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1995 Volkswagen Jetta

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Jetta years

Owner complaints for the 1995 Volkswagen Jetta are substantially higher than the model-year median of 68.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 20 of 220 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

21 crash reports11 fire reports17 injury reports

Tires complaints

5 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2006
Tires

I HAD A COMPLETE BLOWOUT WHERE THE WHOLE TIRE RIPPED AWAY FROM THE TIRE WALL. THE TIRE HAD BEEN INSTALLED LESS THAN 24 HOURS. AT THE TIME I HAD SLOWED DOWN AND BEGUN TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AFTER NOTICING THAT MY CAR WAS SHAKING SLIGHTLY. AS I REDUCED MY SPEED FROM 75 MPH TO 30 MPH, THE TIRE BROKE LOOSE AND I WAS DRIVING ON THE RIM…

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I HAD A COMPLETE BLOWOUT WHERE THE WHOLE TIRE RIPPED AWAY FROM THE TIRE WALL. THE TIRE HAD BEEN INSTALLED LESS THAN 24 HOURS. AT THE TIME I HAD SLOWED DOWN AND BEGUN TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AFTER NOTICING THAT MY CAR WAS SHAKING SLIGHTLY. AS I REDUCED MY SPEED FROM 75 MPH TO 30 MPH, THE TIRE BROKE LOOSE AND I WAS DRIVING ON THE RIM. HAD I NOT PULLED OVER WHEN I DID, I HATE TO THINK WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10169684

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2000
Tires

THE TIRE THAT FAILED WAS A REPLACEMENT INSTALLED ON 3/14/98 AND IT HAD ONLY 32,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS REPAIRED BY A GOODYEAR DEALER FOR A LEAKING PROBLEM ON 8/21/2000. THE TIRE COMPLETELY FAILED ON 9/27/2000 WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO AN APPOINTMENT ON HIGHWAY 97. THE CAR STARTED TO VIBRATE AND THEN I COULD HEAR IT THUMPING THE …

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THE TIRE THAT FAILED WAS A REPLACEMENT INSTALLED ON 3/14/98 AND IT HAD ONLY 32,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS REPAIRED BY A GOODYEAR DEALER FOR A LEAKING PROBLEM ON 8/21/2000. THE TIRE COMPLETELY FAILED ON 9/27/2000 WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO AN APPOINTMENT ON HIGHWAY 97. THE CAR STARTED TO VIBRATE AND THEN I COULD HEAR IT THUMPING THE WHEEL WELL AS THE TREAD CAME OFF. I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE AND DRIVE TO THE SHOULDER IMMEDIATELY, WITH NO FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR. AFTER REMOVING THE TIRE, I OBSERVED THAT THE ENTIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FOM THE SIDEWALL ON THE EXTERIOR SIDE AND THE INTERIOR SIDE WAS 50% SEPARATED. THIS DAMAGE OCCURED WITHIN 50 YARDS OF MY FIRST AWARENESS OF A PROBLEM TO THE TIME I STOPPED. I BRAKED GRADUALLY TO LEAVE THE ROAD AT A SAFE SPEED. FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THERE WAS NO OBVIOUS HOLE OR DAMAGE TO THE ACTUAL TREAD SURFACE. I DECIDED TO REPORT THIS ISSUE BASED ON THE CURRENT SITUATION WITH FIRESTONE TIRES. I ALSO FEEL THAT I AM FORTUNATE TO HAVE SURVIVED WITHOUT DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. I INTEND TO PURSUE THIS INCIDENT WITH THE TIRE DEALERSHIP AND/OR GOODYEAR FOR REPLACEMENT OR COMPENSATION OF THE FAILED TIRE, AT NO FURTHER COST TO MYSELF. I WOULD BE GLAD TO DISCUSS THIS INCIDENT AND I HAVE PICTURES OF THE FAILED TIRE, ALTHOUGH I DID NOT TAKE PICTURES AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY IF THIS PRODUCT IS PART OF A LARGER PRODUCT FAILURE INVESTIGATION.*AK (DOT NUMBER: JDR046 TIRESIZE: 195/60R14)

NHTSA ODI #733358

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2000
Tires

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT 1995 VOLKSWAGEN, JETTA, BUT BOUGHT USED, TIRE SIZE P19560R14, ALL TIRES WERE PROPERLY MAINTAINED, PROPER AIR PRESSURE ETC. FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TREAD CAME OFF WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. SEP 16, LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD CAME OFF, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. *AK

NHTSA ODI #871071

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 1996
Fuel System, GasolineTires

RIGHT REAR GOODYEAR TIRE BLEW OUT, CRACKING PLASTIC GAS TANK

NHTSA ODI #507866

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

Official recalls

4

98V195000 · 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.

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

4

EA00028 · 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