Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 14 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
14 reports
97,869 miles · Sep 27, 2010
VisibilityInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED ANTIFREEZE ABNORMALLY LEAKING ONTO HER FOOT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS TO HER FOOT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE HEATER CORE HAD FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE ANTI-FREEZE T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED ANTIFREEZE ABNORMALLY LEAKING ONTO HER FOOT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS TO HER FOOT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE HEATER CORE HAD FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK ONTO THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,869.
NHTSA ODI #10357943
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2002
Fuel System, GasolineVisibility
THERE IS A WEAK MELTED SEAL IN THE FUEL BOX WHICH IS LEAKING. *JG THE HEATER CORE WAS RECALLED. RECALL# 87V053000 *SCC
NHTSA ODI #786201
Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline
I FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP LOCATED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. DURING LONG IDLING MY FUEL PUMP MAKES ALOT OF NOISE THEN SHUTS DOWN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A VERY LONG TIME AND THE MANUFACTURE STATED THERE WAS NO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. ITS AMAZING THAT I HAVE PUT UP WITH THIS FOR THIS LONG. I SPENT MANY HARD …
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I FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP LOCATED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. DURING LONG IDLING MY FUEL PUMP MAKES ALOT OF NOISE THEN SHUTS DOWN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A VERY LONG TIME AND THE MANUFACTURE STATED THERE WAS NO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. ITS AMAZING THAT I HAVE PUT UP WITH THIS FOR THIS LONG. I SPENT MANY HARD EARN DOLLARS TO TRY TO FIGURE THIS PROBLEM OUT AND STILL HASN'T BEEN FIXED BECAUSE NOONE COULD FIGURE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. WAS THERE A RECALL ON THIS PART AND DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE . THANK YOU. *AK
NHTSA ODI #756063
Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
VEHICLE SPUTTERS AND THEN STALLS WHILE IDLING AND IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. WORSE DURING HIGH TEMPERATURES. WILL NOT RESTART FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES. FUEL PUMP MAKES WHINING NOISES.
NHTSA ODI #724727
Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2000
Structure
A SUDDEN FAILURE FROM THE FRACTURE OF THE METAL HOLDING THE PART OF THE K-FRAME WHICH HOLDS THE LOWER LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION MEMBER, STEERING CONTROL BECAME SUDDENLY VERRY SLOPPY, NEARLY RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH ADJOINING TRAFFIC. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE SECOND FALURE OF THIS MEMBER ON THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER WANTED TO SELL…
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A SUDDEN FAILURE FROM THE FRACTURE OF THE METAL HOLDING THE PART OF THE K-FRAME WHICH HOLDS THE LOWER LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION MEMBER, STEERING CONTROL BECAME SUDDENLY VERRY SLOPPY, NEARLY RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH ADJOINING TRAFFIC. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE SECOND FALURE OF THIS MEMBER ON THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER WANTED TO SELL ME PARTS AND LABOR BUT WAS OTHERWISE NOT INTERESTED. IT SEEMED WHEN I WAS INQUIRING ABOUT PARTS AVAILABILITY THAT THIS MAY NOT BE AN UNCOMMON FAILURE TO OCCURR ON THIS VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #717266
Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION ON CAR DID NOT START UP. THIS WAS DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #852728
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 1997
Visibility
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THE HEATER CORE. THE DEALER HAD TO REMOVE THE AIR DUCT SEALS. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THE SEALS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED . DEALER HAD TO REMOVE SEALS IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE RECALL. DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE THE SEALS UNLESS THE OWNER PAYS FOR THEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #816957
Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 1997
Electrical System
STARTER FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #519190
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE INNER PADS ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT BOTH SEPARATED COMPLETELY FROM THE BACK PLATES AND PUSHED DOWN IN THE CALIPER, RUBBING AGAINST THE ROTOR.
THE END CAP CONNECTING THE HEAT EXCHANGER'S CORE TO THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM COULD RUPTURE AND ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE COOLANT ESCAPING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COULDCONTACT THE DRIVER'S FEET AND INJURE THE DRIVER. ALSO, STEAM FROM THE HEATEDLIQUID WILL CLOUD ON THE WINDOW SURFACES AND IMPAIR THE DRIVER'S VISION ANDCOULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE HEATER CORE WITH AN IMPROVED HEATER CORE.
FUEL PUMP, LOCATED INSIDE FUEL TANK, COULD SEIZE DURING HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BECAUSE OF AN EXTREME FINE MESH FUEL FILTER RESTRICTING THE FUEL FLOW.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL SUPPLY TO ENGINE WOULD BE PARTIALLY INTERRUPTED,RESULTING IN STALLING.
Remedy: INSTALL A MODIFIED FUEL PUMP AND FILTER.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3
EA91054 · Heater Core Failure
Opened Dec 9, 1991 · Closed Jun 12, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
There is no summary currently available
PE91114 · Heater Core Failure
Opened Aug 26, 1991 · Closed Dec 9, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
There is no summary currently available
PE91031 · Engine Mount Failure
Opened Jan 14, 1991 · Closed Apr 29, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
1986 Volkswagen Jetta Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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