Model year record

1996 Volkswagen Jetta

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 36 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Visibility: power window devices and controls856,300 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core4125,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2108,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission278,000 mi
Vehicle speed control278,000 mi
Wheels2
Electrical system1300,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition194,969 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: engine159 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch195,000 mi
Service brakes, air: drum: shoes/linings169,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders169,500 mi
Steering1102,000 mi
Steering: column1106,500 mi
Steering: linkages: drag: power assist system154,000 mi
Structure: body: door1
Unknown or other1
Vehicle speed control: cruise control178,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1106,500 mi

The 1995 model has about a fifth as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has about a third 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.