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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg According to the survey, nine hybrid models for which we have sufficient data earned above-average predicted-reliability Ratings. (consumerreports.org/cro/cars/used-cars/reliability/best-worst-in-car-reliability-1005/reliability-findings/reliability-findings.htm)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2009_Ford_Escape_Hybrid.jpgConsumer Reports (consumerreports.org) – Dec. 2008

2009 Ford Escape Hybrid - 32 mpgUS combined on the 08 EPA.

More efficient cars gives even additional savings in maintenance. Makes more sense economically…

Fuel-efficient vehicles are a very reliable segment of the automotive market overall. And European cars, which have trailed the domestic models for about five years, are showing signs of improvement.

Those are the top findings of our 2008 Car Reliability Survey, based on our subscribers' experiences with 1.4 million vehicles. Respondents reported on any serious problems they had with their vehicles in 17 trouble spots during the previous 12 months, which allows us to provide predicted-reliability Ratings for new cars. We include only models for which we have 100 or more responses.

According to the survey, nine hybrid models for which we have sufficient data earned above-average predicted-reliability Ratings. Most of those hybrids are from Japanese automakers. We also found that conventional gas-sippers such as the Honda Fit, Scion xD, Smart ForTwo, and Toyota Yaris had few problems… http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/used-cars/reliability/best-worst-in-car-reliability-1005/reliability-findings/reliability-findings.htm

Haha! Fuel efficient doesn't necessarily mean lower maintenance costs. That's just a coincidence. Volkswagen. I rest my case.

You are correct, more fuel efficient doesn't immediately mean lower maintenance, but on the general scale.

Haha! Fuel efficient doesn't necessarily mean lower maintenance costs. That's just a coincidence. Volkswagen. I rest my case.

Which is why I've been keeping VW at arm's length, even though I love some of their cars.

You have an '08, are you already having problems???

I'm haven't had any problems yet, but I've heard I'm lucky I got an '08, which is an unusually good year model. I've heard the '05-'07s don't compare in terms of reliability.

I think Consumer Reports had the '00-'07 Jetta on its 'used cars to avoid' list. That scared me off.

I think Consumer Reports had the '00-'07 Jetta on its 'used cars to avoid' list. That scared me off.
Maybe it was 1999-2005? Most would consider those the low spot, especially with the 1.8T which was replaced in the newer mode.s The '06 and '07 got better ratings from them.

Yeah, I wondoer why? Are turbos really that unreliable or is it just VW?

Maybe it was 1999-2005? Most would consider those the low spot, especially with the 1.8T which was replaced in the newer mode.s The '06 and '07 got better ratings from them.

I found an article stating the '06 Jetta was one of the least reliable. (http://autos.msn.com/advice/CRArt.aspx?contentid=4023544) Of course, I only have ~6.5k on my car, so we'll see what happens at the 100k mark.

Right, the 5-cylinder didn't do so well. I didn't really follow that engine so don't know what's going on with it, but I actually didn't hear many complaints about it besides a thirst for fuel and lack of refinement. The later ones like yours are doing better with CR. As for the 1.8T, the turbo wasn't much of a problem. It had more than its share with the coil packs, PCV, O2 sensors, and a few other things which all dragged it down.

Yeah, I wondoer why? Are turbos really that unreliable or is it just VW?

Turbos aren't. VW is.

Here's the current list from CONSUMER REPORTS (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/used-cars/cr-recommended/the-best-worst-used-cars-406/used-cars-to-avoid/index.htm) for VW (subscription required to access.)

USED CARS TO AVOID:


Volkswagen Cabrio '98, '01-02; EuroVan '02; Golf (4-cyl.) '98, '01; GTI '02, '07; Jetta Sedan '98-07; New Beetle '98-01, '03-07; Passat (4-cyl., AWD) '04; Passat (4-cyl., FWD) '98-99, '01-03, '06-07; Passat (V6, AWD) '07; Passat (V6, FWD) '99-03, '06; Touareg '04-06

It'll still take me a few more years of consistent reliability before I'll consider a VW, I'm afraid. I buy my cars to keep for a long time.

Here's Audi's (VW's stable-mate's) listing:

Audi A4 (4-cyl.) '00-05; A4 (V6) '99, '01-02; A6 (V6) '98-00, '02-03; A6 (V6, turbo) '00-01; A6 Allroad '01-03; A8 '04-05; Q7 (V8) '07

There really was a bumper-crop of unreliable vehicles they put out between '98 and '07, I think. The jury's still out on long-term reliability for more recent models.

Strange how all 1998-2007 Jettas make the list, but the only Golf is only on there half the time. The only significant differences between them are the sheetmetal and place of manufacture.

Strange how all 1998-2007 Jettas make the list, but the only Golf is only on there half the time. The only significant differences between them are the sheetmetal and place of manufacture.

For North America, the Rabbits are currently made in Germany and the Jettas are made in Mexico. I wonder if that might be the reason. Hopefully the '08 Jetta doesn't go on that list, but from the looks of things I'm not putting up much hope. OTOH, most people treat their cars like crap. I wonder if that might anything to do with it?

OTOH, most people treat their cars like crap. I wonder if that might anything to do with it?


It certainly does ;)