1981 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

4 recalls, 0 complaints

06E018000 Mar 1, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Defect Description
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 STAN... Read more
Consequence
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.
266 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
83V117000 Nov 9, 1983
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
Defect Description
THE FUEL PUMP MAY STOP FUNCTIONING WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAN OCCUR BECAUSE AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR IN THE FUSE PANEL MAY OVERHEAT AND INTERRUPT THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT.
Remedy
DEALER WILL INSPECT THE FUSE BOX AND ITS CONNECTORS FOR CORROSION, AND CORRECT WHERE NECESSARY. A BYPASS ADAPTER TO THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WILL BE INSTALLED.
930,000 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
80V155000 Nov 28, 1980
SUSPENSION:FRONT
Defect Description
THE LOCKWASHER FOR THE TWO BOLTS HOLDING THE LEFT AND RIGHT AXLE STRUT TO THE AXLE BEARING HOUSING, AS WELL AS THE BOLT HOLDING THE WISHBONE TO THE CROSSMEMBER, MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. SOME OF THESE WASHERS ARE TOO BRITTLE. THIS MAY LEAD TO BREAKAGE DUE TO EXCESS CARBON DEPOSITS.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LOCK WASHERS AT NO CHARGE.
25 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
80V140000 Oct 23, 1980
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Defect Description
TIRE LABELS WRITTEN IN FRENCH WERE INADVERTENTLY AFFIXED TO VEHICLES IN U.S.. THIS FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, " TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS".
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL CORRECT THE INVOLVED VEHICLES PRIOR TO THEIR FIRST RETAIL SALE BY INSTALLING THE CORRECT LABELS.
3,200 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

No complaints found for this vehicle.

NHTSA Safety Investigations, VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

EA04010 Opened: Mar 30, 2004 , Closed: Oct 21, 2004
EA, Closed , Model Year: 2002
DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT OVERHEATS
THIS INVESTIGATION CONCERNS THE ELECTRIC SEAT HEATER INSTALLED IN SOME MY 2002-2003 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) JETTA VEHICLES.CONSUMERS ALLEGE THAT THE SEAT HEATER MAY OVERHEAT, RESULTING IN BURN DAMAGE TO THE SEAT COVER AND TO THE DRIVER'S CLOTHING AND/OR SKIN.THIS EA ADDRESSES WHETHER SUCH FAILURES MAY POSE ... Read more
RQ03010 Opened: Dec 17, 2003 , Closed: Mar 1, 2004
RQ, Closed , Model Year: 1999
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH
THE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND MANUFACTURER FAILURE REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING AND OR INACCURATE INFORMATION.THE INJURY NOTED ABOVE WAS MINOR.ON FEBRUARY 26, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC. (VW) SUBMITTED A DEFECT NOTIFICATION (PER 49CFR573) TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFF... Read more
PE03052 Opened: Nov 19, 2003 , Closed: Mar 30, 2004
PE, Closed , Model Year: 2002
DRIVER SEAT OVERHEATS/BURNS
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ELECTRICALLY HEATED DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS.INFORMATION RECEIVED DURING PE03-052 DISCLOSED A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF INCIDENTS OF MALFUNCTIONING/OVERHEATING OF THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ADDITIONAL INCIDENTS MAY OCCUR DURING ... Read more
EA00028 Opened: Dec 28, 2000 , Closed: Jan 29, 2002
EA, Closed , Model Year: 1993
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
EA00020 Opened: Aug 10, 2000 , Closed: Oct 9, 2002
EA, Closed , Model Year: 1996
LIGHT AND /WINDSHIELD WIPERS
There is no summary currently available
PE00006 Opened: Feb 2, 2000 , Closed: Aug 10, 2000
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1996
LIGHTS AND/OR WINDSHIELD WIPER OBSCURED
There is no summary currently available
PE99007 Opened: Jan 29, 1999 , Closed: Feb 8, 1999
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1999
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRE
IN ITS LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 4, 1999, VOLKSWAGEN STATED THAT IT WILL RECALL APPROXIMATELY 23,600 REDESIGNED 1999 JETTA AND GOLF 4-DOOR VEHICLES, OF WHICH APPROXIMATELY 11,000 HAVE BEEN SOLD TO CUSTOMERS, TO CORRECT A DEFECT THATMAY CAUSE A FIRE IN THE PASSENGEER COMPARTMENT AFTER A VEHICLE COLLISION... Read more
PE94068 Opened: Sep 14, 1994 , Closed: Dec 30, 1994
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1991
REAR WHEEL SEPARATION
There is no summary currently available
DP92003 Opened: Mar 3, 1992 , Closed: Mar 23, 1992
DP, Closed , Model Year: 1987
DEFECTIVE HEATER CORES
DEFECTIVE HEATER CORES
PE91114 Opened: Aug 26, 1991 , Closed: Dec 9, 1991
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1985
HEATER CORE FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
PE91030 Opened: Jan 14, 1991 , Closed: May 31, 1991
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1990
UNSTABLE HIGH ENGINE IDLE
There is no summary currently available
PE91031 Opened: Jan 14, 1991 , Closed: Apr 29, 1991
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1985
ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE
There is no summary currently available

VOLKSWAGEN JETTA - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the VOLKSWAGEN JETTA across all model years (1980, 2026).

229 Total Recalls
14,165 Total Complaints
12 Investigations
719 Reported Crashes
401 Reported Fires
18 Reported Deaths

VOLKSWAGEN JETTA - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2026 1 5 View
2025 2 27 View
2024 0 55 View
2023 0 64 View
2022 1 71 View
2021 4 96 View
2020 6 78 View
2019 11 783 View
2018 3 37 View
2017 7 247 View
2016 5 249 View
2015 8 284 View
2014 5 552 View
2013 6 737 View
2012 8 692 View
2011 10 880 View
2010 5 1,184 View
2009 7 1,275 View
2008 6 251 View
2007 6 280 View
2006 6 792 View
2005 7 354 View
2004 5 295 View
2003 4 553 View
2002 7 885 View
2001 7 862 View
2000 5 633 View
1999 7 488 View
1998 3 253 View
1997 2 213 View
1996 2 245 View
1995 6 338 View
1994 7 167 View
1993 6 22 View
1992 4 33 View
1991 7 38 View
1990 7 29 View
1989 5 28 View
1988 8 23 View
1987 4 21 View
1986 3 18 View
1985 4 18 View
1984 2 1 View
1983 2 0 View
1982 2 0 View
1981 (current) 4 0
1980 2 0 View

Other VOLKSWAGEN Models

Model Recalls Complaints
GOLF 190 2,084 View
PASSAT 185 10,492 View
BEETLE 157 3,629 View
GTI 116 1,926 View
ID.4 115 1,606 View
ATLAS 101 2,700 View
TIGUAN 78 3,173 View
ATLAS CROSS SPORT 73 701 View