Old Library

My car only has 37K but it is a '96 so it has sat around a bunch.
It had many pre-existing problems that were hidden when I bought it:
1. CE light was burned out.
2. Bad O2 sensor ($200)
3. ABS light was removed (!)
4. Bad front wheel speed sensors
5. Frozen e-brake
6. Broken headlight (rock)
7. Alignment out of whack (big difference now that it back in spec)
8. Miscellaneous electrical issues with bad grounds (no power to emissions
air pump)
9. Misfire faults: probably wires or maybe coil pack (not resolved yet)
10. The trunk lid has a rust spot just under the window seam that looks like
a production quality issue (e.g. scratched paint during manufacturing cuz
it's under the window gasket)

It runs MUCH better than when I bought it but it is still quite a list.
My 88 16V has only had problems with water leaking in (door seals) and an
alternator.

Simon

Here is a list of all problems I've had with my 95 that I bought with 25,000
miles and now has 120,000.  These are in no particular order:

Drivers side window regulator-4 times (using an aftermarket one that has
broke twice)
Passenger side about to go
All molding pieces except the little ones on the front fenders
Plastic cover under the windshield (covers ECU) is breaking apart
Antenna seal
Left rear wheel bearing
A/C (some fuse blew, don't know why)
Drivers side door lock (Lock and unlock from passenger side, makes girls
think I'm sweet)
Thermostat housing warped
headlight/fog light switch (No daytime running lights anymore, good, but
headlights and dash lights go out for no reason on dark twisty roads)
Cruise control (Don't use it anyway)
Wiper stalk won't move upwards to turn on wipers (can use intermittent)
Stock stereo head unit (Got an Alpine)
interior fan switch went bad
lights for climate controls out
interior drivers side door handle broke (I might of done this replacing the
window reg)
Alarm control modular (That left me stranded and went off a few times when I
was driving)
something broke in the shifter (That left me stranded)
Seat heater buzzes
Drivers seat rocks back and forth in turns (gotta fix that)
A few speakers have blown with stock head unit
Battery
Plug wires
There is a miss so I'm sure the coil pack is arcing but haven't really
checked.

I just rolled 90k in my 97 GLX...not a single major problem yet!  Windows 
and sunroof work great, original battery, cruise works, Shit, I even have 
the original floor mats...granted, they are worn...but still in decent 
shape.  Wait...I did have to replace (warranty) the front rotors about a 
year after I bought it...but that was probably my fault...hot rotors and 
cold water don't get along...WARP!  Don't know what day my car was built 
on...but I guess I got lucky!  A few sets of tires and a windshield are the 
only things I've had besides regular services.

I have 79k+ miles on my 97 GTI VR6. I bought it with 31k on it, and I
haven't had any problems. I do have the receipts from the previous owner who
had 2 ECU's replaced, along with other various nitpicky problems. I drive
mine 50+ miles daily with a set of DSR 256 cams and the matching GIAC chip,
Bilstein/H&R Sport combo and a Shine Racing rear bar. 

The only problems that I have are the peeling molding (one door and one rear
quarter panel), and the rear tires "feathering." I have a good friend at the
stealership who will set my rear up right so the tires will wear evenly, but
I haven't gotten around to it yet. 

Other than that, my car is doing very well in its older age.

Adrian
Knocking On Wood Edition

Bought my 97 GTI VR6 2 year old with 16,000 miles on it.

Had to replace the evap. purge regulator at around 30,000 miles
change the tires at 40,000
replace the left side front wheel bearing at 45,000
driver side door switch at 45,500
thats all of the non maintainance repairs i had to do till now.
Looks like the rubber strip on the passenger side door is loosening now.

I guess I qualify for high mileage at 115K on my '95, so let me chime in.
Alot of my miles are highway, but here's a list of the problems I've had
over the years...

Water Pump
-I'm on my third water pump.  First one went at 99K, second one around 111K.
First one was covered under the engine and powertrain warranty and since the
second one went within 1 yr/12K miles they replaced that one for free too.
They both failed during long trips (500+ miles).

Serpentine Belt Tensioner
-Original went about 2 months ago taking a less than 1 year old serpentine
belt with it.  $150 in parts from Potter when all was said and done

Cruise Control
-Mine works, but slowly.  When you set the speed, it'll slow down about
10MPH then works itself back up to speed very slowly.  Doesn't work too well
with hills either.  Just started doing this a month or two ago.

Ignition Switch
-Common problem.  Though mine went after I hooked up my aftermarket radio
when I first got the car.  Some creative wiring fixed the problem, but not
before the stealer got me for $125.

Random Stalls
-Once in a while my car stalls when I'm getting off a freeway or going from
high speeds to low.  I suspect this may be a fuel pump problem.  I've
replaced the plugs and fuel filter.  I can start it right back up, so it
doesn't bother me all that much.

A/C
-Stopped working after hitting standing water in a storm at around 50K.
"Drier" and some other parts were replaced for $375.  Works great since
then.


Anyways, my car has been pretty reliable.  Can't complain too much at all.

Bryan
95 Black GTI VR6

wanna list huh? lets see here, I don't have a jetta, (I do have a 95 GTI w/ 
118k miles on it) but i'm sure most the problems exsists on both models:
<>the before mentioned window regulators - I've been luckey so far
<>the ghost that lives somewhere in the cruise control - mine still works
<>leaky and non-working sunroofs - mine leaks and doesn't work
heated seat relays that buzz - mine buzz but not on high
<>E-brake cables that freeze - I live in Mississippi (freeze? what's that?)
<>ABS modules that seem to quit working - no problems here
<>the 2nd gear crunch from apperantly weak syncros - I get that every once 
in a while
<>Chain tentioners - don't know if mine have been replaced, need to do that
<>coilpacks that look like the 4th of july - i think i need to fix mine but 
i'm too lazy
<>ignition switches that just break - mine seems ok
<>door locks that just pop right out with the key - I don't even use my key 
to unlock the doors, I actually have keyless remote - yes, it even says VW 
right on the key fob even tho it's a 95
<>dash lights that on mine haven't worked ever since the day I got it. (just

over a year ago) (i rigged up some LED's that shine right on the speedo and 
tach and look very kewl)

these are some of the things that I have observed here on this list in the 
past year that I've been here. That said, I've had VERY little trouble on my

car and it has 118k miles on it and I DON'T take it easy on it.  :) (read - 
redline pulls several times per trip) Hopefully my car will start when I go 
out there tomorrow morning. hehe. If not, I'll have to take the Chrysler 
van.

Scott Ulrich
95 GTI VR6 - knocking on wood edition

Don't forget the window regulator.

It rained and I left my sunroof tilted open like an idiot, now my headliner
has a huge water stain on it.  It gives me an excuse to get my car detailed
professionally though.