Used 2002 Volkswagen Jetta Consumer Reviews
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Fun, But Not For Golfers
The car is a blast to drive, and has a good stock stereo system.
don't buy one
2002 jetta. 1) calaber went bad 384.00 each 2) engine light twice 3) sensor switch twice 4) radio stopped working 5) tail lights burning out 6) head lights shut off while driving had to use hi beams to see. It's like non stop problems. I'm trading it in. Never again with VW. Wish I listened.
Volkswagen of Alabama
I've been a Honda/Toyota man all my life, Came across a good deal on VW TDI GLS and I have not looked back, would love to own Tiguan TDI (maybe one day) Hope VW comes to ALABAMA! Thank you Germany. With many Honda accords and Toyota RAV4 behind me, give me a VW any day with a diesel and I'll enjoy the drive.
Never Again
My 2002 1.8T is the worst new car I have ever owned. After a long history of expensive repairs, the coup de grace is that my transmission now has to be replaced at 95,000 miles. A $5,500 repair, almost what the car is worth. I owned two Audis previously which I drove for a total of 13 years. The two of them combined didn't require as much maintenance as the VW. I will never, ever consider another VW.
Great deal for around $20,000
To anyone who's thinking of buying an Audi A4 or BMW 325, you gotta try the Jetta. My VR6 has more torque and displacement thant the 325, is fully loaded with features, and costs about $10,000 less. Other than for status, I don't see why anyone would pass up the Jetta. This car is fun to drive and the VR6 has a lot of kick
Good car but has its draw backs.
I hate the MONSOON radio that crapped out on me after 103 miles. Yeah, thats right 2 days after I got the car I was back at the dealer. Other then that no problems yet...still in "break in period" so not too sure on power yet..but thing that I wish I got the 1.8T just for the triptonic thingy and the extra horsepower (trying to accelerate to highway speeds on the Parkway is a problem). ***DEFINATLY test drive the 1.8T and the 2.0L BEFORE YOU SIGN!!*** AND I must commend their marketing department...with out them I dont think I would have ever thought about a VW. (And I believe it is that way with the majority of "new" VW owners).
My car hates me!
Bought my jetta used. Ran great 4 a while then the problems started. 2 water pumps, 2 alternators, all round brakes once a year, hose harness broke causing oil to leak on fire wall, timing belt, lights blow out or short out until you tap them often, all 4 VW caps on wheels fell off. Bumper cover almost fell off, paint peeling on hood, front arm rest lid broke, stereo knobs fell off, radio comes on by itself sometimes causing battery to go dead when car is off and parked, moonroof has a mind of its own sometimes wont close for a few tries, steering wheel and dash trim is peeling. Need a new transmission and emission work which I cant afford so she will sit while I cont. To make pymts on her!
Don't even consider this year!
I bought a Jetta as my first car. Parents thought it was great because of the safety features and gas mileage, blah blah blah, and what teenage girl doesn't want a cute little Jetta? Since the very week after buying it, it's had nothing but problems. Computer glitches, leaks,AC wont work, malfunctions, and mysteries that the dealership seems incapable to fix. I love my car, but at the same time, I expected it to be a long term, reliable car. And it's proving to cost more than I ever anticipated. The engine has been great, it's just that every other possible thing that could go wrong, has and will. Don't even consider an '02 Jetta.
Bought it 2 days ago
Love this car. Great performer. The dealer was excellent and easy to work with.
Never again...
I have had this car for less than 2 months & have already had to put $1500 into it. I've replaced a door sensor, trunk latch, numerous vacuum tubes, & windshield wiper motor. While driving 70 mph, the side mirror cap just decided to fly off too. Just got my catalytic converter replaced too. Thankfully, still under warranty (600 miles away from being too late though). Previously, I had a 92 Toyota Celica. In the 5 yrs I had it, I put about the same amt into it and most of it was maintenance. I will NEVER buy a VW again. Everyone I talk to with a VW agrees. TERRIBLE! Don't buy one unless you're ready to invest a lot of money into this car.
Oil burning, tranny chewing.
