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VW Jetta Sportwagen

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Comments

  • majongmajong Member Posts: 1
    YES!!!! Our car is at the dealer now and they are telling us it's going to cost $450 to replace the "faulty mechanism" in the passenger back door. Our warranty has expired but they admitted it's due to a faulty mechanism. We are waiting for the service manager to call us back. We experienced the very same thing with the driver's side door a while back (we've had the car now for a little over 2 years) and it happened periodically. I'm furious that they are suggesting we cover this cost when it seems to be a common problem in certain vw models. I suggest you speak with your service provider about it so when you're warranty expires they have documentation that this is a pre-existing condition.
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    edited November 2010
    You are funny - this has been a "preexisting condition" in VW / Audi for over 10 years.... welcome to the club.

    With my wifes 2003 Jetta, we have to use the key inserted into the drivers door to enguage/disenguage the locks and alarm. It is farrrr cheaper than having it 'fixed'.

    It all started years ago after the drivers window was left open and there was a summer thunderstorm. The drivers-door lock has never been the same since.
  • wear1wear1 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2010 SportWagen TDI and there is a rattle in the dash on the passenger side when I reach 70 miles per hour (unless the weather is warm when it will do it at lower speeds). I've taken it in twice to have the dealership try to fix it with no success. The last time they said they adjusted the glove compartment door. It sounds like it's coming from behind the glove compartment. Anyone had a similar experience and had any luck determining the cause and, hopefully, the fix.
    Thanks!
  • varjohaltiavarjohaltia Member Posts: 1
    State Farm charges me basically the same for a 2011 Sportwagen SE than they did for my previous 2002 Mazda Protege 5, with comprehensive coverage on both. The Sportwagen was considerably cheaper to insure than the Honda Fit, for example.
  • lcw1lcw1 Member Posts: 36
    Purchased a 2011 Jetta TDI Sportwagen auto one month ago with sun roof as the only option.
    After months of studying and test driving cars it come down to the Audi A3 TDI, Gulf TDI and Jetta Sportswagon TDI. The Audi was a real pleasure to drive but the price tag of 32,500 was a bit over the top especially when a comparable Golf TDI could be had for $8000 less. Another turn off with the Audi are the leather seats since there was no other option. The hardest decision was choosing between the Golf and the Sportswagon and it took over one hour looking at them side by side before deciding. I come back from 1000 miles HWY trip carrying 2 passengers and traveling the speed limit at 70 mph and using the AC. The gas mileage come to 41.5 mpg while on cruse most of the way . Driving at 60 mpg around town netted 42 mpg. So far I drove the car a bit over 1800 miles and coming from the likes of Toyota Tundras and Chevy conversion vans I am pleasantly surprised with the comfort, handling and especially the mpg.
    Should I expect better gas mileage going forward? Most of my driving will be in Florida with 10% city and 90% hwy at 60 mph or less .
  • karlkraskarlkras Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2011
    Why have the VW engineers not been able to figure out a better system for managing the rear head rests? Maybe I'm going out on a limb here, but it's a pretty good bet that those purchasing a sportswagen are probably going to want to fully flatten the rear cargo area on occasion. In such cases you have to remove the head rests... I tried this just now and have failed. Frankly I don't have enough time to futz around with screwdrivers and really don't want to risk damaging anything because I'm not smart enough to figure the darn thing out...
    Got the two main rests removed, but the middle one won't budge (or I'm afraid to yank on it any harder) so I'm just going to lay it down normally and forgo laying it flat for now.
    Why is it that the folks at Chevy can figure out a simple hinge locking/unlocking design that simply allows the head rest to unlock and flop forward (without removal) in such a configuration, but German engineers can't seem to work it out?

