Model year record

1990 Volkswagen Jetta

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 29 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 93V129000

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
76,000
Reported to NHTSA
1993-08-02
Owners notified
1993-09-24

Defect description

AN ENGINE PREHEATING TUBE MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SUPPORTED DUE TO A MISSING SUPPORT BRACKET, CAUSING THE PREHEATING TUBE TO CHAFE AGAINST THE RIGHT FRONT METAL BRAKE LINE. THIS CAN DAMAGE THE HYDRAULIC LINE, CAUSING BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE AND DIMINISHED BRAKING IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT.

Safety risk

DIMINISHED BRAKING CAN RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PREHEATING TUBE SUPPORT BRACKET TO ENSURE PROPER POSITIONING RELATIVE TO THE RIGHT FRONT METAL BRAKE LINE.

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 92V058000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
358,000
Reported to NHTSA
1992-04-14
Owners notified
1992-05-22

Defect description

THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION RAIL ON THE ENGINE MAY SHRINK BEYOND THE CLAMP FORCE OF THE FUEL HOSE CLAMPS, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE IF THE FUEL COMES IN CONTACT WITH A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL AND INSTALL A NEW SPRING TYPE SELF-TIGHTENING CLAMP.

Recall campaignNHTSA 90V142000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
11,000
Reported to NHTSA
1990-08-06
Owners notified
1990-08-23

Defect description

OMISSION OF AIR DUCTS INTENDED TO GUIDE FLOW OF COOLING AIR TO LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS COULD ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO EXCEED ALLOWABLE OPERATING TEMPERATURE UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS.

Safety risk

IF BRAKE FLUID BOILS, THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCEDBRAKING PRESSURE WITH POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL MISSING LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT AIR DUCTS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 90V007000

Steering: hydraulic power assist system

Component
Steering: hydraulic power assist system
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
225
Reported to NHTSA
1990-01-22
Owners notified
1990-03-22

Defect description

POWER STEERING PUMP BRACKET IS SUBJECT TO BREAKAGE DUE TO EXCESSIVE TENSION CAUSED BY A LACK OF CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE PUMP MOUNTING BRACKET AND SEALING FLANGE EDGE OF THE OIL PAN.

Safety risk

BRACKET BREAKAGE COULD ALLOW POWER STEERING PUMP TO LOOSEN AND DRIVE BELT TO SLIP, RESULTING IN THE NEED FOR UNEXPECTED INCREASED STEERING FORCE WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE POWER STEERING PUMP BRACKET.

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 core4105,102 mi
Electrical system: ignition3
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2105,102 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly2120,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages2
Vehicle speed control2
Electrical system: starter assembly1
Engine and engine cooling1130,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1120,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Power train: automatic transmission1
Seat belts: front1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Tires: tread/belt1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Vehicle speed control: cables1

The 1989 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1991 model has about half as many 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.