My Jetta with 64,000 miles. 100% of its service on schedule performed at only VW dealers. Last week the auto developed a shifting problem between 2nd and 3rd gear. We took the car to VW where Several shocking events then occurred: 1. VW tranny's are sealed, not serviceable, and to check what was wrong with the shifting would cost $648. 2. This was a common problem on the 4cyl Jetta 3. Our $648 would go towards the cost of 1 of 2 outcomes: (1) New Valve Body in the Tranny $1800 or (2) Re manufactured by VW tranny for $4400-The car is worth 6-7000 bucks putting us in an interesting dilemma. [Side note, the car burns ~1 quart of oil per 1,200 miles which the dealer wouldn't fix under warranty
Nothing but problems
I really want to love this car, but I just can't. It's been nothing but problems for me. I've been to the dealership 9 times for repairs in 16 months. Twice for engine problems, the rest for stupid stuff like cup holders that won't pop out, stuck glove box door, doors making noise while driving, etc. It's a great looking car, and has such a great feel to it. Like I said, I really want to love it, but everytime I start to, something else breaks. Judging from the reviews posted here, I'm not the only one with these problem.
Jetta GLX
I can't say enough about the VW Jetta. My car is equipt with the sports suspension and the 5 speed. I forgot how much fun driving could be. The car handles as a car priced in the mid $30's. For a sport suspension the ride is not rude but you do feel the road. Anything lost in the ride catagory is more than made up in the handling. The interior is laid out wounderfully if you like a driver orientaded car. Materials are first rate for the compact class then some. Makes the back roads to work worth the extra time.
Piece of junk
I bought this car new in 2002 since day one it was an electrical nightmare. Air cond. stopped working first year. It took a month for the dealer to fix. It took 7 trips to the dealer and me figuring that there was a short in the telescopic steering wheel. Besides the at least 50 or so times this car has been in the shop, the best is when the timing belt snapped while backing out of a parking spot ended up costing me $3500 because it has an interference engine where all the valves get bent requiring head to be redone. There was a bulletin stating there was a problem with antifreeze leaking down the wiring harness, of course this happened to my car. Do not buy this car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love my car!
I love my VW! I have not had any major problems with it. Runs great and is very comfortable. Handles great in the snow! Gets regular maintenance and oil changes with synthetic oil.
Can't Beat the Mialege
Great car, fun to drive. On the first full tank I got an outstanding 33MPG/city. This car is easy to drive and very comfortable. I am 6'2" and have pleanty of leg/head room. It is quick and responsive with a touch of "frugal" (gas that is).
Just what I ecpected
The tdi Jetta is just what I expected,a well built car with an impressive diesel engine.I like the ergonomics inside overall.Since the begenning You feel you are driving a german design car for which you dont have to pay big bucks.Defenetely is a great example of european 4 door sedans with the right options a that special look.
Value for Dollar Spent
Own two Jetta's and a Passat, like the Jetta driveability and road feel better!
It's Puurrfect...almost!
Awesome Car! I've only had this car three weeks and have managed to rake 1500 miles on it. If you're looking to get into the Audi or BMW feel, then buy it today. Everything about this car is refined and quite simply "Puurrfect", almost. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the cup holders if you can get past that then it's smooth sailing. My advise, go test drive this car...it's incred
My Jetta 1.8t with everything
Its awesome! It has all the bells and whistles, the stereo is amazing with an 8 speaker 200 watt amp and the turbo engine just recently upgraded is powerful and lots of fun.
A Lada would be better
This is the worst built car I have ever purchased. I have had it for 15 months and the doors have twitched and squeaked since I drove it off the lot. (Dealer has tried several times to repair with no success. They are also a piece of work. They have basically given up on the car and wont even follow up on my calls.) Also, the brake light switch, the turn signal relay and the ventilation fan motor have had to be replaced. There is a problem with a noise coming from the front suspension. The front left power window usually re-opens when it is closed on auto-up. The paint seems very soft as it chips very easily. Overall, a Lada would be a better bet.
Great car
This is Jetta #3. The I have had some major problems with the eletrical system with the first two Jetta's I owned. I have heard they had improved with the eletrical system so I decided to buy a 2001 Jetta. I have been very happy with this car and I have not had any problems yet. The car is great on gas and it's fun and comfortable to drive.
Goodness... Where to begin!?
12k miles I have already taken it in 5 times, most recently 2 of my gears in my windows melting which will have my car in service for 20 days. 4k miles check engine light goes on and car dies on freeway. dealership laughs at me almost dieing than steals my keychain when I go get my house key from them. 5k miles front window breaks when Im washing my car in 75 degree weather, and in the shade, also knocking on right weel when I reverse. This car is a pile of crap built in Mexico. Do not buy a VW unless you have a crush on the mechanics because you will be there a lot.
