1989 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

5 recalls, 28 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

Complaint Statistics

28 total complaints 1 crashes 2 fires

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
SEAT BELTS:FRONT	6
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE	5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS	4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	3
SEAT BELTS	2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	2
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER	1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY	1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	1
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM	1

Incident date: Jan 1, 1901

1989 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. CONSUMER WANTS DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DISCONNECTED. CUSTOMER STATES THAT SHE WOULD LIKE THE DRIVERS AIRBAG DISCONNECTED BECAUSE OF SEEING SEVERE INJURIES RESULTING WITH THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *KB

Incident date: Nov 1, 2003

I OWN A 1989 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, VIN WVW PA01G4KW724572. I HAD A LEAK OF MY HEATER CORE (PER A NON-VW MECHANIC). THE NHTSA WEBSITE REPORTS THAT THERE WAS A RECALL OF 1989 JET'S FOR THEIR HEATER CORE. I CONTACTED WES GREENWAY'S ALEXANDRIA VOLKSWAGEN TO HAVE THE WORK DONE. I DID SO THROUGH AN ONLINE... Read more

Incident date: Apr 12, 2003

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALL (92V-050000) ON THE HEATER CORE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *NLM THE HEATER CORE PLASTIC NECK CRACKED AND ALLOWED THE HOT COOLANT TO POUR ONTO THE ENGINE... Read more

DOOR HANDLES FELL OFF. CAN'T OPEN DOORS FROM OUTSIDE. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK CONSUMER HAS TO USE ROPE TO TIE THE DOORS SHUT SO HIS CHILDREN WILL BE SECURE. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER TO LUBRICATE HANDLES PER OWNERS MANUAL. THE OWNERS MANUAL DOES NOT STATE WHEN OR WHERE TO LUBRICATE THE HANDLES. DISCUSSION... Read more

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT HAVE WAIST BELTS; SHOULDER BELTS ONLY, WHICH I UNDERSTAND MAY BE AGAINST REGULATIONS. THE MANAUFACTURER DISAGREES. *AK

Incident date: Nov 2, 1999

NHTSA RECALL# 92 V 050-000 RECEIVED. APPOINTMENT MADE AND LATER ON WAS INFORMED THAT PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED PARTS SERVICE DESK AND REQUESTED THE PART. WAS INFORMED THAT PART WAS AVAILABLE AND READY FOR PICK UP. SEEKING NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL- LAP BELTS WERE TO BE INSTALLED. *AK

Incident date: Oct 20, 1999

THE HEATER CORD IS LEAKING ANTI FREEZE INTO & OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE & THE DRIVER / PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE. *YC

I DO NOT HAVE SPECIFICS ON ANY OF THE 5 RECALLS LISTED BUT WOULD LIKE INFORMATION ON HOW TO PROCEED. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

CARBON MONOXIDE IN BLOODSTREAM OF DRIVER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

WHEN TEMPERATURE IS 5 DEGREES F OR LOWER (COMMON IN MINNESOTA) THROTTLE WILL STICK OPENLY. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN ICY AND RPMSAND APPROACHING REDLINE. NOT A RARE PROBLEM IN MINNESOTA, WHERE IT IS OFTEN COLD, WITH 1988 AND 1989 JETTAS (WITH THE DIGIVOX SYSTEM).TEMPOR... Read more

Incident date: Dec 1, 1998

CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT VEHICLE IS WITHOUT FRONT LAP BELTS. IT DOES HAVE SHOULDER BELTS. DOES THE MANUFACTURER REQUIRE TO UPDATE SEAT BELTS ACCORDING TO FMVSS FOR THIS VEHICLE? DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

SEAT BELT 2-POINT SYSTEMS FAIL IN CRASHES.

FRONT SEAT BELTS DO NOT CONTAIN LAP BELTS, POTENTIAL HAZARD.

Incident date: Jan 1, 1994

THREE SEAT BELTS ARE BROKEN AND THE TWO FRONT ONES ARE SPLITTING AND WILL SOON BREAK.

VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH FRONT LAP SEAT BELTS. ONLY A SHOULDER HARNESS CONNECTED TO THE DOOR IS PROVIDED. *AK

THE VEHICLE HAS NO LAP BELTS AND THE SHOULDER BELTS ARE ATTACHED TO THE DOOR. IF DOOR COMES OPEN DURING CRASH THERE WOULD BE NO SUPPORT. DEALER CAN'T PUT ANY LAP BELTS IN THE VEHICLE. *AK

Incident date: Oct 15, 1996

ANTIFREEZE LEAK.

Incident date: Mar 22, 1996

SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *SD

Incident date: Oct 20, 1995

TOOK CAR IN FOR RECALL WORK ON THE HEATER CORE. THEY RETURNED THE CAR SAYING WORK WAS DONE AND IT WAS NOT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

Incident date: Oct 20, 1995

TOOK CAR IN FOR FUEL RECALL. GOT CAR BACK AND THEY SAID RECALL WAS DONE AND IT WAS NOT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

MFG RECALL HEATER CORE; RECALL NEVER PERFORMED W/INVOICE DOCUMENTING ANOTHER NUMBER AND PROCEDURE. ROY RIOX, WESTBORO MA DOCUMENTED INVOICE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

Incident date: Nov 1, 1993

SHE HAS HAD THE RECALL LETTER FOR THREE YEARS AND THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT RESPOND TO HER. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

Incident date: May 21, 1995

AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE, WAS PARKED FOR 20 MIN. FUEL LINE CAUGHT FIRE. TT

Fire

Incident date: Mar 28, 1995

VEHICLE WAS BUILT WITHOUT LAP BELTS IN THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. TT

Incident date: Mar 10, 1995

FUEL HOSE LEAKED, RESULTING IN A FIRE AFTER RECALL REPAIRS (92V-058.001). *AK

Crash Fire

Incident date: Feb 8, 1995

THROTTLE LINKAGES ACCELERATE; CAR ACCELERATE ONLY IN COLD WEATHER DEALER CHANGE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE CAR IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING. TT

EPA Fuel Economy, 1989 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	31.0	39.0	34.0	Diesel	$2,350
1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	20.0	26.0	22.0	Regular	$2,800
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, 1989 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