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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

What owners actually said

220 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2001
Visibility

BOTH REAR POWER WINDOWS CANNOT BE OPERATED BY REAR SWITCHES OR BY FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SWITCHES. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFOMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY AND NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER COST. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #889580

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2001
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

MASTER COMPUTER ORIGINALLY BLOWN 4/15/00, MILEAGE 93,000. REPAIRED AND REPLACED 5/00. BLOWN AGAIN 4/01/01. 11 MONTHS AND 17,000 MILES LATER AT 110,000. MASTER COMPUTER TIMING MECHANISM CONTROLLING THROTTLE SECTION ONLY WENT OUT AND CAUSING THE CAR TO REACT TO LATE TO THROTTLE PRESSURE OR OVERTHROTTLE. THE CAR SURGES, HESITA…

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MASTER COMPUTER ORIGINALLY BLOWN 4/15/00, MILEAGE 93,000. REPAIRED AND REPLACED 5/00. BLOWN AGAIN 4/01/01. 11 MONTHS AND 17,000 MILES LATER AT 110,000. MASTER COMPUTER TIMING MECHANISM CONTROLLING THROTTLE SECTION ONLY WENT OUT AND CAUSING THE CAR TO REACT TO LATE TO THROTTLE PRESSURE OR OVERTHROTTLE. THE CAR SURGES, HESITATES TO START AND LOSES ALL POWER INCLUDING STEERING IF ANY OTHER HEAVY ELECTRICAL COMPONETS REQUIRING ADDITIONAL AMPS SUCH AS A/C UNIT ARE ENGAGED. APRIL 1ST CAR WOULD REFUSED TO START, FINALLY STARTED AND SMELLED OF FUEL. APRIL 2ND CAR WAS TAKEN TO VW OF CONCORD CA. DIAGNOSIS, SPARK PLUGS AND $80.00. APRIL 3RD CAR DRIVEN AND SAME PROBLEM. APRIL 3RD-7TH CAR PARKED UNABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY. APRIL 7TH OR 8TH DROPPED IN THE NIGHT DROP FOR DIAGNOSIS ON APRIL 9TH. CAR WAS IN SHOP FROM APRIL9-APRIL24TH. APRIL 24TH PICKED UP CAR AND $250.00 BILL. DIAGNOSIS, FUEL INJECTOR CLEANING AND THROTTLE ADJUSTMENT. APRIL 25TH CAR STALLS 2 TIMES IN MOVING TRAFFIC. NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO SOUNDS AND NO WARNING. CAR WENT DEAD AND WAS COMPLETELY SILENT AND NO STEERING AND NO BRAKING. ROLLED TO STOP ON HIGHWAY AND TURNING IN TRAFFIC. NO WARNING EITHER TIME, JUST COMPLETELY DEAD. OWNER CALLED DEALER AND CAR WAS DRIVEN BACK TO SHOP APRIL 25TH. APRIL 22TH-MAY2ND CAR IN SHOP. MAY 3RD, DEALER THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. MAY 4TH, DEALER CALLED WAS NOT THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. MAY 5TH DEALER PHONED, PERHAPS IT IS THE MASTER COMPUTER, YET AGAIN. MAY 6TH CONFIMED IT IS THE MASTER COMPUTER. MAY 7TH-9TH NO CALL FROM DEALER, CAR STILL IN SHOP. MAY 9TH, OWNER CALLS VW-AMERICA TO FIND OUT ABOUT GETTING A POSSIBLE EXTENTION ON THIS WARRANTY AND WAS GIVEN REFERENCE NUMBER. VW-AMERICA WAS QUITE RUDE AND NON-INFORMATIONAL AND REFUSED TO SPEAK OF ANY POSSIBLE DEFECTS IN REPLACEMENT PARTS. MAY 14TH, CALLED BACK VW-AMERICA, ONCE AGAIN RUDE AND ALL OWNERSHIP INFORMATION WAS STILL INCORRECT THAT WAS TO BE CHANGED ON 5/11/01. 5/15 CAR STILL AT SHOP