    Other than this, it's a great car... but come on.
  • dartmodartmo Member Posts: 1
    Thinking of buying a 2011 or 2012 JSW TDI, but am concerned about the issues with the fuel pump and extensive damage. I saw that there was an investigation into a possible recall on the 2010's and 2009's. Has this been resolved at this point? Any concerns about similar issues with the new models?
  • jfdsccmjfdsccm Member Posts: 8
    I am new to this forum and looking for a small wagon. The JettaSW has a lot of positive characteristics. But the local dealers only have the TDI. Although the better MPG is positive, the higher price for diesel and that I only put 7000 miles per year makes me wonder if the TDI is worth the extra $2500 compared to the SE. Any thoughts and help would be appreciated.
  • eliaselias Member Posts: 2,209
    IMHO you are right to avoid the diesel with such low miles per year.
    Diesel fuel costs the same as super unleaded around here, and provides almost double the mpg, but with only 7000 miles per year i would go gas. I might even go gas HOG with such low miles per year.
    The VW dealers can procure the exact gas model you want with exact options, but depending on various factors, you might have to wait a couple weeks for it - or maybe months in the worst cast.
    If you put down a deposit it is fully refundable until you actually take delivery.
    best wishes!
  • stevesantagatstevesantagat Member Posts: 1
    I would recommend all of us who have problems to post it on youtube and facebook and all social media sites. Otherwise, we will not be heard.
    My 2010 TDI has had the following issues, none of which were due to driver error:
    1. Standard transmission problem; 3rd gear hiccuped at 1800 rpms
    2. AC hose blew
    3. ECM had to be replaced
    4. Radio had to be replaced.
    5. Sunroof stayed open and would not close
    6. Condensation problem and recall part must be installed.
    7. Cruise control does not work.
    * the car has been to the shop more times than I care to mention but I will, close to a dozen.
  • krd1155krd1155 Member Posts: 9
    the turn signals on my 2006 jetta tdi used to stay on for 5 or six 'clicks' when it was depressed just long enough to engage the signal (i.e. signaling for a lane change). for some reason that feature doesn't work anymore. has anyone else had this problem?
  • eliaselias Member Posts: 2,209
    my 2006 tdi always did that too. some new chevys do it.
    for your case, probably the turn signal relay.
  • bruser2bruser2 Member Posts: 1
    I have had the exact same problem. The dealer has spent a lot of time hunting for the source. The vehicle is there now getting the fuel line recall performed which adds buffering to the fuel lines to stop the vibrations. I'm hopeful this finally solves the rattle.
  • marcodaspoletomarcodaspoleto Member Posts: 1
    The rattle seems to be coming mostly from the dashboard air outlets? kind of like a small animal trapped trying to get out?.

    That's the noise i've noticed in my 2010 tdi sportwagen. It is actually the CD player shifting...or whatever it's doing while the keys are in the ignition.
    The motor does not have to be running.
  • tnt2k03tnt2k03 Member Posts: 3
    Hello All,

    I bought a 2012 TDI Sportwagon a month ago. The first day I drove it, and noticed that the temperture control did not remember the setting the next morning.

    I live in cold area, and normally turn the heating level all the way up leave it there. In the morning, I start up the car and let it warm up, but this car's heater will never get warm up inside car unless, first I have to turn on the fan and turn the heater, or tempurature control nob all the way down and up and again for it to get warm.

    Not only that, sometimes I drive and the inside the car gets hot, so I turn off the fan and only let the fresh air come in from the outside, for a while, there is no heat. Again, I have to do the same like I mention above, in order to get heat inside the car. I don't know if this is a flaw in the design or something wrong with the car. I called the customer car at VW, the person on the phone could not tell anything. I haven't talked to the dealer where I bought the car yet. I try to get some information about the problem before I talk to them.

    If anyone knows or had the same problem please let me know. If it is the way it was design, that would be so inconvenient. I wanted to install a remote starter to warm up the car in the winter, but this is not going to work. Many thanks in advance for any in put or information.

    Best Regards,

    Tung
  • eliaselias Member Posts: 2,209
    hello Tung,

    Congratulations on your new TDI , I bet it is a blast to drive. That's the way to warm it up too , to drive it... But of course, driving with a frosted window (or a pile of snow on the roof) is ill-advised and illegal.

    VW has included an electric heater for defrosting the windshield - it will turn on when outside temp is >80 - also it may be mandatory and/or wise to use 100% defrost position if any frost on windows. It does not get super warm but it does defrost enough of the window within a couple minutes.

