RoadVitals

1993 Volkswagen Jetta

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
17
Latest Dec 1, 2011
Safety recallsA 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.
6
Latest Apr 7, 2009
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.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 17 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Volkswagen Jetta, most frequently naming the interior & seats, visibility and seat belts categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 29 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Interior & seats627.3%
  • Visibility418.2%
  • Seat belts313.6%
  • Transmission29.1%
  • Brakes29.1%
  • Electrical29.1%
  • Exterior lighting14.5%
  • Body & structure14.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

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
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: 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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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.
SABERSPORTView on NHTSA.gov
98V195000

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

Aug 17, 1998
153,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR BRAKE LINE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO THE CORNER OF THE FUEL TANK. THE LINE COULD BE DAMAGED BY CHAFING AGAINST THE FUEL TANK.
The risk: REPEATED CHAFING COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A LEAKING BRAKE LINE CAUSING DIMINISHED BRAKING IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT INCREASING THE VEHICLE'S STOPPING DISTANCE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LINE AND REPLACE ANY DAMAGED LINES.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov
98V160000

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

Jul 16, 1998
238,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BOLTS SECURING THE FRONT HOOD LATCH CAN LOOSEN OVER TIME. THE LATCH WOULD MOVE CAUSING DISENGAGEMENT OF THE HOOD STRIKER FROM THE LATCH.
The risk: UNEXPECTED OPENING OF THE HOOD COULD OCCUR OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HOOD LATCH AND SECURING BOLTS AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA00028ClosedEngineering Analysis

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE

Opened Dec 28, 2000
Closed Jan 29, 2002
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGESLed to recall 02V026000
PE00033ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE

Opened Aug 10, 2000
Closed Dec 28, 2000

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON AUGUST 10, 2000 BASED ON 9 REPORTS REGARDING PUNCTURED FUEL TANKS INVOLVING THE JETTA, PASSAT, AND CABRIO MODELS.THE REPORTS INDICATE ADDITIONAL REPORTS IN ITS RESPONSE TO THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED FOR FURTHER STUDY.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 17
Visibility
Filed Dec 1, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA III. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL HOSE, CAUSING FUEL TO FALL TO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT WOULD ALSO SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT THE VIN DID NOT ASSOCIATE WITH THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 92V058000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 202,365. UPDATED 12/29/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE MAIN COMPLAINT WAS ABOUT THE HEATER CORE, WHICH WAS THE HEATING ELEMENT INSIDE THE DASHBOARD. WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE DASHBOARD VENT. THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE BECAME FILLED WITH RADIATOR FLUID MIST. A MECHANIC CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A BLOWN HEATER CORE. UPDATED 12/30/11

NHTSA ID
10438013
Incident
Jun 27, 2011
Mileage
170,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Aug 14, 2002

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETURN BACK INTO RETRACTOR. LEAVING OCCUPANT UNRESTRAINED. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8016270
Incident
Aug 12, 2001
Visibility
Filed Aug 14, 2002

SUNROOF ALMOST FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8016269
Incident
Feb 15, 2002
Visibility
Filed Jul 3, 2001

I WAS GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY, I HEARD AIR COMING FROM THE ROOF OF MY CAR AND LOOKED UP AND MY SUNROOF BLEW OFF AND COULD HAVE HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME CAUSING SERIOUSE INJURY OR DEATH HAD IT HIT THE WINDSHIELD OF ANOTHER VEHICAL. I HAD NO WARNING AND MY SUNROOF WAS NOT OPEND AT THE TIME OF DEPARTURE.*AK

NHTSA ID
747709
Incident
Jul 1, 2001
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Aug 2, 2000

TAIL LIGHT ASS'YS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY PER SERVICE BULLETIN (APPROX. 1995) BECAUSE TRUNK STOPS WEREN'T HIGH ENOUGH AND TRUNK WOULD CLOSE ON TAILLIGHT, PUNCTURING LENS, THEN FILL UP WITH WATER AND BLOW OUT BULBS. APPROX. 3 YEARS LATER, I REC'D A TICKET FROM CHP BECAUSE OF NO TAIL LIGHTS OR BRAKE LIGHTS. SAME PROBLEM. I COVERED HOLE WITH SILICONE AND REPLACED THE BULBS. LATER, THE BLINKERS/FLASHERS STOPPED WORKING, THEN THE HORN QUIT AND DEALER SAYS IT MAY A CRIMPED WIRE WHICH ALSO KILLED THE A\C. ONE OTHER PERSON I KNOW WITH A SIMILAR JETTA ALSO HAS BLINKERS/FLASHERS THAT STOPPED WORKING, THEN THEIR HORN...

NHTSA ID
726477
Incident
Jan 1, 2000
Seat belts
Filed Feb 17, 2000

SHOULDER BELT DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. SEATBELT GETS CAUGHT IN DOOR. THIS WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER YEARS AGO. THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT! THE SHOULDER BELTS ARE NOW ALMOST COMPLETELY CUT THROUGH FROM BEING CAUGHT IN THE DOOR SO MANY TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ID
718880
Interior & seats
Filed Dec 21, 1999

DOOR LOCKS ARE STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION DUE TO THE LOCK CYLINDER FALLING OUT OF THEIR WELDED POSITION INTO THE DOOR. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
854204
BrakesInterior & seats
Filed Oct 7, 1999

RECALLS 98V195000 AND 98V160000; REAR BRAKE LINE AND THE HOOD LATCH RECALLS WHICH WERE NOT YET MODIFIED BECAUSE OF NO AVAILABILITY OF PARTS. DEALER IS PULLIAM FORD, 655 BROAD RIVER ROAD, COLUMBIA, SC 29210 PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
850169
Incident
Dec 1, 1998

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SM 33-2019

EQUIPMENT

The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.

SM 44-2017 EN

EQUIPMENT

This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.

VHW-17-11

EQUIPMENT

VAS 6154 Replacement Part Setup Guide

1-2017 Update

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This communication is to update our ProFi dealers of the current status of the latest inbound and outbound ProFi requests.

V691601 2010479

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Update model year applicability to include 2017.

Airbag

AIR BAGS

Airbag Issues.

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.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volkswagen Jetta by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026510—
2025232062.2
2024380045.6
2023420038.7
2022421044.5
2021664050.5
2020516158.3
201954411262.2
2018313053.2
20171597058.0
20161605057.1
20151938051.0
20143865358.6
20135166357.3
20124998559.3
201160610559.5
20108525456.0
20098887558.0
20081886153.8
20072016051.7
20065806047.6
20052487051.5
20042315055.6
20034564467.4
20027027767.4
20016687562.1
20004395662.7
19993497563.2
19981923257.4
19971412258.9
19961742560.8
19952206464.2
19941177260.2
1993Viewing176247.8
1992304057.2
1991317361.1
1990227459.0
1989285154.4
1988198159.3
1987184366.8
1986143361.7
1985134363.1
1984120—
1983020—
1982020—
1981040—
1980020—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.