Overview & Reviews

Volkswagen offers two generations of the Jetta for sale in 1999. The third-generation Jetta has been around since 1993, and it is a carryover for 1999. VW deletes the GT, K2 and GLS models from the lineup, leaving only the GL, GLX, TDI and Wolfsburg models. Later in the model year, the company introduces a completely redesigned Jetta with a smooth new European body, improved versions of the base inline four and the VR6 and a simplified lineup of GL, GLS and GLX models. If you can hold out for a 2000 model, VW will offer a 150-hp 1.8-liter turbo for the GLS.

• Fun to drive, comfortable ride, available VR6, solid construction, rich interior materials, lots of standard features, generous 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

• Some controls hard to decipher, CD player should be standard, expensive compared with other compact sedans.

User Reviews:

Showing 71 through 80 of 208.00

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  Please dont buy this car - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By J.P. - January 15 - 12:50 am

  I bought this car used and started having problems with it a week afer I bought it. Ive had to spend so much money on repairs that I probably could have bought a new, reliable car instead. The windows always malfunction and fall into the doors. The glove box breaks, wiring is faulty, repairs are very expensive, AC compressor broke, lights always go out. It doesnt help that when I tried to have repairs done the dealership kept trying to return it to me without fixing anything or left tools in the engine.

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  Stay Away from Jetta! - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Eric B - January 12 - 2:00 am

  Lets see. The window regulator has broken on both windows. I burn through tail lights and headlights as fast as I can change them. The light in the trunk stopped working a year and no one can seem to figuire out why. The volume button on the radio is broken. The cup holder in the dash broke and has been fixed. Stock tires last 35,000 miles. Emergency brake sticks when it is below 32F. Battery used water as quickly as you can re-fill it. Oil cooler went out at 49,000 miles. Spark plugs went bad at 47,000. Finally at 50,000 they have discovered I have a blown head gasket. Buy at you own risk!!!! Nothing but headaches.

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  99 Jetta GLX after 3.5 years - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By brianSD - December 20 - 2:00 am

  My favorite car after owning five previous cars. Problems encountered: 1. False engine light @10000 miles. 2. Faulty brake lamp @14,000 miles, prevented shift from park to drive, fixed under warranty. 3. Sunroof liner popped out of track @15,000 miles, fixed under warranty. 3. Cracked oilpan on road dip, replaced my cost @35,000 miles. 4. A/C compressor failure @50,000 miles, replaced under extended warranty plan (bought at time of purchase). 5. Passenger front window failure @55,000, repaired and upgraded window kits installed by dealer, no cost.

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  Be wary - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By erhowe - October 27 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my old Accord for a used Jetta, as I was swayed by the VW hype. Have doubted this decision ever since. Within the first 11 months, check engine light came on 8 different times--signaling many major engine problems. My "new" car was in the shop over a week each of these times. Some of the problems I was told were undiagnosable--until the warrenty ran out, conveniently. A co-worker had the same car, only a 98, and he had the exact same problems with his. Make sure exhaust system is in top- shape, as I found that this is very expensive to fix.

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  Dont Waste Your Money - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By VWMoneyPit - October 12 - 8:10 pm

  I had a 70 Bug in school that needed infrequent attention and which I remember fondly. Those memories led me to purchase the Jetta thinking that the quality of the Jetta would be all that I remembered Volkswagen being; i.e., a maufacturer of quality automobiles. That is not the case. My Jetta has had numerous, costly electrical, engine wiring and emission problems (two catylytic converters in ten years), two broken glove boxes (how long have they been making cars?) and atrocious customer service. All of that ensures that I will never buy a VW again. My four purchases before the Jetta were Toyotas and Hondas - not as much fun to drive but trouble-free and much, much kinder on my pocketbook.

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  Jetta - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By baileycat - August 26 - 10:00 am

  After owning this car for 4 years, I have had a few small things to fail on this car. The remote key/alarm doesnt lock the doors with 100% accuracy, the lights for the ac/heater stopped working, and the passenger window last week went down and didnt go back up (it went off the track). Overall, Ive enjoyed good performance and reliability. I will in the future steer clear of automobiles manufactured in Mexico.

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  Comfortable but unreliable - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bynddrvn - August 11 - 4:15 pm

  Basically constant problems. For some reason the braking system has never worked correctly, even under moderate pedal pressure the brakes pulse as though the ABS is engaged. Replaced main brake booster, front disks, and brake pads. The fenders rusted through and this is apparently a known issue for the diesel version as it has additional insulation to dampen noise. Unfortunately, the insulation also happens to suck up moisture and road salt. Around 80k miles the MAP sensor went out and just about part related to the braking system was replaced, again. At just over 100k miles the turbo started leaking oil and this gummed up the MAP sensor, EGR valve, intake, and connecting lines.

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  Disappointing VW - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Kerry - July 28 - 8:40 pm

  I bought this car new 1999 and at first I loved it. However, I have since changed my mind. Im not sure if its because this car was built in Mexico and not Germany that the quality is not as good, but I have had the left rear window fixed TWICE at my expense. The electrical system is shotty at best. When I turn down the radio volume, it gets louder before it gets quieter. The interior of the car seems to falling apart. The gear shifter cover had to be replaced 3 times and the rear cup holder cover keeps popping off. As for the exterior, my biggest complaint is that the driver and passenger side door bumpers (the rubber part, so people dont ding your doors) have fallen off. My 1975 Westy is better.

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  I love it! - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By sam-sf - June 9 - 2:00 am

  I did have some of the problems with the electrical system as stated by others, but luckilly it was all fixed while under warranty. Otherwise, the car has had very little problems and has been a great car to drive.

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  Buy Another!!!! - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ejamon - June 1 - 10:00 am

  I hate this car and want to get it off my hands. I have had problem after problem with this car. It started with leaking of transmission fluid, then the lights on the dashboard going out(could only be reset by the VW computer), the O2 sensor, brakes and rotars, the cupholder broke, and funky smells coming from the AC unit. Please, I know how cute this car looks but DON"T BUY IT!!!!