    The temperature control (digital controls as well as manual, if available) *should* remember the heat setting, the number dialed into the electronic control. If it does not remember, then it is broken and dealership will fix it, end of story, no wiggle-room. However the other aspects you describe are not really fixable, they are design aspects as you astutely suspected; they are the same reason the vehicle gets fantastic mpg.

    My experience is with 4 TDIs from 2003 -> 2006. I understand the new ones are similar in with regard to HEAT IN THE CABIN or LACK THEREOF at crucial times such as mornings when my driveway was actually colder than the day's high-temperature on Mars.

    In super-cold climates, my jetta/NB/jetta-wagon would NOT warm up without driving it a *bunch* and HAMMERING IT on the highway. That happens to exactly fit my driving style, but my TDIs remained amazingly slooooow to warm up.
    Advice: Do not over-rev but keep the engine in a lower gear if you must to keep it warming better. Turn on every heating element. Crank rap music with the bass turned all the way up. Do whatever it takes to draw current and make the engine/alternator work. But don't max the fan too soon! The defroster-electric-heater has massive current draw too - it will run automatically with controls as above, until coolant reaches certain temp.

    My 2005 Passat TDI was heavier/bigger-engine and warmed up a bit quicker. 10 minutes instead of 15. Either not quick enough for my preference. It will cool down in cold weather idling in traffic. This is a fact of the diesel engine's efficiency, less "waste heat". Also you have observed correctly that in frigid weather the only way to get the engine to warm up a *little* at idle is to turn on every electrical accessory, especially every heating element, and to ensure the built-in electric heater is operating (put temp knob >80 , defrost-only position if any frost on windshield).

    Especially without a garage, a diesel engine in cold climate can be troublesome and cost you time every morning morning. And the bunwarmer "option" in the seat is not truly optional in cold climates. It's good to have, but in the end it can results in part of body being way too hot and other parts being way too cold.

    There are electric oilpan & other heaters that can pre-warm the oil/coolant/block. One type is a "dipstick heater". I think can be added without much trouble but not sure of dealer warranty. And not sure if running a 3prong heavy duty extension cord is your idea of fun. Costs more time and PITA. But if you google to fred's tdi club you can read about the heater options.

    After 400k on diesels, none with add-on heaters, I do appreciate the heat now by driving gasser Cruze 6-spd in winter... So one of the best things about it has just the right amount of 'inefficiency' which gives it a "lousy" 34 mpg instead of 44 mpg (or more) for a TDI. Yet still strong enough (barely) for real highway acceleration & speeds. It is warm in less than 2 miles of rural road on my commute - miles before I reach highway. With the TDIs, they would not get *hot* until >10 minutes of highway driving the highway. On the coldest days it would take TDI 15 minutes or more of highway driving to get to full/optimal engine temp. Noticeably worse mpg at the cooler engine temps too... But always way better mpg than the similar gasoline vehicle.

    Best wishes & Stay Warm!
  • tnt2k03tnt2k03 Member Posts: 3
    Dear elias,

    Thank you for your advice and very detail explaination. I think my heating control is broken. It does not remember the setting when the fan turn off for awhile. I will need to bring it to the dealer. Other than that, the car runs fantastic. This is my first diesel car, and I can hardly tell it is diesel. It runs very much like the gas engine with 50 mpg on the high way. Thanks again for your help. Have a very Merry Christmas.

