Top 5 Failures 1999-2005 MK4 Golf, Beetle and Jetta

[@dieseldub]

One nice OEM upgrade for one of the issues listed: control arm bushings. Get the solid rubber bushings from an Audi TT or Golf R32. They are a LOT more durable and don't allow nearly as much movement as even a new stock bushing. The steering feels significantly more direct. And they fit not only Mk4s, but mk3s, B3/4 Passats, Corrados and even Mk2s.

[@johnmoser2689]

Fun to rewatch these old videos... this was back in the early days of humble mechanics

[@imnobody4522]

I want this guy as my mechanic for my 04 Jetta, I trust the beard.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Hahahha thanks Charles. Also great name!!!!

[@LibertyLou_]

😎Legend has it, his beard increases the horsepower of any vehicle he drives by 25%.

[@frankhoward7645]

Between my 2 daughters and my wife, we have 3 Mk4 Jettas. I would add glove box hinge, center armrest, dashboard cup holder, wiring from body to trunk lid, trunk lock, finish on aluminum wheels, LF wheel contact with fender liner, ECU control of A/C (can't fix it because we can't get a code), and moisture leading to foam under oil cap. I'm a sucker for styling and the Mk4 is hands down the best looking Jetta ever.

[@mujjuman]

i love my mkiv. what engines do u have

[@frankhoward7645]

The cars are all practically identical. 2.0 gas motors with 5-speed manual transmissions. I know my wife and my daughters. They couldn't care less about extra power from a turbo or from a VR-6 and all I saw was more headaches so I made sure they all got the most basic engine. They're all GLS models so they all have sunroofs, heated seats, etc. I stayed away from the diesel because I wasn't up to learning a whole new concept in maintaining cars. Kind of nice that the cars are identical because I only have to navigate one learning curve.

[@mujjuman]

Nice!! Sounds great. The 2.0 is a solid engine, even if it is underpowered. It gets the job done and gets good mpg. What do you avg? Props to them driving 5sp. I have a 5MT Jetta VR6.. horrible city mileage haha

[@frankhoward7645]

Everybody has their opinion of what underpowered is. I believe they're plenty fast enough and as I said, my wife and daughters aren't into drag racing. They just want a comfortable ride that gets them where they want to go with reasonable efficiency. As far as fuel economy is concerned, my kids don't pay attention to it and I've been driving my wife's car for only 8 months so I don't really know yet. Have yet to take it on a long trip however I suspect it will not match the 40mpg we acheived on trips with the car it replaced, a 1994 Mazda Protege 1.8 (actually 1,839cc). Before I sold the Mazda, I took note that at 70mph, it was reving at something like 3,200 rpm while the Jetta revs at 3,800 at the same speed so the final drive must be taller on the Mazda. Taking into consideration the extra 600 pounds of weight, the extra 145cc of engine displacement, and the shorter gearing, I don't expect the Jetta to return more than 35mpg highway.

[@MartinAdrianoFlores]

Funny you say you have bad MPG with the VR6 because I have a 2001 Jetta with the VR and I get no less than 22mpg, not bad for a 16 year old V6

[@Joe3D]

- Hand brake cable causing rear uneven braking. - Mass air flow sensor. - Turbo - Trunk (boot) door lock (water gets in) - EGR valve getting dirty - Carpets loosing from locking mechanism in the floor. - Key inmobilizer failing intermittently. - Door panel switches for windows failing intermittently. Maybe a video with the top #100 problems? Anyway ALH engine was the best all around.

[@TheFusedplug]

Beetles from 2000 can be got for around £600 in the UK (quite cheap for a VW imo and maybe for a future classic) . Currently I own a Ford Fiesta Mark 4 (Smiley) 1.3 Endura Engine which cost me £418 from Ebay with a full service history I've got a service coming up in a c ouple of months I've owned it for 2 and a half months and it's been a fine little car and good MPG (40 to 50 mpg). Just thought that maybe ANY make of car will serve you well if it's serviced as per the manufacturers guidelines .. what's your opinion on this say if I were to buy a £600 Beetle? I'm just asking a general opinion because there is a little voice telling me that replacement parts will be of the revised and improved versions these days and essentially something old drives forth as something of better performance and reliability .....

[@Limeslice4r64]

@@TheFusedplug late addition, but so long as you get a manual transmission, which I'm sure in the UK is no problem at all, they are still perfectly fine vehicles. So long as they were maintained of course. I currently drive a Mk4 Jetta TDI (alh of course) and it's been moving me for well over 2 years with no major problems. I take care of it mostly but the big stuff I leave to certified mechanics. It has been nothing but good to me, only offering me some small projects for the weekend on occasion. And I live in the salt belt of the US! Well built vehicles when maintained will function for long after the manufacturer has deemed them obsolete.

