Volkswagen Reliability?

[Naimfan]

I was one of those who got sucked into the whole VW driving experience thing. I've gone through a '90 Golf, '92 Passat, '95 Jetta, a '96 Jetta, a '99 Passat, and a 2000 Jetta TDI. I didn't own the '90 Golf or the 92 Passat long enough for them to develop any problems, but except for the 99 Passat, every other one was a disaster--each in their own way. The '95 Jetta was terrific until it hit 60K, at which point it would simply turn off at random. The dealer and two independent shops couldn't figure out why. Ditto the '96 Jetta. The 2000 TDI was also fine until 60K, and then it literally started falling apart.

Combining all the anecdotal stories with the available data, VW's reliability is about as poor as it gets. So if you can get a Toyota at a discount, do it. You will save yourself a ton of money and endless aggravation.

 

[jjmaximum]

It is funny how others have stated they hate VWs yet say their last 4 cars were all VWs...there must be reasons for this, and they are:

They drive the best
Fit and finish is superior
Leading technology
Resale value
Comfort

The reason German cars are always on the 'unreliable' list is because they are always using new technology and are pushing forward, where the Japanese wait for proven technology and then under-engineer the cars performance (see BMW 7 vs. Lexus LS timeline of features).

I drive a 2002 BMW 745Li and have had features being heavily marketed in 2008 as being 'new' such as push button start, air conditioned seats, voice commands, etc. I've had these features for SIX years. The car has been to the dealer 11 times (avg. twice/year) for either scheduled maintenance or a repair. It is covered by a 6 yr/100K bumper to bumper warranty so all work was free. I consider this very acceptable given the sophistication of the vehicle.

My wife drives a 2008 VW Eos which she's had for over 6 months and it has been flawless - not been to dealer yet.

The best rule is to never buy a first year model of any car.

 

[decksnap]

They drive the best
Fit and finish is superior
Leading technology
Resale value
Comfort

I wouldn't agree with most of that. Golfs drive nice, most others don't. The fit and finish is CLEARLY not superior at all. VW interiors are really about middle of the road, and I expect this to continue to go downhill with all the cost cutting. Comfort? Really?

 

[yg17]

I wouldn't agree with most of that. Golfs drive nice, most others don't. The fit and finish is CLEARLY not superior at all. VW interiors are really about middle of the road, and I expect this to continue to go downhill with all the cost cutting. Comfort? Really?

My GTI has the best interior out of any other cars in it's price range. Other cars just felt cheap.

 

[decksnap]

My GTI has the best interior out of any other cars in it's price range. Other cars just felt cheap.

Clearly that's subjective. But in general, I stick to what I wrote.

 

[SpooledupRacing]

Volkswagens are good mechanically.. as far as suspension or electrical the germans have ALWAYS had probelms...

electrical and germans mix like oil and water...

suspension parts fail sooner because they use REAL RUBBER instead of neoprene because rubber gives a better nicer ride where neoprean is a bit stiffer but last for EVER...

Japaneese cars have always been made of a good standard... toyotas will last well into 300K... Hondas will see 300K Mazdas now will see 250K-300K

I work at a high line import car part store... I sell control arms for VW's MANY times a day.. we stock 3-4 or each arm because of this.


Why do europeans drink warm beer.........























because their refridgerators are made by Lucas.

 

[mrJnC]

I have a 2000 Golf GLS TDI, 120k+ miles. While it has had some reliability problems, thanks to the power of the internet, every one was a known issue and the parts/fixes were sourced easily enough. However, I'm not sure I'd recommend the car to someone not comfortable with the history of it's quirks and how to deal with them.

A short list:
Relay 109, main power relay, flawed from the factory. Replaced with improved relay, $19. *
Bosch MAF, flawed from the factory (affected cars other than VW too). Replaced with Pierburg MAF. $150. *
Broken power window lifts. 2x. Both were warranty. VW extended the warranty associated with this. *
Block temp sensor. 2x. $60?
N75 vacuum valve. $80
Glow plug wiring harness. $25?
Miscellaneous electrical switch recalls.
*VW later warrantied/recalled these items.

To me, this isn't horrendous by any means. And I have two issues associated with getting rid of the car.
1) I get 45 mpg in town, 50+ on trips. Best mileage was 58 mpg to the beach. So it's been efficient despite escalating diesel prices.
2) The car is chipped and when the turbo kicks in, I can keep up with most anything on the road (without downshifting!) from 50-70 mph. It's hard to find a comparable economy car with as much torque on demand.

 

[blairwillis]

I've had two ex-girlfriends that bought VWs and then slept with a friend. In retrospect, good riddance. The VWs carried them away.

So yes, I'd suggest a VW if you need to move some trash.

 

[blairwillis]

In addition, I'm always surprised by the number of "hippies" that swear by VWs (busses and bugs). They have terrible emissions and aren't what I'd consider a "green" vehicle. (And I know many people who did the VW-hippie thing and were all about saving the earth.) However, I will say I do have some respect for keeping a machine working for years and years for simple transportation, versus the modern disposable automobile.

Yes, I drive a new car. Yes I'll trade it in in another year.

And yes, I did always want a VW bus but never got around to it.

I say, if you're really going to "get back to the earth," then WALK. <jk>

 

[Naimfan]

They drive the best
Fit and finish is superior
Leading technology
Resale value
Comfort

And that's why YOU drive a BMW (I do as well).

I disagree with all of your points, recognizing they are all subjective.

 

[JOEDIRT]

I used to own a 02 tdi golf, great car went it came to fuel consumption, was very good in the snow, low torque, and handled pretty good BUT. It was constantly in the shop for repairs, the money i saved on fuel went to the mechanic.

