Volkswagen Jetta Maintenance and Repair

sda

I have found that by liberally soaking all the door seals/weatherstriping with a silicone spray (wipe off excess) that I have eliminated the creaking noise caused by the doors moving around in the door jambs. When the noise reappear, I just repeat the process. Luckily, I don't have to do this often. I am wary of any adjustments made to door striker plates and latches. I've heard of too many experiences where these adjustments don't entirely cure the malady and result in doors no longer in alignment up with the other body panels. Enjoy.

bangster

2000 GLX VR6 I have a noisey transmission (ring and pinion) at about 36-42mph. Does anyone else experience this? The dealer said it was normal.

minyo

yes~!! i can hear the gas moving around in the tank, too~!!
good ears...

msjet

I have a 96 WV AL with approx. 82K miles. My first transmission problems started at 73K miles. It started shifting hard and jerking. I took it to the dealership and was told they could not get a default code. As a remedy, they replaced my tarns mount, serviced the tarns, replaced the foil strip and computer box. This did not take care of the problem. Five months later my car broke down on the expressway. The car would only go into reverse. I took it back to the dealer and was told I needed a trans. I then had a private mechanic rebuild the trans twice and replace it with a remanufacture. He could not get the car working and told me that he did not believe it was the trans. After further research, I found out that there is a possible defect with the electrical wiring or computer in the 96 Jetta's. Has anyone encountered this problem? Please give any helpful suggestions or solutions.

buyingajetta1

I have been thinking of buying a Jetta. I love the look, $, and low gas mileage but after reading discussions of so many problems I'm not so sure about purchasing one. Does the good out weigh the bad?

mellis

Don't base your decision on what you read on message boards. No one ever posts that they have had no problems.

I have a 2001 Jetta Wolfsburg that has been perfect. There, I broke the tradition!

bluejetta

I've been breaking that tradition since the day I bought my Jetta, and still do to this day. The car has been awesome.

-Jim
http://www.jettaownersclub.org
http://www.bluelagoonjetta.com

amd1

Test drove the GLS 2.0 Saturday, and was impressed, but have a question: Car is almost fully loaded (only thing it doesn't have is leather, which isn't a problem). Automatic - I know, manual's more fun, but not at 7:30 on Boston's Central Artery...The quote I got is $19,795. Is that reasonable?

Mr_Shiftright

Hi...you should check the price by using the Edmunds New Car Pricing (True Market Value).

Click on "new" at the top of this page and follow directions. It's a great feature!

best

Host

k_h_b

hahah Yea right, My wolfsburg has been flawless for 7,000 miles! Couldn't ask for a better car.

dinan76

I was going to let the Dealership take the door apart and see if there is a loose wire. Should
I? The tweeters don't do it everyday but the road I drive on everyday is the same. The dealership said that tweeters do that at low volumes but it does it at higher volumes just not everyday ???
I figured since they have taken the engine out twice they can't hurt the door too much. Could I be wrong?

secretariat73

We have a 2000 Jetty VR6 (20K miles) with a problem - it's an automatic, and the car often takes 6-8 tugs on the shift lever to get it out of "park". Putting one's foot off and on the brake pedal seems to help, as does shaking the lever. When it won't work, it won't budge AT ALL, suggesting metal parts are involved. We've had it to the dealer 3 times, each time the problem subsides but comes back the next day, although it isn't as bad now as it has been. It is also more pronounced if the car has not been used for 1/2 hour or longer, suggesting that some part expands enough when the car is warmer to allow it to shift. That also makes it carder for the dealer to diagnose the problem, as they haven't always been willing to let it sit long enough for the problem to resurface.

Anyone have any insights as to the nature of this problem? We'll take any sound advice to the dealer as a suggestion.

-Steven-

secretariat73

Sorry about the misprint. You'd think a spell checker at a car site wouldn't change the name of a car from correct to incorrect!

-Steve (JettA, JettA)-

bluejetta

Aftre that many times at attempting to repair the problem, I'd demand that they keep the car overnight (giving you a free loaner) to properly diagnose and repair this. If your dealer is not willing to do that, then I'd contact VWoA and open a claim and then start reading up on your state's lemon laws. They only have so many chances to fix things before they are forced to take it back.

It sounds to me that (possibly) your dealer is trying to take the easy way out on this repair and hoping the problem would have gone away by now. It's time for them to take responsibility and take care of you once and for all and quit dinking around.

