Is Volkswagen really as unreliable as people say?

[Gunnerheadboy]

Interested in buying a VW Golf, something between '02-'06. But all keep seeing are threads on different websites where people talk about the unreliability of a VW. Is it this true? I think the Golf looks awesome and drives well, but if I'm gonna be stuck with something that I have to repair all the time and just sink money into it I wanna stay away. Or should I stick Toyota and Honda? Boring cars but proven reliability IMO.

[thelefteyeguy]

JD Power Survey

[new_vr]

The honda or corolla will be more reliable
If you get a vw, I think the most important thing is find a good VW mechanic (specialist), that makes a big difference

[bpeanut]

VW typically ranks near the top on worst cars to buy used. I work with a guy who likes VWs. He told me that everytime he has bought one, he has had to take it to his buddy to have the electrical fixed up.

[Gunnerheadboy]

That's too bad to hear. 'Cause for the prices I'm looking at the VW is so fun to drive. Corolla and Civic aren't, but they do get the job done.

[gilboman]

Interested in buying a VW Golf, something between '02-'06. But all keep seeing are threads on different websites where people talk about the unreliability of a VW. Is it this true? I think the Golf looks awesome and drives well, but if I'm gonna be stuck with something that I have to repair all the time and just sink money into it I wanna stay away. Or should I stick Toyota and Honda? Boring cars but proven reliability IMO.

the newer VW's are better..but that's not saying much because they were/are so horrible. They've been at bottom of every and all reliability/dependability surveys for more than a decade. Don't let all the impending fanboys tell you otherwise, they'll tell you how all the studies for all the years are incorrect, how VW's are fine etc

But if you must buy a VW, but atleast a MKV or later which are not as horrible for reliabilty ...a 02-06 is not, just walk away unless you are a diehard VW fan

[gilboman]

That's too bad to hear. 'Cause for the prices I'm looking at the VW is so fun to drive. Corolla and Civic aren't, but they do get the job done.

any mazda will be infinitely more fun to drive than any VW. Reliability is a bit better than VW too but not good.

[ToniCipriani]

Didn't you know the Corowraa is the official ka of RFD?

[spike1128]

That's too bad to hear. 'Cause for the prices I'm looking at the VW is so fun to drive. Corolla and Civic aren't, but they do get the job done.

Not sure if others talking about previous generations. I think the Mark V - Mark VI are quite reliable, just not as reliable as a Toyota or Honda. I am not sure we can say how reliable a Toyota or Honda is now, since their quality has gone down hill for the last generation.

I do realize sometimes there are problem with electronics like the radio not working correctly. Little problems here and there.

[Gunnerheadboy]

I guess I'll stick to the Cororras and the like.

[Kunman]

hi, bought the last model year before the facelift 07 tourge 4.2 v8 new....zero problems except for a faulty warning light, but i dont drive it much only 60000 km on it right now.

buying from the last model year is a must in the family now and it makes sense because all of the previously known problems are fixed.

also, the v8 4.2 has been in the vw family for two generations before I made the purchase, so its a tried and tested engine...thus my information might be biased.

[Albin]

hi, bought the last model year before the facelift 07 tourge 4.2 v8 new....zero problems except for a faulty warning light, but i dont drive it much only 60000 km on it right now.

buying from the last model year is a must in the family now and it makes sense because all of the previously known problems are fixed.

also, the v8 4.2 has been in the vw family for two generations before I made the purchase, so its a tried and tested engine...thus my information might be biased.

I have a 2003 Jetta 1.8T, so far no electrical problems or any major problems whatsoever (knocking on wood). With that said I know people with the 2000 model and had crap loads of trouble with it. Probably fixed them all by the time I got it. It's luck I guess.

[gilboman]

I have a 2003 Jetta 1.8T, so far no electrical problems or any major problems whatsoever (knocking on wood). With that said I know people with the 2000 model and had crap loads of trouble with it. Probably fixed them all by the time I got it. It's luck I guess.

nope, not fixed. It's not luck..it's probability. Probability are higher you will have problems with a VW, that is a fact and backed by science. but that doesnt mean all VW's will have problems. Just like smoking a pack a day, snorting coke and eating bacon and fries daily won't mean you will die younger than someone with healthier habits, just means you have a probability to die sooner.

Samething with VW.

People's individual experience on some message board is meaningless.. studies like JD, and etc are not. Unless you somehow have a sample of 60,000 VW owners on here posting their experiences lol

[Ojam]

VW = 1.7 problems per car on average
Honda = 1.3 problems per car on average
Toyota = 1 problem per car on average

When you break it down, it's really not a huge difference. The key is knowing what you are buying and being aware.

[macnut]

Others may disagree with me, but in my experience, if you get a (rare) problem with a Toyota or Honda, it's likely to be major (like engine sludge or failed A/T).

With VWs, you are more than likely going to get a lot of small problems only ( electrical and electronic malfunctions, ancillary components that might be hard to diagnose but not too expensive to replace).

So VWs can be a good buy for a knowledgeable person who has the ability and facilities to DIY, but not for the average RFD'er unless you budget for somewhat above-average maintenance and repair costs.

You have to balance those downsides against the clear upsides (the driving experience, good ergonomics, inspired styling, fit and finish, style).

If you are not sure and have to ask, probably best to stay with a used Corolla.