Volkswagen Jetta Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • wsommarivawsommariva Member Posts: 157
    Go to www.vwvortex.com, a VW only site and post there. I have a 2000 Jetta also and have no leaks after many many rain storms. Only thing I can think of is that the drain plug is clogged.
  • girlsix_9girlsix_9 Member Posts: 1
    In response to question number 2 about finding an after market CD changer. Have you tried Best Buy? I was having trouble finding a changer for my 91 Golf, I went there and had no problems. Even though you car is ALOT newer than mine you might want to give them a try. Also I got free installation and the changer was $60.00 off original price because I caught a sale. Best of luck. It is a trunk-mounted JVC.
  • tireguytireguy Member Posts: 200
    I have a 99.5 Jetta with 12K miles on it and it doesn't consume any oil. You have a problem which should be attended to. In my area VW dealers are desperate to receive a good customer satisfaction rating and with a little bitching you can usually get the attention you need. That paint does scratch very easily. White scratches in the clearcoat easily buff out with an old wash cloth, but it sucks when the paint just falls off the galvanized body. I always use a pressure washer, and I blew the paint right off my front bumper from the license plate drill holes. The dealer repainted it under warranty, but I couldn't believe how easily the paint came off. Also, the motor is so damn noisy. It almost sounds like an exhaust leak. Two of my friends bought the same car and theirs make the same sound, so I don't worry about it. It's a good car, but I should have known better than to buy a new car in its first year of production. I'll probably trade it for a new one in two years.
  • wsommarivawsommariva Member Posts: 157
    I waited for the 2000s to come out. I have the VR6 that makes no noise. When I test drove it I couldn't tell if the car was on at first. I was used to my 87 SAAB turbo - I knew that was on.
  • tonyantonyan Member Posts: 10
    I had a 95 "anniversary edition" jetta. Biggest piece of junk ever. I couldn't even use AAA anymore without the additional fee. At 24,000 it all went downhill. First no dash lights at all, so driving at night with highway patrol behind you was interesting not to mention not knowing how much fuel was left. After having the dash taken off to fix this problem I was told it was a loose wire. Worked for 2 months, broke again. Then the fuel gage worked here and there. Would fill up and wouldn't register until I drove for an hour. Then once it said I had 1/4 tank left, ran out of fuel. It did this on and off till I traded it in.(made a habit of getting gas even when not really needed)All the door molding fell off. Kept having to have it put back on. Radio button broke. At about 35,000 miles power stearing hose burst. Spent $300 and 4 days in the shop ( had to wait for part). Alternater cable was loose??? Drained battery, wouldn't start and alarm went off. Another $300 or so and no car for a few days since their shop was always full of other VW's. Not to mention 3 sets of brakes that were always special order. Maybe the new ones are better but from what I've been reading it doesn't look any better. After having that car for 2 1/2 years I'm glad its gone.
  • daisytdaisyt Member Posts: 2
    I have bought a new 99 1/2 Jetta VR6. I love it.
    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
  • yeej67yeej67 Member Posts: 10
    Parking on a steep hill...did you remember to engage the hand brake first before shifting the lever into (P)ark.
  • rpalochkorpalochko Member Posts: 2
    As a new and happy VW owner, and someone who monitored this newsgroup for a few months before buying my car, I have a few observations to make. My research indicates that many of the chronic complainers on this forum fall into one of the following categories.

    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.
  • destindon1destindon1 Member Posts: 1
    You're right but you have to admit some
    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.
  • rpalochkorpalochko Member Posts: 2
    And some cars have a reputation for perfection that is extremely overblown. Having shopped many cars it is clear to me that the quality of materials used in japanese cars has slipped considerably.
  • quadnutquadnut Member Posts: 5
    I just bought a 2000 Jetta GLS last week, and I love it. It's my second one. I had a minivan in between that I basically didn't maintain. This one I plan on going by the book. I do want to thank the person who posted the message about checking the oil. I need to add some! It seems like for as many horror stories you hear about certain cars...you hear more happy stories. I think that (as long as you don't have a lemon) if you take care of your car, it'll take care of you.
  • mtownsendmtownsend Member Posts: 26
    #269 of 272: Drivers Wanted? seems like Whiners Wanted.

