RoadVitals

1981 Volkswagen Jetta Recalls

Safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA that cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
Recall campaignsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
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Newest Mar 1, 2006
Carrying an NHTSA advisoryCampaigns where NHTSA told owners not to drive the vehicle, or to park it outside, until the repair is done.
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Open investigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
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Recall campaigns

4 campaigns cover this model year — what the defect is, what it could cause, and what the remedy is

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Mar 1, 2006
266 units potentially affected
The 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."
The risk: BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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.
FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS, INC.Manufacturer number 171.611.701BView on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

Nov 9, 1983
930,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov

SUSPENSION:FRONT

Nov 28, 1980
25 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LOCK WASHERS AT NO CHARGE.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Oct 23, 1980
3,200 units potentially affected
The defect: 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".
The remedy: THE DEALER WILL CORRECT THE INVOLVED VEHICLES PRIOR TO THEIR FIRST RETAIL SALE BY INSTALLING THE CORRECT LABELS.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov

What a recall is

Safety recall
A safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
Safety investigation
NHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
Manufacturer communication
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources