2001 Volkswagen Polo SE from UK and Ireland - Comments

I have had most of the problems described. I bought a 2001 Polo Classic 1 year ago in Costa Rica and the car has given me many many problems. The driver side window stopped working, the brake sensor had to be replaced (I was able to do that luckily) and now my clutch seems to be slipping. It is an automatic and when the car shifts from 1st to 2nd it jumps shaking the car. Now, when I am driving the clutch seems to slip out of 3rd as well. I wanted to check the transmission fluid but cannot seem to find the place to do it. I am bringing it into the mechanic on Monday and I have my fingers crossed that I do not need a new transmission, the car only has 74K...

Hi all.

I too have had many of the problems listed above. I have a Polo Match 1.4 2001 model - less than 60,000 miles and have had it from new.

1. The pedal box was replaced free of charge by VW about 2 years ago.

2. I have had numerous problems with the electric windows - the car is currently in the garage having new window runners put in. But the switches have had to be replaced about 3 times before.

3. The interior door handles are worn - didn't realise you could have them replaced under warranty.

4. The battery needed to be replaced this time last year. I came back from holidays on Sunday and it was as dead as a doornail again! Have been told its dead and am therefore having a new one put in.

5. The clutch is making a terrible noise. The car is in a local garage and they say that there is nothing wrong with it having tested it, but it is just noisy - does anyone think there could be the result of another problem?

6. The back windscreen wiper washer doesn't work.

7. The engine is really noisy and constantly makes a ticking noise - sounds awful.

The car is currently in the garage having diagnostic tests - I know it needs a new battery and window runner but who knows what else they will find wrong with the car!!!

Will keep you informed...

I had my X reg Polo 1.0, good car when I bought it. I got the warning light on, managed to change the spark plug to get it fixed, then the temp sensor went as well. Later the paddle box broke, spent another £800 to get it fixed.

Now it starts to get into 1st & 2nd gear with difficultly just after the warranty. God bless us.

I nearly forgot about the left suspension need change as well (the right one was already changed by previous owner). For my understanding, buy other car and stay away VW. :-(

Hi again, I said I'd keep you informed, well the car is still in the garage - the temperature sensor was faulty too so they had to sort that out. I've been almost a week without my car... doing my head in now!

Hello all, thought I would add my comments on this!!

I currently own a "W" plate polo! I have just had it hauled off to the garage after a suspected clutch cable snap!! Having read some of the comments I decided to see if the pedal box had snapped, and it has!!! Knowing this in advance may well have just saved me a lot of hassle, so I thank you for your info on this one!!

On another note, I would like to make known my other issues. I too have a defective drivers side electric window, central locking only works from the passengers door, and it used to stall randomly, usually at low revs whilst changing down for corners!! The first time this happened a garage fixed the problem by changing the idle speed control valve!?!? The problem came back at Xmas and I decided to have a go myself, took off the air filter to find a load of goo that resembled melted cheese dribbling in the throttle assembly!! After cleaning that out and running some carb cleaner through, it was right as rain!!

Note for the person with a ticking / knocking Polo engine, if you have not had your cam belt replaced and have done 60k miles in your 2000 plate Polo I'd recommend getting them to check that.. I had those symptoms and it was the cam belt. I've been advised that in the Polo you should have them replaced by every 60k miles.

I have a 1999 (V) plate Polo and have had failures in both windows. The passenger one I have lived with, the driver one I'll have to get fixed.

Hi, I have recently bought a 99 T reg polo 1.4 CL.

The passenger side electric window has packed up.

Central locking doesn't work from the key, but will work if you are inside the car and push drivers side door pin down.

Gearbox has been hard to engage into 1st and reverse for a few weeks, and also there was a slight grinding in 3rd and fourth, and now today there was a loud thud from the gearbox, and now a loud grinding noise is heard in all gears apart from fourth, which seems to no longer exist. Does anyone have any idea how to fix the issue, and what it could be?

Also any ideas on the central locking fiasco.

Cheers

Shaun (a disgruntled VW owner)

I have a 1.4 2001 Polo SE. Got it used with VERY low mileage - however the drivers window stopped working a few months ago (seemed to be the switch).

Then the passenger window did the same BUT ONLY FROM THE DRIVERS SWITCH. Passenger switch operates passenger window perfectly. Diagnostics from the VW dealer said the drivers side motor needs replacing, but 'it could be wrong' says the mechanic. Better to get a new switch 1st?

Any ideas? Also - central locking ceased completely around the same time - also controlled from drivers door I believe. Sounds to me like a wiring issue in that area?? Is that likely? DB S.E London

I had the same problem with my windows and central locking. Took it to my local garage (who are very helpful and try to keep my costs low) they simply pulled back the rubber casing where the wires are housed (when you open the drivers door you can see it attached to the body) and they taped it up! Only cost me about £30.

Oh NO!! I have just bought a 1.4 Match Polo 51 plate on ebay thinking I would spend more than my usual £500 Fiesta money for a more reliable and long lasting car... and reading this is terrible!!! :( Have a bought a useless pile of metal?? :( Had hoped this car would last me years and years!

I bought a Volkswagen Polo Match 1.4 2001 facelift model a few weeks ago, clutch cable needed adjusting, wrong, the pedal box snapped at the clutch pedal end, after reading all the comments wish I had not bought it. If only I had read the comments earlier, will VW repair free of charge?

I own a VW Polo Match automatic, bought when 2 years old with only 6k on clock. I have had so many problems; ABS light always coming on and dealers say nothing wrong with it! Central locking and windows doing what they want, up and down, also brake pads changed so much, engine fan gone, exhaust ready to go and lots of other faults. Inside window handle fallen off.

The car is a nightmare. Never again buying VW. A shame as the Golf very nice, but who knows how much that will cost in the end!