    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.
  • ramonramon Member Posts: 825
    Hey, this is a forum which respective Jetta owners come to gether to share their problems or issues. And not to mention support provided by owners. If you want to go to a problem free Jetta forum, you can set up a "Praise and worship our Jetta" forum. I'm sure there are many good things about the Jetta to talk about there. I mean, if you go into a forum that discusses about tractor pull, you will most likely find discussions about cross stitch. Make sense?
    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.
  • daisytdaisyt Member Posts: 2
    No, I didn't use the hand brake, although that would have prevented the incidence from happening. If the shift stick isn't all the way locked in PARK, I couldn't have taken the key out. We tried this at the shop, and many other ways to see if it could roll by itself. After reading so many problems posted here, I don't know if I made the right choice buying the Jetta. Oh also, there was a letter in my mail box that stated a recall on a part, which I have to take my car in for repair! How much more trouble could any new car could be?
  • yeej67yeej67 Member Posts: 10
    The correct procedure to park your car, whether you're on a hill or a flat surface is as follows:

    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.
  • yeej67yeej67 Member Posts: 10
    Where are posts #277 to #281. Can someone clarify. Thanks!!!
  • bnormannbnormann Member Posts: 335
    ...a user named robsail has been posting rude, profane comments. They have been deleted by the host.

    Your host, Bruce
  • myvwlemonmyvwlemon Member Posts: 14
    this site tells all!
    myvwlemon.com
    The new Jetta VR6 sucks
  • myvwlemonmyvwlemon Member Posts: 14
  • sylvanalssylvanals Member Posts: 1
    When I bought my 96 Jetta GLS is could not wait to get it out on the road. It blew my Acura Integra away or at least I thought I did until I started having repair problems.
    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!
  • tonyantonyan Member Posts: 10
    You and every other owner has a lemon.
    I did also and so did "myvwlemon"
    Go see his site!
  • davis19davis19 Member Posts: 2
    All I can say is, WOW! Some of you are very pissed off. If this helps. My friend has a 1992 BMW 325i automatic. The other day he went to trade in his car with a 125K miles and the dealer told him the car was crap. His trans was slipping; which my friend knew, thats why he was there, and the dealer offered him $3,200. Hows that for depreciation! Listen everyone, all cars break even a $60K Mercedes. Except there average shop labor rate is about $95. Compared to VW $68 to $72. Even the "Ultimate driving Machine BMW can be crap. So try and enjoy your new cars. As my friend says "If you want to play you got to pay". A little advice to all you new VW owners. Maintain your cars! I am on my 3rd vw ready to purchase the GLS VR6 1999.5 left over. All of my cars have gone over 195,000 miles except for my VR6 Corrado which I recently cracked up going to fast. Not a scratch on me". The VW's make you think you can do anything, so no your limits and enjoy the ride. Besides the blue dash is so cool!! If your not happy you can always buy a Toyota Camery."Boring!!!!!! HEEE HEEEE, HAAAA, that was funny!
  • dan715dan715 Member Posts: 8
    Has anyone had any luck with their Jetta?
  • asfasf Member Posts: 4
    I am having great "luck" with my Jetta. I have a '00 Jetta GLS TDI. I only have 7000 miles on it, so I may have a few adventures ahead. But, so far, this car has been great. The TDI engine has been a hugely pleasant surprise. I bought it for the mileage, and that has been great (48 mpg average so far). But, I have been amazed at the performance. Much better than I could have imagined. I would choose it over the 2.0l on performance alone, even if it didn't get better mileage.

