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Comments
But one incident happened that still scare me. On
the day of purchase, I was test driving around for
my family. I parked it on a steep hill (about 20%
steep) driveway. After I got out, holding my
keys,
I pressed the open trunk button on the remote. As
I came toward the trunk, the car just suddenly
rolling backward as if someone was reversing the
car. The key was still in my hand. I didn't know
what to do or how to stop it. It rolled up the
other side's curve, into the bushes. I got scared
and started to press the buttons on the remote
key.
It suddenly stopped, half of the car was on the
street and the other 1/2 was in the bush.
Luckily,
this happened at night and we live in a dead-end
circle (or however you call it). All the members
in my family witnessed the incident. When my
husband finally got in the car, he tried to turn
the engine on and move the car, but it didn't work
until 10 minutes later. We brought it back to the
dealer and described what happened. They checked
everything and couldn't figured out the problem.
They didn't know what to advice. I even asked if
there's a complaint file created for the incident,
and they said it's not necessary. Can someone
give me advice/input about this? Thank you
1) Aggressive drivers that BEAT THE HELL out of their cars. (this is the majority)
2) Hobbyists that modify their cars beyond recognition then blame VW for problems
3) Anal retentive types that expect a level of perfection not found in cars at any price
Am I just a flame baiting trouble maker? No. I’m just satisfied owner trying to bring what I feel is some much needed perspective. Any MK 4 vehicle is a safe, well made car that is an excellent value at its price point.
There are indeed some VW owners with real problems and recipients of poor customer service from VW.In my opinion their numbers are not any greater than other auto makers.
auto manufacturers have a reputation for cars
that stay together ( Mercedes and Subaru ) and
some have reps for cars that fall apart
( Chrysler and Volkswagen ). That's just the
way it is. VW makes some cars that are a blast
to drive but a buyer should know going in that he is rolling the QC dice.
I hope when your Jetta has problems you keep your thoughts to yourself.
I do not fall into any of your suggested types, in fact I am just an ordinary driver who expects a car to work, I can tolerate minor problems. I never modify or even come close to 'beating the hell' out of a car. I clean the car every week and check it over at the same time.
I am disappointed that you feel drivers with problems, cannot share them with other owners or potential owners. I thought that this is the idea of this forum.
If you feel that 21 days without my car in 10 months is not whining, it is just unacceptable.
I will list the problems so far with my Golf, just so you know what to expect with your new car.
1. Window fell out of drivers door.
2. Engine check light for misfire.
3. Rear tailgate not lifting, replaced struts.
4. Interior blower failed on cold day.
5. 1qt oil consumed per 500 miles
6. Engine control module failed.
7. Erratic/hard shifting on automatic.
8. Rear seat belt replaced twice.
9. Temp gauge failed.
10. Fuel pump relay replaced twice.
11. Corrosion on contacts behind dash.
12. White deposits on oil filler cap.(Water in oil)
13. Tachometer working when engine off !!
VWoA response take us to Lemon Law we don't care and we are not going to fix your car any more.
Hope you enjoy your new car as much as I enjoy mine.
Having said that, I do drive my car like bat out of hell and modified the the car. I have to say, so far the car is rock solid and has been asking me "is that all u can do?!" However I own a Subaru Impreza. The reason I lurk here is because I have a soft heart for jettas.... l8r.
1. While depressing the brake pedal, apply the hand brake.
2. Release your foot from the brake pedal and wait until the hand brake catches the car
3. Shift the parking lever to (P)ark
4. Remove key from ignition
I've experienced some problems with my new Jetta as well but they are minor and I'll try to fix them at my next service call. But nothing major to deter me from enjoying the car.
Your host, Bruce
myvwlemon.com
The new Jetta VR6 sucks
http://www.MyVWLemon.com
When I told a few people that I had bought a Volkswagon one of them told me I hope you bought the extended warranty because you will need it. It would even be worth it to pay more to buy it after the fact. I put that thought aside hoping that she just had a lemon but was I wrong.
I will keep this response limited to the window problems. I have had to install a total of three (3) window motors and currently have the one back window motor blown as well. Fortunately the first two for the front were barely still under warranty but the next one I had to pay for (try $500 bucks thank you!). I am having the motors blow every year, just after they go off warranty and now I have a back window that will never go down because thankfully there is no need to have the back windows working. I cross my fingers everyday when I have to roll my driver side window down to swipe my badge to get into my complex or to pay a toll. I am afraid that it will not go up and that I will be forced to drive, in the rain as I have done, immediately to the nearest dealer to have him pull the window back up and then say " you need a new motor".
