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1986 Volkswagen JettaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 14 owner complaints about the 1986 Volkswagen Jetta, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints143 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem5Fuel system, gasoline

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 27, 2010. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Volkswagen Jetta has problems

14 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Fuel system, gasoline50
Structure30
Visibility31
Service brakes, hydraulic10
Power train10
Electrical system10
Air bags11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1986 Volkswagen Jetta recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core

Recall 92V-050 · Apr 14, 1992 · 650,000 vehicles

Risk. THE COOLANT ESCAPING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COULDCONTACT THE DRIVER'S FEET AND INJURE THE DRIVER.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volkswagen.

Best & worst years

1986 vs. every other Jetta year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Jetta median. How we score

'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Volkswagen Jetta, and the recalls they led to.

  1. HEATER CORE FAILUREEA91054 · closed Jun 12, 1992
    Led to recall 92V-050
  2. ENGINE MOUNT FAILUREPE91031 · closed Apr 29, 1991
    No recall
  3. HEATER CORE FAILUREPE91114 · closed Dec 9, 1991
    No recall
In owners' words

What Jetta owners report

Recent fuel system, gasoline complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 756063 · Dec 26, 2001
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.
Complaint 724727 · Jun 28, 2000

Own a 1986 Jetta?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.