Used 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Consumer Reviews
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Value
lawman1967, 01/24/2011
2011 Volkswagen Jetta S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
53 of 55 people found this review helpful
This is a much nicer car than the Edmunds review gives it credit for. Sure, the 2010 had a (much) richer interior, but the 2010 was both smaller and (much) more expensive. I own and drive a 2009 Mercedes Benz C300 Sport, and bought the Jetta S for my daughter. The "wheezy" 2.0 liter does just fine, even with the automatic, and so far is getting 29 MPG in mixed driving. It is not fast by any means, but it is smooth, quiet and refined, with no trouble whatsoever cruising at 80 MPH or above. The car handles well, looks and feels more expensive than it is, and most importantly, is smoother, quieter and more comfortable than just about anything else at its price point.
Issues
bucc, 08/14/2014
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
45 of 47 people found this review helpful
Bought the car brand new in 2011 and the AC went out in 2012. Great service at the dealer. In 2014 I started to notice the transmission slipping but no error codes. Then the car shut off once at a stop light and the second time turning into a friends driveway. I started researching the issue and found many, many 2011 and 2012 cars have this problem and dealers seem unable to solve them because no error code goes to the computer
Value at a price!!
sckcivic06, 03/12/2011
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SEL PZEV 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
35 of 37 people found this review helpful
When I first set eyes on this vehicle I was sold. My SEL is 4 months old now and I wanted to get a real feel for her before writing this review. The exterior styling is much better this time around then the previous generation. It doesn't look cute, it looks cleaner and more Audi A4 like. VW gets a plus here. The ride is firm yet still has enough cushion to endure the NYC roads. The 2.5L has good low end torque when it's needed for passing while the 6 speed auto handles the shifting solidly. The lay out of the interior has good fit and finish. The materials they used are on par with a Chevy Colbalt as cheap hard plastic. Rear seat room is more like a midsize and fits adults perfectly.
Read reviews before you purchase
qbk2205, 08/30/2014
2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 4dr Sedan w/Navigation (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
40 of 43 people found this review helpful
I bought the car new and it currently has 90000 miles on it. Last year the fuel pump exploded. Dealership replaced it, saying it was under warranty at 70000 miles. The warranty is 3 years, 36000 miles, whichever comes first. Makes me think VW knew there was a potential problem with the fuel system. Last week we replaced the turbo at a cost of $2600. This one is most irritating, because while under warranty I told the service department how the car hesitated at initial acceleration and they responded with it was due to the double clutching action of the transmission. Liars. We did not expect VW to be of such poor quality
Nice car, but clutch failure at 22,280 miles?!?
jeremycarguy, 07/02/2014
updated 07/03/2017
2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6M)
22 of 23 people found this review helpful
I purchased the 2011 VW Jetta TDI with the manual 6-speed transmission in January 2011. The car had significant problems at first with stalling. After a couple of tries, the dealership replaced the air mass meter which improved it significantly. At 22,280 miles, the clutch disk disintegrated. VW claims that his was normal wear and tear. However, on a previous car (87 Volvo 740T) I got 210,000 miles on the clutch. I know how to drive a clutch. I am a former licensed master auto mechanic, this is clearly a materials failure, and VW will not stand behind their product. They have lost a good customer and somebody who had been a good advocate for VW in the past. Update July 2016: In June 2016, the glow-plug warning light started flashing, the engine lost power, and then started making a loud clattering noise. Had it towed in to the dealer, and the high-pressure fuel pump had disintegrated internally, sending small shards of metal throughout the fuel system. They had to replace the entire fuel system (injectors, fuel distributor, hoses, filter, pumps) and flush out the fuel tank. Apparently this has been a fairly common problem as VW has a warranty extension for this to 10 years 120,000 miles. So VW paid for this repair, which at full retail would have been $7,000 to $8,000. My takeaway from this is that VW got the price point down on this car by engineering the car with no slack - a clutch which was too weak for the engine, a fuel pump which was cheaper than what was required for longevity, etc. What else would go wrong with this car if I kept it? Although the car drives well, I am now happy that VW will be buying it back due to the emission controls scandal. January 2017: Between June and Septempber 2016, the ring gear became misaligned on the flywheel (aftermarket, see above), and the dealer wanted $3,000 to install the factory clutch and dual-mass flywheel. I got a replacement ring gear from the 3rd party manufacturer, and paid a good mechanic to install it. Then, the A/C stopped working. Finally, in January 2017, VW bought the car back from me, so I'm done with it. Thank goodness!
