1996 Volkswagen Jetta Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

1996 Volkswagen Jetta recalls

Most common 1996 Volkswagen Jetta problems

Problem areas named in the 31 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Visibility	13
Electrical System	4
Latches/Locks/Linkages	3
Steering	3
Vehicle Speed Control	3
Power Train	2
Wheels	2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	2
Engine And Engine Cooling	1
Structure	1

What owners report

2010-11-07, Steering
I OWN A 1996 VW JETTA GLS AND MY CAR SMOKES FROM MY STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. I WILL BE DRIVING AND OUT OF NO WHERE WHITE SMOKE POURS OUT OF THE COLUMN. I THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE OF MY HEADLIGHTS BEING ON BUT THEN NOTICED IT DOING IT WITHOUT THEM ON. IT EVEN DOES IT WHEN THE CAR IS OFF! THIS I FEEL AND MY FRIEND WHO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM IS A FIRE HAZARD AND COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I CALLED A VW DEALERSHIP AND SPOKE TO THE MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME HE FEARED FOR MY LIFE AND IT SOUNDS LIKE A FIRE HAZARD OR IT COULD CAUSE MY BREAKS AND OTHER THINGS ON MY CAR TO FAIL. I COULD BE DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY AT 65 AND MY CAR CAN JUST DIE. I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR TO 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS FOR THIS PROB

2010-05-06, Electrical System
WHEN THE VDO ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT CLUSTER "TOTAL" ODOMETER READING CROSSED FROM 299,999 MILES TO 300,000 MILES . . . THE WORD "TOTAL" DISAPPEARED AND MILEAGE DROPPED TO "0". THE "TRIP" SIDE OF THE ODOMETER WORKS OK. NOW (05/06/2010) THE JETTA IS ABOUT TO CROSS 350,000 MILES, BUT THE ODOMETER ONLY SHOWS 50,000 MILES. *TR

2009-04-29, Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN AGGRESSIVE AND FORCEFUL ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO TWO PARKED VEHICLES. THE AMBULANCE AND POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND THE OCCUPANTS IN THE PARKED VEHICLES WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED MODERATE INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND EXTENT OF THE VEHICLE DAMAGE HAVE NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

2007-08-02, Visibility
DRIVING HOME FROM SCHOOL (12 MINUTE DRIVE) AT NIGHT AND THE AIR COMING FROM THE VENTS SMELLED FUNNY, LIKE COOLANT. I TURNED OFF THE FANS BUT STILL SMELLED FUNNY. I TURNED THE FANS BACK ON AND WHITE 'SMOKE' WAS COMING OUT OF THE VENTS AND IT SMELLED HEAVILY OF COOLANT. MY WINDSHIELD BEGAN TO FOG UP WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. I ROLLED DOWN MY WINDOWS AND SUNROOF AND TRIED EVERYTHING I COULD TO GET THE WINDOW TO DEFOG, BUT IT ONLY GOT WORSE. I COULD BARELY SEE AND FELT LIKE I WAS IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION SO I PULLED OFF ON THE NEAREST COUNTY ROAD. THE CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND I STILL COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING SO I OPENED THE DOOR AND DROVE TO A SAFE SPOT AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. FOUND OUT LAT

2007-04-25, Latches/Locks/Linkages
WELL, ITS AN OLD CAR YES AND HAVEN'T HAD ANY SEVERE MALFUNCTIONS EXCEPT ON PRETTY MUCH EVERY LATCH MECHANISM ON THE CAR. CURRENTLY, THE TRUNK DOES NOT OPEN. THE LATCH IS BROKE AND WILL NOT OPEN WITH KEY PLACED IN IT OR WITH RELEASE BUTTON. TO OPEN IT, I HAVE TO LAY THE BACK SEATS DOWN AND CRAWL INTO THE TRUNK AND ACTIVATE THE EMERGENCY RELEASE MANUALLY. TO ADD TO THE MESS, BOTH REAR DOORS WILL OPEN BUT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL CLOSE AGAIN. I'VE HAD TO RIG A WIRE TO PULL THE LATCH INTO ITS LOCKED POSITION TO KEEP BOTH DOORS CLOSED. (RESULTING IN THE ONLY 4 DOOR COUPE I KNOW OF!) *TR

1996 Volkswagen Jetta questions

Does the 1996 Volkswagen Jetta have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 1996 Volkswagen Jetta: Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Volkswagen Jetta?

Based on 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Visibility (13), Electrical System (4), Latches/Locks/Linkages (3).

How do I check if a recall on my 1996 Volkswagen Jetta has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.