Faults:

Oxygen Sensor, Mass Airflow Sensor, Wiring Harness replaced under recall.

Right side of cup holder is broken, doesn't hold cups that well. I took care if it myself, though.

Turn Signal assembly broke off.

Shifter Knob popped off a few days after driving the car home.

Hard to keep the interior clean, as dust and fur tend to 'stick' to the seats.

Passenger AC Vents broke (doesn't close flush and you have to push the slats to open it)

Various squeaking and rattles throughout the interior.

Hard to open the middle console.

General Comments:

I have noted various problems with this car, mostly interior problems. But with all of this car's shortcomings, I really love it.

This car handles like it's on rails and is a joy to drive fast and around curves. The handling on this car is really that good!

Engine power is mediocre at best (2.0L base four), but it is very responsive and easy to rev. More than enough power to keep up with traffic on the Bay Area Freeways! I think it's because of the transmissions gear ratios, at 5th, the engine revs high, but I guess that's typical of European cars.

Seats are fairly comfortable (aside from that irritating cloth coverings that everything likes to stick to). Made some trips to Vegas and LA, and had no problems with my back.

The fit and finish on this car is great, but for interior bits coming loose and rattling is another story. I like the interior layout and controls, which has clean lines and just plain beautiful European engineering.

I like the blue and red back light dash accents, it is cool, but doesn't do much for the gage's readability at night.

Faults:

Mass airflow sensor went bad when I first got the car and was fixed under warranty.

Burns oil in hot dry weather about a quart for every 600 miles.

Few squeaks and rattles, but are covered by the superior stock sound system.

Air control lights are out, but, not a problem if you know how your car works.

A cell dropped in the battery causing a rather expensive replacement.

General Comments:

I got this car used from a non-VW dealer and fell in love with the car from the first drive. It is quick for a four banger and fun to drive on curved roads. I have to plug this car in-front of all these bad reviews. I have had nothing happen to this car that I could not handle and is always there for me. The expensive repairs are avoidable by doing the work yourself. These cars are very simple and easy for a beginning mechanic to handle.

The interior is comfortable for a tall driver, but the backseat is smaller than it looks.

As in any car I buy there will always be things that I would like to change. But I am very pleased with the car in general. If you take care of it, it will take care of you!

Faults:

Several recalls involving seatbelt, side paneling, oxygen sensor.

The car got stuck in park, I could not shift into drive.

The power window motor broke.

I had to have the oxygen sensor replaced several times before the recall.

The "mass air flow sensor" went bad and interrupted proper shifting.

Both cup holders were flimsy and now are broken.

General Comments:

I have had too many problems for a new car. I would not recommend this car to anybody that does not have an extra car to drive around when the Jetta is in the shop and a lot of money to pay for repairs.

The car is fun to drive and cute. It handles well in the mountains and the occasional Colorado snow storm.

The car is so computerized the transmission fluid cannot be checked without a dealer computer analysis, at a cost of $85.

The dealership I use is absolutely horrible. I have been treated badly and it took more than three weeks to get the car an appointment to fix a required recall.

I have not spoken to any Jetta owners who have not had problems. Comparing horror stories seems to be a growing pastime.