-Jim
http://www.jettaownersclub.org
http://www.bluelagoonjetta.com

vw18t

I just got my new WE 03/22 and when I start the car in morning and drive off, sometimes I'm hearing a noise in the back like as if something's rolling in the trunk...then it goes away. Seems to happen at 1/2 tank or less!
I'm going to keep an eye (ear) on it.
By the way, love the WE...and a lot cheaper here in Canada with exchange rate.

silverjetta01

I have a 2001 jetta, with the 17" alloy wheels. It seems that these wheels can take a curve at 140 mph, but they fall apart over the slightest bump in the road! I ran over a small pothole, and the tire kept deflating. Turns out that the tire is fine(?), but the wheel is cracked. I checked with the dealer and this is not covered under warranty. New wheel will be $300. Three questions:

Has anyone had the same problem?

Can I get "normal" wheels for this car - ones that can handle a bump in the road, like 15"?

Where can I get a new wheel other than the dealer?

Thanks!

cabanks

I have just purchased a 2001 Jetta GL. I picked it up today excited and happy since it is my first new car. By the time I got home my happiness was replaced with disappointment and anger. As I was driving the car began to stall. When I would press on the gas the engine would rev but the car would not go faster than 15 miles per hour. I called the dealer. They came out and after driving the car said the drive shift (?) is off due to a computer error which can be reset OR the transmission is bad. He said if it was the latter they would give me a new car.
My problem is that I don't want a FIXED new car. Do I have a leg to stand on in demanding a different car. I am just worried that this is the beginning of a nightmare!! Has anyone had a similar experience? I have always driven old cars and a some may know with old cars come constant worry. I looked forward to not experiencing that with my new Jetta. Now I am not so sure that is possible. Will my fixed computer problem be a constant cause of worry and is that fair to me?
Okay, that is it. I just need some input from fellow Jetta owners.

bluejetta

;-) Maybe they ought to try that...j/k Hey man! If they offer a new car: TAKE IT!!!! But, yes a small computer glitch could be the problem and a simple reset the fix. At least they are being accommodating. Take all the perks you can get. They are obviously kissing yer hiney. Enjoy it!

-Jim
http://www.jettaownersclub.org
http://www.bluelagoonjetta.com

myjetta

I just got my 2001 jetta gl 2.0 about 2 weeks ago and I have noticed a knock in the engine. Any one else have this problem?

brainlessbozo

I have a jetta GLS 00. When I do 85-90 mph, sometimes I feel as though the car is loosing contact with the road, and I can actually feel some lift. This may happen at 65-70 mph over a bridge, or sometimes when there is a slightly stronger wind or cross-wind. Has anyone had the similar problem? Do I need to add a spoiler at the back? If I keep the sunroof open at the back, then the spoiler may not serve much function, since the sunroof would deflect the wind stream off the car, right?

bluejetta

Spoilers on consumer cars are cosmetic only and do nothing for the handling of your car. You don't drive near fast enough for a real spoiler to have much, if any effect.

I suspect the 'feeling' you have is due to your tires. Is the pressure too high? I have driven my Jetta plenty of miles at those speeds and it's rock solid, wind or no wind.

-Jim
http://www.jettaownersclub.org
http://www.bluelagoonjetta.com

balticjetta18t

I have the 17" wheels with Michelin's on and hit a hippo sized mammoth pothole @ 50-60 mph with my heartbeat skipping based on the loud bang. I worried about your same dilemma and after 2 weeks no air loss or cracks noted. I hit direct and straight on and now there is a roadblock in front of the same pothole since it was that bad. What is the air pressure in your tires? VW recommends about 28 lbs with a light load but the Michelins in our 245/45HR-17 size are rated up to 51 lbs. Maybe you hit the hole at a side angle with a lower tire pressure and caught the rim as the sidewall flexed. I know my suspension bottomed out which gave me a jolt. Check your tire pressures. My car came delivered with 35/36lbs all around and I have not adjusted yet. See if your insurance will buy you a rim since it was a comprehensive damage unless you have higher than a 300 deductible on the comp. The rims are factory original as the "Long Beach" named style. Good luck.

bluejetta

I'd contact the city/county that's responsible for the roads to pay for it! Don't claim it on YOUR insurance, let the City/County claim it on THEIR insurance! The cracked wheel, a new tire and a 4 wheel thrust alignment are all due after whacking a hole that hard!!!

