Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1986 Volkswagen Jetta
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Fuel & Propulsion
527.8%
Body & Structure
422.2%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
316.7%
Median failure at 97,869 miles
Airbags
211.1%
2 crashes, 0 fires
Transmission & Drivetrain
211.1%
Brakes
15.6%
Electrical System
15.6%
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.
Jan 1996peak 3Sep 2010
NHTSA investigations into the 1986 Volkswagen Jetta
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.
EA91054Opened 9 Dec 1991Closed 12 Jun 1992VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
HEATER CORE FAILURE
PE91114Opened 26 Aug 1991Closed 9 Dec 1991VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
HEATER CORE FAILURE
PE91031Opened 14 Jan 1991Closed 29 Apr 1991ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE
Recalls on the 1986 Volkswagen Jetta
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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1992149300,000 units in Canada
Structure
CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT MAY PREVENT THE HOOD LATCH AND THE SAFETY CATCH FROM WORKING PROPERLY. THIS COULD RESULT IN HOOD FLY-UP WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION RESULTING IN OBSCURED DRIVER VISION AND A POSSIBLE CRASH. CORRECTION: OWNERS OF AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE ADVISED BY MAIL REGARDING THE NECESSITY FOR PERIODIC LUBRICATION OF THE ENGINE HOOD LATCH MECHANISM. DEALERS WILL BE ADVISED TO LUBRICATE THE ENGINE HOOD MECHANISM WHENEVER AN AFFECTED VEHICLE IS BEING SERVICED.
Recall 1992057145,236 units in Canada
Heater And Defroster
IF THE ENGINE OVERHEATS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE WALL OF THE END CAP CONNECTING THE HEAT EXCHANGER'S CORE TO THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM COULD RUPTURE AND ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN, SOME OF THE COOLANT COULD CONTACT THE DRIVER'S FEET, CAUSING INJURY AND STEAM UP THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE, IMPAIRING VISIBILITY. CORRECTION: HEAT EXCHANGER WILL BE REPLACED.
Recall 198704442,570 units in Canada
Fuel System
The fuel pump located inside the fuel tank could seize during high ambient temperatures because of an extreme fine mesh fuel filter restricting the fuel flow. This could cause the vehicle to stall posing a threat to traffic safety. Correction: A modified fuel pump and filter will be installed.
Recall 198702025,706 units in Canada
Emissions
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. - INOPERATIVE EGR VALVE -
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED ANTIFREEZE ABNORMALLY LEAKING ONTO HER FOOT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS TO HER FOOT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE HEATER CORE HAD FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK ONTO THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,869.
NHTSA complaint #10357943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denver, COCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG DURING A COLLISION RESULTED IN MULTIPLE CUTS/BURNS/CONCUSSION.
NHTSA complaint #603375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denver, COCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DRIVER SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES WHEN AIR BAG DEPLOYED DURING CRASH, INCLUDING A BURN THAT LEFT THE VW EMBLEM FROM THE STEERING WHEEL EMBEDDED ON ARM.
NHTSA complaint #603375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED ANTIFREEZE ABNORMALLY LEAKING ONTO HER FOOT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS TO HER FOOT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE HEATER CORE HAD FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK ONTO THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,869.
NHTSA complaint #10357943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Culver Cuty, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
THERE IS A WEAK MELTED SEAL IN THE FUEL BOX WHICH IS LEAKING. *JG THE HEATER CORE WAS RECALLED. RECALL# 87V053000 *SCC
NHTSA complaint #786201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THERE IS A WEAK MELTED SEAL IN THE FUEL BOX WHICH IS LEAKING. *JG THE HEATER CORE WAS RECALLED. RECALL# 87V053000 *SCC
NHTSA complaint #786201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Folsom, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
I FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP LOCATED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. DURING LONG IDLING MY FUEL PUMP MAKES ALOT OF NOISE THEN SHUTS DOWN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A VERY LONG TIME AND THE MANUFACTURE STATED THERE WAS NO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. ITS AMAZING THAT I HAVE PUT UP WITH THIS FOR THIS LONG. I SPENT MANY HARD EARN DOLLARS TO TRY TO FIGURE THIS PROBLEM OUT AND STILL HASN'T BEEN FIXED BECAUSE NOONE COULD FIGURE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. WAS THERE A RECALL ON THIS PART AND DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE . THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #756063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Folsom, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
VEHICLE SPUTTERS AND THEN STALLS WHILE IDLING AND IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. WORSE DURING HIGH TEMPERATURES. WILL NOT RESTART FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES. FUEL PUMP MAKES WHINING NOISES.
NHTSA complaint #724727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ANN Arbor, MI
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
A SUDDEN FAILURE FROM THE FRACTURE OF THE METAL HOLDING THE PART OF THE K-FRAME WHICH HOLDS THE LOWER LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION MEMBER, STEERING CONTROL BECAME SUDDENLY VERRY SLOPPY, NEARLY RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH ADJOINING TRAFFIC. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE SECOND FALURE OF THIS MEMBER ON THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER WANTED TO SELL ME PARTS AND LABOR BUT WAS OTHERWISE NOT INTERESTED. IT SEEMED WHEN I WAS INQUIRING ABOUT PARTS AVAILABILITY THAT THIS MAY NOT BE AN UNCOMMON FAILURE TO OCCURR ON THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #717266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charleston, SC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION ON CAR DID NOT START UP. THIS WAS DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #852728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THE HEATER CORE. THE DEALER HAD TO REMOVE THE AIR DUCT SEALS. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THE SEALS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED . DEALER HAD TO REMOVE SEALS IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE RECALL. DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE THE SEALS UNLESS THE OWNER PAYS FOR THEM.
NHTSA complaint #816957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bronx, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
STARTER FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #519190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denver, COCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG DURING A COLLISION RESULTED IN MULTIPLE CUTS/BURNS/CONCUSSION.
NHTSA complaint #603375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dublin, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
THE INNER PADS ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT BOTH SEPARATED COMPLETELY FROM THE BACK PLATES AND PUSHED DOWN IN THE CALIPER, RUBBING AGAINST THE ROTOR.
NHTSA complaint #516357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denver, COCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DRIVER SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES WHEN AIR BAG DEPLOYED DURING CRASH, INCLUDING A BURN THAT LEFT THE VW EMBLEM FROM THE STEERING WHEEL EMBEDDED ON ARM.
NHTSA complaint #603375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holmdel, NJ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL PUMPS FAILED TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #507438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portsmouth, VA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
FAILURE ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AND REAR DOOR HANDLES, DOOR HANDLES ARE BROKEN OFF CAN NOT GET INTO THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #980242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portsmouth, VA
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
FAILURE ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AND REAR DOOR HANDLES, DOOR HANDLES ARE BROKEN OFF CAN NOT GET INTO THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #980079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portsmouth, VA
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
FAILURE ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AND REAR DOOR HANDLES, DOOR HANDLES ARE BROKEN OFF CAN NOT GET INTO THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #980079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dublin, OH
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
MANUAL TRANSMISSION CLUTCH PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR, UNABLE TO ENGAGE IN FORWARD GEARS. TT
NHTSA complaint #978213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dublin, OH
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
MANUAL TRANSMISSION CLUTCH PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR, UNABLE TO ENGAGE IN FORWARD GEARS. TT
NHTSA complaint #978213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.