5th May 2008, 04:08

Yes I had that turbo shutting down problem several times in 120k miles with my 2002 Jetta TDI 5 speed. I suppose turning off the ignition switch resets the computer and it always worked for me.

Bought it new and in 120k and six years replaced the clutch, timing belt, mass air flow sensor, passenger window lift mechanism and battery.

A pleasant car to drive but eventually grew tired of it so now my Son is enjoying it.

7th Jun 2008, 22:27

We have a 2003 Jetta TDI. Several nights ago, when I turned the lights on, the headlight weren't working right. But in the daytime the headlights work good. I checked the headlight bulbs, and they look good to me. Also I checked the fuses, all are good... So, I had resort to driving on high beam when it's dark. I hate that cars blink when coming toward us. Can you help me?

Many Thanks.

11th Dec 2008, 09:05

Hi everyone driving VW TDIs. I had lots of laughs reading your comments. I had purchased a 2001 Golf TDI in April 2008, it had 99000k's on it.

I have been driving VW diesels for 14 years. I found over the years you must do the regular maintenance on these cars or you will pay in the long run. Give your VW a visual inspection once in a while, check the fluid levels and take care of things right away.

The only problem I had so far was the rear drivers side caliper was sticking and an A/C hose o-ring had failed, causing the freon to leak out. I had paid for extended warranty so these problems were fixed at little cost to me.

The timing belt was supposed to be changed at 96000k, but wasn't done before I bought it. It now has 107000k and the timing belt must be replaced at my expense.

I will never buy another car from this used car dealer. I just took for granted the timing belt was changed. Good thing I inquired about it 7 months later or I would have had a sickening story to tell.

Other than that, I love my VW Golf, which gives me 55 mpg. There's no other car that can come close to that. Hopefully in the future VW will have all the little bugs worked out.

2nd Jan 2009, 15:56

I have a 2003 Jetta and I will never buy another VW, especially a diesel.

I bought this car with 69,000 miles on it, and it had just had the timing belt replaced. I now have 113,000 on it.

Four months ago my car was in the shop for bad mileage. I found out that the intake manifold was plugged with carbon. I cleaned it out. The mileage went back up.

Now the timing belt broke. It turns out a screw in the vacuum pump fell out and stopped the cam. It bent all the valves and lifters.

After a complete valve job, new belts and vacuum pump, I find out I need a computer to time the fuel injector pump. I have over $500 spent on parts and labor (I did most of the work), and now I need to spend 500 more for software and cables.

As soon as I fix this car, it is gone. I have a 1997 Lexus with over 173,000 miles on it that has 1 part replaced on the engine in the 9 years I've owned it. I will be buying another Toyota product, you can bet on that one.

3rd Jun 2009, 12:26

Interesting stuff and quite humorous to date.

I have a 2005 TDI, Jetta it had been running great since I got it in May 2005, other than having to replace a head light roughly every four months there was nothing to gripe about.

I added a Amziol double bypass oil filter, and fashioned ram air intake to increase air flow into the engine, roughly 4 months after I purchased the car. 300 dollars and roughly 12 hours in my garage, and I was able to increase my fuel economy to 52/53 mph.

As I said life was great, but then it hit... Monday at 6:00 am, the O2 sensor light comes on while driving to work. A quick google and I find that it is nothing to really worry about, just get the sensor and over the weekend replace and you are good to go for another 100,000 miles. Well maybe in most people's reality, but not mine.

After driving 58 miles to work, the Jetta just shut down, while getting ready to park. No indications, no idiot lights, nothing just a car that went quieter than a gold fish. After spending $225, to get the car towed back to the house, an inspection of the oil pan contents showed that there was plenty of oil, but I had somehow threw a rod, or bearing. In short, a blown engine. I was hot, I had done more maintenance, and regular preventive maintenance on this Jetta than any other car I have ever owned, and after 150000 miles I have to replace an engine... that truly bites!! I have a Ford with 330000 and a Jeep with 222985 and no problems... the regular preventive has kept them going without costing me an major money... not sure where to go with this one... but probably not another Jetta that is for sure.

6th May 2010, 14:09

I also have a 2001 Jetta TDI, manual transmission, and have practically all the above issues. I found out something about the check engine light though. The glow plugs are in pairs, and both plugs in the pair must be within a tight tolerance of each other, otherwise the light comes on. They work fine when out of tolerance, but the engine light will come on. Once the mechanic figured this out and was able to measure the tolerance, and get the glow plugs set right, the check engine light went out.

14th May 2010, 08:16

It has been humorous to read all of your all complaints over the years. I have a 2002 Jetta TDI, and I too have experienced all these issues except I have not experienced any AC problems, or mass air flow or wipers. All other items are exactly as reported.

I have changed my timing belt at 95K and 190K; it's time again as I have 279K miles.

I do not go to the dealer; I found a local guy who only works on VW's. He is great.

Timing belt & water pump cost about $1100 each time.

Still running on original front brakes and rotors, rear been replaced once.

Glow plugs; one was out of tolerance once and check engine light was on, mechanic fixed, been fine since.

Had to have the carbon cleaned out every 100K so far. I did it the second time myself (not to hard).

Had alternator replaced at 120K miles, and I think its bearing is going up again; its making noise.

The mileage has been averaged out since I bought new at 49MPG.

Plenty of electrical issues, especially with interior lights and door locks.

Rear passenger window rolls down by itself on occasion.

Overall I think I would buy another one as nothing has been really serious, just a lot of small things.