1998 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg from North America - Comments

What hasn't gone wrong! The check engine light is constantly on. Replaced two oxygen sensors at 55,000 miles costing more that a few hundred dollars.

Air conditioning leaks from the inside of the car when making a left turn, very cold air though and fast heat, have to give it that.

The driver seat is loose.

Radio volume knob does not work.

Replaced belts at 55,000 miles

At 25,000 miles, replaced transmission.

Window motor on driver side failed, cost was $700.00. Passenger side starting to go.

Throttle body needs to be replaced resulting from faulty sensor, Volkswagen does not make it easy to replace one sensor, you have to replace the whole throttle body.

Outside body trim coming off.

Makes terrible nose when backing up, noise coming from somewhere in the rear.

I will never buy another Volkswagen again and certainly caution anyone willing to buy one.

I agree completely about never buying another volkswagen!! My 1997 Jetta had a new throttle body installed in 2003, because the sensor was diagnosed to be bad, even though the car ran great!!, but I couldn't get the car inspected until that fault cleared. Unlike a "normal car" where you just replace the sensor for $35.00 bucks, this sensor is built into the throttle body, so I had to replace the whole throttle body which was $375.00. Plus, they had already charged me $105.00 for cleaning the old throttle body, saying "this may cure your problem", which it did not. Now, it is May 2005 and I cannot get my car inspected again, because of the same exact problem!!! Oh, and by the way, the car is still running great! Other problems with this car are the cruise control doesn't work (they said that would cost $300.00, plus) and the key locks on the driver and passenger sides have been replaced. I would not recommend a volkswagen to anyone wanting to keep his or her sanity. Sincerely, David D. PS. I was at the hospital today and the new door lock on the drivers side locked my key in the tumbler and would not let me get it out! I felt and looked very stupid.

I just bought a 1998 Wolfsburg edition Jetta. After about 3 days of having it, I found that THREE of my windows didn't work (which I hope won't be $700 each like yours). Next, I walked out to my car one day and saw that the hazards were on and I couldn't turn them off. My car wouldn't start either so it sat in my driveway for a long time and every time I would open the door, the hazards would turn on and stay on for about 3 minutes. Well now, the hazards stay off and my car starts and seemed to run just fine. Now when I drive it, the engine will shut off after about five minutes and a little light will come on saying check (and then a symbol which I think means engine) and will continue to do that about every thirty seconds after it turned off the first time. I was just wondering if anyone knows what it is or if it sounds like I will need to replace the whole throttle body. If you could comment back and let me know, that would be great.

I have a 97 jetta gt and it was very obvious after a month of owning this car it was very poorly taken care of. Since sept of 2005, I have replaced a cv joint, two tie rod ends, 4 ball joints, entire exhaust, 2 front door locks, 2 sets of belts, a battery, and of course brakes, tires and fluids. Now that I have finally caught up with all of the things someone before me should have done (feb 08") this car is finally giving back 2 me, being one of the most reliable cars I've ever had. I have put over 54k miles on it since I've had it, and 3k of them being roadtrips! I will miss the damn thing when I finally find it a new owner... knowing everything is the way it should be I hope whoever gets it sees how great these cars can be.