Owners filed 31 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
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
5
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control
3
0
0
0
Wheels
1
1
0
0
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
1
0
0
0
Visibility
1
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control › Cables
1
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
1
0
0
0
Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing
1
1
0
0
Structure › Body › Door
1
0
0
0
Structure
1
0
0
0
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.
Vehicle Speed Control92V131000
Filed Sep 15, 199212,650 vehiclesVolkswagen Of America,inc
Defect. THE VENTURI TUBE LOCATED IN THE THROTTLE VALVE HOUSING CAN BECOME LOOSE AND FALL AGAINST THE THROTTLE PLATE.
Risk. THE VENTURI TUBE CAN PARTIALLY BLOCK THE THROTTLE PLATEAND PREVENT IT FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION, RESULTING IN UNWANTEDENGINE SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN A FORWARD OR REVERSE GEAR.
Remedy. REPLACE THE PRESS-FIT VENTURI TUBE WITH A THREAD TYPE TUBE.
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.
Vehicle Speed Control › Linkages91V064000
Filed Apr 15, 1991550 vehiclesVolkswagen Of America,inc
Defect. THE LOCK NUT OF THE CRUISE CONTROL ROD FOR THE OPERATING SERVO MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TORQUED DURING MANUFACTURE.
Risk. INADEQUATE TORQUE OF THE LOCK NUT COULD ALLOW THE RODADJUSTMENT TO CHANGE. THIS COULD INCREASE THE ENGINE IDLE SPEED, AND POSSIBLYINCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE WITH A POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy. CHECK AND ASSURE PROPER LOCK NUT TORQUE ON THE CRUISE CONTROL ROD.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings90V173000
Filed Sep 25, 1990465 vehiclesVolkswagen Of America,inc
Defect. FRONT BRAKE HOSES OF INSUFFICIENT LENGTH WERE INSTALLED IN SOME VEHICLES. THESE SHORT HOSES COULD STRETCH AND DEVELOP CRACKS.
Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, WITH LOSS OFFLUID PRESSURE AND BRAKING ABILITY.
Remedy. REPLACE BOTH BRAKE HOSES.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 6, 2017150,000 milesCA
ACCELERATOR CABLE DISCONNECTED FROM THE GAS PEDAL WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH ON CITY STREET. PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD AS CAR DIED. DANGEROUS SITUATION!
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 23, 2017CA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INDEPENDENTLY DISCONNECTED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RECONNECT THE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 07/18/17*LJ *CN
WheelsCrash
Filed Feb 25, 201394,363 milesCA
I WAS DRIVING ON HW 87 IN SAN JOSE CA. I WAS IN THE CENTER LANE WHEN THE LEFT REAR TIRE SEPARATED. A PIECE OF THE TIRE TREAD THAT HAD SEPARATED HIT THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE AND JAMMED THE LEFT REAR PARKING BRAKE ON. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE DID A COMPLETE 180 DEGREE TURN, CROSSING THE OVER THE RIGHT LANE AND HITTING THE RIGHT ROADSIDE BARRIER. THE TIRE WAS MADE BY GENERAL TIRE 175/70/13 AND HAD ABOUT 75% OF THE TREAD LEFT. *TR ## VIN FAILED ## 81 VW PICKUP ##
Visibility
Filed Feb 6, 200981,565 milesNV
1991 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA HEATER CORE FAILURE. COOLANT SMELL AND COOLANT LOSS DRIPPING ON CARPET BY DRIVERS FEET AND FOGS UP WINDSHIELD MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. I HAVE ACCESS TO ALLDATA AUTO REPAIR WEBSITE AND THERE IS A RECALL LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE LOCAL DEALER SAID IT DOESN'T APPLY TO MY CAR. *TR
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 18, 2008147,980 milesMS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT HAS HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES, CALIPERS, MASTER CYLINDER, AND BRAKE BOOSTER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SHE WOULD HAVE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT BRAKE LINE WAS FAULTY. THE CONTACT IS CONSTANTLY CHANGING OR REPAIRING SOME PARTS OF THE BRAKES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,980.
