Owners have filed 84 complaints
about the 1995 Volkswagen Golf with NHTSA between 1995 and 2012.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 15 of 25 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 56
Against the median year of the Volkswagen Golf. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 43
8.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 1995 compares with every other Volkswagen Golf
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Frontal
721.9%
Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift
515.6%
Latch
515.6%
AIR Conditioner
412.5%
Door
412.5%
Latch
39.4%
Brake Lights
26.3%
Module
26.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Oct 1995peak 21Apr 2012
NHTSA investigations into the 1995 Volkswagen Golf
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
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 DES...
DP98006Opened 11 Jun 1998Closed 1 Jul 1998STRUCTURE
HOOD FLY-UP
Recalls on the 1995 Volkswagen Golf
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
98V195000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
Risk: REPEATED CHAFING COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A LEAKING BRAKE LINE CAUSING DIMINISHED BRAKING IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT INCREASING THE VEHICLE'S STOPPING DISTANCE.
98V160000
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
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.
Risk: UNEXPECTED OPENING OF THE HOOD COULD OCCUR OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
95V178000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
IMPROPER MATERIAL WAS USED IN MANUFACTURING THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAUSING THE SHAFT TO WEAR AND BECOME NOISY.
Risk: 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.
95E034000
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLES, A TIE WRAP IS USED TO GUIDE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SOME TIE WRAPS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED WITH A LARGE LOOP OPENING IMPROPERLY GUIDING THE CABLE WHICH COULD PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION.
Risk: THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THEPOTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE COLLISION.
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.
Risk: 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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 199819249,864 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain vehicles, the rear brake line on the passenger side could be routed too close to the corner of the fuel tank. An improperly routed brake line could be damaged by chafing against the fuel tank during extreme axle movement. Such chafing could result in a leaking brake line causing a partial brake system failure and increased stopping distances. Correction: Dealers will check the routing of the right rear brake line and replace any damaged brake line.
Recall 199815864,460 units in Canada
Structure
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 HOOD FLY UP AND OBSTRUCTION OF THE DRIVER'S VISION. CORRECTION: HOOD LATCHES AND SECURING BOLTS WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY.
Recall 199522119,932 units in Canada
Engine
NOTE: INCLUDES PASSAT, GOLF AND JETTA TURBO DIESEL. ON 1993-94 MODELS, THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR SHAFT COULD SEIZE AND RENDER THE FAN MOTOR INOPERATIVE. 1994-95 MODELS COULD EXPERIENCE A CONDITION WHEREBY THE LOCK NUT SECURING THE RADIATOR FAN BLADE HUB TO THE MOTOR COULD LOSE ITS REQUIRED TORQUE. A LOOSE LOCK NUT COULD CAUSE THE FAN HUB TO LOOSEN FROM THE SHAFT AND CAUSE THE BELT PULLEY TO RUN "OFF-CENTER". THIS IN TURN COULD CAUSE THE FAN BELT TO DISCONNECT OR BREAK. EITHER OF THE ABOVE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN ENGINE OVERHEATING AND STALLING. A VEHICLE STALLING IN TRAFFIC COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WITH EITHER HAVE THE COMPLETE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY REPLACED OR A NEW FAN BLADE WITH A NEW LOCK NUT INSTALLED.
Recall 199504835,589 units in Canada
Other
A SHARP RIDGE ON THE JACK SPINDLE COULD DAMAGE THE INSIDE THREAD OF THE SCISSOR SHOE WHEN THE JACK IS USED TO LIFT THE VEHICLE. IF THE DAMAGE TO THE THREAD OF THE SCISSOR SHOE IS SERIOUS ENOUGH, THE JACK COULD COLLAPSE WITH THE POSSIBILITY THAT A PERSON STANDING TOO CLOSE THE VEHICLE COULD BE INJURED. CORRECTION: JACKS WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Belmount, MACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND COLLIDED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #838650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonin, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER RECEIVED AN IMPACT FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE SIDE WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER READ IN MANUAL THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD ONLY DEPLO IF VEHCILE WAS HIT OR RECEIVED IMPACT IN THE FRONT. PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR CUTS/ ABRASIONS FROM THE AIR BAGS. DEALER NOTIFIED AND CONSUMER WILL SEND A COPY OF MANUAL INFORMATION CONCERNING AIR BAGS.
