MYRModel Year Report

1986 Volkswagen Jetta

○ Not enough data
1986 Volkswagen Jetta
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:45:35.912Z

Only 14 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 14 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
14

Too few to rank

Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1986

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1984: 1 complaint 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1986 14 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 19 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 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: 456 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2005: 248 complaints 2006: 580 complaints 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2008 2009: 889 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2011: 607 complaints 2012: 500 complaints 2013: 518 complaints 2014: 387 complaints 2014 2015: 194 complaints 2016: 161 complaints 2017: 160 complaints 2018: 32 complaints 2019: 552 complaints 2020: 54 complaints 2020 2021: 71 complaints 2022: 43 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2024: 46 complaints 2025: 31 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
1984: 1 complaint 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1986 14 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 19 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 32 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 17 complaints 1993 1994: 120 complaints 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 173 complaints 1996 1997: 141 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1999: 349 complaints 1999 2000: 439 complaints 2001: 668 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2002 2003: 456 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2005: 248 complaints 2005 2006: 580 complaints 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2008 2009: 889 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2011: 607 complaints 2011 2012: 500 complaints 2013: 518 complaints 2014: 387 complaints 2014 2015: 194 complaints 2016: 161 complaints 2017: 160 complaints 2017 2018: 32 complaints 2019: 552 complaints 2020: 54 complaints 2020 2021: 71 complaints 2022: 43 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2023 2024: 46 complaints 2025: 31 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1986 14 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 19 complaints 1988 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 32 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1992 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 120 complaints 1994 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 173 complaints 1996 1997: 141 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1998 1999: 349 complaints 2000: 439 complaints 2000 2001: 668 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2002 2003: 456 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2004 2005: 248 complaints 2006: 580 complaints 2006 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2008 2009: 889 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2010 2011: 607 complaints 2012: 500 complaints 2012 2013: 518 complaints 2014: 387 complaints 2014 2015: 194 complaints 2016: 161 complaints 2016 2017: 160 complaints 2018: 32 complaints 2018 2019: 552 complaints 2020: 54 complaints 2020 2021: 71 complaints 2022: 43 complaints 2022 2023: 43 complaints 2024: 46 complaints 2024 2025: 31 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026

1986: 14 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
2003456
2004231
2005248
2006580
2007201
2008188
2009889
2010852
2011607
2012500
2013518
2014387
2015194
2016161
2017160
201832
2019552
202054
202171
202243
202343
202446
202531
20266

Known problem areas

Only 14 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Fuel system, gasoline

5 of 14 total reports mention: fuel system, gasoline, most commonly citing fuel pump.

Show complaint excerpts

There is a weak melted seal in the fuel box which is leaking. *jg the heater core was recalled. Recall# 87V053000

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-12-10

Also filed under Visibility

Visibility

3 of 14 total reports mention: visibility, most commonly citing heater core.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1986 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact was driving 60 MPH when he noticed antifreeze abnormally leaking onto her foot. As a result, the contact sustained burns to her foot and the vehicle was towed to a local repair facility.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-09-27

Structure

3 of 14 total reports mention: structure, most commonly citing frame and members and tailgate.

Service brakes

1 of 14 total reports mentions: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

Power train

1 of 14 total reports mentions: power train, most commonly citing clutch assembly.

Show complaint excerpts

Manual transmission clutch pedal goes all the way to floor, unable to engage in forward gears. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-01-25

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1987-06-04Fuel system, gasoline87V053000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1991-01-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-04-29 Engine mount failure
  3. I
    1991-08-26Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-12-09 Heater core failure
  4. I
    1991-12-09Engineering analysisClosed 1992-06-12 Heater core failure
  5. R
    1992-05-29Visibility92V050000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2006-03-30Service brakes, hydraulic06E018000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1986 Volkswagen Jetta — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Fuel system, gasoline: 5 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 3 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 3 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 87V053000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 92V050000 · Visibility
  • Recall 06E018000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1986 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 1986 Volkswagen Jetta?
The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline, accounting for 36% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1986 Volkswagen Jetta have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.