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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 · May 18, 2000
Structure

THE DOOR LOCK PROBLEM IS ESPECIALLY PROBLEMATIC. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY INTO THE CAR AND VW CLAIMS THAT IT IS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX IT. A WOMAN, ME, WALKING ALONE IN A DARK PARKING LOT AT NIGHT WHO CAN'T GET INTO HER CAR COULD BE ROBBED OR RAPED. A CHILD, MINE, WHO MIGHT LOCK THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE AND ACCIDENTLY …

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THE DOOR LOCK PROBLEM IS ESPECIALLY PROBLEMATIC. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY INTO THE CAR AND VW CLAIMS THAT IT IS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX IT. A WOMAN, ME, WALKING ALONE IN A DARK PARKING LOT AT NIGHT WHO CAN'T GET INTO HER CAR COULD BE ROBBED OR RAPED. A CHILD, MINE, WHO MIGHT LOCK THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE AND ACCIDENTLY PUSH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOWN COULD SET THE CAR IN MOTION, ROLLING AND I WOULD NOT EASILY BE ABLE TO UNLOCK OR GET INTO THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND VW SHOULD BE FORCED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FIXING THIS. THEY CLAIM THERE IS A 2-YR WARRANTY ON THE DOOR LOCK CYLINDER. TO THIS, I SAY, RIDICULOUS. THAT MEANS THEY DO NOT INTEND FOR THEIR DOOR LOCKS TO LAST THE LIFE OR EVEN HALF THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD A SAAB AS MY LAST CAR AND I PROBABLY HAD TO REPLACE EVERY SQUARE INCH OF THAT CAR DURING IT'S 10 YR LIFETIME, BUT...I NEVER HAD TO REPLACE THE DOOR LOCKS. PLEASE HELP ME GET THIS VENDOR TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PRODUCT. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. SINCERELY, ANDREA COHEN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #722861

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2000
Electrical System

FIRST NOTICED WHEN A/C FAILED TO EMIT COOL AIR. DRIVING IN HOT WEATHER, HEAVY TRAFFIC; THEN TRAFFIC STARTS MOVING, SMELLED PAINFULLY STRONG BURNING SMELL, I STARTED TO COUGH, NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF CONTROL PANEL ON DASHBOARD; PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF CAR, WHITE SMOKE POURING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD; SHORT IN MAIN WIRE HAR…

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FIRST NOTICED WHEN A/C FAILED TO EMIT COOL AIR. DRIVING IN HOT WEATHER, HEAVY TRAFFIC; THEN TRAFFIC STARTS MOVING, SMELLED PAINFULLY STRONG BURNING SMELL, I STARTED TO COUGH, NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF CONTROL PANEL ON DASHBOARD; PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF CAR, WHITE SMOKE POURING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD; SHORT IN MAIN WIRE HARNESS AND INSTRUMENT MAIN HARNESS; MAY NEED A/C CONTROL SWITCH OF OTHER PARTS; "OPEN DOOR" BELL RINGING WHEN KEYS NOT IN IGNITION WAS ANOTHER SYMPTOM THAT ELECTRICAL HAD FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #722530

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2000
Latches/locks/linkages

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK FELL OUT. VEHICLE COULD NOT BE LOCKED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #860347

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2000
EquipmentStructure

THESE PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED THROUGHOUT THE PAST 4 YEARS, AND HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED WITH THE DEALER. WHEN MY LEASE WAS UP, MY VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THE MOULDINGS HAVE BEEN A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY IN STATES THAT HAVE WARM WEATHER BECAUSE THE GLUE STARTS TO MELT WHICH CAUSES THE MOULDING TO FALL O…

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THESE PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED THROUGHOUT THE PAST 4 YEARS, AND HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED WITH THE DEALER. WHEN MY LEASE WAS UP, MY VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THE MOULDINGS HAVE BEEN A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY IN STATES THAT HAVE WARM WEATHER BECAUSE THE GLUE STARTS TO MELT WHICH CAUSES THE MOULDING TO FALL OFF. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #720681

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, VEHICLE COMMENCED TO LOSES POWER. ALSO, OIL LEAKAGE DUE TO BLOWN HEAD GASKET. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #858722

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 · Feb 19, 2000
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

HAVE APPT TO HAVE VEHICLE FIXED 2/22/00. DEALER IS WHERE PURCHASED, NOT REPAIR DEALERSHIP. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #718973

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2000
Latches/locks/linkages

DOOR LOCK CYLINDER IS FAULTY, CAUSING DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR TO STICK AND NOT OPEN. DRIVER HAS TO ENTER CAR FROM PASSENGER'S SIDE. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE, AND REPAIRED DOOR LOCK CYLINDER 4 TIMES, AND STILL NO SOLUTION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #856914

Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2000
Electrical SystemStructure

THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS SEEMED TO SHORT OUT. NOW THEY COME ON SOMETIMES IF IT IS COLD, BUT GO OFF ONCE THE CAR STARTS TO WARM UP. WE DRIVE WITH A SMALL FLASHLIGHT ON THE LEDGE OF THE ODOMETER SO WE CAN TELL HOW FAST WE ARE DRIVING. THE DOOR LOCKS ARE FROZEN, ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THE KEY CANNOT BE INSERTED ALL THE WAY INTO THE LO…

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THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS SEEMED TO SHORT OUT. NOW THEY COME ON SOMETIMES IF IT IS COLD, BUT GO OFF ONCE THE CAR STARTS TO WARM UP. WE DRIVE WITH A SMALL FLASHLIGHT ON THE LEDGE OF THE ODOMETER SO WE CAN TELL HOW FAST WE ARE DRIVING. THE DOOR LOCKS ARE FROZEN, ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THE KEY CANNOT BE INSERTED ALL THE WAY INTO THE LOCK, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THE KEY GOES IN BUT DOES NOT TURN.

NHTSA ODI #717335

Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 1999
Latches/locks/linkages

CONSUMER HAS OWNED TWO 1995 JETTA MODELS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED DOOR LOCK FAILURES, THE LOCK ASSEMBLY HAS COMPLETELY COME OUT OF THE DOOR HANDLE, RESULTING IN DOOR OPENING WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON ONE OCCASION. MJS

NHTSA ODI #550231

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