MYRModel Year Report

1985 Volkswagen Jetta

○ Not enough data
1985 Volkswagen Jetta
RENDERED 2026-09-16T07:27:41.442Z

Only 13 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 13 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Volkswagen Jetta Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1985 highlighted. 1984: 1 complaints 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1985 1986: 14 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 19 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 32 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 120 complaints 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 173 complaints 1996 1997: 141 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1999: 349 complaints 2000: 439 complaints 2001: 668 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2002 2003: 455 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2005: 248 complaints 2006: 580 complaints 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2008 2009: 888 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2011: 606 complaints 2012: 499 complaints 2013: 516 complaints 2014: 386 complaints 2014 2015: 194 complaints 2016: 161 complaints 2017: 159 complaints 2018: 31 complaints 2019: 546 complaints 2020: 52 complaints 2020 2021: 67 complaints 2022: 42 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2024: 43 complaints 2025: 28 complaints 2026: 5 complaints 2026
1985: 13 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19820
19830
19841
198513
198614
198718
198819
198928
199022
199132
199230
199317
1994120
1995220
1996173
1997141
1998192
1999349
2000439
2001668
2002702
2003455
2004231
2005248
2006580
2007201
2008188
2009888
2010852
2011606
2012499
2013516
2014386
2015194
2016161
2017159
201831
2019546
202052
202167
202242
202343
202443
202528
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 13 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

POWER TRAIN

5 of 13 total reports mention: power train, most commonly citing pedal/hand lever(motorcycle) and manual transmission.

SERVICE BRAKES

3 of 13 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

SEAT BELTS

3 of 13 total reports mention: seat belts, most commonly citing webbing and anchorage.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

SEAT BELT CAUSED SEPARATION OF STERNUM AND NERVE DAMAGE TO LEG DURING ACCIDENT. *AW

NHTSA ODI report, 19951005

DRIVER'S SEAT BOLTS SHEARED OFF SEAT STRUCTION AND FLOOR DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING DRIVER TO BE THROWN FORWARD AND BACK, RESULTING IN INJURY. SKD

NHTSA ODI report, 19950929

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2 of 13 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing belts and associated pulleys and gasoline.

VISIBILITY

1 of 13 total reports mentions: visibility, most commonly citing heater core.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19841101 — service brakes, hydraulic

THE CLIP LOCATED ABOVE THE EXHAUST PIPE WHERE IT ENTERS THE PRE-MUFFLER MAY MELT FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT CAUSED BY ENGINE IDLING.

Remedy: THE DEALER HAS INITIATED A TWO STEP CORRECTIVE PROCEDURE: THE FIRST STEP CONSISTS OF IMMEDIATE REMOVAL OF THE PLASTIC CLIP ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. STEP TWO INVOLVES REPLACEMENT OF THE PLASTIC CLIP W

Campaign 84V144000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19870604 — fuel system, gasoline

FUEL PUMP, LOCATED INSIDE FUEL TANK, COULD SEIZE DURING HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BECAUSE OF AN EXTREME FINE MESH FUEL FILTER RESTRICTING THE FUEL FLOW.

Remedy: INSTALL A MODIFIED FUEL PUMP AND FILTER.

Campaign 87V053000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19910114 — PE (closed 19910429)

ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE

I 19910826 — PE (closed 19911209)

HEATER CORE FAILURE

I 19911209 — EA (closed 19920612)

HEATER CORE FAILURE

R 19920529 — visibility

THE END CAP CONNECTING THE HEAT EXCHANGER'S CORE TO THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM COULD RUPTURE AND ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

Remedy: REPLACE THE HEATER CORE WITH AN IMPROVED HEATER CORE.

Campaign 92V050000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060330 — service brakes, hydraulic

CERTAIN HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES, P/N 171.611.107B, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1975-1985 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) RABBIT; 1985-1992 VW GOLF; AND 1980-1992 VW JETTA PASSENGER VEHICLES. POSSIBLE BRAKE HOSE

Remedy: FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE BRAKE HOSES WITH COMPLIANT BRAKE HOSES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS AT 305-885-864

Campaign 06E018000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1985 Volkswagen Jetta — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 84V144000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 87V053000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 92V050000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E018000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2018 ▲ 1992 ▲ 1991

WORST YEARS

■ 2009 ■ 2010 ■ 2002

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1985 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 1985 Volkswagen Jetta?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1985 Volkswagen Jetta have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-15 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.