Volkswagen Jetta gli problems
The Volkswagen Jetta is a compact car/small family car manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen since 1979. Positioned to fill a sedan niche above the firm's Golf hatchback, it has been marketed over seven generations, variously as the Atlantic, Vento, Bora, City Jetta, Jetta City, GLI, Jetta, Clasico, and Sagitar (in China).
The Jetta has been offered in two- and four-door saloon / sedan, and five-door wagon / estate versions – all as four- or five-seaters. Since the original version in 1980, the car has grown in size and power with each generation. By mid-2011, almost 10 million Jettas have been produced and sold all over the world. As of April 2014, Volkswagen marketed over 14 million, becoming its top selling model.
Nameplate etymology
Numerous sources note that the Jetta nameplate derives from the Atlantic 'jet stream' during a period when Volkswagen named its vehicles after prominent winds and currents (e.g., the Volkswagen Passat (after the German word for trade wind), Volkswagen Bora (after bora), and Volkswagen Scirocco (after sirocco).
A 2013 report by former VW advertising copywriter Bertel Schmitt, said that — after consulting VW sources including Dr. Carl Hahn, former Volkswagen of America Chief and W.P. Schmidt, former sales chief at Volkswagen — no evidence suggested Volkswagen employed a naming theme for its front-drive, water-cooled vehicles; nor was there evidence the names derived from a theme; nor that a naming system "was ever announced, either officially or confidentially."
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Volkswagen Jetta gli model years
Common Volkswagen Jetta gli problems
The Volkswagen Jetta GLI is known for its high-performance capabilities, but it has also been associated with a number of common problems that have been reported by owners. Here are some of the most frequently mentioned issues:
- ABS Module Failure: The 2009 Jetta has been reported to have issues with the Antilock Braking System (ABS) module, which has led to numerous accidents or near-accidents. The NHTSA issued a recall for the faulty ABS module, which has been identified as one of the main reasons to avoid the 2009 Jetta.
- Clock Spring Failure: Volkswagen owners have reported clock spring problems, which can lead to a disabled driver's side airbag, horn, and steering wheel controls. This issue has been reported to persist even after the parts were first recalled, and it is under investigation.
- Ignition Coil Failure: Ignition coils produce a high-voltage current that fires the spark plugs. However, VW coils often fail, causing the engine to suddenly lose power. This can lead to shaking or hesitation and leave the driver in a vulnerable position.
- Jetta Radio Problems: There have been reports of VW radios failing suddenly and without warning, particularly in the 2010-2011 Jetta. Once the radio fails, it is often gone for good, leaving the driver without entertainment or navigation.
- Oil Sludge in the 1.8L Turbo Engine: From 1997-2005, VW manufactured a 1.8-liter turbocharged engine with a tiny 3.7-quart oil capacity. This has led to complaints of oil sludge buildup, which can cause engine failure. A class-action lawsuit was filed as a result of these complaints.
- Defective Timing Chain: Volkswagen's EA888 2.0-liter engine has been reported to have tensioner problems that can lead to a loose timing chain. This issue has led to a series of lawsuits, which have resulted in an extended warranty and potential repairs for affected vehicles.
- Diesel Emissions Scandal: Volkswagen has admitted to using a defeat device on its supposedly 'clean diesel' vehicles to skirt around US emissions standards. This has led to a significant amount of controversy and legal action.
While the Volkswagen Jetta GLI is known for its performance capabilities, it is important to be aware of these common problems. Regular maintenance and prompt attention to any issues that arise can help mitigate these problems and ensure the longevity of the vehicle.
Are Volkswagen Jetta gli reliable?
J.D. Power last rated the Jetta GLI in 2021, for which it attained 76 out of 100 for quality and reliability, and 76/100 overall. This score is well behind other competitors like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. On a positive note, the 2023 GLI has not been recalled for any issues.
How long do Jetta GLI engines last?
In many cases, the VW Jetta can run for more than 200,000 miles when properly maintained. Most VW Jetta owners drive their cars for 7 and a half years, which is usually around 75,000 miles before they upgrade to a new model with the latest features.
What is a common problem in Volkswagen Jetta?
Automatic gearbox problems
It has been known for the automatic gearboxes on these cars to suffer with different problems. One of the most common problems is for the gears struggling to change, which could be caused by problems with the gear linkage.
Do VW Jettas have transmission problems?
As their owners will be well aware, certain models of the Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 have been known to have transmission problems. The transmission on these vehicles, the 09G automatic, often has problems with rough shifting into certain gears, making driving an uncomfortable—and often frightening—experience.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Volkswagen Jetta gli years
We have researched Volkswagen problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Volkswagen Jetta gli cars and compiled the top 1 most problematic Volkswagen Jetta gli model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Volkswagen Jetta gli model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Volkswagen Jetta gli years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Volkswagen Jetta gli car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Volkswagen Jetta gli , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Steering problems
- Electrical system problems
- Engine problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Volkswagen Jetta gli vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Volkswagen Jetta gli . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Volkswagen Jetta gli vehicles.
List of Volkswagen Jetta gli complaints
Volkswagen Jetta gli 2016
- Date Of Incident: 2019-03-04
- Date Complaint: 2019-03-06
- VIN: 3VW267AJ3GM
- Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE KEY PERIODICALLY GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION OR THE IGNITION WILL NOT TURN. SOME TIMES WIGGLING THE IGNITION, STEERING WHEEL, SHIFT SELECTOR, PRESSING ON THE BREAK OR ROCKING THE CAR IS NECESSARY.
Volkswagen Jetta gli 2016
- Date Of Incident: 2017-11-14
- Date Complaint: 2017-11-28
- VIN: 3VW4T7AJ1GM
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (LASH VOLKSWAGEN OF WHITE PLAINS, 376 TARRYTOWN RD, WHITE PLAINS, NY 10607) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE TIMING BELT CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-822-8987 AND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REVIEW ALL THE INVOICES. AFTER THE INVOICE REVIEW WAS COMPLETED, THE MANUFACTURER DENIED THE REQUEST BECAUSE THERE WAS NO VIN IN ANY OF THE INVOICES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT SHE WOULD NEED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. CASE NUMBER: 171734952 WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.