Model year record

1994 Volkswagen Jetta recalls & problems

The 1994 Volkswagen Jetta has 7 safety recalls and 117 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is equipment (28 complaints).

Recalls7safety recalls

Complaints117filed by owners

Crashes · fires7 · 5reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths9 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Service brakes, hydraulicAug 17, 1998

Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 98V195000153,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: REPEATED CHAFING COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A LEAKING BRAKE LINE CAUSING DIMINISHED BRAKING IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT INCREASING THE VEHICLE'S STOPPING DISTANCE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LINE AND REPLACE ANY DAMAGED LINES.

Latches/locks/linkagesJul 16, 1998

Hood › Latch

Recall 98V160000238,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: UNEXPECTED OPENING OF THE HOOD COULD OCCUR OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HOOD LATCH AND SECURING BOLTS AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY.

VisibilityJul 8, 1996

Power window devices and controls

Recall 96V1280001,100 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE EDGE COVER IN BOTH REAR DOOR INNER PANEL OPENINGS.

Engine and engine coolingSep 20, 1995

Cooling system › Fan

Recall 95V17800034,000 vehicles

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

Vehicle speed controlAug 18, 1995

Vehicle speed control

Recall 95E03400079 vehicles

Problem: WHEN INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLES, A TIE WRAP IS USED TO GUIDE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SOME TIE WRAPS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED WITH A LARGE LOOP OPENING IMPROPERLY GUIDING THE CABLE WHICH COULD PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION.
Risk: THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THEPOTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE COLLISION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CRUISE CONTROL TIE WRAP AND INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED GUIDE.

EquipmentMar 13, 1995

Mechanical › Integrated jack/leveler/stabilizer

Recall 95V054000104,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A NEW JACK.

Components: Equipment › Mechanical › Integrated jack/leveler/stabilizer; Equipment › Mechanical › Accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Jetta III

23mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Jetta III

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Jetta III GLX

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.8 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Jetta III GLX

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
EquipmentMechanical › Accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift; Appliance › Air conditioner	28	0	1	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition; Wiring › Interior/under dash	26	0	6	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	24	0	1	0	—
VisibilitySun/moon roof assembly; Power window devices and controls	16	0	0	0	—
Latches/locks/linkagesHood › Latch; Doors › Latch	10	1	0	1	—
StructureBody › Door; Body › Trunk lid	10	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor	9	0	2	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Clutch assembly	8	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlCruise control	7	3	0	3	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap	7	0	1	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner	6	0	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module	5	2	0	4	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Fuel system, gasoline
THE IN TANK FUEL PUMP DESIGN HAS THE ACTUAL PUMP SITTING IN A PLASTIC HOUSING WITH RUBBER SEALS AT THE TOP AND BOTTOM TO KEEP FUEL AROUND THE PUMP FOR COOLING, EVEN WHEN THE TANK QUANTITY GETS LOW. THE RUBBER SEALS ON MY FUEL PUMP ROTTED AND DISINTEGRATED. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE PUMP TO OPERATE WITHOUT THE DESIGNED COOLING OF THE PUMP AT LOW GAS LEVELS. OVERHEATING OF THE PUMP BECAUSE OF THIS COULD RESULT IN A GAS TANK FIRE OR EXPLOSION. *TR
Jul 21, 2008 · 59,000 miles
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module
AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING. I NOTICED THE RED LIGHT FOR THE AIRBAG DID NOT GO OFF (NOT NOTICEABLE IN DAYLIGHT) THIS COULD BE A SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 92K MILES. THE WARNING LIGHT IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE IN BRIGHT DAYLIGHT. IF IT FAILS IN THE MIDDLE OF A JOURNEY THERE IS NO WARNING SOUND.... CONSUMERS CAN BE KILLED OR MAIMED IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS WITHOUT REALIZING THIS PART HAS STOPPED FUNCTIONING, DRIVERS MAY GET A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. I TOOK THE CAR TO A VW DEALER WAS TOLD THAT THE CONTROL MODULE FOR THE AIRBAG HAD STOPPED WORKING. WE, (MY HUSBAND AND I), CALLED VW OF AMERICA, BUT WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS 1. OUT OF WARRANTY,…
Mar 1, 2007 · 91,800 miles
Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › LatchCrash1 injury
WHILE OPERATING MY VEHICLE (1994 VW JETTA) THE HOOD LATCH BROKE AND HOOD DETACHED FROM LOCK FLEW UP CRACKING MY WINDSHIELD, BRAKING WIPERS, I LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE CRASHING INTO DIVIDER OF HIGHWAY. BY THE GRACE OF GOD I WAS ABLE TO AVOID TRAFFIC AND DROVE TO SAFETY AS MY HOOD COVERED THE WINDSHIELD. THE GLASS SHATTERED OVER THE FRONT DRIVING AREA. THANK GOD MY CHILDREN WERE NOT WITH ME AT THIS TRAUMATIC TIME. I HAD TO CALL FOR HELP AND USE FIRST AID FOR CUTS. I WAS UNAWARE OF RECALL AND REPAIRED WINDSHIELD,WIPERS AND TEMPORARILY STABILIZED HOOD. *JB
Nov 20, 2005
Engine and engine cooling
WHILE DRIVING 25-55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED, DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Apr 20, 2004 · 185,000 miles
Power train › Clutch assembly
CLUTCH CABLE. *LA
Jan 2, 2003
Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
WIRES ARE BURNED OUT INSIDE DASHBOARD PANEL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUTDOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. PLEASE FURNISH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Jan 15, 2003
Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Windshield › Electrical heating element
CONSUMER STATES THAT HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL UNIT IS DEFECTIVE. HAS HAD TO REPLACE 4X. ON TWO OCCASIONS, WAS DRIVING AND BEGAN TO SMELL A "WIRE" BURNING SMELL, NOTICED SMOKE EMITTED FROM VENTS. REACTION MELTED THE FRONT OF PANEL BOTH TIMES ALMOST CAUSING A FIRE. TS
Dec 1, 2002
Vehicle speed controlCrash1 injury
WHEN SLOWING DOWN VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.*AK THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND STRUCK A MANURE TANK SPREADER, THERE WAS ONE INJURY. *YH
Jul 12, 2002

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

FUEL TANK PUNCTUREClosedLed to recall 02V026000
EA00028 · opened Dec 28, 2000 · closed Jan 29, 2002
FUEL TANK PUNCTUREClosed
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON AUGUST 10, 2000 BASED ON 9 REPORTS REGARDING PUNCTURED FUEL TANKS INVOLVING THE JETTA, PASSAT, AND CABRIO MODELS.THE REPORTS INDICATE ADDITIONAL REPORTS IN ITS RESPONSE TO THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED FOR FURTHER STUDY.
PE00033 · opened Aug 10, 2000 · closed Dec 28, 2000