Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Brakes reportsComplaints 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 Apr 29, 2009
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
10%
of 174 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
6
What this page shows
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Volkswagen Jetta submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 17 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.
Owner reports naming brake
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Apr 29, 2009
Crash reported3 injuries reported
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN AGGRESSIVE AND FORCEFUL ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO TWO PARKED VEHICLES. THE AMBULANCE AND POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND THE OCCUPANTS IN THE PARKED VEHICLES WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED MODERATE INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND EXTENT OF THE VEHICLE DAMAGE HAVE NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ID
10267226
Incident
Apr 23, 2009
Brakes
Filed Oct 14, 2003
CONSUMER PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE FROM DEALER AND VEHICLE NEEDED REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS AND BRAKE SHOES. THE WHEEL CYLINDERS WERE LEAKING, AND THE BRAKE SHOES CRUMBLED WHEN REMOVED FOR REPAIR DONE BY CONSUMER SINCE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.*AK
NHTSA ID
10042918
Incident
Mar 11, 2003
Mileage
69,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 5, 2001
WHEN STEPPPING ON BRAKES AIR CONDITIONER FAN COMES ON. THIS MAY ALSO HAPPEN WHEN STEPPING CLUTCH PEDAL. *AK
NHTSA ID
889819
Incident
May 28, 2001
Brakes
Filed Oct 11, 2000
I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 1996. I IMMEDIATELY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES AND HAD TO BRING THE CAR IN MANY TIMES AND WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. AFTER THE 24 MONTH WARRANTY WAS UP I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED FRONT ROTORS AND PADS AND REAR CALIPERS AND PADS. I ARGUED WITH THEM (VW AMERICA) AND THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T HELP BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE PROOF OF THEM SAYING NOTHING WAS WRONG FOR 2 YEARS AND THEN OUT OF A SUDDEN I NEEDED OVER $500. WORTH OF WORK.*AK (TIRESIZE: 15 INCH)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 15 INCH )
NHTSA ID
733971
Incident
Dec 1, 1998
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Jul 18, 2000
THE JACK POPS OFF THE RIDGE UNDER THE CAR WHEN LIFTING THE CAR. THIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND COULD HAVE CAUSED THE CAR TO DROP ON USE WHILE CHANGING THE TIRE. SECOND PROBLEM: ON INSPECTING THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, THEY WERE WORN DOWN MORE THAN WHAT ONE WOULD EXPECT AT 40K. THERE WAS STILL PAD LEFT. THIS WOULD INDICATE POOR MATERIALS IN THE ROTOR.*AK
NHTSA ID
725628
Incident
Jul 17, 2000
BrakesInterior & seatsVisibility
Filed Dec 5, 1999
FREEZING DOOR LOCKS, BROKEN WINDOW REGULATORS, INABILITY TO USE AFTERMARKET DISC BRAKE PADS AND OTHER ITEMS ARE ACKNOWLEDGED BY VW IN "TECHNICAL BULLETINS" BUT CUSTOMER MUST PAY FOR THEIR ERRORS. I AM HAPPY TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFO. ABOUT THIS IF CONTACTED. CUSTOMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR MANUFACTURER ERRORS (ACKNOWLEDGED BY MANUFACTURER.)
NHTSA ID
715652
Brakes
Filed Aug 10, 1999
THE ENTIRE ABS HAS FAILED. THIS INCLUDES THE ECM, THE ABS PUMP AND THE SENSOR. THIS WILL COST OVER $1600.00 TO FIX. THE CAR IS BARELY 3 YEARS OLD.
NHTSA ID
709828
Incident
Jun 5, 1999
BrakesInterior & seats
Filed Dec 29, 1998
WHEN DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THEY GRIND AND SQUEAK, AND THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. ALSO, HOOD LATCH NEEDS TO BE FIXED DUE TO THE HOOD FLYING UP WHILE DRIVING WHICH COULD BLIND THE CONSUMER. *AK
NHTSA ID
832752
Incident
Sep 15, 1998
Brakes
Filed Oct 6, 1998
Crash reported2 injuries reported
CONSUMER HAD ACCIDENT ON FREEWAY. ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT CONSUMER FROM BEHIND BECAUSE WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON, AND THE ONCOMING VEHICLE DID NOT KNOW THAT HE WAS STOPPING. *AK
NHTSA ID
828652
Incident
Sep 7, 1998
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical+2 more
Filed Sep 29, 1998
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. WHEN DRIVING IN WET WEATHER CONDITIONS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL CUT OFF. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. AT TIMES, WILL NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER . ALSO, REPLACED TRANSMISSION/ THROTTLE BODY AND ALTERNATOR. IN ADDITION, FRONT BRAKE ROTORS FAILED AND FRONT PADS CRACKED/ENGINE IDLES/BUCKS AND STALLS. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON/OFF. *AK
NHTSA ID
827314
Incident
Oct 21, 1996
Brakes
Filed Jun 12, 1998
BRAKE ROTOR FAILURE.
NHTSA ID
536837
Incident
Jun 12, 1998
BrakesHeating & air conditioning
Filed May 28, 1998
1 injury reported
BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA ID
536336
Incident
May 28, 1998
BrakesInterior & seatsSuspension+1 more
Filed Oct 24, 1997
INTERMITTENT BRAKE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, FRONT END VIBRATES AND VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT/PASSENGER'S SEAT CAME OFF THE TRACK/ STEEERING WHEEL BOLT CRACKED TWICE, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING/WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TWICE IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES AND REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULBS NEED TO BE REPLACED EVERY OTHER MONTH DUE TO PREMATURE FAILURE. *AK
NHTSA ID
526270
Brakes
Filed Sep 23, 1997
WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMALCONDITIONS POWER ASSISTED BRAKES LOST ALL PRESSURE, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKES. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN PLEASE DESCRIBE INCIDENTS. *AK
NHTSA ID
816578
Brakes
Filed Jun 20, 1997
Crash reported
TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE; WHILE DRIVING AT OR ABOUT 10 MPH OWNER TRIED TO STOP VEHICLE BY PUSHING BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP WITH THE REGULAR BRAKE SYSTEM , SO SHE APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED . *AK
NHTSA ID
813333
Incident
Jun 17, 1997
Brakes
Filed Jan 15, 1997
BRAKE FAILURE, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, LOSS OF EFFECTIVENESS, TO STOP VEHICLE USED THE PARKING EMERGENCY BRAKE. *AK
NHTSA ID
807690
Incident
Oct 1, 1996
Brakes
Filed Apr 18, 1996
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THEY VIBRATE AND MAKE VERY LOUD NOISE. *AK
NHTSA ID
982995
Incident
Mar 22, 1996
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.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own