9th Jan 2006, 14:52

Well, I do not agree with the hate you seem to have for the Jettas. I'm not calling you a liar because I believe you; its just that maybe you're a little rough on your car? Maybe not, and you just got unlucky with your purchase. I have a 2000 and love everything about it. Yes, a thing or two has broken, but nothing that isn't expected. And the Engine light thing... Just a suggestion, but you can buy an OBD engine light scanner for cheaper than taking it in to a shop once. I recommend this because they come in very handy. I have a friend who has one, so I didn't even have to buy it :) Well, anyway, look at the positives in the car (Looks, Performance). Don't sweat the small stuff.

15th Mar 2006, 17:57

YEP!!! They steal from me and act like it is "normal". When I took it in to get something fixed, the windows, door locks, lights, beeps and what ever stopped working. When I took it back they tried charging me $100, just to tell me what was wrong. They also told me it wasn't there fault. Now how would they know that if they had not even checked yet. If they are so smart why charge me $100 to tell me it's my own fault. This whole car is a joke!!

16th Mar 2006, 01:21

I completely agree with the guy who got the 98 k2 edition.

I just got a 95 celebrity edition for $500 because a shop redid the timing belt and didn't tighten it, it slipped a few cogs and wouldn't start.

He had it in and out of 3 shops, one regular, one electrical Specialty, and one a VW specialist, in three months.

None of them could get it running, it seems the timing marks lined up on the pulley, but what's this? no mark on the flywheel?

I turned the engine until the flywheel showed the timing mark, and lo and behold the Pulley had slipped it's merry way completely off base, hmmph.

So, I am now a proud owner of one 1995 Jetta III Celebrity edition.

I think VW may have some issues, but a lot of the problems are related to the customer, their expectations, and poor service and support for VW's.

I badly want to be a VW tech, but I haven't a clue where to learn such a thing, the college I am attending has GM, Toyota, and Honda (they even got Honda to donate an S2000 race car that the students prep, not drive) but no sign of VW anywhere.

I hope that the new VW of America president will realize the need for good service in the US, just like he realized the need for a real GTi in America.

Butte Community College by the way, in Butte County, CA.

28th Aug 2006, 13:16

Hmmm...deja vu. You've just described my experience.

I wonder how good I look with the car when it's broken-down on the side of the road.

19th Oct 2006, 01:30

I agree with all the comments. I will never buy another VW. I own a Nissan as well and it never gives me any trouble. My 2000 jetta the dash rattles. Just replaced the battery now I cannot reset my radio. Guess it will need to go back to the dealer.

1st Jan 2007, 10:10

Wow, I have a 2000 GLX with 103,000 miles on it, and it drives and feels like it is brand new. Maybe I'm lucky, or maybe I bought it from the right guy. The previous owner took great care of it, and kept up on things, maybe that's why he hasn't had any major things happen. This is an awesome car, everything you could ever want. I'm in high school, and with the way this car drives, and the great shape it's in I know it will take me through college, and get another 100,000 miles out of it with ease. Its relatively economical, yet it's a german engineered sports car. Everyone envies me, and I have become a die-hard VW/Audi fan.

8th Jan 2007, 06:05

I have had many of the same problems listed previously:

- Engine light that won't go off

- Pealing interior coating

- Won't start after a rainy night or if it does it sputters for the next 10 minutes of driving until it dries

- Windshield wipers stop and start sporadically when in "on" position- This is real scary

- Headlights are not bright enough. High beams are low beams

- Brake lights constantly burn out

- AM radio is weak.

Car does go like a bat out of hell.

8th Jan 2007, 19:30

I have a 2000 VR6 Jetta (since July 2000) and have had about all the issues listed above. I was OK with the windows failing into the doors, engine light on & off, glove box broken, instrument cluster having to be replaced, rear brakes at 30,000 miles, brake light switch problems multiple times, broken cup holders... because it ran great... never had a mechanical problem of any kind. BUT... at 125,000 miles got coolant alarm & I stopped the car within seconds (yes... seconds NOT minutes!) No matter, I still have a warped head and other major repairs to the tune of $1,500-$2000. Don't know exactly... waiting on the repair. Yes it is a fun car to drive... but it has been the most expensive car I have EVER driven & has convinced me NEVER to purchase a VW again.

16th Jan 2007, 15:22

I have a 2000 VR6 as well and can't say I have had any real problems with it to date (almost 7 years old now).

Problems.

- repeatedly broke drink holder (until dealer gave newer model which has been fine ever since)

- broken passenger power window about 3 years in.

- replaced O2 sensor about 4 years in.

- replaced left rear brake light about 5 years in.

- replaced all brake pads at 65,000 miles.

That's it. Car has run beautifully since I drove it off the lot and continues to do so. Suspect battery is near the end of its life now, but after 7 years it's served its time well.

Sorry to those who've had bad luck with their Jetta. Mine has been wonderful to me.

21st Jan 2007, 17:06

Wow, I feel like part of a big community!!!

Today, I'm waiting for AAA to show up and see if they can get the car (beautiful 2000 Black Jetta VR6) started after not being run for less than 2 weeks. This will likely be my 3rd battery... I now refuse to go back to the dealer who have not fixed the problem the past two times.

Plus, I have seen all of the same issues; grease constantly dripping from the doors, broken glove box hinge, broken cup holder, broken console latch, vanity light has been lit for 7 years, the window mechanism broke twice, countless indicator light malfunctions...

My understanding is that 2000 was the first year the Jetta was manufactured in Mexico. Not a good start.

The thing is, though, that I love my car and would buy it again in a minute. The VR6 and my 5-speed are sweet on the curvy California roads. The looks are great and I find the leather seats super comfortable.

Does anyone know about the new models? Maybe this forum is the wrong place to ask that question!