Owner-reported complaints naming the visibility system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1995 Volkswagen Jetta submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 26 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 26, in the owner's own words
HEATER CORE ON 95 JETTA GL III BROKEN. SEEMS TO BE A FAULTY PART WITH MANY, MANY VERIFIED COMPLAINTS. VWOA SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND REPLACE THIS PART FOR FREE. *NM
1) THERE WAS NO WARNING LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM WORK DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND HAD JUST COME TO A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY 2) THE HEATER CORE FAILED DEPOSITING ENGINE TEMPERATURE COOLANT (>200 DEGREE) INTO THE FOOT WELLS AND RELEASING COOLANT VAPORS INTO THE CABIN. THE WINDOWS WERE INSTANTLY OBSCURED AND I WAS FORCED TO LEAN OUT THE WINDOW TO REACH THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD I BEEN STILL ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS OCCURRED DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, I WOULD HAVE VERY LIKELY BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AS MY VISION WAS IMMEDIATELY IMPAIRED AND THE HOT COOLANT MADE MANIPULATING THE PEDALS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. 3) THE HEATER HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY BYPASSED IN THE ENGINE BAY PENDING THE RESOLUTION OF MY CASE WITH VW OF AMERICA TO DETERMINE IF THEY WILL COVER THE REPAIR COSTS. *JB
(1) I WAS OPERATING THE WINDOW NORMALLY AND THE WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED. THE WINDOW DROPPED INTO THE DOOR AND I WAS UNABLE TO PUT IT BACK UP. (2) THIS HAPPENED IN SEVER THUNDERSTORMS AND I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE AND SIT ON A NARROW SHOULDER UNTIL THE STORM PASSED. MY REAR WINDOW IS ALSO HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH A WINDOW REGULATOR, AND IS UNABLE TO GO UP AND DOWN. (3) I HAVE TO BUY A REPLACEMENT WINDOW REGULATOR AND INSTALL IT. THE OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL EARLIER MODEL VOLKSWAGENS, YEAR 1995-1997 AND HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ON ALL OF THEM. VOLKSWAGEN CHARGES AND OUTRAGEOUS PRICE TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT IS WAY TOO COMMON. I NEVER REALIZED HOW MUCH OF A SAFETY HAZARD IT WAS UNTIL IT HAPPENED TO ME IN A THUNDERSTORM AND I HAD TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER OF I-95 DURING A STORM WITH TERRIBLE VISIBILITY. *JB
I WAS DRIVING A 1995 VW JETTA ABOUT 40 MPH. IN AN INSTANT, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS COVERED WITH STEAM AND I COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD. THERE WAS ALSO STEAM COMING OUT OF THE DASHBOARD VENTS WHICH WAS VERY DISTRACTING. I HAD TO BRAKE VERY QUICKLY AND HOPE THAT I DID NOT CRASH OR RUN OFF OF THE ROADWAY. I GOT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY DID A DIAGNOSIS AND SAID THAT THE HEATER CORE HAD RUPTURED. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVEABLE SINCE THE ENGINE CANNOT BE COOLED BECAUSE THE COOLANT WILL NOT STAY IN THE SYSTEM, I.E. IT LEAKS OUT VERY FAST. I DID NOT AUTHORIZE REPAIR AS OF 12/16/2005. *NM
