1988 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

8 recalls, 23 complaints - 1 TSBs

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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Defect Description

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.

Consequence

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.

76,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

Defect Description

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.

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.

650,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Defect Description

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.

Consequence

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.

358,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Consequence

PROLONGED CHAFING COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE A LEAKING BRAKELINE RESULTING IN DIMINISHED BRAKING IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT WHICH WOULD INCREASETHE STOPPING DISTANCES AND RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

CURVE OR REPLACE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE.

8,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

Defect Description

BRAKE BOOSTERS HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED WITH THE TWO HALVES OF THE BOOSTER UNIT INSUFFICIENTLY CONNECTED.

Consequence

BRAKE BOOSTER HALVES COULD SEPARATE UNDER HEAVY BRAKEAPPLICATION AND BRAKING POWER WOULD SUDDENLY DIMINISH WHICH COULD RESULT IN ANACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE BRAKE BOOSTERS AS NECESSARY.

1,700 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

SEAT BELTS

Defect Description

SEAT BELT RETRACTOR PAWL MAY NOT MEET HARDENING SPECIFICATIONS CONTAINED IN VOLKSWAGENS DESIGN STANDARD.

Consequence

VEHICLES DO NOT MEET VOLKSWAGENS DESIGN STANDARD.

Remedy

REPLACE FRONT PASSIVE RESTRAINT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY AS NECESSARY.

784 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Defect Description

CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY NOT BE MARKED WITH LETTERS RES TO IDENTIFY THE RESUME FUNCTION AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 101.

Consequence

VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 101.

Remedy

REPLACE PART OF CRUISE SWITCH PORTION.

1,900 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Complaint Statistics

23 total complaints 1 crashes 2 fires

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	3
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR	3
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE	3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS	2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT	2
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK	1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS	1
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER	1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING	1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS	1

WHILE TRAVELING CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE HOOD. CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER HOOD, AND VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. ALSO DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Fire

VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED WITHOUT FRONT LAP BELTS . VOLKSWAGEN SAYS THAT THE CAR MEETS ALL STANDARDS. *AK

LEFT REAR DOOR LATCH STICKS, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE OR OUT.

Incident date: Oct 1, 1996

REPLACED FUEL LINE.

BRAKES REPLACED.

Incident date: Aug 5, 1996

BRIDGESTONE TIRE SIDEWALL IS CRACKING.

Incident date: Dec 1, 1995

GAS PEDAL STICKS IN COLD WEATHER, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *DH

Incident date: Apr 1, 1996

DRIVER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. *AK

INSIDE/OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN OFF. *AK

THE ONWER WENT TO GET INTO HIS CAR AND THE TRIGGER BROKE IN THE DOOR HANDLE SO THE OWNER WAS UNABLE TO GET IN HIS CAR. *AK

Incident date: Jan 24, 1996

WHILE DRIVING SMOKE CAME THRU VENT AND STEAMED UP ALL WINDOWS RADIATOR COOLANT CAME INSIDE THE CAR. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

Incident date: Jan 24, 1996

WHILE DRIVING SMOKE CAME THRU VENT AND STEAMED UP ALL WINDOWS RADIATOR COOLANT CAME INSIDE THE CAR. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

Incident date: Nov 22, 1995

EXPERIENCED FIRE IN TRUCK FROM LIGHT BULB THAT MALFUNCTIONED. TT

Fire

Incident date: May 19, 1995

HEATER CORE MALFUNCTIONED PRIOR TO RECALL. (92V-050) (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *AW

Incident date: Jul 7, 1995

DRIVERS DOOR AND THE TWO REAR DOORS ARE BROKEN VEHICLE ONLY SIX YEARS OLD VOLKSWAGEN ONLY OFFERS TO PAY 50% WHICH IS FELT TO BE UNFAIR. TT

Incident date: May 13, 1995

SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SKD

Incident date: Apr 18, 1995

VEHICLE DESIGNED WITHOUT FRONT LAP BELTS. *SKD

Incident date: Apr 18, 1995

SHOULDER BELTS DO NOT LOCK PROPERLY WHEN PANIC STOPPING.

Incident date: Feb 1, 1989

VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE LAP BELTS IN DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE, MANUFACTURER DOES NOT SUPPLY. TT

Incident date: Jun 3, 1995

VEHICLE WENT INTO OPEN THROTTLE POSITION SPEED 90 MPH, TO STOP APPLIED REAL HARD. TT

Incident date: Jun 3, 1995

VEHICLE WENT INTO OPEN THROTTLE POSITION SPEED 90 MPH, TO STOP APPLIED REAL HARD. TT

Incident date: Jun 5, 1995

#93V129000 RECEIVE RECALL PICK UP CAR FROM DEALER WAS DRIVING HOME TRY TO STOP THERE WAS NO BRAKE CONSUMER HIT A GOVERNMENT VEHICLE. TT

Crash

Incident date: Oct 1, 1994

REAR DOOR LOCKED UP, COULD NOT OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE OR OUT. TT

EPA Fuel Economy, 1988 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	21.0	26.0	23.0	Regular	$2,650
1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	22.0	31.0	25.0	Regular	$2,450

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Compact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1988 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

1 manufacturer communications from 1 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
220000 SEATS	1

220000 SEATS

SUBJECT REGARDING LATCH SYSTEM LOWER ANCHORS AND TETHERS FOR CHILDREN, INSTALLING / RETROFITTING. *TT

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.

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

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

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

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1993

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1996

LIGHT AND /WINDSHIELD WIPERS

There is no summary currently available

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1996

LIGHTS AND/OR WINDSHIELD WIPER OBSCURED

There is no summary currently available

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

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1991

REAR WHEEL SEPARATION

There is no summary currently available

DP, Closed , Model Year: 1987

DEFECTIVE HEATER CORES

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1985

HEATER CORE FAILURE

There is no summary currently available

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1990

UNSTABLE HIGH ENGINE IDLE

There is no summary currently available

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

14,194 Total Complaints

12 Investigations

718 Reported Crashes

400 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	8	View
2025	2	29	View
2024	0	59	View
2023	0	65	View
2022	1	72	View
2021	4	99	View
2020	6	78	View
2019	11	793	View
2018	3	38	View
2017	7	249	View
2016	5	249	View
2015	8	284	View
2014	5	552	View
2013	6	739	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 (current)	8	23
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	4	0	View
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

Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

Infrastructure

Public Health

1988 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

EPA Fuel Economy, 1988 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

Technical Service Bulletins, 1988 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

Most Affected Components

NHTSA Safety Investigations, VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

VOLKSWAGEN JETTA - All Years Overview

VOLKSWAGEN JETTA - Year by Year

Other VOLKSWAGEN Models