2012 VW Jetta SE reliability

[Kuato]

Wanted to check with those more familiar with VW....

Considering purchase of a manual 5 speed, 2.5L 5 cylinder with 91k miles.

Waiting on the Carfax from dealer before I go check it out in person.

I know that the 2.5 is a reliable unit; wondering about the rest of the car.

Thanks in advance for any input and experience~~

 

[Jimmy_Russells]

Not a whole lot go wrong with a 2.5/5 speed... Clutch I guess

Other stuff like electronics, window regulators, coil packs etc etc are miles, MILES better than the MkIV cars.

 

[Greasymechtech]

Just make sure it has been maintained

Otherwise, immediately change oil/filter, transmission fluid, antifreeze..... and any/all normal maintenance that should be considered(hoses/belts/thermostat/plugs/filters/....)

Visit the vwvortex or other VW or Jetta forums for their opinion.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

The only reason to buy a Jetta wagon is for that big panoramic sunroof, but unfortunately it's a VW so reliability isn't great, and that sunroof has problems

 

[Kuato]

The only reason to buy a Jetta wagon is for that big panoramic sunroof, but unfortunately it's a VW so reliability isn't great, and that sunroof has problems

No sunroof, and it's a sedan; should've mentioned both of those…

 

[KS-Ryan]

We have the Passat with the same engine (and maybe transmission) and your Jetta. The 2.5L has issues with P0106 CEL's and the MAP sensor. Google it, a lot of info will come up. Ours has 101k and has had the CEL come on and off for years. Essentially some oil gets past the PCV valve and fouls the sensor. I've had the dealer look at it and the changed the PCV valve and within a few weeks the CEL came right back. Last time I checked the forums, there wasn't any fix for it other than cleaning out the oil. Our car doesn't seem to be affected performance wise by the issue, but it is annoying that it happens.

We also had the power steering pump fail which took out the rack. All was replaced under warranty.

Other than that, I just change the oil. It still has the original brakes and struts (though those will be replaced soon). The manual transmission is fine, though the gears are pretty spaced apart. The 2.5L is pretty slow, but adequate for daily driving. I've read that it is pretty easy on oil. I've run anything from 0w-30 to 5w-40 (502 approved oils) and have also run 5w-30 (non approved). I don't think it really cares what you put in it.

We will drive ours to 200k and then give it to one of our kids.

 

[Delta]

The 2.5 and 5 speed is by far one of the most reliable VW powertrains out there! I had an '08 Jetta with the same engine/trans combo. Different body style, but they didn't change much on the engine/trans. Thing was a hoot to drive! It wasn't super powerful, but had plenty of bottom end torque to go up the mountain where I live even in 5th! (I didn't do that alot, lugging is bad, just wanted to see if it would do it) The exhaust note was wonderful sounding to me; not everybody likes it though. The only thing that car suffered from was a leaky vacuum pump (common issue) and the radio was going wonky twords the end of my ownership. I ran Rotella T6 5w40 or Castrol Edge 0w40 in it depending on what was on sale. Never complained a bit.

 

[benjy]

girlfriend had a jetta with 2.5 + 6 spd slush box, FLAWLESS, decent mpgs depending on how you drive + pretty peppy for a non problematic port injected engine + used no oil 10-30 fake synthetic by the way in Pa

 

[Kuato]

@Delta @benjy

How many miles did those get to?

(thanks to the other posters also)

 

[Delta]

@Delta @benjy

How many miles did those get to?

(thanks to the other posters also)

Traded it in with close to 80k, so lower mileage than the one you're considering. Still so I'd have no issue with it.

 

[Trav]

No sunroof, and it's a sedan; should've mentioned both of those…

That vehicle is solid as a piece of granite. With less than 100K it is just broken in as long as it has had reasonable maintenance. Rust on these is a non issue.

 

[supton]

The only reason to buy a Jetta wagon is for that big panoramic sunroof, but unfortunately it's a VW so reliability isn't great, and that sunroof has problems

I could be tempted by a wagon, but not one with a sunroof. Had one, it would leak randomly. I only used it once a year, in the spring, when it was a novel idea that the outside world could ever be warm again.

I know everyone disses the MkIV but the only window problem I had was the driver window popped off the regulator; I'm guessing it froze into place. Zero cost repair. Over 300kmiles I had few problems, although it was pretty ragged when I was done with (some of that may have been my fault--well, all of it really). If the later 2.5 wagons were as good & better then I should be shopping those.

 

[dareo]

The 2.5 5 speed is a great setup. The rest of the car can be a mixed bag.

 

[gregk24]

The 5 speed isn't the most reliable unit, but not something I would necessarily avoid. If it has been maintained and is in good shape I'd go for it. The 2.5 is one of VW's most reliable motors and has a nice quirky sound. Stay on top of maintenance and enjoy the fact that you didn't drive what everyone else drives.

 

[stanlee]

They are bullet proof and that's saying a lot for any VW. The 5sp and clutch last forever at the power level of the 2.5L. My wife takes off like a bat out of heck without warm up even during winter and on the original clutch with no slipping at 150k miles (vw clutches are strong in general. I had an 07' 2.0L GTI with upgraded turbo making 340whp on the original clutch at 120kn miles). The engine is a low tech, low maintenance and will run forever. I can tell you EVERYTHING done to my wife's 2012 2.5L 5sp Jetta bought new 10 years ago and the only two things that ever failed.
Things done: about 10 oil change, 3 air filters , new spark plugs at 115k, brake pads and rear drum shoes x1and a few sets of tires. That's it! Still runs great, has no oil leaks and burns no oil.
Failures: ac compressor went out at about 100k miles. EVAP leak which ALL VWs develop eventually.
I've owned MANY VWs, use to be in VW clubs for many years where the moto was if everything worked it wouldn't be a VW but the 2.5L is the exception.

 

[FordSVTGuy]

i bought a 2013 SE with the 2.5 and 6speed automatic transmission for my son. Has 42,000 miles and wondering if this tran needs fluid replacement like my Fords tend to…. Anyone have thoughts?

 

[KCJeep]

i bought a 2013 SE with the 2.5 and 6speed automatic transmission for my son. Has 42,000 miles and wondering if this tran needs fluid replacement like my Fords tend to…. Anyone have thoughts?

Transmissions are more likely to use a miles only service interval rather than time/miles. Do you have a manual? Your service interval (I'm guessing) is probably 60k.