2003 Volkswagen Jetta Consumer Discussions

Volkswagen Jetta Brakes and Rotors

Jetta Rotors and no help from VW or Dealer

Written by: johnnytoobad on Aug 20, 2008 02:38 PM

I have a 2000 Jetta GLS with 98.5K miles, purchased for my 16 year old daughter. In February I replaced the front pads and rotors. Now the rotors need to be replaced again after only 3642 miles and 5 months. The pads, however, are fine, very little wear. According to the dealer, the rotors are rusted and pitted, "due to outside influences", i.e. rain or humidity. ... Read More...

VW Jetta TDI

VW vs Honda

Written by: scottinky on Jul 30, 2008 03:58 AM

I now have both in my garage, 08 Odyssey and 08 Jetta SE. Both are too new to offer a reliability opinion. However, I am keeping my fingers crossed they only require 5K oil changes (honda) once or twice a year. In terms of build, the Jetta kills the Odyssey in materials and assembly. This US built Odyssey has more rattles and noise, and it feels cheap. Honda has also ... Read More...

Re: 09 Jetta tdi test drive [ruking1]

Written by: gagrice on Jul 23, 2008 01:32 PM

Actually in CA, CARB blocked the sale of more than a very limited number of VW TDIs up until 2004 when they cut them off completely. When I tried buying a TDI Beetle in about 2003 the dealer told me their percentage for the year was reached by February IIRC. You are right it was not a conspiracy. It was an outright hatred of diesel cars by the head of CARB. Then the Wannabe ... Read More...

Re: 09 Jetta tdi test drive [drvsalot]

Written by: elias on Jul 14, 2008 04:14 PM

the mpg meter has two modes, instant and average. these cars are great, I've put 40k or 50k per year on various TDIs since 2003. My advice is DO NOT PAY more than retail price. Call around to other VW dealers and you will find one selling TDIs for retail. Read More...

Jetta Transmission Issues and Questions

Re: No warning, differential/transmission locks up on freeway [naz2]

Written by: 600kgolfgt on Dec 12, 2007 05:54 PM

Unfortunately, automatic transmissions are an Achilles' heel with VWs - dating back to the 1970s. They have been notorious differential-eaters. The manual transmissions have been very robust. As far as your Jetta is concerned, the 2.0L automatic transmissions were made in Mexico, and are a mixed bag when it comes to reliability (at best). I have a 2003 Wolfsburg ... Read More...

Is my Jetta a lemon?

Re: need some reassurance [kennbee]

Written by: 600kgolfgt on Jun 15, 2008 07:27 PM

Stay away from Mk3's as they're poorly made and damned ugly. My 252,000 mile 1997 Mk3 Jetta Trek and I beg to differ... And this is from a VW owner who had a 624,000 mile 1987 Mk2 Golf and a 250,000 mile Mk1 1975 Scirocco... The Mk3 2.0L engines are also impossible to kill. The Mk4 2.0L engines on the other hand... :sick: Which is why I opted for the 1.8T Mk4 (2003 Wolfsburg ... Read More...

Volkswagen Jetta Maintenance and Repair

Re: First Volkswagen Jetta [paulanthonydfw]

Written by: bpeebles on Jun 10, 2008 07:26 PM

My 2003 TDI has nearly 100,000 miles... and I fully expect another couple 100,000 out of it. *)Clean the "snowScreen" (there is an online movie showing how to do this) *)Make certain the foam pads which cause rust have been addressed. (There is a TSB about this) ENJOY YOUR NEW CAR!!. Read More...

First Volkswagen Jetta

Written by: paulanthonydfw on Jun 10, 2008 04:08 PM

Hello VW people. I just purchased a 2003 Jetta GL with the 2.0 engine. I have never owned a VW before. It has a little higher mileage at 80,000, but has a clean car fax and looks and drives great. Can anyone suggest some maintenance that I might need to get done other than an oil change. Thanks, Paul in Dallas. Read More...

Jetta Transmission Issues and Questions

jetta automatic transmission jerk going into 2nd

Written by: jartzh on Dec 10, 2007 09:10 AM

2003 Jetta has a serious jerk when it shift to 2nd. Sometimes. maybe more ofen when its cold. When it had 20,000 we took it back to dealer and they didnt something (dont know what) and it didnt occur for a while then it started once a month and now its down to once a week. its out of warranty now so VW wants me to pay to have them look at it. This has to be a known/common problem ... Read More...

Volkswagen Jetta Audio/Entertainment Questions

Re: VW Jetta 2003 Monsoon Radio Frozen [dgjackson80]

Written by: jbruner on Apr 24, 2008 10:32 AM

What wire? I same year Jetta and I don't know what to do to fix the thing. Read More...