2 Star Reviews for Volkswagen

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.30/5 Average
13,910 Total Reviews
Make Overview:

Volkswagen is an automaker based in Germany. Its products typically command a higher price than those of competing models, but the return is a more upscale driving and ownership experience.

In 1934, Ferdinand Porsche was commissioned to build a small, inexpensive car at the request of Adolph Hitler. His answer -- a beetle-shaped sedan that was called a Volkswagen (German for "people's car") -- debuted two years later. Hitler had a town built near the plant for factory workers; he named it Kraft durch Freude Stadt (derived from the Nazi party's motto, "Joy through Strength"), and soon decided that Porsche's creation should be named the KdF-wagen (short for the "Joy through Strength" car). This upset Porsche, who was not political.

World War II delayed production of the vehicle; the factory suffered extensive damage during combat, and was ultimately taken over by the British Army. The company was renamed Volkswagen, and the town at the factory was renamed Wolfsburg (after Werner von Schulenberg of Wolfsburg, who had been forced to surrender his land for the construction of the town and factory). By the end of the 1940s, mass production of the Volkswagen Beetle had begun. The model made its first appearance on U.S. shores in 1949.

The 1950s saw Volkswagen broadening its product range, adding the Bus (Type 2) to its lineup. The Bus, especially, proved quite popular due to its versatility. And the Beetle, which went on to become the best-selling car of all time, quickly showed signs of being an enduring favorite, with more than 1 million models produced at the Wolfsburg factory by 1955. This decade also saw the debut of the Karmann Ghia sports car, which featured a sleek, Italian-designed two-seater body atop a Beetle platform.

Volkswagen's star rose during the 1960s, its success fueled largely by the breakout success of the Beetle. The car benefited from an effective advertising campaign and from an appearance in a popular Disney movie. By the close of the decade, Volkswagen's yearly output of Beetles topped the 1 million mark.

In 1972, with more than 15 million units assembled, the Beetle topped the world production record set by Ford's Model T. Mid-decade saw the launch of a new era of Volkswagens that had front-mounted, water-cooled engines driving the front wheels. The Passat (Dasher in the U.S.) was the first of the new breed and was built using standardized components that could be used interchangeably among other models in the manufacturer's lineup. The Passat was soon joined by the Golf (Rabbit in the U.S.), which met with immediate success. By the end of the decade, the manufacturer's lineup had grown to include the Scirocco sport coupe and the performance-oriented Golf/Rabbit GTI. The Beetle, however, was discontinued for the U.S. market.

The Golf grew in popularity during the '80s, becoming Volkswagen's most popular model. When a second generation of the car was built in 1983, it was crafted in a mostly automated process using robots -- marking the first time robots had been used in vehicle manufacture. By the mid-'80s, the U.S. version traded the Rabbit name for "Golf." The higher-performance Golf GTI helped the manufacturer make waves on the rally circuit. In 1986, Volkswagen Motorsport nabbed the title of Group A World Rally Champions.

Volkswagen saw its sales in the North American market tumble during the early '90s, but by the end of the decade, refocused marketing efforts and an increased emphasis on new products had brought about a turnaround in the company's fortunes. The popular New Beetle helped put the company back on the radar in the United States (though it fared less successfully in European markets). The body style was based on the classic Beetle, and it struck a chord with consumers who still had a place in their hearts for the iconic, cheerful-looking "love bug."

The new millennium saw Volkswagen moving into the luxury segment with the launch of the pricey Phaeton sedan and Touareg SUV. Though well-designed and executed, the Phaeton was a disappointment sales-wise, perhaps signaling unwillingness on the part of consumers to shell out premium dollars for a brand that lacks the cachet of established upscale names like BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Luckily, Volkswagen has seen success with other vehicles in its lineup, which currently includes everything from family-oriented sedans to roomy SUVs. Today, the automaker enjoys a reputation for crafting vehicles that offer refined handling and upscale accommodations.

User Reviews:

Showing 471 through 480 of 13,910.00
  • Never again VW! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
    By -

    I really anticipated this being a car I could drive forever (at least to 150,000). Volkswagen has lost a customer. This car was a lemon. A nightmare. Last year I spent 3500 just keeping it running. All the problems everyone else reports are true! Small random pieces falling off everywhere. Cheap interior fabric ripping on, replace ac at only 75,00, break problems, tire wear issues, Burns oil like crazy, failure to shift properly, transmission issues, lots of noises. At 95,000 miles it started blacking out while I was driving, a terrifying experience. Had to cut my losses and let it go. All the while having these problems, the mechanic laughs and acts like I am crazy. Do not buy a VW!