[@Limeslice4r64]

To add to this, the great thing about old daily drivers Is that there is nothing new under the sun. Every possible issue these vehicles could have, has happened. That means finding information and, finding a mechanic who knows how to fix it, is much easier than the newest model that is still proving itself

[@TheFusedplug]

@@Limeslice4r64 Your car is still ROCKING :)

[@TheFusedplug]

@@Limeslice4r64 In other words OLD CARS ROCK ! They have way more character as well :)

[@baxrok2.]

This Top 5 Failures series is absolutely brilliant! Keep up the great work Charles.

[@kevinlicht6029]

Near and dear to my heart as my wife drives a 99.5 Golf MK4 2.slow with auto. 167k and while it has had several of the mentioned failures (cat, window clips, temp sensor to name a few) it has been a workhorse and is still a pleasure to drive. I feel the MK4 Golf's have a very timeless style to them as well. Love your shows, just discovered you after dieselgate started (I drive an '09 JSW TDI so am in the thick of it).

[@connorfreeman9845]

I get a warm tingle knowing I've fixed all of this on my golf

[@trashman1694]

Does it make you get warm tingle knowing your car is still a piece of shit after all that? How much more shit has broke since you posted this comment?

[@trashman1694]

Don't bother to reply, I know you'll lie because you're a vw fan boy. We all know that car has been parked and not running since

[@Randyboobandy69]

Trashman jesus, someone got scammed out of a 1.8t

[@trashman1694]

@Jasper Harber Of course you got it cheap, no one wants these cars. They drive well when they work, but VW used so many cheap plastic parts on them, the wiring harness is hacked together, ccm controls all the windows and locks, they're a mess to fix and have failures often. A stealership designed car to break down.

[@SavedbyHim]

@@trashman1694 Had mine for 11 years now, got close to 300 000 Km on the odo and I still love it. I'm no fan boy, the car converted me from Toyota to VW

[@D-DAY]

im about to start working for a VW dealership here in Australia to finish my apprenticeship your tips are priceless to given ive not had much volkswagen experience thank you

[@HumbleMechanic]

Awesome. Best of luck to you. :)

[@PaulDaPimp]

+ddaychannel Hey man, where abouts in Australia are you?

[@D-DAY]

+Pauly daPimp Sunshine Coast QLD

[@sydney5650]

Just joined the MK4 family, diving into some general fixes this weekend since my new to me jetta was sitting a long time. Love your videos keep it coming!

[@HumbleMechanic]

awesome!!! more fun MK4 goodies on the way.

[@sydney5650]

@@HumbleMechanic great! 😁

[@RedondoBeach2]

Add the coolant pipe and thermostat to the list of top failures.

[@HardWhereHero]

Door handles, Power window switch, battery fuse box, plastic coolant flange, plastic thermostat flange / housing, Secondary air pump lines, Secondary air pump, Plastic water pump impeller blades, Blower motor, ECT sensor, MAF sensor, Basically anything electrical, Alternator charge cable, I can think of more, all I need to do is go looking at the parts in my garage. Not sure why I keep half working parts around either. Never know when you might need a half worn front brake pad from a 99 Vento.

[@alexandermckay8594]

Man, I can't believe I missed most of those! Thank god for the TDI!

[@CyberSkynet-o2b]

TDI didn't have those issues?

[@Dusty.Spinster]

@@CyberSkynet-o2b It totally did! I replaced the thermostat, brakelight switch to start. The bushings on TDIs would go even faster because of the extra weight of the cast iron block!

[@davidleet9501]

How about the almost totally plugged intake manifold from direct injection ALH engine ?

[@Drauntabuxy]

@@davidleet9501 its a lot of fun to clean watch some videos of it! 😉

[@davidleet9501]

@tdidan Actually, not completely true. Plenty of vehicles ran for years with EGR and PCV without intake clogging. The thing about direct injection is there is no fuel flowing with the air to continually clean deposits. So all the carbon and long-chain hydrocarbons are returned via PCV and EGR to condense on the internal surface of the intake manifold. Now that gas rigs have converted to direct injection, too, we should see a lot more of this issue. Apparently there is no free lunch!

[@AudiophileTubes]

I've had my 2003 GTI VR6 for almost 17 years now, as my daily driver. It has been incredibly reliable and trouble free all these years, except for the cooling fan and A/C breaking down. I garage and 'baby' the car, but still... I am shocked it's been this reliable. I even have the original chains on the engine. The 6-speed manual still shifts crisply too, even though i've never changed the transmission oil... not even once.

[@jamespn]

The glue on Head liners and door panels fabric deteriorated, front strut mounts failed, water pump impeller, front wheel bearings, coolant sensors, just to name a few.

