2002 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Wagon from North America

Summary:

Runs very nicely, but fragile and many problems for 6 years old

Faults:

R side passenger window just fell into the door! I understand that there is a recall for this problem... I am the 2nd owner, but first owner didn't have window problems. PLEASE ANSWER THIS QUESTION: Does anyone know if I can go to the dealer and have this fixed under recall? Thanks!

General Comments:

Generally good, although many small recurring problems.

Spring fell out under passenger seat.

Punctured oil pan (on a rock in dirt road) caused death of turbo unit (VERY expensive)...

This car rides far too low, and feels too fragile for normal use.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 5th July, 2009

2002 Volkswagen Jetta GL 2.0 Liter from North America

Summary:

How is Volkswagen still in business?!

Faults:

Everything... or so it feels like.

The turn signals don't turn off sometimes.

The A/C will turn the locks on sometimes.

The transmission shifts roughly sometimes.

The transmission shifts roughly most of the time.

The transmission decides not to engage.

The transmission work perfectly! Sometimes. Repeat cycle.

The turn signals are still blinking.

Now the locks won't go down.

At least the people around me know I am going left!

A/C stopped working, oh, never mind, it started working again.

Sounds like everyone else whose review I have read. This has all happened in the last 900 miles.

General Comments:

The Jetta was a nicely appointed alternative (or so I thought) to the Cobalt. At least it looks nicer.

I bought the car with ZERO of the above problems, and about a gas tank later, they ALL started happening, and haven't gone away since.

Gas mileage, power and overall lack of reliability have totally destroyed this very short owning experience for me. After owning my second VW Jetta, I will never go back. I don't understand how anyone who owns these cars can stand them. 3 weeks is about enough to make me want to drive it off a cliff.

23 mpg sucks. It's a 110 hp engine, my motorcycle has more power than that!!

Electrical bugs everywhere, it makes me wonder if the car is going to become possessed.

I hate it, I will never look at another VW again, this is the second VW that has been like this, I don't believe it's a coincidence anymore, especially from looking at all the reviews on this site.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 18th June, 2009

2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLS from North America

Summary:

This car is reliable, safe, and worth the investment!

Faults:

Nothing! This car has been reliable. Over the last 3 years and 50,000 miles I have had no issues. I have had regular oil changes and have changed the tires. All components of the car function properly.

General Comments:

The car has been reliable. I have had no mechanical issues. For being a 7 year old car, it is in EXCELLENT condition. I would recommend this car to anyone! It gets great gas mileage, is incredibly reliable, and safe!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th June, 2009

18th Jun 2009, 02:17

Are you sure you have a Jetta? That doesn't sound like a Jetta. I can't think of a single statement in your review that applies to my 02' Jetta, and I am sure a ton of people on this site would agree. But, hey, I guess a good Jetta is bound to happen at least once right?

15th Dec 2009, 19:16

I have a 2002 Jetta GLS and like the original poster... love it!

2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLX 2.8 VR6 from North America

Summary:

Nightmare electrical issues!

Faults:

What hasn't gone wrong with the car!

Constant wiring/electrical problems from the start!

I've replaced the ignition switch twice, the wiring for the ignition switch the wiring for the AC fuse panel, the wiring harness for the driver side door, etc...

Yellowish goo drips out of the doors on hot days.

Floor mat clips don't stay, most are gone at this point.

Center console handle broke off along with hinges, so the lid just sits on console.

Numerous tail light recalls.

Daytime running lights don't work (another electrical issue of course!)

Interior peeling (black coating on console and part of dash).

My latest issue that I'm not fixing... I'm getting rid of the car...

I'm driving down the highway last weekend and out of nowhere smoke starts coming from the steering column. So I pull over and the smoke stops. I took the car to the dealer yesterday and they well me that the wiring in the steering column is fried. They can't tell me why of course... but they tell me that something over heated and melted the plastic sheathing on the wires. Nice eh! My telescoping steering wheel stopped telescoping about 3 weeks ago... maybe this melted too?! (laughing) You never know with VWs and all their wiring/electrical issues.

Anyway, long story short... it's over $1,000 to fix it, and even then the dealer always says but there could be another issue, so this may not fix it. I'm done. I paid the $150 for them to tell me what was wrong, had them put is all back together not fixed (they stressed this was very dangerous with the exposed copper wiring that could catch fire at any time) and went on my way. I can't sell it in this condition so I am trading it in. I only owe $1,500 on the car and with 112K miles on it, I am not going to put another 1K into it.

General Comments:

It's too bad... it was a fun little car with lots of go.. but the ongoing electrical issues and the dealers that will never give you an honest answer... I am so done with them. I will never buy another VW... EVER!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 3rd June, 2009