    Best Regards,

    Tung
  • eliaselias Member Posts: 2,209
    Thanks Tung and you are very welcome - Merry Christmas!
    I hope the warranty service is top-notch like the local VW dealership to me. Let us know your results and enjoy that 50 mpg.
    To find some warmth, you can drive from Boston to Jacksonville with just ONE refueling like I did *many* times in a VW TDI.
  • elady51elady51 Member Posts: 1
    I just purchased a 2012 TDI Jetta Sportwagen and so far I'm in love with it. First time I've had heated seats in a car. Such a relaxing feature after a day at work. :)
    I switched from Liberty Mutual auto insurance after they quoted me $117 per month, an increase of $35 a month on the 2005 Sienna/2000 Impreza combo we were insuring. There was no other explanation than minivans are cheaper to insure than cars. That's after I got a booklet from Liberty saying that the Jetta has an overall better safety rating than my Sienna did. HMMM. Anyway I hooked up with Geico, monthly payments will be less than half of Liberty's. They had a really cheap add on for Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI). Now I'm wondering if I should cancel the extended warranty to 7 years 100,000, I bought for just over $2,000. Anybody have thoughts on this? The MBI coverage is only about $34 a year extra with a $250 deductible. Bumper to bumper coverage on anything but routine maintenance.

    Now I'm just hoping that taking the rear wheel off our tandem bicycle to fit inside the Jetta won't be too much of a pain. Hoping to avoid that roof rack transport. :)
  • tnt2k03tnt2k03 Member Posts: 3
    If I were you, I would not pay for the extended warranty. The warranty is just a peace of mind. Extended warranty is up the person. Sometimes, you feel safe because you have the warranty. If they sold me the extended warranty on top of the manufacture warranty then I would buy it. You see the first 36 months is already covered by manufacture warranty. If something goes wrong with the car the first year or so you would know it.

    About the safety, I can tell with my personal experience. I like mentioned at the top of this thread. I bought the 2012 Jetta Sportwage TDI. Well, about 3 weeks ago, someone rear ended to my new car at the speed, probably 50 mph. Totally damaged the back of the car all the way to back seats. My two sons sat in the back seats. They were ok without getting killed. The car absorbed most of the impact energy. We were very lucky that we didn't get killed by the accident. The vehicle that hit my car was toyota 4 runner. So, my new car is now being repaired. I will be driving a new car with a history of accident. I don't like it when I think about it. Enjoy your new car. It is a very well built car, and good luck.

    Best Regard,

    Tung :cry:
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    Don't forget to claim diminished value on the jetta. It is worth several thousand less after an accident. Same thing happened to a relative and they got "
    $2000 for diminished value.
  • ggeeooggeeoo Member Posts: 94
    Yes, does yours have the big sliding glass roof and the luggage carrier.
    The radio that takes the flash drive. The Blue tooth phone? I got all this in
    Southern Calif 2010 at CapoVW fo 26,500.00 :)
  • ggeeooggeeoo Member Posts: 94
    It is wonderful. On rainy days it makes the interior of the car light and Cherry.
    My wife does not like strong sun so the automatic sun screen is marvelous.
    It reminds me of the 21 window VW Bus of the 1969 but the TDI has VAROOM!! I bought standard cross bars online Rack.com 69.00 I carry my Kayak and my Sea Snark on top no problem. It nice to look up and check. :)
  • ggeeooggeeoo Member Posts: 94
    Go to your VW Dealer ,GET the TDI. I am of the opinion b/c gas is hard to come
    by the GAS station are blending the gas and getting lower MPG. If you keep the Car invest in a set of Nokian Entyres these are quiet and improved my MPG by 10 MPG no joke. If you drive SNOW get the WR.
  • ggeeooggeeoo Member Posts: 94
    Get the TDI you will visit the Fuel Station 1 month vs twice a month. :)
  • ggeeooggeeoo Member Posts: 94
    I live in Newport Beach Ca I drive 7 hours to Tempe AZ to visit my daughter.
    I can make it on 3/4 of a tank. I drive using cruise control at 65 MPH. I also installed Nokian Entyres the give me a additional 10 MPG. My car has 26,000
    miles on it oh what I ride . Don't you love the radio with the flash drive slot.
    How about the 110 outlet. :)
  • ggeeooggeeoo Member Posts: 94
    This is not TRUE. FIRST move the front seats all the way forward. Then release
    the back seat split fold them down with the HEAD RESTS still attached. Move the front seats where you like them. You can store stuff in one hidden chamber and one just above the tire. You can put 8 foot surfboard and a angle. :)
  • ggeeooggeeoo Member Posts: 94
    In my youth Diesel was far cheaper that GAS. When this economy comes back gas will be more than Diesel. Gas in Santa Domingo is 10.00 per gallon diesel is cheaper. Get ready America. Diesel has other features God Forbid a crash happens gas catches fire easily Diesel does not. Now in Newport Beach Diesel\
    is priced the same as mid grade Gas. Get the TDI you be driving it for the next 10 years.
  • ggeeooggeeoo Member Posts: 94
    I used to be a outside sales for Xerox I put 50,000 miles on a Car. I wish somebody offered something back then like the TDI. I had four kids so the Oldsmobile Station Wagon was my choice MPG was maybe 13 MPG but gas was 50 cents a gallon. The TDI on cruise control is 50+ MPG even though your not paying it your manager might keep you if you spend less. In addition VW
    TDI has a great crash test rating. Gas can catch on fire easier than Diesel.
    Obviously Diesel is no problem on the HWY because all the Trucks use it. Your
    teenage daughter that needs to charge her cell phone will love the 110 outlet.
    You can shave with your electric shaver or the wife can blow dry her hair after
    that impromptu swim in the lake etc on your next road trip. At XMAS the tree fits in the wagon. :)
  • eliaselias Member Posts: 2,209
    edited April 2012
    gggeeeooo, VW probably *did* offer you the Diesel Dasher (!) back around the time when you were an outside sales rep for xerox in your 13 mpg oldsmobile ! (1980s?). or if it was the 1970s, there was always the microbus :} .

