IllustrationWHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBACK BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO FALL BACKWARDS. *AK
1987 Volkswagen Jetta
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Jetta years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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: 0 of 18 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.
- Visibility. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 2 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 reports1 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
18 reportsBRACKET HOLDING ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TOGETHER BROKE, DUE TO BEING MADE OF ALUMINUM, CAUSING FAILURE OF VEHICLES FINAL DRIVE. *DSH
THE FUEL SYSTEM HAS A VAPOR FORMING WHICH HAPPENS IN HOT WEATHER OR HEAVY TRAFFIC AND CAUSES THE CAR TO SHUT OFF. TT CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 87V053 REGARDING A FAULTY FUEL PUMP, OVER THE YEARS AFTER REPAIR, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HESITATION AND STALLING IN HOT CONDITIONS OR HEAVY TRAFFIC, CONSUMER STATES PRIOR TO HESITATION OR S…
Read full complaint
THE FUEL SYSTEM HAS A VAPOR FORMING WHICH HAPPENS IN HOT WEATHER OR HEAVY TRAFFIC AND CAUSES THE CAR TO SHUT OFF. TT CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 87V053 REGARDING A FAULTY FUEL PUMP, OVER THE YEARS AFTER REPAIR, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HESITATION AND STALLING IN HOT CONDITIONS OR HEAVY TRAFFIC, CONSUMER STATES PRIOR TO HESITATION OR STALLING, FUEL PUMP WOULD MAKE A HUMMING NOISE. *SLC
WINDSHIELD HAS BECOME PITTED, CAUSING DIFFICULTY TO SEE THE ROAD. TT
SHOULDER BELT WILL STICK IN COLD WEATHER. DRIVER STATES MUST RIDE WITHOUT BELT UNTIL VEHICLE WARMS. TT
HEATER CORE BURST, CAUSING INJURY. *TW
ELECTRICAL FIRE, ORIGINATING AT FUSE BOX AND PRECEDED BY A CLICKING NOISE. *TW
PASSENGERS SEATBELT LOCKS UP IN ITS POSITION, SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT PULL OUT SO THAT PASSENGER CANNOT SLIP IT ON, ALSO WHEN LOCKED, IT RESTRICTS MOVEMENT. *AK
Official recalls
392V050000 · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:heater Core
Apr 14, 1992
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.
89V221000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Dec 8, 1989
No summary supplied.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PROLONGED CHAFING COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE A LEAKING BRAKELINE RESULTING IN DIMINISHED BRAKING IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT WHICH WOULD INCREASETHE STOPPING DISTANCES AND RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: CURVE OR REPLACE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE.
87V053000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Apr 14, 1987
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
3DP92003 · Defective Heater Cores
Opened Mar 3, 1992 · Closed Mar 23, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
DEFECTIVE HEATER CORES
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