Two problems related to electrical system have been reported for the 1996 Volkswagen Jetta. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
When the vdo electronic instrument cluster "total" odometer reading crossed from 299,999 miles to 300,000 miles . . . The word "total" disappeared and mileage dropped to "0". The "trip" side of the odometer works ok. Now (05/06/2010) the Jetta is about to cross 350,000 miles, but the odometer only shows 50,000 miles.
This Jetta has had electrical problems since 8 months after purchase. First, it was the 'door ajar' chime(11/96), then the air conditioner on/off, 6/97, then the 'headlight is on' buzzer and the 'coolant warning' light began flashing on, 12/97, coolant warning light flashing again 5/98 , and finally coolant warning light flashing constantly 6/98.