1992 Volkswagen Jetta

Routine

Owners filed 30 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › engine › gasoline. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal3
111
Vehicle Speed Control3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline3
000
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core2
000
Suspension › Rear2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine2
000
Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood2
020
Electrical System › Starter Assembly2
000
Electrical System › Ignition2
000
Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear1
000

4 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.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator PedalCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 6, 2004CA

WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IT FAILED TO ACCELERATE. AFTER APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL NUMEROUS TIMES VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT IT FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO COLLIDE INTO A GUARD RAIL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator PedalFire
Filed Jul 4, 2004IN

2025 HRS: TRAFFIC WAS GENTLE, WITH TRAILERS ON THE RIGHT AND SMALLER CARS AND TRUCKS PASSING ON THE LEFT THAT DAY. I WAS TRAVELING TO CROWN POINT FROM LAFAYETTE USING HIGHWAY 65 NORTH (60-65 MPH -WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC), WHEN 3/4 MILES AWAY FROM RENESELAER THE ACCELERATOR CABLE FROZE STILL HALFWAY. IT WOULD NOT RELEASE TO THE FULL POSITION, NOR WILL IT DEPRESS PAST HALFWAY. AT THAT MOMENT, THE ENGINE REVVED AND STARTED SPEEDING UP. I WATCHED WITH PANIC AS MY JETTA'S SPEEDOMETER READ 67, 70, 72 AND 75 PROGRESSIVELY. TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN, I STEPPED ON THE BREAKS GRADUALLY; WHICH HELPED A LITTLE, BUT NOT BY MUCH. I HAD JUST PASSED THE "1/4 MILE TO RENESELEAR" EXIT NUMBER 215, WHICH MERGES WITH HIGHWAY 114. SEEING THE EXIT AHEAD (AND STILL STEPPING ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW ME DOWN), I TURNED INTO THE EXIT AND HALFWAY THROUGH THE EXIT, I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND ROLLED TO A STOP AT THE STOP SIGN ON TOP OF THE HILL EXIT. BEFORE I STOPPED COMPLETELY, I BEGAN TO SMELL MY BRAKE PADS SMELTING. AND WHEN I DID ROLL TO STOP, THERE WAS SMOKE RISING FROM THE FRONT WELLS. I GOT OUT AND POPPED THE HOOD TO INSPECT FURTHER AND TO CHECK MY TIRES. AS I BENT DOWN TO CHECK THE WHEELS, I NOTICED MY ROTORS WERE BOTH RED HOT. CHECKING THE LEFT WHEEL, AFTER INSPECTING THE RIGHT, REVEALED A SMALL LIP OF FLAME RIGHT NEXT TO THE BRAKE ROTOR. I THEN GRABBED A FULL BOTTLE OF WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID AND EMPTIED IT ON BOTH ROTORS. THE THOUGHT OF LOSING MY BELOVED CAR TO A FIRE AND A HUGH EXPLOSION -MY GAS TANK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System1 injured
Filed Jun 26, 2003119,646 milesIN

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COOLANT LEAK FROM THE HEATER CORE. *JB THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN A BOILING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE AIR VENT AND VIEWED HEAVY STEAM COMING FROM THE DASH BOARD AS WELL, AND WHEN THE VENTS WERE OPENED, HOT RADIATOR COOLANT WAS SPLASHED IN THE CONSUMERS FACE. *SCC *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Mar 12, 2002CA

FOR OVER A YEAR NOW, MY CAR WILL JUST "DIE" WHILE I AM DRIVING IT. I HAVE BEEN IN ALMOST 2 ACCIDENTS NOW BECAUSE OF IT. IT DOESN'T GIVE ANY WARNING THAT IT IS GOING TO DIE. I JUST NOTICE IT WHEN THE "DUMY LIGHTS" COME ON OR WHEN I LOOSE MY STEERING. IT CAN HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS HOT OR COLD, AT ANY SPEED. IT JUST DOESN'T MATTER. SOMETIMES I CAN TELL, BECAUSE THE RPM WILL DROP TO ALMOST 0. BUT USUALLY NOTHING HAPPENS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER 7 OR 8 TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR AND THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THEY HAVE GONE AS FAR AS SAYING THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, I HAVE SEVERAL WITNESS'S THAT HAVE BEEN WITH ME IN MY CAR THAT CAN DISPUTE THIS. I HAVE HAD MY CAR DIE AS MUCH AS 7X IN ONE DAY. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY BASICALLY DID NOTHING ABOUT IT. THEY JUST CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY WERE TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT AND THAT WAS THE END OF IT. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AGAIN AND ASKED IF THEY COULD SEND AN ENGINEER OUT TO LOOK AT THE CAR AS IT DIDN'T SEEM THE TECHNICIANS AT THE DEALER WERE ABLE TO FIGURE IT OUT AND THEY TOLD ME "NO" IT IS AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE SERVICE MANAGER TO DECIDE THIS. SO, TILL NOW, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, OR EVEN DETECT WHERE IT IS COMING FROM AND THEY HAVE NO INTENTIONS TO KEEP LOOKING. IN THE MEANTIME, I AM DRIVING A "DEATH TRAP". THE CAR IS TOTALLY UNSAFE. 3 WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT THIS CAR I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS. IT IS A LEMON AND THE DEALER

