2nd Feb 2009, 22:34

OK, I bought my 02 Jetta 1.8 Turbo new with 14 miles on it. Within 4 months, it was back in the shop for the "coil issue", and they replaced only the ones that had blown, not all of the them... as they were rationing the part because there were a lot full of cars being dropped off for the same thing. It being my first VW, I kept it up and chalked it up to a fluke.

Since then... it has been in the shop at least 7 times for this issue and others... It was in the shop 4x's last summer for this issue, and it actually sits in the driveway tonite, for an appointment with the garage on Wednesday for the new round of coils. I recommend that you change them all at the same time, you never know when one is going to give out and if your cruising at 70 and suddenly find yourself trying to maintain 30 mph to get off the highway safely, it's an accident waiting to happen.

I've had the front seat heater wire burn a hole in the front seat and my pants...

The drivers side window fell down and is being held up by a 2x4, because I refuse to dump anymore money into this piece of junk. All this because of the cheap plastic clips they used.

The car sat for 2 months while I was away on business, I used it the first day back, ran like a charm, and now on the second day another coil gives out.

I had always thought that VW/Audi was a good car, in light of the above, I would not buy another. This car has been more of a headache than it has been a pleasure.

I've had many cars in my years of driving and have never seen a car literally fall apart around me.

Bummer...

3rd Mar 2009, 14:27

I have a 2003 Jetta 1.8T. I have had it for over a year now and I have been very happy with it.

When I bought it, the car had 74,000 miles on it and now it's up to 120,000.

I have recently had the coils (2 of the 4) go and I just replaced those. This is the only problem I have had so far.

I have been reading up on the issues with these cars, and I keep coming across the same things. People need to learn about their car if they're going to drive it. If you read up on these a little, you would learn that the passenger side seat heater has been recalled and will be fixed at no cost to you, as will the windows. Them falling down inside the door is simply because they are held on with plastic clips. The dealership will replace these with metal clips so the issue doesn't happen anymore.

Before everyone gets on here and complains about the vehicle, they have they need to remember 2 things. ALL vehicles have issues. Volkswagens are generally more expensive to fix than other vehicles, but they are much better running (usually), they're better for the environment and they are great on gas. You are always going to have some give and take.

And secondly, LEARN about your vehicle and see what the recalls are. This can save you a lot of headaches.

The coils are a common problem. HOWEVER, I went to the dealership, bought 4 new coils, it cost me $150 total for all 4. And had them all replaced in about 10 minutes after getting home. IT'S AN EASY FIX! You only need tools to get to the coil for cylinder 4. There weren't any problem with waiting and having the parts ordered. I walked in, told them what I wanted and walked out with 4 new coils straight from Germany.

I don't understand why people are having to have their cars towed because of this problem. I drove mine for a week with it like this. Sure it didn't go great and it was terrible on gas compared to normal, but it was still drivable. There was no towing necessary, I wasn't trapped on the side of the road because of it, and I didn't have to miss any work or rent a car until mine was fixed or anything.

All I can say again is learn about your car people! These are common but easily solved problems. If you learn about them you will save yourselves a lot of headaches. Sorry about the ranting, but I hate to see people on here suffering with problems like these.

1st Apr 2009, 23:32

All I want to say is that I had my fair share or problems with my 2002 2.0L Jetta (coils, transmission, power windows). But I have to say that now it is all fixed, I am back to loving the good old Jetta. I was ready to scrap the thing when it was in the shop, but thankfully I didn't and thankfully it has been out for a long while now!

30th Apr 2009, 17:24

I have a 2002 Jetta 1.8T.

I am on my third Monsoon radio.

Now I have noticed that when I use the heat seat on the drivers side, it gets so hot it has burnt my leg, and the foam under the leather seat is falling apart into little foam particles. The foam particles melted to the carpeting. It looks terrible. I can't believe VW hasn’t recalled this problem. It’s scary to think I could burn to death in my car.

4th May 2009, 14:50

I own a 2004 Jetta GLI (1.8T). I bought the car brand new, and the ignition coils went just after 50k miles. I also replaced a CV joint at the same time.

I have noticed a lot of complaining about the ignition coils from '02 to '04 (especially in the 1.8 Jettas).

I bought a 6 speed because I heard a lot of horror stories about tiptronic.

I have owned a Mustang, Civic, and (gags) an SVT Focus. The VW is BY FAR the best car I've owned. I just hope they get the coil problem worked out. EXPENSIVE FIX!

15th Jun 2009, 13:22

I have a 2002 1.8T. I love it.

It has 135,000 miles on it. I do all my own work minus inspections.

I keep a coil pack in the glove box. You don't need any tools to remove or replace them. except #4. the engine cover can be removed with your car key or thumbnail.

Run the engine pull up on the coil pack and listen for engine sound change. the coil pack that doesn't create a change when pulled up is the faulty one.

Simple.

Got the coil packs replaced with the recall (replaced 2 since).

I replaced the wiring harness overlay ($60.00).

I replaced the timing belt ($145.00).

I replaced the coolant temp sensor.

Got the windows fixed with the recall.

Got the brake light fixed with the recall.

Just replaced the alternator.

135k and brakes are still like new.

Shifts like a dream.

Doesn't eat tires.

All around good car minus the coilpacks.

Get a bently manual and VAG Com. done.