    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.
  • mthikermthiker Member Posts: 14
    I also have a 00 GLS TDI with about 8K on it and I love it. No problems and it goes like a bat out of h... 48 MPG country drive and 51.8 MPG at 75 MPH.
    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."
  • checkerlinicheckerlini Member Posts: 1
    Well,after much research I went and got a 2.0 Jetta GLS. I really liked the 1.8T, but was trying to keep costs down. I've only had the car a week and it's a blast to drive, but on day one I had problems with the car. It turned out the master brake cylinder was bad. The brakes would seize up after driving in stop and go traffic for 20 minutes or so. It's been repaired and it's fine now, or seems to be, but I hope I do not rue the decision not to buy a Honda Civic, which I think is a very fine small car. However, the Jetta is fun and had more safety features, i.e., the side air bags and antilock brakes. I drove an '87 Audi 4000, which I purchased new, till now. That's what I traded in for the Jetta. I really enjoyed that car, but it certainly had its quirks. The gas pedal fell off that car twice. I went through several door handles. The radio and odometer failed after one year and were replaced I had the valve cover gasket fail and had oil all over the manifold. I never got more than 2-1/2 years out of a battery for some reason, and I'm not big on driving with the AC on, even here in Houston. I love open windows myself. But, hey, I did enjoy the car, and the window lifter on the driver's side did not fail till after 11 years of driving.
    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.
  • myvwlemonmyvwlemon Member Posts: 14
    Anyone with problems with VW go to http://www.MyVWLemon.com.
    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!!!
  • dan715dan715 Member Posts: 8
    Do you have the 5 speed or the auto?
  • lhedenborglhedenborg Member Posts: 4
    I am thinking about buying a new car and love the new jettas. I would probably get the 1.8T but fear the rumors about VW service and reliability. Can anyone help make my decision a bit easier? Other cars I am considering include a 97 VW Golf GL or a new Honda Civic EX Coupe (boring but can't beat the reliability). Any other sources or magazine articles on VW service/reliability other than Edmunds or Consumer Reports?

    HELP.

    lhedenborg@aol.com
  • wsommarivawsommariva Member Posts: 157
    Discussed at length here and at www.vwvortex.com. The vortex site is a VW only site and you can see why we own VWs. My 2000 Jetta is great and flawless.
  • ramonramon Member Posts: 825
    Then why are you here? hehehehe.....
  • ubrsubrs Member Posts: 2
    I own a k2 with 21,000 miles on, and the car is been pretty good, no problmes, but most of you are having problems and I think one of the biggest reasons for this problems is that the Jettas are being built in Mexico, this is not German Engineering is Mexican Engineering. Nothing against Mexico, but come on now!!! I found an Enchilada and a Burrito in the trunk when I first got mine(j.K)
  • mtownsendmtownsend Member Posts: 26
    I had a Jetta, which was built in Mexico. I had no problems at all with the car. My GTI is built in Germany, what a pile of junk. I also had a new Passat also built in Germany, this was repurchased under lemon law with less than 8,000 miles. To anyone thinking about buying a VW, think hard and long, seems to me that you are lucky if you get a good one.
  • bnormannbnormann Member Posts: 335
    VW uses consistent quality metrics worldwide and the Puebla plant has some of the highest scores in areas where human involvement and constant diligence is required, eg. finish quality on paint.

    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
  • bnormannbnormann Member Posts: 335
    The burritos are put there by the US Border Guards, everybody knows that...{%^)

    Your host, Bruce
  • jettainlawjettainlaw Member Posts: 1
    My Father In Law's 1994 Jetta GLS has a problem with the cooling fan. The fan does not turn off! It has been at the mechanic since August 1999. Apparently there is a short and it stays on until it drains the battery.

    Has anyone ever had this problem and if so, what is the solution? I would really appreciate the help!

