The Volkswagen Jetta in undoubtedly one of the most popular cars in the world. Its life began in 1979 when VW decided that they wanted to craft a sedan to compete in a niche market that their popular Golf couldn’t quite reach. Designers took the Golf, reshaped the trunk, fiddled around with some interior features, added a few aesthetic charms, and the Jetta was born. Twenty years later, in 1999, the 4th generation of this car stood proudly in showrooms across the world. Unfortunately, these vehicles are known to have some common problems, including:
Electrical Problems: In the non-TDI models, the Jetta is known to have electrical problems such as finicky sensors, door switches and window motors.
Coil Pack Problems: Some Jettas experience problems with the coil pack within the engine which causes cylinder misfires. This issue is known by VW and they issued a recall so the repairs could be covered by the manufacturer.
Coolant Leaks: Jettas will sometimes leak coolant. However, there could also be a faulty sensor that will say the coolant is low, even though the reservoir was just filled. Owners should look for puddles beneath the car after its been parked for a while.
Window Regulator Issues: Some Jetta owners experience non-responsive windows. They don’t go up or down, and sometimes just fall into the door. This is due to faulty window clamps and poorly performing window regulators.
ABS Problems: The anti-lock braking system in some Jettas will malfunction. The brakes will actually work, but the dashboard falsely says there is a problem, which is typically due to a faulty wheel sensor.
If you own a Jetta and are encountering any of these problems, we recommend that you visit a local VW service expert to inspect the vehicle.
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