NHTSA complaint #825826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hermosa BE, CA1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DRIVERS AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WAS VIOLENT, CAUSING INJURY TO DRIVERS ARM, ALSO FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #601265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sonoma, CACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHEN RIDING OVER A DISFIGURATION IN THE ROAD. BOTTOM OF VEHICLE SCRAPED ROAD W/LOSING CONTROL. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
NHTSA complaint #974771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lantana, FLCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
IN ACCIDENT AT 25-30MPH AT 12:00 POSITION DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TT
NHTSA complaint #973698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lantana, FLCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
IN ACCIDENT AT 25-30MPH AT 12:00 POSITION PASSENGER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TT
NHTSA complaint #973698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 202,800 milesFarmington, UT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
THE SPEEDOMETER WORKS FINE IN THE MORNING, BUT AFTER WORK (APPROX 5 PM) IT EITHER DOES NOT WORK OR ONLY WORKS FOR A FEW MINUTES/MILES. SOMETIMES TAPPING ON THE FRONT OF THE GAUGE HELPS IT RESUME REGISTERING THE SPEED, SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT HELP. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS OF VW GOLF/CABRIO/JETTA OF SIMILAR MODEL YEAR AS MINE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10454885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sunland Park, NM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IT IS SUSPECTED THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS FAULTY. BRAKE LIGHTS WILL CONSTANTLY BLOW, CAR WON'T START, DASHBOARD LIGHTS STAY OFF, SUNROOF WILL NOT WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10060456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murrysville, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
WHILE DRIVING WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON, THEY COULD QUIT WORKING. HEADLIGHTS COULD BE ON, THEN TURN OFF.
NHTSA complaint #874851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murrysville, PA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
WHILE DRIVING WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON, THEY COULD QUIT WORKING. HEADLIGHTS COULD BE ON, THEN TURN OFF.
NHTSA complaint #874851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peekskill, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
TRYING TO KEEP DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CLOSED AT ALL TIME, BUT COULD NEVER KEEP IT CLOSED BECAUSE OF THE DOOR CHANNEL. THIS PROBLEM HAD BEEN THERE SINCE THE BEGINING.
NHTSA complaint #872458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Studio CIT, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
REAR SEAT BELT WON'T RETRACT AFTER BEING PULLED OUT. YH
NHTSA complaint #782038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deerfield Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #725207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deerfield Beach, FL
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #725207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deerfield Beach, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
WIRING UNDER THE HOOD IS TERRIBLE- SUNROOF LATCH BROKE AFTER 2YEARS- BATTERY LEAKS 3 TIMES CAUSING DAMAGES TO THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR TWICE, MASTER CYLINDER LEAKS SO OFTEN. PLASTIC PARTS THAT THE MFG ARE USING ARE BAD QUALITY THEREFORE CAUSING CONSTANT BREAKDOWS .. AK..
NHTSA complaint #725878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deerfield Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
WIRING UNDER THE HOOD IS TERRIBLE- SUNROOF LATCH BROKE AFTER 2YEARS- BATTERY LEAKS 3 TIMES CAUSING DAMAGES TO THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR TWICE, MASTER CYLINDER LEAKS SO OFTEN. PLASTIC PARTS THAT THE MFG ARE USING ARE BAD QUALITY THEREFORE CAUSING CONSTANT BREAKDOWS .. AK..
NHTSA complaint #725878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deerfield Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WIRING UNDER THE HOOD IS TERRIBLE- SUNROOF LATCH BROKE AFTER 2YEARS- BATTERY LEAKS 3 TIMES CAUSING DAMAGES TO THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR TWICE, MASTER CYLINDER LEAKS SO OFTEN. PLASTIC PARTS THAT THE MFG ARE USING ARE BAD QUALITY THEREFORE CAUSING CONSTANT BREAKDOWS .. AK..
