1997 Volkswagen Jetta GLS review from North America

The driver side window is very frequently stuck, rarely will it roll down (the windows are automatic).

The driver's side key lock (or door lock) came out with my key one night as I went to unlock the car!

The exhaust smell is very intense, resulting in my having headaches if I have to drive the car for long distances.

Frequently, I will step on the accelerator only to sit still and listen to the engine rev, and a moment or two later, the car will jump forward and go.

Most recently, one of the back windows started to slip, and is no longer responding to the up/down buttons. It slips down into the door when I drive.

Cruise control only works occasionally.

I had always wanted a Jetta, so when I finally became able to afford my own car, this is the one I went with. Within one month, it was back at the dealer, who apparently did not know how to fix the sticking transmission, broken lock, and exhaust fumes, as they charged me over $100 and sent me home with the same problems... Its been a very frustrating year for me, I, like anyone my age, need a car daily, and my Jetta has been parked for the past two weeks. I'm afraid to drive it anymore. I'm told it needs a new transmission and I cannot afford it. I will never buy a Volkswagen again! My mechanic said all VWs between the years of 1995 and 1999 are nothing more than lemons... I wish so badly someone had warned me before I wasted my savings on this piece of junk. I'm very disappointed in my Jetta. I know very little about cars, but I will be extremely cautious and will spend hours researching before I buy my next car!