I BOUGHT MY JETTA III GLS IN 1995 BRAND NEW. WITHIN A YEAR THE MOLDING ON THE DOORS STARTED PEELING OFF AND EVENTUALLY FALLING OFF. THE DEALER SENT IT TO A BODY SHOP TO HAVE IT GLUED AND IT NEVER STUCK. I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR YEARS WITH ONE MOLDING MISSING. I HAVE REPLACED MULTIPLE POWER WINDOW MOTORS AND PARTS. FAILURE OF THESE POWER WINDOWS ARE CONSISTANTLY FAILING ONE AFTER THE ANOTHER. I HAD SMOKE AND AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND FAILING BLINKERS WHICH WERE BOTH RELATED. I REPLACED THE BLINKER SYSTEM AND PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. THE LOCK FREEZE EASILY IN COLD WEATHER AND I HAVE HAD THE DRIVER SIDE LOCK COMPLETELY FALL APART WHILE UNLOCKING THE CAR. THE SEAL ON FRONT WINDSHIELD IS WEARING AWAY CAUSING LEAKING OF RAIN AND THIS WILL BE FIXED WITH $100 RESEALING OF WINDSHIELD. RUSTING IS OCCURRING UNDER CAR AND ON UNDERSIDE OF DOORS, VW SAID IT MUST BE RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT TO BE COVERED (WOULDN'T THAT BE BIGGER PROBLEM IF IT OCCURRED FROM THE INSIDE??). THE OIL SEAL IS LEAKING. THE OXYGEN SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED AND NEEDS REPLACED AGAIN. THE MIDDLE CONSOLE WAS PERMANENTLY LOCKED AND DEALER TOOK IT LOCK OUT SAYING IT WAS BROKEN. THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID CONTAINER HAS BROKEN TWICE. THIS IS ALL WITH 85,000 MILES. THESE ARE COMMON PROBLEMS WITH JETTA BUT WINDOW MOTORS AND MOLDING ARE BY FAR TWO MAIN PROBLEMS THAT SHOULD BE COVERED WITH A RECALL, ASK ANY JETTA OWNER. *NM
WELL LETS START WITH THE WINDOW MOTORS, I HAVE HAD MY CAR SINCE 1998 AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY WINDOW MOTORS FOR EACH WINDOW AT LEAST 2 OR 3 TIMES. I WHICH I HAVE HAD TO PAY $300 OR MORE. ALSO THE SIDE STRIPING WHICH MELTS OFF IN THE SUN HAS BEEN REPLACED ALSO 3 OR 4 TIMES COSTING $100 EACH ROUND. WHY IS IT THAT THESE ITEMS HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED OR REPLACED FOR FREE WHEN IT IS NOT THE USERS FAULT FOR THESE ITEMS GOING BAD OR FALLING OFF!!!!!*JB
SUNROOF BRACKET BROKE, IT WAS MADE OFF WHITE METAL, RESULTING IN SUNROOF BEING INOPERATIVE. HAD TO REPLACE SUNROOF *AK
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD BLOW A FUSE WHENEVER WIPERS WERE USED WITHIN 10 MINUTES OR LESS. DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
WINDOW MOVES ERRATICALLY OR OPPOSITE OF DIRECTION INTENDED, CAN CLOSE ON HAND ACCIDENTLY. *AK
DOZEN POWER WINDOW REGULATOR AND MOTOR FAILURES SINCE NEW. FIRST ONE AT 4,373 MILES. ABOUT ONCE EVERY SIX MONTHS ON AVERAGE I HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE WINDOW FALLING INTO THE DOOR OR GETTING STUCK UP. I'VE PAID THROUGH THE NOSE TO GET THESE REPAIRED. I'VE TALLIED QUITE A BIT OF SIMILAR AND IDENTICAL INCIDENTS OF THIS PROBLEM, IN OTHER MODELS AS WELL, AND I THINK IT'S ABOUT TIME VW IS FORCED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THEY'VE DUPPED THOUSANDS OF OWNERS ON THIS PROBLEM AND THEIR CLAIM THAT THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED SHOULDN'T BE ACCEPTED ANYMORE, ESPECIALLY IF THE FAILURES OCCURED UNDER WARRANTY AND THEN CONTINUALLY BREAK AFTERWARD. THE NHTSA OUGHT TO HELP ALL THE OWNERS FILE A CLASS ACTION SUIT ON BEHALF OF THE OWNERS TO COMPENSATE THEM FOR THEIR TROUBLES AND FRUSTRATIONS. LEAVING YOUR CAR AT A DEALERSHIP ISN'T EXACTLY CONVENIENT, AND HAVING TO DO IT REPEATEDLY FOR THE SAME PROBLEM SHOULD BE UNACCEPTABLE TO THE INDUSTRY AND THE INDUSTRY REGULATORS (YOU). MY FAMILY ALSO OWNS A 1986 HONDA ACCORD WITH 190,000 ON IT AND NOT ONCE IN 15 YEARS HAS ANY OF ITS WINDOW