1993 Volkswagen Jetta: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 17 owner complaints on record; most reports concern latches/locks/linkages.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Sunroof almost flew off while driving at 65 mph. Manufacturer has been contacted. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak”Owner report · Visibility · Feb 2002
“Driver's seat belt will not return back into retractor. Leaving occupant unrestrained. Dealer contacted. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2001
“I was getting on the highway, I heard air coming from the roof of my car and looked up and my sunroof blew off and could have hit the car behind me causing seriouse injury or death had it hit the windshield of another vehical. I had no warning and my sunroof was not opend at the time of departure.*ak”Owner report · Visibility · Jul 2001
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tail light ass'ys replaced under warranty per service bulletin (approx. 1995) because trunk stops weren't high enough and trunk would close on taillight, puncturing lens, then fill up with water and blow out bulbs. Approx. 3 years later, I rec'd a ticket from chp because of no tail lights or brake lights. Same problem. I covered hole with silicone and replaced the bulbs. Later, the blinkers/flashers stopped working, then the horn quit and dealer says it may a crimped wire which also killed the a\c. One other person I know with a similar jetta also has blinkers/flashers that stopped working, then their horn...”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2000
“Recalls 98v195000 and 98v160000; rear brake line and the hood latch recalls which were not yet modified because of no availability of parts. Dealer is pulliam ford, 655 broad river road, columbia, sc 29210 please provide further information. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 1998
“The consumer received a recall letter for the hood latch assembly. In each attempt to get vehicle serviced, there were no parts available. The recall number is 98v16000. *ak”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Sep 1998
“Door locks are stuck in the locked position due to the lock cylinder falling out of their welded position into the door. Dealer has been contacted. *ak”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages
“While driving the driver's side seatback and frame broke, causing the seat to collapse rearward. Please describe details. *ak”Owner report · Seats
“Recall # 98v160000 vw/hood latch; parts unavailable to correct recall. Owner has contacted dealer several times since the beginning of october. Dealer is not sure when parts will be available to correct recall. *ak”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages
“Shoulder belt does not retract properly. Seatbelt gets caught in door. This was reported to the dealer years ago. They said nothing was wrong with it! The shoulder belts are now almost completely cut through from being caught in the door so many times. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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 BLADE LOCK NUTS.
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.
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.
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.
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 CABLE WHICH COULD PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CRUISE CONTROL TIE WRAP AND INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED GUIDE.
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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
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.
How other years compare
Counts are not adjusted for time on the road here - see all Jetta years ranked fairly for the age-adjusted comparison.
Check your exact Jetta by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1993 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
NHTSA has 17 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 Volkswagen Jetta. The most complained-about area is latches/locks/linkages.
Does the 1993 Volkswagen Jetta have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.