is it true that volkswagons aren't reliable?

Question

because i've heard from some people who own vw's and their cars break down a lot and need to get fixed more often than other cars

Answer 1

well yes and no and I only believe some of the things I read in the interents

Answer 2

People that commented are right to an extent. Yeah, if you drive your car hard, things are going to wear out, but if somethings wear out that shouldnt, this is the sign of a poor quality car.
When all of the sudden your gauges stop working, and you car has 100,000 miles, this isnt because of how you drive it, this is because the car used cheap quality materials in the production.
When you hear of people replacing transmissions in 3 year old cars, sure, it might be because they didnt take care of it, but when replacing a transmission is normal for everyone, this is no longer a sign of not taking care of it.
Maintenance.
People said that as long as you maintain it, it will last forever.
I dont think these people understand what standard maintenance is.
If your alternator needs replaced at 30,000 miles, thats not standard maintenance... however if your spark plugs/wires need to be replaced at 50,000 miles, thats standard maintenance.
If you hit a big pot hole and break a wheel.. this could be your fault, but if 30 other cars hit that pot hole and have no problems, this is no longer your fault, its the fault of the company for using cheap materials.

Volkswagens are cheaply made. The company thinks like so: I could put 16 guage oxygen free copper wire, and high quality solder in this car, and it will work well, but i can use cheap quality solder, and cheap wiring, and it will do the job.
This is the main reason for volkswagens electrical issues. They get greedy and think that making money on cars is more important then the people that buy them. hence, vws customer service.
so the conclusion is: Yes, vws are not reliable cars.
90vws were better. its not unusual to see a 90s jetta with 300,000 miles and have had no major repairs.

Answer 3

Do you mean the old VWs (like the Classic Beetle & Bus) or the modern VWs?

The Classic VW Beetles are very solid and reliable cars, and require very little maintenance. They are also very easy and cheap to repair. As with any other vehicle, a well-maintained Beetle will obviously perform better, and break down less.

I have been told that the Classic VW Bus (Van) was not as reliable as the Beetle.

I am not sure about the reliability of the modern VWs.

Answer 4

I had a VW Golf that was very reliable. Was rear ended in that car by a Ford Explorer doing 55 mph, while I was stopped to make a left turn. Witness's said that the Explorer never touched their brakes till it hit. My wife was knicked in the ear by a piece of glass from the hatchback window. My then 7 year old son was unhurt sitting in the back seat. I was thumped in the back of the head pretty good by the headrest, other than that we were uninjured. That accident surprised me by how solid those little cars are.
The damage to the car was that the rear bumper was pushed in about a foot, the hatchback and the left rear quarter panel was pushed forward enough to make the back door stick but still able to open.
Never had a problem with that car other than the accident. I have to admit though my next car was a Cadillac. Figuring that would keep those Explorers a few feet farther back.

Answer 5

I think u may have been misinformed.
Think about these people mentioned and what are there motoring skills like? Mechanical Aptitude? Do they just drive the car or do they love their car????
VW's are very reliable just like any other car, for example i bet u take a newer japanese car in for servicing more often than u would a VW..
For me it is like this a diesel car is a car with great longevity low service intervals and low maintainence, somewhat like a VW.
BUT sometimes when something goes wrong with a diesel car the problem is terminal and usually costs mega bucks just like a VW..
Want a car that is tinny, unfinished plasticee and mass produced then buy a Hyundai or other.
Want a car that is classy sopishticated and solid buy a VW....
Think about the VW association VW AUDI SEAT PORSCHE, and many more. All classy cars..
Yes Porsche is no longer involved with VW but who began the company??
Good luck

Answer 6

Every car make can be reliable or unreliable, depending on how the user handles it. VW is a great car, just make sure to follow the preventive maintenance service schedule regularly, paying attention to faults which may come up with immediate repairs etc in a competent garage. In this way the car will always respond when needed-greater reliability.If you always listen to what people say, you might not get your dream car. Enjoy.

Answer 7

Opinions vary so much about a cars reliability depending on an individuals experience with vehicle.. You can hear one person rant about how good a car is, another about how bad it is. Anything anyone tells you is suspect.
There are those who will blow up little repairs and apply it to vehicles overall performance.
Basically after working in this business for 30+ years I have come to the conclusion that most people are crazy when it comes to their cars.
Remember anything mechanical will break.
Tons of variables in cars performance,, starting with the most important and that is the maintenance of vehicles.
Some people don't do maintenance then are angry when car breaks, I love those kinds of people.
Here's an example, I have a Mercedes Benz customer who was just referred to me with locked up front differential, I found it had no grease in it, that is the oil that lubricates it. I fixed it and told him he needed front wheel bearings, well he drove it until one bearing seized. when we were talking about bearing he said. "this has been a good car except for the breakdowns" well they were not breakdowns and I had to inform him that it was operator error, stupidity or laziness..
My experience has shown me that most vehicles are good, yes, there are inherent problems with some vehicles.
Watch out for new models as they will have inherent problems by being a new design. But most vehicles do well if maintained well.. Most people drive the crap out of, and abuse their vehicles. Newer cars amaze me at their ability to withstand punishment and Owners assuming that vehicle should always perform no matter what. They really take a cars reliability for granted.
Always look for T.S.B.s (technical service bulletins) and recalls on vehicles in question. They are readily found on the internet .
Good Luck

Answer 8

i have been an automotive service advisor for years and let me tell you, people who have cars that break are not happy people. most everyone who brought their car to me was unhappy...and of course if you have 1) a broken car and 2) have to pay money to fix it and 3) take time out of your life to have that car fixed you will be...unhappy. so it wouldnt suprise me that people you know who have had their VW break called it unreliable. fact of the matter is: cars are machines, machines sometimes break.

i have a 2003 Jetta with the 24v VR6. my car has been very very reliable. this is the 3rd Jetta i have owned, and all three have been reliable. the only issues i have had with my car were caused by me messing with it. my car has 101,000 miles on it and i drive it pretty hard.

i have been so satisfied with the quality and reliability of my volkswagen that i wouldnt even think about buying anything else.

Answer 9

i have been driving vw's for about 10 years, & wouldn't consider another brand of car (not truck, i'm a ford truck guy) except maybe an audi. i"m on my 3'rd jetta now. the first 2 had oker 250k on them with original engine & transmission, when they were totaled. the second accident sold me on the safety of the jetta. a pontiac went broadside and came over into my lane, & i
t-boned it. the police accident report said the other car was traveling over 100mph at the time of impact. the pasenger side of the pontiac was pushed compleetly to the drivers side. the front end of my car was crushed, the roof was creased. i had 2 sprained ankles, a compound fractured knee, & spinal fracture. but after about 2 weeks in the hospital i came home. the driver of the other car wasn't as lucky. he didn't make it home from the hospital.

Answer 10

Yes of course all things mechanical will wear and your car needs to be properly maintained. However some cars are more reliable than others. It's no coincidence that Honda and Toyota are at the top of Consumer Reports reliabilty ratings every year and Volkswagen is at the bottom.

Answer 11

I had a volkswagen and I was praying for the day I could get rid of it. They are pure luxury and for people that have the money to buy the expensive parts and labor. They break down a lot. A lot of the transmissions go bad (which I was told by a professional Volkswagon Technician) Not only that they dont resell so if you buy one dont expect to be able to sell it unless its to a clueless teenageer or something.

Good Luck!