-Jim
http://www.jettaownersclub.org
http://www.bluelagoonjetta.com

97jettagtgrl

maybe u chould try driving closer to the speed limit...a jetta is not an indy car! 85-90mph is not the normal speed cars like ours go....even though the spedometer says 140 or so....i dont recommend driving that fast!

makayor

Have a 2000 Jetty GAS I/14,000 miles. Three weeks ago when backing away from a store with a concrete stop in front, I heard a pretty bad noise in front. I found that my front bumper had pulled away from the car. I could see clearly that it had been engineered in such away that it would take little to damage the bumper. At my insistence, the dealer fixed @ n/c although they said it wasn't covered. VW OKed. The repair was done in Memphis,TN while I was in Maryland visiting my children. As coincidence would have it, my daughter's 98 Honda Accord had been hit while parked at scoool and the insurance co. sent it to an authorized VW Body Shop. I went to see it, and asked the service manager if he was aware of any problems w/bumpers on the Jetta. He laughed, and said they have had all kind of problems not only with the VW but also Audis because of the design and engineering of the bumpers.

Anyway, I was determined when I got back to be very careful in the future. Tonight when taking my 90 year old mother back to her assisted living facility, I pulled back from a normal parking space, and the same thing happened. Interestly, looking at the GM auto next to it, one could see clearly that my Jetta didn't have the proper clearance over the end of the parking space where the sidewalk began.The GM auto had more than enough.

I have been looking for other people who have had similar problems and did find about 6 or 7 cases on the DOT.gov. web site. Any other suggestions?

Thanks, Roy

balticjetta18t

Since you probably have a 2.0L reg 4cyl in your 97 Jetta probably with automatic tranny there 97jettagrl. It is time you got a 1.8T or VR6 5speed Golf or Jetta and you'll be glad that Speedo has high #'s. Faggedabout buying a Honda. ALSO you are very correct in saying that we are not driving Indy cars. THEY ARE AUTOBAHN CARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GOTCHA. HA HA LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

balticjetta18t

A friend of mine with an Audi A6 had the same fate and the cost for a new or repair of the bumber was a cool 1K. The area I live in has very large roundish concrete stops larger than any where in country I have seen. Obviously our VW's and Audi's have a lower larger air dam design for aerodynamic performance not for concrete clearance. To compare the GM car is not fair. My prior F-150 ext cab yeah had clearance and I would touch the front wheels all the time since I needed the clearance for the bed and tailgate. Simple: just don't put the car so so far forward. You'll have plenty of parking space left in the rear. Glad VW paid for it though. Audi didn't pay for my friends Audi repair.

greybaron

I have a 98 Jetta TDI which is a fairly well built car. I got a fair price on it from the dealer here in Tucson. Problems started when it came time for the routine service. The first time they put two dents in the drivers door by opening it into an engine block which was on a stand. They repaired this. The really ugly one was the last one (24,000 mi) which was supposed to be a "free" one. Because I had the flu and was two weeks late in bringing the car in, they said I would have to pay for the service even though the car only had 19,000 mi on it. The dealer called VW and they refused to honor the free service but the dealer said they would provide the service at "wholesale." This meant charging me $8.00 a quart for 5 qts. of oil(it only holds 4.4), $15.00 for an oil filter(I had just purchased one at their parts counter for $8.00), not rotating the tires as they said they were supposed to, not replacing the fuel filter and to add insult to injury, they dragged a air or lube hose across the hood and left deep scratches. It basically cost me $150.00 for an oil change. I called VWAmerica and filed a complaint, they told me they were not responsible for their "independent dealers" The dealer wouldn't return my phone calls. I have simply resolved to tell everyone I can about their policies and never, never darken their doorstep again. BEWARE IF YOU LIVE IN TUCSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

arnybarnes

I have had the same problem with the front bumper for over 6 months. Not only is the underneath spoiler "ripping" off from the front bumper, it has caused the whole front body panel to shift slightly, exposing a wider path where it meets the other body panels. I have been parking about 1 ft back from concrete stalls, but it is a pain.

sachindd

The oil pressure indicator on my car came on often. The dealer changed the oxygen sensor, flange for the oil tank leak, etc. But he later found out that the car has been burning oil. I have to fill up 1 quart every 2000 miles. The outrageous part is that the dealer says it is normal for the car to consume 1 quart every 1000 miles. I checked with Volkswagen and they too said the same thing. Is there anybody else who is facing the same problem. My concern is that if so much oil is burnt, there may be some damage to the catalytic convertor.

silvertdijetta

Hi all,

Gotta a question about my seat heaters. When I use my seat heaters, I have to crank it up to 5 before I can feel anything and 5 is great because it's toasty warm! 4 is less so, and they don't feel like they are getting warm from 1 - 3.

