Are Volkswagen cars reliable?

Question

I was thinking of getting a new VW Rabbit or a new Honda Civic Ex. How do they compare against Hondas? I know the VW has more HP, but I want to know if it's any less reliable than a Honda.

Answer 1

Volkswagens fall well below the industry average for Initial Quality.(2008)

http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/news/re...

For Initial Quality (2008) Honda is in 6th place (only slightly better than Ford, Jaguar, Audi, Cadillac, & Chevrolet)

For reliability they (VW's) are amongst the worst.

Each year J.D.Powers publishes a Vehicle Dependability study.

This study follows new vehicles for 3 years and records each time they have repairs done.

These "repairs" are NOT general maintenance visits, nor are they repairs due to accidents.

These records are compiled for each brand and VWhas consistantly been at the bottom portion of the lists.

Here are the VDS results for the last 3 years.

2005

http://www.freewebs.com/jokelajari/J.D%2...

VW is 4th from last place

Honda is in 9th place

2006

http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/news/re...

VW is 6th from last

Honda is in 7th place

2007

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/j-d-power...

VW is 5th from last place

Honda is in 5th place

If these are your ONLY choices, I would choose the Honda over the Volkswagen.

But I think if dependability is a huge factor AND you are also looking for more HP there are other vehicles in this class  that you might consider.

Answer 2

Most people say they are unreliable.

But I think those people didn't properly take care of them.

I'm on my second VW (06 Passat 2.0t with 60k), absolutely no problems.

First VW, a 99 Jetta. Only problem was with the AC.

Answer 3

the old type jetta and ventos are the ones that will give you trouble, there all only farmers cars anyway

Answer 4

They're unreliable AND expensive to fix.

The Honda would be a much better choice.

Answer 5

In Consumer Reports' 2008 annual survey, they ranked Honda number 1 out of 36 brands. Volkswagen was ranked 6th from the bottom.

Answer 6

Look at any study, anywhere.  VW quality right now sucks.  Honda's on top.  

I don't own either brand, but I do read automotive journals regularly.

Answer 7

new VWs are very reliable

used VWs are not.

used Hondas and Toyotas are known for being the best.

the NEW Rabbit and Jetta are very good, can you wait for the 09 Jetta TDI? est. 40 to 60 mpg