Comments: 1-15, 16-24
Rear driver door latch broke. Ont tiny spring in the assembly broke. I had to replace the whole assembly. $130.00 just for part. Then the part seized and now the door does not work.
Drivers front door lock broke. So there for Central Locking system does not work.
Rear Struts replaced twice since I have owned the car.
Wheel bearings replaced twice.
Front springs replaced.
Front brakes replaced Twice.
Rear brakes replaced once.
Most of the front end parts have been replaced.
Molding has fallen off drivers front door and is starting to on passengers.
Trunk leaks and there for the jack in spare tire compartment is rusted and the trunk smells mouldy.
Trunk light never worked.
Cruise control shuts off at any given time.
Motor job done in the summer of 2002 because when the dealer changed the timing belt at 100,000 they did not tighten the bolts properly.
Climate control switch broke last week when I switched it to defrost.
Alternator replaced.
Alternator belt replaced 4 times.
Starter replaced.
Injector hoses replaced.
Crank pulley fell off today as I was driving on the highway.
I bought the car beacause of the VW reputation and on the life of the car. Was I wrong. This model car is known for lots of problems none of which are recognized by VW.
I too have a 1996 VW Jetta, and have many problems with it.
Lets see... Replaced the starter twice
The rear left side window regulator,
A/C control module,
Thermostat housing, had the A/C serviced twice, and the vehicle overheats when you let it idle with the A/C on.
I recently did a tune up on the vehicle with aftermarket parts, and about one week later the car would not keep running, took it to the Dealer, they said they found a bad throttle body assembly and needed to repalce it for $500.00 plus labor.
So I went to the wrecking yard and installed a used one and the car still would ot run. I then called VW, ahey said it needed an adaption program ran on the part to let it "talk" to the computer properly, I let them do this for $80.00 and the car still would not run, and I had asked them why they did not run this program on my old part they told me it "might" not work so they don't even try it. Finally they could not find anything wrong with it, but gave me a bill for $250.00 and suggested replacing my tune up parts, so I did.
The car ran OK after $300.00 in tune up parts from VW.
Then I had problems with the automatic transmission, Took it to VW and they said the transfer shaft seal needs replaced at the tune of $700.00 I decided to wait.
About 6 months later, I found the transmission had completely failed. I could not find a used tranny anywhere under $1500.00, and a reconditioned one was $2200.00 plus $200.00 in fluids, and R+R, so I found an expert rebuilder did it for $1000.00 and I did all the work.
The interesting thing is when we had the tranny apart, I seal in which VW said was wrong had no signs of leakage or abnormal wear.
I put the tranny back in the vehicle added $200.00 worth of tranny fluid and it works for now.
Lastly after all of this, the service manager was bragging about charging $600.00 for an oil change in the "upper" VW vehicles every 3000 miles???
It is safe to say that I will never own another VW again, I am very dissatisfied with this product.
I've owned my 1996 VW Jetta GL for 3 1/2 years. Knock on wood I had very little problems with it. Just regular repair work like new brakes all around, rear muffler, front and rear struts, ball joints, coil pack, wires, timing belt, and router cap and button. Overall I am pleased with my jetta. The only thing I have a problem with is the back passenger door latch. Anyway I hope you don't listen to everyones negative comments, remember it's all in how you treat your car, treat it good and it will treat you great!
Thanks Adam.
I agree with Adam.
All of my VW's have been nice little cars.
I have a 96 VW Jetta. All I can say is that they are FUN to drive, when it runs. I will start when I bought the car in 2001. Before I drove it off the lot I found that there was a crack in the windshield washer fluid holder (whatever you want to call it, I'm a girl, lol!), they fixed it for free two weeks later. Two weeks after that (4 weeks after I bought the car) it wouldn't start. It would spudder went I got it started and then stall. It was the coil replaced it.
Then I kinda lost track of the time frame for what what went wrong when. So in a nut shell I have replaced the coil twice, spark plugs and plug wires several time (about $90.00 each time), fan motor, coolant fitting, O2 sencor three times, A/C more times that I can count, transmission rebuilt once and all sencors replaced twice, starter, driver side door lock and lack twice, oil pump, and the sencor on the oil pump.
And now I have two bent wheels that I have to get fixed (no I didn't fit any curbs or holes, I'm very careful about that) they were bent when I bought the car. The back wheel barrings need to be replaced. The struts need to be replaced. The O2 sencor needs to be replaced AGAIN!! my brake light comes on sometimes and flashes and flickers.
I'm sure I have forgot something, oh yeah, timing belt twice. Anyway this car has cost me SO much money. Like I said they are FUN to drive, but I will not own another VW!!!
I own a 1996 Jetta and although I LOVE VW in general- I think this a bad year for the Jetta. I do not have time to tell you all the problems that I have had with my Jetta, but after reading the other list of problems I just have to say ditto.
Great car! Mine has the 2L 4-cylinder engine. Runs great! Gets 30+ MPG. I am now replacing the Oil Pressure sensor (the blue one) because its leaking like a sieve. The part was a special order at less than $6. Air Conditioner leaks a little bit. Remember this Jetta is 10 years old, with over 140,000 miles. Not too shabby.
