Volkswagen Jetta Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    I totaled a car back in '92 -- hydroplaned for about a tenth of a mile into the back of a Volvo station wagon that was stopped at a traffic light. I was going between 40 and 45 when it happened.

    Meade
  • msealsmseals Member Posts: 257
    This occurs at just about any speed, depending on tire tread design and depth, road conditions and spead of vehicle.

    How do you hydroplane for a 10th of a mile, that is crazy. You were going too fast for you conditions.

    YES, all new Jettas have ABS, even the lowly GL models.
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    I thought about you when I brought up hydroplaning. Referring back to that article I linked to in my previous post, it makes it sound like hydroplaning only occurs at 55 + mph. I think it would be more accurate to say over 35 mph, hydroplaning is more likely to occur.
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    You're right...there are other factors that would affect hydroplaning. Vehicle weight and tire condition are the 2 big ones that jump out at me after speed.
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    I'm supposing you were there? Brand-new, four-lane divided highway with a posted speed limit of 45. I was going about 40. Sudden thunderstorm. It all happened within about five seconds of the rain starting. On my day in court, there were two other people there charged with the same offense from the same day at the same time, both within a quarter-mile of where mine happened. And get this -- about a year later they removed the intersection where my accident occurred entirely (it was where an on-ramp from the local interstate joined this road) -- due to the number of accidents there. Starting about the time I had my accident, that intersection became the worst accident spot in Richmond, Virginia.

    No, it was due to the fact that I, being naive in my mid-20s, didn't expect the tires on a 28,000-mile car to be bald and hadn't checked. But alas, these were those crappy Bridgestone Potenzas. Unfortunately I've had to accept two other new cars since then that were shod with these death tires. In both cases, the tires didn't make it past about 30,000 miles despite extreme care with alignment, balance and rotation every 5,000 miles. Should've known a treadwear rating of 160 meant trouble. I do now!

    There's a picture of my 10-month old 1992 Mazda Protege, totaled in the junkyard, over on the Yahoo! group mazdaprotege in the Photos section under "Meade's Proteges," if anyone's interested in seeing how well that car took that crash -- even though the bumper didn't catch most of the collision. A very well-designed car that I walked out of, and the reason I've bought two more.

    Meade
  • skylineenvyskylineenvy Member Posts: 5
    the road that i was going down veers to the right at 90 degrees, so the median becomes perpendicular at that corner. I was going downhill at 25mph because it was raining pretty hard. I was little scared so i watched my speed and coasted to the bottom of the hill i tapped the brakes as i saw the road veer and when i saw how sharp that turn was i pressed the brake again and thats when i slid across the median... My car is a 1998, the last of the boxy Jettas, and there is no ABS light on my dash. If you profile the car on this website under used cars, ABS is listed as an option... What scares me the most is that the same thing almost happened again but under sunny conditions when i was my way to the body shop (see message #1850). This is why i thinks its a brake problem and not hydroplaning. The car has 85,000 miles on it. The front brakes were replaced 20,000 miles ago. The car was stopping fine before the accident. The tires are only a year old...skyline
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    From your description, it sounds like understeer. But that's a suspension/tire thing. Perhaps it is the result of that cheap beam axle? Sorry...I'm no expert :(
  • boravr6boravr6 Member Posts: 15
    2001 Jetta GLS VR6 Auto. 30,000 miles
    2 issues
    1. Having trouble on 1 perticular road to work where I have to take a left onto an upslope. The shifter just cant find a gear and the car lurches wildly between gears before I reach 40 and it stedies in 4th. The same happens after I take the immediate right and there is a downslope. The slopes are not that severe, but still I have a hair raising time controlling the car. The solution I have found is driving it at 20 and not letting it shift (and ignore the honks and fingers I get). Any ideas why this is happening?
    2. The car makes a whinning noise at exactly 40mph. There is a TSB out on the NHTA site that states exactly this. Anyone know what it is all about? The car is beyond warranty so was wondering if it is something that is crucial.
  • msealsmseals Member Posts: 257
    I didn't mean to offend you are saying you were driving irresponsibly, I just meant to say, either your tires were bad or you were going too fast for conditions. It is a fact that when it first starts to rain that it is the most slippery time for the road. It is because the first water lifts up the oil and dirt on the road causing it to become slick.
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Member Posts: 1,391
    a friend of mine loss control of his WRX around a curve, and well...slammed into a telephone pole. The road is wet. He's blaming the tires.....I know his driving habits -- and I know for him, he's driving too fast for the conditions.
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    "... didn't expect the tires on a 28,000-mile car to be bald and hadn't checked.

