NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Suspension complaints
11 reportsClear category filter68,000 miles · Jun 24, 2007
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
WELL, I' HAD SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE 1995 VW JETTA III. FIRST, I HAD TO PUT 2 NEW STRUTS PLUS A WHOLE NEW EXHAUST SYSTEM. NEXT, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED TO WORK. IT WAS TAXING ON THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION, AND IT COSTS OVER $450 USD TO REPAIR. ON MY WAY HOME FROM A 2 1/2 HOUR TRI THE CAR STALLED FOR NO APPARENT R…
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WELL, I' HAD SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE 1995 VW JETTA III. FIRST, I HAD TO PUT 2 NEW STRUTS PLUS A WHOLE NEW EXHAUST SYSTEM. NEXT, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED TO WORK. IT WAS TAXING ON THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION, AND IT COSTS OVER $450 USD TO REPAIR. ON MY WAY HOME FROM A 2 1/2 HOUR TRI THE CAR STALLED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I HAD TO PUSH THE CAR OFF THE ROAD, AND WHEN I CHECKED THE OIL I WAS SHOCKED TO DISCOVER I BARELY HAD HALF A QUART IN IT , AFTER HAVING AN OIL CHANGE LESS THAN 1200 MILES AGO. I GOT THE CAR HOME, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET THAT COST ME $900 USD. I GOT THE CAR FIXED, AND IT WAS RUNNING FINE FOR A WHILE, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED STALLING AT RANDOM MOMENTS. ONE TIME, I WAS ON A NASTY MOUNTAIN ROAD, WITH NO PLACE TO STOP, I ALMOST HIT A ROCK WALL, I WAS BARELY ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FINED THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. IT TOOK THEM 3 TIMES TO FIND OUT THAT IT WAS A CLOGGED FUEL PUMP. I ALSO HAVE A DUMMY AIR BAG LIGHT THAT NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT, AND NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I ASKED MY MECHANIC COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHY THE BATTERY LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. ANOTHER PROBLEM WAS THE WINDSHIELD COWL THAT PROTECTED THE CAR AND ENGINE FROM DEBRIS. IT WAS COMPLETELY DRY ROTTED, CAUSING WATER TO LEAK INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE FOOT WELLS. MY MOST RECENT PROBLEM HAS BEEN BEEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR. MY BACK DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW HAS BEEN BROKEN SINCE I GOT THE CAR, BUT THIS WA SA NEW PROBLEM. APPARENTLY, YOU COULD NOT BUY JUST THE WINDOW REGULATOR, AND YOU HAVE TO BUY THE MOTOR AS WELL. I'M TIRED OF THE CAR, AND IT WAS UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE I LOVE DRIVING IT. IT WAS A NICE LOOKING CAR. ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS HAPPENE DTHE LAST YEAR, AND IT COST ME OVER $3,500 USD TO HAVE THEM FIXED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10194082
100,000 miles · Mar 22, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkages
WHERE TO START? PROBLEM WITH THE LOCK CYLINDERS, WHICH BROKE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS BLOWN OUT, REPLACED THE BULBS AND 1 MONTH LATER THEY ARE BLOWN OUT AGAIN, WINDOW REGULATORS FAILED, THE STEEL CABLE SNAPPED INSIDE THE HOUSING FAULTY DESIGNED WHEEL AND MOTORS BLOWN, CAN NOT BUY MOTORS SEPARATELY NEED …
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WHERE TO START? PROBLEM WITH THE LOCK CYLINDERS, WHICH BROKE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS BLOWN OUT, REPLACED THE BULBS AND 1 MONTH LATER THEY ARE BLOWN OUT AGAIN, WINDOW REGULATORS FAILED, THE STEEL CABLE SNAPPED INSIDE THE HOUSING FAULTY DESIGNED WHEEL AND MOTORS BLOWN, CAN NOT BUY MOTORS SEPARATELY NEED TO BUY THE WHOLE REGULATOR WHICH COSTS OVER $200, PAINT PEELED AND CRACKED, SIDE MOLDING FELL OFF HAD TO RE-GLUE, AND THAT IS ALL I CAN THINK OF OFF HAND I AM NOT INCLUDING THE NUMEROUS SUSPENSION AND EXHAUST PROBLEMS.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10010897
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspensionCrash
WHILE DRIVING, ENTIRE WHEEL FELL OFF AND VEHICLE ROLLED OVER, CONSUMER HIRED AN INVESTIGATOR TO STUDY THE ACCIDENT, HIS PHONE NUMBER IS 303-661-0638, HE BELIEVES THAT THE BRAKE ROTOR DISC FROZE, HE NOTED EVEIDENCE OF BURN WITH THE AXLE BENT AND SNAPPED RESULTING IN THE ACCIDENT. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #877256
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2000
Suspension
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION FRONT END HAD BROKEN AWAY FROM VEHICLE, CAUSING ENGINE TO DROP. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #874111
Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspensionVehicle Speed Control
