Volkswagen Jetta - Nightmare on Wheels
The Volkswagen Jetta Has My Vote for Worst Car of the Century
"Ohhh…that car is so cute, and the price is unbelievable!" Those were the words that came from my naïve little mouth one sunny day in March of 2003. I should've seen the writing on the wall that screamed "LEMON!" Instead, the only writing I saw was my signature on the loan agreement. I bid farewell to my Honda Civic as I sped off in my sporty new Jetta. I loved everything about my new car. It was cute, fast and had a great sound system. However, my happiness would soon turn into frustration as problem after problem arose with the "Hitler Mobile", as I lovingly call it.
I will admit, I did purchase something good that day - it's called an extended warranty. Thank God for United States Warranty Company! This warranty saved me a huge amount of money when it came time to fix the Jetta. The first thing that went wrong with the Jetta was the O2 sensor. The "check engine" light came on, so I took it to the dealer and they told me it was the O2 sensor. So they fixed it, I paid my deductible, and I was on my way to work. After I got out of work and got in my car again, guess what I saw when I started it up? Yes, the "check engine" light was on again! So, I called the dealer and they told me I would be responsible for the $90 diagnostic fee again. I called it a loss and decided to live with the light. Since then, I have replaced the transmission (at only 70,000 miles), the clutch, the alternator, three batteries, belt tensioner, serpentine belt, and God only knows what else. But that's not the only thing that's wrong with the Jetta, there's more. However, I'm so sick of this car that I've decided not to fix it anymore. The inside door handle broke apart, the cup holder is broken, the CD changer doesn't work when it's hot outside (I live in Florida, so that means it never works), the radio display shows some crazy alien-type writing, the cassette won't come out of the tape player, the airbag light is on, it runs so rough that occasionally it stalls, and I haven't had cold AC in over a year.
Now I have two new problems with the Jetta. The key that I paid $150 for doesn't unlock my car properly. Most days I spend over thirty minutes trying to get in my car, playing with my key in order to turn off the alarm. The key unlocks the car fine, but it doesn't shut off the alarm. When I paid $150 for my key, I refused to spend an extra $80 to get it programmed. So, when I lock the car with the key, it turns on the alarm. Well, the disabling of the alarm doesn't work so smooth. It's really embarrassing to stand there and watch everyone glare at you because they think you're some idiot that likes hearing their car alarm go off. Anyways, I couldn't drive it even if I did get it unlocked because the gear shifter just goes in circles. There's no reverse, just forward. And it won't stay in forward gear long enough to drive it anywhere.
My vote for the worst car of the century would go to the Volkswagen Jetta. Everyone that I know that has owned this car has had tons of problems with it, including the "check engine" light that refuses to go away. I would tell anyone considering the Jetta as their next car to stay away. Research the Jetta forums online and you'll see what lemons these cars really are. I can't wait to get rid of my Jetta. I only have two more car payments and I own the thing. After that, I'm selling it and letting someone else deal with this nightmare of a car. Hopefully a mechanic will buy it, that way they will save themselves a fortune on labor when they have to replace just about everything in the car. In the future, I'll listen to the voice of reason and not that pesky "girly girl" voice inside my head. Right now the voice of reason is telling me "Get rid of the Hitler Mobile!" The Jetta is out… I'm going back to Honda.
Published by Hector Rodriguez
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22 Comments
Post a CommentI will never own another VW... any make... any model. They are the biggest waste of natural resources on the planet.
I have a 1999 Jetta and sure the CD changer doesn't work in the heat so well, but I figured out how to fix that myself. Additionally yeah my check engine light has been on for years I have >200,0000 miles on it and only really had to replace the exhaust once for rust ($350) and the break cables once and some other little things. Sometimes the car alarm goes off when it shouldn't, it locks all the doors when it shouldn't, and the glove compartment handle just fell off but for the lack of really bad problems in a >10 year old car I couldn't be happier. Plus why are so many people investing good money for the check engine light. It turns on unnecessarily get over it and just let it stay on. Mine's been on since 2005 sure if something actually breaks I won't know but I'm not going to invest 1000s of dollars in a light that is a known problem with this car. Overall I can't expect much more for the lack of money I've needed to put into it over the
My family owns two Jettas and they are far better than any American car I've ever owned. I look around my community and I see a TON of them on the road - old and new - so clearly there are a lot of people out there who enjoy them as much as I do. Unfortunately cars DO break down over time, especially if you neglect them (not saying you did). Nothing lasts forever. You rave about your Honda but look around the 'net for some testimonials about your '95 model and you'll find a ton of people who hate it like you hate your Jetta. For what it's worth I used to drive a Civic myself. Not a bad car, but it had it's share of problems. For now I'm an avid VW fan. Nothing I've ever owned in my life compares to it. Nothing.
MINE HAS 265000 AND NO PROBLEMS ..I'D BUY IT AGAIN AND AGAIN..
I made the mistake of getting a 2001 Jetta, and a check engine light that has cost me over $500 already is wanting another $800, the WORST piece of crap I ever owned. I am putting the puppy to rest and getting a Honda Civic, which is very reliable.
If you don't like a VW then buy a Crysler/FIAT.
LOL
I bought my son a 2001 Jetta VR6 and it is the car from hell. I bought it almost two years ago and have replaced fifteen hundred dollars worth of German engineering. Everything on the car is three hundred dollars and up. How can plug wires cost three hundred? I know Honda's last forever, maybe not the bodies over time in the midwest, but the engines last and are cheaper to fix. I bought the Jetta for its safety rating which very good, but I'm wondering if the rating is so high because the car sits in a repair shop! I hope future VW buyers read about these problems and make a smart decision, don't go in with narrow vision because of style, popularity, or what a salesman sales pitch is. DO ALOT OF RESEARCH!
My doughter drives a 2005 Jetta I'm so afraid for her. her's only got about 65K no significant problems to report. I forgot my son also drives a 2003 Golf same thing no significant problems. i almost forgot my father drives a 2006 Passat with no problems whatsoever til date did I mention my previous 1986 Jetta with over 350K miles on it with original engine and trany. By the way my wife just got the 2009 Jetta TDI this thing's been so reliable to us did i mention they're a blast to drive that we must continue to buy this crap. almost forgot we only do basic maintanance and drive the heck out of them. It's not like you've never been to the doctor yourself. Ride a bicycle no engine no trany no electronics to worry about.
I'm shocked to see the lack of mentioning the MAF (mass airflow) sensor or the electronic window regulators (perhaps you had manual windows..). Both of those things were sources of issue on my '99 as well. O2 twice under warranty because of a recall, MAF twice to the tune of about $480 a pop, and both front windows fell into the door well under 60000 miles. Hilarious. Biggest POS I have ever owned also. My '83 and '86 GTIs were never anywhere near as janky. Thank god I bought an E39 BMW and forgot about cars that don't work properly! Better luck in the future!
they sound like women haters, or still virgins with bad attitudes. Everything out there is designed to fail in a certain time frame. They engineer this way today to keep the market going. REAL F IN SAD... Drive a chevy and you will love your vw...