24th Jul 2007, 07:42

I am the owner of a 2006 VW Jetta TDI and have experienced clutch trouble at 30,000 miles. Like others, I was told that the warranty only covers 12 months or 12,000 miles. I have owned the car 13 months, and mostly have only driven highway miles to work and back. I was told by the dealership that the clutch problem was due to driver error, and that I would be responsible for the $2,063.00 repair. The whole reason I bought the VW was because I was sick of the junk the Big 3 were putting out that would barely last 100,000 miles. What was I thinking?

26th Jan 2008, 17:17

I have had my 2002 Jetta for approximately 10 months - unfortunately it has been the worst 10 months I've ever had with a single car.

The first week I had it, the driver's side door was catching - in other words when I went to open the door, I would have to lift the handle approx. two to three times.

About a month into having it, my key go stuck in the ignition switch. It took me 45 minutes and a lot of crying in my driveway before it came out.

A few months later I had multiple lights go out.

My armrest latch broke entirely off!

This morning I woke up to go run errands and lo and behold my car got STUCK IN PARK! I jostled the shifter, pumped the brakes, rocked the car, let the car sit for a few minutes, prayed to every god and it still didn't move. I finally got on the internet and found the solution:

1. Slam the brake 5 times

2. Turn on the car for 5 seconds

3. Continue holding the brake in and turn off the car

4. Turn the key in ignition 1/4 of the way

5. Slide the shifter in between N & D

6. Start the car.

This does work... I got it home, but will most likely have to get it towed to my mechanic now. A little tip: Don't put the car all the way into D... otherwise the car will not start and you will have to start the process all over.

Good luck!

Anyone know of a really good car that I could trade this in for?

16th May 2008, 10:51

I purchased a new 2006 VW Jetta TDI in Aug. 2006. All of my experience has been routine service according to manual. However, on 5/15/2008 I was down shifting from 4th to 3rd while on an exit ramp and with only 12,164 miles the pressure plate shattered. VW will have to replace the plate with a new and improved version, replace the transaxle, the transmission, the clutch and motor mounts.

Service department reports that they have heard of this kind of problem but have never seen this problem before.

The experience was scary and leaves this owner with a little lack of confidence going forward.

19th Jan 2009, 20:24

I own a 2002 Jetta 1.8T, and looking at the reviews I'm really concerned to trade it with a Japanese car. My Jetta only has 137kms, never had any serious issue. But I been encountering MIL sign. I took it to VW dealership a couple of times, and they would just clear it from the memory. I guess the car itself is not a hassle, but service at the dealership is. Although VW in North America is nothing like the one in Europe. It's mostly got the cheap material from Mexico, but there is no Japanese car of its class which is this smooth and luxurious.

I know all VWs with 1.8T engines, in North America, had recall on ignition coils, brake light switch and seat heater. If anyone never received a recall on these items, your best bit would be to call VW customer service or North America.

After all would say it's a fun car, but VW must improve their dealership services and reduce their sky touching service rates.

7th Oct 2009, 01:49

Wow! I totally agree about the "as is" contract, but stupidly I bought a 2002 Jetta this week without a warranty. I will owe on this car for two years exactly, but I doubt it will make it that long from the reviews I have read.

I have already noticed the driver's side window is broken, the glove box latch is broken so it will not open, the passenger front seat has a hole in it that looks weird because it was burnt (not a cigarette burn either, at least a quarter-half dollar size burn hole), and when I turn the car, I hear a loud scraping noise, which I found out to be black stuff hanging down and hitting the tire when I turn.

Honestly, most of the problems can be fixed pretty easy. The window is going to be fixed for free as well as being cleaned up and detailed. The CD player screen also is messed up; it is readable but kind of blurry. The left brake light is also out.

Many problems on this car, but I did not pay very much for it honestly. Not even the blue book value.

I am a student, and I graduate next year and go in to law school. I plan on trading this car in or paying it off (if it lasts that long) then selling it and buying a brand new car, which will probably be a Toyota like my last car, which was a 08 Yaris that got totaled.

I like my Jetta, even with the problems, but I dread what's probably in the car's future. Maybe someone will steal it and my insurance will pay it off... LOL.

I really want it to last, because I do enjoy driving it, and the heated seats, leather, sunroof and all are very nice.

Good luck to everyone here.

18th Jan 2010, 16:44

After 8 yrs of ownership I finally threw in the towel and purchased a Hyundai. I don't believe I'll ever buy another car with some much built in "technology". The straw that broke this Jetta was paying $1100 for software/electrical problem with the tranny, mechanic said "there is nothing mechanically wrong with it, it's just 2 of the nine sensors that are bad".

Now I'm all about driving a car that goes from point A to point B. If you're looking at buying a 1.8T, take a SERIOUS look at the posts on this site. So many users can't be wrong, or can't all be exaggerating their experiences.

30th Sep 2014, 13:05

What was wrong with the car? I have the same issues. Don't want to be robbed when I bring it in.