Problem 1: When my girlfriend and I drove away from the dealership and got to our destination, the passenger side door would not open. We went back to the dealer who then "fixed" the door. Two days later, the same thing happened. I took it back to the dealer, who "fixed" it again. Now, it consistently will not open unless you jiggle the handle a certain way and pull hard. Most times I have to open the door for people because they cannot get it open themselves. I have had a mechanic other than the dealer try to fix it to no avail.
Problem 2: The car stopped running on the Ohio Turnpike. It would start, run for a short while, and then stop. Soon the running increments became shorter and it would not run at all. Got it fixed - the problem ended up being that some wire was not plugged in.
Problem 3: Stereo does not work. I have had people hook up the antenna several times and within weeks it pops out again. Also, when I'm using the compact disc player, I often have to push in the face of the player to get the music to start again.
Problem 4: Miscellaneous quirks - Sometimes the air conditioning will not come on. If I restart the car, it will work. This is frustrating if I do not turn it on right away and am driving down the road when I realize I need to restart the car. Same thing happens with the windshield wipers. The emergency brake light stays on even when the brake is not engaged. I have to unlock the car doors before I unlock & open the trunk. If I open the trunk with the car doors locked, my alarm goes off. Very embarrassing at the grocery store.
None of these quirks prevent me from driving my Jetta (with the exception of Problem 2), but they are frustrating enough that I am now in the market for a new car and will not consider a VW.
On a positive note, there is ample trunk space and the heated seats are comfortable.
By reading your statement, I noticed you have a lot of the same things happening to your car as I do to mine. I have been researching and I may have come up with a solution. I think that one of the problems is your ignition switch. It is all too familular so I thought i'd write and tell you to check it out. it is only 20$ at the max. and 2 hours labour and you will find it might help. Syptoms are : headlights failing, rear de-fogger out, door locks screwed, fan not functioning. when you fiddle with your keys systems turn on and off. holding key all the way clockwise will turn lights or radio on, but when relased they quit, and failure to start car, or car stalling I nan automatic. hopefully this helps...
I have a 1997 VW Jetta Trek and had the EXACT same problem with my headlights and windshield wipers. I would be driving and try to switch them on, but they wouldn't work. If I stopped the car and restarted it, then they would work. The problem was the ignition switch, which I had replaced. I haven't had a problem since that time.
I also have the EXACT same problem with the alarm going off when I try to open the trunk while the doors are locked. I have to unlock the doors and then open the trunk so the alarm does not go off.
Another problem I've had is the with the electronic locks in general. A while a go I had problems starting my car because the locks stopped working. I had to pay over $500 to fix the locks because I was afraid to get stranded somewhere and be unable to start my car. I still have problems locking my car. I jiggle the key and keep jiggling it until the car finally unlocks.
I've replaced the starter twice on the Jetta since I bought it in 1999.
I have the same issue with my passenger side door. After awhile, even the jiggling and pulling hard stopped working. It *sometimes* opens if it's warm enough out, or it's been sitting in the sun.
That's only one of *many* things wrong with the car. sigh.
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