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Factory defects from factory
luisdiaz, 05/15/2011
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
30 of 32 people found this review helpful
Bought a new 2011 jetta se from day one car pulling and drifting to right. Dealer said it was out of alignment and rotated tires with only 250 miles on car. Still drives toward right side. Took in two more times, they said nothing they can about it. Tested another demo car same thing looks like a factory defect. Have filed for lemon law. Buyers beware of this factory problem it will eat your tires up. Miami, fflorida owner.
Long term value
javoice, 11/29/2011
2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
28 of 30 people found this review helpful
Let's see what I should say about this car: with $10,000 HPFP failures, sunroofs which doesn't close, doors which doesn't shut right, intercooler's which ice up in cold weather, rear cupholders which get stuck even after dealer fix it and more Fact: no car is perfect but also the fact is how many cars are out there which can devlep a mechanical failure which cost more than 1/3 of the price of the car to fix it? Another sad fact is the company which doesn't take responsibility to admit to the problem and blames the poor quality fuel. It is not like that the fuel quality was good here before! I made a mistake to buy one. That's all! READ VW FORUM
EXCELLENT car, but not without a few caveats.
kmck, 06/11/2011
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SEL 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
19 of 20 people found this review helpful
I bought this car after much deliberation and test driving numerous other models. This car is, by far, the best car for the money, and overall I love it. I have only a couple issues. 1) the car is pretty underpowered when the A/C is running. I like zippy, and would expect a little more zip, but it's still pretty good overall. 2) THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM. Dear Jesus. It's not terrible, per say, but it needs some bug fixing STAT. Sometimes trying to find a specific address is a pain. Oh, and the iPod connector supplied in the glove box is a little iffy at times. It lags when switching songs, every so often it will glitch and not play, but overall these are very small issues.
New Owner
excalibur4, 06/07/2011
2011 Volkswagen Jetta S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
Just took delivery of a new Jetta 2.0 6 speed auto. Almost canceled the booking after doing my research and reading all the negative reviews on this car! Was concerned especially on the power output of only 115bhp compared to the Civic or even the City. But since using it for almost 2 weeks, the power delivery is good and unbelievable for an "outdated engine model". I reckon the engineers at VW did a good job. Bottom line, read the reviews from the end user who use it day to day instead of the pros who may test drive it for a couple of hours and form an opinion!
I will never buy VW again
brookem0517, 06/23/2014
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SE 4dr Sedan w/Convenience (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
15 of 16 people found this review helpful
My Jetta's engine completely shuts off while driving. It has happened 4 times in the last year. I take it to the Volkswagen dealership and they tell me there is nothing they can do about it. It really upsets me I have not even had my car for 3 years and it is not reliable. I am scared to drive because I don't know when my car is going to randomly shut off. This is a huge safety issue. This issue could cause me to be in an accident. I was always a huge Volkswagen supporter and thought I would always drive a Volkswagen, but now I am questioning that. I am so disappointed about the quality and reliability of my car and the fact that no one seems to care.
BUYER BEWARE unreliable, unsafe, unpredictable
mespo01, 09/19/2014
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SEL 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
13 of 14 people found this review helpful
I leased a 2011 Jetta SE with the intention of buying it once the lease was up. One month before I was planning to buy the car, it started stalling out. The 1st time this happened I was driving downhill at approx 30 mph. The brakes and steering wheel locked up - lost control. Very scary. I took the car to the dealer - charged me $500 to have it "fixed". Second time, I was on the highway - lucky to be stuck in traffic. Had it happened 15 min earlier while driving 60mph in middle lane, could have been dangerous. Car had 40k miles on it. VW will not take responsibility for this problem. My car is sitting at the VW pre-owned lot ready to be sold. I feel sorry for the person who will buy it.
Return of the People's car
justin_w, 04/02/2011
2011 Volkswagen Jetta S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I have read a few reviews that knock VW for "Down Grading" the Jetta to make it more affordable, but I think VW is getting back to its roots. There is nothing down graded about the new Jetta. If anything the previous models were too up scaled for their demographic. I have owned a 1997 Jetta GLX which I had once read as being referred to as a poor mans BMW 3 Series. But the 2011 does not disappoint. When compared to other cars in its price point, the new Jetta takes all. I test drove a Kia that cost the same as my Jetta, and it truly felt like it was going to fall apart over every bump. With the Jetta that is not an issue. It really is great, for the price of good. This is VWs finest hour.
