Topic: Used Vehicle Review: Volkswagen Jetta, 2006-2010

[Autos_Editor]

Consumer Reports lists the MKV Jetta's overall used vehicle reliability as average in general, reports Contributing Editor, Chris Chase. "Diesel models tend to fare a little better, while 2.0T models fall a little below that line," he says.

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[overtakeyouintheleftlane]

A nice body, excellent interior and good fuel economy don't make up for this CRAPPY CAR. My dad's workplace had a fleet of 2006 Jetta TDI's (as mentioned in previous threads), engines failing, bulbs front and rear blowing out at least once a month, windows falling into door sills, electrical gremlins, etc. UNRELIABLE. Wouldn't take one if it was free.

[Drew]

I have to agree. I used to own a few VWs. They were fun to drive but a pain to maintain. Looks like nothing much has changed. I won't touch one again until their repair records (and costs) improve.

[greengs]

I have to agree. I used to own a few VWs. They were fun to drive but a pain to maintain. Looks like nothing much has changed. I won't touch one again until their repair records (and costs) improve.

Golf/Rabbit 2.5L has Above Average reliability rating according to CR.

Anyways the article mentions DSG was introduced with the 2.5L and now it's the only auto for that car.  I don't think this is correct.  Only TDI and 2.0T get the DSG, the 2.5L still has the conventional 6 speed automatic transmission.

[elcee]

I am at my third Jetta TDI (2001, 2006, 2009) and would not change at least untill the new Touareg TDI comes in.

How can a TDI engine fail, never heard of any before. I buy my fuel from repuyable stations who sell a lot of diesel, some stations sell you fuel that has been sitting in thanks for months. As for bulbs failing monthly I cannot remember changing a single one yet.

Fleet car experiences can be misleading as all sort of folks drive these cars which they do not own.

I tend to shy away from many surveys as their reliability is questionable. If I had listened to surveys I would not have bought my 740 Volvo wagon in 1987. It has been a great car and I still drive it today with 345000 KM and the original clutch and everything else except the water pump, shocks, brakes and other maintenance items.  

[overtakeyouintheleftlane]

"workplace had a fleet of 2006 Jetta TDI's" - elcee, I should've been more clear, each person had their own Jetta and was taken home, nobody rotated cars. Everyone had problems. Multiple drivers weren't sharing cars as in a "traditional fleet".

[chrischasescars]

I have to agree. I used to own a few VWs. They were fun to drive but a pain to maintain. Looks like nothing much has changed. I won't touch one again until their repair records (and costs) improve.

Golf/Rabbit 2.5L has Above Average reliability rating according to CR.

Anyways the article mentions DSG was introduced with the 2.5L and now it's the only auto for that car.  I don't think this is correct.  Only TDI and 2.0T get the DSG, the 2.5L still has the conventional 6 speed automatic transmission.

You're right! VW.ca says so. Thanks for pointing out the error.

[SJP]

A friend loved his Jetta TDI, but would freely admit it was a pain in the ass to maintain. Engine went on him a few months back on the highway at 2am,  I talked to him the day after, He was not in a very good mood that day. He wasn't sure what he was going to do, the engine needed to be replaced, and I haven't talked to him to see what he decided. I will have to email him to see what his decision was. I personally couldn't deal with the hassles. They feel like a tank, but every one I know who owns/owned one, had something constantly broke.

[Drew]

[quote author=greengs link=topic=70954.msg663971#msg663971

Golf/Rabbit 2.5L has Above Average reliability rating according to CR.

Anyways the article mentions DSG was introduced with the 2.5L and now it's the only auto for that car.  I don't think this is correct.  Only TDI and 2.0T get the DSG, the 2.5L still has the conventional 6 speed automatic transmission.
[/quote]

True. I saw that report but there are other VWs that CR recommended in the first couple of years that lost their recommended status a few years in. I'd like to see how the Golf fares after a few years before I dive back in again.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

My '01 Golf TDI had a few issues, but mostly relating back to me driving it into the ocean and getting it stuck in the sand at Daytona Beach (long, stupid, sad story). Really, it just needed a few non-maintenance items thru 302K, and my friend saw the car being driven this past year still! Bad then, the quality of diesel fuel in North America varied widely and was high sulphur which didn't help, so if drivers used crappy fuel I would imagine they'd have problems after awhile.

'07 Golf GTI was problem-free thru 32K, and I've got over 10K on my '10 Golf TDI Wagen with nothing yet (should hope not!). I'll be putting 70K+ a year on 'er and plan to keep it over 300K... so I'll be disclosing any issues encountered along the way. Love the car and don't have desire or envy to drive anything else right now.

[airbalancer]

My '01 Golf TDI had a few issues, but mostly relating back to me driving it into the ocean and getting it stuck in the sand at Daytona Beach (long, stupid, sad story). Really, it just needed a few non-maintenance items thru 302K, and my friend saw the car being driven this past year still! Bad then, the quality of diesel fuel in North America varied widely and was high sulphur which didn't help, so if drivers used crappy fuel I would imagine they'd have problems after awhile.

'07 Golf GTI was problem-free thru 32K, and I've got over 10K on my '10 Golf TDI Wagen with nothing yet (should hope not!). I'll be putting 70K+ a year on 'er and plan to keep it over 300K... so I'll be disclosing any issues encountered along the way. Love the car and don't have desire or envy to drive anything else right now.