Eventually i couldnt handle the stress anymore...so i sold it and bought a Subaru. Best vehicle ive every owned, this thing is "bullet proof"

Since I live in Canada, winter driving has become a treat! I actually get stoked when it snows. AWD rules! The Japanese take the cake, and set the benchmark

 

[aquajet]

The reason German cars are always on the 'unreliable' list is because they are always using new technology and are pushing forward

How do you explain the less than stellar CR reliability ratings for VW's "lesser" offerings over the last decade? I've had two MKIII Jettas and my current '99 Beetle (they all were hand-me-downs, that's the only reason why I had them). Nothing is particularly revolutionary about any of these cars, yet they rate among the worst. When my Beetle was purchased new in '99, its drivetrain was already nearly a decade old. Maybe it's time you consider that some of these German companies are out to make a buck and are willing to cut their costs as much as they can get away with.

 

[ryannel2003]

To be honest, Toyota isn't so hot right now. The '07 Camry V6 and Tundra was taken off CR's Recommended list. It seems they have gotten arrogant with becoming #1, and have started putting out cut-rate products (kinda like the General was doing in the 80's, but not to that extent). However, it seems like VW is starting to make some strides in the reliability department. A girl at my school with an '06 Passat 1.8T says she's had very few problems. However, a friend of mine had a '03 New Beetle that was in the shop quite often. Same with my other friend and her '03 Jetta GLX; VW is a really fun do drive car, but I just don't get that quality feeling when sitting inside one. I mean, when I touch the mirror and it falls off in my hand, that isn't something that would reassure me about the quality of the car.

 

[Carl Spackler]

Darn, its just the toyota's aren't as fun to drive.

Have you considered the Mazda3 hatchback? Well priced, reliable, loved by many and terribly fun to drive.

We drove a "Method" edition Matrix that has a slightly better suspension and all-wheel disc brakes vs. the regular Matrix. It was fine, but paled in camparison to the Mazda3, which was a bit cheaper than the Toyota after dropped in all the options to bring it up to a standard Mazda3.

The only real advantage to the Toyota was the MPG and visibility.

 

[davemonvw]

VW driver since 1972

I have had VW's for 36 years. Every kind, from Karmen Gia, bug, Jetta to Passats. You NEVER buy one for reliability. I lived though the bad coils fiasco, I have had oil seals fail in the first 1000 miles, I have had windows fail, I now have a blower fan in a 2006 passat that sounds like a bird chirping when I take a left turn. But, once you get pass the first year they can settle down and can last a long time. They sure are fun though. I can not belive I am considering one for my daughter! They seem hypnotize me once I get behind the wheel. Test drive the 2009 GTI and you will see what I mean.

 

[InvalidUserID]

My Touareg is holding up nicely with over 65,000 miles on it.

 

[doubleohseven]

My Mum owns a '07 Golf TDI 2.0, and the only problem we've had with it was that the brake light on the right stopped working. This was easily fixed by replacing the light bulb, which my Dad did. Another problem with it is that the horn is hard to press; you've got to literally bang the wheel, in hope that the airbag doesn't come out.

 

[yg17]

I have had VW's for 36 years. Every kind, from Karmen Gia, bug, Jetta to Passats. You NEVER buy one for reliability. I lived though the bad coils fiasco, I have had oil seals fail in the first 1000 miles, I have had windows fail, I now have a blower fan in a 2006 passat that sounds like a bird chirping when I take a left turn. But, once you get pass the first year they can settle down and can last a long time. They sure are fun though. I can not belive I am considering one for my daughter! They seem hypnotize me once I get behind the wheel. Test drive the 2009 GTI and you will see what I mean.

Yup, I love my 2008 GTI.

As of last Friday, I've had it for a year and the only problem so far was that my Sirius radio that came with the car decided to stop working. Dealer replaced it for me under warranty. Not a big deal at all

 

[jaydub]

Yup, I love my 2008 GTI.

As of last Friday, I've had it for a year and the only problem so far was that my Sirius radio that came with the car decided to stop working. Dealer replaced it for me under warranty. Not a big deal at all

A year of ownership is hardly long enough to determine a car's long-term reliability.

 

[Big-TDI-Guy]

Let me open by saying I'm not afraid of a wrench.

Been driving VWs (of my own) for over 8 years now. On page 2 of this thread someone mentioned the fun factor wearing off. It hasn't. Still love driving them.

Have a 2000 GTI VR6 and a 2002 Golf TDI.

Window-regulator issues aside, they've been fine. As for the window regulators, VW offered a type of silent recall (7 year / 70k on them) - and my last repair I used metal clips. So no longer an issue.

Since being out of warranty - both cars have been fine. Yeah, imagine that.

 

[yg17]

A year of ownership is hardly long enough to determine a car's long-term reliability.

Of course not, but if a car is going to be a complete lemon, you'd probably know by the end of the year.

 

[me_94501]

My mom's 2004 Jetta (about 25k miles) is holding up pretty well. So far aside from replacing the battery and a taillight bulb she's only had to bring it in for have regular maintenance.

In addition, I'm always surprised by the number of "hippies" that swear by VWs (busses and bugs). They have terrible emissions and aren't what I'd consider a "green" vehicle.

To be honest I'm a little surprised VW hasn't yet offered a hybrid.

 

[Big-TDI-Guy]

VW is one of the worlds leaders in Diesels. They've been putting the R&D into "clean diesel technology". Unlike many of their competitors.

But, once they realize Diesel engines have great sex with Electric motors - we'll get some nice 90+ mpg cars coming alone. (that actually have space inside)

 

[Frisco]

VWs are so unreliable. Even more so than American cars. They are complete nightmares. Stay away!!

 

[dmr727]

My mom's 2004 Jetta (about 25k miles) is holding up pretty well.

Wow - she doesn't drive that thing much at all!