Faults:

So far the car has done me some good use since I've been driving this thing all over the place. No real problems until recently. However, the following is what I've experienced so far:

- Glove compartment is broken

- Arm rest compartment is broken

- Right-side cup holder is broken

- Passenger-side window dropped in door

- Engine chirping so replaced belt-tensioner at 60k

- Air conditioner was leaking freon so had to replace cracked expansion valve

- Transmission jumps the engine between 2nd and 3rd gears.

General Comments:

SSsoooo...

Other than that, the car works like a charm.

Faults:

My glove box hinge is broken.

I've replaced many tail lights and brake lights.

My cup holder is broken.

The glue on my door seal, melts on hot day.

When rolling up my back window, it sometimes falls back down.

I had an overheating problem, and had to replace my coolant container. It was not covered in my warranty.

General Comments:

I have always loved Volkswagens, and I am not sure if I can stop loving them. There are Lots of common problems that come with these cars, and in the end I really can't afford it.

Faults:

I had always wanted a Jetta, and finally bought one last year. What a mistake!

I had the car for a month when the arm rest clip broke.

When I bought the car, the back cup holders were already broken.

The drivers side door makes a really loud rattling sound.

The coating is peeling off of the driver and passenger side handles. It looks like someone chewed on it.

After having it for 9 months, the CD player (6-disc stock) plays one song, then shuts off and reads, "error." You have to let it cool off for 10 minutes and then can play one more song.

The mirror defrosters have never worked.

The driver side mirror has turned orange.

The light in the trunk has shorted out.

After having the car for a week, the blinkers would only go on solid, not actually blinking.

The clips that hold the mats to the floor have broken off.

Cup holder is not sturdy - it sags with a bottle of water in it.

Fender ripped off after having the car for a month.

Paint is peeling off of back bumper for no reason.

Rotors had to be replaced at 50,000 miles.

The arm on the glove box broke off.

The headlights go dim when the windows are put up or down, or when the heat or A/C is on.

Car has dangerously low pickup on the highway when he heat or A/C is on.

General Comments:

Buying this car has been my worst decision yet. I previously had a Honda Accord for five years. That car had 225K miles on it and ran like a gem - the only thing ever broken was the temperature dial. I completely disheartened with the Jetta. All of the broken parts would be too expensive to fix. The wear and tear on this car is normal for the year - yet the defects are absolutely unacceptable. I will never again buy a VW. Many of the problems I've had with this car were not noticeable on the test drive. Such as, if you sit in the car for more than an hour it becomes extremely uncomfortable. There is no leg room in the back.

Faults:

Here's a list of issues that I've researched. According to what I've found, I'm CERTAINLY not the only one with these problems plaguing models from 1999-2003:

Plastic parts constantly break on the car, from the fender vents (which constantly fall out and I run over and replace) to the cup holders (I've replaced twice) to the hinge on the glove compartment. The interior of the car is basically made of plastic and is usually broken when you or the dealership takes it apart to repair something.

The Electrical System is horrible. A HIGHLY known problem in all VW's. If one thing malfunctions, the entire system blows. For instance, my map lights had a short in them; since they're connected to the sunroof, keyless entry, cigarette lighter outlet and other overhead lights, I've lost power on those as well just because of the map lights.

Grease constantly leaks from the door hinges and all over the exterior body.

The sunroof comes with an Emergency Allen wrench that you can use to open or close should you lose power. Not only is the moonroof impossible to operate this way in emergencies, but it doesn't seal shut and the wrench usually breaks because it is so hard to operate.

The Check Engine light constantly comes on, usually for no reason other than to put $100 in the dealerships pocket for turning it off.

Volkswagen makes constant recalls on items such as shortages in the Emergency Signal buttons, faulty window tracks (which usually breaks your window inside the door, making it impossible to roll up) and faulty baby seat seat belt harnesses.

The CD Player/6 Disc Changer will not operate anymore, only reading "Error" and rejecting discs. Volkswagen will not replace or recall these because they do not have any to replace them with, not to mention they're way too expensive. I've been through three and it never fails: they always malfunction.

The material on the interior door handles is a rubber that peals off and leaves gaping holes in the handles.

Lastly, everything rattles, from the radio console to the air vents, because everything is cheap plastic.

Luckily, I haven't had any issues with the engine, which I'm glad of considering I can barely afford keeping up with the cosmetic faults.

General Comments:

I'd always wanted a Volkswagen. Mine is loaded with leather seats etc., but I should've done my homework. After researching my own problems, I've found more negative than positive comments on the internet and from people I know who've bought them. Most of them have at least 3 of the problems I've had. For such an expensive sedan, its quality contents do not match its price or popularity.