    ...Should've known a treadwear rating of 160 meant trouble."

    Yes, you should have. That is it in a nutshell.
  • skylineenvyskylineenvy Member Posts: 5
    Dangerous driving is a thought that had crossed my mind. Before the Jetta, I drove a 94 Isuzu, and i sometimes dont realize how fast im going in this little thing...but im a very passive driver and my clutch gets more of a workout than the gas...One thing i know is certain is that the car is not handling the same since the day of the accident. I noticed the rear-end wiggle a few minutes before she slid and even now...but its up for inspection when i get it back from the shop next week and ill ask to look at the car closely. Ill keep u updated on any new developments...thank you for your input,everybody!!...skyline
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    I admitted that I was a naive kid in my twenties back then. No need to rub it in. However, the point I believe I was making was that you don't have to be going 55 to hydroplane. It can and did, to me, happen at 40. That's all. So let's all stop chastizing me for something that happened a decade ago, OK?

    Thanks.

    Meade
  • debr1debr1 Member Posts: 10
    I noticed that while driving with the AC off that the front console area of the dash gets very warm and I'm dying from the heat that gets generated around my feet. The passenger side does not have this problem and the console area is cool to the touch. Is this normal?? Have a service scheduled tomorrow and would appreciate any feedback. Thanks!!
    (02 1.8T Jetta)
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    RELAX.

    I was trying to impress upon others that those numbers actually mean something.

    Thanks for the opportunity to clear that up.
  • gbt2gbt2 Member Posts: 7
    My '98 Jetta has a light out, the one that lights up the three climate control dials. Dealer told me that bulb can not be replaced, and I should just replace the whole unit ($300!!), Has anyone replaced this bulb themselves, and if so how did you get to it. Any help greatly appreciated.
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Member Posts: 1,391
    try this link, I don't know if it will work out for you or not


    http://www.vwmkiv.com/aclight.htm

  • jamie_5jamie_5 Member Posts: 5
    OK, after reading a lot of comments and reviews over the past few weeks, I am seeing that the Jetta and their owners have a real love/hate relationship. Looks are great, relatively sporty, good fuel economy and performance is common. Durability, part accessability, dealer service and reliabilty of the car is pretty poor compared to similar Honda/Toyota cars.
    Would YOU recommend to go buy one one to your mom/dad/grandma or best personal friend?
    Thanks.
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    You make a tough case, Jamie.
  • thomasibaileythomasibailey Member Posts: 21
    I'm happy with my dealer in Ohio servicing my 1.8T. I won't buy a Honda ever 'cause my Dad had his in the shop as often as I had my Olds Cutlass. I have driven the Toyotas and I just can't take the lack of road feel. The VW's I've owned have all driven straight and true. Handling is the most important factor for me since a car is to be driven. I relax a lot more when I can feel the road. I have to agree with you on reliability and service, the Toyota Inc. has everyone beat! I'd check what everyone else has to say about you local VW dealer. We have one in Lake County,OH that I will only go to for parts...while the second dealership (VW) is awesome for any and all problems. Too bad it's not on my way home. Goodluck.
  • jsstoverjsstover Member Posts: 40
    ACK! I have been visited by the regulator gremlin. I own a 2000 GLX and my wife just called to tell me the window fell into the door. Called service and can't get me in until Tuesday (today is Sat). What an inconvenience.

    I tried calling the toll free number previously referenced on this page but they are closed on weekends. Complaints are only heard Mon- Fri 8a, to 5pm EST...

    Oh well. This is not helping VW earn a return buyer. Good luck other 2000 jetta owners.
  • blackjetta18t1blackjetta18t1 Member Posts: 278
    I have so many damn problems, I would not reccomend a Jetta. Rear left brake light is out, knocking sound remains, rattles galour, brakes that were "supposed" to be replaced I don't think were because the car still vibrates when braking hard, lgihts behind climate control area needs to be hit to turn on and the door hatch? for the drivers door needs to be replaced because the interior lights, alarm, puddle lgiht don't work because the car doesn't realized the door is open.
  • sealrcksealrck Member Posts: 4
    I've read through all the Monsoon radio posts but still am not sure what the dealer has
    done to our car. The Monsoon completely quit at 2000 miles (no doors left open or low
    battery). Before going to the dealer we read about this problem here and told the dealer
    about these problems. They replaced our system with a 'new' system and it no longer
    says Monsoon. When asked why, they said it is the software fix and it really is a
    Monsoon system but without Monsoon displayed when it starts up. Is this the fix to the
    Monsoon problem or did they install an inferior system? Would it really be inferior if the
    Monsoon breaks again in a few thousand miles. It seems to me the radio reception has
    gotten worse. Thanks!
  • fish8fish8 Member Posts: 2,282
    Does the face of the unit look the same?
  • turbojetta02turbojetta02 Member Posts: 1
    Hello,

    I got one of the earlier year 02s (before cd players were standard) with the Monsoon sound system. I wanted to get an aftermarket cd player soon (can't afford the VW one). Is this going to cause problems getting Monsoon to work properly with it?

