1999 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 2.0 from North America

Faults:

This car has been a big headache from day one. The list is endless.

The first week, car would not start. Attempted to drive the car to the dealership for them to fix and car stops in the middle of the highway. The car had to be towed away.

Check engine light comes on and off.

Gas door will not shut.

Windows on both driver and passenger side dropped down through the door twice.

Hinges on glove compartment broke.

Sunroof will not open or close-tracks are broken.

Sliding cup holders broke.

Brake pads wore out quickly.

General Comments:

Save your money and buy something more dependable. This car is not worth its price.

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

Review Date: 31st March, 2003

2nd Apr 2003, 12:38

I wish I would have read all of these before purchasing a 99 4th Generation Jetta with 29,200 miles on it. So far, the only problems I've had (after owning it for 5 days) are the fuel door being broken, the radio not picking up AM stations clearly, and the right front AC vent is broken. Now I've only owned the car for 5 days, but it's one of the most fun cars I've ever driven. It's handling and driving feel make it seem like it has 30 miles on it ... not 30,000. So far, everything is going good and I've already put about 500 miles on it. I can live with little things going wrong, but if anything major occurs, I'm going to be very upset. Mainly because I traded a lemon in on it.

1999 Volkswagen Jetta VR6 VR6 from North America

Summary:

A fun, but practical car

Faults:

The center rear seatbelt jammed in the fully retracted position so that the seatbelt could not be used. This was fixed under warranty though.

The sun roof tracks broke so that I could not open it.

My husband broke the mirror adjustment knob off by hitting it with his knee.

General Comments:

I really enjoy having this car. The engine has a lot of torque, at low speeds and high, so it is very easy to accelerate. It is a lot of fun to drive. I haven't had any major problems with it. The car lets a little road noise in, but you don't hear a lot of engine noise. It's very comfortable, both for the front and rear passengers. The large trunk and 60/40 split rear seat means we can fit just about anything we need into the car. It is a great compromise for having a car that is fun to drive and yet still practical.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th March, 2003

1999 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8L from North America

Summary:

Volkswagen gives German engineering a bad name!

Faults:

Where do I begin - my passenger side window motor has been replaced twice and the driver's side once.

The power steering pump had to be replaced.

The air compressor had to be replaced.

A spring rolled out from under the passenger side seat, which Volkswagen refused to cover 30,000 miles ago even though I rarely have anyone in my car (once a month at the most). The estimated cost of the repair is over $500. The spring is less than 5 inches long.

It's a must to keep a bottle of oil handy at all times.

Customer service at Volkswagen is absolutely horrible. Each time I've called, a rep has told me that a supervisor will contact me within 24 hours (it's never happened). When I've emailed Volkswagen via their website, the automated response states the same thing and guess what? Never happened.

General Comments:

It's ashamed that the Jetta is so good looking.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 5th March, 2003

1999 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI 1.7 turbo diesel from North America

Summary:

Fun to drive, but far from reliable

Faults:

At first I loved this car. It seemed to ride great, corner well, etc. But soon things started to go wrong (almost immediately after purchase). I was racing my brother in law (he has the same car 2 years newer) and suddenly the car seemed to jerk back and lose power. Ever since this has continued to happen infrequently. Usually in the colder weather, but the first time it happened it was summer.

The check engine light has come on more times than I can count. Dealer said that is was a sensor problem and I decided not to get it fixed because it was going to cost me a mint. (around $500) This is still a problem by the way.

The same fall the automatic sunroof decided to jam itself.

The cup holders are total crap. The rear one doesn't hold a cup at all and the front one was so flimsy it broke right off.

Two grates on the air dam on the front have fallen out and had to be replaced.

Impossible to keep clean. The interior is black and the fabric is velor and everything sticks to it.

Glove compartment broke. Actually came back from the dealer broken - They said that had no idea what I was talking about. Doesn't close properly now without being slammed shut.

Since I have owned the car the heated rear view mirrors have never worked.

Wax like substance leaks from left hand side rear door under door frame.

Left rear brake light has been replaced 3 times.

Floor mats made poorly. Fell apart long ago.

Light in trunk works when it feels like it.

Center rear seatbelt jammed. Doesn't work at all. Was never used.

Radio lowers volume itself once in awhile.

Oil pan cover falls off and drags under car driving under normal conditions.

Makes annoying squeaking noises when you go over bumps.

Back seats are too small for car seats.

General Comments:

Aesthetically I love this car. It is fun to drive, the interior is designed well, the blue/red lights are cool, good sized trunk for a small car, and the heated seats are very comfortable. Everything that sold me on it instantly I still like. Only thing is that I don't feel confident driving it anymore. Way too many little things have gone wrong. I purchased this car because I was going to be driving an hour to work everyday and the mileage is great, but not worth the price I have paid in repairs. The Dealer I have dealt with in London Ontario Canada has been horrid. The price to have anything repaired or replaced is much to high and the service has been awful.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd March, 2003