Model year record

1994 Volkswagen Jetta

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 167 owner complaints on file.

Volkswagen Jetta, 1993–1998 generation
Pictured: the 1993–1998 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V195000

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
153,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-08-17
Owners notified
1998-10-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR BRAKE LINE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO THE CORNER OF THE FUEL TANK. THE LINE COULD BE DAMAGED BY CHAFING AGAINST THE FUEL TANK.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LINE AND REPLACE ANY DAMAGED LINES.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V160000

Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
238,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-07-16
Owners notified
1998-10-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BOLTS SECURING THE FRONT HOOD LATCH CAN LOOSEN OVER TIME. THE LATCH WOULD MOVE CAUSING DISENGAGEMENT OF THE HOOD STRIKER FROM THE LATCH.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HOOD LATCH AND SECURING BOLTS AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V128000

Visibility: power window devices and controls

Component
Visibility: power window devices and controls
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
1,100
Reported to NHTSA
1996-07-08
Owners notified
1996-11-18

Defect description

THE SHEET METAL PANELS OF BOTH REAR DOORS HAVE OPENINGS FOR THE ROUTING OF THE ELECTRICAL WINDOW REGULATOR WIRING. THE PANEL OPENINGS HAVE SHARP EDGES THAT CAN DAMAGE THE INSULATION OF THE WIRING HARNESS.

Safety risk

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE EDGE COVER IN BOTH REAR DOOR INNER PANEL OPENINGS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V178000

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan

Component
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
34,000
Reported to NHTSA
1995-09-20
Owners notified
1995-11-29

Defect description

IMPROPER MATERIAL WAS USED IN MANUFACTURING THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAUSING THE SHAFT TO WEAR AND BECOME NOISY.

Safety risk

A WORN AND NOISY FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAN SEIZE RENDERINGTHE FAN MOTOR INOPERATIVE, EVENTUALLY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND STALL. A STALLED VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC CAN INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COMPLETE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLE HAVING THE POTENTIAL SHAFT MATERIAL PROBLEM. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FAN BLADE INCLUDING A NEW LOCK NUT ON VEHICLE WITH LOOSE FAN BLADE LOCK NUTS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V054000

Equipment: mechanical: integrated jack/leveler/stabilizer

Component
Equipment: mechanical: integrated jack/leveler/stabilizer
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
104,000
Reported to NHTSA
1995-03-13
Owners notified
1995-05-05

Defect description

THE JACKS SUPPLIED WITH THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MACHINED SPINDLE, SO THAT A SHARP RIDGE ON THE EDGE OF SPINDLE'S THREAD WOULD HAVE REMAINED.

Safety risk

THIS RIDGE CAN DAMAGE THE INSIDE THREAD OF THE JACK'S SCISSOR SHOE WHEN THE JACK IS USED TO LIFT THE VEHICLE. THE JACK COULD COLLAPSE WITH THE POSSIBILITY THAT A PERSON STANDING CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE COULD BE INJURED.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A NEW JACK.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift22—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline15—
Electrical system: ignition11—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch8—
Structure: body: door7—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash5—
Engine and engine cooling: engine5—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner5—
Seats5—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings5—
Vehicle speed control5—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly5—
Power train: automatic transmission4—
Visibility: power window devices and controls4—
Air bags2—
Air bags: frontal2—
Electrical system: ignition: switch2—
Electrical system: wiring2—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly2—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2—
Power train: clutch assembly2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2—
Suspension: rear2—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control2—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor2—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module191,800 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Engine and engine cooling1185,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Fuel system, gasoline159,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1—
Parking brake: conventional1—
Power train1—
Power train: axle assembly1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1—
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1—
Structure: body: trunk lid1—
Structure: frame and members1—
Suspension: front1—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1—
Suspension: front: shock absorber1—
Tires: sidewall1—
Unknown or other1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1—

The 1993 model has 8 times as many complaints as this one. The 1995 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.

Other Volkswagen Jetta model years

All Volkswagen Jetta recalls by year

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.