Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1989 Volkswagen Jetta
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Seat Belts
932.1%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
621.4%
Fuel & Propulsion
414.3%
1 crashes, 2 fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control
310.7%
Other & Unspecified
27.1%
Engine & Cooling
27.1%
Equipment & Accessories
13.6%
Body & Structure
13.6%
Exactly what failed
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.
Front
630.0%
Heater Core
525.0%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings
420.0%
AIR Conditioner
15.0%
Cooling System
15.0%
Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
15.0%
Gasoline
15.0%
Buckle Assembly
15.0%
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.
Feb 1995peak 3Aug 2007
NHTSA investigations into the 1989 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
Recalls on the 1989 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.
United States — NHTSA
06E018000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CERTAIN HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES, P/N 171.611.107B, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1975-1985 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) RABBIT; 1985-1992 VW GOLF; AND 1980-1992 VW JETTA PASSENGER VEHICLES. POSSIBLE BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD OCCUR WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES."
Risk: BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
93V129000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
AN ENGINE PREHEATING TUBE MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SUPPORTED DUE TO A MISSING SUPPORT BRACKET, CAUSING THE PREHEATING TUBE TO CHAFE AGAINST THE RIGHT FRONT METAL BRAKE LINE. THIS CAN DAMAGE THE HYDRAULIC LINE, CAUSING BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE AND DIMINISHED BRAKING IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT.
Risk: DIMINISHED BRAKING CAN RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.
92V058000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION RAIL ON THE ENGINE MAY SHRINK BEYOND THE CLAMP FORCE OF THE FUEL HOSE CLAMPS, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE IF THE FUEL COMES IN CONTACT WITH A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
THE END CAP CONNECTING THE HEAT EXCHANGER'S CORE TO THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM COULD RUPTURE AND ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
Risk: THE COOLANT ESCAPING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COULDCONTACT THE DRIVER'S FEET AND INJURE THE DRIVER. ALSO, STEAM FROM THE HEATEDLIQUID WILL CLOUD ON THE WINDOW SURFACES AND IMPAIR THE DRIVER'S VISION ANDCOULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
89V221000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Risk: PROLONGED CHAFING COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE A LEAKING BRAKELINE RESULTING IN DIMINISHED BRAKING IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT WHICH WOULD INCREASETHE STOPPING DISTANCES AND RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 199703866,404 units in Canada
Engine
NOTE: GASOLINE POWERED FUEL INJECTED VEHICLES. DURING WINTER PERIODS OF LOW TEMPERATURE WITH HIGH HUMIDITY, THE AIR PRE-HEATING SYSTEM MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO PREVENT THROTTLE ICING DURING LONG DISTANCE DRIVING DUE TO PRE-HEATER VACUUM SWITCH CONTAMINATION. THIS COULD PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. CORRECTION: A DE-ICING KIT WILL BE INSTALLED IN AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Recall 199313264,265 units in Canada
Fuel System
FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR AT THE FUEL HOSE TO FUEL RAIL CONNECTION. ESCAPING FUEL COULD COME INTO CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTION: FUEL HOSE WHICH ATTACHES TO THE FUEL RAIL WILL BE REPLACED AND NEW SPRING TYPE HOSE CLAMPS WILL BE INSTALLED.
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 1989167625 units in Canada
Brakes
A CONTOUR DEVIATION IN THE BRAKE LINE COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE LINE TO CHAFE AGAINST A PREHEATING TUBE. PROLONGED CHAFING COULD LEAD TO BRAKE LINE LEAKAGE AND A POSSIBLE PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE WHICH COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND BRAKE LINES WILL BE RE-CONTOURED OR REPLACED IF NECESSARY. V.I.N. RANGE - WVW..O16.JW015810 TO WVW..016.JW769065 WVW..016.KW000084 TO WVW..016.KW121988
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Goletta, CAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE, WAS PARKED FOR 20 MIN. FUEL LINE CAUGHT FIRE. TT
NHTSA complaint #965963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marlborough, CTCrashFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FUEL HOSE LEAKED, RESULTING IN A FIRE AFTER RECALL REPAIRS (92V-058.001).