Love my Jetta!
alexx52093, 01/31/2012
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SE 4dr Sedan w/Convenience, Sunroof (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I bought my '11 Jetta SE with Conveniance/Sunroof at the end of July of 2011. I have a 120 mile round trip commute to and from school every weekend and I also deliver pizza's 3 nights a week. I have just under 10k miles on it and haven't had a single problem, despite the heavy usage! However, 2 months after I bought the car, I was rear-ended at a red light by a car going 40mph. The safety on this Jetta is remarkable! The rear end was completely obliterated, but everything that was in my trunk remained secure and unbroken. No glass shattered, and NOTHING penetrated the interior cabin! I walked out of it with nothing but a cut fingernail from hitting the steering wheel. This is the car to buy!
I love my 2011 Jetta
redsoxy, 12/11/2010
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SE 4dr Sedan w/Convenience (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
I think it is hard to rate build quality and reliability so early when a new car is released, however I do love this car. I had the 2002 Jetta (GLS w/ heated seats, moonroof and leatherette). I disagree that it looks cheap inside. It is definitely minimalist, but not cheap. I basically got the same features -heated seats, leatherette, moonroof and the upgraded radio. I also opted for another 5 speed because they are just more fun to drive in my opinion. The ride in this car is smooooooth! The backseat is so much bigger, which is great because I have a child (still in a car seat). My 2002 was so tiny in the back and cramped. This is really spacious. Nice improvement VW!
Loved it at first, not so sure now.
kmck, 08/06/2012
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SEL 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I posted a review previously (titled EXCELLENT car but not with a few caveats) and I've had a few issues in the year and a half since I've bought it. First, door seals were terrible and made squeaky noises and took 3 visits to fix. Alignment went awry and now my whole car vibrates and makes a loud noise when braking -- and I'm not even remotely a heavy-footed driver/braker. One of my window switches is loose, and the driver seat makes a clicking noise when going over bumps. I bought a new car so I could stay out of the service area for a while, what the heck VW?
Great Car All the Way
xscoops, 04/19/2011
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SE 4dr Sedan w/Convenience (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I just recently got my Jetta SE but love it! I have driven many different makes and models and for the cost the Jetta is certainly the best value. I was, like most, somewhat apprehensive after reading reviews about poor interior quality but took it upon myself to go investigate. After driving and seeing all the great features I was impressed and bought the car right after. Don't be swayed by any reviews until you have personally experienced the car for yourself!
Sportwagen model excels
oppai, 04/19/2011
2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Recently picked up a TDI Sportwagen discounted due to light exterior hail damage. So far I'm extremely impressed with the build quality, handling, responsiveness, and power of the TDI. While I can't compare the 2011 model to prior models, I still remain impressed with the upgrade it provides from my prior vehicle: 2002 Pontiac Grand Am. The wagen feels larger but is actually several inches shorter than the Grand Am. The DSG transmission is butter-smooth and relatively aggressive driving is still averaging 30+mpg (5 better than conservative driving on the Grand Am) The interior is suprisingly roomy as well; I'm 6'1'' 260 and don't feel cramped in the least. A long haul car.
Nice comuter vehicle
scanman11, 12/16/2010
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SE 4dr Sedan w/Convenience, Sunroof (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
After quite a bit of research-usuall Hondas, Toyotas, Chevrolet, Ford etc we (My wife) decided that the Vdub was for her- I think it was the lightly covered leatherette, the bluetooth and the touchscreen radio (Interfaced well with iphoneSatelite radio etc) It is a comfortable car for her 45min commute-actually more comfortable than my 2009 BMW 335i- very good MPG, she is getting about 32 mpg in mixed traffic conditions, this after about 1800 miles. My only gripe is that after 1750 miles the injecters went and left her stranded. Yes, the dealership fixed the problem- but she had to fight for a "Loaner" or "rental" for the day and a half that it was off the road.
