1999 Volkswagen Jetta GL from North America - Comments

My problems started at 20,000 miles: with a slight hesitation when accelerating from a stop. It occurred once every 2 weeks.

At the ($500) 30,000 mile service had the dealership look into the hesitation. Which has begun to occur more often (once a week). They could not replicate it, so they said it does not exist. The hesitation feels like the engine is being robbed of gas flow for about 0.5-1 seconds and it launches out (unpredictable at best) from a stop.

At 34,000 miles I brought the car in again, to find out why there is the hesitation. Had the service manager reprogram the computer to factory defaults and purchased the redesigned RELAYBOX (I was told that the old relay box could rub against the engine bay when the engine torques causing a short, which in turn may cause the hesitation).

At 34,000+ had the engine shut off completely while driving downhill in 5th gear, ENGINE LIGHT comes on to say something is wrong!!! Car was hard to control when the engine got jump-started- remember I'm going downhill and in gear!!!) Made an appointment for the dealership to try and fix it...

At 40,000 miles, had the service manager take the car home to try and replicate the problem... He couldn't replicate it, but ended replacing the MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR (under warranty). Problem still there, so still not fixed... (in for 6 days).

At 41,000 miles brought it to the dealership, in for an oil change & again to try to find out why the car STILL hesitates. Again they say "We cannot replicate the problem, so the problem does not exist"... (in for 4 days).

Present day, 47,000 miles, still having hesitation problems along with others... Taking VW of America to court under Song Beverly Act (Lemon Law), I no longer want this car: it is unsafe to drive, these problems are affecting the value & SAFETY of the car, and I fear for others on the road next to me when the car becomes " unpredictable"!!!

Beyond that, the car is almost OK, wait!!! NO, it's not OKAY!!! A 2 year old car should not act like this!!!

I have a VW Jetta GLS and am experiencing the exact same "hesitation" problem! Did not try to contact the dealership for this, I've gone back to the dealership for so many other must-fix problems. This is something that I can live with.

This happens every day for me. It's getting predictable i.e. it always happens when I make the first right turn.

If you are having hesitation problems with your Volkswagen, check your transmission fluid level (or may need to replace the transmission system). It turned out that I was a quart short, causing the slippage to occur (had it for almost a year) on my 97 Jetta GT (see Volkswagen review, Jetta, GT, hesitations and more hesitations! comments). Hope this will help if your problem hasn't been fixed yet. (And if you write to Gerd Klauss, CEO, 3800 Hamlin Road, Auburn Hills, MI 48326, www3.vw.com, they will respond, at least they did for me).

My 1999 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg has a sealed automatic transmission. There is no way for the owner to check the fluid level. I've had no problems with my car; knock on tin. Great car and fun to drive. A friend has a Jetta with over 125,000 miles on it with no significant problems. Hope you folks get your troubles fixed to your satisfaction.

I have had the exact same problems since I got the car and complained on numerous occassions. After 5 years (140,000km) my transmission failed completely. I got a rebuilt transmission installed just last week and I STILL have the same problem with the hesitation. I was without my car for over 1 month as I struggled with VW Canada to pay for my repairs. They only paid for half and I will be contacting them again... otherwise I am taking them to court as well.