    Thanks,

    Dennis
  • wsommarivawsommariva Member Posts: 157
    My SAAB had the same problem. Although it happened very infrequebtly. My mechanic guessed it was the relay. Check that out.
  • homey7homey7 Member Posts: 5
    I am very surprised at the number of problems so many people are having with their Jettas. I had my eye on a TDI but now I think I may stick with Toyota. I have a 1989 pickup with 160,000 trouble free miles and my wife has a 92 Toy p/u with 180,000 miles and never a problem. And judging from the post by the guy who works in a parts store, he sees the fewest problems with Toyota and calls VW "average."

    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.
  • ramonramon Member Posts: 825
    I agree with homey7. look at Honda. the civics, accords, odysseys etc are build in US and Canada. But the car's reliable. I think japanease cars are relaibale as a whole. Maybe the climate in Mexico is bad for mfg-ing cars...... too polluted. =)
  • ramonramon Member Posts: 825
    Nah, i take the last statement back after realising where the cavaliers and sunfires rolls out. teehehehehe.... It's the individual company's QC. Oh, is there any recall for 2000 Jettas?
  • silver123silver123 Member Posts: 3
    I have a Jetta VR6. I'm tired of reading posts from ingorant people about the build quality of the Mexican cars being poor. I have a perfectionists eye, and I applied it to my new VR6. I was stunned by the outstanding build quality in a car this price. The body panels align perfectly, and their tolerances are very narrow. The interior panels and pieces fit together as good as any BMW I've been in. I decided before I bought this car, to give my friend's 98 Civic the same kind of perfectionists eye and was reminded why the Jetta appealed to me more. Her Civic had both inner door weather strip/plastic mouldings improperly assembled - leaving large gaps where you could see the clips that were supposed to mate them. The passenger's side door was misaligned and came out at the top by about 1/8". The body panels, particularly around the bumpers did not align well. She has a bad rear shock at 24,000 miles (warrenty work) and reverse occasionally grinds when she lets out the clutch.
    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.
  • gregj777gregj777 Member Posts: 67
    Here here... me too! So much so that I am scared to treat the dash with anything like Armour All.... the interior materials are very well made and I want to protect them...the dealership said just wipe it with a wet rag....but I had already put some on one area before I asked, so I may have to go over the rest of the dash with it to make it look uniform.. just a small amount, this once, hopefully won't hurt.
  • asfasf Member Posts: 4
    I must second Silver123's comments on the build quality of the Jettas assembled in Mexico.

    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.
  • lhedenborglhedenborg Member Posts: 4
    Went in to test drive the VR6 but ended up buying the VR6 - what a machine, so smooth and powerful. What's the deal with the myvwlemon.com guy? He is really pushing hard (advertising) his site all over edmunds.com. I know he is trying to give us the full picture but come on.

    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.
  • lhedenborglhedenborg Member Posts: 4
    I meant "went in to test drive the 1.8T but ended up buying the VR6".

    It's been a long day.
  • mprimusmprimus Member Posts: 2
    I've been checking these postings for a little while now and it seems to be a mixed bag in terms of problems...some people have tons and others none at all. I'm going to pick up my new Jetta 1.8T on Tuesday (I'm sure you Jetta owners out there know how excited I must be!) and I was wondering if anyone out there has or had heard of any potential problems.

    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?
  • wsommarivawsommariva Member Posts: 157
    I've owned 4 cars. 74 beetle, 80 280ZX, 87 SAAB 900 Turbo and 00 Jetta GLS VR6.

    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.
  • wsommarivawsommariva Member Posts: 157
    Just saw this on last nights news.

    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.
  • jackmurphy2jackmurphy2 Member Posts: 2
    All of the responses I've been seeing have been regarding base Jetta models from 2000, the Diesel model, or models from past years. I recommend you upgrade to the 2000 GLX VR6. This car is fast and sharp! Another $4000 is worth it.
  • ramonramon Member Posts: 825
    Well with that kind amoney, u can easily brin gthe 1.8T jetta to 250-300hp range! so screw the vr6 if you like to tune your jetta!
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