Faults:

2005:

AC quit working

Rubber strip on outside of car fell off

2006:

Rear windows fell from their casing

Strut housing

Muffler

Tires

Rear bearing

Tire

2007:

Tires

2008:

Front wheel bearing

Rear wheel bearing

General Comments:

I love the car - had always wanted one but it has some annoying quirks.

I hate how everyone with a Jetta around this year has had their windows fall from their casing or whatever it's called.

The tires always need replacing, and I believe it's because of a balance/rotation issue or alignment or something - needs that frequently.

It's comfy and has a great trunk and other features, but I dislike the quirky repairs.

Faults:

Broken Sunroof: The sunroof was wedged open when I got the car. The dealership took off $1200 because they could not get it down and rain would come in. Five minutes after I got home a little tape with a rubber mallet on a stuck runner got it down and water proof. It doesn’t open or close but its waterproof and that’s enough for me.

Right Headlight filled with water. $130 replace.

Broken Backseat Passenger side Window: $80 for replacement motor. Happened again on other side and just glued it permanently up. The AC works great and my windows only ever need to go down when I have smokers in the car.

Standard upkeep, oil, filters, brake pads ect...

General Comments:

Very Fun to Drive. Uses 115 hp nicely.

A couple of problems have come up that are just aesthetic like the sunroof. Otherwise this car has been very good to me. I got a Jetta because their fun to drive not because their pretty.

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with my car.

The only expenses that I've had are the normal services; oil changes, plug, wires, belts.. all routine maintenance.

General Comments:

I had to buy something cheaper when I bought this car, as my truck was costing a fortune to run up and down the highway.

I bought the car from a private person. He had purchased the car for his son and his son didn't like it, so it wasn't driven much at all...

I'm very happy with the car; for a four cylinder you can't ask for any better power, and the gas mileage is good on the car, and it does handle very well in the s-curves. I like to push the car to see what it can take without breaking loose..

Faults:

After 400,000 KM, I am starting to find faults with my 1997 Jetta TD

Brake switch failure.

Cruise control failure.

Intermittent master cylinder failure.

Power steering failed at a busy intersection.

General Comments:

Love this car, it handles really well on highways, is comfortable, and the trunk is really roomy for carrying gear. The paint finish has held up, and after 10 years, it still has no rust and looks new.

Cheap to run; still getting 60 mpg. I have had one Rabbit, and this is my 3rd Jetta, all diesels. I am sold on the diesel models, and will stick with this make.

The brake switch and cruise control are tied in together. If your brake switch has been worked on, check the cruise control to make sure it is working.

Make sure if the brakes are soft, that the master cylinder is the culprit. Replacing the brake booster did nothing but cost me money.

Faults:

Glow plug replacement.

Driver side door lock and trunk lock.

Trunk leaks.

Seat adjusters fell off.

Radio mysteriously doesn't work.

General Comments:

This car has been all over the place with me; east coast, west coast, down south, the mid-west, and Europe. It has been amazingly reliable and continues to excel in the fuel consumption department.

The check engine light that is prevalent with TDIs is apparently a system glitch with the glow plugs... at least that's what the mechanics in Germany told me... after they replaced my old plugs. So the light will forever be on... but the performance doesn't suffer... it'll get be a trick to resell it.

The petty issues like locks and truck leaks are a pain, but petty for the performance. And the radio ceasing to work is new. I read the 2002 recommendations and they say just pull the fuse for 10 seconds. I hope that works...