2001 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T

Summary:

A worthless investment of time and money.

Faults:

The main fuse for the hazard lights failed, causing my turn indicators not to work.

My brake switch failed.

I had to replace the rear oxygen sensor.

The ignition coils failed, although they were covered under the recall.

I had to have my software upgraded after the ignition coils were replaced.

I had carbon build up that affected how the car performed.

Multiple valves have been replaced.

The mass air flow sensor failed.

General Comments:

When we were shopping for a car, I knew exactly what I wanted. But now, I know I should of shopped around a bit more.

The car drives beautifully.

The heated seats are great.

And that is where the positive comments end.

The car has took me on endless trips to the dealer.

I tell anyone and everyone to never invest in a Volkswagen.

I have more problems with a 2001 Volkswagen than I did with a 1979 Volvo 264 GL that repair shops told me was Volvo's only mistake!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th December, 2004

18th Dec 2004, 12:35

It's not the only bad apple, buddy. My 2001 Jetta is a pile as well. The engine is so weak my little hatch could beat it (I tested this thoroughly), and it's 19 years old!

If anyone wants a Jetta, make sure it's a VR6 or a TDi; and it better have a 5 or 6-speed transmission, because the automatic shift is terrible and makes the car very sluggish.

It doesn't matter anyways, because the car lacks any passing power whatsoever, the electrical system is horrible, and replacing parts is the biggest hassle ever. I have to drive at least 50 miles from my place just to find the nearest parts dealer, and the parts are VERY expensive. I would have had to pay around $120 just for a BATTERY CABLE. I ended up fabricating my own after seeing that price. Just replacing a headlight bulb took me an hour since the dang bulb was blocked by the battery box. I had to take out the air filter and the battery just to get to the blasted thing.

I actually feel better driving my little GT-S Corolla to work over this thing. My friends prefer the hatch as well. That's sad.

Volkswagen should have just stuck to the tried and true formula and kept making RWD Sciroccos and Beetles, as they were actually freaking reliable when you needed them to be. Yeesh.

2001 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 2.0 4 cylinder.

Summary:

Go buy a Japanese car!

Faults:

I have replaced the mass air flow sensor three times. It costs around $150 each time to have the dealer fix it.

The brake light switch has broken three times. That's a huge pain because when it's broken you can't shift out of park, so your stuck.

The electrical system sucks! The lights (Dashboard, tail, and signal lights) are constantly going out. The heated seats went out at only 30,000 miles and cost $500 to fix.

The transmission stopped working at 40,000 miles. Honestly a transmission should be able to go at least 100,000 miles. The dealer replaced it thankfully at a cost to them of $2,000.

The original brakes and tires were cheap and had to be replaced at 25,000 miles.

General Comments:

I have been disappointed with this "fine" German -see Mexican- engineering.

It is costly and time consuming owning this car. We bought it brand new and do regular maintenance and drive like Grandparents, but to no avail things still break.

I do like how it handles though. Steering is tight and it corners well. I feel fairly safe driving it in the snow, (except I worry that mech. problems will strand me somewhere!)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 1st December, 2004

8th Jun 2006, 14:34

Great car for those that enjoy spending thousands a year on maintenance of a fairly new car.