2002 Volkswagen Jetta: excessive oil consumption

Filed Jan 5, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · 110,000 miles · CA

First issue, the engine is burning oil. I've noticed that my car engine started burning oil when it had about 50,000 miles on it. It took me almost two years to prove to the vw dealership mechanics that the engine is burning oil. At 73,000 miles the vw dealership mechanics rebuilt the engine. My oil consumption normalized. Now, at around 115,000 miles, I've noticed that the engine started burning oil again. 1,800 miles after an oil change, jiffy lube mechanic had to add 2.5qt of oil. Shouldn't the engine last at least 100,000 miles after rebuild? It seems that this engine only lasts 45,000 miles. This feels like a major defect and vw has to recall the engine. Second issue, my car is only 8 years old but it's on its third transmission. I had to replace transmission at 32,000 miles and again at 73,000 miles. I'm at 115,000 and I'm getting very worried because I'm starting to feel little jerks. This looks to be a 40,000 miles transmission. How can vw do this to consumers? It would seem reasonable to me if this transmission gets recalled. I'm not even mentioning many other malfunctions. One of which includes getting flooded during rainy season. I can't believe my car, 2002 vw jetta 2.0l gls was allowed to be on the market.

Filed Jun 18, 2008 · Brakes, Electrical · 24,000 miles · NY

Check engine light continuously comes on, completed recall for brake switch, epc light continues to come on, car stalls while waiting for a light to change very dangerous. After a night of rain, leak in passenger side floor mold growing car will have a very hard start or no start at all in the morning, replaced battery 3 times. Changed o2 sensor 2x, car burns oil continuously, interior lights go out when they feel like it, brake lights die out fast, changed brake lights and signal lights at least 5x.

Filed Aug 10, 2005 · Engine, Lights · 76,000 miles · 00

2 times I had to replace a faulty 02 sensor 1st time engine temp sensor. Rear left light burned out 3-4 times within 80 000km. Said it's easier to replace then find the problem at dealership. Have done oil consumption tests 1 litre of oil per 3161km. Saying that this normal. This dealership have recommended flushing the engine. Changing the grade of oil. Do not drive in rush hour traffic. Most of the consumption occurs on the highway and not in traffic. Change the oil instead of 8000 km at 5000km??? This is what volkswagen has recommended. The most interesting part was watching the mechanic when it consumed the most amount between oil consumption test. He started looking for leaks again & added oil. Rattling in driver side door and window fell into door passenger side. Fixed window and rattling still seems to be noticable.

Filed Jun 17, 2005 · Engine · 22,997 miles · KS

2002 jetta wagon, bought with 16k miles; now has 23000. Inspection report provided by sales dealer noted there were no sights of oil leaks, no visible smoke, normal oil pressure readings, etc. The oil was changed and the level checked just prior to purchase. Car has used 4 quarts of oil in 7000 miles, with no leaks or spray and no visible smoke. Vw dealership says to have the warranty cover this problem (60000 mi/4 year warranty), that they would have change the oil, then I must bring it in every 1000 miles for the next few thousand miles to get oil checked, despite the fact that I have receipts that establish that the car burned 2 quarts of oil in approximately 3500 miles of driving. They say it is "normal" for this vehicle to burn 1 quart every 3000 miles. No vehicle with only 22000 miles on it should be burning oil. I have discovered many other jettas have the same problem, and that owners are routinely told by vw it is "normal" to burn as much as 1 quart per 1000 miles. Even if the car was "only" burning 1 quart every 3000 miles, I would consider this a defect, not "normal." it's burning twice that. My concern is that vw has manufactured an engine that is inherently defective, and is telling customers that it is "normal" for low-mileage jettas to be burning oil to avoid honoring the warranty. I am also concerned that this process of bringing it in every 1000 miles is just designed to delay addressing the problem until the warranty expires. I only have until september to resolve this issue before the warranty expires; I wanted to have a record of the fact that the problem developed prior to the end of the warranty.

Filed Apr 7, 2005 · Engine · 123,000 miles · NJ

The oil crank case developed a crack, causing oil to leak onto the ground. The cause has yet to be determined.

Filed Mar 13, 2004 · Engine · 27,350 miles · PA

I own a 2002 jetta purchased from a vw dealership in towson md in april, 02. I have close to 30000 miles on my car. About two months ago I noticed that my oil light came on. It was about 2000 miles until my next oil change. Oil is changed every 5k miles. When I checked my dipstick it was dry. I had to add about three quarts. Now about every 1k miles my car consumes about 1.5 qt of oil. This is a big problem. I read the owners manual regarding oil consuption with the jetta and it said it will consume oil when the engine is new. Mine is not. There are posts all over the internet regarding this issue and something has to be done.

Filed Feb 23, 2004 · Engine · 34,125 miles · MD

The vehicle burns oil prematurely.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Tires · 14,817 miles · TX

This car has had too many serious problems to be limited to this small space. It is clearly a lemon. These problems substantially impair the use and value of the vehicle. The car received a new transmission yesterday after we had reported 3 previous times that there it remained in reverse after shifting into drive. Each time we were told it was unreproduceable and the complaint was never noted on the work orders. Finally, the dealership did relent and replace the transmission. We encountered the same type of treatment with the engine burning oil, and it wasn't until the engine ran completely out of oil, that the dealer would address the problem. The first time we had complained about the oil was 2 months after we had bought the car!!!

Filed Aug 20, 2003 · Engine · NJ

Oil consumption. Volkswagen says "your oil should be changed every 5000 miles" well I have a jetta and have run out of oil completely empty 3 times under 3000. I am currently undergoing an oil consumption with volkswagon. At this point I am at 3000 miles and I am 2 1/2 quarts low and still have 2000 miles till I have an oil change. There are no leaks, no oil on the engine. It is basically just disappearing on me. If I had not caught on to this, I could have blown the engine and it would have been my fault. Once volkswagon studies my oil consuption study they will determine what they are going to do with it. I have had it with volkswagon. I feel as if I live there. I am there more than I am at home with all kinds of problems. (slamming of the transmission, feels as if breaks won't catch to stop, broken consult, rip in seat seams, replacement of side door panels because of peeling, broken back ashtray, piece of sun roof broken off hit me in head).

Filed Jul 16, 2003 · Engine · 2,000 miles · OR

Excessive engine oil consumption. His is my second new jetta that burns engine oil. The car consumes 1 qt of oil per 2000 mi. Taking into consideration this car had 7 miles when I lease it, and I drive under normal driving conditions this engine oil consumption, for me, is totally unreasonable. If I would not refill the engine oil between oil change intervals (5000 mi), the car would consume 55% of its total engine oil, possibly burning its engine.