My 1996 VW Jetta - the oil pressure light and buzzer won't stop going off. My mechanic assures me the oil pressure is fine so it must be electrical. But he said he can't fix it because VW doesn't share the details of the electrical instrument so he doesn't know what connects to what. So he said I had to take it to VW. This is a new mechanic do you know if he is correct? Thank you!!
I have the same problem with my '96 VW Jetta. The oil light comes on and the buzzer won't stop going off. It used to stop buzzing when the car got over 3,000 RPM's, but now that doesn't even work. How annoying. The oil is full, the engine doesn't run hot. Anyone know how to fix this?
I also own a 96 Jetta. 3 words: piece of crap.
I own 1996 Jetta GL. When I bought his car from the auction, I didn't know the transmission was bad. I had to buy a used transmission from the junkyard for $1300 including labor.. Then, it ran good a while.
Then I had change the right front axle, which cost $70. The car still can't pass inspection due to the brakes and right front bearing. I spend around $800.
The car needs front and rear motor mount, water pump, valve cover gasket, steering gear boot. This car has cost me a fortune and still I'm not satisfied with it.
I bought this car used in 1998 and it's been a very reliable car since.
However, I drive stick, so I don't have a quarter of the problems people tend to have (involving the transmission).
The major gripe I have is the outer material of the car. It's no secret the door moldings fall off, so it's a bit shady VW doesn't just replace these for cheap.
The plastic front mud-flap underneath the bumper is another common problem. One slightly high cement parking-end and you'll easily dent/bend/break that sucker. And the hubcaps fly off easily with a nudge on the curb. These are annoying body issues, but not critical to replace.
Otherwise, routine maintenance, new muffler, new brakes, new timing belt at the specified miles (I think 45K), new battery--and a broken driver-side door lock are pretty much the only major things done to the car. Though brakes, muffler and timing belt are probably considered routine maintenance.
So really, the new battery and door lock are the only "surprise" problems. Given, the battery lasted 9 years, and the door lock broke after 10.
Overall, I've been very pleased with this car and found it very fun to drive.
I do not agree with most of the comments on this message board. I've recently purchased a '96 jetta gl 2L 4cyl auto. and this is my first car I am very happy with it's reliability and it's performance. The problem I believe you are all having is a lack of luv for your v-dub. I'm 16 years old and training to become an auto technician and this is one of the simplest cars to work on. Well let me start on my vw experience I bought this jetta from a lady that was the second owner and when she received it she didn't maintain the vehicle properly and she had problems with it so I made her an offer that she thought was too high so she brought it down to $700 because she thought it needed repairs. This car had approximately 80k miles on it at the time I bought it I gave it a basic tune up along with the repairs it says it needs in the owners manual and it ran beautiful, but unfortunately I had one problem with the car 25k miles later my tail light started to flicker and shut off and didn't come back on. So I looked in the fuse box under the dash and what did I find, but a broken fuse. I replaced it and I'm now around 130k miles and still going. All you have to do is LOVE your V-DUB.
I have a 96 jetta GL. 180 000 kms. ITs in good condition, but I have had some of the same problems. Now I notice when I'm at highway speeds the engine "chugs" a bit like it feels I'm letting off the gas quickly. Does anyone know what this could be? please reply to koolmike500@hotmail.com other than that I just got a set of rims 17 inch with low profile tires.. the package was only $1100 Canadian. Its amaizing how much better it looks now with the rims, so if you can offered it I suggest getting some for yourself. I had the igntion problems, new clutch, springs and coils, breaks, general maitnence. Overall I love my red jetta, and would for sure get another one. GO VW!!! DALMAR. COM > AWSOME VW DEALER.
I have had three V-dubs a, 2000, a 2004, and my 96 which I still have, all I can say (it's already been said in this thread).is luv your dub. Regular maintenance is key with any German car. Yes they are expensive to maintain, just do it.. They are designed this way. If you buy one just make sure it has been taken care of. they are very easy to work on yourself and a vw dub dealer will give you any info you request. I have even gone to the dealer and photocopied parts of there service manuals, it's easy, just ask... I just replaced the valve cover gasket (typical vw leak) and breather hose, only takes about an hour or so. Anyway it's disappointing to see so many people having problems with their's, but like any car it's all about how it was cared for (well except a few...neon, firefly and the ECONOMY cars ---Economy says it all). keep your car clean and lubed up, including all latches, rods...anything that moves and you will have a car that will last.. Cheers, German car lover.
OK I will have to say I have a 1996 VW Jetta Trek, now I bought this car almost a year ago and it had 120,000 miles on it! I have had a LOT of cars my father sells them and I get the trade in special almost every year so I have had about 15 in 10 years! This car has been in the top 3 of my all time and I have had new and old! It is almost 1 year to the day and the car now has almost 180,000 miles on it I put like 60,000 in a year yes I know a lot of driving! However the car has been so much fun to drive and only required oil gas and a bath once in a while, I have had minor problems like the trim fixed with super glue the lock popped out on the drivers side and so I now unlock on passengers side see easy ha ha! Not until the other day have I had any mechanical problems! I could not get the car to start it turned over fine and once it did start after 45 min it ran fine. It was a loose spark plug - simple!