Got myself a 2021 Jetta S a few months ago. First new car I've ever had. The stock power leaves much to be desired, but the vehicle feel, and drive-ability is great. I'll probably wait awhile before I do anything to it, but I'm debating tires first.
Same here, this is my first car I've actually had/owned myself. The power is subpair but it makes up for it down low with torque and fantastic MPG. Still leaves me wanting more, but this a car where I can learn and not get into too much trouble. Tires are a game changer! Same applies to a tune! Enjoy
I have a 2019 Jetta S I put a ton of highway on for personal travel best decision in my life MPG is outstanding shes pushing 196k miles nothing but maintenance love this car
@@orlandolaguna775 sure do! I’m actually at 218k now hahaha purrrs like a kitten! During the first 70,000 miles the vehicle came with a seven free oil changes every 10,000 miles and then after that I did them every 5000 miles and once I hit 150,000 miles I started doing my oil changes more frequently anywhere from every 3 to 5000 it just really depends on what kind of driving I do if I do a lot of highway driving I do it every 5000 if I do a lot of city driving I do them every 3000 like a regular vehicle I actually just got done with a oil change and the dealership was very impressed with the mileage and how it still sounds brand new
Thanks for the video.. 2020 Jetta SEL here... My only gripe is how loud the engine is when cold..This is my first 1.4 L , the power is fine for what I need.. I have had two Audi's and this is my 4th VW and this is smallest engine and best gas milage..Just a little loud..... The car does exactly what its supposed to do .I am glad people make honest videos out there like you...
Thank you for that ! The car is quite loud during the "cold start" period. Luckily it quiets down. They have to make sure the cats get warmed up for emissions and the oil is good for the high boost this little turbo makes
That's a lot of miles. My warranty ends at 72k. I was worried about turbo or mechanical issues. My Jetta has 48k right now I did have my rear struts replaced. I do my 9oil change earlier than recommended. What about transaxle fluid change?
@@Mark-pz3lqhow’s that a lot of miles I really don’t get it tbh. I drive at the very least 23k miles a year 🤷♂️car should last more then 5 years of driving haha
Other than the transmission "growl" that plague many Mk7 (2019-) Jetta's and some recalls I promptly had fixed under warranty, it's been a very reliable car that has never let me down.
@@DrivenByChris I passed it on to my son now. It was good to me so I help him maintain it. I just replaced cabin filter on it. I'm hoping it lasts him until he finishes college in 3 years.
My 2019 VW Jetta 1.4 is reliable as can be, I drive up a mountain everyday with a 3K elevation grade and I do drive the car hard everyday, summer is hot and AC is blasting and in the winter it does snow and I drive it like an AWD and with chains three times out of the year. I have changed the spark plugs, gear oil, brake fluid and coolant for the major repairs but basic stuff that will come with driving up and down a mountain everyday for my commute is the tires and brakes air filter when needed of course. It’s a great car and still runs smooth and quiet my is the six speed manual and I have passed many sports cars that become envious of my little volkswagon
Im at 115,000 miles bought it at 51,000 and i only had the stock battery die and my evap canister stop working. Definitely a reliable car other than that definitely great for traveling. I have a 2019
@@DrivenByChris the driver side door wire harness was malfunctioning causing my ebrake to engage when coming to a stop along with door buttons to not work. The dealership said that the mk7 Jetta and I believe the atlas had this known problem.
All I have to say is that I am very happy that I found your channel. I have been contemplating modding my car since I got it (about 2 years ago), being a poor college kid and all. I wasn't sure if mods would be worth it on my slow little 1.4 liter engine. After watching your videos and seeing what your car is, and what mine could potentially be, it has completely changed my mind. Now, where do you suggest I start first, the basic intake, exhaust, tune? Or should I start somewhere else? Keep up the great videos man!
I am glad you found me ! But hey, I'm poor and in college too lol . Did you watch my whole stage 2 review video? There's helpful info in there about modding this little motor. I would sugest intake first. Keep it simple and cheap. Depends on goals too!
I have 57k on my '15 1.8 Golf Sportwagon. 10k full synthetic oil changes and is still on full mark at the 7k for this change. I have gotten 39mpg on road trip. Fully loaded, still has lots of power in stock form. No breakdowns, still drives amazing and I have a hood shock, felt glove box and door pockets and nice engine cover and battery insulation..lol Love the 1.8T VW cheaped out the mk 8 and other newer cars.
I use liquid moly in my jetta but nervous about going 8k miles between oil changes.Are these engines reliable past 100k miles? I am at 63k now.Should i change tranny fluid every 15 to 20k miles? These are tiny engines.
I’m nearly at 19k miles on mine, recently drove from LA to San Fran and back, rode like a charm of course. Only problem is the auto 8speed man. The clanking is horrible. I reset my TCM (helped some) and did some research, wanted to see if anyone else had the problem. There’s a whole class action lawsuit for the Aisin 8speed in this jetta as well as the Tiguan (can’t remember the year, as well as some Audis). This Aisin transmission is used in multiple, high production cars. I believe the torque converter was very likely placed improperly upon installation. Some think it’s just a fully faulty design. VW and Aisin say it’s supposed to sound like that LOL. The date to sign out of the lawsuit passed in October, now, if you have a problem with your tranny, more news will be heard around mid January 2023, when the lawsuit advances forward. I loved the car, but this clanking transmission really really makes me want to trade it in, even before the possible recall. I don’t know if I trust VW/Aisin will fix this problem correctly for the hundreds of thousands of those transmissions they put out. Been on the fence for months
I guess I got lucky in my 2016 1.4 because the car came with a different transmission, 6 speed tiptronic from someone I forget, 09g. . A recall would be best! U would get blessed . u are in a tough spot.