[@GabeNydick]

I had to replace the water pump on my 2003 1.8t beetle 6 months ago... car had 36,000 miles on it and 31,000 when I bought it a year ago

[@JacksonAndLouane]

@@GabeNydick Never replaced my water pump on my Bora, 192,000kms still going strong

[@FLIXXE]

@@JacksonAndLouane Somehow i heard of a couple of Boras that just kept hoing without big repairs, but a lot of Golfs having many big problems

[@JacksonAndLouane]

@@FLIXXE Don't get me wrong plenty of cosmetic faults like plastic falling apart and so fourth but it was a good car ended up selling it anyway and wish I never did.

[@autoazure]

Absolutely true! I have had to repair everything you have mentioned on my wife's Beetle. Boot hatch switch yes etc etc lol!

[@crunch805]

Please do a 1998 - 2005 Beetle TDI 5 Speed specific video. Mad love to you brother!

[@scrapmetal_sleepers]

The Mk4 platform should really have a top 20 lol

[@scrapmetal_sleepers]

4th Gen for short. The generation changes mainly applies to the golf although many vehicles shared the same equipment in the US and are changed around the same time. They all got a tdi variant, an n/a 2.0l gasser, 1.8t 20v engine and same transmissions. Interior materials all had the same crummy soft touch, sagging headliners and crumbling foam in the HVAC system. They also smells like crayons. :D

[@freedom24v86]

4sf3d4g63 buuuuttttt Mechanically there reliable... so thats,a plus

[@emeltea33]

Paul Morris... though there is that soft cam.

[@cosmicsman666]

to be fair though... After these cars have passed 60 k miles then most of these glitches are sorted,. Mine is on 165000 now and it still purrrs along without issue cept for basic maintenance.

[@garymathe9863]

@@cosmicsman666 same here. I bought a mk4 vr6 gti from a rich college student whose dad had replaced everything, even the transmission. Now at 155k it's still going strong. All the electrical components work including the heated seats, power windows, locks, lights, instrument cluster etc. Great backup car.

[@PistonShack]

Thanks, Charles. I just bought one of this. I Google: "MK4 Golf common issues..." Your video came first. Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge. Glad to find your channel.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thanks so much. Always want to help where I can

[@MrS22222]

Heh, my 2001 Jetta had the piston rings installed upside-down from the factory. Blowby killed the cat but to my surprise it didn't even burn oil after replacing them properly. I love MK4s.

[@killernanny4315]

by far the best generation of VWs.

[@mujjuman]

debatable... i have had mk4, 5 and 6 and i think 6 was the best. havent tried mk7 yet.

[@danielchampion2982]

MK4's will literally be falling apart around you, but still might start. As long as your volt regulator doesn't overcharge and kill your battery :')

[@trashman1694]

Lol mk4s are all broken now, good luck reselling one for more than 1,000 dollars in 2018.

[@gregh7457]

@@trashman1694 i just bought a 2003 tdi beetle for 2k. Reason for this higher price is it only has 73k miles on it. Took a sneak peak at the timing belt and its starting to fray on the edge and it only has 40k miles on it, but it is over 10 years old. In comparison my 1990 toyota cressida has had the same timing belt for 15 years and it still looks good

[@StaxxxCmd]

glove box handles pull tab on the hood center console will fall off

[@cmcolfax1]

On my third hood pull tab.

[@vivianyu9582]

StaxxxCmd xw

[@stanjarmolowicz]

in did ..happen to me as well

[@benjaminingenito530]

My glovebox handle legit fell off after I wrecked it and i went to get the insurance lmao

[@mitch1950chevy]

@@cmcolfax1 i used a wire for the pull..but im very careful when i open the hood

[@slscamg]

Top 5 failures on my 2001 GLX New Beetle: Everything, all of it, the whole enchilada! Got of ride of that car 1 year after owning it and $4,900 in repairs (plus maintenence). Now we have a MK6 Jetta TDI and Golf TDI, we are up to 50k miles just maintenance thus far, knock on wood... Great video!

[@bigwillielumplump4812]

I’d take a mk4 over a new Jetta any day. Both being new

[@temporalwar]

Plastic Impellers in the water pump....

[@peppino9255]

YESSSSSSS

[@tulio8198]

OH YES!

[@SavedbyHim]

Haha done my water pump three times!

[@wadesirekis8153]

I ordered the gates timing belt kit that was supposed to have a metal pump but it was plastic. I was pissed

[@aig0039]

I have changed the water pump few weeks ago and I was blown by this fact. Good that the new water pump has solid metal ones.

[@spoonman73]

The bushings on my 02 Jetta with 220k on the clock are so bad that driving it smoothly has become an artform. LOL . Also, got a couple of windows that I just don't roll down. Bushings and the use of plastic parts are the bane of Volkswagen.

[@robh1908]

I love my 2002 Jetta TDI. 4.3L/100km 700,000km....I have no right to complain. And she's still going strong.

[@darrylmcmillan5655]

Nice

[@DJTheoSF]

Good Video. However, I would Definitely Add the Melted Fuse Box Issue on top of the battery with the wiring harness and bad wire that connects to the Alternator. It seems to be a Very Common Problem on the MKIV Platform. Much Respect, Theo :)

[@brandonrobishaw7606]

I agree replaced mine multiple times until my father rebuilt and re soldering the connection with better wires

[@artgoat]

109 relay failure on the TDI. VERY COMMON, and kills the engine dead.