    Second, is there anyway to get VW to replace the regulators, plastic clips, whatever, that cause the windows to drop BEFORE they actually drop? I had my passenger window fall at about 7pm on a friday. Right when all the shops finished closing til Monday. Luckily I found a place that opened at 8am on saturday where i was moving to (supposed to leave the next morning). So I had to leave that night to get there on time. Big pain.
  • jsstoverjsstover Member Posts: 40
    Well the first dealership I originally had my appointment with does not have the parts in stock. They will have to order the part and overnight it. They couldn't answer why it wasn't pre-ordered. I told them I would keep the appointment and they will keep the jetta overnight, but they don't even have loaners or rentals.

    I called a second dealership here in Columbus, even though they have absolutely horrid service, hoping they would have the parts and a time available. Yeah, right. As soon as I started explaining the problem, the service writer interupted me and said no can do. He has had over seven calls today alone about this and the pieces are on national backorder. What??? I asked him if this is finally going to be a recall issue? He said no. They aren't even taking appointments for it now. They are only taping windows in place at this point.

    I hope VWoA quickly addresses this issue
  • dancermandancerman Member Posts: 220
    My wife recently mentioned to me that our replacement radio (the one that doesn't display MONSOON ) doesn't have good radio reception at times. Our first radio (the one that did display MONSOON) died so quickly we don't know if it was any better. I don't know if the radio has to display MONSOON to be a MONSOON. I'm sure the dealer doesn't know either (or won't say).
  • thomasibaileythomasibailey Member Posts: 21
    Hey folks there are two recalls on the Jetta radio: 9101-05(volume inoperative) and 9102-01(controls don't respond). I think your dealer should be able to fix properly if they read the bulletins like you can over the web @ www.alldata.com/TSB/62/. Goodluck, got mine fixed with no hassles 'cause my dealer can read. We are only as good as our education.
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Member Posts: 1,391
    A Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) is not a recall.

    A recall requires owner notification.

    A TSB is more like a note that VW tells the service departments any problems that come up and what's the corrective solution.
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    Using that site, can one take one's car into a dealership and demand that they address all the issues?

    If so, is there a cost, or is it covered by the dealer like a recall?

    How does one go about addressing these TSB's?
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Member Posts: 1,391
    You'll have to ask nicely.

    Some may play dumb, and say "never heard of it".
  • sealrcksealrck Member Posts: 4
    We did take the TSB to the dealer with us when the Monsoon radio failed and they did
    replace the entire unit (supposedly mailing back the CD & tape stuck inside).

    My question was specifically about the replacement unit....does anyone know if
    the 'new' radios that do NOT display Monsoon are as good a sound system as
    the ones that do display Monsoon? Is the dealer telling us the truth that the repair for
    this TSB is a new Monsoon-quality unit with a software fix just does not display Monsoon?
    Is it my imagination that the sound quality (especially radio reception) is not as good although
    all speakers work?

    There was no cost for this repair.

    Our only other factory defect was the back-passenger-right door could not be opened from inside, the child lock had no affect. Dealer said our door was defective and will replace the unit when they get the part in.
  • dancermandancerman Member Posts: 220
    Don't be surprised if your MONSOON completely dies.... my dealer did the fix and 2 weeks later DOA.
  • thomasibaileythomasibailey Member Posts: 21
    The dealer replaced the relay for the radio. The dealer never gave me a Service Invoice so I can't tell exactly what relay it was they did the magic act on.
  • skylineenvyskylineenvy Member Posts: 5
    I posted something up around two weeks ago about an accident that i had, it turns out, it was a failed master cylinder. Do they usually go bad after 80,000 miles??? My car is 1998 Jetta GL with no ABS.
  • tulanekid24tulanekid24 Member Posts: 25
    Someone please help me here. How difficult is it to Fix the cruise control on a New Jetta. I have had my 2002 Jetta GLS 1.8T for 2 months. It has 1500 miles on it.