Anyone getting the "low oil pressure" warning on their 1.4 S? Mine has 96,000 miles (we are original owners) and it now throws a "low oil pressure" warning when cold. I changed the oil pressure sensor/switch, but that didn't do anything. Thoughts?
gotta 1.4 jetta 2017 with manual bought it new in the dealership added cold air intake 20k into the miles then 50k in to the miles added the dow pipe and stage 2 unit tonic tune. never had any engine issues till this day and has 130 k now. but i did have to change my clutch . used to drive her like a minkey but now i just baby her cause i’m too scared
I bought 2017 Jetta 1.4 TSI manual, new as well. Only have 23k now in 2023 lol. Of course it runs perfectly. Have always used ethanol free gas 89 octane. Change oil every summer (approx 4 or 5k miles). This car gonna last me 20 years!
i have a 2016 mk6 and have had zero problems with it, it's my second mk6, to me the engine seems pepy and with good torque, with a good tune I could probably squeeze 20 more hp out of it
The jettas with the 1.4T should be pretty reliable. Time will tell if the jettas with the 1.5t will be as well. I am here to help if u need anything else
Just so you know the gli/gti wheel or any vw wheel from your gen with paddle shifters is plug and play on the 09g transmission. If you want to reuse your airbag you could prob find an r line wheel
I got 75000 on mine. Had battery, module related to battery replaced. I had rear struts replaced through warranty. Orherwise it has been good. U bought used and was worried about the turbos life expectancy.
will this engine be something that lasts 200,000+ miles if maintained correctly with not too many issues along the way? or would going with the 2.5 5cyl be the better route to go?
Chris has your Jetta been carbon cleaned, or had any of those issues yet? I'm about to hit 50,000. Noticed some hesitation, put in liquimoly Jectron and filled with Chevron supreme. More responsive now. But wondering about carbon build up. 16 Jetta 1.4tsi 5 manual. 58, drive it like I'm 20😎
hello again, no I haven't had any issues related to that ... yet. I've seen some not have any issues with carbon until 100k miles. However when I first got the car. Every time I got the oil change ( 5k miles ) , I would put in fuel injector cleaner in the tank. I also only filled up with 91oct. Now, since I am tuned, I fill up on only 93oct + . So that helps me a ton. I recommend you do some research about it and use some of that fuel injector cleaner. Then do me a favor, Enjoy the car!
@@DrivenByChris Hi Chris! I’m a little late to the party, I just got a 2017 Jetta SE TSI and it runs amazing, 5 speed manual and live in NYC so lots of traffic but also concerned about carbon build up, I’m doing the oil change at 3K because of how little I run it over 50 mph but I try to take it on a road trip upstate every weekend. When I saw your reply it was a huge help and was wondering if you have any recommendations for fuel injector cleaner for this particular car? Thanks!
Well I’ll tell you, I love Volkswagen. But I just had a whole engine replacement due to a faulty design that caused excessive wear on the bearings. It was at 41,000 miles. The engine itself has never given me problems and had excellent gas mileage and smoothness, so I was shocked to hear my dealership tell me that they found metal in my oil. I am religious in my maintenance. Do I think Volkswagens are reliable? Not as much as other brands. I think VW engineers their engines with known faults that cost a lot to fix over 10+ years. Why? Cost cutting. Full stop. But hey, I love the brand. Next car will be electric so I don’t have to worry about problems going forward. I’m looking at the ID Buzz. I will be keeping my Jetta for as long as it runs, which I suspect will be 15-20 years.
I bought a 2016 GTI Performance a few months back. Once I hit 79k miles I was told I needed a new motor. The previous owner didn’t do a good job maintaining the motor, and the dealer found metal flakes in the oil. I first noticed a Low Oil Pressure, but I was always religious with maintenance. I was wondering if the tuner was the problem but isn’t since it’s only Stage 1+. Other than that issue, I love the 2.0t and can’t wait to get it back in a few weeks.
@@La-yt1wr Listen, to be honest with you these engines are stressed enough as it is. They're engineered very specifically. The engine block replacement I had has gone very well. In retrospect, I do wonder if I needed a new engine block at all. I never had any symptoms at 41,000 miles, gas mileage was excellent, no loss of power. I know dealerships can be weird when it comes to this, I'm not suggesting that they were dishonest but... I don't know. Anyway, the dealership looks over my car twice a year at least and they say it is in excellent shape. So I'll take it. A tune on small, highly stressed engines like this is likely not a good idea. I would worry about the wear on the piston rings, leading to burning of oil, leading to oil starvation and a worn engine. Just my 2 cents. If I were you, I'd just leave it alone. If you do want to do a tune, you may want to go all the way and rebuild the engine with components with higher tolerances. Of course, that is very, very expensive.
@@DrivenByChris I recently got a 1.4l as well. Wanted the 1.8t so bad, but got a good deal on the other one. Jetta has the best mpg in its class for sure, and it's by far the funnest compact car to drive 👌
Hey chris how has your suspension been so far? I’m thinking of getting some coilovers but I’m not sure if I should buy some entry level ones or save up for some more expensive ones. My goal is to just have my car lowered to where it looks dope af but also reliable where it’s not scraping and I want to make my ride feel smooth. I’ve been told that coilovers are more for racing and I should just go with lowering springs. What’s your opinion on that? Also I’ve had my 1.4 Jetta for over a year now and I’ve taken it across Cali multiple times. Never had any engine issues. I would usually get a oil change after or before and I’ve put around 30k miles on it. So far so good, I would also rate it a 4/5.
Hey, my BC BR coilovers have been awesome. I do have to say, it's a ton of work to get the dialed in EXACTLY where I want. But it's definitely worth it. For our cars , get a mid tier coil 600-1.1k coil. It'll be reliable in that range and you can adjust it however you want . I had lowering springs and I just wanted more low and better ride quality so I eventually went with BC BR. However, coils aren't necessarily for racing. They can be used to look good and such. So , it depends on your goals!