I asked the service manager about this and he told me that there is an ambient temperature sensor in the Jetta cabin and if the ambient temperature doesn't detect that the inside cabin temperature is cold (I don't know what the minimum ambient temperature needs to be), you really won't feel anything between 1 - 3.

If the ambient temperature sensor detects that the inside cabin temperature is cold, the seat will feel hotter between 1 - 3.

Does anyone know if this is true, or was he feeding me a line?

Thanks!

myjetta

I had 1988 prelude with oil leaks before my jetta and it didn't burn that much oil. Did you check your owners manual or maybe ask an independent dealer.

blackjetta18t1

yea me to! ive been wondering bout that to, i only feel it turn on when on 5

balticjetta18t

How many layers of clothes are donned when noticing how much heat is being transferred? I know when we had 20's and below I turned the heat to 5 and I felt it within driving about 1 mile but I also was wearing more layers. I always had to turn mine down but that is my personal preference. I have had a few "always cold passengers" wanting to keep the seat heat up @5 when I'd have mine @3. A female friend rode shot-gun one cold day and I turned hers up to 5 and after driving a mile she picked her rump up off the seat and said her butt was burning and I thought it was the high speed at which I was driving. She was wearing thin knit slacks though. It was hilarious. I respectfully reduced the butt-heat to 2 for her comfort... Maybe some of us need more and some of us need less heat...

97jettagtgrl

mines a five speed thank u very much...and by the way the autobahn is in Germany..try driving on the Long Island Expressway 90mph and get your liscense revoked.

balticjetta18t

I am glad you have a 5speed for more fun power in your bare-bones Jetta GT to help you evade those NY State Troopers on 495... Now just FYI>>>>>>>>>>Not all of us in chat are driving on the LIE as you may believe; &&&&&&& on top of that, I was raised in S. Farmingdale where my parents still reside today. And, on top of that I was a parts driver for LEGEND AUTORAMA in Amityville and I drove like a New Yorker should (without a cell phone distraction) all over LI, Queens, Bronx & into Northern NJ back in 1981 as soon as I received my full license from DMV. That's right 20 years ago. (BEFORE YOU WERE EVEN BORN!!!!!!!!!!!) This driving in my early years probably gave me the best possible experience on virtually every bad situation and fun high speed driving. Basically NO FEAR got me through it all. Sounds like you are a bit lacking in driving experience and maybe have a bit of fear of the police. Don't worry, It will fade away. But either way, HAVE A NICE DAY!

kflemieux

Yes - I was told the same thing. That the car takes 1 quart per 1500 miles. That is rather excessive. I just had mine towed back to the dealer yesterday because it was not changing gears well at all, running terribly rough. Same thing - they replaced all of the sensors. I am worried about the long term too on this car. Does anyone know if this is going to be worked out - or do I have a lemon car already?

mperez1

PROBLEM WITH OIL FILLINGS

I have a 2000 Jetta and I did my first oil change at 5k and when I got to 10k my oil light came on and when I checked I had no oil, took to dealer they advised that motor burns 1qt every 1500miles. Did oil change at 10k and last week my car had 14k miles and the oil light came back on, when I checked I had no oil again. Dealer again advised me of the same thing and told me this is normal. I have never heard of anything like this with a new car. Does anyone know why this occurs? Are the dealers feeding me a line? Is this happening to all the 2000 Jetta's or is this an isolated problem? Please reply with your input.