Not a good choice
bcr410, 10/26/2013
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SE 4dr Sedan w/Convenience, Sunroof (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
11 of 13 people found this review helpful
This car has had nothing but problems, major problems. To begin, there is a air leak seal issue in both the front and back windows causing a wistle sound that is very annoying. Electrical issues with the horn / heated mirrors not working, and most recent, a rack and pinion that failed. I will never buy another VW And would not reccomend anyone else buy one ither.
4th Jetta TDI
WisconKev, 02/10/2020
2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 4dr Sedan w/Navigation (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
I have owned 4 Jetta TDIs, with the latest a 2011. The first three had over 300,000 miles when I sold them. The last one, a 2003, I got $1400 for with 305000 miles on it. Yes there has been maintenance but when I look at cost per mile, including purchase price, I spend very little on transportation. Note that I do drive 100 miles a day, 50 miles each way to work every day. The fact that I am on my 4th one probably says it all.
- Technology
- Performance
- Comfort
- Reliability
2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6M
hercnav, 10/09/2011
2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 4dr Sedan w/Navigation (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
We love the driving experience the TDI provides. Bolder front and rear appearance lines taken from Audi line nice! Performance is outstanding for the mileage and power. Seats are good with comfortable sitting position. Im one of those people whose right leg tends to rest near the center console, but its a broad area of contact and not just an edge so its comfortable. Nice clean interior design, good visibility. Solid body feel, doors, suspension. The dash design with the chrome accents provides a nice overall look. Rear twisted bean suspension is fine; smooth controlled ride and quiet interior. Some less refined materials and build quality in interior, but not a show stopper.
Best Value in the market!
jfortino, 05/30/2011
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SE 4dr Sedan w/Convenience, Sunroof (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I am astounded by the value of this vehicle! The size of the vehicle, the performance and the features and options for the price can not be beat. Although it is not the most sexy car on the road, you will be hard pressed to find anything better! The drive of the vehicle is great, bluetooth, stereo included are outstanding!
The Good and bad
ihatebadrivers, 01/27/2014
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SEL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I bought this car used from a local dealership. I have found the gas mileage to be great but the transmission has a mind of its own at lower speed and sometimes while slowing down to a stop it clunks into a lower gear. Its disturbing and annoying (almost scares me) when it does this. Sometimes when I put it in gear (mostly in reverse it hesitates and then goes in gear suddenly. I have to make sure I always have me foot firmly pressed so it doesn't lurch forward or backwards suddenly. I don't know if this is normal for all Jettas this year or not but it makes me think that I could have transmission problems down the road?! It does have plenty of pickup when I put it in "sport mode"
Why I bought a new Jetta
Pragmatist, 10/17/2010
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SE 4dr Sedan w/Convenience, Sunroof (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Why did we buy this 2011 Jetta (SE w/Conv. and Sunroof)? Balance between content and price. Quick summary: Enough power for easy highway merges and handling a full load of passengers; Smooth driving dynamics; Sleek/current exterior; Full complement of current high tech (IPod adaptor, Bluetooth, AUX, XM radio, touchscreen audio interface, CD changer, wheel mounted audio controls); Full complement of current safety features (front/side airbags, ABS, stability control, impact beams, blinkers on side mirrors); Comfortable seats and interior Interior pleasant to look at (I dont touch my dashboard except when wiping dust off); Great dimensions: Overall length shorter than Audi A4 even though
2011 Jetta TDI 6 spd MT
mike18040, 03/28/2011
2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6M)
18 of 24 people found this review helpful
I have owned my Jetta for 2 weeks and absolutely love it. I read the Edmunds review prior to purchasing and I don't agree that VW has made a cheaper car. I owned a 2006 TDI and also loved that car, but I believe the 2011 is even better. The interior is wonderfully designed and high quality compared to many other cars. The 6 spd manual is silky smooth and fun to drive. It handles like it's on rails. The fuel mileage is unbelievable for the power that you get too! The leatherette seats are of very high quality and look great. Overall, this car is worth every penny and is not cheaply built in any way. It seems like it should cost a lot more.
All of them pull right from engine torque force
luisdiaz, 03/30/2012
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SE PZEV 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
Every time you accelerate the engine torque pulls car to right side all the time very annoying and every other driver I talk to says same thing. Ive had my 2011 jetta for 11 months now and I can't get rid of it because I loose $4000 I had tested the demo and it pulled right but the salesman convinced me it was out of alignment but my new car does same. Buyer be ware of this front engine torque forcing car to drive to right side I will never buy a jetta as long as I live
I Like it!
