Faults:
O2 Sensor failed, twice.
Mass Airflow Sensor failed, and recalled.
Vacuum Lines/Hoses to just about everything replaced at 30k miles, and replaced again less than a year later.
Emissions Air Pump Wire Harness, failed.
The fuel door release button stopped working at 8k miles, so I called the dealer explaining how I needed this repaired right away, since I can't refuel the car. Dealer told me they can "squeeze me in" for an appointment in two weeks to take a look at my car then. Hello?!?! I had to diagnose the problem myself; it turned out to be a blown fuse.
Headlamps blew out, four times and counting.
Other lights blew out, too many times to count.
Main Drive-belt cracked and started breaking apart after just 35k miles.
Instrument Lights on the climate control panel, burned out twice, dealer can't fix it and now works only when it wants to.
Rear-passenger Cup Holders popped off by itself, three times and dealer can't fix.
Driver-seat Release Latch fell off.
Rear Brake Pads wore out very quick, VW issued a TSB about it, but they won't recall the defective pads.
Dashboard and Door-sill surfaces started peeling off after 3 years, even when the car was garaged at home and at work most of that time.
Various Squeaks and Rattles starting to come from all parts of the car.
"Check Engine" Light goes on so many times, I'm astonished that this bulb of all bulbs hasn't burned out yet.
General Comments:
I bought this Golf because I liked the way it drove. There's nothing quite like a German Road Car... when it's not sitting at the dealer.
This car is positively the most unreliable car (or anything else for that matter) I have ever owned.
I've had more problems with this one VW in 4.5 years than I've had with my other three cars (a Toyota, Nissan & Honda) in their combined 17 years.
The problems were never so bad that they ever left me stranded some place, but it is such a pain taking it in for repairs (not to mention maintenance) all the time.
The sticker price on my Golf GL was $14,995, and came with 2-years free maintenance. Plus half the repairs were covered under warranty and recalls. But even with all that, in 4.5 years, I've spent an additional $1,624 on maintenance and repairs!!!
I will never buy a Volkswagen again...
If I must get a Volkswagen, get two... so you have one to drive while the other one is at the repair shop.
12th Jan 2008, 14:09
I completely agree that VW cannot build a car with a darn anymore. It's funny because I had a 1989 GTI 16v that was an amazingly reliable car. I bought it with 72,000 miles on it and finally sold it with 320,000 miles and it still ran fairly good at that point, but burned a lot of oil.
When I sold my beloved GTI I bought a 1996 Jetta GLX VR6 thinking it would eclipse the GTI in reliability! I thought the Jetta would be the most wonderful car I had ever owned... BOY was I WRONG!!
My 96' Jetta GLX was the WORST, Most Unreliable car I have EVER owned in my life. SO many problems with everything you can imagine, engine, transmission, etc. I finally sold it and it DIED on the guy who bought it from me only 2 months after I sold it. I felt horrible but I did warn him when he bought it of the problems I had and the $3000+ I had put into the car, but we both agreed that it ran find when he test drove it.
This is the worst part, the thing runs GREAT for a little while then MAJOR problems come up with no warning. You could be driving along and BAM! Something just breaks out of the blue and you could be stranded 100 miles from home.
Owning a VW is a nerve wrecking experience. Never again will I own a VW product.