1998 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg from North America - Comments

Had to replace the stereo. Cost $260.00.

Left rear window fell down into the door. Three days in the shop. Cost $300.

Check engine light continues to go on. VW Dealership can't locate problem after two attempts, at $90 a pop. They suggested we start replacing parts. That scares me.

Driver door lock actuator failed. This caused the alarm system to malfunction. The car thought I, (the owner) was going to boost it. Very embarrassing at 10PM Cost $286.00.

Car was in shop 6 weeks for alarm system failure. It is still not working properly. Had to literally give my left arm.

This Jetta handles very well.

I thought the car was so great when we first had it.

Now the entire family thinks the car is possessed. The power windows go up and down randomly. The alarm system goes off while you are driving down the road. The auto door locks quit working. The dome light doesn't work. One day all the windows were stuck in the down position. I had to drive 15 miles across town in 20 degree weather.

I am having the same problem with the check engine light. The dealership identified it as a O2 emission control problem. I saw one posting from someone who said that the dealership suggested replacing one part at a time to find out what the actual problem is...yikes!

Driver side window grinds as it comes up. Seems as though I should expect the rest of the windows to go as well based on others comments.

Passenger side door lock snapped off.

Heat shield is rattling... VW told me there was nothing I could do.

Clutch is riding high.

Brakes at 25% (80K km)

Replaced back struts (60K km)

Replaced tires (40K km)...who needs performance tires on this car??

I was really happy with this car. Now, after a checkup indicating that I needed 2000$ (CDN I might add) worth of work done... I have changed my mind.

I have the same possessed car. All of a sudden the windows (all of them) went down on their own, the alarm went off without anyone near by, the dome light failed, and the windows could not be controlled at all. Then the windows could not even be controlled by the key, then they started going really crazy. The alarm went off while driving. I too drove to work in the RAIN with all windows down. This is going to cost between 400-600. Did I mention I just got it out of the shop one month ago, $900 service tag for that (check engine light problem).

Oh yea, my rear window contollers also failed a long time ago, problem with the wiring. My radio volume knob is also possessed, my disc changer stopped working, my speakers sound like crap, (due to the volume control problem no doubt), I'm sure there is more. And to top it all off, I only have 72k miles on it. I can't wait to sell this car, I will never buy another VW.

I also have the very same possessed 98' wolfsburg jetta, however the car will not start at all, when I turn the key, the doors lock, then a couple times later the alarm goes off on its own. I'm not sure if its the ignition switch, again, I already had it changed last year b/c of the lights going out as I was driving. I also hear it might be the ignition coils. I'm not sure, but as much as vw's are great cars, the electrical assembly in mexico sucks!

I, too, have a possessed 1998 Jetta Wolfsburg. The check engine light has been diagnosed numerous times. Everything turns up fine or the suggested repair does not solve it. Right now, my car is in the shop as the alarm/door lock would not cooperate. Door would unlock - alarm would not deactivate. How painful to be in a public place with the alarm going off incessantly! As I was taking the car to the shop, all electrical systems shut down... no heat, no wipers, no fan. And my dash board was lit up like an xmas tree... Lots of oranges and red lights.

How does one get rid of this car? See I keep thinking my car wants to end its life and I keep resuscitating it. How about we all meet and have a mass disposal party!

Good luck.