Very happy
We've bought a VW Jetta 1.8 T stick shaft over a year back and are extremely satisfied with the performance. Its a lot of fun...!
so far so good....lovin' my jetta
This car is awesome. So far it has lived up to every expectation. Just be careful how loud you play your radio in Beach Haven, NJ!!!!!
fun to drive!!
I have had my GLS 1.8t for r week now, I and I love it. The power from the turbo is great, and the tiptronic tranny is fun to use, and useful. Even though I am still in the break in period, I have tested the power a few times.
CHECK IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT!
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY JETTA. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT I HAVE NOT EVEN HAD IT FOR A YEAR AND IT HAS BEEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP SEVERAL TIMES. IT TENDS TO BURN OIL VERY FAST AND LEAVE A BURNING SMELL. I HAVE SPENT ALOT OF TIME GETTING THIS VEHICLE REPAIRED AND LESS TIME ENJOYING IT. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEMS AND COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS WHICH ARE ALL SIMILIAR TO MY OWN. I DO RECOMMEND TO TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT WHAT YOUR GETTING YOURSELF INTO AND (HINT) WHERE EXACTLY THIS CAR IS REALLY COMING FROM! REMEMBER LOOKS ARE NOT EVERYTHING, YOUR SAFETY IS!
Still a Good Car
I have owned my Jetta Wagon for 8 years now and have 115k miles on it. This has been a good car. I tend to drive cars into the ground and have completed this mission with several Toyotas... so I know good cars. I have had a few problems with the plastic handles on the glove box and arm rest. They have been replaced. The door seal tends to freeze the door shut when left over night in very cold weather. Other than these small problems this has been a carefree car. I know two other people that own this same wagon and they have had the same luck with their cars that I have with mine. Consumer Reports did a very poor job of reviewing this car. I would recommend this car.
UNRELIABLE
Sorry warranty....., Transmission engagement switch had to be replaced twice at my own expence, ABS brakes locked up in stop and go traffic, car felt like it was carring a load of bricks. had to replace brake booster after warranty expired,at $900 cost.
Love the turbo!
Best car for the price
Not Too Shabby
So far, so good. This is a great a car for 2 people. It's quick and stylish. I've never had a car that got me so many compliments. The back seat is a joke however. It's embarassing to have to give anyone a ride. You can actually drive and reach anything in the back-seat without a problem. The sunroof is a little trick to operate at first.
This car's for "Drivers".
We bought the car on the 6th of June and took a trip of 2700 miles, returning on the 16th. We drove Interstates 15 and 80, and Hiways 4, 16, 49, 50, 89 from Provo, UT to Murphys, CA; to Sacramento to Sierra City, to Truckee, up to South Lake Tahoe, back to Utah. We got over 500 miles per tank(12 gals. used each fillup); even doing 80 mph with the AC on, loaded with luggage for two and camping gear! Freeways in UT & NEV are 75 mph. On curvy hiways 4, 49, 50, & 89 the car handled like a Ferrari - really fun to drive. The only flaw with this vehicle is the sun visors! They're too short! Otherwise, this car is near perfect for around town driving and long trips.
Great car
This is a great small car loaded with standard features that others list as options. Solid, responsive and fun to drive.
Hope you live close to the dealer
I have had to take my Jetta to the dealership 3 times in the last 8 months to get the windows fixed. The lift mechanisms keep breaking. So unless you live within 10 miles of the dealership, and even then it is a pain, the problems override the fun in driving.
me and my Jetta
This is my first brand new car, and I absolutely love it. It was worth the time it was on back order. This car jumps off the line with that yummy turbo whine. The styling and interior lighting get rave reviews from everyone who sees them. It corners tightly, and has plenty of cargo space in a nice small package.
Volkswagen POS
Two months(6,000 miles)after I bought my Jetta, the dash lights burned out. I paid out of pocket($150) because it was not under warranty according to the service dept. At 45,000 miles my front passenger window broke ($315). At 50,000 miles, a spring popped out from under the seat and the relay switch for the turn signals has stopped working (not repaired yet). It is also hard to get a loaner. Like everyone else said, "get to know your mechanics @ the serv. dept."
Awesome Car!
I never imagined myself in a diesel or a Volkeswagen. Boy have I been missing out! This car is awesome. It is extremely comfortable, a joy to drive and has great gas mileage. People should not be afraid to test drive one of these! What more can you ask for in a car getting 45+ per gallon.