[@ThomasFromTN]

I don't doubt you're a good mechanic...but it has been my experience with mechanics that they always seem to REALLY praise a car or REALLY dump on a car...either with equal glee. The glimmer in your eye as you related your experiences dealing with the MK4 VW headaches...I wish I enjoyed delivering GOOD news that much!!

[@HumbleMechanic]

Lol I’m wired wrong.

[@jerryproman5266]

@@HumbleMechanic what would cause a 98 beetle stall and not crank back up I found a pvc valve hose busted rigged it up to get home but it wouldn't start back up

[@tmwall25]

Smelled like crayons.

[@ShawnaMcDonald]

my ex bought a 2002 Jetta Turbo, and the first thing I noticed was the crayon smell. I thought the previous owner's kid dropped a crayon into the heater vent. ;)

[@jonesbunny]

Shawna McDonald 😂😂😂

[@michaelwoodsdale460]

God...I thought I was the only one who smelled that

[@halethewhale]

or black ice air freshener 👍

[@cmcolfax1]

It's that dayum "soft touch" chit they put on the plastics...

[@Ikarus65]

Still have my 2000 New Beetle 2.0 with manual transmission, fun little car! It had its fair share of problems (window regulators, brake light switch, interior flooding from clogged sun roof drains, air bag codes, burns a couple of quarts of oil every 1k miles, door modules), but considering how old it is, not too bad, and certainly nothing nearly as bad as our 2010 Passat Wagon that we finally got rid of. That POS made me sour on VW big time.

[@anonlincracing2484]

I removed everything that was wrong with the mk4 so I had no problems in future ... I haven't got a mk4 anymore

[@doctorwhodj]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@MrTheHillfolk]

Yup I just got a mk1 and 2 and it fixed the mk4 problem.

[@jasonmagalich7088]

2.Slow cracked coil packs should probably be up there somewhere. I had an '04, the suspension bushings were kinda scary, it always felt like wind gusts were hitting the car, I didn't realize how bad it was until my wife was following and saying she was seeing sparks. Luckily no real issues with window regulators, but electrical gremlins constantly blew head light and tail lights.

[@jaybeemhardscrote7466]

1.8 had coil packs not 2.0l tho

[@JacobFrey]

Cool show! It's interesting to look back on a platform that you have all of the data for.

[@HumbleMechanic]

+Jacob Frey Thanks :)

[@boomerguy9935]

Very entertaining video on the love/hate relationship with the Mk4 VeeDubs. I have a very quirky Mk5 2008 Rabbit 2.5 and I love it! I've replaced most of the things you've mentioned on it but the electrical gremlins still show me who is boss. I don't care, I still love my little oddball hatchback. It also kind of reminds me of the TARDIS - bigger on the inside than the outside.

[@andreschiriff4354]

The coolant temperature sensor has been changed twice in my car in the past 4 years the last time I did it myself and so far is working great. I used to have a GTI and the bushings under suspension we're bad too. This video is very accurate 👍. Oh and I forgot the driver side window is dislodge from the carrier, if I roll it all the way down I have to help it with my hand to make sure it goes all the way up in its correct position hahaha

[@242-f5u]

I laughed reading your response. I have a 99 gti vr6 and have the same window problem. When going through a car wash, I wear my arm out holding the window completely up because if not, there's space at the top for water to get through. What else? Throttle body replaced, multiple oxygen sensors over time. I can out a schedule to replacing the MAF. A lot of repairs, but I love the car and it still looks nearly new and, after repairs, is running smooth ... with a squeak here or there.

[@cybeer67]

Thanks for the tips ! I'll check under the hood for "greeny" parts !

[@SerVertigo]

Oh, man! I have a Golf Mk4 for 5 years and all things that you mentioned are fully correct. Especialy the window regulator, the Coolant temperature sensor (I changed 2 in 5 years) and the Suspension bushing if you mean top mounts, I'm ready to change them in 5 years (I've already change them with suspensions when I took it).

[@saiiad737]

a early mk4 platform without door module fault are rare

[@ericherrera5405]

mine never failed, maybe it happens more with electric door windows?

[@youngdrago2979]

mine is a 2004 and all doors are fucked up including the trunk, all power windows give trouble the roof has a cover that falls, the interioir of these cars are horrifying

[@LamborghiniReven1000]

Bryan Saphire mines still in good shape. It's all about how you keep it up.

[@erikcarson1373]

I feel like I won the lottery. I have an 01 Golf and this has yet to happen. All the other stuff, but not this, yet.

[@bradleypreston5282]

thanks for this Charles! this helps alot as I'm looking for a Mk 4 and now I know some things to make sure I inspect before I buy!

