RoadVitals

1994 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.
117
Latest Jul 22, 2008
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.
7
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.
12
9 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 117 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Volkswagen Jetta, most frequently naming the electrical, other / unspecified and engine categories. 7 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

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

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

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 117
Fuel system
Filed Jul 22, 2008

THE IN TANK FUEL PUMP DESIGN HAS THE ACTUAL PUMP SITTING IN A PLASTIC HOUSING WITH RUBBER SEALS AT THE TOP AND BOTTOM TO KEEP FUEL AROUND THE PUMP FOR COOLING, EVEN WHEN THE TANK QUANTITY GETS LOW. THE RUBBER SEALS ON MY FUEL PUMP ROTTED AND DISINTEGRATED. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE PUMP TO OPERATE WITHOUT THE DESIGNED COOLING OF THE PUMP AT LOW GAS LEVELS. OVERHEATING OF THE PUMP BECAUSE OF THIS COULD RESULT IN A GAS TANK FIRE OR EXPLOSION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10235254
Incident
Jul 21, 2008
Mileage
59,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 7, 2007

AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING. I NOTICED THE RED LIGHT FOR THE AIRBAG DID NOT GO OFF (NOT NOTICEABLE IN DAYLIGHT) THIS COULD BE A SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 92K MILES. THE WARNING LIGHT IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE IN BRIGHT DAYLIGHT. IF IT FAILS IN THE MIDDLE OF A JOURNEY THERE IS NO WARNING SOUND.... CONSUMERS CAN BE KILLED OR MAIMED IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS WITHOUT REALIZING THIS PART HAS STOPPED FUNCTIONING, DRIVERS MAY GET A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. I TOOK THE CAR TO A VW DEALER WAS TOLD THAT THE CONTROL MODULE FOR THE AIRBAG HAD STOPPED WORKING. WE, (MY HUSBAND AND I), CALLED VW OF AMERICA, BUT WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS 1. OUT OF WARRANTY, 2. 'OLD' (13 YRS) AND 3. 92, 000 MILES THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT WOULD BE DONE TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE. WE DISAGREED; THIS IS NOT A PART THAT SHOULD WEAR OUT, ESPECIALLY IF THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. IT'S NOT THE SAME AS ENGINE PARTS, TIRES, BODY, ETC. THAT SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO WEAR AFTER TIME AND MILEAGE. THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SEEMED ONLY CONCERNED ABOUT IT IF THE CAR IS WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I AM SUPPOSED TO GET BACK TO DEALER WITH A DECISION TO REPLACE THE MODULE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10184488
Incident
Mar 1, 2007
Mileage
91,800 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 1, 2006
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE OPERATING MY VEHICLE (1994 VW JETTA) THE HOOD LATCH BROKE AND HOOD DETACHED FROM LOCK FLEW UP CRACKING MY WINDSHIELD, BRAKING WIPERS, I LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE CRASHING INTO DIVIDER OF HIGHWAY. BY THE GRACE OF GOD I WAS ABLE TO AVOID TRAFFIC AND DROVE TO SAFETY AS MY HOOD COVERED THE WINDSHIELD. THE GLASS SHATTERED OVER THE FRONT DRIVING AREA. THANK GOD MY CHILDREN WERE NOT WITH ME AT THIS TRAUMATIC TIME. I HAD TO CALL FOR HELP AND USE FIRST AID FOR CUTS. I WAS UNAWARE OF RECALL AND REPAIRED WINDSHIELD,WIPERS AND TEMPORARILY STABILIZED HOOD. *JB

NHTSA ID
10161216
Incident
Nov 20, 2005
Engine
Filed May 24, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 25-55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED, DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10074118
Incident
Apr 20, 2004
Mileage
185,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Oct 16, 2003

CLUTCH CABLE. *LA

NHTSA ID
10043032
Incident
Jan 2, 2003
Interior & seats
Filed Jan 31, 2003

WIRES ARE BURNED OUT INSIDE DASHBOARD PANEL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUTDOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. PLEASE FURNISH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
10006149
Incident
Jan 15, 2003
Visibility
Filed Dec 10, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL UNIT IS DEFECTIVE. HAS HAD TO REPLACE 4X. ON TWO OCCASIONS, WAS DRIVING AND BEGAN TO SMELL A "WIRE" BURNING SMELL, NOTICED SMOKE EMITTED FROM VENTS. REACTION MELTED THE FRONT OF PANEL BOTH TIMES ALMOST CAUSING A FIRE. TS

NHTSA ID
8024047
Incident
Dec 1, 2002
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 17, 2002
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHEN SLOWING DOWN VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.*AK THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND STRUCK A MANURE TANK SPREADER, THERE WAS ONE INJURY. *YH

NHTSA ID
8014140
Incident
Jul 12, 2002

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
1994Viewing1177260.2
1993176247.8
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.