001 model - I've had it from brand new (50,000miles today!). However I too have experienced problems. Hadn't really thought about them too much until I read the previous comments.

Electric windows on both passenger and drivers side have failed.

New exhaust

broken pedal box - common fault and VW replaced it free of charge.

My car wouldn't start on Sunday, the battery was as dead as a doornail, unsure if the battery is on its way out or if it's the new Ripspeed head unit I had fitted. HU was replaced, but the car would not start again today. Have exchanged the HU for a Sony model so if my car doesn't start again tomorrow, I'll take it the battery is on its way out.

Despite some of the problems I've had, the car has 99% of the time been a reliable little runner and I would definitely buy a VW again.

1999 1.4cl S reg.

I use to have an old 1984 Classic Polo 1.1 before owning this new S reg polo. Old car ran and ran day after day with no problems ever for almost 20 years. Only thing I really had to do was service it once a year. I brought this S reg 1.4CL with only 41,000 on the clock. Had nothing, but problems with this car since owning it. Low mileage I thought, should do a good turn VW has been trusty in the past. Wrong. So far I have had to have all the gearbox bearings changed at 45,000, new clutch at 50,000. Central locking broke, needed a new pump. Door locks broke. Sump leaking oil, had that repaired. New auxilary tensioner, old one was making strange noises. Engine temperature sender changed twice in a year. Gear selector went loose at 52,000 making it hard to get into gear.

This car is a pile of junk and its got full VW service history. I would never buy another VW car again. They use to be great for reliability. Can't wait to get rid of it.

Hi.

I have a 2001 polo with 200k km, and it has no problems. I drove it for the last 100 000 km and it runs OK; the clutch screeches a bit when I press it, but that just 150 pounds to replace. I love this car, but now I am frightened after reading all these comments.

Thank you.

Hummm...

Girlfriend phoned me tonight to say that her 2002 polo 55k miles was stuck and she couldn’t get it into first gear. Sounds like the pedal box from reading all these complaints! Does anyone know if this would be covered still by VW? We didn't buy the car from a main dealer, but would VW still make the repair to the pedal box? And where is the pedal box?

Cheers.

Own a 2001 1.4 Match Polo, and thought we had a good car until I read all this. So far, have replaced brake sensors at £150 but last week have been told I need a new gearbox. only done 45,000 miles; after reading this I'm starting to think that it's time to get rid. I wonder if the dealer would replace our pedal box too?

My VW 2004 Polo Twist is currently having a 'spring clean'. I've had puddles on the passenger side and a damp boot; thought it was fixed, but no, the water is back again. The car is damp and mouldy and smelly, and the latest news from vw is that the car has to be stripped to find the problem as the car is wet throughout, from roof to floor. It's going to cost a lot of money just to find the problem without fixing it. I asked where I stood as it's got to be a manufacture error and was told that flooding warranty is very minimal (and I'm out of warranty anyway, but that won't stop me). Any suggestions why problem greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I too feel like a victim of the common problems with VW Polo's. I purchased mine for 4k in August last year from an independent dealer. It is a 1.4 2001 model, petrol, only 40k mileage.

I have already paid £200.00 for a new clutch cable which had snapped, but recently have been experiencing problems with the engine when engaging into 5th gear. The car seems to jerk and engine makes really loud noise.

Really worried about about how much more will have to pay, does anyone think VW themselves may help?

Hi Again.

Finally sold my VW POLO 2001 for a mere AUD5000. after purchasing it brand new for AUD24.990 and repairs of AUD8000 in the 7 years I had it, this is the most the VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS would give me.

So all of you out there thinking that you are getting your moneys worth on VW think again.

Wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy the dramas I had with this car.

Melbourne, Australia.

I bought an x reg 2001 1.4 polo match a year ago. It has been OK apart from a couple of sensor problems. The main things that are worrying me now is the loud tappet noise coming from the engine when the car is cold (after a few minutes of driving it is not so loud). But the really worrying thing is the gear trouble that allot of people on this site have been talking about. When putting in reverse gear (most of the time) it only goes in with a loud grinding noise and 1st and 2nd gear do not engage without forcing.

Is it safe to assume this is the dreaded 'pedal box' problem and that it is a main dealer part only? what should I expect to pay for the part/ labour?

Any ideas on the engine noise when cold? I have been told it could be a 'lazy' oil pump..

This is the first time and the last time a buy a VW :O(

01 Polo

Well I posted about a year ago and it seems my annual gearbox replacing is due! ooh joy €750 no eating this month for me!

Problems with this car;

The rear window squirts water while the front wiper flaps and vice versa

the C.V. Joints are always going

same with the Ball Bearings

sensors going

(small stuff)

Gearbox broke twice

clutch gone 3 times

pedal box gone

engine drinking all my oil

loud rattling from engine (maybe its just the cold weather)

reverse crunches!

Apparently VW polo gearboxes off the 01 model were made of inferior parts because VW cheaped out on materials

a rivet inside the gearbox is made out of an inferior metal and comes loose inside the gearbox and goes round crunches around the gears then gets shot into the casing puncturing the thing and bleeding the transmission fluid out!

I'm just going to get a Honda Civic now.

And as for the Polo

Im just going to dig a big hole and push it in!

I wouldn't sell that monster to another person.

I JUST BOUGHT A VW POLO 1.4 6WKS ago. it's a 52 reg and I'm having trouble already. It has for the last 3 wks been intermittently starting reluctantly with a whole load of smoke shooting out the back. I guess this is fuel burning off. The problem is now occurring every day and it also cuts out at junctions and when in traffic. I'll be taking it back to the independent garage I bought it from but having called out the AA who did a diagnostic test and could not find a fault, I'm not confident my problem will be fixed. Does anyone have any clues as to what it could be... have you had this experience??

Downhearted london.

After reading a commment in another forum about a Lupo fault: this is what I did about the pedal box issue:

Called VW UK who said take the car to the nearest dealer and tell them that VW UK have agreed to cover the cost of the pedal box as a gesture of goodwill. (they will do this for any polo upto 10 years old)

I took it in, the person at the desk said if the fault is not the pedal box then they would charge £95 to diagnose.

I got a call back later that day to pick up the car.

Pedal box, clutch cable, mountings etc all replaced FREE OF CHARGE!!

Hi everyone; I've read all of your comments about the Polo. Sadly, I bought one of them as well, and I've got the electric window and central locking problem. I just wonder if anyone could help diagnose exactly what causes it, and what is the best way of repairing it? Thanks in advance.

VW POLO SE Emission warning light on steady with engine running uneven.

Laptop check showed one cylinder not firing.

Coil changed £38.00

Fault cleared and engine running evenly again.