Thank God for the aftermarket
I put on alot of mileage on the car per year and I need it to be fun to drive/reliable. I am actually considering getting the new GLI because : - 2 front rotors changed - Front wheel bearing replaced - O2 sensor replaced - The Remote dies after a mounth - Rattles and noises - Speaker changed - The 2 year warranty (2001) By switching my 2001 for a newer version I would regain a full warranty, a new car with hopefully less problems... I still have time to think about it...
Love The Car
I bought a used 2000 GLX VR6 with about 38000 miles on it in March since then I have put about 4000 miles of my own and am totally pleased with my purchase. The car is fun to drive, smooth, quite, and very comfortable. In one long weekend I drove about 1800 miles and even after a 12 hour run from ATL-PHL the car was still comfortable. The Monsoon sound system is very nice, climate control system works well, and I like the heated seats.
Volkswagen Jetta GLX VR6
This vehicle is very nice. It is very luxurious, and with the real wood trim, makes me feel like I'm driving a BMW.
my jetta has some problems
I love my black jetta GLS but there are some problems that the dealer will not fix. For example, there are buzzing noises coming from the windows or speakers and various places inside the car. It is a beautiful car and after 13,000 miles I haven't had too many problems but the dealership still can't figure out those buzzing noises.
Not a reliable car
3rd time trying to post this - maybe Edmunds is screening??? The car is fun to drive, is good-looking and powerful, but a pain in the butt. Problems with brakes, windows falling out, oxygen sensors (plural!), stereo, A/C, you name it. There is a reason the labor is cheaper in Mexico. Maybe the car is DESIGNED in Germany, but it isn't MADE in Germany. Unfortunately a test drive will not reveal the problems; living with the car will though.
Beautiful Rubbish
I am very mixed about this car. It was a zippy, fun to drive car and the experiences it gave me made the money spent worthwhile. But the money spent was A LOT of money!!! EVERYTHING breaks on this car, from knobs on the stereo, to the coolant expansion tank to the muffler mounting bolts, to the window actuators. It's very expensive to repair and you must get aftermarket upgrades if you want the repairs to last, OEM parts just fall apart in equal amount of time. The engine and tranny will last forever but before long everything else in the car will have been swapped out. If you have a love for VW and some money to spare, get this car, otherwise stay far away from it!
2002 Jetta GLI
I've got about 3200 miles on my 2002 GLI. The new VR6/6-speed combo is almost perfect. I was going to buy the GLS 1.8T until I tried the new 24v VR6, and I was hooked. By FAR the best VW manual ever offered. Build quality, ergonomics, and comfort are generally excellent. Nearly everyone that has commented on the car thinks it's much more expensive than it really is. The only thing I'd change is the soft suspension.
STOP!
Do not buy this car! My engine light is the only electronic item that works, it's always on. Radio, door locks, windows headlights, only work when they want to. You almost have to bring it into the shop for everything because you need a special tool to do anything on the car. I will never buy another VW again! I wouldn't even feel comfortable giving this car to a friend.
Worst car ever!
I owned this car for a total of 4 months with nothing but problems from day one! I had the super-duper 'bumper to bumper' extended warranty that still didn't fix any of the problems that the dealership said it had. It spent more time in the dealership being 'repaired' than it did in my driveway. DO NOT BUY THIS CAR! Volkswagen really messed up with this car.
Wicked nice car
I bought this car for my wife, and we both love it. 115 HP may seem little on paper, but this car has plenty of power. Only problem was when her key eneded up in the wash. Awesome quality German sedan
Happy Driver
This Jetta is my second one and I absolutely love driving it. The handling and road feel are excellent and the styling brings positive comments from other people.
Goog little ride!
I have a 2001 Jetta and so far so good. The only problem I've had is that recently the sunroof got stuck...while open. The dealership took it and fixed it right away and even gave me a rental car. I commute about 45 miles everyday to work and I feel very safe in my jetta. I think it is reliable and sturdy.
never again!
while fun to drive, the jetta has been very dissappointing when it comes to reliability--water pump...fuel pump...ignition switch...indicator switch... seat tracking (3X!)...drivers door window regulator (2X!)...main onboard computer went beserk and locked us out sporadically and spontaneously... had to wait 3 MONTHS for part to repair ignition switch. what would you think?...