Model year record

1987 Volkswagen Jetta

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 21 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 89V221000

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
8,000
Reported to NHTSA
1989-12-08
Owners notified
1990-04-30

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

CURVE OR REPLACE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE.

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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core3
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2
Electrical system1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Engine and engine cooling: engine1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Fuel system, gasoline1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Steering: linkages1
Structure: body: door1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1
Vehicle speed control1
Visibility: windshield1

The 1986 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1988 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.