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Nov 6, 2000GA

HEATER COIL BURSTED AND COOLIANT CAME INSIDE OF VEHICLE THROUGH DASHBOARD. DEALERSHIP WASN'T AWARE OF PROBLEM, BUT SAID THAT SHE WILL CALL THEM TODAY.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Nov 1, 2000CA

THIS VEHICLE FROM NEW ( WITHIN 5 DAYS OF DELIVERLY) HAS STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE WARRANTY PROVIDED FOR REPLACEMANT PARTS BUT NO MECHANIC COULD EVER FIND THE ROOT OF THE CAUSE. WHILE DRIVING THE TACHOMETER WILL BOUNCE BACK AND FORTH WITH THE ENGINE SURGING AND ATTEPMTING TO DIE OUT. AND IT WILL DIE OUT . NO CERTIAN SPEED OR CIRCUMSTANCE WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THIS. VW JUST REPLACES PARTS WITHOUT EVER IDENTIFYING WHAT THE ACTUAL CAUSE IS. THE THROTTLE POSITION SWITH HAS BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES AT A COST OF 300.00 EACH. THIS MASKES THE PROBLEM BUT DUE TO ITS INTERMINATE NATURE NO ONE CAN PUT IT ON A SCOPE AND SAY THIS IT IT. IT BECOMES A SAFTY PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING AND THE CAR SUDDENLY JERKS AND QUITS WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY OR IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. ALL CONECTORS ARE GOLD PLATED AS THE FACTORY RECALL WAS ISSUED, FUSES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. WE ARE LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER AS THIS HAS BECOME DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. SOMEONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE AN ANSWER TO THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY INFORMATION. . *AK

Seat BeltsCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 16, 1999NC

WHEN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END CRASH, THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER, CAUSING INJURIES TO THE DRIVER'S NECK/SHOULDER AND BACK. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK *YC

Vehicle Speed Control › LinkagesCrash
Filed Nov 29, 1999NY

WHEN STARTED VEHICLE HEARD A NOISE, SMELLED SMOKE, AND VEHICLE LURGED FORWARD. VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED WHEN REAR END COLLIDED WITH THE FRONT OF A PICKUP TRUCK PARKED IN THE LANE. DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES, AND VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE. ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY ACCELERATOR CABLE SNAPPING IN HALF. APPLIED BRAKES, BUT FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE PRIOR TO COLLISION. *AK

Electrical System › Starter Assembly
Filed Aug 9, 1999RI

ONGOING/INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH STARTER OVERHEATING, AND CAUSING ENGINE TO SHUT OFF. CONSUMER LEARNED OF A SERVICE BULLETIN CONERNING SAME PROBLEM. BUT DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONERNED. CAN NHTSA PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Dec 10, 1998NJ

THE DEFECTIVE TIMING BELT BREAKS ANNUALLY WHICH CAUSES ENGINE PROBLEM AND THE ENGINE TO SEIZE WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. BEEN TO DLR 4 TIMES. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Sep 11, 1998CA

DRIVER WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND SMOKE BEGAN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THROUGH THE FRESH AIR SYSTEM. THE DRIVER PULLED OFF THE ROAD, LIFTED THE HOOD, AND FOUND THAT THE WIRING HARNESS (PLATIC COVERING ON WIRES) WAS MELTED AND ON FIRE. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift
Filed May 11, 1998MD

SHIFTING CABLE CONTINUES TO EITHER BREAK OR COME LOOSE FROM TRANSMISSION HOUSING.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 11, 1998CA

THROTTLE CABLE WRAPPED AROUND GAS PEDAL CAUSING GAS PEDAL TO STICK.

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Jan 23, 1998CA

THE TRHOTTLE CABLE TANGLED CAUSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK TO FLOOR.

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Dec 8, 1997MS

THE DEFECTIVE HEATER CORE MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING HEAVY SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE VENTS, BLINDING THE OCCUPANT WHILE DRIVING WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. ALSO THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL LINES IN RELATION TO THE RECALL. (92V-058.001). *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Carburetor System
Filed Jul 21, 1997GA

VEHICLE STALLS FREQUENTLY, AND DEALERS HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS PARTS, POSSIBLE FAULTY AIRFLOW SENSOR. DEALERS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. *AK

Suspension › Rear
Filed Jun 4, 1997CA

REAR AXLE IS MISALIGNED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR.

Suspension › Rear
Filed May 16, 1997CA

REAR END MISALIGNED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Feb 5, 1997CA

ENGINE HESITATED INTERMITTENTLY AND FINALLY STALLED COMPLETELY, WITH NOT WARNING.

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Jan 31, 1997WA

VEHICLE WAS IN IDLE POSITION LEFT TO WARM UP, WATER/ HEATER/ DEFROSTER, WAS TURNED ON, AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE 15 MINUTES, REAR WINDOWS EXPLODED. *AK

20 of 30 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
1992 — this page30430Routine
199131700Routine
199022710Routine

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.