Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1995 Volkswagen Jetta, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system45
- Latches/locks/linkages37
- Visibility26
- Engine and engine cooling26
- Air bags22
- Power train22
- Service brakes, hydraulic21
- Equipment18
- Steering14
- Suspension11
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 52 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1995 Volkswagen Jetta failed the safety check 1.89% of the time — 47% more often than the average 1995 passenger car (1.29%). Median odometer at inspection: 131,767 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In New Zealand
1 1995 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 7 variants: combined 7.6–12.7 L/100 km (about 19–31 mpg US), CO₂ 205–292 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jetta GL Diesel · Compact · Diesel | 8.4 | 6.6 | 7.6 |
| Jetta CL · Compact · Regular gasoline | 10.6 | 7.9 | 9.4 |
| Jetta GL · Compact · Regular gasoline | 11.4 | 8.2 | 10.0 |
| Jetta GL · Compact · Regular gasoline | 11.6 | 8.8 | 10.3 |
| Jetta CL · Compact · Regular gasoline | 12.0 | 9.3 | 10.8 |
| Jetta GLX · Compact · Regular gasoline | 14.3 | 10.2 | 12.4 |
| Jetta GLX · Compact · Regular gasoline | 14.7 | 10.3 | 12.7 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 1995 Volkswagen Jetta.
| 1998192 28 Sept 1998 | Brakes On certain vehicles, the rear brake line on the passenger side could be routed too close to the corner of the fuel tank. An improperly routed brake line could b… |
| 1998158 20 Aug 1998 | Structure THE BOLTS SECURING THE FRONT HOOD LATCH MAY LOSE THEIR SPECIFIED FASTENING TORQUE OVER TIME. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN, THE LATCH COULD MOVE OUT OF ITS DESIGN POSITION… |
| 1995221 11 Dec 1995 | Engine NOTE: INCLUDES PASSAT, GOLF AND JETTA TURBO DIESEL. ON 1993-94 MODELS, THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR SHAFT COULD SEIZE AND RENDER THE FAN MOTOR INOPERATIVE. 1994-95 M… |
| 1995048 15 Mar 1995 | Other A SHARP RIDGE ON THE JACK SPINDLE COULD DAMAGE THE INSIDE THREAD OF THE SCISSOR SHOE WHEN THE JACK IS USED TO LIFT THE VEHICLE. IF THE DAMAGE TO THE THREAD OF T… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
IMPROPER MATERIAL WAS USED IN MANUFACTURING THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAUSING THE SHAFT TO WEAR AND BECOME NOISY.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Volkswagen told its dealers about the 1995 Volkswagen Jetta: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 621613 | SUBJECT REGARDING LATCH SYSTEM LOWER ANCHORS AND TETHERS FOR CHILDREN, INSTALLING / RETROFITTING. *TT |
| 603136 | INFORMATION ON CRUISE CONTROL, TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION, CORRECTION. *YC |
| 601876 | INFORMATION ON MAINTENANCE INTERVALS. *YC |
| 600981 | DIFFICULTIES IN CLOSING REAR LID. *YC |
| 600823 | CONDITION WITH THE ABS PUMP ACTIVATION IS HEARD WHEN VEHICLE REACHES APPROXIMATELY 13 MPH. *YC |
| 600822 | CLUTCH PEDAL DOES NOT FULLY RETURN, CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT FUNCTION. *YC |
| 54053 | CLUTCH PEDAL DOES NOT FULLY RETURN TO STOP, CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT FUNCTION. *YC |
| 53644 | CONDITIONS REGARDING EXTERIOR DOOR LOCKS CANNOT BE LOCKED OR UNLOCKED WITH KEY WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS BELOW FREEZING. *YC |
| 53633 | CHART IDENTIFIES WHICH TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULES (TMC) ARE AVAILABLE FOR VARIOUS STATES. *AK |
| 53616 | TOOTHED BELT RUNS TOWARDS OUTSIDE, WEARS OUT/ JUMPS OFF, AND CRACKS. *AK |
| 53603 | ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT START, POSSIBLEDTC'S STORED IN TCM DTC MEMORY |
| 53600 | VEHICLES WITH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS CAN EXPERIENCE LOSS OF INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ILLUMINATION IF DRIVEN FOE EXTENDED DURATIONS/REPLACE ORIGINAL INSTRUMENTCLUSTER HOUSING WITH 1996 VERSION. *AK |
| 45674 | DIAGNOSTICS FOR COMPLAUINTS OF ENGINE MISS/POOR PERFORMANCE. *TW |
| 45673 | HOOD LOCK FASTENER, TORQUE REVISION. *TW |
| 45017 | OIL ACCUMULATION IN THE AIR INTAKE SYSTEM. *TW |
| 45016 | FUEL GAUGE READS INACCURATELY. *TW |
| 45015 | DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS, RESISTOR WIRE INSTALLATION. *TW |
| 45014 | FUEL GAUGE READS INACCURATELY. *TW |
| 44003 | UNKNOWN |
| 42012 | INTAKE AIR SUPPLY SYSTEM, OIL ACCUMULATION. *TW |
| 42011 | EXTERIOR DOOR LOCKS FREEZING. *TW |
| 10241266 | Squeaks, Rattles, Noise, Repair Materials |
| 10241265 | Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults |
| 10240922 | Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections |
| 10239789 | To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open in the grid line. The check must be performed with the engine running and heated rear window switched on. Switch OFF the ignition and visually locate the damage. Proceed with checking any other lines as necessary. Once the damaged line is identified, repair utilizing the Repair kit by Permatex ITEM 09117. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
HOOD LATCH FAILURE
HOOD FLY-UP
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation