1999 Volkswagen Jetta GLS VR6 from North America

Summary:

My third and last Volkswagen. Unreliable

Faults:

My driver's side window fell into the door.

My Mass Air Flow Sensor went bad.

My radio cannot pick up many AM stations.

My Goodyear tires were making strange noises.

My battery died after 2.5 years.

My alternator died.

Springs fell off both front seats.

Trunk light works infrequently.

When using the remote key to lock the doors, the driver's side door and rear door do not always lock.

Windows and sunroof no longer open/close by the driver's side door key.

The Volks Wagen badges on the stud covers for the mag wheels continually fly out.

General Comments:

The car handles well and has good acceleration.

Volkswagen has refunded money to me for the widow repair and the Mass Airflow Sensor replacement.

Volkswagen replaced the tires, free of charge and repaired the driver seat bottom as well. It is still very uncomfortable.

I spend a lot of money on repairs.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 10th November, 2004

29th Jun 2007, 20:16

Ooh... Sure, that's why there are so many complaints about Brazilian VWs, like their own designs -Pointer, Gol, Parati- and Brazilian Golfs... Some models of Jetta have problems because VW has problems, their 1.8T, for example, is quite tricky and not the most reliable engine, but that applies also to their 1.8T Passat and to Audi TT 1.8T, for that matter.

Some of the best VWs are Made in Mexico, for example the Type I Beetle, the Quantum, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd generation Jettas and many of the 4th generation ones, the ones with 2.0 liters are quite better.

Mexico, by law, forbid the importation of vehicles in the 60's, so it developed a very good tradition and quality in their assembly plants. No wonder why, many Mercedes E420, C280 where Made in Mexico and many Mercedes engines for trucks are still made in Mexico.

For VW fans, there is a fact to understand: VW is passing through a bad moment reliability wise.

"German built Vws..." That makes me remember the G compressor in the Corrado, Passat and Polo, what a disaster that was.

1999 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 2.0L from North America

Summary:

Hot looking car, but too bad its a lemon.

Faults:

Three days after buying the car, my check engine light came on. I have tried to get it looked at, but the local Volkswagen dealership is too busy to fit me in anytime soon.

My cold air for the air conditioning doesn't work at all.

The engine stalls every once in a while while trying to start up.

The hinge on the glove compartment is broken. There are many screws missing all over the car.

General Comments:

The comfort and ride quality are more than what I would have expected for the price of the car, but the problems with it are unacceptable. At first glance, the car appears to be great, but after reading many reviews about problems, and my own experience with it, I would never recommend a Volkswagen to anyone. My last car, a 96 Eagle Talon, was a much better vehicle than this one, as well as much cheaper to maintain.

I just hope to not have all the problems with my current vehicle that everyone else has been having with theirs. At least until I can sell it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 9th November, 2004

3rd Dec 2004, 11:37

Geez! If your Eagle was a better car, the Jetta must be a lemon!

Not everyone has had problems like yours with their VWs.

It does seem like there are a lot of negatiwe VW reviews on this site, but please don't overlook thoose of us who have had wonderful experiences owning VWs.

21st Feb 2006, 12:37

Sorry, but a Jetta is NOT a hot looking car. It's a box. How can that be hot?

1999 Volkswagen Jetta TDI from North America

Faults:

MAF sensor, glow plug, glow plug relay, A/C comp, and cup holders. I took it to my local dealer for a check engine light, but the mechanics couldn't figure out that a low B+ voltage indication on their computer meant a weak battery. One week later I replaced the battery. I took it to the dealer for poor aceleration again they were lost. Found out on own my own it was MAF sensor. Car is great dealer mechanics?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd October, 2004