Volkswagen Jetta 2005 and earlier

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Comments

  • chmeeeechmeeee Member Posts: 327
    Hehe, I did a little bit, but I was not alone. We formed team diesel through TDIclub, so there was also a Passat TDI and a Mercedes 190D racing. I think the Passat was the smokiest, he really did smoke the competiton.
  • battalax2000battalax2000 Member Posts: 5
    Have a 2001 Jetta Vr6 with 47,000miles. I was putting on about 120 miles a day / 6 days a week for about a year..so they are all highway miles..car is less than 2 years old, and at 41,000miles my check engine light comes on. car's acceleration is terrible now, and my A.M radio reception is now lousy. Smithtown VW replaced knock sensor, cam sensor, knock sensor. In that order, all after about 20 miles the check engine comes on again..acceleration is still terrible. These guys are professionals? $650 bucks later they take the car in for 10 days, now they think a wire in the harness is shorting. But it is in the harness so they have to replace the whole thing...$1100 dollar job...finally got VW to "good will"me the harness at $400. got the car back 10 days later accelerating better. but they did not hook up speedometer. told the dealership I thought the 8 hours labor was unfair, since they just kept replacing sensors that already costy me $650 needlessly....Lou the service mgr could care less. and in between all this my window falls into my door...apparently the plastic that holds up the windows is shattering on a lot of vehicles. I was pissed could not get my window up...I have leather interior, what if it rains? They fixed it supprisingly enough that day in 3 hours....anyway after they did the harness, 10 miles later...guess what....check engine on again...and I find out they set back the timing or something so that I would not notice the loss of acceleration as much...I used to redline at 65oorpm they set it back to about 5100rpm...did not even notify me...seems a bit much....the smithtown dealership in NY is terrible, service is the worst .....the whole ordeal with the unfair pricing led me to telling my story to someone in the showroom, and they went crazy...when I asked the for my receipt on the window repair they refused, so I told them I would not leave without it...and they called the police....what customer service..anyway got to tell my story to 3 other police officers...who would not by a car from that dealership...guess I got something accomplished..any one having similar complaint son windows, radio reception shorting out sensors...service similar to what I got at SMITHTOWN VW in NY? VW customer service is of no help, they say they can do nothing about dealerships the yare independent franchises? Who polices the dealerships? doesn't VW of america care...finally got an address from germany, will keep them posted...and they tell me ther eis no one else I can talk to ..no mediators? is this true....? I kno wI am rambling but I am so frustrated at this point....Thsi car was great till I got to 40000 miles...is that all $26.5K gets me? someone please help......
  • steven39steven39 Member Posts: 636
    does anyone know if the window
    regulater problems have been
    fixed for the 2003 model year
    or can i expect my windows to
    drop should i decide to get a
    2003 gls1.8turbo despite all
    the horror stories regarding the jetta i will take a chance
    and see what happens. wish me luck everybody i will need it.
  • chmeeeechmeeee Member Posts: 327
    Jettas really are not as bad as it seems on here, I really don't think they are any worse than most other cars, you just hear all the horror stories and none of the good. Anyways, good luck with your Jetta!
  • vwdocvwdoc Member Posts: 1
    Happy thus far..and still excited to run errands (should wear off soon, lol). I used to drive a 1992 Saab (miss it DEARLY), but totally getting used to my new ride. Just have to get used to the LOUD signal sounds and the very audible engine? :) Dealer says it's called a "throaty" sound, and is "standard" with all GLs. hmmmph. My dad says he sees the garage windows shake when I come visit becuase of it. yikes!

    anyone else agree?
  • AnakinAnakin Member Posts: 410
    My car has 18700 miles on it and I have had no problems. The thing about chat boards is you'll hear lots of complaints... most people won't log on to tell you everything is fine. Misery loves company.