Jeremy, 10/04/2010
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SEL 4dr Sedan w/Sport Package (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
I'm not really sure why everyone was bad-mouthing this vehicle. Hearing people complain about a car they have never driven is really annoying. I was looking for a commuter vehicle. I replaced my 2004 BMW 530I with a 2011 Jetta. I bought a SEL with the sports package and automatic. It has Nav, heated seats, push button start, and a bump'in system. I'm really happy with it so far. I think that VW has a winning combination here. The sport seats are very comfortable and the dash and buttons are in all the rights places.
So far so good
hathcock90, 07/19/2011
2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 4dr Sedan w/Navigation (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
Love my new TDI, I had had for 2 months now. Black on tan with every option. Nav, Kessy, Chrome. So far it has 5k miles and have had no issues great car. Compare quality and price. Free maintains is nice too. Had a issue with bluetooth dealer fixed in 5 minutes.
Not Sure
redadunes, 04/26/2011
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SE 4dr Sedan w/Convenience (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I just got the SE with convenience this Saturday. I have been shopping for a new car for 4 months and I test drove about 12 different models out there, I think the Jetta was best for the price. I am not sure about the reliability and resale value though, I hear horror stories about electrical problems and overall reliability. It was better than the Hondas, Kia, Ford, and hyundais for sure. The car looks nice, I don't understand the people making comments that the design is horrible? It drives well and it's well equipment for the money. I am having mixed feelings right now.
Updated Review from previous one!
alexx52093, 04/30/2014
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SE 4dr Sedan w/Convenience, Sunroof (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I wrote a previous review on this car as well and would like to update it! My '11 Jetta SE w/ Conv/Sun now has 50k mi on it! It has gotten me through this brutal winter that hit the east coast w/out a single problem! Always starts, never fails, ever! I use it to commute 120 mi round trip to school every week, and I deliver pizzas with it on the weekends! I take good care of it, but it does get some hard use! Build quality isn't fantastic, and I've had a few issues with some cheap panels breaking and I had a minor electrical issue w/ taillight. All fixed under warranty and not much of a hassle at all. All cars have quirks and issues of their own. But you can't beat this car for the price!
Best bang for the buck, but misses on MPG
sallywagg, 08/01/2011
2011 Volkswagen Jetta S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought this car for one simple reason: CHEAP! You can't beat the price for the size and standard features that this car has! The only issue is that VW really missed the mark for fuel economy and the crappy tires really hurt it's performance potential. However, this is the PERFECT car for a beginning driver or daily commuter!! It is truly the easiest car that I ever driven! Even though the engine is very underpowered for it's size, the lack of power keeps you out of trouble from stand-stills and the stability/traction controls keep you in check once under motion As much as I love this car, I gave it low numbers because, to keep it cheap, VW sacrificed the quality of this car.
A Great Car for the Money
beetleboya, 01/22/2012
2011 Volkswagen Jetta S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Bought in August and I have had zero problems! I paid 18500.00 with an extended warranty. This is a great daily commuter with plenty of pick up around town. This car is also very roomy and handles well.
