1986 Volkswagen Jetta Problems
- Complaints
- 14filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 97,869miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 25 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl FWD · 23 city / 29 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Volkswagen Jetta (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 1986 Volkswagen Jetta. The part named most often is fuel system, with 5 complaints (36% of the total), followed by body and structure (3) and visibility (3). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 97,869 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the fuel pump filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Fuel system5 36%
- Body and structure3 21%
- Air bags1 7.1%
- Brakes1 7.1%
- Electrical system1 7.1%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “I found out there was a recall on the fuel pump located inside the fuel tank. During long idling my fuel pump makes alot of noise then shuts down. This has been going on for a very long time and the manufacture stated there was no recalls on this vehicle. Its amazing that I have put up with this for this long. I spent many hard earn dollars to try to figure this problem out and still hasn't been fixed because noone could figure what the problem was. Was there a recall on this part and do I have any recourse . Thank you.”
NHTSA complaint #756063, filed 2001-12Body and structure: “A sudden failure from the fracture of the metal holding the part of the k-frame which holds the lower left front suspension member, steering control became suddenly verry sloppy, nearly resulting in a collision with adjoining traffic. I believe this is the second falure of this member on this vehicle. The dealer wanted to sell me parts and labor but was otherwise not interested. It seemed when I was inquiring about parts availability that this may not be an uncommon failure to occurr on this vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #717266, filed 2000-01Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “The contact owns a 1986 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact was driving 60 MPH when he noticed antifreeze abnormally leaking onto her foot. As a result, the contact sustained burns to her foot and the vehicle was towed to a local repair facility. The mechanic advised that the heater core had fractured and caused the anti-freeze to leak onto the contact. The contact did not call the manufacturer regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 97,869.”
NHTSA complaint #10357943, filed 2010-09, 97,869 milesAir bags: “Driver sustained multiple injuries when air bag deployed during crash, including a burn that left the vw emblem from the steering wheel embedded on arm.”
NHTSA complaint #603375, filed 1997-05Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 97,869 and 97,869 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 Volkswagen Jetta version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jetta FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 31 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Jetta FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 25 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Jetta GLI FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 29 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Jetta GLI FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 24 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Jetta FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl · diesel | 5-speed manual | 31 | 40 | 35 | $2,750 |
| Jetta FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl · diesel | 5-speed manual | 31 | 39 | 34 | $2,800 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 92V050000Apr 14, 1992Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater coreCovers: Volkswagen Jetta 1985–1990, GTI 1985–1990, Golf 1985–1990
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.
- 87V053000Apr 14, 1987Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pumpCovers: Volkswagen Jetta 1985–1987, Golf 1985–1987, Cabriolet 1985–1987 +1 more
Fuel pump, located inside fuel tank, could seize during high ambient temperatures because of an extreme fine mesh fuel filter restricting the fuel flow.
Recall details for the 1986 Volkswagen Jetta → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 Volkswagen Jetta.
Other model years of the Volkswagen Jetta
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 300 | 1 | 5 | 34 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 32 | — | 2 | 5 | 33 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 46 | 15,000 | 0 | 5 | 34 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 43 | 11,000 | 0 | 5 | 34 | 0 · Fewer | Too new |
| 2022 | 43 | 3,250 | 1 | 5 | 34 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2021 | 70 | 9,000 | 4 | 5 | 33 | 29 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2020 | 54 | 6,951 | 6 | 5 | 34 | 30 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2019 | 551 | 4,700 | 11 | 5 | 34 | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2018 | 32 | 40,000 | 2 | 5 | 32 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2017 | 160 | 36,950 | 6 | 5 | 29 | 51 · Typical | Stable |
| 2016 | 161 | 42,731 | 4 | 5 | 29 | 37 · Typical | Falling |
| 2015 | 194 | 42,000 | 7 | 5 | 28 | 49 · Typical | Falling |
| 2014 | 388 | 55,000 | 4 | 5 | 28 | 62 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 518 | 56,000 | 4 | 4 | 26 | 67 · More | Falling |
| 2012 | 500 | 55,412 | 5 | 4 | 26 | 87 · More | Falling |
| 2011 | 607 | 50,000 | 7 | 4 | 27 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2010 | 852 | 53,939 | 4 | — | 25 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2009 | 889 | 60,150 | 6 | — | 25 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2008 | 188 | 58,000 | 4 | — | 24 | 40 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 201 | 53,661 | 4 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 580 | 71,491 | 4 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 248 | 71,207 | 4 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 231 | 66,000 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2003 | 456 | 56,000 | 2 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 702 | 52,000 | 5 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 668 | 50,000 | 6 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 439 | 64,400 | 4 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 349 | 72,000 | 6 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 192 | 81,282 | 2 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1997 | 54 | 78,000 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 31 | 95,000 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 220 | 112,984 | 4 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 117 | 91,800 | 5 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 17 | 170,000 | 4 | — | 22 | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 30 | 119,646 | 2 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 31 | 117,000 | 5 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 22 | 125,000 | 5 | — | 23 | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 28 | — | 4 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 19 | — | 7 | — | 23 | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 18 | — | 3 | — | 23 | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 14 | 97,869 | 2 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 13 | — | 3 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
All Volkswagen Jetta model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Volkswagen Jetta have?
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 1986 Volkswagen Jetta as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Volkswagen Jetta is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 5 complaints (36% of the total), followed by body and structure with 3.
Has the 1986 Volkswagen Jetta been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 Volkswagen Jetta get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Volkswagen Jetta (Jetta GLI, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 23 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1986 Volkswagen Jetta reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 97,869 miles and the middle half falls between 97,869 and 97,869 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.