    I took it in when I realized that the cruise control would not work. The dealer replaced the Cruise control switch in the steering wheel. It still doesn't work!!! They kept the car for 4 days and told me they were looking for the problem. They wanted to keep the car for longer but I am leaving to go to Germany tomorrow for 3.5 weeks, and I didn't think it was a good idea leave it at the dealer for that long. I will have to take it back there in Aug when I return.

    Any ideas on what could be wrong with my Cruise control??? This is a brand new car with only 1500 miles on it!!!!! Uggg.. Please help!!
  • fowvayfowvay Member Posts: 29
    Tulanekid, has the cruise control ever worked? If it has never worked then it may be a simple matter of not having it coded into the vehicles computer system. Ask the dealership to verify that the cruise control has been activated with their VAG1551 scan tool. This was supposed to be verified during the cars PDI but may have been overlooked. The other common problem with MK4 VW's is with the switch itself. However, since the switch has been replaced once already then hopefully you're not having that kind of luck.
  • srellis1srellis1 Member Posts: 2
    I'll never buy a Volkswagen again! I recently purchased a brand new 2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLS. After owning it for a day, the car began to jerk and encounter problems switching gears. Upon taking it back to the dealership, I learned the car needed a new transmission. I was outraged! I'd only owned the car for three days and the car already required major repair! The dealership wouldn't take it back, so I had to contact Volkswagen's customer relations. I hoped the company would accept the responsibility for their defected product and replace it with a new car. After all, I'd only driven it for three days. Unfortunately, Volkswagen customer service didn't help me to my satisfaction. To my dismay Volkswagen refused to replace the vehicle at this time and only left me with the option of having it repaired. My whole purpose of buying a new car was to avoid such problems. It hardly seems fair that I be subjected to such grief so soon! I really expected better quality and service from Volkswagen. I thought Volkswagen was the "car of the people" - based on my experience I'm questioning this claim.
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Member Posts: 1,391
    back in 1993 when we purchased a new 1993 Dodge Caravan. Right off the bat, transmission problems.

    Needed a new transmission because the original one was missing some parts, the "rebuilt" unit, still slips a bit....learned to live with it....and frequent transmission fluid changes.
  • fish8fish8 Member Posts: 2,282
    It sounds like you had some bad luck with your brand new jetta. BUT, why should they buy back your car? That's what the 4/50k mile warranty is for. Yes, it is very frustrating that you had to go through a bad transmission on a 3 day old Jetta, but the car may be perfect from now on. I am also going through some frustration with my 1 month old Jetta. With 600 miles on the odometer, I began to hear rattles in my dash. After bringing my car to the dealer to have them look at my rattle, they said they could not find the rattle and gave me my keys back. Off to another dealer..... I know that a new trans and rattles are extremes but we both have frustrations. Good luck!!
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    I think the reason he's frustrated is because he could have kept his old car which he thought was "unreliable" and "undependable" and have been better off than with a new Volkswagen Jetta.
  • srellis1srellis1 Member Posts: 2
    I propose a few questions for the individual that asked why Volkswagen should repurchase my Jetta: How much would you pay for a VW if you knew that the transmission had been previously replaced? Would you pay the same price as you would for one in perfect condition? Would you purchase it at all? Or let's use your situation; what if you had known your month-old Jetta had a rattling in the dashboard? Would you have purchased it at all, even with the 4-yr/50,000 mile warranty? I have a hunch that you wouldn't subject yourself to such a situation. Should warranties be viewed as a security measure or should they allow manufactures to sell whatever piece of junk comes off the assembly line?!?! Obviously I got less than what I paid for or deserved. So, the issue at hand isn't if the car can be repaired on warranty - it's that I was sold a less than adequate product. Besides, I'm not satisfied with the transmission repair because unfortunately, in regards to automobiles, they're never quite the same once they start demanding major repairs! I purchased a Volkswagen based on the manufacturer's claim of producing quality cars. I didn't receive quality! Volkswagen should buy back my car because I didn't receive what I paid for. Plus, they should be able or at least willing to deliver on their brand image. For the company to deny my request for repurchase appears to be an indication that they're not willing to do what it takes to install trust in their vehicles and keep me as a lifelong customer. Or maybe my situation is too insignificant to address because I'm just one consumer with a problem. Volkswagen should take responsibility for what happens on its production lines instead of passing it down to me, the customer. The ethical resolution would be to repurchase my car. By the way, I picked up my car from the shop today & and it's not the same. It runs like a two-year old car now and I haven't even had it for two weeks!!!
  • protegextwoprotegextwo Member Posts: 1,265
    "But I am picking up my car tonight from the dealer. They said it's working within manufacturer specs, and they can't do any more with it..."
    by vocus


    I just received my copy of Consumer Reports: August 2002 Issue. They did a nice comparo on the Ford Focus ZX5 Hatch, Subaru Impreza Outback, VW Jetta Wagon, Toyota Matrix/Vibe Crossover and the Mazda Protege 5. The VW Jetta Wagon GLS 1.8T was ranked highest., by CR.