[@chillerxx123]

I've owned a mk4 GTI for about 4 months now. I spent 5 five minutes looking for these problems, and sure enough it had some replacement parts. Car Fax said the cat, switches, and window regs were done, thankfully. With the roads in my area I ate bushings for breakfast and replaced those a month ago.

[@Vijuel]

yea a top 5 barely scratches the surface.

[@stuartcox5194]

Love your energy and knowledge, thanks bud

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thank you

[@johnmoser2689]

We always replaced control arm bushings with the no hole solid rubber Audi tt types My beetle TDI has 462k miles now

[@RaudiRaul]

john moser what is the part that will fit in the control arm bushings because I’m changing mine every year or so and it’s killing my tire life!

[@johnmoser2689]

@@RaudiRaul the mk1 Audi tt is the same platform as the mk4 golf Jetta and beetle get the tt control arm bushings they will fit they are solid rubber instead of the ones with the holes that flex and break down

[@bobytrap.j9793]

you are utterly right, i had these issues in my Golf MK 4 2.0L

[@vladmihai306]

As an owner of a Bora 2002 (european version of Jetta Mk4 - made in Germany), I had only issue no 5, suspension bushings, but I wouldn't call it a problem since I replaced them well after 150k km.

[@vladmihai306]

And I also think there is a quality difference between Bora (made in Europe) and Jetta (made in Mexico), hence the difference in failures.

[@77garga]

i had MK4 Golf made in Germany and had no faults in 80k miles

[@johnmurraycompton569]

Sweet Lord. Watching because I considered buying my mom a cute (cheap) 04 Beetle vert. NO MORE! Looks like I'll snag the Miata with twice as many miles instead. Thank you Sir!

[@HumbleMechanic]

Miata is way more fun! Lol

[@johnmurraycompton569]

@@HumbleMechanic Miata really IS always the answer lol. Awesome

[@HumbleMechanic]

Hahaha I have a 99 and I love it

[@johnmurraycompton569]

@@HumbleMechanic sweet. Looking at a 01 BRG for her. Hoping to scope it and scoop it up today!

[@nickhorne4560]

Really enjoying your videos. I was a tech at a VW dealer from 2001-2012, and now have my own shop at home. You should totally do this top 5 fails for mk3. Heater cores, rear axle bushings, taking apart the cluster and cruise ecm and finding cold solder joints...

[@stretchedlife]

the wiring in the door flex conduit accordion boot thing bending and breaking. Horrible engine mounts

[@brandonrobishaw7606]

​@@stretchedlife vacuum line inside of the ecm box

[@brian62793]

Nice video! I guess Ill consider myself a lucky mk4 owner but I have also replaced all the suspension bushings possible.

[@HumbleMechanic]

+brian62793 Thanks, and you gotta love being a lucky MK4 owner

[@danielgibb7359]

I needed to find this video, thanks for posting this :)

[@Hacky2447]

on my mkiv jetta, I had all 5 and more go wrong. I was blowing through MAF sensors like crazy at 90 bucks a piece. all window regulators on all four doors couple of them more than once. cat went out. but, it's also now modified and still love it.

[@kurbuli]

One another for all - trunk latch, i had 2 golfs hatchbacks both had this problem, and seen that jettas have same problem, because release mechanism is the same, and replacement part costs 130$ from dealer, kinda tearing skin off price... Luckily I know how to resalvage and got from junkyard for 15 bucks and made key work by myself. And just happened first one where window plastic clip broke and when I opened window it fell in door, luckily didn't break the glass... So these all which humble mechanic mentions are totally true :D

[@joseanmx1]

Somewhere on KZbin there's a guy who sells a homemade part to replace the flimsy OEM one. Never had any issues ever since I installed it on mine.

[@Bmovie5000]

AR Rodrigues industries sells a repair kit for these saving you $$. I bought his glove box hinge repair kit and it worked great. My glovebox door will never crack or break again :).

[@HymnDitty]

'05 Manual Jetta wagon 1.9 TDI here, only the bushings do i identify with in this video, and the windows in the rear sometimes stop 80% of the way when closing, and half the time might just reverse and fully open in defiance, then they always work the second time

[@sarahcox7400]

Have a 99 vw beetle. Have had a coolant reservoir bust out of nowhere. Abs light issue as well.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Bummer. Those bottles can almost wear out over time. The ABS can be a number of issues. Typically a speed sensor is the main cause. I’ve had some get bad(expensive) but that’s not as common

[@starxlr7863]

I have had all the above happen on my 2000 Beetle TDI and a few other things. But fixed them all and still driving it after 12 years. I am going to new to replace the front bushings once again as they do not hold up very well.

[@TheKiltedYaksman1]

1.8t coil pack wiring harness. The original part had a TSB for replacement due to cracks in the wire insulation. There are now a couple different aftermarket solutions that don't require depinning a connector at the ECU. OE diverter valves also fail pretty regularly.

