Model year record

1985 Volkswagen Jetta

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 18 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 92V050000

Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core

Component
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
650,000
Reported to NHTSA
1992-04-14
Owners notified
1992-05-29

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE THE HEATER CORE WITH AN IMPROVED HEATER CORE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 87V053000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
278,520
Reported to NHTSA
1987-04-14
Owners notified
1987-06-04

Defect description

FUEL PUMP, LOCATED INSIDE FUEL TANK, COULD SEIZE DURING HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BECAUSE OF AN EXTREME FINE MESH FUEL FILTER RESTRICTING THE FUEL FLOW.

Safety risk

FUEL SUPPLY TO ENGINE WOULD BE PARTIALLY INTERRUPTED,RESULTING IN STALLING.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL A MODIFIED FUEL PUMP AND FILTER.

Recall campaignNHTSA 84V144000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
9,500
Reported to NHTSA
1984-11-14
Owners notified
1984-11-01

Defect description

THE CLIP LOCATED ABOVE THE EXHAUST PIPE WHERE IT ENTERS THE PRE-MUFFLER MAY MELT FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT CAUSED BY ENGINE IDLING.

Manufacturer remedy

THE DEALER HAS INITIATED A TWO STEP CORRECTIVE PROCEDURE: THE FIRST STEP CONSISTS OF IMMEDIATE REMOVAL OF THE PLASTIC CLIP ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. STEP TWO INVOLVES REPLACEMENT OF THE PLASTIC CLIP WITH A METAL ONE WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)3
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Power train1
Power train: manual transmission1
Seat belts1
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Seats1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Structure: body: door1
Suspension: front1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1

The 1984 model has 18 times as many complaints as this one. The 1986 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.