    Anyway, everything is good on my car. Well, except that I hate the linty velour. I wonder if I can get VW to issue a recall on the velour cause it SUCKS.
  • chmeeeechmeeee Member Posts: 327
    Which engine do you have?
  • donnabgooddonnabgood Member Posts: 37
    Just saw on Car and Driver television the sneak peek of the 5th generation Golf.. the big thing is they will be putting in 8 cylinders as an option engine and will have 240-260 HP. Price so far is set at mid 30's.. Looks good..of course it will be offered in Jetta too..and should be available in 2005.
  • steven39steven39 Member Posts: 636
    hello, iam in the market for a jetta and my local vw dealer is
    ofering free tires for the life of your car with any new or used car purchase. now is this really a good perk? if i keep the car for 5 years and get 50,000 miles
    out of the tires cuz i only drive about 10k a year so who wins here. i would rather have free oil changes for the life of
    car. figure a good set of tires cost about 400.00 and 2500 for
    oil change? 4 oil changes a year is 100.00. enough said. thank you
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    If this is the case, get the Jetta 1.8T with Sport Package. The tires only last like 30K, so you will go through them. And they are like $200 each too.
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    You'll go through the tires faster than that. OEM tires rarely last more than 30k miles. Especially 17s. Of course if they're replacing them with more OEM, I'd pass. Didn't someone on here (Anakin?) get Kumho 17s for under $400? I put Kumho 16s on my car and it's quite a bit better than the horrible Goodyears my Jetta came with.
  • AnakinAnakin Member Posts: 410
    Yeah, that was me. I bought Kumho Ecsta's for my 17" wheels and they were around $80 each.
  • fish8fish8 Member Posts: 2,282
    I would have to agree that the 2.0 engine is loud. The dealer may call it throaty, but it is just plain loud. Throaty sounds like a term to make the car sound sporty.... Around town the engine noise it fine, it's just when you get it on the highway and cruise at 80mph, the engine it "humming" at over 4000 rpm's. But, I have had NO problems with my 2.0 at all....not a single drop of oil used since the car was new.
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    "...The thing about chat boards is you'll hear lots of complaints... most people won't log on to tell you everything is fine. Misery loves company."

    Not so on the Wrangler board. People there get on and share good stories. Apparently, Jeepers like company, too.
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    "...Price so far is set at mid 30's.. "

    $30,000 for a VW????????

    That's one expensive Rabbit!
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    Picked up a set last weekend for around $280-290 installed, including mount, balance, stems, old disposal, ...

    Yet another reason to avoid the trendy, silly, large size specialty tires.
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    When do they decide to replace the tires for you? Are there any limitations, etc?
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    Yeah, you have to replace them with Tiger Paws.
  • donnabgooddonnabgood Member Posts: 37
    I thought the low to mid 30's was high too, but you know VW is changing their image slowly and surely as it introduces cars to compete more with BMW. Look how much their SUV is priced to be at, and even today's Passat W8. I personally think it can only add to our resale value, when people see how much it is to get a new Jetta, suddenly in 2005 18-19k does not seem like a lot to get for a three year old car with 36k miles on it and 180 HP with factory warranty still available..
  • klbrmbklbrmb Member Posts: 41
    My husband and I just purchased this car about a week ago ($900 below invoice). We noticed that when the car rides over bumps (larger size ones) that the windows rattle at the top of the door. It is almost as if the joint for the top of the window is too big and prevents a snug fit. Just wonder what you all thought. We have only noticed it when we are driving on extremely pot hole ridden roads.

    Thanks.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    No rattle in my Jetta or my Golf. Window fits very snug at top of track.
  • fish8fish8 Member Posts: 2,282
    You need to read this thread and the jetta problem thread. This is a fairly commen problem with jetta's. I have the same issue and am bringing my car in tomorrow for this issue and other issues.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Went and got my car back on Saturday morning. They also changed the oil and wiper blades for me, and I used the coupons from the VW website. Cost me $58.79 for new Smartblade wipers (they supposedly "know" when they wear, and have an indicator) and an oil change. The blades turned out to be $30 ($15 each), but the coupon said $15 for both. So I said something to the service manager, and he gave me a card to have my next oil change for free. I was surprised, but he did.

    They had to order the seatbelt clips on the package shelf for my car, the black plastic that goes around them. They were there when I got the car, but they are gone now. Fortunately, I can pick these up and install them myself.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I have the 17" tires on my car, and drive mostly highway miles. I have 24.3K on the car now, and only the left front tire is worn. It had gone flat, and I thought when they repaired it they refilled it with air. They didn't. I drove with the tire at like 20psi for 1000 miles, wearing the tread down alot quicker. I will need new tires probably by 35K or so, a better showing for 17s than I expected.
  • klbrmbklbrmb Member Posts: 41
    There are over 8,000 posts just in this topic alone. I have tried to scan many of them (along with the jetta problem thread) and didn't see anything besides people discussing the broken plastic clips and window regulators that hold the window. That isn't where the noise is coming from.
  • fish8fish8 Member Posts: 2,282
    My windows (and other windows) make this rattle noise as well. Mine sounds like rubber seal rubbing together. iw ill provide an update after I hear back from the dealer. I am taking my car to my VW dealer tomorrow. Some in this thread make reference to a Foil fix that their dealer has done. I'll soon find out.

    BTW: My doors make more noise when the weather is cool.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    There is a link to the new Advanced Search on the left side of this page (just under Keyword Search). You can use it to do something like search for "window" or "rattle" or whatever throughout the text of all messages.

    When you choose to search the body of the messages within one discussion, links to the relevant posts will be returned.