[@maveric0738]

Charles. I replaced all on my R32 under warranty. What a PIA! And...what's funny I just replaced the strut bushings last summer lol

[@trekvana]

as the sole owner of a mkiv jetta for over 10 yrs now, ive had all 5 of those items fail on me. ahhhh the memories

[@HumbleMechanic]

+trekvana LOL sometimes it is fun to look back at all the broken things you have fixed

[@GregariousAntithesis]

Owned three of the 98-2003 TDI beetles only had a few issues #1 maf sensors, control arm bushings, swap to audi TT, fan control module/relay, fuse box melt down from fan amp draw, injection pump relay, oring on coolant solid line out of thermostat housing on block, plugging up after egr in intake manifold until egr delete, would always clean at timing belt change, alternator brushes/volt regulator, only had one window regulator fail, had one with phantom electrical issues in winter with pass door window opening automagically while driving. Had to replace computer in my 98 it was chip tuned literally with socket install in original ecu and the chip ended up crapping the bed around 200k. Door interior panels crack and go to hell, to expensive to replace.

[@therealchayd]

In Europe we had a major issue with 02K gearboxes grenading themselves where the rivets in the diff broke and punched holes in the transmission case. Nice.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Ouch. I’ve heard people here have similar issues. I’ve personally never seen one

[@BlueFlowerPowr]

Do all the 02k have that design flaw? Heard they fixed it with the ERT designation and replaced the rivets with bolts. Just wondering since i own an mk4 golf with the 1.6 16v (ERT)

[@davidhughes4728]

Love the video keep up the good work man

[@HumbleMechanic]

thank you!

[@TheRealAmythyst]

These videos make me hate my dream car! 😭😭 I'm in tears because everything y'all are laughing about and complaining about it's happening to my car for a whole year just sat in the yard and I was just like oh I'm going to get it fixed and then when we got it to finally start running again I noticed that it started that knocking and someone told me that the transmission fluid may be low and people don't like to drain it and put transmission fluid in it without causing like five $600 the car is not even worth that much

[@HumbleMechanic]

Oh no. :(

[@oliviafrommars]

Thank you for this video. I'm thinking of purchasing a MK4 beetle and this helped a lot.

[@s.sestric9929]

Peeling clearcoat.

[@HumbleMechanic]

My B5 is doing that

[@gagemoss1075]

Yes...2001 Techno-Blue with 3 waterpumps and 2 catalytic converters and no door locks. New shift linkage and in need of driver-side pull handle. Oh yeah and 3rd fuel pump. Sorry...at first it was just about the clearcoat.

[@zachsaul148]

99 Techno blue beetle same problem lol

[@daddysugarapples]

Oh yes, my red 02 is almost completely peeled

[@tientrinh943]

Not mine

[@michael85225]

My automatic 2002 beetle shifts really hard when going past 35 mph but drives smoothly with no issues after that or when going slow speeds, it just started doing this. Hope the transmission isn't breaking down.

[@daniels7862]

I remember being a little kid and my mom got a new 2001 GLX Turbo beetle. Around 6 months in she tried to put the window up and it collapsed into the door. Besides that awesome little car.

[@THE-zv7vj]

my drivers door window just failed.

[@blackericdenice]

7:50 My 2004 Golf 2.0 had a po343, 4 coil codes and the engine would not spin pass 3,100 rpm. The dealer wanted $2,048 to replace the timing belt. I replace the $17 temp sensor and everthing was fine.

[@l3tix]

Nice. I've got an '07 Golf City which is on the MK4 platform. Coolant Temp Sensors were replaced along with thermostats. Still spitting different codes at me. I've got a P0420 pending for the Cat and a small leak in the EVAP. What I save on gas, I put in repairs :D

[@aslicaliskan2868]

I drive a Passat CC. But also really really really want a Beetle (2003 or so..) I want to hug the Beetle everytime I see one, So sweet! It would look Great Next to the CC 🙏🏻💓

[@mohamedelamir-y8t]

I have a Beetle ist best car in the world . Economy strong family I advise you to buy beetle

[@jamiewilson-smith3670]

Having a 2002 A3 and still being able to relate to most of these, they shared the same chassis i believe

[@CraftyChristian24]

Yeah Mr Charles i like this video ! Even though you are bashing on my car thanks for the reminders keep up the good work bud

[@HumbleMechanic]

Hahah. Not bashing. I own a mk4. :) and a mk3. And I have a mk5 here for a while too 😂

[@jhareng]

Only changed front wishbones twice in 63k even went through poly bushes 18 months. Just doing rear trailing arm bushes, car now 123k miles. Biggest problem is the coil packs went through 12 in as many months never a problem with the 2ltr FSI packs on adaptors well worth it. Took me ages to figure brake switch at fault cuts power, now on third.

