MYRModel Year Report

1987 Volkswagen Jetta

○ Not enough data
1987 Volkswagen Jetta
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:53:21.853Z

Only 18 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 18 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, 1987 highlighted. 1984: 1 complaints 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 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: 547 complaints 2020: 52 complaints 2020 2021: 67 complaints 2022: 42 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2024: 43 complaints 2025: 28 complaints 2026: 5 complaints 2026
1987: 18 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
2019547
202052
202167
202242
202343
202443
202528
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 18 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

VISIBILITY

4 of 18 total reports mention: visibility, most commonly citing heater core and windshield.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

HEATER CORE BURST, CAUSING INJURY. *TW

NHTSA ODI report, 19950608

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

3 of 18 total reports mention: fuel system, gasoline, most commonly citing fuel pump.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

3 of 18 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing emission control and engine.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDED ON A 5-SPEED JETTA WITH GASOLINE ENGINE.-----DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS-------769740. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20030514

SUSPENSION

2 of 18 total reports mention: suspension, most commonly citing lower ball joint and lower arm.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH, LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE, WHEEL CAME OFF, TIE ROD SNAPPED IN HALF, VEHICLE ROLLED 3 OR 4 TIMES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20010108

SEAT BELTS

2 of 18 total reports mention: seat belts, most commonly citing webbing and retractor.

SAFETY TIMELINE

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

R 19900430 — service brakes, hydraulic

No summary on file.

Remedy: CURVE OR REPLACE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE.

Campaign 89V221000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19910826 — PE (closed 19911209)

HEATER CORE FAILURE

I 19911209 — EA (closed 19920612)

HEATER CORE FAILURE

I 19920303 — DP (closed 19920323)

DEFECTIVE HEATER CORES

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

1987 Volkswagen Jetta — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (4 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 87V053000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 89V221000 (service brakes, hydraulic) 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 1987 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 1987 Volkswagen Jetta?

The most-reported component is visibility, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1987 Volkswagen Jetta have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.