Brand new buyer- crossing my fingers Fre
joto284, 01/13/2015
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SE 4dr Sedan w/Convenience (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
10 of 15 people found this review helpful
What can I say about a car I bought three days ago for my kid? I will keep it positive.I am crossing my fingers. A certified jetta 2011SE ,70k miles with 24 months &24k miles warranty.VW was not in my radar screen. I was looking for a Honda or a Toyota equivalent and 4K-6K more. I like this VW handling and the leather seats, bluetooth. If I had read the reviews I would not have purchased it. I am waking up every day thinking that I screwed up. My local mechanic is happy because he thinks we will see each other more. How can VW be in business with such bad reviews. Sales dropped another 8% last year. Wish me luck, I hope not to return to add a bad review
Towed to Dealership Twice
nickanna2, 10/03/2014
2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6M)
7 of 10 people found this review helpful
I purchased the Jetta new in December of 2011. Had several issues within the first few weeks including seals on the driver and passenger doors. The whole dashboard had to be replaced due to a loud buzzing noise. After the first winter the windscreen washer hose line froze. At first the dealership said it wouldn't be covered under warranty :). Car stalled in the middle of the road at 40,000 fuel pump failure. Starter motor failed and both rear calipers at 70,000 in addition the whole back window had to be replaced due to defroster not working. The car comes off warranty next month and I am dreading it. Would never purchase a vw again. The TDI is powerful and fun but not worth the $$$
Had my 2011 Jetta SEL since 6/11/11
L. C., 11/12/2017
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SEL 4dr Sedan w/Sport Package (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
7 of 10 people found this review helpful
I believe that your car will be good to you if you are good to the car, it's been my experience in over 25 years of driving......That is unless it's a lemon...Thankfully this car wasn't .......I don't always baby the car but 7 times out of 10 prefer normal driving vs. aggressive driving. I bought the car in Stratford CT. This was a bad idea. At first they let me leave the lot w/ a damaged paint job(that had some awful touch up job that looked noticeable.) I paid in full the car and expected more so naturally, I yelled at the guy who sold me the car. Essentially he didn't do anything for me but his job(swap the car for a perfect vehicle). The next car I just took frustrated, I looked it over briefly, no damages and drove off w/ a different color combo so I didn't need to return to pick up an exact swap....No apologies from the dealership, not a freebie or anything. The car had 22 miles on it and the steering wheel was actually off center. The alignment didn't feel out. I called them once I was home and told them they would get no further anything from me. I got my servicing local to my house in LI NY. This dealership made up for all earlier bad experiences. They gave top notch timely service on time every time and I paid nothing as the warranty provides. They were helpful in changing my phone info on the car system as I switched phones. The check engine light went off at 50,000 miles. Turns out to be secondary mass air flow sensor. The mechanic explained that fixing it was optional and chances were the car could continue driving just fine as it was. He was and is right. The repair couldn't be very expensive and it isn't essential. I've gone about 10,000 miles since and no breakdown or malfunctioning w/ the car at just over 60,000 miles now. Everything still works....The car still starts up like it did when new.... ....If you switch climates your leatherette seats will crack and tear . It's just very likely....Started up North and moved deep South...Switched all tires once and headlights on each side once... The brakes have never been replaced and still brake nicely...The SEL has disc brakes front and back.. Braking performance has always been outstanding. Car handles very well in snow and is great for long trips.. The steering can be odd w/ hydraulic pump but can also be adapted to....This model also came w/ upgraded suspension. Ultra stiff for handling and over uneven and bumpy terrain it holds to the road confidently..... I have driven the car foolishly every now and then to test brakes and performance but it can take the hard driving ..... I assume not if always driven hard but I expect any car to have issues under constant hard driving....At 60,000 miles, the tranny and engine both still feel strong....Perhaps the most redeeming quality of this car is the strong engine and tranny feel. I do understand that if the car was designed to make it to 250,000-500,000 miles....These parts of the car probably were paid most attention to....My last car was a brand new Toyota Camry.. I'm ok w/ VW but maybe ready for another Camry...The cars drive very differently..Reliability was better in that car although this car still feels quite reliable....The Jetta is w/o a doubt more fun to drive and hugs the road better than Camry..I remember being all over the road in the Camry..It's referred to as "Toyota drift".... I don't mind driving it to the ground or until epic and costly failure occurs.....I suppose I've already gotten my money's worth from it......Resale value isn't great at all for this era Jettas..... Seems that only 5-10% of VW Jettas for this era have proven reliable...Just lucky I guess or karma from earlier issues self correcting....
- Safety
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Just what I needed...
pattimac, 12/02/2010
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SE 4dr Sedan w/Convenience (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
After looking for a reliable, economical and affordable car, the Jetta was just what I was looking for and needed.
2011 jetta tdi nightmare
davey_dcgr, 05/30/2012
2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 4dr Sedan w/Navigation (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6M)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
here is a list of issues. passenger door does not close right scratches car they told me it was fine but it is obviously not i bought door sills to protect it from more scratches for 200 dollars just for the door to destroy it! its all on that one door so its the car bad wind noise bluetooth has been replaced 3 times and if you are listening to music then get a call the phone disconnects. antenna fixed 1 time. deliverd with paint issues witch had to go to the body shop for and had wrong media system. cheap interior gps has had to be checked twice. engine part was recalled exaust tips were recalled sun roof sometimes wont close have to fiddle with it with warenty 40grand not worth it
Luv my TDI
partymarty, 07/18/2011
2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6M)
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
I purchased my TDI about three months ago, and I am extremely satisfied with all major aspects of the car; particularly the economy and performance of the Clean Diesel. However, I do have a few nitpicky quibbles: 1. There is no padding in the overhead storage compartment, so my glasses rattle when placed there. 2. I am getting used to the digital fuel gauge but I am still searching for some sort of engine temp gauge (I hate idiot lights!). 3. I am also still searching for the ACC setting on the ignition switch. 4. I wish I had adjustable lumbar supports on the front seats. 5. Why do I have to order a nav system to get optional fog lights? 6. There is a big blind spot in the left rear!