[@JohnZonneveld]

Have intermittent trouble with my 2004 Golf MK4 2.0GLS. I have my car running, switch off the contact and dashboard resets. Clock to 12:00 and tripmeter resets to 0.0. When I turn on the contact I can hear relays switching and even the door lights are flashing, Today I checked all grounds on the lower dash and they look good 0.1Ohm to the Battery. Already cleaned the ground connection under the battery tray. Today I also noticed that when I hit the brake pedal at the moment the car won't crank that that also causes the dash to fade out and reset clock amd trip. Last 7 weeks I only had this problem twice while daily driving on weekdays. I have seen in online forums that this is a issue that appears to happen (maybe common issue) but never really saw a plausible solution.

[@BeingInTheMessiah]

I had a bad coolant temp sensor in my 96 golf and 03 jetta. I spent more time figuring out how to tape the black plastic clip to a screw driver and maneuver it into place than I did removing and replacing the sensor lol

[@iamdestinybound]

Thanks for the list. I just puchased a 2004 VW Beetle with really low miles (62K) for my daughter and dropped a couple 2K into tunning it up, complete check up, breaks everywhere, etc... Anyway her AC was also checked and was said to be "Working Fine", but it ended up going out (another $800), then it worked then it didn't and they said we needed a new fuse box (the one on top of the battery) for another $400+ because they said it was bad. I am sure you can see lots of questions here... however I feel like I may have replace the AC when I didn't have to due to the "bad fuse panel above the battery) - Yes? No? Also, now that they replace the AC the car is MUCH LOUDER when driving. What do you think they did? Any videos for help or suggestions?

[@xandertheo5989]

Still have your cat? 🤣

[@ericherrera5405]

I have a mk4 golf and have been very happy with it overall. The catalytic converter did fail, but that was covered. never had problems with the window regulators or the brake light switch. The manual transmission is very good IMO

[@stevenmaginnis1965]

The left window regulator broke on my two-door Mk4 Golf and was fixed under warranty. My catalytic converter was fine but I remembered the warranty extension I got. No brake light switch problems or radiator fluid temperature sensor failures that I can recall, but the check engine light came on while I was driving one from Pennsylvania - that might have been what it was. The bushings did wear out. Other problems included peeling soft-touch surfaces, the trim falling off the doorway - you know about that already, HM! Also the glove box door hinge.

[@bonathan]

I put the solid tt bushings in my gti vr6 and that seemed to solve that. Thanks ecs.

[@HumbleMechanic]

+Jonathan Burris That is my plan for the GTI too

[@lookingforsomething505]

I wish you would do a deep dive into all the other failures of MK4 that you have remembered since then. Its interesting history that you may remember now. The perspective you have is interesting. You lived through an era as a dealership mechanic. Its interesting that you think it reflects poorly on Volkswagon. Its helpful in knowing how to keep these cars going now. Mine has the green break light switch. I wonder if that was a dealership replacement. Also, my glow plug light has been flashing and its missing the number 13 fuse. For once I may not be a parts changer. Time destroys everything and you saw a pattern in the degradation. I'm still figure out how the glow plug operates in cold temperature.

[@Onwaxwings]

Man, awesome show!

[@HumbleMechanic]

+Onwaxwings Thanks :)

[@Onwaxwings]

+HumbleMechanic any advice on filming and editing? trying to do automotive videos also and it's hard hahaha

[@kjchicago1]

Terrific Job On This Video-Say, did you know Volkswagen just phased the Beetle out?

[@justinmeeks1868]

I had a 2003 GLI 24v I put 100k mi on. In that time I had 1. 2 coilpack failures 2. Slave Cylinder failure, replaced entire dual mass clutch assembly "since I was in there" 3. 1 front wheel bearing 4. Passenger front window glass came out of the clamp for the regulator, just had to tighten that for fix. 5. oil pump failure around 110k mi 6. Water pump 7. Crayon smell 8. Sunroof drain clogg/trashed headliner Only common issues I had would be the coilpacks and sunroof drains. I sold it at around 195k and it dribbled coolant from somewhere but I trusted it anywhere. Went to H2o x4, SOWO x2, TOTD x2 in that car. Love my MK2's better but miss that thing.

[@ericb4608]

love my 2006 Golf TDI. had 2 of those problems. mine is highly modified, and still running at 265k miles!

[@HumbleMechanic]

NICE! Do you know how many bets I have won of the 06 being a MK4... More than one LOL

[@ultimateclappage9109]

When me and my dad bought my golf, neither of us noticed that the ECT was missing its clip, and somehow drove it over an hour home. After we Got the water pump changed and it blew the sensor out of its housing LOL. Luckily we were in town

[@mrwilfredmyers7566]

Im realy Strugling on these few error codes fella. !!

[@masonpugh3637]

I put all brand new parts on my Cabrio from suspension to brakes reverse lights to backup everything works great for right now but I also use clean clean fuel

[@sagejn1471]

Great video - i would have thought the door modules would be there. With 3 cars I've had 3 of the top 5 & replAced 7 door modules!

