1990 Volkswagen Jetta

Routine

Owners filed 22 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the visibility › defroster/defogger/hvac system › heater core. It has been recalled 7 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline3
010
Vehicle Speed Control2
100
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System2
000
Electrical System › Ignition2
000
Vehicle Speed Control › Cables1
000
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal1
000
Tires › Tread/Belt1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages1
000
Seat Belts › Front1
000

7 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic06E018000
Filed Mar 1, 2006266 vehiclesForeign Parts Distributors, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES, P/N 171.611.107B, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1975-1985 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) RABBIT; 1985-1992 VW GOLF; AND 1980-1992 VW JETTA PASSENGER VEHICLES. POSSIBLE BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD OCCUR WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES."

Risk. BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE BRAKE HOSES WITH COMPLIANT BRAKE HOSES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS AT 305-885-8646 EXT. 11.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings93V129000
Filed Aug 2, 199376,000 vehiclesVolkswagen Of America,inc

Defect. AN ENGINE PREHEATING TUBE MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SUPPORTED DUE TO A MISSING SUPPORT BRACKET, CAUSING THE PREHEATING TUBE TO CHAFE AGAINST THE RIGHT FRONT METAL BRAKE LINE. THIS CAN DAMAGE THE HYDRAULIC LINE, CAUSING BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE AND DIMINISHED BRAKING IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT.

Risk. DIMINISHED BRAKING CAN RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PREHEATING TUBE SUPPORT BRACKET TO ENSURE PROPER POSITIONING RELATIVE TO THE RIGHT FRONT METAL BRAKE LINE.

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core92V050000
Filed Apr 14, 1992650,000 vehiclesVolkswagen Of America,inc

Defect. THE END CAP CONNECTING THE HEAT EXCHANGER'S CORE TO THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM COULD RUPTURE AND ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

Risk. THE COOLANT ESCAPING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COULDCONTACT THE DRIVER'S FEET AND INJURE THE DRIVER. ALSO, STEAM FROM THE HEATEDLIQUID WILL CLOUD ON THE WINDOW SURFACES AND IMPAIR THE DRIVER'S VISION ANDCOULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy. REPLACE THE HEATER CORE WITH AN IMPROVED HEATER CORE.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings92V058000
Filed Apr 14, 1992358,000 vehiclesVolkswagen Of America,inc

Defect. THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION RAIL ON THE ENGINE MAY SHRINK BEYOND THE CLAMP FORCE OF THE FUEL HOSE CLAMPS, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK.

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE IF THE FUEL COMES IN CONTACT WITH A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy. REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL AND INSTALL A NEW SPRING TYPE SELF-TIGHTENING CLAMP.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper90V142000
Filed Aug 6, 199011,000 vehiclesVolkswagen Of America,inc

Defect. OMISSION OF AIR DUCTS INTENDED TO GUIDE FLOW OF COOLING AIR TO LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS COULD ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO EXCEED ALLOWABLE OPERATING TEMPERATURE UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS.

Risk. IF BRAKE FLUID BOILS, THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCEDBRAKING PRESSURE WITH POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy. INSTALL MISSING LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT AIR DUCTS.

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System90V007000
Filed Jan 22, 1990225 vehiclesVolkswagen Of America,inc

Defect. POWER STEERING PUMP BRACKET IS SUBJECT TO BREAKAGE DUE TO EXCESSIVE TENSION CAUSED BY A LACK OF CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE PUMP MOUNTING BRACKET AND SEALING FLANGE EDGE OF THE OIL PAN.

Risk. BRACKET BREAKAGE COULD ALLOW POWER STEERING PUMP TO LOOSEN AND DRIVE BELT TO SLIP, RESULTING IN THE NEED FOR UNEXPECTED INCREASED STEERING FORCE WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy. REPLACE POWER STEERING PUMP BRACKET.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Jul 25, 2007219,200 milesKY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. HIS WINDOWS STEAMED UP AND HE SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES, NEARLY CRASHING INTO A WALL. HE DISCOVERED COOLANT ON THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. HE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE SIX WEEKS AGO, THE CONTACT JUST FOUND RECALL NUMBER 2V050000 (VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:HEATER CORE). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 220,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 219,200.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Mar 3, 2007105,102 milesNJ

AUTO RECALL DATE: 19920414 VEHICLE COMPONENT: VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:HEATER CORE ESTIMATED VEHICLES AFFECTED: 650000 1990 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA DEFECT SUMMARY: THE END CAP CONNECTING THE HEAT EXCHANGER'S CORE TO THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM COULD RUPTURE AND ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. DEFECT CONSEQUENCE: THE COOLANT ESCAPING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COULDCONTACT THE DRIVER'S FEET AND INJURE THE DRIVER. ALSO, STEAM FROM THE HEATEDLIQUID WILL CLOUD ON THE WINDOW SURFACES AND IMPAIR THE DRIVER'S VISION ANDCOULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. REMEDY: REPLACE THE HEATER CORE WITH AN IMPROVED HEATER CORE. NOTES: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC,

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Apr 15, 2005120,000 milesSC

WHILE MY SON WAS OPERATING HIS 1990 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION IN THE DASHBOARD AREA WHICH RESULTED IN HOT COOLANT POURING AND SPRAYING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. AFTER CONTACTING A LOCAL SERVICE STATION I LEARNED THIS DEFECT WAS ACTUALLY RECALL 92V050000. THE DEALER WHERE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED CLAIMED THERE WAS NEVER A RECALL BASED ON THE SEARCH OF MY VIN. MY SEARCH STATED THE MANUFACTURING DATE FOR THE RECALL WAS JANUARY 1990. APPARENTLY, MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN APRIL OF 1990. I DESIRED TO DISCUSS THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM IN MY VEHICLE , AND WAS HOPING TO HAVE IT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AS WELL AS ALL OTHERS WHO MIGHT BE HARMED WITH SIMILAR FAILURES. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RESPONSE .*AK SINCERELY, JEFF FILOSA

