IllustrationENGINE FAN STOPPED OPERATING WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSED ENGINE TO LOCK UP. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
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 →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: 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
What owners actually said
220 reportsCONSUMER STATE THAT BACK LEFT SEABELT STUCK, WILL NOT TIGHTEN, AND CAR IS MISSING BACK SEAT MIDDLE SEATBELT. *MJ
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD BLOW A FUSE WHENEVER WIPERS WERE USED WITHIN 10 MINUTES OR LESS. DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
WHILE DRIVING WIRING HARNESS UNDER DASH CAUGHT ON FIRE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT BOTH THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS AND THE WIRING GOING TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *YH
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM FAN RECALL, COMPANY STATES MY CAR ISNT AFFECTED. HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FAN BEING NOISYAND OVERHEATING. *AK
WINDOW MOVES ERRATICALLY OR OPPOSITE OF DIRECTION INTENDED, CAN CLOSE ON HAND ACCIDENTLY. *AK
WHILE DRIVING, HOOD FLEW UP AND SMASHED INTO THE WINDSHIELD, DEALERSHIP WAS IN POSESSION OF VEHICLE FOR 30 DAYS, CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE OF RECALL 98V16 UNTIL THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED, DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER WANTS DEALERSHIP TO PAY FOR ALL CHARGES SINCE THIS VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN. *SL…
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WHILE DRIVING, HOOD FLEW UP AND SMASHED INTO THE WINDSHIELD, DEALERSHIP WAS IN POSESSION OF VEHICLE FOR 30 DAYS, CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE OF RECALL 98V16 UNTIL THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED, DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER WANTS DEALERSHIP TO PAY FOR ALL CHARGES SINCE THIS VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN. *SLC
DOZEN POWER WINDOW REGULATOR AND MOTOR FAILURES SINCE NEW. FIRST ONE AT 4,373 MILES. ABOUT ONCE EVERY SIX MONTHS ON AVERAGE I HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE WINDOW FALLING INTO THE DOOR OR GETTING STUCK UP. I'VE PAID THROUGH THE NOSE TO GET THESE REPAIRED. I'VE TALLIED QUITE A BIT OF SIMILAR AND IDENTICAL INCIDENTS OF THIS PROBLEM, IN OT…
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DOZEN POWER WINDOW REGULATOR AND MOTOR FAILURES SINCE NEW. FIRST ONE AT 4,373 MILES. ABOUT ONCE EVERY SIX MONTHS ON AVERAGE I HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE WINDOW FALLING INTO THE DOOR OR GETTING STUCK UP. I'VE PAID THROUGH THE NOSE TO GET THESE REPAIRED. I'VE TALLIED QUITE A BIT OF SIMILAR AND IDENTICAL INCIDENTS OF THIS PROBLEM, IN OTHER MODELS AS WELL, AND I THINK IT'S ABOUT TIME VW IS FORCED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THEY'VE DUPPED THOUSANDS OF OWNERS ON THIS PROBLEM AND THEIR CLAIM THAT THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED SHOULDN'T BE ACCEPTED ANYMORE, ESPECIALLY IF THE FAILURES OCCURED UNDER WARRANTY AND THEN CONTINUALLY BREAK AFTERWARD. THE NHTSA OUGHT TO HELP ALL THE OWNERS FILE A CLASS ACTION SUIT ON BEHALF OF THE OWNERS TO COMPENSATE THEM FOR THEIR TROUBLES AND FRUSTRATIONS. LEAVING YOUR CAR AT A DEALERSHIP ISN'T EXACTLY CONVENIENT, AND HAVING TO DO IT REPEATEDLY FOR THE SAME PROBLEM SHOULD BE UNACCEPTABLE TO THE INDUSTRY AND THE INDUSTRY REGULATORS (YOU). MY FAMILY ALSO OWNS A 1986 HONDA ACCORD WITH 190,000 ON IT AND NOT ONCE IN 15 YEARS HAS ANY OF ITS WINDOW REGULATORS OR MOTORS FAILED. VW JETTA'S AREN'T THE ONLY MODEL SUSCEPTABLE TO THIS FAILURE, PASSATS AND EVEN THE NEW BEETLE HAVE IDENTICAL FAILURES FOR MANY YEARS, I JUST RESEARCHED IT ON YOUR OWN SITE. ADD UP THE COMPLAINTS AND YOU'LL FIND THERE'S SIGNIFICANT REASON TO ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT FOR THE OWNERS AND AMPLE REASON TO FINE VW AND FORCE THEM TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR FAILURES BY REIMBURSING THE PEOPLE WHO KEEP THEM IN BUSINESS, THEIR CUSTOMERS. THANK YOU. TODD CALLAHAN
THIS IS THE THIRD DISTRIBUTOR INSTALLED ON THIS VEHICLE. THE ORIGINAL DISTRIBUTOR FAILED AT 24K. THAT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AN THAT ONE FAILED AT 97,500. THE FAILURE RESULTS IN THE VEHICLE STUMBLING, AND STALLING IN TRAFFIC*AK.
DRIVER DOOR IS MISALIGNED. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON FIVE OCCASIONS, AND UNABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
Official recalls
498V195000 · 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
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