2010 Jetta, purchased in 2009. This is my 4th Jetta with the updated 2.5 engine, I drove the earlier one in 2006 and did 170k miles on it. Before that I had a 2001 TDI and did 302k miles on it before the automatic transmission went bad on it. I purchased this new 2010 Jetta thinking that this will be one hell of an experience to see how long the power train components will last. I did my oil changes every 5000 miles, always used synthetic oil and quality filters, kept away from the VW dealer's ridiculous 10k mile oil changes. I replaced the spark plugs and coils at 200k miles, with no issues after that.

I kept on driving the vehicle along my daily routes for a couple more years until I noticed that the vehicle was much more responsive under the gas pedal. (Mileage at approx. 320k) The vehicle itself already had high shift points and with this power gained it was even quicker. At this time I was not suspecting anything wrong with the vehicle. Kept on driving it for another 18000 miles and surpassed the mileage I did on my old TDI - the new vehicle had no issues with it so far.

Until one day, the engine light came on. It was a very moist day and the vehicle stalled at a red light. I restarted it with no problems and the engine light went away for the rest of the day. It would be another 3 weeks, the engine light came on again. Plugged in my scan tool, code P0011 "Bank 1 Intake Camshaft Over Advanced". I realized that this over advancement of the intake is what caused the power gain, the ECU was probably adjusting fuel and spark timing to keep the engine running smoothly. I considered the mileage of the vehicle and determined that either the timing chain stretched or that the VVT cam actuator went bad, so I replaced the Camshaft Position Sensor and that did not fix the problem.

At this point, the vehicle was still driving fine, with no issues. It even gained a little bit of power. I would drive the vehicle for another 2000 miles, regularly checking the computer for any additional codes. 340000 miles, intake cams were slightly slapping the pistons, I realized that this was it, the engine is on it's last leg before that chain might snap. (2.5 I5 is an interference engine) Considering the mileage at that point, I decided that it would not be worth it to replace the chain as it would be a pain in the ass to do so. (Chain is on the transmission side, the engine or transmission would need to be removed in order to access the lower section of the timing cover. VW also uses hex bolts on the cover and probably the tensioners have some sort of triple square bolts on them too.) Drove the vehicle for 300 miles, winter came in and the valves started to sound like a minigun. I did not want to risk being stuck in a snowstorm with a blown engine if the chain snaps. Godd**t, I wanted to do 500k miles with this car before I got rid of it!

Junkyard gave me $300 for the car, so I combined that with some of my money and purchased a 1997 Toyota Camry with the 2.2 4 cylinder engine. I know that car will not have timing chain issues (it doesn't have a timing chain or VVT) and it would be far easier to fix if something does break. I will write another high mileage complaint when that car decides to give up, if it ever does.

For those of you curious about other minor issues I had with the car, here is a list:

Spark plugs and coils went bad at 150k.

AC compressor solenoid went bad at 120k (Dirt contamination from refrigerant breakdown).

Never changed the coolant, heater took a long time to warm up, issue started at about 200k miles (20 minutes to warm up from a cold start on a cold day).

Never changed the air filter, engine's 5 cylinder roar got louder as time progressed. The DRLs would burn out every year. The AC stopped working entirely at 300k. Washer fluid pump went bad at 300k. Needed new front brake pads at 300k. The wheel bearings were replaced at 300k.

Major parts never replaced that had no issues: - Transmission fluid never replaced, no issues. - Coolant never replaced, no engine issues - Brake fluid never replaced, no issues - Power steering electric motor never replaced, no issues - CV axles never replaced, no issues - Rear brake pads and rotors never replaced, no issues - SAI pump never replaced, no issues (common issue on some of the other cars) - Air filter never replaced, made the engine louder... - Fuel pump and related assemblies and common rail never replaced, no issues - Fuel injectors never replaced or cleaned, no issues - Exhaust and related components never replaced, no issues

This vehicle was on the highway keeping a constant speed of at least 60 MPH for 99% of it's life.

That's about it for what I can remember, if you want a long lasting engine get the 2.5 or the non turbo 2.0.

I moved to the United States and bought a 2010 VW Jetta Wolfsburg for $15,000 and 56,000 miles. A year later after doing so well with the company I was working for and heading to management training that same week, I got the good news. I went to start my car to fill it with gas and it wouldn't start. I took it to VW and they said it needs a new motor costing between $7000-$9000 to repair. I had to pay a rental two months and couldn't afford it any longer. I lost my job. I am now in debt and stuck in the same position almost 3 years now. The car is like new sitting in a garage and I still try to keep it clean but then I remember what happened and I can't even look at it. Please do a recall so I can have a car again like I was supposed to in the first place...