LESS THAN 48HOURS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR - IT SHUT DOWN ON ME IN BROOKLYN- IT WOULD NOT START OR TURNOVER, SO I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER BY FLATBED TRUCK. THE NEXT DAY I WAS TOLD TO COME AND PICK IT UP AS THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE VEHICLE WAS ADVERTISE AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED CAR - BUT I HAVE BEEN DISCOVERING MANY P…
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LESS THAN 48HOURS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR - IT SHUT DOWN ON ME IN BROOKLYN- IT WOULD NOT START OR TURNOVER, SO I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER BY FLATBED TRUCK. THE NEXT DAY I WAS TOLD TO COME AND PICK IT UP AS THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE VEHICLE WAS ADVERTISE AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED CAR - BUT I HAVE BEEN DISCOVERING MANY PROBLEMS WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED BEFORE SALE. THE WHEELS WERE NOT ALIGNED, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT ALIGNED, THE DUAL HEATED SEATS DO NOT WORK, THE ENGINE SQUEAKS A BIT AND THE FRONT WINDSCREEN HAS POOR VISABILITY. AND LAST NIGHT THE SPEEDOMETER AND CAR TEMP NEEDLE BOTH DROPPED TO READING "0". WE HAVE ASKED THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INFO ON THE CAR SINCE PURCHASE AND THEY HAVE SO FAR FAILED TO PROVIDE AND PAST HISTORY WITH THE CAR.THEY HAVE ALSO FAILED TO PROVIDE US WITH A MANUAL FOR THE CAR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #719998
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 1996
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment
BACK UP LIGHTS FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #506997
Mileage unknown · May 28, 1996
SteeringSuspension
LEAKY POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION REPLACED, CAUSNG LOSS OF POWER STEERING, ALSO STEERING COLUMN SMOKED. *SD
NHTSA ODI #504767
Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 1996
SuspensionTires
VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, DEALER INFORMED OWNER OF GOODYEAR TIRE PROBLEM, GOODYEAR SAID THE PROBLEM IS WITH VEHICLE'S SUSPENSION. *AK THERE WAS A PRODUCT SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THE GOODYEAR INVICTA GL TIRES, SIZE P185/60R14 STATING THAT THESE TIRES MAY EXPERIENCE PREMATURE WEAR, CONSUMER LISTED …
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VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, DEALER INFORMED OWNER OF GOODYEAR TIRE PROBLEM, GOODYEAR SAID THE PROBLEM IS WITH VEHICLE'S SUSPENSION. *AK THERE WAS A PRODUCT SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THE GOODYEAR INVICTA GL TIRES, SIZE P185/60R14 STATING THAT THESE TIRES MAY EXPERIENCE PREMATURE WEAR, CONSUMER LISTED DOT NUMBER AS 321615301. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #982282
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 1996
Suspension
FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED PREMATURELY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #979998
Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 1995
Electrical SystemEquipmentInterior Lighting
IGNITION LOCK FAILED, CAUSING KEY TO STICK IN LOCK.
NHTSA ODI #601207
NHTSA investigations
4EA00028 · 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.
PE98037 · Hood Latch Failure
Opened Jul 1, 1998 · Closed Jul 20, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
ODI HAS RECEIVED THREE REPORTS, INCLUDING THE PETITIONERS, REGARDING ALLEGED HOOD LATCH FAILURES.ALL OF THE ODI REPORTS INDICATE THE HOOD FLEW UP WHILE DRIVING.FOLLOWING A TELEPHONE INQUIRY, VOLKSWAGEN PROVIDED ODI WITH SOME LIMITED INFORMATION REGARDING SIX ADDITIONAL REPORTS OF HOOD FLY-UP FOR MODEL YEARS 1995 AND 1996.THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.DEFECT DESCRIPTION:IT IS POSSIBLE THAT ON SOME OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES THE BOLTS SECURING THE FRONT HOOD LATCH MAY LOSE THEIR SPECIFIED FASTENING TORQUE OVER TIME.SHOULD THIS HAPPEN, THE LATCH COULD MOVE OUT OF ITS DESIGN POSITION AND CAUSE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE HOOD STRIKER FROM THE LATCH.IN SOME VEHICLES THE LATCH MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ALIGNED DURING PRODUCTION.REPEATED OPENING AND CLOSING OF THE HOOD WITH AN IMPROPERLY ALIGNED LATCH COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE LATCH.EITHER CONDITION COULD RESULT IN UNEXPECTED OPENING OF THE HOOD AND COULD OBSTRUCT A PORTION OF THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING, AND RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.REMEDY: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC. WILL INITIATE A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL INSTRUCTING ITS AUTHORIZED DEALERS TO CHECK THE HOOD LATCH AND SECURING BOLTS AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY.
DP98006 · Hood FLY-UP
Opened Jun 11, 1998 · Closed Jul 1, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available