MYRModel Year Report

1990 Volkswagen Jetta

○ Not enough data
1990 Volkswagen Jetta
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:35:38.539Z

Only 22 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 22 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
22

Too few to rank

Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 1990

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 19 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 22 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 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 19 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 22 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 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 19 complaints 1988 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 22 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

1990: 22 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 22 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Engine and engine cooling

9 of 22 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing gasoline and radiator assembly.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

While starting vehicle it suddenly caught on fire. Vehicle was totalled.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-03-20

Vehicle leaked hot antifreeze inside passenger and driver sides. Vehicle was towed, and manufacturer was notified and stated there would be a charge to consumer to have them analyze the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-08-27

Visibility

4 of 22 total reports mention: visibility, most commonly citing heater core.

Electrical system

4 of 22 total reports mention: electrical system, most commonly citing ignition and starter assembly.

Vehicle speed control

4 of 22 total reports mention: vehicle speed control, most commonly citing cables and accelerator pedal.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Stopped for ice cream after about 60 mile drive. Did not leave vehicle. Started car and when I went from park to reverse, the RPM's soared (I had not taken my foot off the brake) causing the car to accelerate in reverse at a high rate of speed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2001-08-16

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

The gas pedal falls to the floor causing the vehicle to experience sudden acceleration. Owner has to stomp on brakes in order to stop the vehicle. Owner will contact manufacturer.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-01-21

Service brakes

2 of 22 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1990-03-22Steering90V007000 Power steering pump bracket is subject to breakage due to excessive tension caused by a lack of clearance between the pump mounting bracket and sealing flange edge of the oil pan.

    Remedy: Replace power steering pump bracket.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1990-08-23Service brakes, hydraulic90V142000 Omission of air ducts intended to guide flow of cooling air to left and right front brake calipers could allow brake fluid to exceed allowable operating temperature under certain operating conditions.

    Remedy: Install missing left and right front air ducts.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1991-01-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-05-31 Unstable high engine idle
  4. I
    1991-12-09Engineering analysisClosed 1992-06-12 Heater core failure
  5. R
    1992-05-22Fuel system, gasoline92V058000 The fuel hose attached to the fuel distribution rail on the engine may shrink beyond the clamp force of the fuel hose clamps, allowing fuel to leak.

    Remedy: Replace the fuel hose attached to the fuel rail and install a new spring type self-tightening clamp.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. 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 →

  7. I
    1992-12-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-03-03 Detachment of bumper cover
  8. I
    1993-03-03Engineering analysisClosed 1993-09-17 Detachment of bumper cover
  9. R
    1993-09-24Service brakes, hydraulic93V129000 An engine preheating tube may not be properly supported due to a missing support bracket, causing the preheating tube to chafe against the right front metal brake line. This can damage the hydraulic…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a preheating tube support bracket to ensure proper positioning relative to the right front metal brake line.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. 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 →

  11. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1990 Volkswagen Jetta — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 9 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 4 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 4 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 90V007000 · Steering
  • Recall 90V142000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 92V058000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 92V050000 · Visibility
  • Recall 93V129000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 06E018000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1990 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 1990 Volkswagen Jetta?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1990 Volkswagen Jetta have?
7 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.