Faults:

Power locks failed.

Radio failed, replaced with 3rd party.

Windshield wiper switch failed.

Timing belt broke at 50,000.

Power-steering pump failed at 55,000.

Steering column bearing failed.

Ventilation blower failed.

AC expansion nozzle leak.

AC condenser leak.

Sunroof guides broke.

Trunk pneumatic arms jammed.

Front wheel bearings failed.

Muffler failed at 55,000.

Four O2 sensors failed. Tracked problem to burning oil at rate of 1 quart per 3,000 miles. Car needed ring and piston job at 65,000, with piston chambers scratched on walls.

Electrical arching in engine required all wires and coils to be replaced in engine at 35,000 miles.

Three interior reading lights shattered due to overheating.

Clutch replaced at 82,000 miles due to slippage. Car still slips and is in the shop as I write, with Volkswagon trying to figure out why RPM peg upon acceleration.

General Comments:

This car has been an absolute lemon. I would never purchase another Volkswagen. Timing belts shouldn't break at 50,000 miles. Pistons shouldn't need to be re-bored at 65,000 miles.

Faults:

The gas gauge doesn't work properly anymore. I think the float in the tank is sticking somewhere.

A few minor electric problems: fan switch not working in #1 position.

A/C just quit working around 140,000 miles.

I have a feeling this started happening about the same time as my bad battery leaked onto the wiring harness and rotted some of the insulation around the wires!

General Comments:

The jetta was the best value I've ever had for the money in any car I've owned, and I've owned a lot in the last 14 years: 4 VW's, 1 Honda, 1 Audi, 1 Acura, 1 Mazda, 2 Fords and a Chevy.

I haven't done anything except drive the crap out of this thing, change the oil once in a while, and 1 tune-up! Changed the brakes once and the tires few times and that's it!

I've always been a VW fan for their quality, maybe quite as great of track record as Honda's, but then VW's are more unique and that's what makes them special.

I just read a bad review on a 1999 Jetta and I'm sorry that 1 car turned them away from a great car and company to back it. I've always owned German manufactured VW's, not Mexican-made, so there may be a quality discrepency between the different plants.

High points to:

Interior - the have the best interiors under the higher end German sedans.

Engine - Strong and reliable. Couldn't ask for a better engine.

Driving - Drives like a German car. There's nothing like them. Great feeling.

Faults:

The master cylinder went out at 110,000 miles.

The side moldings fall off every summer.

The timing belt went out at 100,000.

The horn never worked, and the lights over the speed gauges also went out.

It is now is having trouble with idling at stops.

The starter went out at 115,000.

General Comments:

Overall, I love this car. You do need to have a little extra money when it comes to fixing it, or be a do-it-yourselfer.

The car is relatively easy to work on. It has great acceleration, and gets great gas mileage.