Is all the driving just stay out of Havelock this weekend  , you do not  love  100,000 campers singing C&W
Ribfest time in Cobourg this weekend

[sirAQUAMAN64]

My '01 Golf TDI had a few issues, but mostly relating back to me driving it into the ocean and getting it stuck in the sand at Daytona Beach (long, stupid, sad story). Really, it just needed a few non-maintenance items thru 302K, and my friend saw the car being driven this past year still! Bad then, the quality of diesel fuel in North America varied widely and was high sulphur which didn't help, so if drivers used crappy fuel I would imagine they'd have problems after awhile.

'07 Golf GTI was problem-free thru 32K, and I've got over 10K on my '10 Golf TDI Wagen with nothing yet (should hope not!). I'll be putting 70K+ a year on 'er and plan to keep it over 300K... so I'll be disclosing any issues encountered along the way. Love the car and don't have desire or envy to drive anything else right now.

Is all the driving just stay out of Havelock this weekend  , you do not  love  100,000 campers singing C&W
Ribfest time in Cobourg this weekend

I'm a fair distance away from the Havelock Country Jamboree and could still hear the music/bass faintly from my house when I arrived home last night! Will venture into town Saturday or Sunday to see the masses. I've been told the main grocery store is cleared to the walls by the end of the week-end.

Ribfest is very popular in Oshawa too, and I've gone 2 years but not the last. Found it extremely busy (which I generally don't mind, but...), and the ribs are expensive. Enjoy some ribbies for me!

[ar_ken]

One small detail that the author forgot to mention, is that during the last year (2010) of the MKV Jetta, it received some interior bits (center stack, HVAC controls, dashboard) from the MK6... the steering wheel was also changed.  The dashboard backlight went from blue to white.  How do I know?  There's one sitting in my driveway.   

Full disclosure:  Bought new, TDI w/ 6MT Trendline (Base model), zero issues so far (it's only been 3000km.....)

[aknutson]

One small detail that the author forgot to mention, is that during the last year (2010) of the MKV Jetta, it received some interior bits (center stack, HVAC controls, dashboard) from the MK6... the steering wheel was also changed.  The dashboard backlight went from blue to white.  How do I know?  There's one sitting in my driveway.   

Full disclosure:  Bought new, TDI w/ 6MT Trendline (Base model), zero issues so far (it's only been 3000km.....)

I saw some of these changes you mentioned on the gallery page on the VW website, the changes look great! In trendline trim with light options, this car makes an incredible deal, especially considering you'll be cutting gas prices in half.

The new steering wheel looks good, and the white gauges and climate controls borrowed form the Passat look almost Audi-esque. Even if there is a little more maintenance than some other vehicles at this price point, the cars are built to last.

One thing though, how does one protect that shiny plastic front with an expected lifespan of over 500,000 Kms for the diesel engine? I'd like to see that painted the colour of the car.

[snlr_66]

"workplace had a fleet of 2006 Jetta TDI's" - elcee, I should've been more clear, each person had their own Jetta and was taken home, nobody rotated cars. Everyone had problems. Multiple drivers weren't sharing cars as in a "traditional fleet".

I bought a new 2006 Jetta 2.5L 5-speed nicely equipped. We got rid of it a couple months ago and I couldn't be happier. I had to change front and rear bulbs on a regular basis, not to mention electrical issues (sunroof opened and wouldn't close, power windows did not respond, power locks not working). We also had to get the rear brakes done every 20,000 km's *not cheap. All this and the cost of regular maintenance is ridiculous!

This car was well taken care of and only had 72,000 km's when sold. I will not be looking to replace it with another VW!

[dougjp]

Note the dates. This is now shown as an article posted on January 12, 2012? Retread.

And Chris, you should know better, the 2.0 turbo was launched in the 2006 model, not the 2007. I own one. Jil did a test drive;

http://www.autos.ca/car-test-drives/test-drive-2006-volkswagen-jetta-20t-wdsg-transmission

[Winterpeg]

Note the dates. This is now shown as an article posted on January 12, 2012? Retread.

And Chris, you should know better, the 2.0 turbo was launched in the 2006 model, not the 2007. I own one. Jil did a test drive;

http://www.autos.ca/car-test-drives/test-drive-2006-volkswagen-jetta-20t-wdsg-transmission

Can you say..."Oops...I did it again". Someone forgot their morning shot of motor oil...er expresso eh?   

[MJMontreal]

A diesel engine must be religiously maintained as per the manufacturer's instructions--if so, they will last forever.

[AP]

My '01 Golf TDI had a few issues, but mostly relating back to me driving it into the ocean and getting it stuck in the sand at Daytona Beach (long, stupid, sad story). Really, it just needed a few non-maintenance items thru 302K, and my friend saw the car being driven this past year still! Bad then, the quality of diesel fuel in North America varied widely and was high sulphur which didn't help, so if drivers used crappy fuel I would imagine they'd have problems after awhile.

'07 Golf GTI was problem-free thru 32K, and I've got over 10K on my '10 Golf TDI Wagen with nothing yet (should hope not!). I'll be putting 70K+ a year on 'er and plan to keep it over 300K... so I'll be disclosing any issues encountered along the way. Love the car and don't have desire or envy to drive anything else right now.

Every data set has its outliers. 

[aaronk]

Too bad to hear about all the problems, I liked the idea of this car but knowing all the trouble spots I don't think I could bring myself to put good money on one.