REGULATORS OR MOTORS FAILED. VW JETTA'S AREN'T THE ONLY MODEL SUSCEPTABLE TO THIS FAILURE, PASSATS AND EVEN THE NEW BEETLE HAVE IDENTICAL FAILURES FOR MANY YEARS, I JUST RESEARCHED IT ON YOUR OWN SITE. ADD UP THE COMPLAINTS AND YOU'LL FIND THERE'S SIGNIFICANT REASON TO ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT FOR THE OWNERS AND AMPLE REASON TO FINE VW AND FORCE THEM TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR FAILURES BY REIMBURSING THE PEOPLE WHO KEEP THEM IN BUSINESS, THEIR CUSTOMERS. THANK YOU. TODD CALLAHAN
BOTH REAR POWER WINDOWS CANNOT BE OPERATED BY REAR SWITCHES OR BY FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SWITCHES. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFOMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY AND NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER COST. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER. *AK
POWER WINDOW REGULATOR HAS GONE OUT ON ALL FOUR WINDOWS. THE COST IS AT LEAST 250.00 PER WINDOW TO FIX. I RESEARCHED THIS AND THERE HAS BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME FAILURE. *AK
THREE OF FOUR WINDOWS GET STUCK. THEY WILL NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN. HAVE TO PUSH BY HAND. NOW ONE WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS SHATTERED.*AK
COOLING FAN MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING COOLING SYSTEM TO FAIL AND THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. ALSO, HEATER CORE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *AK VOLKSWAGEN IS ON RECORD AS HAVING RADIATOR FANS MADE OF IMPROPER MATERIAL THAT CAUSE THE FAN MOTOR INOPERATIVE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD A RECALL ON 1995 VOLKSWAGEN JETTAS FOR FAN MOTOR PROBLEM BUT CLAIMS THE HEATER CORE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. *YH
THERE WERE PROBABLY MANY 1995 LEMONS FOR JETTAS, BEING THE FIRST YEAR OF THE NEW DESIGN. MANY OF THESE FLAWS ARE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE. PARTS FOR THIS CAR ARE RARELY FOUND ANYWHERE BUT THE DEALER, INCLUDING BRAKES.
HOSE THAT PUMPS OUT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID WAS BEING PINCHED BY THE HOOD, CLOSING IT AND CAUSING THE FLUID PUMP TO BECOME INOPERABLE. DEALER INDICATED THE LINE HAS TO BE REPOSITIONED OR REWIRED. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MUFFLER AND TAIL PIPE. *AK
BRAKES CONTINUALLY SQUEAK.
DOOR LOCK FROZE, NOT OPENING W/KEY. WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN & THEN MAKING CLICKING NOISES WHEN TRYING TO ROLL WINDOW BACK UP. NEEDED TO PULL WINDOW UP BY HAND. AIR CONDITIONER MAKES NOISE WHEN TURNED ON. WINDSHIELD CRACKED DUE TO STRESS. RECEIVED RECALL FOR NOOD LATCH, BUT UNABLE TO GET REPLACEMENT PARTS. PAINT IS CRACKING. RADIO GOES OUT. VW SAYS THAT THERE IS A FACTORY DEFECT, BUT HAVE NOT HELPED REPAIR THESE PROBLEMS. *AK *ML
SUNROOF GUIDE FAILED.
REAR WINDOW IMPLODED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. *AK
FUEL PUMP AND RELAY FAILED.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TWICE. *DH
BRAKE LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF. *SD
WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT/DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD VISIBILITY IS DISTORTED BY UNEVEN GLARE. *SD
AUTOMATIC WINDOW FAILED. *DSH
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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