NHTSA complaint #961853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Houston, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1989 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. CONSUMER WANTS DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DISCONNECTED. CUSTOMER STATES THAT SHE WOULD LIKE THE DRIVERS AIRBAG DISCONNECTED BECAUSE OF SEEING SEVERE INJURIES RESULTING WITH THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10201568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
I OWN A 1989 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, VIN WVW PA01G4KW724572. I HAD A LEAK OF MY HEATER CORE (PER A NON-VW MECHANIC). THE NHTSA WEBSITE REPORTS THAT THERE WAS A RECALL OF 1989 JET'S FOR THEIR HEATER CORE. I CONTACTED WES GREENWAY'S ALEXANDRIA VOLKSWAGEN TO HAVE THE WORK DONE. I DID SO THROUGH AN ONLINE ARRANGEMENT WITH THE COMPANY, IN WHICH I DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE SITE, MR. TONY HUYNH, IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL INVOLVING HEATER CORES FOR 1989 JET'S. WHEN I TOLD HIM THAT I HAD SEEN THAT THERE WAS ONE, THROUGH A WEBSITE, HE CHECKED MY VIN ON HIS COMPUTER AND TOLD ME THERE WAS NO "OPEN RECALL" ON MY SPECIFIC CAR. I WENT TO MY OFFICE AND FOUND THE NHTSA NOTICE AND CALLED MR. HUYNH, SO THAT I COULD LET HIM KNOW THAT I FOUND THE RECALL ON AN OFFICIAL SITE, NOT SOMETHING UNOFFICIAL AS HE HAD SUGGESTED WHEN I WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP (AT WHICH POINT I COULD NOT RECALL THE WEB SOURCE FOR MY INFORMATION). HE CONTINUED TO DENY THERE WAS A RECALL. IN BOTH INSTANCES, HE SUGGESTED THAT I CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, AND HE GAVE ME AN 800-NUMBER TO CALL. (INCIDENTALLY, WHEN I WAS AT THE VW DEALER, MR. HUYNH SAID I SHOULD HAVE CALLED FOR AN APPOINTMENT RATHER THAN USING THE WEBSITE. I SUGGESTED TO MR. HUYNH THAT THE WEBSITE SHOULD SAY THAT PEOPLE SHOULD CALL IF THEY HAVE ANYTHING OTHER THAN A VERY SIMPLE PROBLEM. HE SAID THE WEBSITE INSTRUCTED PEOPLE TO CALL IF THEY HAD COMPLEX PROBLEMS. I WENT BACK TO THE GREENWAY VW WEBSITE AND FOUND NO SUCH INSTRUCTION AND HAVE PRINTED OUT THE RELEVANT WEBPAGES.) THANKS FOR ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10045297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALL (92V-050000) ON THE HEATER CORE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *NLM THE HEATER CORE PLASTIC NECK CRACKED AND ALLOWED THE HOT COOLANT TO POUR ONTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VOLKSWAGEN STATED THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED, BUT THE PART APPEARED TO BE THE ORIGINAL. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10017420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Gloucester, ME
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DOOR HANDLES FELL OFF. CAN'T OPEN DOORS FROM OUTSIDE. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK CONSUMER HAS TO USE ROPE TO TIE THE DOORS SHUT SO HIS CHILDREN WILL BE SECURE. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER TO LUBRICATE HANDLES PER OWNERS MANUAL. THE OWNERS MANUAL DOES NOT STATE WHEN OR WHERE TO LUBRICATE THE HANDLES. DISCUSSIONS WITH OTHER VOLKSWAGEN CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS OUTLAWS THIS AS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #8006347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Frederick, MD
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #720282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Rochelle, NY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT HAVE WAIST BELTS; SHOULDER BELTS ONLY, WHICH I UNDERSTAND MAY BE AGAINST REGULATIONS. THE MANAUFACTURER DISAGREES.
NHTSA complaint #718598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA RECALL# 92 V 050-000 RECEIVED. APPOINTMENT MADE AND LATER ON WAS INFORMED THAT PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED PARTS SERVICE DESK AND REQUESTED THE PART. WAS INFORMED THAT PART WAS AVAILABLE AND READY FOR PICK UP. SEEKING NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #852918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Durham, NC
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL- LAP BELTS WERE TO BE INSTALLED.
NHTSA complaint #714356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE HEATER CORD IS LEAKING ANTI FREEZE INTO & OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE & THE DRIVER / PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #852574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Antioch, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I DO NOT HAVE SPECIFICS ON ANY OF THE 5 RECALLS LISTED BUT WOULD LIKE INFORMATION ON HOW TO PROCEED. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.