I had a 1.4 tsi Jetta 2017. It was perfect at 240k miles. Just that dang timing belt. Go to a chain. Please. Also just bought a new one and the dealer refused to change the oil before 10000 miles. And I hate that. My VWs and Ford's, 4 cylinders, have always made it to about 280k without issues. My issues with both have been AC and thermostats. New Jetta is 1.5 2023. No one has the oil specs yet. I usually get the oil changed at 6500. The dealer will not do it.
Please go 3k oil change and the thickest as possible! Don’t believe the hype! 30 yeas as a mechanic! I have seen it all! Oil changes are cheaper than an engine!
Chris , is that Schumacher Volkswagen you're at. Trust me dude. I highly suggest Gunther Delrey Volkswagen . Every time I've been there, professional, prompt, and hope as always, honest. It's worth the extra drive .
why do u use the manual mode thing when your cruising? personally i only use it when i want to go fast & since i only do that i can feel a big difference in speed.
Good question, I hate how the car shifts. Since I'm tuned the car likes to shift in the worst possible spots ( for the best fuel economy ). So to fix that "problem" I use that mode. I still get great MPG too. You are 100% right , it is a lot faster in that mode.
Hey MK6CHRIS you you should think about buying the RCD330 Desay model man best non power related upgrade that I added to my 2016 1.4 jetta🙏 other than that I think you have like 1/2 more mods than I do and I have no complaints it’s pretty damn reliable. Definitely up to the owner to keep their car healthy.
@@DrivenByChris yessir the “aftermarket” radio clutch with apple car play it was probably the best mod to have modern tech in the Forsure and the car had decent torque. I’m on stage 2 unitronic, aem intake, cts catless downpipe, and awe track catback purrs like a kitten
Hi! The 2025 Jetta SE has the 1.5T and this video discusses the previous generation Jetta with the 1.4T engine. I plan to review the 2025 Jetta 1.5T sometime this year.
@DrivenByChris thanks for replying! Wasn't aware that for 2025, they went with a 1.5t. Does that mean the 1.4t was a flop? Seems like it had a short production run
@ the 1.4T used in the Jetta in the US ran from like 2016-2023 if I’m not mistaken. They also use that same motor in the EU. I would say it wasn’t a flop. Mine was good when I had it. The 1.5T is a newer version of the 1.4T but it’s too soon to tell if it’ll stand the test of time imo
For all the people impressed by “high milage” 150k miles is nothing lmao y’all don’t drive at all i swear, I average 24k miles a year, got a 2016 1.4t up to 160k before I sold it. Got it used too, very reliable. But Fr 100k miles is a joke a car should last for more then 4 years 😂.
My 2016 is the base model. This car comes with fog lights optional. However, to save money car companies like to reuse stuff. So this bumper can actually house the fog lights if you punch out the inserts. I did that and installed them
@@DrivenByChrismisfire change coils spark chek every electronics cheked carbon deposit and pretty much cheked every sensor fuel like timing compression dumper 5 000 + into it at vw dealer and tthe problem is still there
Honestly I test drove a 2014 jetta 1.8T manual and a 2017 Jetta TSI 1.4 manual and it felt like the 1.4 was more torquey. Maybe someone tuned it or something.
@@410kane well they both have the same torque numbers and the 2014 is older so it most likely has carbon build up causing less torque to be produced. Therefore making the 1.4t feel better. Also, the gearing is different !
3000 miles oil change intervals is BS nonsense in modern vehicles!! My Jetta is 300K and I personally changed the oil and filter every 10K without problems
Depends on driving habits but I’ve never seen a newer VW have a 3k mile interval. VW specifically says 10k miles. I personally changed it every 3k-7k because of the driving habits
2020 Tiguan R line, purchased new and it’s been the biggest disappointment! You say 10k miles between oil changes ayyy? Well my vw tiguan with only barely 4000 miles on this brand new car, prior to its first oil change the dash lights came on with a low engine oil level warning 🤬🤯🤯 oh nooooo and now it’s around 25,000 miles and it’s still burning oil constantly it sucks man I bought this car on the premise that my fiancé drives a 2017 Jetta 1.4tsi and it’s never lost a drop of oil and it’s currently sitting at 55k miles. So we went into this purchase confident in the brand since it is one of the more affordable euro auto manufactures you can get yourself into, but sadly this car will leave me with crazy expensive repair bills and I don’t think it will get past the 100k mark at this going rate. It really sucks becuSe my payments are really low and if I ditch this car because of fearing future mechanical problems the that means getting into a new car the 2023 equivalent right now would put me at 600-700$ monthly with the way prices are! I don’t know what to do I’m stuck and my lease to buy opportunity is about to pass and if I don’t decide to return it come this fall then I’m stuck with it and The constant nuance of having to add 1 liter of oil everything 30-40 days right around that 3.5k oil interval make which is ridiculous!!!! I wish I had this knowledge when picking this car out as I do now and I hope you stay clear from vw and audi. Get yourself a bmw or Mercedes if you can afford it. The only thing’s worth a dam by this group is the golf r and the previous gen gti/r32❤ and most importantly Porsche. If it ain’t a Porsche just stay away from this brand don’t give them your monkey you’ll have better sleep at night trust lol
Remember this engine takes 6 quarts! Replace the every 3k miles and use Mobil one 5w30 and you will never have a problem! The USA recommendations are false! They are force to do it to get more credit and allow the vehicle to sell in California! I also have a Tiguan, Audi A3, macan base all with the same engine! And all get the same treatment! I don’t care what the propaganda machine says! Great engine!
Hey chris. Question about reliability, I just got this car and I’m nervous with all the allegations of faulty vw transmissions. Have you ever encountered that?