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 21, 2005OH

THE GAS PEDAL FALLS TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. OWNER HAS TO STOMP ON BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. OWNER WILL CONTACT MANUFACTURER. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 27, 2004130,000 milesWA

VEHICLE LEAKED HOT ANTIFREEZE INSIDE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE TO CONSUMER TO HAVE THEM ANALYZE THE VEHICLE.*AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed May 14, 2003OR

I PURCHASED 4 TOYO ULTRA 800 TIRES IN OCTOBER 1998. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THREE OF THE TIRES DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. I DRIVE APPX 5,000 MILES OR LESS PER YEAR. *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Nov 14, 2001UT

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Aug 13, 2001IA

STOPPED FOR ICE CREAM AFTER ABOUT 60 MILE DRIVE. DID NOT LEAVE VEHICLE. STARTED CAR AND WHEN I WENT FROM PARK TO REVERSE, THE RPM'S SOARED (I HAD NOT TAKEN MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE) CAUSING THE CAR TO ACCELERATE IN REVERSE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE TO ATTEMPT TO STOP IT & THE BRAKES DID NOTHING. SO I PUT CAR INTO PARK & STILL CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE IN REVERSE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. WITH DIVINE DRIVING, THE CAR BACKED THROUGH AN EMPTY HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACE WHEN IT GOT CAUGHT UP ON THE CEMENT PARKING SPACE BARRICADE. WITH THE RPM'S STILL RACING, THE CAR HIT A SIGN, PROCEEDED ACROSS THE FRONT LAWN OF THE ESTABLISHMENT, HIT AN OCTAGONAL PICNIC TABLE, AND FINALLY HIT ANOTHER CAR PARKED AT AN BUSINESS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BUILDING. I WAS BRAKING WITH BOTH FEET THE ENTIRE TIME WITH THE CAR IN THE PARK POSITION THROUGH MOST OF THE ORDEAL. A WITNESS VERIFIED HE COULD HEAR THE RPM'S SOARING..*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly
Filed May 24, 2001OH

WAS IN DRIVE THROUGH LINE WHEN SUDDENLY INSIDE OF VEHICLE FILLED WITH STEAM AND HOT WATER ON DRIVER'S SIDE. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER , AND INFORMED CONSUMER NO RECALLS. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP'S MECHANIC TO CHECK IT. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Mar 1, 2000VA

RECEIVED NOTICE 92V058001/ FUEL LINE: METALLIC AND CONTACTED DEALERSHIP. WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE, AND WERE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. CONTACTED ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WHO HAD PARTS & VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Feb 18, 2000CA

CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN REFERENCE TO RECALL 92V058001/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL SK/CA/ FUEL LINE:HOSE METALLIC. DEALER STATED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Aug 19, 1998CA

HOT STEAM AND HOT WATER CAME THROUGH VENTS AND FROM UNDER DASH, CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO BECOME FOGGED OVER.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Aug 14, 199800

THE ENGINE BLOCK HAS RUSTED THROUGH TO THE WATER JACK AND OIL FEED LINE AT THE FRONT OF THE BLOCK JUST BELOW THE CYLINDER HEAD AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › GasolineFire
Filed Mar 20, 1998CO

WHILE STARTING VEHICLE IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK

Seat Belts › Front
Filed Oct 21, 1997VT

VEHICLE HAS NO FRONT LAP SEAT BELTS. HAS KNEE BOLSTERS WHICH DRIVER'S KNEES DO NOT REACH BECAUSE OF HIS HEIGHT, 6' 5 INCHES. *AK

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Jul 2, 1997CA

HEATER CORE FAILURE. *AK

Electrical System › Starter Assembly
Filed Jun 18, 1996NH

FAULTY STARTER SYSTEM TOO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE, CONTINUES TO OVERHEAT AND SHORTS OUT, REPLACEMENT 3 TIMES. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages
Filed Feb 29, 1996NH

THERE WAS A FAILURE IN THE BRAKE PEDAL LINKAGE. PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Feb 5, 1996FL

DISTRIBUTOR LOCATED BELOW ENGINE; IF THIS AREA GETS WET VEHICLE STALLS SHUTTING DOWN ALL OTHER ENGINE RELATED FUNCTIONS. ON ROAD SEVERAL TIMES W/NO WARNING. TT

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Dec 14, 1995FL

AUTO LOSES POWER AT HIGH SPEEDS-WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. TT

20 of 22 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2009
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20265100Routine
202528200Routine
202443010Routine
202343000Routine
202242100Routine
202168402Fatalities reported
202052600Routine
20195481130Do not drive
201831300Routine
2017159731Fatalities reported
2016161550Routine
2015194810Routine
2014386520Above average
2013516630Above average
2012499860Above average
20116071090Above average
2010852550Above average
2009888780Above average
2008188640Routine
2007201670Above average
2006580660Above average
20052487140Above average
20042315200High concern
20034574701Fatalities reported
200270277110Fatalities reported
20016687121Fatalities reported
20004395142Fatalities reported
1999349790Above average
1998192380Routine
1997141251Fatalities reported
1996174251Fatalities reported
19952206110Above average
1994117750Routine
199317600Routine
199230430Routine
199131700Routine
1990 — this page22710Routine

Compare every Jetta year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 7, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.