2002 Volkswagen Jetta GL from North America

Summary:

Good for the price, but has me worried

Faults:

The engine light started coming on intermittently at about 5000 miles.

At 7500 miles, I took it to my local VW shop, and they fixed it, saying it was a faulty sensor.

The cost of the visit was covered under warranty, but I'm still a bit worried for the future.

General Comments:

The interior is very comfortable and pleasing to the eye.

I like how the doors shut tightly and the car feels "solid".

The handling is nice on turns.

The manual trans has been pretty compliant to my desires, though there seems to be poor power when trying to go up a hill in reverse (e.g., when trying to parallel park on a downslope).

The instrument panel is well designed and looks great at night.

The base stereo system ain't too bad. Not great, but not too bad.

The cloth seats pick up tons of hair from my dog, some of it so stuck on that even vacuum attachments can't lift it off.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th April, 2004

2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 2.0 4 Cylinder from North America

Summary:

Awesome Car!!!

Faults:

1. The weather stripping around the drivers door was leaking. The dealer adjusted the door and fixed as soon as I brought it in. No problem since.

2. The passenger window fell into the door. I was actually expecting this to happen since I knew several Jetta owners who experienced this. The dealer had me bring it in the very same day I called and fixed it while I waited. On top of that they not only fixed the passenger window they replaced the mechanism in the drivers door as well. No Cost.

General Comments:

I really like the Jetta. It has it's quirks, but nothing ever major. The handling, Styling, Gas mileage make up for any other little annoyances. I couldn't be happier. As a matter of fact while the dealer was repairing my windows I was test driving Passats and Touareg for when I decide to replace my Jetta.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th April, 2004

12th Jul 2004, 20:19

I felt the same way until my car reached 20,000 miles. Almost immediately, at that point, I was at the dealer every week. I have been to the dealer 5 times in the past 5000 miles with engine problems. Twice I have gotten the car home and the next time I get in to drive it, there is a check engine panel light on. It is a fun and easy car to drive, but completely unreliable. I will never purchase a Volkswagen again.

2002 Volkswagen Jetta GL 2.0L from North America

Summary:

This car should have been painted yellow

Faults:

• Computer flashed 6 weeks after ownership. Warning sign was harsh downshift from 2 to 1.

• MIL light on. 5 trips to dealer before problem found... leaking gas cap.

• Leak down pump replaced.

• Auto transmission replacement @ 11,000 km due to leaking seals.

• Auto transmission replacement @ 12,000 km due to leaking seals which caused coolant to mix with oil.

• All cables and linkage for automatic shifter replaced @ 23,500 km.

• Car creaks when driving on smooth road... on bumpy roads it sounds like you're popping popcorn!

General Comments:

Don't buy a newer Jetta!

Let me say that I think I've driven every loaner car @ the dealership.

VW customer service is a joke. The VW reps are worse. Don't get me started about the dealerships. I dealt with 3.

Don't waste time meeting about a "buy-back" which turned out to be an "assisted trade-in". It won't get you anywhere.

I got fed up when the latest problem occurred (ie cables and linkages in shifter replaced) and after they apparently fixed the car, it STILL doesn't shift properly.

We dumped that lemon today.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 11th April, 2004

2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLX 2.8L VR6 from North America

Summary:

A nice blend of luxury and sport

Faults:

I have had the Monsoon stereo speakers replaced in the right front passenger door due to cutting out and making cracking noises.

The driver side window fell into the track and the lumbar adjustment on the driver seat broke.

Sometimes the Tiptronic mode is hard to engage sometimes making a cracking noise when moved over into that mode.

General Comments:

I actually love my Jetta even though I have had a few glitches with it. I bought the car based on its quirkiness and style, not based on reliability.

After 34,000 miles the car feels extremely solid. The engine and transmission are working flawlessly. I haven't had any coil packs replaced because nothing with the engine has failed.

It always withstands the 110 Degree temperatures here in the desert without the temperature gauge ever moving.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th March, 2004

13th Apr 2006, 08:03

I bought a 2002 GLX VR6, it has 64000 miles on it and have not had any problems with it at all. I love the car and if I could I would buy another!