My transmission is slipping in low rpm’s especially in 1st and 2nd I bought the car with 16000 miles even and it’s got 17500, but it’s a 2017 jetta 1.4 Tsi, got it a month ago but it’s got a warranty on it so seeing the dealer in a week to find out what the issue is
Suspension is awful and throttle body can be fail after 60k miles, transmission is not reliable,turbo charger after certain millage will be noisy .I definitely recommend don't purchase this car
Hey sorry to hear about your bad experience! But it sounds like you got a lemon. I also want to add, the transmission used in this car is the same one used in higher HP VWs and they hold firm ( Even with added modifications ) These og9 trans can be pushed pretty hard. Sounds like proper preventative maintenance and maintenance normal wasn't done OR it's just a lemon. You are right about the turbo ( all VW's do that ) The suspension isn't bad at all. It's the same one used in the SPORT/GLI models and people praise it.
My 2021 Jetta ate oil like crazy, fuel module died, throttle body failed three times in 9 months. Got a 2021 R-line and the engine control module went out with only 200 miles on it. This isn’t a good year for jettas.
@@DrivenByChris hey I know this video is from a while ago, but I have a 19’ jetta se black, and it’s a solid car, it was a rental car before I had it and I now beat on it quite a bit, but I keep up on maintenance and only use oem or better than oem parts. I’m not worried about breaking anything because a motor out of a wrecked one of these are stupid cheap already, in a few years they’ll be way down in price.
![Reasons I Chose The Awesome 1.4 TSI TFSi [EA211 Are Excellent Engines]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/2fzNDt2Z-X4/mqdefault.jpg)
Zero problems with my 2020 Jetta. It's my third Jetta. Best ever esp with MPG!
glad to hear it! Enjoy it
3k oil change on my 2.0 gti engine, 110k miles! No problems whatsoever! Oil changes are cheaper than a new engine! Keep that turbo clean 🧼
Yep I’m a huge believer in frequent oil changes
Got myself a 2021 Jetta S a few months ago. First new car I've ever had. The stock power leaves much to be desired, but the vehicle feel, and drive-ability is great. I'll probably wait awhile before I do anything to it, but I'm debating tires first.
Same here, this is my first car I've actually had/owned myself. The power is subpair but it makes up for it down low with torque and fantastic MPG. Still leaves me wanting more, but this a car where I can learn and not get into too much trouble. Tires are a game changer! Same applies to a tune! Enjoy
@MK6CHRIS the turbo on this car is nice. When people tail gate me I just accelerate in 3rd gear and I'm gone. I have a manual
I have a 2019 Jetta S I put a ton of highway on for personal travel best decision in my life MPG is outstanding shes pushing 196k miles nothing but maintenance love this car
@@cflores32097 hey wondering do you still own the jetta how many miles on it now. ..? How often do you change the motor oil ..?
@@orlandolaguna775 sure do! I’m actually at 218k now hahaha purrrs like a kitten! During the first 70,000 miles the vehicle came with a seven free oil changes every 10,000 miles and then after that I did them every 5000 miles and once I hit 150,000 miles I started doing my oil changes more frequently anywhere from every 3 to 5000 it just really depends on what kind of driving I do if I do a lot of highway driving I do it every 5000 if I do a lot of city driving I do them every 3000 like a regular vehicle I actually just got done with a oil change and the dealership was very impressed with the mileage and how it still sounds brand new
Thanks for the video.. 2020 Jetta SEL here... My only gripe is how loud the engine is when cold..This is my first 1.4 L , the power is fine for what I need.. I have had two Audi's and this is my 4th VW and this is smallest engine and best gas milage..Just a little loud..... The car does exactly what its supposed to do .I am glad people make honest videos out there like you...
Thank you for that ! The car is quite loud during the "cold start" period. Luckily it quiets down. They have to make sure the cats get warmed up for emissions and the oil is good for the high boost this little turbo makes
I got the 2021 Jetta 1.4T and it has about 208K miles and it doesn't even scream or ask for any repairs
Wow! 208k miles? You did that all by yourself?
That's impressive dude
My 2016 Jetta 1.4t got 123,000 on it, super reliable car
Keep racking up those miles! Hows the MPG at 123k?
@@DrivenByChris average is 33mpg
That's a lot of miles. My warranty ends at 72k. I was worried about turbo or mechanical issues. My Jetta has 48k right now I did have my rear struts replaced. I do my 9oil change earlier than recommended. What about transaxle fluid change?
@@Mark-pz3lqhow’s that a lot of miles I really don’t get it tbh. I drive at the very least 23k miles a year 🤷♂️car should last more then 5 years of driving haha
@@eazy_e.7153 my point was that's a lot of miles for a four-cylinder Turbo with no problems it's still getting decent gas mileage
I can attest too bc I currently own a 2012 mk6 2.5 from new and have already 162,500 miles and no problems and still runs like new! 👍 🚘
Those i5 2.5s are SOLID. Sounds like you take care of it and have all the maintenance done accordingly. Keep it up, you're a good owener
@@DrivenByChris yessirrrr all done by myself using Liqui Moly products!! 😅 ✅ . Keep up the vids and contents love em! 😎 🤙
@@Shadowcu123 Good stuff my friend. Thank you for your support!
Other than the transmission "growl" that plague many Mk7 (2019-) Jetta's and some recalls I promptly had fixed under warranty, it's been a very reliable car that has never let me down.
My 2012 Jetta just hit 135k miles pretty reliable for me, only had to do regular maintenance, replaced battery, and a headlight bulb.
glad to hear! What motor do u have?
@@DrivenByChris Jetta S 2.0L FI SOHC 4cyl
@@socalrams74 wow great motor. Most don’t take care of those . I normally only hear the 2.5s over 130k miles . Good stuff. Enjoy it .
@@DrivenByChris I passed it on to my son now. It was good to me so I help him maintain it. I just replaced cabin filter on it. I'm hoping it lasts him until he finishes college in 3 years.
My 2019 VW Jetta 1.4 is reliable as can be, I drive up a mountain everyday with a 3K elevation grade and I do drive the car hard everyday, summer is hot and AC is blasting and in the winter it does snow and I drive it like an AWD and with chains three times out of the year. I have changed the spark plugs, gear oil, brake fluid and coolant for the major repairs but basic stuff that will come with driving up and down a mountain everyday for my commute is the tires and brakes air filter when needed of course. It’s a great car and still runs smooth and quiet my is the six speed manual and I have passed many sports cars that become envious of my little volkswagon
keep enjoying it for me! Thank you for sharing, I love hearing about things like this.
