1999 Volkswagen Jetta GL review from North America

I have replaced the rear shocks (at 35,000 miles). Quite expensive and time-consuming.

Wax constantly melts and dries on bottom of doors.

Glove box and cup holder have both broken and fallen off.

Front wheel bearing needed to be replaced. Volkswagon paid for only 1/2 of this service.

Seat fabric is cheap and allows for NO MISTAKES. Even water leaves a stain.

Car just is noisy and not that comfortable. Plastic interior makes creaky sounds.

I have (what they say is) paraffin wax dripping off of the passenger/driver doors on hot days. Must be wiped off with a cloth; never goes away! Quite unattractive.

Glove box door just broke and fell off one day after hardly ever being opened. Volkswagon would not pay for this.

Front wheel bearing became loose (or who knows!) causing a great deal of embarrassing noise when turning. Volkswagon agreed to pay for 1/2 of this EXPENSIVE service.

I agree that the car feels/seems to be put together with tape and rubberbands. It is a great looking car (which is why most everyone bought it in the first place!) but is not exceptionally luxurious. Dash board/front interior of car is SO LOUD and CREAKY! It seems that the plastic is going to crack at any moment.

Lastly, my "studio cloth" seats look terrible! Had I made the right decision to either go with leather or a more plush/textured fabric, I would not have the same problem. EVERYTHING stays on the seats, including water! You wipe the water away and you still have water stains. I drove my Nissan Sentra for nearly TEN years and had virtually NO STAINS.

VW Service at most places (I've moved around a bit) often gives you the attitude that they're doing you a favor because somehow you're privileged to even be driving a coveted VW. Whatever. My husband just bought a BMW, and i'll tell you, THAT is a car.