1999 Volkswagen Jetta review from North America

I am on my 4th Jetta and so is my mother.

Matte texture on dash and interior plastic holds lint. That was not the case with previous vehicles.

Fabric on seats also holds lint. I have to use a directional lint brush to clean seats where as with previous vehicles a vacuum sufficed.

Radio has static in AM stations that increases with acceleration. When it was first noticed at time of purchase, dealer said it could not be fixed. I can sometimes listen to AM, but my mother cannot listen to AM at all. After speaking with another VW customer, three years after purchase, I learned it was an electrical grounding issue. The grounding issue was confirmed by a service technician from another dealership, who indicated the fix would be over $400.

Cup holders broke within weeks of taking delivery on both vehicles.

Rear ashtrays broke within weeks of taking delivery on both vehicles.

Glove box broke within weeks of taking delivery on one vehicle.

Rear trunk lock broke.

Trunk release lever broken will not open trunk.

Key fobs come apart have to be taped together. Fobs are hard to place on key ring as plastic catch easily releases.

Within the first two weeks, the airbag light came on. The dealership fixed it, only to have the light return within a few days. The dealership has a marketing company follow up to see if your service visit was satisfactory. I told them the problem and informed them I would not spend another minute taking a new car to service for the same problem. No follow up was ever made. The airbag lights were fixed during another service visit two years later.

Drivers side widow relay broke plunging the window into the door. It was fixed at no charge. When the second window broke, the car was out of warranty and the dealership would not fix what was obviously a manufactures' defect. I complained profusely to the dealership and to VW. Had to pay $450.00 for the fix. Months later, a recall letter was mailed and I had to produce the receipt to get a reimbursement.

Currently the check engine light is on. After reading reviews on this site, I will not waste money trying to diagnose the problem. Diagnostics at my dealership are $90.00 per hour.

I like the styling on the vehicle although it seems much smaller than my previous Jettas.

Love the night dash lights.

Love the way the car handles.

Love the fact the car has never left me stranded on the road or away from home. That was not the case with other vehicles I had before VW.