Love me 2017 1.4 Jetta, just had the wastegate actuator replaced. But other than that extremely great care and I was a Honda Accord previous owner.
Glad to hear! How many miles does it have?
@@DrivenByChris It currently has approx 135K..
@@FILBERGONADZS-ew9wl awesome. Drive it in good health. I know a bunch with over 200k miles!
@@DrivenByChris I plan on driving it to 300k
My 2012 Jetta TDI has 235,000 miles, not a single problem so far
TDI vws are something else for sure 💪🏼
Mine is 303200 still driving great
Im at 115,000 miles bought it at 51,000 and i only had the stock battery die and my evap canister stop working. Definitely a reliable car other than that definitely great for traveling. I have a 2019
That’s really great to hear! Keep enjoying it . Thank you for sharing
i picked up a 24’ 1.5T which is a derivative of the 1.4T. hoping to drive it past 200k miles!
I hope you get there too! Let me know how it goes. The 1.5T is meant to be a better 1.4T. It’s a solid foundation.
My 2019 jetta se has had only one or two minor issues. Love the car. Waiting for my warranty to come up so I can make it a little more fun to drive
Awesome! What minor issues?
@@DrivenByChris the driver side door wire harness was malfunctioning causing my ebrake to engage when coming to a stop along with door buttons to not work. The dealership said that the mk7 Jetta and I believe the atlas had this known problem.
And the car wasn't registering the door was closed. Which kept alerting me constantly which got super annoying really quick.
All I have to say is that I am very happy that I found your channel. I have been contemplating modding my car since I got it (about 2 years ago), being a poor college kid and all. I wasn't sure if mods would be worth it on my slow little 1.4 liter engine. After watching your videos and seeing what your car is, and what mine could potentially be, it has completely changed my mind. Now, where do you suggest I start first, the basic intake, exhaust, tune? Or should I start somewhere else?
Keep up the great videos man!
I am glad you found me ! But hey, I'm poor and in college too lol . Did you watch my whole stage 2 review video? There's helpful info in there about modding this little motor. I would sugest intake first. Keep it simple and cheap. Depends on goals too!
I have 57k on my '15 1.8 Golf Sportwagon. 10k full synthetic oil changes and is still on full mark at the 7k for this change.
I have gotten 39mpg on road trip.
Fully loaded, still has lots of power in stock form.
No breakdowns, still drives amazing and I have a hood shock, felt glove box and door pockets and nice engine cover and battery insulation..lol
Love the 1.8T
VW cheaped out the mk 8 and other newer cars.
I agree 1000 percent. Enjoy it!
I use liquid moly in my jetta but nervous about going 8k miles between oil changes.Are these engines reliable past 100k miles? I am at 63k now.Should i change tranny fluid every 15 to 20k miles? These are tiny engines.
After 60000 mi with my mk7 the 10000mi/12 month oil changes are not an issue.
Never any mechanical issues.
Interesting to hear
As someone whos taken several vehicles over the 500k mark with 5k oil changes, I will tell you that you are living on borrowed time.
@ But why would I want to be stuck with a vehicle that long.
I’m nearly at 19k miles on mine, recently drove from LA to San Fran and back, rode like a charm of course.
Only problem is the auto 8speed man. The clanking is horrible. I reset my TCM (helped some) and did some research, wanted to see if anyone else had the problem. There’s a whole class action lawsuit for the Aisin 8speed in this jetta as well as the Tiguan (can’t remember the year, as well as some Audis). This Aisin transmission is used in multiple, high production cars. I believe the torque converter was very likely placed improperly upon installation. Some think it’s just a fully faulty design. VW and Aisin say it’s supposed to sound like that LOL.
The date to sign out of the lawsuit passed in October, now, if you have a problem with your tranny, more news will be heard around mid January 2023, when the lawsuit advances forward.
I loved the car, but this clanking transmission really really makes me want to trade it in, even before the possible recall. I don’t know if I trust VW/Aisin will fix this problem correctly for the hundreds of thousands of those transmissions they put out. Been on the fence for months
I guess I got lucky in my 2016 1.4 because the car came with a different transmission, 6 speed tiptronic from someone I forget, 09g. . A recall would be best! U would get blessed . u are in a tough spot.
Anyone getting the "low oil pressure" warning on their 1.4 S?
Mine has 96,000 miles (we are original owners) and it now throws a "low oil pressure" warning when cold. I changed the oil pressure sensor/switch, but that didn't do anything.
Thoughts?
Dang sorry to hear that. Are you still having that issue?
Im looking for new tires for .y 2019 jetta S, any recommendations?
I would recommend some Michelin all seasons
@MK6CHRIS bro I just bought a set of four from les shwab. I'll look op michelin
gotta 1.4 jetta 2017 with manual bought it new in the dealership added cold air intake 20k into the miles then 50k in to the miles added the dow pipe and stage 2 unit tonic tune. never had any engine issues till this day and has 130 k now. but i did have to change my clutch . used to drive her like a minkey but now i just baby her cause i’m too scared
they're solid motors for being a 1.4! keep enjoying it. I hope u get many more miles
I bought 2017 Jetta 1.4 TSI manual, new as well. Only have 23k now in 2023 lol. Of course it runs perfectly. Have always used ethanol free gas 89 octane. Change oil every summer (approx 4 or 5k miles). This car gonna last me 20 years!
Hi, i looking to buy a 1.4 2017 too, it have a 107k miles, is it a good purchase?