Did I buy a lemon or is this the norm with the electronics in the Volkswagons? Whatever the case I will NEVER buy another Volkswagon product again which is a shame since the Passats are really great looking!
I did also and so did "myvwlemon"
Go see his site!
Previously, I had an '85 Jetta GL (gas). I put 225,000 miles on it with what I would consider "normal" maintanence and repairs. It was a great car. I think the new one is quite a bit better. The only gripe is in finding good service from dealers.
I have the LUX package so I have power windows and moon roof. I just received the annual Consumer Report on cars: it lists the Jetta as average maintenance. There are far worst car and far better cars listed in their report BUT ALL CAR BREAK. The report I believe is very representative of the auto industry in today's world. The days are gone where the old lack of American quality rules the industry. Today it is ruled by the Japanese quality of workmanship. Auto companies around the world know if the car they build falls apart every time the key is turned they better sell the company off. I.e. Chrysler to MB, Jaguar to Ford. I sit a Japanese car and I think "plastic clone of Europe styling": I sit in a Germany car I think "so this what the Japanese are trying to clone, a good quality driving steel running machine."
So it'll be interesting to see how this Jetta pans out. It took me a long time to decide which vehicle to buy, and I spent many hours here looking at posts. This is a great site and many thanks to all who have posted. The information was invaluable.
Please register and add your problems to the bulletin board. This board is only for problems with VWs. My 99 Jetta VR6 is a nightmare!!!
HELP.
lhedenborg@aol.com
MY most trouble free VW was from VW do Brasil...and that is where VW is moving production for the Golf in the near future. The good news is that this plant will be geared toward the US market and we will finally have a wider variety of Golfs with more options to choose from.
Bruce
Your host, Bruce
Has anyone ever had this problem and if so, what is the solution? I would really appreciate the help!
Thanks,
Dennis
I would also recommend to everyone to follow the scheduled maintenance in their owners manuals. Keep the starter oil in for the first 5k and then change maybe every 5k or 7,500. 10k does seem like a lot. There is simply no need to change oil every 3k miles. That is a marketing ploy on the part of oil companies and those who profit from oil changes, i.e. Jiffy Lube!! Look at the TROUBLE FREE miles I've gotten from our Toyotas by changing oil and filter every 5-7.5k miles.
I am disappointed in my fellow Americans for slamming Mexico. Do you think they are trying to build bad cars?? If the VW's coming out of Mexico are of poor quality, it is the parent company's fault, not the result of which country they are made in.
So much depends on who is looking at a car, and their level of attention to detail. I can say mine is very high, and I am amazed by the quality of construction of my Vr6 Jetta.
First of all, the engineering of the Jetta is German, regardless of where the car is assembled. Secondly, Mexican workers are people, just like Germans, Americans or anyone else in the world. Please set aside your bias and prejudice and go see the cars for yourself. "Assembled in Mexico" is not synonymous with "poor quality" or "poor workmanship".
The Jetta I own now is the third VW I have had. It is also the first to be assembled in Mexico. I find it equal to or better than the previous 2 VW's ('77 Rabbit, '85 Jetta) that were built in Germany. The fit and finish is excellent and I have had no problems of any kind.
The TDI engine is simply awesome. It has better performance then the 2.0l and gets mileage in the high 40's. This is an excellent car and I expect to keep it for at least 10 years and 200,000 miles.
Anyway, I pick it up in a few eeks. Hope the gas mileage doesn't empty my wallet.
Thanks for all of the advice in here - made my decision to buy an easy one.
It's been a long day.
I absolutely loved the 1.8T when I test drove it (decided not to even drive the VR6 since it was a bit too pricy). I actually didn't know what it meant to really have FUN driving a car, but man, I certainly found out that day..I've always owned North American cars (Pontiac, Chrysler) so I'm used to cars not lasting more than 5 years without some problems...I was hoping for my Jetta to last a bit longer.
Anyone have any thoughts?
After 6 months and 5,000 miles the Jetta has not been in for anything. The other three cars had some problems after delivery.
I kept the beetle 6 years, 280ZX 17 years and I had the SAAB through 13 years of it's life.
All cars were fun to drive and all cars had things go wrong with them that should not have. All things were fixed. Most fun to drive - SAAB. Most costly to maintain - SAAB.
What I'm trying to say is that your car is a great great car, like many other cars out there. Enjoy it. If and when items fail, get them fixed - for free for the first 2 years. If properly maintained the car should give you well over 100,000 miles and at least 10 to 12 years of solid service.
Most Unreliable 1999 models.
Mercedes M classs SUV
Jeep Cheroke
A Volvo
Ford Windstar
Most reliable included 3 or 4 cars. Only one I remember is a Toyota.