    I just did a search for "window" here in the Jetta discussion and got several messages with "window rattles" (or similar) in the titles.

    A search for "window rattles" may be more useful, I just wanted to see what I would get. And of course the more specific you are in a Search, the more potential hits you eliminate -- that's not always a good thing.

    Anyway, it's worth a try....
  • fish8fish8 Member Posts: 2,282
    Thanks Pat!!!!
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    its "foil" time.....especially in cold weather.
  • fish8fish8 Member Posts: 2,282
    But will my dealer know the foil solution? I can just see them saying "the noises are normal and there's nothing we can do"....
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    if they do not know about foils, you be sure to TELL THEM about them. there is a TSB for it...

    :) good luck!
  • chmeeeechmeeee Member Posts: 327
    Can you explain these foils in more detail? Do you happen to know what TSB number it is by any chance?
  • durilkadurilka Member Posts: 2
    I have 2002 GLI and this rattle started after 500 miles. Dealer tried to fix it 3 times but it still rattling and squeaking. It depends on temperature, weather etc.
    They put tons of silicone lubricant on the rubber so the passenger window is covered too.
    I've heard the same stuff like all VWs have these problems. If somebody knows the solution besides exercising the Lemon Law, please give us the detailed explanation. Thanks in advance.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Rattle does not qualify under lemon law.
  • adg44adg44 Member Posts: 385
    Your issue is the rubber weatherstripping on the door. When it is cold and you go over bumps, it rattles.

    Every MkIV has this issue. It will go away after a year - it did with my GTI. Eventually the rubber gets a bit worn and it won't stick as much.

    You can use some tire dressing on it, or silicone spray, although it may not help.

    Just turn up the stereo a bit and enjoy your GLI.

    - Anthony

    P.S. - if it seems like more of a rattle instead of a squeak, it could be the door pin rattling....
  • battalax2000battalax2000 Member Posts: 5
    replaced 2 front michelins because of bulges in tires after about 10000 miles....been running on kumho ecsta's for about 37000 miles...they have been excellent....and no bulges...$125 vs. $240 no brainer.......
  • durilkadurilka Member Posts: 2
    Thanks for the quick response.
    It is a good suggestion but it happens only with one door (passenger). Other doors are completely quiet even though they are sharing the same rubber part. I've looked through other people complains. Most of them are getting the noise from the passenger door.
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    My Jetta rattled and rattled and then poof, the rattles disappeared. Every now and then when the temp drops the car rattles. I ignore it now.
  • fish8fish8 Member Posts: 2,282
    I am dropping my car off at the dealer today. I also noticed that the little net thingy in the trunk on the right side has pulled away and seems to be broken. One more thing to add to the list.
  • doc_speederdoc_speeder Member Posts: 1
    I'm new to edmunds and find it to be a great resource. I've had 4 vw's; '85 gti,88jetta,'92 jetta and currently a '98 jetta. I see that some purport to have "the facts" regarding vw's and their reliability/buid quality or reported lack thereof. I don't necessarily have "the facts", but I have built a substantial knowledge of these cars and the strengths and weaknesses that I have encountered.
    All of my cars had a 4cyl/5sp combination.
    The '85 gti was my first real car. I was only 17 and didn't really check the car out very well before I bought it. I owned it from 122000 to 175000 kms. All in all it was acceptable. The big stuff like engine, trans, suspension was good. It had some body rust problems, and some weird electrical gremlins but I bagged it hard for the duration and it never left me sitting.
    The '88 jetta was my next car. It was a "slalom" edition; nice color, wheels, and interior. I owned this car from 144000 to 290000 kms. It was truly a great car. We lived in a rural area at this time and many of these kms were on gravel or dirt roads. Mostly,the repairs were shocks/struts, brakes, tires, clutch. All items that just wore out, not sudden failures. The car needed just one repair that was unexpected, when the airflow meter failed, but again, this car never left us sitting.
    The next was the '92 jetta. I had this one from 57000 to 135000 kms. It was very good, but not like the '88. I had some electrical and some suspension problems. One of these electrical problems rendered the car undriveable. It should be noted that at approx 100000 kms, I started to modify this car. It ended up with aftermarket cam, intake, exhaust, suspension, wheels and tires. It was a load of fun and performed very well for the amount of cash put out. I had enough confidence in it to sell it to my wifes sister!
    The current car is a '98 K2 edition jetta. I have had it for approx 5 mths, from 111000 to 127000kms. It is a very nice car. Loaded with options, very comfortable, good fuel economy and no problems to date.
    Many of my friends have had vw's and have had horrible experiences that I have seen, not just heard of. I admit that vw's quality control has not always been the best but in the case of my 3 latter jettas, I only bought from original owners who had a complete file folder of repairs, warranty or otherwise. These 3 cars had not had a lemonish history and in my experience with any car this bodes well for their long term future. Conversely, if a car is poor from day 1, they tend to continue down that path. Vw's are probably no different.
    I enjoy driving and drive hard, though not abusively. I maintain my cars well, and enjoy doing so. It seems that german cars in particular need more attention, but it is rewarded by a more involving driving experience than the typical japanese or american car can provide.
    For what its worth, thats my story. sorry if its too long, but future postings will likely be more concise.
  • fish8fish8 Member Posts: 2,282
    The loaner I have is a 2003 VW New beetle.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Ooh, nice! I had a New Beetle for 5 weeks around May when my car sat in the shop waiting for some "rubber treatment" to come from Germany.

