1999 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

Summary:

This car is great. I love my TDI!

Faults:

Problems to date include:

1. Broken hinge on the glove box.

2. One dead glow plug.

3. One dead mass air flow sensor.

4. Partial clogging/restriction of the intake system and exhaust gas recirculation valve.

General Comments:

This car's high performance comes from its 160 ft/pounds of torque at a mere 1900 RPM.

My average fuel economy is 45 miles per gallon of diesel fuel.

There is an incredible network of fellow Turbo Direct Injection drivers to communicate with for any questions concerning these cars (www.tdiclub.com).

In response to a few of the negative posts here, I’d like to say that the yellow wax like substance that may leak out of your door panels, is there to prevent rust. Were you not impressed by an 11-year corrosion warranty?

Trunk space is amazing! I can easily fit over eight of our computers into the trunk to bring to remote classrooms.

The brakes on the car are great; I’m over 50,000 miles on the pads now.

Lots of little extras make this a great buy of a car including:

Cool blue/red instrument lighting, air bags, air conditioning, alarm, cruise control, electric windows/locks/mirrors… etc are all standard equipment. There is a power outlet in the trunk, a 3rd sun visor in the cabin, and a pollen filter on the ventilation system.

This car is great. I love my VW Turbo Direct Injection!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th June, 2003

1999 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 2.0

Summary:

I love the car, but not the problems

Faults:

Excessive oil consumption. Just checked and used almost one-half quart for 301.5 miles of driving.

Right front door leaks during rain.

Left rear passenger door leaks during rain.

Left front fender turn indicator fell off.

Remote mirror control when placed on "left" moves both mirrors at the same time.

General Comments:

The car is a pleasure to drive, and I love the style and performance.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 9th June, 2003

6th Nov 2003, 07:13

My 2002 Jetta Wagon leaks thru the front right door when ever it rains. It now is beginning to smell musty. Thank goodness I am leasing the car and will not be stuck with it forever.

1999 Volkswagen Jetta GLS regular gasoline

Summary:

An oil guzzling dud

Faults:

My car uses 1 quart of oil per 1,000 miles. To cover repairs under the power train warranty, it must use 1.1 quarts of oil per 1,000 miles. the book recommends an oil change every 5,000 miles. with a capacity of 4.4 quarts of oil, this car will go approx 4,400 miles and run out of oil 600 miles before the oil change. If you don't keep checking the oil you will run out which is how I discovered the problem in the first place. Wanted to buy the special 5W40 oil it uses to keep for an emergency and this is nowhere to be found. Nowhere! Only Volkswagen will sell it at $12.50/quart which is $10.00 higher than they charge when you get an oil change. Book says to use 5w30 instead, but this burns quickly. There is no smoke emission and no oil spots on the floor to give you a warning. Windows work poorly and passenger window fell into door at one point. this is covered for 7 years by Volkswagen and they will fix free in that time. The car has its good points, but costs too much to keep oil in it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 29th May, 2003

25th Sep 2003, 14:30

I also own a 99 Jetta model, with the VR6 engine. I have owned and driven the car for over two years now and have no problems with burning oil. I change the oil every 3-4,000 miles. I check fluid levels on a regular basis and have never seen a drop in oil level. I have had the same window problem you speak of, but this is due to the old plastic clips VW used. They have since remade those in a metal version which you can go in and get updated. I have had that update and have had no problems since. However, I have had to replace both water pumps on the vehicle at my own expense at around $450 each. A couple ECMs, brake light switches, an O2 sensor, and a mass air sensor were also part of the list that has needed and been replaced. Those items were covered under warranty, but the water pumps of course failed just after the warranty ran out. The car is very fun to drive and I enjoy taking long trips in it. Best advice I can give is if you buy one, get the extended warranty and you are fine.

The Passat's however, seem to run fine and do not have so many character flaws. I guess since they are not made in Mexico like the Jetta?

2nd Feb 2004, 09:25

I have a 1999 Jetta, and have experienced your problem with the engine oil consumption. My first experience started before my 24k warranty expired. I complained with my dealer that my car is eating up too much oil. But they kept on saying that its normal because my car is still new. In the span of 5 years, I have taken my car to 3 different dealers. The last one (3rd dealer) was able to help me with my engine oil problem. They put my car on a "Engine Oil Consumption" program. They performed an oil change (replacing my oil filter, also). They asked me to come back after I have driven my car for 2000 miles. But, in my experience, my car eats up the oil after driving 800 miles. I came back to the dealer at 1000 miles, and they saw my dip stick boned dry. My car consumed more than 2 quarts of oil. Since I have 85,000 miles on my car, and the cost of the repair is covered by the Power Train Warranty.