    TDIs are great for driving 50k per year - I can vouch for that - saved me thousands in fuel costs yearly for a decade or so...

    ps - good luck with that blow-dryer in the car's 110V outlet...
  • cosmocosmo Member Posts: 203
    Another solution is to wipe the headrest posts with a paper towel soaked in WD-40. The posts are tight when new, and the WD-40 loosens them up so they slide up and down easily. I carry a small screwdriver (smaller than the one in the VW tool kit) in the glove box for occasions when I want to fold the seats flat. I just stick the screwdriver in the release slot (it stays there without holding it) and pull out the headrest. It also makes it easier for rear seat passengers to adjust the headrests.
  • carteachcarteach Member Posts: 179
    I usually drive an AWD wagon. Wondering what experiences any of you have had with this car in the snow or slippery conditions.

    Thanks for your input.
  • cosmocosmo Member Posts: 203
    My experience is that the VW FWD TDI's with ESP and studless winter tires are superior to AWD rigs with all season or mud and snow tires on ice and snow. In the past eight years my greatest challenges driving Cascade Mountain passes in blizzards has been getting around the AWD and 4WD SUV's and crossovers that get stuck going uphill or end up in the middle of the road after spinning out. Studless winter tires mounted on winter steel wheels are less expensive than an AWD option, and the FWD versions of almost all models get better fuel mileage than the AWD versions year around. Of course, an AWD rig with studless winter tires and traction control and stability control would be optimal for winter conditions. But who drives in snow and ice all year long? We've owned two 4WD SUV's with stock all season tires, and I would chose any of the 3 VW TDI's we have owned over either SUV in a blizzard. I have chosen to invest in the studless winter tires for traction in the winter and still benefit from the better fuel mileage throughout the year. I have driven Audi Quattro's, and I appreciate the improved handling AWD provides on most road conditions, but I don't drive that aggressively anymore. By the way, before the advent of traction control and stability control, FWD Audi's were found to outperform AWD Audi's in cornering and braking on ice. The Quattro's were better at accelerating and hill climbing on ice. Would I trade our Jetta TDI Sportwagen for an AWD version if VW made it? Nope.
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    I concur. I have studless snows for all three of my vehicles and much prefer it to AWD with regular all seasons.

    It is amazing how few people realize that for every uphill there is a down hill and for every acceleration there is a deceleration. AWD does nothing for you most of the time. On top of that not being able to stop is much worse than not being able to go. 4 snow tires help you all of the time, not just some of the time.

