2003 Volkswagen Polo FSI Sport from UK and Ireland - Comments

First fault I experienced was when a warning light came on the dashboard - something to do with emissions (?). Turned out to be a faulty sensor and was replaced under warranty.

Second fault was with one of the rear seat belts which would not operate which was also replaced under warranty.

Third fault was a problem with the Air Con, apparently something to do with the vent control. The dealer picked it up on the service - to be honest (due to the British weather!) I hadn't used the air con for a while and had not noticed. Fixed under warranty.

Fourth fault was a few days ago. Car has been running absolutely fine until one morning whenever the revs dropped (whenever I slowed down at traffic lights, a roundabout or just in traffic) the engine cut out. As I was away on hols, this resulted in my car being transported on a tow truck 90 miles home.

Dealer say it is a build-up of carbon in the 'Throttle Hood' and is normal, and also not covered under the warranty.

I'm a bit surprised (and miffed) that I can experience a fault when car is 2.5 yrs old and has done 35k miles that results in a breakdown and towing and its NOT covered on the warranty.

Car was serviced 2 weeks ago, but they said they don't check this on the service.

I've never come across this fault before on any other car, I would be interested to know if anyone else has (especially someone techy who could tell me if this is reasonable!)

Generally I like the car very much and up until the latest problem I was thinking of trading it in for a new polo gti, but I'm having second thoughts now!

The service I receive from the main dealer can't be faulted, for each problem and for servicing they collect and deliver my car (20 miles) and it comes back valeted!

This is an update to this review...

Got my car back from fixing the throttle body and the next day the Engine Emissions warning light came on. The dealer have advised me not to drive it if possible and it's got to go back to the dealer AGAIN!

I bought a 2003 VW Polo FSI two months ago. Within two weeks it was back in the garage for a new fuel pump which took a fortnight to replace.

The problem occurred on a very hot day in May. I drove into work OK, but when I went to drive off at lunchtime, I hit a problem. The car started alright, but I went to turn the aircon on and the engine died on me and wouldn't restart. I left it a few hours, the car started fine so I took her up to the VW Dealers. They turned the engine on and off a few times and eventually it just died on them as well.

Yesterday I had a similar problem. Very hot day, car left for a few hours, starts OK, turn aircon on, then bluuurgh!

Fortunately, after a couple of minutes she started. I just didn't risk the aircon again.

I've had this 'carbon in the throttle body' problem with my previous car - a mark 3 Golf GTI. It is a particular issue in very hot weather because it prevents the valve mechanism in the carburetor from operating correctly so it's like the choke getting stuck in the wrong position. As soon as the temperature cools down, it's OK.

Okay, so after reading many of the comments posted I am amazed that this car is still in production. No, all of these problems are NOT normal for a "new" car. I purchased a 2003 Polo in Cancun Mexico. Within the first week the entire passenger side floor board became SOAKED with water from a leaky air con. After that, no problems for almost a year. Then suddenly, after the warranty expired, the coating on the steering wheel started to peel off as well as the "plastic" coating on the panel around the air/stereo/cup holder. Next was the driver side window mechanism breaking, later, the things that hold the hatchback open quick working, next, the small plastic piece on the hatchback that is used to loop the "string" for the hatchback cover broke off, next the CD player started "eating" CD's, now within just the last 3 or 4 months, the headliner, I believe it is called is falling and now grazes my head when driving, the dome light button broke and the light wouldn't turn off, the passenger side window mechanism broke, the emissions light comes on every once in awhile and the car shakes then stops, the air conditioner barely cools (and I'm in Cancun!) I think that is about it!...oh, no, one more thing, the cup holder broke! After buying a Jetta in 2000 I was sure I would never buy anything other than a Volkswagen... the Polo has changed all that!

The emission warning light on in my 2001 1.0L Polo came on recently and I've been told the reason is that there is a build-up of carbon residue inside the throttle, which is affecting the idle speed and being picked up by the engine management unit.

Seems like its still a problem in the newer models too.

My Polo is a 1998 model. I have had no problems with it whatsoever, and I had it for 5 years. Unlike what you all have experienced, I've done 96000 miles and can say my Polo is unstoppable!

All these fancy gadgets; air con, emissions buttons, they sound good but just cost you a fortune!

With the older type Polo, you don't have any of these problems, and I have the high spec version with central locking, electric mirrors, windows etc.. ABS, good CD player! The same as new without all the annoying 'fancy' buttons that cause you all problems.

I was offered a black 1.4 2003 FSI Sport, but by the sounds of it I'd probably be better off with the Polo I've got!

Volkswagen are a good car manufacturer; it just depends on the model you pick obviously!

VW Polo 2003 1.4 FSI Engine cutout when decelerating at junctions etc.

This has been an intermittent fault for 6months+ but nothing showed up on the diagnostic equipment each time the car was checked. My local garage (who have been super, have not charged for several hours of trying to find the fault) have now stripped the throttle hood and cleaned it, so hopefully this will not recur. The car ran fine sometimes and other days would cut out on every gear change down with the rev needle plummeting sharply -(on one occasion on double bend on a country road, at night in the pouring rain which meant the steering also locked - not funny).

I had the problem with the throttle body on my Polo 1.4 FSI as well, and have a recurring fault with a NOX sensor making the engine management light come on. The sensor was replaced 2 years ago; lo and behold, 3 weeks out of warranty it needs replaced again. Bill from dealership last time £250. Can only imagine it's gone up to in the meantime.

I have had my Polo FSI for three and a bit years (4 months old when I got it) and here we go again! Replacement Nox Sensor number FOUR! The first three sensors were under warranty and the fourth time the car went in I was told the engine management light was on because the car needed a "software update", well the light stayed off a whole three weeks! Back to the VW garage and now I am told it needs nox sensor number FOUR! Now I have to go through VW customer care to state my case to see if they will cover the bill now that it's out of warranty as this has been an ongoing problem for years.

When it is fixed this time I shall be saying goodbye to VW cars this has been an experience indeed!