2003 Volkswagen Jetta GL from North America

Summary:

Great value

Faults:

Check engine light got stuck on once, but there was an electrical problem. Dealer fixed immediately, covered under warranty.

Front headlight went out, dealer also fixed immediately for free.

Placement of cup holder is a little problematic if you switch out CD's regularly.

General Comments:

I love this car! All the problems have been very minor. I live at 8000 ft. with a lot of snow, ice, and cold... and this car does just fine as long as you keep good tires on it!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st March, 2006

2003 Volkswagen Jetta gls 1.8T from North America

Summary:

It's not the least expensive small car, but consider that it's built like an A4, and it costs half

Faults:

No problems.

General Comments:

This is actually our second Jetta. Previously owned a 2000 model with the 2.0 gas engine, and although it was 100% problem free, I always found it underpowered for the type of driving that I do. So I went out and purchased an '03 1.8T with the sport luxury package, winter package etc etc. Now I like the car even more and it has all the things that I wished the first one had: more power, leather seats and nice 17" wheels.

Just don't get VW to service them! VW service is SO overpriced not mention arrogant. I've found an independant VW specialist that performs any required maintenance (which isn't often anyway) for much much less.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th March, 2006

2003 Volkswagen Jetta GL 1.8 turbo Gas from North America

Summary:

If rattles and squeaks are your pet peeve don't buy this car!

Faults:

Rattles and Creaks developed almost immediately, and have continued to increase over time.

Some pieces of interior trim came loose and fell off.

The plastic protector on the rear bumper peeled off.

The sensor that detects coolant level failed.

General Comments:

The Jetta is fun to drive, it is fast and handles beautifully.

The Jetta is compact and easy to maneuver and park.

The rear seat is very cramped.

You cannot fold down the rear seat without moving the front seats too far forward to still drive the car.

The interior is poorly fit, and many of the trim pieces squeak and rattle.

There are many handy features like rain sensing windshield wipers, a trip computer that gives you stats like fuel mileage, outside temperature, miles left on the gas in the car and others.

The digital temperature control is awkward and difficult to read and control.

The heated seats work better than any car I've ever been in.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 22nd January, 2006

10th Mar 2007, 22:35

You can fold the rear seats fine if you take off the headrests which isn't that hard to do. The 1.8T engine has known reliability issues to start with. I used to own a 1998 VW Passat with the same engine and the turbo had already been replaced before I purchased it. I ended up selling the car within 6 months because we were having electrical issues, sometimes the car wouldn't start, and the engine itself just started to feel/sound like it was falling apart.

What happened to German engineering??

2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 2.0L from North America

Summary:

This Jetta is a lemon

Faults:

My car has only 30,000 miles and it is already on its third transmission.

I also had a mysterious electrical problem and had to have the car towed.

General Comments:

The car is fun to drive, but its reliability is very poor.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 6th January, 2006

2003 Volkswagen Jetta GL 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Overall, I would have been better off purchasing a Honda or Acura

Faults:

Passenger seat crank broke.

Warning lights take turns illuminating for no reason, and am charged to have them turned off.

Power Adapter shorted out and the dealer said because I plugged something into it, it was my fault it broke and they wouldn't cover it under warranty.

Speed needle fluctuates from 60 - 65 while traveling on thruway and cruise control jumps and jolts the car. Once again, dealer (different one) decided that there was nothing wrong with it.

Oil pan was punctured, 350.00 to replace.

Driver window fell into door last winter. Dealer said VW would only fix it once, as it was the consumers fault that we tried to open the window in the first place. (Once again, VW placing the blame onto the consumer)

General Comments:

Yes, the Jetta's a cute and appealing vehicle, but they have serious mechanical and electrical problems.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 26th December, 2005