2011 TDI Jetta Sportwagen 6m
Licensed in '72, 10/19/2010
2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 4dr Sedan w/Navigation (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6M)
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
Have only driven the car once since we picked it up last night but test drove 2010 and 2011 6m and DSG. Settled on the 2011 6m with nav, panoramic sunroof and protection packages. This will be the wife's car and was the perfect fit for her and our family. The wife is even reading the owner's manual like her Kindle. A first. Really test drove the cars the way they should be driven which really startled the salesman. Felt like the DSG was driving me but a vast improvement over past autos in the TDIs I've owned but the manual is still the way to go. The leatherette seats are better than leather for maintenance and the accoutrements are almost overwhelming. An amazing ride and value.
2011, Asian in teutonic wolf garb!
pzeiger, 05/13/2011
2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
8 of 13 people found this review helpful
I am the proud owner of a 2009 TDI sedan. Am still in love with it after 3 years. It's a great car in every respect; refined, luxurious, fast, stable, gas miser. Went to test drive 2011 TDI. Have to say, changes for the worse. My car handles the same at 50 or 100. Had this car up to 80, felt dangerous, like the rear end was going to fly off. The 09 just gets low on the road when pressed and says give me more! I can handle it! The doors are half the thickness as 09/10 and sound like tin can upon closing. Interior is not as refined, but still better than Asian. Hoping that by the time I'm ready for new TDI, VW will have returned what their loyal customer base expects.
A great little car
Chris Plato, 12/21/2015
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SE PZEV 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
It has all the upgrades you can get including a rear view camera and anti-stain treated interior. It's peppy at low and high speeds. I'm always surprised by how roomy the car is - both front and back. The heated seats are a nice touch even if the car did live almost all of its life in San Diego. The vehicle has California car emissions equipment. I love this car, especially with satellite car radio.
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Great bang for the buck
cchamelin, 11/23/2010
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SE 4dr Sedan w/Convenience (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
The build quality and comfort of this vehicle far exceeded my expectations, and cost significantly less than comparably equipped camrys, accords and elantras. In the short time we've had it, we've been very pleased. Engine noise is minimal, the sound system is excellent, and the overall handling is great. When in S mode, the extra responsiveness of the engine is clearly felt. Its like a family sized sports car. Haven't tried the Tiptronic mode yet, but can't wait for the opportunity. Though other reviews complain about the hard surfaces of the interior, I found that these were well done (not like cheap American hard surfaces) and were not a step down from the 2010 interior at all.
6 years 100k miles. Reliable as they come.
JCEM1015, 10/16/2020
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Bought the SE trim about 6 years ago in 2014. CPO from the dealership. Had 32k miles on it. Ive put around 100k since then on it. Ive had a couple recall parts over the years, but the dealership covers all that at no cost. In all honesty its the best car ive ever had in reliability terms. Some reviews youll read about the "sluggish" engine. Its true from a dead stop the first second you give it gas, engine response is a tad slow at start but its hardly noticeable unless youre flooring it. But if you put it in Tiptronic or sport mode it goes away so this was a non issue for me. The interior is somewhat underwhelming in quality on some little things like knobs, etc.. but its comfortable and gets the job done. Ive driven 5 hour+ trips numerous times and never had one issue or doubt in the car. After 6 years and 100k miles, the only thing ive had to repair other than things like tires and other routine services, is the ignition key cylinder which cost me about $100 for the part. Other than that seriously not one problem! Its a miracle maybe I just got super lucky or possibly scored on an outlier? Who knows? But this car gave me all the confidence I need to get another VW. Unfortunately, I did get in an accident recently and good ol reliable was totaled. But luckily im still here today, air bags deployed and I left that scene without a scratch. So for what its worth from first hand experience, this car is SAFE and RELIABLE. Id absolutely buy another VW if not this exact same car.
