IllustrationTHE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE OIL PAN. WHILE DRIVING SMELLED FUEL, AND THE OIL LEAKS FROM THE PAN. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. IN ADDITION, THE RADIATOR FAN DOESN'T COME ON WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT.*AK
1994 Volkswagen Jetta
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1994 Volkswagen Jetta do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 68.
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: 3 of 117 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.
- Equipment. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports5 fire reports7 injury reports
What owners actually said
117 reportsCONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH DEALER HONORING MFR. RECALL PERTAINING TO REAR BRAKE LINE; THE REAR BRAKE LINE ON PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO THE CORMNER OF THE CORNER OF THE FUEL TANK. THE LINE COULD BE DAMAGED BY CHAFING AGAINST THE FUEL TANK. DEALER SUPPOSED TO INSPECT THE LINE AND REPLACE ANY DAMAGED LINES. N…
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CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH DEALER HONORING MFR. RECALL PERTAINING TO REAR BRAKE LINE; THE REAR BRAKE LINE ON PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO THE CORMNER OF THE CORNER OF THE FUEL TANK. THE LINE COULD BE DAMAGED BY CHAFING AGAINST THE FUEL TANK. DEALER SUPPOSED TO INSPECT THE LINE AND REPLACE ANY DAMAGED LINES. NHTSA RECALL # 98V-195. *AK
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH GETTING DEALER TO HONOR RECALL NOTICE PERTAINING TO HOOD LOCK/ HOOD LATCH ; BOLT SECURING THE FRONT HOOD LATCH CAN LOOSEN OVER TIME, THE LATCH/LOCK WOULD MOVE CAUSING DISENGAGEMENT OF THE HOOD STRIKEN FROM THE LATCH. DEALER SUPPOSED TO INSPECT THE HOOD LATCH/LOCK AND SECURE BOLTS AND REPLACE TH…
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CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH GETTING DEALER TO HONOR RECALL NOTICE PERTAINING TO HOOD LOCK/ HOOD LATCH ; BOLT SECURING THE FRONT HOOD LATCH CAN LOOSEN OVER TIME, THE LATCH/LOCK WOULD MOVE CAUSING DISENGAGEMENT OF THE HOOD STRIKEN FROM THE LATCH. DEALER SUPPOSED TO INSPECT THE HOOD LATCH/LOCK AND SECURE BOLTS AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY. *AK
AIR/HEAT CONTROL MOTOR FAILED CAUSING SWITCH TO MELT THE PLASTIC HANDLE AND CRACKS THE DASH.
CONSUMER HAS RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM VOLKSWAGEN FOR THE REAR BRAKE LINE, BACK IN JUNE THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALER REPLACED TIMING BELT AND OTHER BELTS. PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS AND VIN#. *AK
PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM AFTER 60 DAYS OF RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE AND CONTACTING THE DEALER. *AK
RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED 60 DAYS AGO, AND THE DEALER STILL DOES NOT HAVE PARTS AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE HOOD LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE DOESN'T WORK, CAUSING THE HOOD TO POP OPEN. CONTATCTED DEALER AND THEY CAN'T SERVICE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THEY RECEIVE THE PART. *AK
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ,AND THEY PUT IT ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. DEALER SAID IT WAS A FAULTY DISTRIBUTOR CAP. *AK
Official recalls
598V195000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Aug 17, 1998
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: REPEATED CHAFING COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A LEAKING BRAKE LINE CAUSING DIMINISHED BRAKING IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT INCREASING THE VEHICLE'S STOPPING DISTANCE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LINE AND REPLACE ANY DAMAGED LINES.
98V160000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
Jul 16, 1998
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNEXPECTED OPENING OF THE HOOD COULD OCCUR OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HOOD LATCH AND SECURING BOLTS AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY.
96V128000 · Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls
Jul 8, 1996
THE SHEET METAL PANELS OF BOTH REAR DOORS HAVE OPENINGS FOR THE ROUTING OF THE ELECTRICAL WINDOW REGULATOR WIRING. THE PANEL OPENINGS HAVE SHARP EDGES THAT CAN DAMAGE THE INSULATION OF THE WIRING HARNESS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE EDGE COVER IN BOTH REAR DOOR INNER PANEL OPENINGS.
95V178000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan
Sep 20, 1995
IMPROPER MATERIAL WAS USED IN MANUFACTURING THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAUSING THE SHAFT TO WEAR AND BECOME NOISY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A WORN AND NOISY FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAN SEIZE RENDERINGTHE FAN MOTOR INOPERATIVE, EVENTUALLY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND STALL. A STALLED VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC CAN INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COMPLETE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLE HAVING THE POTENTIAL SHAFT MATERIAL PROBLEM. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FAN BLADE INCLUDING A NEW LOCK NUT ON VEHICLE WITH LOOSE FAN BLADE LOCK NUTS.
95V054000 · Equipment:mechanical:accessory Scissor/screw/bottle Jack/lift; Equipment:mechanical:integrated Jack/leveler/stabilizer
Mar 13, 1995
THE JACKS SUPPLIED WITH THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MACHINED SPINDLE, SO THAT A SHARP RIDGE ON THE EDGE OF SPINDLE'S THREAD WOULD HAVE REMAINED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS RIDGE CAN DAMAGE THE INSIDE THREAD OF THE JACK'S SCISSOR SHOE WHEN THE JACK IS USED TO LIFT THE VEHICLE. THE JACK COULD COLLAPSE WITH THE POSSIBILITY THAT A PERSON STANDING CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE COULD BE INJURED.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A NEW JACK.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Equipment:mechanical:integrated Jack/leveler/stabilizer
THE JACKS SUPPLIED WITH THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MACHINED SPINDLE, SO THAT A SHARP RIDGE ON THE EDGE OF SPINDLE'S THREAD WOULD HAVE REMAINED.
Consequence: THIS RIDGE CAN DAMAGE THE INSIDE THREAD OF THE JACK'S SCISSOR SHOE WHEN THE JACK IS USED TO LIFT THE VEHICLE. THE JACK COULD COLLAPSE WITH THE POSSIBILITY THAT A PERSON STANDING CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE COULD BE INJURED.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A NEW JACK.
Equipment:mechanical:accessory Scissor/screw/bottle Jack/lift
THE JACKS SUPPLIED WITH THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MACHINED SPINDLE, SO THAT A SHARP RIDGE ON THE EDGE OF SPINDLE'S THREAD WOULD HAVE REMAINED.
Consequence: THIS RIDGE CAN DAMAGE THE INSIDE THREAD OF THE JACK'S SCISSOR SHOE WHEN THE JACK IS USED TO LIFT THE VEHICLE. THE JACK COULD COLLAPSE WITH THE POSSIBILITY THAT A PERSON STANDING CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE COULD BE INJURED.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A NEW JACK.
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
2EA00028 · Fuel Tank Puncture
Opened Dec 28, 2000 · Closed Jan 29, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
No summary supplied.
PE00033 · Fuel Tank Puncture
Opened Aug 10, 2000 · Closed Dec 28, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
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.