I would say 107k miles is too much/not a good purchase. You should be able to find a 2017 1.4 with 65k miles for a good price.
i have a 2016 mk6 and have had zero problems with it, it's my second mk6, to me the engine seems pepy and with good torque, with a good tune I could probably squeeze 20 more hp out of it
Wow, super glad to hear that! You are 100% . Same experience here!
How many miles?
@@chizzydid209 going on 50k
My 2017 VW 1.4L 5M - at 60,000 MILES - no issues since NEW!!!
I really want to buy a new jetta but im scared of reliability they look very attractive but i always take care of my cars i think i will be k
The jettas with the 1.4T should be pretty reliable. Time will tell if the jettas with the 1.5t will be as well. I am here to help if u need anything else
@@DrivenByChris thank you I appreciate it
Just so you know the gli/gti wheel or any vw wheel from your gen with paddle shifters is plug and play on the 09g transmission. If you want to reuse your airbag you could prob find an r line wheel
I got 75000 on mine. Had battery, module related to battery replaced. I had rear struts replaced through warranty.
Orherwise it has been good. U bought used and was worried about the turbos life expectancy.
glad to hear it! I had my 2016 Jetta 1.4T for almost 3 years and I beat on it with a stage 2 tune. I think u should be fine. keep us updated
will this engine be something that lasts 200,000+ miles if maintained correctly with not too many issues along the way? or would going with the 2.5 5cyl be the better route to go?
5 cyl will last a little longer but won't get as much gas mileage. both should go over 200K with proper care
It's very surprising what this little engine can do bro
Definitely
Chris has your Jetta been carbon cleaned, or had any of those issues yet? I'm about to hit 50,000. Noticed some hesitation, put in liquimoly Jectron and filled with Chevron supreme. More responsive now. But wondering about carbon build up. 16 Jetta 1.4tsi 5 manual. 58, drive it like I'm 20😎
hello again, no I haven't had any issues related to that ... yet. I've seen some not have any issues with carbon until 100k miles. However when I first got the car. Every time I got the oil change ( 5k miles ) , I would put in fuel injector cleaner in the tank. I also only filled up with 91oct. Now, since I am tuned, I fill up on only 93oct + . So that helps me a ton. I recommend you do some research about it and use some of that fuel injector cleaner. Then do me a favor, Enjoy the car!
@@DrivenByChris Hi Chris! I’m a little late to the party, I just got a 2017 Jetta SE TSI and it runs amazing, 5 speed manual and live in NYC so lots of traffic but also concerned about carbon build up, I’m doing the oil change at 3K because of how little I run it over 50 mph but I try to take it on a road trip upstate every weekend. When I saw your reply it was a huge help and was wondering if you have any recommendations for fuel injector cleaner for this particular car? Thanks!
Euro castom tuning pops bangs back fire 🔥
impressive for sure
Well I’ll tell you, I love Volkswagen. But I just had a whole engine replacement due to a faulty design that caused excessive wear on the bearings. It was at 41,000 miles. The engine itself has never given me problems and had excellent gas mileage and smoothness, so I was shocked to hear my dealership tell me that they found metal in my oil. I am religious in my maintenance. Do I think Volkswagens are reliable? Not as much as other brands. I think VW engineers their engines with known faults that cost a lot to fix over 10+ years. Why? Cost cutting. Full stop. But hey, I love the brand. Next car will be electric so I don’t have to worry about problems going forward. I’m looking at the ID Buzz. I will be keeping my Jetta for as long as it runs, which I suspect will be 15-20 years.
wow I don't believe it. That's crazy. Those vw ID cars are pretty cool so at lest u are sticking with vw
I bought a 2016 GTI Performance a few months back. Once I hit 79k miles I was told I needed a new motor.
The previous owner didn’t do a good job maintaining the motor, and the dealer found metal flakes in the oil.
I first noticed a Low Oil Pressure, but I was always religious with maintenance. I was wondering if the tuner was the problem but isn’t since it’s only Stage 1+.
Other than that issue, I love the 2.0t and can’t wait to get it back in a few weeks.
@@La-yt1wr Listen, to be honest with you these engines are stressed enough as it is. They're engineered very specifically. The engine block replacement I had has gone very well. In retrospect, I do wonder if I needed a new engine block at all. I never had any symptoms at 41,000 miles, gas mileage was excellent, no loss of power. I know dealerships can be weird when it comes to this, I'm not suggesting that they were dishonest but... I don't know. Anyway, the dealership looks over my car twice a year at least and they say it is in excellent shape. So I'll take it. A tune on small, highly stressed engines like this is likely not a good idea. I would worry about the wear on the piston rings, leading to burning of oil, leading to oil starvation and a worn engine. Just my 2 cents. If I were you, I'd just leave it alone. If you do want to do a tune, you may want to go all the way and rebuild the engine with components with higher tolerances. Of course, that is very, very expensive.
What made you get the 1.4L instead of the 2.0 sport. Seems like you like to drive fast
At the time I wanted something that got really good MPG and looked decent. It ended up being a good choice for many reasons
@@DrivenByChris I recently got a 1.4l as well. Wanted the 1.8t so bad, but got a good deal on the other one. Jetta has the best mpg in its class for sure, and it's by far the funnest compact car to drive 👌
Hey chris how has your suspension been so far? I’m thinking of getting some coilovers but I’m not sure if I should buy some entry level ones or save up for some more expensive ones. My goal is to just have my car lowered to where it looks dope af but also reliable where it’s not scraping and I want to make my ride feel smooth. I’ve been told that coilovers are more for racing and I should just go with lowering springs. What’s your opinion on that?
Also I’ve had my 1.4 Jetta for over a year now and I’ve taken it across Cali multiple times. Never had any engine issues. I would usually get a oil change after or before and I’ve put around 30k miles on it. So far so good, I would also rate it a 4/5.
Hey, my BC BR coilovers have been awesome. I do have to say, it's a ton of work to get the dialed in EXACTLY where I want. But it's definitely worth it. For our cars , get a mid tier coil 600-1.1k coil. It'll be reliable in that range and you can adjust it however you want .