[@Donplatano809]

MK4 - replaced lower control arm's, bushings, axel boots. other than that She runs amazingly!

[@HumbleMechanic]

NICE

[@MegaWayneD]

The European-only SEAT Leon Mk1 was also based on the Mk4 Golf. I had a 2001 TDI version which flashed the ignition coil light whenever the brake light switch failed. Suspension bushes had to be replaced pretty much every year and eventually it developed a fault where the engine refused to start without connecting the diesel injector pump to a positive electrical feed. Yup, it was direct injection but the injector pump was the same Bosch mechanical pump as used on old indirect diesel engines. Eventually the front end rusted away.

[@announcer9]

My mk4 wolfsburg jetta has had front bushings replaced with energy bushings but my headache is the rear axle beam bushings :(. Expensive fix

[@Scooteroy]

I'd love to see how these failures stack up against other car brands.

[@HumbleMechanic]

As I have always said, anyone can do this video on any car. I think comparing the level of severity would be cool.

[@MattBlack6]

I can easily do a top 5 on my 80 series LandCruiser, #1 with a bullet, the handbrake. But it's 24 years old and still mostly trouble free. I'm here because (against my firm warning) my friends just purchased a 1999 Golf. (Diesel). I usually look after their cars, so I feel the need to prepare myself.

[@ts31966]

mattyd go to tdiclub.com. Go to the forums, you will get all the information you will ever need.

[@CyclonesWorld]

I had a 2001 GTI VR6 back in the day. I had 4 out of 5 of these problems with it lol.

[@HumbleMechanic]

NICE!! Well not really but you know what I mean. AHAH

[@MrTheHillfolk]

I got the wife a preowned 99 GLS vr6 Jetta in 2001 , never had any of these issues. Early on I had a bad coolant afterrun pump , and the door weatherstripping was replaced because it was swollen from the wax dripping out the front doors. Haha it's been parked since 2012 and I just got it out of storage for repairs , guess what? it has wax drips down the rockers 🤣 Edit : oops I lied. Well, I forgot , I got the dreaded p0420 and had the cat replaced (like 100 mi before warranty was up, yay)

[@murraydupley9330]

maybe it has a plastic impeller on the water pump so it fails before the timing belt does. Interferrance engine, change the timing belt when you do you water pump.

[@MrTheHillfolk]

And vise versa ...in there for a belt , do a pump.

[@adamzan7]

2004 Golf, 2 water pumps, 1 Cat and flexpipe, 1 ECT, both cooling fans, 1 set of control arms. What about engine/trans mounts? I've replaced my dogbone mount twice. I'll also never forget the day both rear windows slammed into the doors after hitting a pot hole. And I always have one burnt out light, if you fix it another one will burn lmao.

[@timothyball3144]

Had a CTS code. Hooked up VCDS first thing in the morning and recorded temp as it warmed up. When I looked at it on a graph, the temp climbed like expected then it dropped like 70 degrees then climbed again. Yep.

[@michaelshone2465]

Loved the show!! Especially the mkiv love.. Being a 2002 beetle TDI owner I see a lot of these silly faults. With only 80k km it still hasn't seen all of them but definitely a coolant temp sensor this past summer and the damn door lock module which I'm not really too comfortable replacing :( anyways, definitely a good show. Thanks for the mkiv love Charles :)

[@michaelshone2465]

The coolant temp sensor I pulled out this summer was also green.. Perhaps it was done already or a 2002 came with a green?

[@adrianborinsky2989]

A/C - Heating panel light bulb anyone?

[@HumbleMechanic]

Haha every damn one of them.

[@LamborghiniReven1000]

Adrian Negreanu yup! And the replacement I bought is dim as hell... Ugh.

[@brandonroberts2297]

Lol that's me

[@johngonda6447]

2 times! Tough to get out without breaking

[@erikcarson1373]

Same here. Drove it like that for years. Didn't know it was a bulb that was easy to replace. When I finely got around to figuring it out I felt like a total idiot. All I had to do was pull the knob out. Real Homer Simpson moment.

[@guywashington2497]

I have a 2000 vw beetle 2.0 non turbo, and it seems like its consuming too much oil. Took care in no leaks, not burning it, even passed smog. Is there a way to clean out the pcv system. Noticed there is no listings to purchase a pcv valve. My crankcase vent tube and hose look a little cruddy as well. Bought new ones to swap out. Any suggestions? Should I upgrade to thicker oil as I run the 5w40? Maybe 10w40 or 20w50?

[@Kenmcm1987]

Have had the top 4 problems . Fixed thermostat and now fan is gone . Heard it mentioned too .

[@ZOMBIFORC3]

Interesting enough, the mk6/b7 generation cars went back to that same lower control arm bushing setup and I have already seen a 2012 Passat come in with a torn bushing