1993 Volkswagen Jetta
Only 17 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 17 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1982 | 0 |
| 1983 | 0 |
| 1984 | 1 |
| 1985 | 13 |
| 1986 | 14 |
| 1987 | 18 |
| 1988 | 19 |
| 1989 | 28 |
| 1990 | 22 |
| 1991 | 31 |
| 1992 | 30 |
| 1993 | 17 |
| 1994 | 117 |
| 1995 | 220 |
| 1996 | 31 |
| 1997 | 54 |
| 1998 | 192 |
| 1999 | 349 |
| 2000 | 439 |
| 2001 | 668 |
| 2002 | 702 |
| 2003 | 455 |
| 2004 | 231 |
| 2005 | 248 |
| 2006 | 580 |
| 2007 | 201 |
| 2008 | 188 |
| 2009 | 888 |
| 2010 | 852 |
| 2011 | 606 |
| 2012 | 499 |
| 2013 | 515 |
| 2014 | 386 |
| 2015 | 193 |
| 2016 | 160 |
| 2017 | 158 |
| 2018 | 30 |
| 2019 | 537 |
| 2020 | 51 |
| 2021 | 65 |
| 2022 | 41 |
| 2023 | 41 |
| 2024 | 36 |
| 2025 | 21 |
| 2026 | 3 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Only 17 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
4 of 17 total reports mention: latches/locks/linkages.
3 of 17 total reports mention: visibility.
2 of 17 total reports mention: seat belts.
2 of 17 total reports mention: electrical system.
Show complaint excerpts
THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19950707
1 of 17 total reports mentions: visibility.
Show complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA III. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL HOSE, CAUSING FUEL TO FALL TO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT WOULD ALSO SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS.
NHTSA ODI report, 20111201
SAFETY TIMELINE
THE JACKS SUPPLIED WITH THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MACHINED SPINDLE, SO THAT A SHARP RIDGE ON THE EDGE OF SPINDLE'S THREAD WOULD HAVE REMAINED.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A NEW JACK.
Campaign 95V054000 — check if this car was fixed
WHEN INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLES, A TIE WRAP IS USED TO GUIDE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SOME TIE WRAPS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED WITH A LARGE LOOP OPENING IMPROPERLY GUIDING THE CAB
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CRUISE CONTROL TIE WRAP AND INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED GUIDE.
Campaign 95E034000 — check if this car was fixed
IMPROPER MATERIAL WAS USED IN MANUFACTURING THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAUSING THE SHAFT TO WEAR AND BECOME NOISY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COMPLETE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLE HAVING THE POTENTIAL SHAFT MATERIAL PROBLEM. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FAN BLADE INCLUDING A NEW LOCK NUT ON VEHICLE WITH LOOSE FAN B
Campaign 95V178000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HOOD LATCH AND SECURING BOLTS AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY.
Campaign 98V160000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR BRAKE LINE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO THE CORNER OF THE FUEL TANK. THE LINE COULD BE DAMAGED BY CHAFING AGAINST THE FUEL TANK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LINE AND REPLACE ANY DAMAGED LINES.
Campaign 98V195000 — check if this car was fixed
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1993 Volkswagen Jetta — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for latches/locks/linkages issues (4 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for visibility issues (3 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for seat belts issues (2 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 95V054000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 95E034000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 95V178000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V160000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V195000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1993 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 1993 Volkswagen Jetta?
The most-reported component is latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1993 Volkswagen Jetta have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.