Faults:

Replaced transmission at 6K.

Window in door.

Check engine light on many occasions.

Replaced sensors.

Tail lights always out.

Radio out.

General Comments:

I have constantly encountered problems with my 2002 VW Jetta, and I thought it was my own BAD luck. I am sad, but relieved to hear that others have similar problems.

A few days ago, my radio stopped working. This happened once before, and I brought it to the dealer thinking that none of the exposed fuses were connected to the radio. Upon diagnosis, the dealership, who by the way knows me by name and probably cringes every time I walk though the door, told me that the fuse behind the radio blew. So, I paid them labor and parts to fix it.

Today, I came across this forum and learned that there was in fact a fuse that powered the radio, #42. I did as so many of you reported and took it out, waited a few minutes and put it back in. And, my radio started working again. Thank all of you for posting this information, now I don't need to go to the dealership and have them take me for even more money they don't deserve. It sounds like they should be paying all of us for driving these crappy cars.

Faults:

The Jetta starts out strong when it was newer, but the problems that I've had amaze me. I think it was an omen, when we brought the car home from the dealer, we were meeting friends for diner and the driver side window fell off of the track.

Contacted the dealer and we brought it in for an emergency repair. Dealer told us that the plastic bushings that VW used were under a recall and that metal ones were being used in its place.

Parking for the first time at a parking spot with a parking block was exciting. For you owners, you know what I mean. Get too close and your front bumper will stare at you, when you attempt to back out of your space.

During the warranty period the standard recall items were serviced: engine coils, rear brake lights going out and what ever else VW felt compelled to repair.

The fun part came when after the car was paid off and the factory warranty expired. The complete A/C had to be replaced, a part on the electrical system had to be replaced also, but the part was only available through VW in Canada. The transmission stopped working completely. THIS STUFF I CAN'T MAKE UP, WISH I WAS..

The dealer told us that the parts and labor for the transmission will cost $5,000. When I heard this information I was going to ask Fire Rescue to take me to the hospital.

The saving grace to this VW mess is that we had purchased an extended warranty from VW, when we had intially purchased the car. The warranty costed us $1,100, but VW has spent about $7,200 on parts and labor so far.

The important moral to this story, is if you buy a car that you've never owned before, BUY THE EXTENDED Warranty!!!

General Comments:

Besides the fact that VW is basically rebuilding the car at their cost, the car does look sharp and handles amazingly. The safety features are duley noted. Hopefully VW learned from their mistakes on the 2001-2002 Jetta models and corrected them accordingly. Whether or not I would purchase a VW again, remains to be seen. If it wasn't for the extended warranty, I guess you would know my answer.

VolksWagen statement of "Driver's Wanted" should read, "Driver's Wanted with Deep Pockets"

Rob

Miami.