NHTSA ODI #745390

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2001
Exterior Lighting

BACK LIGHT IN DISPLAY OF INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS GONE OUT. WHEN DEALER CONTACTED, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY, THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THAT PART. AFTER SPEAKING AND RESEARCHING MANY VW OWNERS, I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN THE SAME YEAR CAR. IT IS A COSTLY REPAIR (QUOTED $110), EVE…

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BACK LIGHT IN DISPLAY OF INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS GONE OUT. WHEN DEALER CONTACTED, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY, THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THAT PART. AFTER SPEAKING AND RESEARCHING MANY VW OWNERS, I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN THE SAME YEAR CAR. IT IS A COSTLY REPAIR (QUOTED $110), EVEN THOUGH MOST LIGHTS IN OTHER CARS NEVER GO OUT. THIS CAR IS NOT THAT OLD THAT IT SHOULD GO OUT. ALSO, IT CREATES A SAFETY RISK BECAUSE OF THE OBVIOUS, NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE ANYTHING CRUCIAL IN DISPLAY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #743295

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2001
Power Train

TRANSMISSION WOULD GO FORWARD WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE. MUCH NOISE WAS PRESENT. AT 100017 MILES DEALER CLAIMED TRANSMISSION WAS OK SO I SHOULD JUST DRIVE THE CAR. DEALER / VOLKS N.A. CLAIM MILEAGE EXCEEDED WARRANTY THEREFORE THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY PORTION OF THE COST OF REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #742524

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2001
Electrical System

CONSUMER FEELS THERE'S AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT DEALER CAN'T FIND. ONCE WHILE TURNING A CORNER VEHICLE DIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #881432

Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2001
Visibility

POWER WINDOW REGULATOR HAS GONE OUT ON ALL FOUR WINDOWS. THE COST IS AT LEAST 250.00 PER WINDOW TO FIX. I RESEARCHED THIS AND THERE HAS BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #741211

Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2001
Latches/locks/linkages

FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK CYLINDER CAME OUT WITH KEY! DEALER REPLACED, AS WELL AS REPLACING PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK. I WAS CHARGED LABOR AND PARTS. APPROX $110 . COMPLAINED TO VW OF AMERICA (CUSTOMER SERVICE) TOLD THAT LOCKS TO THEIR KNOWNLEDGE NOT A KNOWN PROBLEM! CAR OUT OF WARRENTY AND THEY COULD NOT MAKE ANY $ ARRA…

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FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK CYLINDER CAME OUT WITH KEY! DEALER REPLACED, AS WELL AS REPLACING PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK. I WAS CHARGED LABOR AND PARTS. APPROX $110 . COMPLAINED TO VW OF AMERICA (CUSTOMER SERVICE) TOLD THAT LOCKS TO THEIR KNOWNLEDGE NOT A KNOWN PROBLEM! CAR OUT OF WARRENTY AND THEY COULD NOT MAKE ANY $ ARRANGEMENT WITH ME. I HAVE REVIEWED NHTSA RECORDS FOR 95-6 JETTAS. SUM TOTAL OF AT LEAST 15 OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD DOOR LOCK CYLINDER PROBLEMS. LUCKILY I DID NOT GET LOCKED OUT OF CAR SOMEWHERE FAR FROM HOME! HOWEVER I WAS NOT ABLE TO LOCK THE CAR EITHER AGAINST THEFT! VW SHOULD AT LEAST FIX AN ITEM SUCH AS THIS NO CHARGE LOCK CYCLINDERS SHOULD NOT COME OUT, WHEN YOU LOCK OR UNLOCK YOUR CAR! THE LOCK CYLINDER MECHANISMS ARE FAILING UNDER NORMAL USAGE. THANK YOU FOR ATTETION TO THIS MATTER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #741068

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2001
Latches/locks/linkages

THE DRIVER'S SIDE CYLINDER LOCK HAS COME COMPLETELY OUT OF TH DOOR. THE TRUNK LOCK IS UNWORKABLE AND JUST FLOATS AROUND WHEN TRYING TO UTILIZE IT. DEALER HAS STATED THERE HAVE BEEN NO OTHER PROBLEMS REPORTED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #739407

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 · Nov 6, 2000
Visibility

THREE OF FOUR WINDOWS GET STUCK. THEY WILL NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN. HAVE TO PUSH BY HAND. NOW ONE WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS SHATTERED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #735845

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