FaultScore report
Owners have filed 22 complaints about the 1993 Volkswagen Jetta with NHTSA between 1995 and 2011. The largest single group is the doors, latches & locks. Across this model's run it ranks 33 of 33 worst.
FaultScore 2/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Volkswagen Jetta.
How this is worked out22
Complaints
0
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
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.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 170,000 miles
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.
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.
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
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.
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 runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA III. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL HOSE, CAUSING FUEL TO FALL TO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT WOULD ALSO SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT THE VIN DID NOT ASSOCIATE WITH THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 92V058000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 202,365. UPDATED 12/29/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE MAIN COMPLAINT WAS ABOUT THE HEATER CORE, WHICH WAS THE HEATING ELEMENT INSIDE THE DASHBOARD. WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE DASHBOARD VENT. THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE BECAME FILLED WITH RADIATOR FLUID MIST. A MECHANIC CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A BLOWN HEATER CORE. UPDATED 12/30/11
NHTSA complaint #10438013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
SUNROOF ALMOST FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8016269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETURN BACK INTO RETRACTOR. LEAVING OCCUPANT UNRESTRAINED. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8016270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
I WAS GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY, I HEARD AIR COMING FROM THE ROOF OF MY CAR AND LOOKED UP AND MY SUNROOF BLEW OFF AND COULD HAVE HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME CAUSING SERIOUSE INJURY OR DEATH HAD IT HIT THE WINDSHIELD OF ANOTHER VEHICAL. I HAD NO WARNING AND MY SUNROOF WAS NOT OPEND AT THE TIME OF DEPARTURE.
NHTSA complaint #747709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
TAIL LIGHT ASS'YS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY PER SERVICE BULLETIN (APPROX. 1995) BECAUSE TRUNK STOPS WEREN'T HIGH ENOUGH AND TRUNK WOULD CLOSE ON TAILLIGHT, PUNCTURING LENS, THEN FILL UP WITH WATER AND BLOW OUT BULBS. APPROX. 3 YEARS LATER, I REC'D A TICKET FROM CHP BECAUSE OF NO TAIL LIGHTS OR BRAKE LIGHTS. SAME PROBLEM. I COVERED HOLE WITH SILICONE AND REPLACED THE BULBS. LATER, THE BLINKERS/FLASHERS STOPPED WORKING, THEN THE HORN QUIT AND DEALER SAYS IT MAY A CRIMPED WIRE WHICH ALSO KILLED THE A\C. ONE OTHER PERSON I KNOW WITH A SIMILAR JETTA ALSO HAS BLINKERS/FLASHERS THAT STOPPED WORKING, THEN THEIR HORN...
NHTSA complaint #726477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
TAIL LIGHT ASS'YS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY PER SERVICE BULLETIN (APPROX. 1995) BECAUSE TRUNK STOPS WEREN'T HIGH ENOUGH AND TRUNK WOULD CLOSE ON TAILLIGHT, PUNCTURING LENS, THEN FILL UP WITH WATER AND BLOW OUT BULBS. APPROX. 3 YEARS LATER, I REC'D A TICKET FROM CHP BECAUSE OF NO TAIL LIGHTS OR BRAKE LIGHTS. SAME PROBLEM. I COVERED HOLE WITH SILICONE AND REPLACED THE BULBS. LATER, THE BLINKERS/FLASHERS STOPPED WORKING, THEN THE HORN QUIT AND DEALER SAYS IT MAY A CRIMPED WIRE WHICH ALSO KILLED THE A\C. ONE OTHER PERSON I KNOW WITH A SIMILAR JETTA ALSO HAS BLINKERS/FLASHERS THAT STOPPED WORKING, THEN THEIR HORN...
NHTSA complaint #726477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:UNIT
TAIL LIGHT ASS'YS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY PER SERVICE BULLETIN (APPROX. 1995) BECAUSE TRUNK STOPS WEREN'T HIGH ENOUGH AND TRUNK WOULD CLOSE ON TAILLIGHT, PUNCTURING LENS, THEN FILL UP WITH WATER AND BLOW OUT BULBS. APPROX. 3 YEARS LATER, I REC'D A TICKET FROM CHP BECAUSE OF NO TAIL LIGHTS OR BRAKE LIGHTS. SAME PROBLEM. I COVERED HOLE WITH SILICONE AND REPLACED THE BULBS. LATER, THE BLINKERS/FLASHERS STOPPED WORKING, THEN THE HORN QUIT AND DEALER SAYS IT MAY A CRIMPED WIRE WHICH ALSO KILLED THE A\C. ONE OTHER PERSON I KNOW WITH A SIMILAR JETTA ALSO HAS BLINKERS/FLASHERS THAT STOPPED WORKING, THEN THEIR HORN...
NHTSA complaint #726477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SHOULDER BELT DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. SEATBELT GETS CAUGHT IN DOOR. THIS WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER YEARS AGO. THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT! THE SHOULDER BELTS ARE NOW ALMOST COMPLETELY CUT THROUGH FROM BEING CAUGHT IN THE DOOR SO MANY TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #718880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DOOR LOCKS ARE STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION DUE TO THE LOCK CYLINDER FALLING OUT OF THEIR WELDED POSITION INTO THE DOOR. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #854204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
RECALLS 98V195000 AND 98V160000; REAR BRAKE LINE AND THE HOOD LATCH RECALLS WHICH WERE NOT YET MODIFIED BECAUSE OF NO AVAILABILITY OF PARTS. DEALER IS PULLIAM FORD, 655 BROAD RIVER ROAD, COLUMBIA, SC 29210 PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #850169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
RECALLS 98V195000 AND 98V160000; REAR BRAKE LINE AND THE HOOD LATCH RECALLS WHICH WERE NOT YET MODIFIED BECAUSE OF NO AVAILABILITY OF PARTS. DEALER IS PULLIAM FORD, 655 BROAD RIVER ROAD, COLUMBIA, SC 29210 PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #850169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC WARM WEATHER/TRANSMISSION WONT DOWNSHIFT/CAR ALMOST STALLS/NO POWER
NHTSA complaint #706052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
RECALL # 98V160000 VW/HOOD LATCH; PARTS UNAVAILABLE TO CORRECT RECALL. OWNER HAS CONTACTED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THE BEGINNING OF OCTOBER. DEALER IS NOT SURE WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO CORRECT RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #830938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY. IN EACH ATTEMPT TO GET VEHICLE SERVICED, THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE. THE RECALL NUMBER IS 98V16000.
NHTSA complaint #830711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER, AND THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE WHEN DEALER WAS CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #829884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBACK AND FRAME BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO COLLAPSE REARWARD. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #815229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #513905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION TUMBLER FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #513905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
SUNROOF FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #513905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT
JACK RECALLED, REPLACEMENT JACK HAS NOT YET BEEN RECEIVED.
NHTSA complaint #513951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #968427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
WHILE APPLYING SEAT BELT, BELT BECOMES TWISTED AND BECOMES JAMMED. TT
NHTSA complaint #958549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.