    I really liked the New Beetle, except for its interior decor, looking a little cheaper inside than the Jetta does. My neighbor liked it so much, she bought a used 2000 model about a month ago.

    I put 4000 miles on that car in the time I had it, even drove it from Maryland to Chicago, IL. It made for tight packing, but there was plenty of room for 2 tall adults to be comfortable.

    What color is yours? Mine was white with grey "leatherette" interior.
  • fish8fish8 Member Posts: 2,282
    My '03 beetle is blue, actually I think the official name is Galactic Blue. The car has 500 miles on it.

    I asked to drive with a tech and he did hear the dash rattle, door rattle and speaker rattle. I wonder how long they will have my car for? The Beetle is an automatic and so far I can't tell a difference between my 5 sp 2.0. My interior looks better though...IMHO.

    It made me feel a little better that the tech heard all the noises, so now they can't come back and say they can't duplicate the noises.

    We'll see though.....
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    Man, you've had quite a few rental cars since you bought your Jetta. Almost makes me want to buy a Jetta for the chance to drive a bunch of different cars. Almost.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Just because they hear them doesn't mean they will fix them right. Been there too.

    I have gotten past all the rattles I had, so my car is running fine.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    You would have to buy a VW in order to get a chance to drive a loaner car (unless you pay out of pocket for it). Mazda sure won't give you any loaner. And they also will rush your car through and deny its problems (they did with my ES) so they can rush your car out in one day and not have to give a loaner car.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    "Mazda sure won't give you any loaner. And they also will rush your car through and deny its problems (they did with my ES) so they can rush your car out in one day and not have to give a loaner car."

    Oh, come on Paul. You know it's part of Mazda's warranty that you get a loaner when your car is in for service. Some dealers will give you one only if your car is there overnight, some dealers will give you one while you're getting an oil change. Depends on the dealer and the service writer. I can guarantee you one thing though: If a brand new Protege needed to be in the service department for a month, you'd get a free loaner. Didn't a VW dealer deny that your car had rattles? Since you've owned it, how long has your Jetta been in the shop? I don't want this to turn into a VW vs. Mazda war again, but you're being unfair. I cannot believe that last post of yours after all you've been through with your Jetta.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    My Mazda was in the shop for the day a couple of times, and I told them I had to drive about 100 miles roundtrip from the dealer to work and back. They didn't seem to care. They told me I would have to schedule a rental with Enterprise. That's kinda hard for me, because I am under 25 (was 23 then, now 24) and they charge you extra fees when you are under 25. At least if you go through a dealer to get a rental (like I did a couple times with the VW), you don't get charged any fees. Since VW paid for it anyway, I wasn't charged anything unless I upgraded from the "standard" car to a more uplevel one (like when I had the Maxima for one day, because it's considered "premium" by Budget rental car).

    And one service writer at VW did deny hearing a rattle in the dash. Some peoples' ears are more sensitive than others', so that kinda makes sense.

    Also, Mazda denied the problem with the radio, which once caused the car to be inoperable and have to be towed. Even though my car was brought into the shop on a Saturday afternoon and they were still open but couldn't get to my car until Monday, they still didn't offer me a loaner or rental car.

    The rattles with my VW have been somewhat maddening. Had I been made to pay for a loaner/rental car for every time my car was in the shop, it would have made me alot madder (and poorer).
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    My problem is that you applied your experience with a Mazda dealer to ALL Mazda dealers. When I had my Protege in for the recall, they offered me a free rental car so that I could go pick up some lunch instead of sitting in the waiting room. I didn't expect it, and they didn't need to do it, but it was appreciated.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    Mazda/Honda/Nissan dealers are pretty sketchy. Infiniti is borderline. gold chain wearing, slicked back hair, open shirts with chest hair, and possibly some gold teeth too! gotta love it! :)

    fish - my net thing in the trunk has pulled out too. need to get some superglue....
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