2004 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon 2.0 115hp from North America

Summary:

My first and last Volkswagen

Faults:

The automatic transmission was replaced at 9400 miles. It had been faulty for months.

General Comments:

Transmission problems, clunking, began in the summer of 2004. Many trips to the dealer to complain, but they said unable to replicate the problem. They finally agreed there was a problem in March, 2004 and said they would order a new transmission. Then they changed their mind and serviced the original. Upon return transmission was worse; slippage, clunk, jump out of gear. Back to dealer who finally installed a new transmission.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th March, 2005

10th Apr 2005, 15:44

This is my review. A new transmission was finaaly installed after a year's anguish. One loses faith in a vehicle after such an encounter. We put an end to waiting for the next shoe to drop, bit the bullet, and purchased a new vehicle elsewhere. As I said- "my first and last Volkswagen".

View 27 more comments

2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 2.0 from North America

Summary:

They are getting better

Faults:

Front disc's replaced at 16,000 miles.

Master brake cylinder replaced at 17,000 miles.

General Comments:

I have had this car for 6 months now and I have had some problems with it. The brake pedal was traveling to far until I got pressure from it. The dealership first replaced the front disc's. They were not the problem, they had just warped. The dealership then replaced the master brake cylinder, bled the brake line three times and then said that there was nothing left that they could do. They said that the brakes were operating to Volkswagens requirements. Now when driving only 5 mph and then braking, the rear brakes are making a slight scraping noise, almost similar to the noise pads make when there is no pad left. The only thing is that there is about 1/2 an inch of pad left, and even more so on the front pads. I don't know if it is just that it is cold and they are "cold" brakes, or if the pads need to be resurfaced. The seats also make a clicking noise when accelerating and braking. My friends are always wondering if the seats are loose or something, but they aren't. Besides the one major problem which I had with my brake system, it has been a fun car to drive and own. Everything was covered under the warranty. Knock on wood nothing else goes wrong, as I have seen much worse in other reviews. If you have knowledge about the slight scraping noise the rear brakes are making please right a comment; much appreciated.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd January, 2005

21st Aug 2005, 12:14

Go to an expert "we do brake only" place other than a VW dealer and have them inspect your brakes and have them write up what is wrong, and how much to repair it. You now go back to the VW dealer with that new brake repair estimate. You have them look at the new repair estimate and tell them that you want the brakes repaired under your VW warranty. If they say no, you go back to get the repairs done from the "break experts" and then you go to small claims Court, an easy win. Before you do anything, ask to see the Dealership's General Manager and tell him about your future intentions, if the brakes are not repaired cost free. I have done it this way before, I won.

21st Sep 2007, 20:28

My rear brake calipers failed, requiring expensive replacement of both calipers and rotors.

19th Jun 2008, 22:37

Just purchased 2005 Jetta 2.0 L. with 60.000 km It has a new rotors / pads all around. Brake pedal is spangy a half way to the floor. I bled all brakes. No improvement. Finally I found the flaw: front caliper cylinders retract back as the pedal is released, inner pads get 1/4-1/2 mm away from rotors. It is clear that calipers are faulty: piston too short (for example from another model) or the total distance it too high. Piston has a lot of room to go inside the caliper. I will talk to VW first then check if previous posting recommendation works (about alternative quote).

Mechanical engineer.