NHTSA complaint #725878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deerfield Beach, FL
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
WIRING UNDER THE HOOD IS TERRIBLE- SUNROOF LATCH BROKE AFTER 2YEARS- BATTERY LEAKS 3 TIMES CAUSING DAMAGES TO THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR TWICE, MASTER CYLINDER LEAKS SO OFTEN. PLASTIC PARTS THAT THE MFG ARE USING ARE BAD QUALITY THEREFORE CAUSING CONSTANT BREAKDOWS .. AK..
NHTSA complaint #725878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deerfield Beach, FL
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
A/C COMPRESSOR AND CONDENSER FAILED-VALVE DID NOT OPEN PROPERLY- NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE UNIT INSTEAD OF VALVE ONLY. COMMON PROBLEM WITH VW. NHTSA SHOULD HAVE THIS UNIT RECALLED.
NHTSA complaint #725879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deerfield Beach, FL
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
WIRING UNDER THE HOOD IS TERRIBLE- SUNROOF LATCH BROKE AFTER 2YEARS- BATTERY LEAKS 3 TIMES CAUSING DAMAGES TO THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR TWICE, MASTER CYLINDER LEAKS SO OFTEN. PLASTIC PARTS THAT THE MFG ARE USING ARE BAD QUALITY THEREFORE CAUSING CONSTANT BREAKDOWS .. AK..
NHTSA complaint #725878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deerfield Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY LEAKS - DESTROY THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR.
NHTSA complaint #725210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wynantskill, NY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND WOULD NOT SHIFT. CONTROLLER WAS NOT TRANSMITTING TO TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT. TRANSMISSION WAS BEING REPLACED. EFFECT OF A BAD TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ALLOW CONSUMER TO PACE WITH FLOWING TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #862393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carson, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
UNABLE TO REPAIR INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (SPEEDOMETER) DUE TO PARTS SHORTAGE FROM VOLKSWAGEN.
NHTSA complaint #720853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rocklin, CA
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
THE REAR SEAT BELTS HAVE BECOME TANGLED 4 TIMES ON EACH SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #720020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Latrobe, PA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY BROKE, CAUSING THE DOOR TO STAY OPEN AND NOT LATCH. DEALER SAID THAT VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW DOOR LATCH ASSEMBY.
NHTSA complaint #856762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tallahassee, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
BEFORE RECEIVING A MFR. RECALL NOTICE ON HOOD LATCH; VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT( BENT HOOD ). LATER ON WHILE DRIVING THE ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROX. 55 MPH THE HOOD POP OPEN, AND CRACKS THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. NOTIFED DEALER OF RECALL AND INFORMED CONSUMER THEY REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #851547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tulsa, OK
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
RECALL 98V160000/VW HOOD LATCH; BEFORE RECALL RECEIVED VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HOOD LATCH FAILURE WHILE DRIVING A T APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MP.; HOOD UNLATCHED AND HIT TOP OF ROOF AND CRACKED FRONT WINDSHIELD. AFTER RECEIVING RECALL NOTICE, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT LATCH WAS TEMPERED WITH AND BENT. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR HOOD LATCH. ASKING NHTSA TO HELP IN THIS MATTER OR PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #850771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belmount, MACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND COLLIDED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #838650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Studio CIT, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
REAR SEAT BELT WON'T RETRACT AFTER BEING PULLED OUT. YH
NHTSA complaint #782038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vernon, CT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
RECALL 95V178000; WHILE DRIVING HEARD A LOT OF NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR SHAFT WAS BENT. ALSO, THAT ENTIRE ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACING.
NHTSA complaint #826991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairfax, VA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
REAR DOOR ALIGNED IMPROPERLY,DOES NOT CLOSE PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #542843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.