I had lowering springs and I just wanted more low and better ride quality so I eventually went with BC BR. However, coils aren't necessarily for racing. They can be used to look good and such. So , it depends on your goals!
@@DrivenByChris thanks bro that at least narrows it down I’m most likely gonna go with coil overs then!
I had a 1.4 tsi Jetta 2017. It was perfect at 240k miles. Just that dang timing belt. Go to a chain. Please. Also just bought a new one and the dealer refused to change the oil before 10000 miles. And I hate that. My VWs and Ford's, 4 cylinders, have always made it to about 280k without issues. My issues with both have been AC and thermostats. New Jetta is 1.5 2023. No one has the oil specs yet. I usually get the oil changed at 6500. The dealer will not do it.
That’s so weird . My dealer always changes my oil on both my vws every 5k miles . They label it on the work out “ 5,000 mile service interval “
Please go 3k oil change and the thickest as possible! Don’t believe the hype! 30 yeas as a mechanic! I have seen it all! Oil changes are cheaper than an engine!
Chris , is that Schumacher Volkswagen you're at.
Trust me dude.
I highly suggest Gunther Delrey Volkswagen . Every time I've been there, professional, prompt, and hope as always, honest. It's worth the extra drive .
Hey I actually go to Gunther VW coconut creek. I am friends with the service manager
I have problems in my jetta 2019 where I can find the location for ambient air temperature sensor
that's a good question u would have to check the forums. I'm not sure. What issues are u having?
why do u use the manual mode thing when your cruising? personally i only use it when i want to go fast & since i only do that i can feel a big difference in speed.
Good question, I hate how the car shifts. Since I'm tuned the car likes to shift in the worst possible spots ( for the best fuel economy ). So to fix that "problem" I use that mode. I still get great MPG too. You are 100% right , it is a lot faster in that mode.
Hey MK6CHRIS you you should think about buying the RCD330 Desay model man best non power related upgrade that I added to my 2016 1.4 jetta🙏 other than that I think you have like 1/2 more mods than I do and I have no complaints it’s pretty damn reliable. Definitely up to the owner to keep their car healthy.
The center display? Enjoy those mods and yeah you are 100% right about that last part!
@@DrivenByChris yessir the “aftermarket” radio clutch with apple car play it was probably the best mod to have modern tech in the Forsure and the car had decent torque. I’m on stage 2 unitronic, aem intake, cts catless downpipe, and awe track catback purrs like a kitten
@@Mateusofchrist Ahh yeah I was debating a radio like that. I'm still iffy. Hows that catless downpipe?
@@DrivenByChris Downpipe is fucking mint
Will it last 200k? Really want a 2025 se jetta
Hi! The 2025 Jetta SE has the 1.5T and this video discusses the previous generation Jetta with the 1.4T engine. I plan to review the 2025 Jetta 1.5T sometime this year.
@DrivenByChris thanks for replying! Wasn't aware that for 2025, they went with a 1.5t. Does that mean the 1.4t was a flop? Seems like it had a short production run
@ the 1.4T used in the Jetta in the US ran from like 2016-2023 if I’m not mistaken. They also use that same motor in the EU. I would say it wasn’t a flop. Mine was good when I had it. The 1.5T is a newer version of the 1.4T but it’s too soon to tell if it’ll stand the test of time imo
So I’m assuming an APR TCU/ECU tune is better than a unitronic TCU/ECU tune for my 2020 VW Jetta S TSI 1.4L?
I think unitronic is better tbh
For all the people impressed by “high milage” 150k miles is nothing lmao y’all don’t drive at all i swear, I average 24k miles a year, got a 2016 1.4t up to 160k before I sold it. Got it used too, very reliable. But Fr 100k miles is a joke a car should last for more then 4 years 😂.
For most , 100k is where people get worried. This 1.4 is a solid engine and overal vehicle. People should easily rack up over 100k miles
@@DrivenByChris oh yea I totally agree and In my experience more issues occur if you don’t drive your car or only drive it like 5 miles a day.
My 2019 jetta se had a grinding sound in the transmission
did u ever get it fixed or figure out why it was happening?
Just got a 2017 Jetta TSI 5 speed 120,000 miles. Haven't ever owned one but I hope it's good to me 🤞
120k miles is high, so make sure you u keep up on maintenance , it's almost time to service the timing belt too !
Best of luck, should be good!
What front bumper do you have for the 2016 jetta with the fog lights
Wait hold up you live in CC that’s the same dealer ship I got mine at😩😩
My 2016 is the base model. This car comes with fog lights optional. However, to save money car companies like to reuse stuff. So this bumper can actually house the fog lights if you punch out the inserts. I did that and installed them
Gunther???
@@DrivenByChris ohhh alright I get that I have the s so that’s why alright thank you 🙏
@@DrivenByChris and yes I live down the street from it
Mine have 261 000 miles and he have a Lots of problem
Really? That’s surprising. I don’t get much feedback from owners with 200k+ saying they have lots of problems . What is wrong?
@@DrivenByChrismisfire change coils spark chek every electronics cheked carbon deposit and pretty much cheked every sensor fuel like timing compression dumper 5 000 + into it at vw dealer and tthe problem is still there
@@hypez7831 have you tried to use some fuel cleaner or run higher octane gas? Have you checked the ground wires for the coil packs?
Can anyone seem to find the dv on here ? I have a 2016 1.4 tsi an was wanting to install a spacer but can't find the dv . Any help is very appreciated
this car is internally wastegated. so there is NO dv
What so no whoosh noise . Dang 😳
@@johnkluttz728 u can still whoosh , just have to do it different, check out my video on the " big bore turbo inlet sound clip "
@@johnkluttz728 ua-cam.com/video/hf9WIQD5hUc/v-deo.html
Bro what method do you use to clean your engine bay?
I actually don't lol. I am probably going to clean it soon tho.
