Faults:

Aug 28/01

-Brand new 2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T.

Oct 1/01

-Driver side door handle will not open door from outside.

Oct 5/02

-Front left speaker stopped working

-Brake booster making loud air noises.

Oct 15/02

-Cleaned and lubed sleeve between brake pedal & booster, still noisy

-Rattle from windows when driving.

Oct 22/02

-Brake booster replaced, still noisy.

Nov 6/02

-Replaced both upper door seals and adjusted doors to fit body

-Replaced brake pedal, brake vacuum unit, hydraulic unit.

Nov 14/02

-Replaced brake booster again (hydraulic unit, brake vacuum unit)

Nov 15/02

-ABS unit was leaking - Replaced ABS unit (bleed brake system, add brake fluid)

Nov 21/02

-Fix ASR (Anti-Slip Regulation) unit (reprogrammed 2003 ABS unit)

-Fix console light (poor contact - replaced heater control illumination light)

Dec. 11/02

-Clutch is not disengaging properly - gears are grinding.

General Comments:

This car is great when it's working. Unfortunately, over the past year, I've had to make numerous trips to the dealer for service under warranty. I bought this car because of it's high performance rating, but did not expect such poor reliability.

I'm hoping that the worst of it is over, and that I can get all of these fixes done before the warranty expires.

Faults:

I've had rattles at pretty much all four doors. This started happening about 3000 miles (2 months) after I bought the car. I've taken it to a 3 different dealers, and they haven't been able to fix it. Dealer 1 said they didn't hear it (twice). Dealer 2 said I had too much air in my tires, that didn't fix it. Dealer 3 changed a few door latches, still didn't fix it. I haven't had time to fix it because I need my car (that's why I bought it), and taking it would mean I lose my car for the day.

My rear passenger side window whistles when it is open.

My rear passenger side window hits something inside the door when I open it.

General Comments:

The 150hp turbo engine runs great. It out-accelerates the Honda Accord. I still wanted a little bit more power so I installed an APR ECU Upgrade (chip) and now I have almost 200hp and 245ft-lb. The car runs so fast that it can peel out while moving, without burning up my clutch.

The car handles like an above average sedan. It does have the sport suspension, but I guess the height of the car doesn't help it much.

I haven't had any engine problems yet. I am a pretty aggressive driver and I'm always putting the car to the limit.

Faults:

Car stalled in the middle of a highway. Car rolled to the side of the road.

Car did not accelerate when gas pedal was pushed.

Car hesitated and stalled intermittently.

Child window lock pops up unexpectedly on drivers side door.

Car hesitates as if it were losing power.

Car bucks and then loses power.

While accelerating, the RPM go high and car does not shift and it bangs into gear.

There is a griding noise coming from rear of the vehicle.

Drivers side window fell down into door.

Trunk release button stopped working.

Check engine light comes on a lot.

Brake lights malfunctioned.

Rear cup holders are broken and were never fixed correctly.

Volume control on radio malfunctions.

General Comments:

For a brand new car, this has to be the worst choice. Consumer Reports gave it a good rating and I used some of this information to buy the car. The next year, Consumer Reports took it off of their list saying that there are many problems with it. I wish I could file the for the Lemon Law.