AI Damage1987 Volkswagen Jetta: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Volkswagen Jetta filed 18 complaints with NHTSA, most often about visibility and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 18
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Visibility 22% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 17% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 11% of all complaints
- 5 Seat belts 11% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 11% of all complaints
- 7 Seats 6% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- Visibility: 4 complaints (22% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (17% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (11% of all).
- Fuel system: 2 complaints (11% of all).
- Seat belts: 2 complaints (11% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.8 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 18 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
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.
Fuel pump inside of gas tank gets hot it and quits. Dealership is aware of problem. The manufacturer issued recall on fuel pump problem and repair was done.
Consumer states the heater core exploded while sitting in a drive-thru, antifreeze leaked through the vents and radio compartment onto the floor with passengers in vehicle, one person was burnt with radiator fluid, radio shorted.
While consumer was stopped at a red light and tired to step on gas to go, radiator exploded, and through radiator water entered into vehicle burning passenger, and flooding vehicle. Contacted dealer, and dealer could not do anything about it because it was not part of recall number 92v050000.
The door latch mechanisms frequently stick, and eventually break, especially when exposed to cold weather. It is very difficult to get into the car from the outside, though the interior mechanisms for the door latches usually work well.
Power went off/ lights/engine failed at [address] for about 2 seconds. Then came back on as if nothing happened. Never did it since. Not sure what failed, but it was scary.
While backing up the vehicle on a hill area the lower control arm cracked at one point, causing the right front wheel to move around freely. Volkswagen does not have any knowledge of this incident. The owner corrected the problem himself.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 8,622 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 24% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Jetta has 228 complaints (45 years in the data). This year has 18, below average.
What to check before buying
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Other years of this model
- Jetta 198513 sources
- Jetta 198614 sources
- Jetta 198819 sources
- Jetta 198928 sources
- Jetta 199022 sources
- Jetta 199131 sources
- Jetta 199230 sources
- Jetta 199317 sources
- Jetta 1994117 sources
- Jetta 1995220 sources
- Jetta 1996174 sources
- Jetta 1997141 sources
- Jetta 1998192 sources
- Jetta 1999349 sources
- Jetta 2000439 sources
- Jetta 2001668 sources
- Jetta 2002702 sources
- Jetta 2003457 sources
- Jetta 2004231 sources
- Jetta 2005248 sources
- Jetta 2006580 sources
- Jetta 2007201 sources
- Jetta 2008188 sources
- Jetta 2009889 sources
- Jetta 2010852 sources
- Jetta 2011607 sources
- Jetta 2012500 sources
- Jetta 2013518 sources
- Jetta 2014388 sources
- Jetta 2015194 sources
- Jetta 2016667 sources
- Jetta 2017559 sources
- Jetta 2018443 sources
- Jetta 20191,049 sources
- Jetta 2020537 sources
- Jetta 2021544 sources
- Jetta 2022480 sources
- Jetta 2023377 sources
- Jetta 2024299 sources
- Jetta 2025180 sources
- Jetta 202692 sources
- Jetta 99997 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Volkswagen Jetta?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: visibility, engine and cooling, electrical system. Total complaints: 18. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: A/C or heater (11%), fuel system, fuel smell (11%), door locks, latches, handles (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1987 Volkswagen Jetta from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1987 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.