97jettagtgrl

ah, a male person from S. Farmingdale....hhhmmmm...no wonder. I know them well, considering i live a hop away from Farmingdale High School. Should have guessed it, you Daler boys drive way too fast! Just dont hit anything ok! and I despise Legend VW...I wish there were more VW dealers on LI except for the four or five there are here! and no fear of police, my bro and sis are NYPD blue! Have a nice day and dont run your VW off the road!

balticjetta18t

Just busting ya chops a tad bit there 97Jettagtgrl.(all in good sport) I can understand you despising Legend. It was my summer job after graduating FHS. Friends of mine were envious since I was driving their van all over carnation. My favorite part was cruising across the GW Bridge to the Palisades with all the windows open and the radio cranking. Good to know another "Islander"

jetta00

I have a '00 Jetta GLS/VR6 with a question about engine noise. First some history on the car - I recently had my differentials replaced (at around 3K) and in turn had to have my transmission replaced. Once the car was fixed, I did notice some improvements. However, I noticed a sound coming from the engine at low RPMs (less than 20) and at less than 35mph. I went back to the dealership and they said that it was normal (at first they claimed that they couldn't hear it, which is odd to me). Anyhow, I complained some more and they changed my transmission oil which they said would reduce the noise. Has anyone noticed any noise - a pulsating cranking noise? To me, it sounds like it is coming from underneath the car. You can hear it when you are traveling at less than 40 mph (19 or 30 mph) and not really accelerating. It is important to try this is a quiet area. If anyone has any ideas of what it might be, I'd appreciate any help!

Thanks!

grmike

I was hoping someone could help me out. I am thinking of buying a Jetta probably a 95-97 model. I have never owned one, and I need to know if they are reliable cars and what the problems are if there are some. Also if the car's repairs will be costly. Thanks.

esullivan2

I have a 1999 Jetty with 25,000. The check engine light came on the other day. It is now being looked at by the dealer, but I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem and what the outcome was? Thanks!

jetta00

To esullivan2 (#945) - Not sure how to reply so I am creating a new posting.

I would check out the following website: http://www.myvwlemon.com/. There is a discussion section and you may be able to find something on this. I am only at 6K miles with my jetta, but I know that my friend had the same problem. I think it had to do with water in the fuel pump - I am not sure though. Also, when you access the site above be sure to put your sound on mute. The webmaster says "Disappointed!" just as you access the site - not good when you are at work.

Hope this helps.

-Jetta Owner

riswami

I owned an 88 Jetta. You will find repairs to be costly. I found many parts were double the cost of comparable domestics. In my opinion the cost is not proportional to the class of car.

I owned my VW for 10 years. I thought the car was pretty reliable. Have some friends with a 96. They've done exhaust and had to take to the dealer for addition of tranny fluid. There is no dipstick so you can't check it yourself. Dealer charged them $90 to add one pint of fluid!Once they go through the original muffler you can count on replacing one every two years. I was told this by my mechanic the first time I did mine and he was right on the money. First one lasted 6 years, then one at 8 and another at 10 years.

Be careful with VW dealers. They seem to have more than their fair share of dealers who offer poor service.

sjb2

Somebody help!!! I just recently purchased a 2001 Jetta GLS and there is a popping noise coming from the trunk/gas tank area when I come to a stop. I took it to a local dealer and, of course, nobody seems to hear the noise! I can also hear the gasoline slushing around in the gas tank all the time! Is this normal? Thanks!

2001jetta

I have a 2001 1.8T Jetta. When I test drove it the engine light came on and there was clicking in the left rear. The dealer checked it out and said it was because it was almost out of gas. Now reading the above posts I am concerned it could be the fuel pump, is this a common problem? I have 4500 miles on mine and have had ZERO problems since I took delivery. This is a great and fun car to drive, thumbs up!

synistyr

Has anyone else had the problem of the dash lights not being able to dim?

All of a sudden (brand new 2001 Jetta GLS) the dimmer doesn't work. Anyone experieced this? Anyway to fix this? (pull the fuse?)

balticjetta18t

Call your VW service people before pulling fuses. Let them do as much as you can get'em to since 2/24 can go by quickly. It probably is the dimmer dial "pot" if I had to guess...

Mr_Shiftright

A quart every 1,500 is not necessarily an indication of a problem. This is a popular misconception. This is within factory tolerances, and many cars, some very expensive cars, use this much oil. What you need to do is monitor your oil consumption and make sure it is not gradually getting worse....then you may have a problem. If you drop to say, below a quart every 1,000, I'd be more concerned....unless it is a high miles engine, then that's just wear and tear.

In fact, burning some oil is probably good for an engine, if it's within reason.