2000 Volkswagen Jetta TDI from North America - Comments

I have had a Volkswagen TDI for 7 years now. I have experienced some of the problems such as the waste gate, glove box hinge, and a few others. Some of this learning about diesel's is going to be new to most Americans. In Europe, many cars that we have here are available in diesel like the Chrysler 300. Soon we will all be looking for these high MPG cars if gas goes any higher. The glove box I can live with; the mass air flow sensor was an 80 dollar part and about 20 minutes of my time. Glow plugs are the spark plugs in this car and are easier and more accessible than any other car out there. If you want to save money, you are going to have to become somewhat handy or able to check things by computer, before you submit to a mechanic and his prices. There are known problems with this car, but I wouldn't trade it for a gas job, (especially if you commute a great distance like I do, about 50 miles one way). Any car will require the timing belt to be changed at some point. Those are the jobs we pay people to do.

2000 TDI's do not have a "wastegate", it's a VNT type turbo. What happens is carbon builds up in the vane section of the turbo and causes them to stick. This usually happens because the car is being babied, and the carbon is not getting burnt out like it should be.

As for the MAF problem... That is just ridiculous, I swear they steadily degrade from the day they are installed. There is no excuse for it. Volkswagen should give them out for free.

I currently own a 2000 VW JETTA TDI bought it brand new, and it has just over 380,000km on it. I have to agree with you all. I had my window clips replaced, but that was a recall, free of charge. I have had to replace the air flow sensor once, but have had to fix the "check engine light" many times. The glove box hinge is made of plastic, and mine snapped many yrs ago, but didn't bother fixing it. They say that the extreme cold is what caused it.

I decided not to fix the check engine light, and just put black tape over it, so I don't see it while I'm driving. It has been like that for 1.5 years and no problems. For the most part, I am happy with it... great mileage 61 miles/gallon anywhere from 1000-1200km per tank depending how hard I drive it.

It is true, the Jetta is made in Brazil, Mexico or Germany. The ones made in Germany are more likely better built, but is very difficult to find. I do my oil changes every 15,000km because most of my driving is highway, but for the most I am happy with it, considering maintenance costs are high.

I own a 2000 TDI Jetta that has all of the problems everyone seems to have with this vehicle. It's a real shame because the car gets 53mpg (when it is not being repaired) and handles great. But the cost of repairs is more than you save on fuel.

I remember when I bought the car, a friend said the car will fall apart before the engine has any problems. I have

166,000 miles on my vehicle and in the last year I spent over $5,000 on repairs. Too bad VW can't get their act together

because if they did they would have the best vehicle on the market. What a shame!

Terry

St. Charles, Missouri.

I have a '99 jetta TDI and after reading the above comments I have to agree that I would not buy another VW product. Yes, I do get 47 to 53 MPG but at what cost when all the repairs are factored in. My wife's car is a '96 Toyota Camry that just goes and goes with no problems, a very dependable car, and I believe if I figured out all the costs with the TDI, the Camry would win the economy race!!

I own a 2002 golf TDI with 230,000Km on it.

So far I have changed 4 glow plugs and the timing belt at every 100,000km.

So far that is all.

But recently my check engine light came on and I feel this is turbo problem.

On cold days I loose power then the light comes on. It will come off when the car heats up or the engine is turned off.

Any suggestions?

Tks.

Man! I just bought one of these vehicles, if you know more about getting ready with parts and what to do to make them last longer or where to get this weak parts cheap, please let me know.

Edwin.

Edonis@ca.rr.com.

I bought a 2000 VW Jetta TDI new, and I disagree with most of these comments. I am a satisfied customer and have little complaints. This car has been an amazing car to drive. Yes, I have replaced parts over the years, but with any vehicle comes maitenance. My Jetta has been with me as I've traveled across the country. It's been driven in harsh weather conditions. It's kept me safe in accidents. My advice to all of you is to find an import mechanic that you can trust. I stopped taking my Jetta to the VW dealership a year after I bought it. I found a trustworthy, honest foreign car mechanic I can rely on.

With that said, the only complaint I have these days is the gas prices on diesels. $4.70/gallon!! But the gas mileage is worth it, I guess.