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Apr 19, 2007117,000 milesCO
CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR 2 MONTHS IN THE DRIVEWAY. I JUST HAD EVERYTHING TUNED AND BATTERY WORKING BEFORE I PARKED IT. I STARTED IT ONCE IN BETWEEN THAT TIME AND IT WORKED. I WENT OUT THE OTHER DAY AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I KNOW IT'S NOT THE STARTER. IT IS THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM WHERE THE CAR WON'T START UNLESS THE SEAT BELT IS CONNECTED. THE CAR STILL WON'T START SO I AM UPSET. PLEASE MAKE THIS WORK OUT FOR ME. *TR
Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Filed Jul 11, 2006NJ
1991 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA HAD MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE GENERATOR AND BELT, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *KB THE CONSUMER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM FIXED AT A LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND NO MORE PROBLEMS HAVE DEVELOPED. *JB
Engine and Engine Cooling1 injured
Filed Oct 14, 2005160,000 milesUT
THE HEATER CORE CONNECTION LINES IN MY JETTA FAILED, AND MY SISTER WAS BURNED MILDLY WHEN THE HOT COOLANT LEAKED DOWN ONTO HER FEET, ABOVE THE GAS PEDAL. THERE IS A RECALL ALREADY FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT MY VEHICLE MANUFACTURE DATE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL ( RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 92V050000 ). THIS RECALL SHOULD BE RE-ISSUED TO INCLUDE ALL 1991 MODELS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED IN 1990, BECAUSE THE DESIGN DID NOT CHANGE AFTER THE LAST MANUFACTURE DATE ALLOWED FOR RECALL. I DO NOT PLAN ON PAYING TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE, IT IS EXPENSIVE, AND I FEEL THAT VW AMERICA IS LIABLE TO FIX THEIR DEFECT. I HAVE TRIED GETTING HELP FROM THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL A NEW OR REVISED RECALL IS ISSUED. PLEASE HELP! MY VEHICLE VIN: [XXX]. *NM UPDATED 07/26/2012 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Feb 10, 2003MD
THE HEATER CORE FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE NO HEAT.*JB AND ANTIFREEZE FUMES ARE SEEPING INTO VEHICLE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE VEHICLE FOR ANY PERIOD OF TIME. *TT
Structure
Filed Nov 12, 2002103,000 milesPA
THE VEHICLE LACKED A PROTECTIVE SHIELD FOR THE STEERING COMPONENTS WHICH CAUSED THEM TO BECOME WET DURING RAINY WEATHER AND AS A RESULT THE STEERING BECAME IMPAIRED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *MR *NLM
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Jan 25, 2002MD
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE. HEATER CORE HAD RUPTURED, CAUSING STEAM AND ANTI-FREEZE TO ESCAPE INTO PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. DEALER CONTACTED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Jun 22, 2001PA
WHILE DRIVING WINDOWS FOGGED UP AND ANTIFREEZE WAS SPRAYING INTO VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System1 injured
Filed Apr 2, 2001MD
COOLANT ESCAPED INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WITHOUT WARNING AND BURNED DRIVER'S FOOT AND LEG. *AK
Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage
Filed Jul 31, 2000RI
GATES 7280 BELT SPECED FOR APLICATION ALTERNATOR FOR JETTA W/AC BELT TO LONG AND TO LARGE WEARS OUT ALMOST IMEDIATLY AND DERAILES AND HAS DERAILED OTHER BELT WITH IT. IT IS TO LONG AND TO LARGE ITS CORDS ARE VISIBLE ABOVE THE THE DRIVE PULLEY!!!. *AK
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Jul 16, 2000RI
VW BULLETIN 139202 I LOST ALL MY BELTS ON THE HIGHWAY AND LOST POWER STEERING CAUSE BELTS FLUNG INTO THE V NOTCH OF OTHER BELTS NO INJURIES.NO BELTS WILL LAST ON THIS VEHICLE DUE EITHER TO POOR GEOMETRY OF THE ALTERNATOR BELT OR TO MUCH HOSREPOWER DRAW FROM THE ALTERNATOR. THE ALTERNATOR BELT HAS GONE 10 TIMES IN THE 20000 MILES SINCE PURCHASE.I FELT THIS WAS A NUISANCE PROBLEM UNTIL I LOST MY POWER STEERING AND NOW I FEAR THIS CAR WILL KILL ME. *AK
Seat Belts › Front › Webbing
Filed Apr 22, 2000CA
FRONT SHOULDER BELT HOUSING DESIGN DEFECT HAS CAUSED THE BELT TO FRAY. A QUARTER OF THE BLET THICKNESS HAS WORN AWAY THEREBY, DETERIORATING THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SEATBELT RESTRAINT CAPABILITY. *AK
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 2, 1999OH
THE FUEL THROTTLE LINKAGE WOULD KEEP POPPING OFF. IT WAS REPLACED AT LEAST 4 DIFFERENT TIMES. EACH TIME IT HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AND WOULD LAST APPROXIMATELY 3-7 DAYS. *AK
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Jul 16, 1998NJ
THE END CAP CONNECTING THE HEAT EXCHANGER'S CORE TO ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM RUPTURED, ALLOWING HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER'S DEPARTMENT, AS PER RECALL 92V050000. BOTH DRIVERS/PASSENGER'S FEET WERE PLACED IN CONTACT WITH HOT COOLANT.
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jun 25, 1998OH
INTERMITTENT STALLING.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
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.