8th Dec 2008, 22:02

I just bought a '99 Jetta GLS... and the second I brought it home the check engine light came on. I have heard about the little problems with them. My cupholders and glovebox are broken but no big deal, but I am worried about the check light. How much does a M.A.F cost to replace? Anyone know?

Overall it has been an awesome car, and man is it fast!

16th Dec 2008, 02:03

Why doesn't anyone file a class action law suit over these problems? They are obviously defects.

My 2000 1.8 turbo has broken cup holders, glove box, cig lighter, windows, and all of the interior plastic is sticky. Seriously. I'm not even getting into the engine.

I still love the car and it is a BLAST to drive, but the cup holder really annoys me. Where am I supposed to put my Rockstar? Ugh.

Class action law suit. Have your lawyer call me. :)

23rd Dec 2008, 15:03

02' Jetta TDI, 137K miles: At 42-45mpg highway I love this car; I have had some of the same problems (currently trying to figure out how to fix the glove box latch). But for the most part it has been a good car with a reasonable amount of repairs for the mileage. I replaced the MAF at 80K, found an aftermarket (made in Korea) for about $110, it has been working fine for 50K miles+. I had to replace the Glow Plugs and associated wiring harness at 85K miles (about $650 at the dealer), and at 130K miles had a problem with the fuel tank pickup (about $500 at the dealer) ; but for the mileage I don't consider these repairs out of line. My goal is to keep this car for 300K miles, and I plan to replace the timing belt and water pump at 150K (not far away). The only problem (other than the glove box) that I currently have is a synchro that grinds 2nd if I pass through the shift too fast. If something happened to this car I would buy another TDI.

26th Feb 2009, 21:37

That's EXACTLY what's happening with my car: 1999 Jetta new body with 89k miles now. The cup holder and glove holder didn't work at about 70k, the previous owner repaired windows and I replaced tie rod end, and I also got mass air flow sensor repaired (luckily I received a recall notice).

Now the fuel pump isn't working, I have to pay another $600 to get it repaired!

19th Mar 2009, 03:40

2000 Jetta VR6 - Ditto to everything + Passenger side door locks doesn't unlock or lock all of the way during the winter months, but works fine during the summer months. VW has looked at it several times and told me everything seems to look OK.

21st Apr 2009, 21:36

I also have a 1999 Jetta GL and the cup holder is shot and the glove box is broken. Just hangs there. I have replaced the alternator twice and now the ignition coil and I had a spark plug blow up. What the hell is up with that??? I also replaced spark plug wire kit. The check engine light is always on. Bugs the heck out of me.

14th Jul 2009, 23:35

O.K. guys, I am adding myself to the list.

I just purchased a 1999 Jetta with 84,000 miles on it. I got a great deal and paid only half of the nada book value. Car looks and drives great.

I noticed a few things right away, but no big deal. The arm rest cover is loose and the glove box is broke on right side.

I drove car from Connecticut to North Carolina with no problems. After driving for 1 week, guess what happened? The check engine light came on. I will have it checked out by mechanic tomorrow. Probably is 02 sensor like described by others.

Gee, I really love this little car. Hope I don't have a lot of problems in the future. I plan on having the timing belt replaced anyway, since my brother told me most 4 cylinder cars need this done at around 60,000 miles and I don't know if the previous owner had this done or not. Wish me luck.

By the way I purchased this car to save money on gas. Have a Lincoln Navigator that cost me $800.00 per month just to drive, and I decided it was time to get a more economical car to drive.

Paid cash for Jetta, so at least it's paid for.

14th Aug 2009, 09:38

I purchased a 1999 VW Jetta GLS in 2005 and it has given me nothing but trouble since! I have constantly had it in the shop. Everything has been replaced! Check engine light has been on since I got it. Even when I get things repaired, it still stays on. The most recent problem is it is always overheating. Gets great gas mileage, but what a piece of crap, WILL NEVER BUY VOLKSWAGEN AGAIN!!!

28th Aug 2009, 20:27

Let's see, windows repaired under warranty, check engine light came on and VW charged $200 for reprogramming (later refunded) cupholder failed, glove box failed, center console failed (actually replaced it finally), belt tensioner failed, fuel pump shroud failed, hoses failed, and probably a few other items I'm forgetting, but no MAF sensor or O2 sensor interestingly enough, and yes the check engine light is on at this moment. Have had taillight go out repeatedly as well.

It's made it 136K from 45K when I bought it, and now going through oil (not sure whether leaking or burning). Anyway, all totaled it's been a money pit lately, but over the life of the car expenses not outrageous. It's fun enough to drive, I might be stupid enough to buy another one, but not of this model year.

Just had brakes and rotors replaced, and one is warped already so I'm interested if this is a common problem? I thought it was just bad rotors, or my mechanic got cheap and turned rotors that should have been replaced.

6th Sep 2009, 14:12

My 1999 Jetta GLS VR6 is the worst car I have ever had the misfortune to own. Here are a few things that I have had to replace: two mass air sensors, one catalytic converter, two glove compartment doors, two broken auto window controls, one radiator, one ABS brake pump, one secondary water pump, one secondary air pump. I will never - read NEVER - buy another VW and have advised numerous friends and family to heed my advice. VW seduced me with their slick marketing and a reputation from the '70s that they no longer deserve. Shame on me for being a sucker. Once fooled, twice shy. As a side note: the Japanese cars that I have owned were very dependable. VW needs to take lessons from them.

10th Nov 2009, 21:12

I too had my window clips break a few years back on my 2002 JETTA TDI. The brakes have been replaced, the inside plastic on my door handle is peeling, the front passenger wheel well appears to have some bubbling paint and my check engine light is constantly going on and off. When I make an appointment to have it checked, it goes off so I don't take it in. Figure it is just a sensor after so many times of seeing this happen. Would consider another VW product, grew up in a home where VW was the car to drive, as my issues have not been major ones.