VW reliability issues

[driftor]

Got any insights on why the VW reliability was so poor it was off the scale in Consumer Reports?

With so many yuppies driving them, could it be fussy yuppie syndrome, or what really breaks down so much?

Sure my Beetle had too many problems after a few years, but that was a 1970.

What's the problem now anyways. I suspect the diesles have a avoided that. My boss, a smart guy (the chief scientist in our research group) said that all he wanted to do after some 100,000 Kms was to change the brake pads but the dealer gave him enless hassles for having to do numerous fixes. Is that what the reliability problems are about. I just drove a Jetta in Europe decades ago and liked the car.

Is this really the worst in reliability that modern cars have to offer? If so maybe reliability is no longer an issue? Consumer Magazines say they just have not kept up with the Asians--except the Passat which had a 'highest' rating until recently when its 4-cyl version got knowcked off by the Accord

What do you think?

[The General]

Since 1993, VW's reliabilty record has been on a steep decline. the Passat did improve as of 1997. Problems range from: 1993 - 1996: 2.0L 8v excessive oil consumption, automatic tranny failures, seemingly endless electrical problems, wheel bearings... to more recently, MAF sensors, coil packs, transmissions, oil starvation in 1.8T engines, electrical sensors and connections, rear brakes... The list is very very long.

The recent diesels suffer more from a lack of maintenance, proper use and fuel than constant break downs.

They continu to sell because of the way they handle, looks and feel.

VW is in real hot water right now. I hope, for them, that the MK5 will be more reliable otherwise things are not looking good...

[driftor]

General Your report is what I feared, but it still may mean one can get a good deal on a diesel and just put up with small problems> Hmmm.... has to be a really good deal.

[The General]

Injection pumps have been known to fail on these cars and they are not cheap. Unless I'm confused, I think they cost around 900$ and this excludes labour!!

[snoproblem]

Originally Posted by The General

Injection pumps have been known to fail on these cars and they are not cheap. Unless I'm confused, I think they cost around 900$ and this excludes labour!!

Is that on the gas engine(s), or the diesel?

[The General]

That is for a diesel injection pump. I believe that driftor was looking maybe into buying a used VW diesel.

[powdavis]

I don't know about you guys, but we've had VWs in the family for decades... and we haven't had a problem yet. The vintage family beetle runs well and is really a conversation starter.


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