NHTSA complaint #713600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tampa, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CARBON MONOXIDE IN BLOODSTREAM OF DRIVER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #709575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, MN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN TEMPERATURE IS 5 DEGREES F OR LOWER (COMMON IN MINNESOTA) THROTTLE WILL STICK OPENLY. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN ICY AND RPMSAND APPROACHING REDLINE. NOT A RARE PROBLEM IN MINNESOTA, WHERE IT IS OFTEN COLD, WITH 1988 AND 1989 JETTAS (WITH THE DIGIVOX SYSTEM).TEMPORARY FIX BY DIERCK'S REPAIR (BYRON,MN 507-775-2754). VOLKSWAGEN USA CLAIMS NO KNOWLEDGE BUT DIERCK'S SEES SEVERAL EACH TIME IT GETS COLD. WHEN ENGINE IS COLD, WARM AIR FROM ENGINE IS BROUGHT INTO THE THROTTLE HOUSING, CAUSING CONDENSATION.WHEN THE ENGINE WARMS, INTAKE SWITCHES TO OUTSIDE AIR, WHICH IS VERY COLD, AND CAUSES THE WATER TO FREEZE, LEADING TO THROTTLE STICKING. TEMPORARY FIX CONSISTS OF DISCONNECTING WARM AIR INTAKE IN COLD WEATHER AND PLUGGING PORTS.HOWEVER, THIS LEADS TO SOME EXHAUST COMING OFF THE ENGINE AND INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. VERY PREDICTABLE PROBLEM AND PREVENTABLE IF VOLKSWAGEN WOULD PROVIDE FIX-IT KIT. DIERCK'S REPAIR IS WILLING TO TALK ABOUT PROBLEM (ASK FOR BARD). SUMMER DRIVING IS FINE. TAKES SOME TIME IN COLD WEATHER TO BUILD UP ENOUGH WATER IN THROTTLE HOUSING. COMBINE ENOUGH CONDENSATION OVER TIME AND THE PROBLEM WILL OCCUR (ONLY 1988 AND 1989). AS A SIDE NOTE-VOLKSWAGEN DEALER LOOKED FOR PROBLEM AND COULD NEVER PIN-POINT PROBLEM. THUS I WAS CHARGED FOR MANY USELESS REPAIRS. DIERCK'S KNEW WHAT IT WAS OVER THE PHONE IMMEDIATELY AND EVEN ASKED IF IT WAS AN 88 OR 89 BEFORE I TOLD THEM THE YEAR. THEY ARE AS FRUSTRATED AS I AM THAT SUCH A SIMPLE YET DANGEROUS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY VOLKSWAGEN. I WOULD BE WILLING TO TALK WITH ANYONE ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I'M JUST HAPPY THAT I HAVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND COULD PUT THE CAR OUT OF GEAR AND LET THE ENGINE REV TO CONTROL MY SPEED ON ICY ROADS (THROTTLE HAS STUCK AT 6500 RPMS AT TIMES).
NHTSA complaint #702970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kansas City, MO
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT VEHICLE IS WITHOUT FRONT LAP BELTS. IT DOES HAVE SHOULDER BELTS. DOES THE MANUFACTURER REQUIRE TO UPDATE SEAT BELTS ACCORDING TO FMVSS FOR THIS VEHICLE? DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #831487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Colli, CO
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
SEAT BELT 2-POINT SYSTEMS FAIL IN CRASHES.
NHTSA complaint #780471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redwood CI, CA
SEAT BELTS
FRONT SEAT BELTS DO NOT CONTAIN LAP BELTS, POTENTIAL HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #514013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Temecula, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THREE SEAT BELTS ARE BROKEN AND THE TWO FRONT ONES ARE SPLITTING AND WILL SOON BREAK.
NHTSA complaint #532450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burke, VA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH FRONT LAP SEAT BELTS. ONLY A SHOULDER HARNESS CONNECTED TO THE DOOR IS PROVIDED.
NHTSA complaint #524504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hiawatha, KS
SEAT BELTS
THE VEHICLE HAS NO LAP BELTS AND THE SHOULDER BELTS ARE ATTACHED TO THE DOOR. IF DOOR COMES OPEN DURING CRASH THERE WOULD BE NO SUPPORT. DEALER CAN'T PUT ANY LAP BELTS IN THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #814391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Island, NY
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
ANTIFREEZE LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #509835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angele, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #502739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MFG RECALL HEATER CORE; RECALL NEVER PERFORMED W/INVOICE DOCUMENTING ANOTHER NUMBER AND PROCEDURE. ROY RIOX, WESTBORO MA DOCUMENTED INVOICE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #975859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seymour, MO
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
SHE HAS HAD THE RECALL LETTER FOR THREE YEARS AND THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT RESPOND TO HER. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA complaint #975060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Goletta, CAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE, WAS PARKED FOR 20 MIN. FUEL LINE CAUGHT FIRE. TT
NHTSA complaint #965963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.