1999 Volkswagen Jetta GLS from North America - Comments

Let's see, windows repaired under warranty, check engine light came on and VW charged $200 for reprogramming (later refunded) cupholder failed, glove box failed, center console failed (actually replaced it finally), belt tensioner failed, fuel pump shroud failed, hoses failed, and probably a few other items I'm forgetting, but no MAF sensor or O2 sensor interestingly enough, and yes the check engine light is on at this moment. Have had taillight go out repeatedly as well.

It's made it 136K from 45K when I bought it, and now going through oil (not sure whether leaking or burning). Anyway, all totaled it's been a money pit lately, but over the life of the car expenses not outrageous. It's fun enough to drive, I might be stupid enough to buy another one, but not of this model year.

Just had brakes and rotors replaced, and one is warped already so I'm interested if this is a common problem? I thought it was just bad rotors, or my mechanic got cheap and turned rotors that should have been replaced.

My 1999 Jetta GLS VR6 is the worst car I have ever had the misfortune to own. Here are a few things that I have had to replace: two mass air sensors, one catalytic converter, two glove compartment doors, two broken auto window controls, one radiator, one ABS brake pump, one secondary water pump, one secondary air pump. I will never - read NEVER - buy another VW and have advised numerous friends and family to heed my advice. VW seduced me with their slick marketing and a reputation from the '70s that they no longer deserve. Shame on me for being a sucker. Once fooled, twice shy. As a side note: the Japanese cars that I have owned were very dependable. VW needs to take lessons from them.

I too had my window clips break a few years back on my 2002 JETTA TDI. The brakes have been replaced, the inside plastic on my door handle is peeling, the front passenger wheel well appears to have some bubbling paint and my check engine light is constantly going on and off. When I make an appointment to have it checked, it goes off so I don't take it in. Figure it is just a sensor after so many times of seeing this happen. Would consider another VW product, grew up in a home where VW was the car to drive, as my issues have not been major ones.