JR Aviation/ JR Garage like to use Scrubbing Bubbles bathroom cleaner. I have yet to clean mine, looks good, 2018 69k, garaged.
They are hella reliable
yes indeed!!
1.4 less love 1.8 so much better for tuning
yep the 1.8 has insane potential for being so small
Honestly I test drove a 2014 jetta 1.8T manual and a 2017 Jetta TSI 1.4 manual and it felt like the 1.4 was more torquey. Maybe someone tuned it or something.
@@410kane well they both have the same torque numbers and the 2014 is older so it most likely has carbon build up causing less torque to be produced. Therefore making the 1.4t feel better. Also, the gearing is different !
@@DrivenByChris yeah good point. That reminds me to buy a oil catch can.
Lol I have 2016 manual 1.4
3000 miles oil change intervals is BS nonsense in modern vehicles!! My Jetta is 300K and I personally changed the oil and filter every 10K without problems
Depends on driving habits but I’ve never seen a newer VW have a 3k mile interval. VW specifically says 10k miles. I personally changed it every 3k-7k because of the driving habits
JUST HIT 180,000 IN 2018 JETTA S 1.4
What sort of issues - if any - have you experienced Sheldon? (I'm at 60,000 - with no issues since brand new...............
2020 Tiguan R line, purchased new and it’s been the biggest disappointment! You say 10k miles between oil changes ayyy? Well my vw tiguan with only barely 4000 miles on this brand new car, prior to its first oil change the dash lights came on with a low engine oil level warning 🤬🤯🤯 oh nooooo and now it’s around 25,000 miles and it’s still burning oil constantly it sucks man
I bought this car on the premise that my fiancé drives a 2017 Jetta 1.4tsi and it’s never lost a drop of oil and it’s currently sitting at 55k miles. So we went into this purchase confident in the brand since it is one of the more affordable euro auto manufactures you can get yourself into, but sadly this car will leave me with crazy expensive repair bills and I don’t think it will get past the 100k mark at this going rate. It really sucks becuSe my payments are really low and if I ditch this car because of fearing future mechanical problems the that means getting into a new car the 2023 equivalent right now would put me at 600-700$ monthly with the way prices are! I don’t know what to do I’m stuck and my lease to buy opportunity is about to pass and if I don’t decide to return it come this fall then I’m stuck with it and The constant nuance of having to add 1 liter of oil everything 30-40 days right around that 3.5k oil interval make which is ridiculous!!!! I wish I had this knowledge when picking this car out as I do now and I hope you stay clear from vw and audi. Get yourself a bmw or Mercedes if you can afford it. The only thing’s worth a dam by this group is the golf r and the previous gen gti/r32❤ and most importantly Porsche. If it ain’t a Porsche just stay away from this brand don’t give them your monkey you’ll have better sleep at night trust lol
Unfortunately u got a lemon or someone messed something up before you bought it. It’s tough to say. Volkswagen aren’t that bad. I’ve had a couple
Remember this engine takes 6 quarts! Replace the every 3k miles and use Mobil one 5w30 and you will never have a problem! The USA recommendations are false! They are force to do it to get more credit and allow the vehicle to sell in California! I also have a Tiguan, Audi A3, macan base all with the same engine! And all get the same treatment! I don’t care what the propaganda machine says! Great engine!
Wowowewow
:)
Hey chris. Question about reliability, I just got this car and I’m nervous with all the allegations of faulty vw transmissions. Have you ever encountered that?
which model? i'll do research but all my vw buddies are good. No issues evver. i know 100s of vw guys
hope this helps
@@DrivenByChris thanks so helpful. I think same as you? 2016 1.4t
Tsi^
My transmission is slipping in low rpm’s especially in 1st and 2nd I bought the car with 16000 miles even and it’s got 17500, but it’s a 2017 jetta 1.4 Tsi, got it a month ago but it’s got a warranty on it so seeing the dealer in a week to find out what the issue is
I like VW, but the Jettas have never been all that reliable. Let's be honest as VW fans.
I didn’t have one issue that wasnt self inflicted from my negligence
Ditch that motor and swap a vr6 in it. Problem solved
He'll do it once he gets his mk7.5 R
Coming soon! ( in reality, 2years )
Spot on. I'll be getting the R in a year
Suspension is awful and throttle body can be fail after 60k miles, transmission is not reliable,turbo charger after certain millage will be noisy .I definitely recommend don't purchase this car
Hey sorry to hear about your bad experience! But it sounds like you got a lemon. I also want to add, the transmission used in this car is the same one used in higher HP VWs and they hold firm ( Even with added modifications ) These og9 trans can be pushed pretty hard. Sounds like proper preventative maintenance and maintenance normal wasn't done OR it's just a lemon.
You are right about the turbo ( all VW's do that ) The suspension isn't bad at all. It's the same one used in the SPORT/GLI models and people praise it.
My 2021 Jetta ate oil like crazy, fuel module died, throttle body failed three times in 9 months. Got a 2021 R-line and the engine control module went out with only 200 miles on it. This isn’t a good year for jettas.
Wow.... I am shocked. I can assure you all of them aren't like that.
@@DrivenByChris hey I know this video is from a while ago, but I have a 19’ jetta se black, and it’s a solid car, it was a rental car before I had it and I now beat on it quite a bit, but I keep up on maintenance and only use oem or better than oem parts. I’m not worried about breaking anything because a motor out of a wrecked one of these are stupid cheap already, in a few years they’ll be way down in price.
@@jakebradley5357 enjoy it! these cars are solid for sure. I put mine through the ringer, as u can see in my other videos
First
I appreciate you! I replied to your other comment. It was long but worth a read
Do you really have to stop 10 seconds after every sentence. Made the video so boring to watch
Thank you for your feedback. I'm a new content creators, just trying my best. I hope my new videos are better. Have a blessed one
@@DrivenByChrisbro don’t listen to that fool, I disagree, nice vide 👍
Any mechatronics issue?
None !