VW Jetta GLI Reliability and Maintenance Owner Review: 23K Miles Later

In this long term owner review of the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn Trim with the the 7 speed dual clutch DSG transmission, we review what its like to maintain and fuel the GLI during our first 23,000 miles of ownership.

How reliable has it it been? Have there been any issues? How is the fuel economy?

One thing to note is that if plan to change your own oil in this GLI you have to use the 508/509 spec engine oil which is not easy to find.

For convenience, you can use the below links to order Motul or Liqui Moly brand 0w20 508/509. These German manufacturers make top notch oil specifically engineered for turbocharged European vehicles.

Motul 5 Liter

Motul 1 Liter

Liqui Moly 5 Liter

Liqui Moly 1 Liter

#ownerreview #jettaGLI #vwreliability

[perrybrooks]

Have a 2004 Jetta GLI 1.8T with over 455, 000 miles on it and have never had a problem with it. Still has the original turbo and the only work on the engine has been timing belts every 70, 000 miles. It's a stick so I've been through three clutches but never needed work on the trans yet. Still, gets 26 to 28 mpg and can easily get up over 100 mph when needed.

[mr_ice]

I have a 2017 GLI manual with 80, 000 miles, so far so good. Shes been solid with minimal maintenance, just normal wear and tear stuff, tires, brakes, coolant flushes, oil changes... stuff like that. I am happy. Also side note i live in AZ with the 120 degree summers and shes handles it beautifully. AC blows cold and no overheating

[hotshotfx]

I have a 15 gli. 187k not a single problem. Only brakes and oil changes

[bmw]

The term RELIABILITY has been completely deformed. Reliable means, THE CAR STARTS, RUNS AND DOESN'T LEAVE YOU STRANDED. Also, not having constant break downs even after a fix. If an infotainment system doesn't properly connect to your phone, that has nothing to do with reliability. It's another tactic by the media to skew people's opinions and views about something.

[omariwest]

Thanks. I got the ‘21 GLI - and I’m about to read the users manuals closely. Your presentation was very informative!

[kimberlyzuleger]

I'm picking up one of these on Monday! I'm so excited. Thank you this is very informative!

[teutguy]

I had an 89 GLI, , , the coldest AC ever! So awesome for California heat. Great car, , , missed it the day I sold it!!!

[TommyG]

Advance auto parts has the 0w20 508.00 spec Mobil 1 at 39.95 for a 5quart jug.

[SonOfTheDawn]

11:03 I've had my MK7 GLI S for almost a year now. Only ever fed it 91 octane. I've gotten 42.5 MPG highway driving in eco mode with cruise control. It gets better numbers than advertised and I'm not complaining.

[robertgravel]

I used to own a 2012 GLI DSG. Best car i’ve ever owned (i’m 64). My main issue was with ignition coils (twice) but other than that, awesome car. Enjoy driving your GLI 👍

[davva]

I have a 2019 GLI with 78K on it now. I have had no reliability issues so far but i am dealing with an issue right now that i hope is finally resolved as of yesterday. The plastic oil pan was replaced due to a crack from an object in the road. The drain plug kept leaking after two or three tries. Turns out they were putting a 3rd party plug in it and it just would not stop dripping. It had an original VW drain plug put in yesterday and so far it’s dry but i will wait a week or so before i try to clean the oil off the driveway just to be sure. I have the manual. Think it’s a great car to drive.

[garymaclean]

For rattles at highway speeds, one thing you need to do is check your tires. I have 106, 000-km on my 2019 Jetta, and the tires are showing 'cupping' on their inboard edges. I thought it could be a wheel bearing, but the cupping explains it. The noise went away when I put my winter tires on which have no cupping. The only repair I needed was recently a solenoid failed that switches an oil circuit that I believe regulates the variable valves in the head. Either that or it switches open the oil cooler circuit.
I've done all my maintenance so far and I'm very pleased with my Jetta.

[hei]

10:00 Issue 2 happens when you wash you car and park with the autohold on. Wherever you wash the car don't press the autohold or before you star driving turn off the autohold, then few meters after you can turn on again.

[molarjock]

I have 28, 000 miles on my 2019 GLI Anniversary Edition. The 6-speed manual transmission is the smoothest I've I've had a few BMW's and a Porsche. Everything has gone well, until I just came home from a week's vacation. My car had not been driven for a week. I pushed on the clutch to start the car, and it went to the floor and stayed there! Now I'm a 75 year old man who drives like a little old lady. I think my turbo has only chimed in a couple of times since I've had the car. This is not the driver's fault. Apparently, the hydraulic fluids leaked out somehow. Anyway, two weeks without a car is not fun. No other issues with the car.

[geekstoxx]

Thanks so much for your hard work! Would love to see you guys go further with more of these. I know it’ll be difficult to put mileage on multiple cars/brands… but definitely useful!!!

I currently am acquiring 2023 Tiguan and Jetta, and this gave me great insight into the Jetta. I’ve been a VW fan for years and somehow feel I may be leaving the brand as there hasn’t really been much growth and yet the costs are climbing. The wiper issue mentioned was also on my 2019 Atlas along with a drop in oil when driving long distances 🤷🏽‍♂️ dealership couldn’t figure it out and always asked me to just fill it and bring it back to them 😅 but with the new cars, we’ll be trying it out again for the last time and after looking at other vehicles.

[slick]

love these videos really informative on the gli I'm saving for one and at first I was between this and a 10th gen accord but this definitely have steered me in the vw path

[jerperderp]

Great video, top quality. I'm waiting on my GLI order and I couldn't be more excited.

[jamesm]

Had to return my 2015 GTI on 1st day of lease because the infotainment system went black. 3 weeks later, I picked the car up after they replaced the entire infotainment system, and again, went black before I even left the parking lot of the dealer. Once again, replaced the entire infotainment system which took another 3 weeks. Thank god I only leased that car!

[MeltingRubberZ]

19 GLI M6 here....FBO IS38. The car is a rocket and I haven't had any real issues.

[SonOfTheDawn]

8:04 I worked in a car dealership parts department and the techs highly recommended liquimoly.