  • Very Disappointed - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
    By -

    I can not believe that with all the scathing reviews of this car that it still has a four star overall rating. I bought an 2008 EOS lux 2.0 for my wife 2 years ago. I have lost track of how many times it has been in the shop. Multiple issues, many top leaks, and still leaking, I just have up. The top broke 2 times, it burns oil at more than a quart every 1000 miles, which VW says is acceptable. I bought the car with 32K miles it now has 44K miles two years later, we hate the car and are upside down on it so I can not trade out. The dealership, VW of South Charlotte, is horrid. The service writers will charge you to death if you do not watch carefully. The customer care is worse.

  • Bad Decision - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
    By -

    I bought my VW Passat in August and it has been in the shop more than on the road. I have taken the car to all the VW dealerships in my area for repairs hoping that the service center was to blame for the poor quality. The low quality and poor reliability of the Passat have been more than disappointing. Especially when you consider the higher price of the Passat compared to the other vehicles in its class. VWoA has been difficult to work with.

  • 2011 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
    By -

    Bought vehicle brand new with 5 mi on the odometer. 1st month owning it, there were paint blemishes on the vehicle so that was taken cared of by the dealership with heat treatment. Vehicle just has over 9,000 miles, its been in the shop 3 times for acceleration problems. The vehicle stutters, hesitates, on acceleration and when it does this, there is a harsh shift to the next gear. VW Dealership has not been able to replicate problem. I always get my diesel fuel from Kwik Trip or Shell depending on my travel routes. VW Dealership has also did a software update since I purchased the vehicle too. So far I have been somewhat disappointed in the TDI for the acceleration problem - VW has no fix

  • Stay away Sell Now and Stay away. Do not buy ever. - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
    By -

    I own a 2006 Passat 2.0 T with 62K. This is the worst car I ever owned in my 50 years. The positive about a car is cool exterior look. The interior is falling apart. The drawers are stuck, paint is peeling off, other plastic parts have broken hinges. The engine is losing oil. I have to do oil change every 2,500 miles to keep dipstick inside the range. The wheel bearngs were replaced for both rear wheels. Air conditioner compressor died and AC didnt work for 2 years. The compressor for this car is the most expensive, due to high demand. VW of America are useless. Many Technical service Bulletins were issued, admitting the design flaws, but not granting financial aid. Stay away.

  • Never, ever buy another VW - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
    By -

    Rarely driven, garage kept spouseÂ’s car, only 33k in the past 7 years. Constant issues with recalls and poor service. Interior falling apart and in some spots the plastic flakes as though a form of automatic impetigo. Vehicle will not remain in alignment for more than 6 months. Common to other VW owners; hose failures, ECM malfunctions, cooling system issues, constant mold in the ventilation system ( although the most recent recall is suppose to fix this issue after 7 years of complaining). Service with authorized VW dealers is horrible, have tried two in the area, seems they are more interested in going for the value add transmission flush than working though a problem.

  • Watch Out! - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
    By -

    Within the first month, the first window track broke, the EPA emissions light came on, and the trunk latch stopped working. Within the next year, an engine coil had to be replaced along with a clutch, two wheel wells, and 6 more window tracks. Be careful if you decide to own a 2000 Jetta because if you park too closely to the cement parking blocks, youÂ’re bound to lose the front paneling. IÂ’m going on my second year of new-car ownership, and I cannot open the driver-side door from the inside and have to turn of the radio manually upon exiting my vechile. If I donÂ’t the radio will continue to play even though everyone has gotten out of the car.

  • Volkswagen should be ashamed of themselves - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
    By -

    I purchased the car of my dreams an aqua blue Beetle convertible, little did I know, my dreams would turn into a nightmare. Since purchasing this car last year it has been in the shop 12 times. I did not have it in for minor repairs these were all MAJOR! New transmission, new computer system, the top broke 2 times, the heating and cooling system failed 3 times and the car overheated twice. This car a piece of junk and I would not recommend it to ANYBODY. When Volkswagen was contacted regarding these issues, I basically got a so what tough luck response. SHAME ON VOLKSWAGEN.

  • Oil burning, tranny chewing. - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
    By -

    My Jetta with 64,000 miles. 100% of its service on schedule performed at only VW dealers. Last week the auto developed a shifting problem between 2nd and 3rd gear. We took the car to VW where Several shocking events then occurred: 1. VW trannys are sealed, not serviceable, and to check what was wrong with the shifting would cost $648. 2. This was a common problem on the 4cyl Jetta 3. Our $648 would go towards the cost of 1 of 2 outcomes: (1) New Valve Body in the Tranny $1800 or (2) Re manufactured by VW tranny for $4400-The car is worth 6-7000 bucks putting us in an interesting dilemma. [Side note, the car burns ~1 quart of oil per 1,200 miles which the dealer wouldnt fix under warranty

  • Killer seats - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
    By -

    Dont buy this car unless you want back pain. the bucket seats were designed too deep and low and tilted down on the back so its putting all the pressure on your lower back. Even the back seats were low and give you back pain. If not because of the seat, this car would have high ratings. but because of the poorly designed seats, it took the driving pleasure away from this car. And VW absolutely refused to do anything about the seats. Will never buy a VW again!

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