2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 1.9 turbo diesel

Summary:

Average with pretty good mileage

Faults:

Well...almost everything other than the engine.

Let's think: transmission - replaced 2x - reason, yet unknown; computer - replaced once - would not keep "some of programming"; back wheels bearings - went bad at 28000 miles; various electrical parts: antenna, XM unit, trunk latch, window switch, battery, AC control module, brakes pads at 15000 miles... what else?... can't remember now.

In total the car spent about 6-7 months (in time) at the dealership. My wife has one identical, and works like a champ... no issues what soever. Both were bought new, just a few digits apart in the VIN number. Both made in Mexico, La Puebla, I just don't know the day of the week. Mine must have been a Monday after Cinco de Mayo!

General Comments:

Mileage is impressive. I get close to 50-51 MPG on Hwy and about 47-48 in town. It is comfortable, and rides quite well. Reliability is one big issue for me though.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 1st February, 2010

3rd Feb 2010, 00:48

My condolences, it's bizarre how the same year and model car can vary so much. It has nothing to do with nationality, but there seems to be a huge rift between VW's made in Germany and those made elsewhere. I bought a Rabbit/Golf the same year as your Jetta. It's the same car, same engine and components, only a hatchback. Golfs are still made in Wolfsburg, Germany. I travel for a living and have racked up nearly 180,000 miles so far with no issues. I was rear ended by a big bubba truck, and the hatchback still works.

2006 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5L

Summary:

Is it a lemon?

Faults:

So far I have put 26,000 miles on my Jetta since I have had it. Which hasn't been too long.

Calipers had locked up on me, causing my rotators to mess up. Both calipers and rotators replaced.

Front end ball bearing all replaced.

Stereo-CD replaced.

Headlining replaced.

Buttons replaced in the car.

Just recently my car wouldn't stay running; EPC light and engine light stayed on. A faulty valve that has to do with releasing the gas fumes had failed, sending it to the engine, causing it to think it was flooded.

I will never own another VW; my first and last I will ever have.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 19th January, 2010

2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 1.9 turbo diesel

Summary:

I should've, I could've learned to buy American and support the USA manufacturing

Faults:

First problems were head lights. Have receipts for 10 head light replacements.

Second problem was transmission, always felt transmission never shifted properly. At 121,000 miles the transmission blew with torque converter.

Third problem - actually some of this happened before transmission. Problem - called dealer and informed them that the paint on interior window controls peeled off, and door sill rusted out.

Also currently the back trunk is starting to rust (license plate light socket have also rusted out).

Through out 2009 I have replaced fuel filters consistently.

General Comments:

This automobile is poorly manufactured. I still own the vehicle (I'm upside down on the loan - unfortunately). I spent $6047.03v on the transmission. 712.00 is for the labor. The parts were extremely over priced and unjust.

Again, I wish the money would've gone to a US mfg. I learned an important loyalty lesson -- support your fellow countrymen at no matter the fuel savings.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th January, 2010

22nd Jan 2010, 16:46

Why do you think your local auto industry is in trouble? Because your countrymen found it sensible to buy other vehicles that they found to be better. I seriously doubt you'd want emotional and financial grief even from a US car.

Realise that even with Toyota itself having quality problems when they didn't use to, cars now have become very complicated to try to be everything to everyone -- less emission, less greenhouse gases, 0-60 in the speed of light, 30 MPG while lugging the weight of a 3,000-lb/1400kg car with a 5-star crash rating.

I myself worry about what car to buy that won't give problems, but when even the Japanese are starting to wobble, maybe there isn't one.