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1995 Volkswagen JettaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 220 owner complaints about the 1995 Volkswagen Jetta, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

44
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.3× the Jetta median · #15 of 40 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints22049 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage97kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 18, 2012. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1995 Volkswagen Jetta has problems

220 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
Electrical system4511
Latches/locks/linkages371
Visibility260
Engine and engine cooling262
Power train222
Air bags2215
Service brakes, hydraulic213
Equipment180
Steering141
12 other systems755

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

4 recalls

1995 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

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 98V-195 · Aug 17, 1998 · 153,000 vehicles

Risk. REPEATED CHAFING COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A LEAKING BRAKE LINE CAUSING DIMINISHED BRAKING IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT INCREASING THE VEHICLE'S STOPPING DISTANCE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Hood: latch

Recall 98V-160 · Jul 16, 1998 · 238,000 vehicles

Risk. UNEXPECTED OPENING OF THE HOOD COULD OCCUR OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Cooling system: fan

Recall 95V-178 · Sep 20, 1995 · 34,000 vehicles

Risk. A WORN AND NOISY FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAN SEIZE RENDERINGTHE FAN MOTOR INOPERATIVE, EVENTUALLY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND STALL.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift

Recall 95V-054 · Mar 13, 1995 · 104,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS RIDGE CAN DAMAGE THE INSIDE THREAD OF THE JACK'S SCISSOR SHOE WHEN THE JACK IS USED TO LIFT THE VEHICLE.

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

1995 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
NHTSA crash tests

1995 Volkswagen Jetta safety ratings

1995 Volkswagen Jetta III 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1995 Volkswagen Jetta, and the recalls they led to.

  1. HOOD FLY-UPDP98006 · closed Jul 1, 1998
    No recall
  2. FUEL TANK PUNCTUREEA00028 · closed Jan 29, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-026
  3. FUEL TANK PUNCTUREPE00033 · closed Dec 28, 2000
    No recall
  4. HOOD LATCH FAILUREPE98037 · closed Jul 20, 1998
    Led to recall 98V-160
In owners' words

What Jetta owners report

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

WELL, I' HAD SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE 1995 VW JETTA III. FIRST, I HAD TO PUT 2 NEW STRUTS PLUS A WHOLE NEW EXHAUST SYSTEM. NEXT, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED TO WORK. IT WAS TAXING ON THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION, AND IT COSTS OVER $450 USD TO REPAIR. ON MY WAY HOME FROM A 2 1/2 HOUR TRI THE CAR…
Complaint 10194082 · Jun 24, 2007 · 68,000 miles
I BOUGHT MY JETTA III GLS IN 1995 BRAND NEW. WITHIN A YEAR THE MOLDING ON THE DOORS STARTED PEELING OFF AND EVENTUALLY FALLING OFF. THE DEALER SENT IT TO A BODY SHOP TO HAVE IT GLUED AND IT NEVER STUCK. I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR YEARS WITH ONE MOLDING MISSING. I HAVE REPLACED MULTIPLE POWER WINDOW…
Complaint 10144435 · Dec 5, 2005
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, A FIRE STARTED WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSING SMOKE TO COME OUT FROM THE A/C VENTS. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DROVE TO THEIR LOCATION. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. 8JB
Complaint 10096589 · Oct 12, 2004 · 98,000 miles

Own a 1995 Jetta?

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