    Of course if you run snows with awd you have the total package - congrats. I would still prefer fwd for the added economy.
  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    If the roads are icy, the only thing that helps is knowing how to drive on it. Those Alaska troopers seem to do fine with rwd and snow tires. Skill, technique and experience are a factor few factor into the equation , hence all those awds' in the ditch.
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    I concur with the lat couple appenders. *MOST* people do not need AWD vehicle.

    Contrary to what the TV ads tell us, on pavement there is absolutely no benefit to having AWD.

    Cars have ALWAYS had 4-wheel brakes, so AWD does nothing to help you stop.

    Also, AWD adds weight, complexity and more moving parts to a car... all of which detract from MPG while adding expense.

    With that said, I live in Vermont and Subaru is the most popular vehicle (perhaps every 3rd vehicle is Subie) Vermont has a lot of dirt (mud) roads which may not even be plowed in the winter.
  • carteachcarteach Member Posts: 179
    So, just to clarify. Are you comfortable driving a FWD with snow tires in Vermont? As comfortable as you would be in a Subaru? I live in CT where we get a considerable amount of snow though not as much as you do. I also have a 1,000 foot driveway.

    Do you drive a Jetta?
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    edited May 2012
    You asked "Are you comfortable driving a FWD with snow tires in Vermont? "

    ABSOLUTELY comfortable! (even without "snow" tires) I learned how to drive on snow-covered roads. I taught my kids to drive on the snow by FORCING them to slide around in empty parking-lots. (I would grab the parking-brake and then let them recover the skid) They have since thanked me several times when they found themselves sliding and knew EXACTLY what to do without any fear.

    My *only* fear on snow-covered roads is out-of-staters who have no clue what they are doing and tend to slide into other cars.

    I will say that the ESP on my VW almost makes snow-driving not fun because it will not slide sideways. The ESP is uncanny at keeping the vehicle from getting into a slide.

    Do not forget that VW has a lot more than you may expect

    ESP - Electronic Stability Program

    Contains all of the following abilities:

    Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
    Anti-slip Regulation (ASR)
    Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)

    These all work together when you accelerate in the snow.

    The EDL system will apply brakes to the wheel which is trying to spin. This forces the torque to the OTHER wheel.

    If that does not work, The ASR will cut the throttle to keep the tires from spinning.

    I can attest that all these fancy systems work together to make driving a FWD VW in the snow very mundane and uneventful. I can dump the clutch and mash the throttle... and the vehicle will simply pull away from a stop smoothly with no spinning of the front wheels...and in s STRAIGHT line.
  • tuckerdogtuckerdog Member Posts: 29
    Just bought a 2013 JSW TDI. My 1st diesel & so far very impressed. Apparently, not allowed to tow anything with the DSG tranny ( although I read that's somewhat bogus, as it's allowed on the same cars sold in Europe ). Planning a trip, so plan to use one of those cargo carriers on the roof rack. VW locally wants about $350 just for the two cross bars that attach to the rails. That seems a bit steep to me. Has anybody tried any aftermarket crossbars they're either happy or unhappy with? I can't seem to find many reviews on these things online.

    Thanks,
    Fred
  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    You can probably google the crossbars and get a less expensive model. Be aware that the load on the roof can seriously affect stability and handling on the interstate. Passing trucks and crosswinds can make things real uncomfortable. I speak from experience using one on a vw golf. They do have light weight trailers that can handle a lot of gear --- that might be an option -- or rent a minivan or pack real light. ;)
  • cosmocosmo Member Posts: 203
    Look at the crossbars that can be bought in a package with car top carriers made by Yakima, Thule, and others. These manufacturers often recommend the use of their own crossbars to assure proper fit. From personal experience, I can tell you that car top carriers, small station wagons, and cross winds make for not-so-excellent adventures.
  • tuckerdogtuckerdog Member Posts: 29
    Thanks for the replies. I already have a small trailer I'd love to tow. Been dragging it along for years behind my '02 Subaru Outback Sport. But worried about the possibility of a warranty denial if I towed it. The Yakima & Thule options are just as costly ( if not more ) than the VW bars. I was just wondering if anybody here had already bought some less expensive aftermarket bars & what they thought of them ( good or bad ).

    Thanks again,
    Fred
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