1990 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

7 recalls, 29 complaints - 3 TSBs

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Defect Description

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... Read more

Consequence

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.

16,270 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: SABERSPORT

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:DISC:CALIPER

Defect Description

OMISSION OF AIR DUCTS INTENDED TO GUIDE FLOW OF COOLING AIR TO LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS COULD ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO EXCEED ALLOWABLE OPERATING TEMPERATURE UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS.

Consequence

IF BRAKE FLUID BOILS, THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCEDBRAKING PRESSURE WITH POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

INSTALL MISSING LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT AIR DUCTS.

11,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Defect Description

POWER STEERING PUMP BRACKET IS SUBJECT TO BREAKAGE DUE TO EXCESSIVE TENSION CAUSED BY A LACK OF CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE PUMP MOUNTING BRACKET AND SEALING FLANGE EDGE OF THE OIL PAN.

Consequence

BRACKET BREAKAGE COULD ALLOW POWER STEERING PUMP TO LOOSEN AND DRIVE BELT TO SLIP, RESULTING IN THE NEED FOR UNEXPECTED INCREASED STEERING FORCE WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE POWER STEERING PUMP BRACKET.

225 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Complaint Statistics

29 total complaints 2 crashes 1 fires

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE	4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION	3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM	2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES	2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY	2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL	1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES	1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY	1

Incident date: Jul 24, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. HIS WINDOWS STEAMED UP AND HE SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES, NEARLY CRASHING INTO A WALL. HE DISCOVERED COOLANT ON THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. HE HAS NOT... Read more

Incident date: Mar 3, 2007

AUTO RECALL DATE: 19920414 VEHICLE COMPONENT: VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:HEATER CORE ESTIMATED VEHICLES AFFECTED: 650000 1990 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA DEFECT SUMMARY: THE END CAP CONNECTING THE HEAT EXCHANGER'S CORE TO THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM COULD RUPTURE AND ALLOW HOT COOLAN... Read more

Incident date: Mar 3, 2007

Incident date: Apr 11, 2005

WHILE MY SON WAS OPERATING HIS 1990 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION IN THE DASHBOARD AREA WHICH RESULTED IN HOT COOLANT POURING AND SPRAYING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. AFTER CONTACTING A LOCAL SERVICE STATION I LEARNED THIS DEFECT WAS ACTUALLY RECALL 92V050000. THE DEALER WHERE VE... Read more

Incident date: Apr 11, 2005

Incident date: Dec 25, 2004

THE GAS PEDAL FALLS TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. OWNER HAS TO STOMP ON BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. OWNER WILL CONTACT MANUFACTURER. *NM

Incident date: Aug 24, 2004

VEHICLE LEAKED HOT ANTIFREEZE INSIDE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE TO CONSUMER TO HAVE THEM ANALYZE THE VEHICLE.*AK

Incident date: May 5, 2003

I PURCHASED 4 TOYO ULTRA 800 TIRES IN OCTOBER 1998. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THREE OF THE TIRES DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. I DRIVE APPX 5,000 MILES OR LESS PER YEAR. *NLM

Incident date: Nov 5, 2001

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Incident date: Aug 5, 2001

STOPPED FOR ICE CREAM AFTER ABOUT 60 MILE DRIVE. DID NOT LEAVE VEHICLE. STARTED CAR AND WHEN I WENT FROM PARK TO REVERSE, THE RPM'S SOARED (I HAD NOT TAKEN MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE) CAUSING THE CAR TO ACCELERATE IN REVERSE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE TO ATTEMPT TO STOP IT &... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Aug 5, 2001

Crash

Incident date: May 15, 2001

WAS IN DRIVE THROUGH LINE WHEN SUDDENLY INSIDE OF VEHICLE FILLED WITH STEAM AND HOT WATER ON DRIVER'S SIDE. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER , AND INFORMED CONSUMER NO RECALLS. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP'S MECHANIC TO CHECK IT. *AK

Incident date: Sep 1, 1999

RECEIVED NOTICE 92V058001/ FUEL LINE: METALLIC AND CONTACTED DEALERSHIP. WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE, AND WERE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. CONTACTED ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WHO HAD PARTS & VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *AK

CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN REFERENCE TO RECALL 92V058001/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL SK/CA/ FUEL LINE:HOSE METALLIC. DEALER STATED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK

Incident date: Aug 15, 1998

HOT STEAM AND HOT WATER CAME THROUGH VENTS AND FROM UNDER DASH, CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO BECOME FOGGED OVER.

Incident date: Aug 13, 1998

THE ENGINE BLOCK HAS RUSTED THROUGH TO THE WATER JACK AND OIL FEED LINE AT THE FRONT OF THE BLOCK JUST BELOW THE CYLINDER HEAD AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED.

Incident date: Mar 20, 1998

WHILE STARTING VEHICLE IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK

Fire

VEHICLE HAS NO FRONT LAP SEAT BELTS. HAS KNEE BOLSTERS WHICH DRIVER'S KNEES DO NOT REACH BECAUSE OF HIS HEIGHT, 6' 5 INCHES. *AK

Incident date: May 18, 1997

HEATER CORE FAILURE. *AK

Incident date: Sep 1, 1995

FAULTY STARTER SYSTEM TOO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE, CONTINUES TO OVERHEAT AND SHORTS OUT, REPLACEMENT 3 TIMES. *AK

Incident date: Feb 29, 1996

THERE WAS A FAILURE IN THE BRAKE PEDAL LINKAGE. PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK

Incident date: Feb 29, 1996

THERE WAS A FAILURE IN THE BRAKE PEDAL LINKAGE. PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK

DISTRIBUTOR LOCATED BELOW ENGINE; IF THIS AREA GETS WET VEHICLE STALLS SHUTTING DOWN ALL OTHER ENGINE RELATED FUNCTIONS. ON ROAD SEVERAL TIMES W/NO WARNING. TT

AUTO LOSES POWER AT HIGH SPEEDS-WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. TT

FUEL THROTTLE CABLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED FIVE DIFFERENT TIMES. TT

Incident date: Feb 19, 1995

ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS.

Incident date: Feb 19, 1995

GRINDING NOISE IN TRANSMISSION WHEN SHIFTING FROM LOW TO HIGH GEARS.

Incident date: Feb 11, 1995

VEHICLE WON'T START, ALSO WHEN VEHICLE DOES START IT MAKES GRINDING NOISE. *SKD

EPA Fuel Economy, 1990 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)	21.0	26.0	23.0	Regular	$2,650
1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	22.0	29.0	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, 1990 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

3 manufacturer communications from 2 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
220000 SEATS	1
063000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM	1
161100 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS	1

063000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

VOLKSWAGEN: EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD, REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES. HEAT SHIELDS ARE TO BE INSPECTED AFTER COMPLETION O ANY TYPE OF REPAIR TO THE UNDERBODY (EXHAUST SYSTEM TRANSMISSION, ETC.), AND IF DAMAGED, REPLACED. *PE

161100 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

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