    But,....I almost spit and choked on my Starbucks double shot Latte when I read the following. "Among our car's (the VW Jetta Wagon GLS 1.8T) five sample defects were overly tightened wheel nuts and a dash rattle."
    -Consumer Reports August 2002

    Cripes FIVE sample defects!! The Vibe had 1 defect, the Matrix had 2, the PRO-5 had 1 and the Subie and Foci had 3 sample defects each. Volkswagen had better pay a little more attention to their assembly line. A lot of people read CR and the rest prolly read Vocus and Fish in here, lol! "Among our car's (the VW Jetta Wagon GLS 1.8T) five sample defects were... and a dash rattle." Maybe, the built-in dash rattle is the manufacture spec?

    -love train
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    So the Jetta Wagon outranked the Protege5 and all others even with 5 sample defects. Interesting.
    I find it difficult to believe that they checked the torque on the lug nuts and would even know what the correct setting is for the Jetta.
    I did just put some new wheels on my Jetta Wagon though and I will share a picture of it.
    image
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Would I purchase a VW with a new transmission. Yes. Would it decrease the perception of value in the vehicle. No. I disagree with you that VW is responsible to repurchase the vehicle. Their responsibility is to honor the warranty. They replaced the transmission and transmissions can be replaced without future problems caused by the replacement. In what way does your car now run like a two year old? You seem to have an image of VW that is unreasonable. Every manufacturer has defects in some vehicles produced. VW has average to greater than average defects. This is the image that VW has and they do live up to it. Your transmission failure is proof.
    You may be letting your emotions overcome logic. It is only a car and defects can be repaired.
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    "...Should warranties be viewed as a security measure or should they allow manufactures to sell whatever piece of junk comes off the assembly line?!?!"

    Ask a Hyundai owner.

    "Obviously I got less than what I paid for or deserved."

    Not necessarily obvious.

    "... So, the issue at hand isn't if the car can be repaired on warranty - it's that I was sold a less than adequate product."

    Sounds true enough.

    "... Besides, I'm not satisfied with the transmission repair because unfortunately, in regards to automobiles, they're never quite the same once they start demanding major repairs!"

    What do you mean? A 4 year old car with a 1 month old transmission should last like a 1 month old car regarding any problems with transmission. A new tranny does not automatically give you new brakes, engine, paint, etc.

    "... I purchased a Volkswagen based on the manufacturer's claim of producing quality cars.""

    YOU BOUGHT A VOLKSWAGEN! What did you expect?

    " I didn't receive quality! Volkswagen should buy back my car because I didn't receive what I paid for."

    Possibly true. I don't know why people would overpay for a car like this. IT'S A VOLKSWAGEN!!!

    "... Plus, they should be able or at least willing to deliver on their brand image."

    The brand image of VW is still the Beetle and the rusty Rabbit to most Americans. The Japanese have overcome their problems and are now regarded as good cars, but I don't think VW has done that.
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Member Posts: 1,391
    Go to the Maintenance and Repair section, you'll see a thread on a Acura TL where the owner has gone through 2 new transmissions already....it's not exclusive the VW

    Here's the link (this is a $30,000 Acura...)
    bodydouble "2 New Transmissions for my 2001 Acura TL - Help" Jun 27, 2002 10:38pm
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    >>>Obviously I got less than what I paid for or deserved.<<<<

    Nope. u paid for a car with a warranty.
    u got a car and a warranty - that VW is honoring.

    so what did u get less?
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    I think it should be more correct if it read:

    "VW - Mechanics Wanted"
  • redwoodrandyredwoodrandy Member Posts: 2
    1986 acura integra on very rough roads for 16 years, no rattles or problems. 2002 1.8 liter jetta six months old. more rattles in the doors and many other problems than i ever had with the acura and subaru wagon ,9 years combined. i too at first was saying i love my jetta but, but, but. the jetta is a piece of junk with totally unacceptable problems. have always bought my cars new and keept them for 6 -16 years. i made a big mistake consumer reports.
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