1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
36
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
2
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
The 1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA has received a total of 36 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH. 2 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls (8 complaints), Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core (4 complaints), and Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch (2 complaints).
Recalls for the 1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, potentially affecting up to 254,270 vehicles.
Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 16,270 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 98V160000 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
| 238,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: UNEXPECTED OPENING OF THE HOOD COULD OCCUR OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HOOD LATCH AND SECURING BOLTS AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
36 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemignition | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemignitionswitch | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingengine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkageshoodlatch | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Airdrumshoeslinings | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulic | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrumwheel Cylinders | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steeringcolumn | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steeringlinkagesdragpower Assist System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodydoor | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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 PROBLEM AND THEY ALL SAID THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHAT IT COULD BE . IN MY CASE NOTHING LEADS UP TO THIS HAPPENING IT JUST HAPPENS RANDOMLY AT ANYTIME WITH OR WITHOUT MY LIGHTS ON OR BLINKERS BEING ON. THIS IS STILL AN UNKNOWN CAUSE BUT VERY SCARY, EVEN SCARIER KNOWING ITS NOT JUST MY CAR. *TR
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
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.
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.
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 LATER THAT THERE WAS COOLANT ALL OVER ON THE FLOORBOARDS AND THAT THE HEATER CORE HAS FAILED. *JB
View all Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls complaints →
Safety Rating for the 1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 2 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
0328 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION 1996-1997 VEHICLES. *TT
9704169709F — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SUBJECT ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE CAN ADDITIONALLY RECOGNIZE TWO DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) NOT CURRENTLY SHOWN IN THE REPAIR MANUAL. *YC
NHTSA Investigations for the 1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA.
Other Model Years of the VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
- 1991 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 38 complaints
- 1992 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 33 complaints
- 1993 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 22 complaints
- 1994 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 167 complaints
- 1995 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 338 complaints
- 1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (current)
- 1997 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 100 complaints
- 1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 253 complaints
- 1999 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 488 complaints
- 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 633 complaints
- 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 862 complaints
Other VOLKSWAGEN Models
- VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 10,288 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — 3,613 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN — 3,104 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS — 2,635 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN GOLF — 1,991 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN GTI — 1,916 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 — 1,568 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN CC — 1,356 total complaints