1999 Volkswagen Jetta review from North America

The Jetta has been falling apart since about 2002. There is an exhaustive list of problems that it has now accumulated. Both front power windows have "fallen off the tracks" and can't be rolled up or down. They must be taped or somehow held up closed. They still almost daily break free from the restraints I created and fall with a loud thud into the door hollow. This is the second time they are broken. $400 each to fix. I'm not going to pay $800 to have them both fixed again, as they will most likely just break again. Recently had the entire cooling system replaced to a bill of $1400. Radiator, thermostat, water pump, hoses, temperature sensor. Last year it was a fuel pump and various other things. Then it was about $1300. Still many other problems that I can't afford to fix like the O2 sensor, some kind of fuel/air module, suspension, electrical problems, outer body falling to pieces, interior breaks at the slightest touch (like cup holders, glove compartment door, arm rest, seat controls, etc), security system locks and unlocks on its own at random times, sunroof faulty, leather cracking, power mirrors coming unglued from their heating coils, wheel emblems all gone, but one (classy), brake rotors warped, automatic transmission problems, floor mats never stayed in place, antenna broken and the base is cracked and white (used to be black), hood latch sticks, strange whining noise sometimes, awful smell coming from under the car, gas mileage is only about 60-70% of advertised mpg, cassette deck stopped working after 1.5 years, etc... There's more that I can't think of right now. But you get the picture. I fear for my safety while driving this rickety bucket of plastic bolts. This car is worse than even my old 1988 Renault Alliance. I will never buy another Volkswagen again. I'm driving it only to work and back at the moment. Saving up money to buy a Honda. As soon as I have the money for the Honda I'm going to gladly get rid of this curse on wheels.

I was deceived by VW's prior reputation for quality. I thought I was spending $22000 for a good German car. I found out later that it was really made in Mexico. What a joke! But I'm not laughing. I'm getting a Japanese-made Honda.