Faults:

When I first bought the car, the engine mount snapped crushing everything underneath. Then the driver's side window broke and fell down into the car. The cup holder is stuck and won't pull out. The glovebox hinge broke so it just hangs there. The center armrest hinge broke. The clutch just went out at 50,000. The transitioner disintegrated and ruined the fan belt and pulley.

General Comments:

This car is seriously the biggest lemon to ever have been manufactured. I would not recommend a Volkswagen Jetta to my worst enemy. I am very easy on my cars and I can't imagine what MORE would happen if I actually put a lot of wear and tear on it. I think I have spent more money repairing this car than on what the car actually cost. I want to warn everyone to NEVER buy a Jetta!

Faults:

Purchased vehicle with check engine light on and very rough idle. Promised by dealer that problem would be fixed by delivery. Problem not fixed as promised. Several weeks later, engine spontaneously self destructed itself. Mechanic tried to blame a broken key way in a gear to "driver error" He said I missed a shift at high speed ie- from 4th to 2nd and got the rpm's too high. Too bad it happened while sitting in a parking lot in idle. Vehicle has been in the shop for 3 months with no resolve. Mechanic says that key way is made of brittle steel. This car seems very cheaply built through out. From plastic to mechanics the car is a piece of junk. In the few weeks it ran, several other cosmetic items broke.

General Comments:

Fun to drive. When it's running.

Faults:

Brake light pin switch has failed 5, yes 5, times. When this $15 part fails it locks the automatic transmission so you can't get it out of part.

Mass airflow sensor failed. VW refused to pay... then nearly a year it came out that there was some sort of recall... it took another year for them to send me a refund.

Both front window regulators have completely failed twice. The right front window is not in the beginning stages of yet another failure.

Mirror remote knob has broken off and been replaced.

The middle armrest latch has broken twice.

The rear trash receptacle cover is broken.

Power steering reservoir leaks.

Automatic transmission adaptive shifting mechanism very frequently "forgets" shift points and then lurches when it does decide to shift. I'm informed that this is "normal"

Can hear occasional wind whistling noises somewhere between the right-side front and rear doors.

Brake pads needed to be replaced withing 10000 miles.

Right rear wheel keeps coming out of alignment. Dealer service informed that there was evidence of impact and that I'd need a new axle. I took it to another independent place for a second opinion and there was no evidence whatsoever of any impact. Adjusted w/o needing a new axle.

Right rear taillight needed replacing at ~40k miles.

Dealer "attempted" to fix an extremely annoying and loud rattle in the front dash twice shortly after delivery. Despite claiming success they never fixed it and the rattle (nearly 4 years later) continues.

General Comments:

Never a VW again... seriously disgusted with what would otherwise be a well executed design. I bought it for a reason and considered myself somewhat of an enthusiast... alas, no longer. VW's Mexican manufacturing plant, VW of America's customer service (or lack thereof), and the local dealership service departments that I've patronized have destroyed every bit of enthusiasm I'd had for owning a VW. My wife's Acura is a dream with nary a single problem...