1995 Volkswagen Jetta

No photo available — body style shown for reference.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Body, Seats & Latches

Body, Seats & Latches leads by volume: 50 of 220 complaints (23%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Transmission & Drivetrain include more reported injuries (35) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 3 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category199519961997vs. 1995 Compact Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)2,600–3,4502,350–3,3002,400–3,300
Combined MPG18–2419–3819–37
City / Highway MPG16–21 / 23–2916–34 / 23–4416–33 / 23–44
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)370–494268–468275–468
Complaints filed2203154Not compared
Recalls issued622Not compared
Crash-involved complaints2123Not compared
Fire-involved complaints1101Not compared
Injuries reported5252Not compared
Deaths reported000Not compared
Configurations compared455

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 1995 Volkswagen Jetta have?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 1995 Volkswagen Jetta?

Body, Seats & Latches: 50 of 220 NHTSA complaints (23%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 1995 Volkswagen Jetta get?

EPA rates it 18–24 MPG combined across 4 configurations.

How much does it cost to fuel a 1995 Volkswagen Jetta?

EPA estimates $2,600–$3,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

EPA-Rated Configurations (4)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic 4-spd42.0LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars20 mpg26 mpg22 mpg$2,850404 g/mi
Configuration 2Manual 5-spd42.0LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars21 mpg (high)29 mpg (high)24 mpg (high)$2,600 (low)370 g/mi (low)
Configuration 3Automatic 4-spd62.8LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars16 mpg (low)23 mpg (low)18 mpg (low)$3,450 (high)494 g/mi (high)
Configuration 4Manual 5-spd62.8LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars17 mpg23 mpg (low)19 mpg$3,300468 g/mi

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine260020
Transmission & Drivetrain2210350
Fuel System110000
Electrical4811010
Brakes233000
Steering140010
Suspension, Wheels & Tires162000
Airbags & Restraints31130120
Driver Assistance & Speed Control70000
Body, Seats & Latches502030
Visibility & Lighting310000
Other220100

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (6)

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009

    Defect: 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.

    Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    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.

  • SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · Campaign 98V195000 · Aug 28, 1998

    Defect: 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.

    Consequence: REPEATED CHAFING COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A LEAKING BRAKE LINE CAUSING DIMINISHED BRAKING IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT INCREASING THE VEHICLE'S STOPPING DISTANCE.

    Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LINE AND REPLACE ANY DAMAGED LINES.

  • LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH · Campaign 98V160000 · Aug 6, 1998

    Defect: 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.

    Consequence: UNEXPECTED OPENING OF THE HOOD COULD OCCUR OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

    Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HOOD LATCH AND SECURING BOLTS AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY.

  • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN · Campaign 95V178000 · Sep 25, 1995

    Defect: IMPROPER MATERIAL WAS USED IN MANUFACTURING THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAUSING THE SHAFT TO WEAR AND BECOME NOISY.

    Consequence: A WORN AND NOISY FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAN SEIZE RENDERINGTHE FAN MOTOR INOPERATIVE, EVENTUALLY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND STALL. A STALLED VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC CAN INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

    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.

  • VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · Campaign 95E034000 · Sep 1, 1995

    Defect: 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.

    Consequence: THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THEPOTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE COLLISION.

    Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CRUISE CONTROL TIE WRAP AND INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED GUIDE.

  • EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT; EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:INTEGRATED JACK/LEVELER/STABILIZER · Campaign 95V054000 · Mar 23, 1995

    Defect: 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.

    Consequence: THIS RIDGE CAN DAMAGE THE INSIDE THREAD OF THE JACK'S SCISSOR SHOE WHEN THE JACK IS USED TO LIFT THE VEHICLE. THE JACK COULD COLLAPSE WITH THE POSSIBILITY THAT A PERSON STANDING CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE COULD BE INJURED.

    Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A NEW JACK.