1999 Volkswagen Jetta from North America - Comments

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.

Don't know much about Jetta's, but if your comparing them to a Renault Alliance, they must be pretty bad!!! All the comments I've heard, go for that Honda!

I've had a Jetta for 2 years now and I still love it.

I have had many of the same problems. My glove compartment, arm rest, cup holders and the mirrors on my visors have all broken. My front bumper falls off any time you run over a curb, but they want $1400 to repair it. I've had to have my fuel pump, water pump and transmission replaced recently and I now need new shocks. The transmission is still shifting awkwardly despite the brand new replacement. My doors unlock and lock randomly as well. Replacement key fobs are ridiculously expensive, as are repairs. Cute car, poor design.

The jettas are fabulous cars along with all Volkswagens except the passat it was the only car that Volkswagen had real problems with windows falling out should be covered under warranty and all that requires is new window seats the seal will fall out time to time if the window is not in correctly. brake rotors warping are resulted from hard braking and braking over rough road conditions it is preventable and easy to fix. with a Honda they are much harder to fix and the engine may last longer, but if something does go wrong you are loking at a new car because its all computer enhanced and unfix-able. the body panels and bumpers are known to fall off randomly on a honda are are a lot less luxurious than any Volkswagen. If the car is driven like a racecar then yes it will have problems.

Thanks

anonymous Volkswagen mechanic.

I am not sure what previous poster (mechanic) is saying about Honda's being unfixable? I've owned VWs, Toyotas, Nissans, GMs and Honda is one of the most easily fixed vehicles out there. They are definitely more reliable than VW.