Step Backward
sportwagentdi, 03/03/2011
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
My wife and I currently own two Jettas (2009 SE and 2010 TDI Sportwagen) and had a 2011 Jetta SE as a loner. While the handling of the new Jetta was superior to the previous sedan, the interior quality was a huge step back from the older models. Everything inside is hard to the touch and very cheap feeling. I really like the exterior styling (wife does not), but the interior is a disappointment compared to VW's of the past. Even my father-in-laws 2004 Golf has a nicer interior feel...strange.
Is this what I've heard so much about?
colosteve, 08/13/2011
2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I've owned my 2011 TDI about 4 months now and I like it. We immediately took it on a road trip (Colorado to Georgia) and it was comfortable and enjoyable. My normal daily driving is about 50 miles round trip. I drive on a curvy mountain road and it ahndles great. The inside is a little on the cheap looking side, but it is a lot for the money. I would have prefered to pay a little more and have a better quality inside. Other than not getting fog lamps it is equipped nice. Everyone I've know swears they get 50 MPG in their older Jetta...what changed. The best I've seen is 44, but it is usually closer to 40 mixed driving.
Powerful diesel car
timm333, 10/22/2011
2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Well this was my first time buying a new car, so I thought I would get what I wanted. I knew I wanted a diesel and the Jetta had all the other features that I wanted too. I bought the car on July 5th, 2011 and in the three months I have owned it I have already put 10,265 miles on it. I figured I might as well break it in while it is still on a warrenty. The engine puts out a lot of torque for its size. The 6m tranny is nice and you can get going fast pretty quick. I have only had the car up to 90mph and it handles pretty good at that speed (all though I don't drive it like that for long). I get more than the advertised 30pmg in town and have hit 50mpg on the highway.
Great car
shop75, 06/18/2014
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SE PZEV 4dr Sedan w/Convenience (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I have had Hyundai, Acuras, Volvos and Lexus before this and I am very happy with this car. I will be buying VW from now on. It is a fun car to drive and big. We have 2 little children and no problem on back seat. The trunk is huge took all our stuff to beach trip with no problem. The pickup is great on the 2.5 5 Cylinder engine. I wish I had the sunroof and automatic headlights but that is all that is missing from this car. I have traded 3 cars in the last 3 years but this one is a keeper! Great gas mileage too
2011 Jetta SE 2.5L Manual
bob449, 09/14/2011
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Purchased a 2011 Jetta SE with the 2.5L gas engine and manual transmission. Great car. Have about 9K miles on it and no problems at all so far. Engine is smooth due to the inline 5 cylinder design with great fuel economy...can get about 500 miles per 14.5 gallons on the highway (about 36-37 mpg) but much less on mixed and city driving (20-25 mpg). Good handling and suspension. Overall ride feels very well designed from both a powertrain and suspension/handling perspective. Roomy interior and large trunk space. Great location of interior convenience features (cupholders and storage). With the a/c on, the performance takes a huge hit and mileage suffers quite a bit, but to be expected.
WORTH EVERY PENNY!!
LUKE, 08/26/2015
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SE PZEV 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Great car for the money. Only problem I had was horn going bad (cost $30.00 did it myself) other than that just oil change and filters. Change original tires ( Hankook ) at 50,000 miles they were terrible just put in a set of Michelin defenders (they handle way better than Hankok). People who complain about materials use in a interior should buy a BMW or Lexus you can not except to much from a midsize car under 20k. Sharp looking car for the money.
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you get what you pay for
mark Walter, 12/27/2015
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SEL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
4 of 6 people found this review helpful
I bought this car in the winter my 2005 Passat had suddenly died and I needed a car fast. The jetta was about 20,000 out the door at an excellent interest rate. i have put thew tires on and done scheduled maintenance and that is all for 75000 of driving. I live in the north in cold and lots of snow. It handles well in snow never got stuck. This car isn't fancy but reliable. I have owned toyota carolla, nissan altima, honda accord. I would say it is no better or worse than these models. the accord was nicer but 5,000 more so it should be. It is quitter than the toyota. the nissan was the older model so can't compare to current day altima. If you buy this car do scheduled maintenance and it should perform well keep it till it dies and it will be worth the money. I have read many of the other views and have never had any of those issues. if you get it new for 0 to .9% for 60 months like I did it is a great deal
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