1987 Volkswagen Jetta Problems
- Complaints
- 18filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 23 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1987 Volkswagen Jetta (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1987 Volkswagen Jetta. The part named most often is visibility, with 4 complaints (22% of the total), followed by engine cooling (3) and electrical system (2). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Visibility complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the heater core and 2 NHTSA investigations 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.
- Engine cooling3 17%
- Electrical system2 11%
- Fuel system2 11%
- Seat belts2 11%
- Suspension2 11%
- Brakes1 5.6%
- Seats1 5.6%
- Steering1 5.6%
- Body and structure1 5.6%
Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “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.”
NHTSA complaint #881629, filed 2001-02Electrical system: “Power went off/ lights/engine failed at 65 MPH on hwy for about 2 seconds. Then came back on as if nothing happened. Never did it since. Not sure what failed, but it was scary.”
NHTSA complaint #708213, filed 1999-07Fuel system: “The fuel system has a vapor forming which happens in hot weather or heavy traffic and causes the car to shut off. Tt consumer received recall 87v053 regarding a faulty fuel pump, over the years after repair, vehicle experienced hesitation and stalling in hot conditions or heavy traffic, consumer states prior to hesitation or stalling, fuel pump would make a humming noise.”
NHTSA complaint #975769, filed 1995-11Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1987 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 16v FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Jetta GLI/Wolfsburg Edition FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 28 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Jetta GLI/Wolfsburg Edition FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 24 | 22 | $3,050 |
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.
- 89V221000Dec 8, 1989Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Volkswagen Jetta 1987–1989
- 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 1987 Volkswagen Jetta → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1987 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 | 162 | 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 1987 Volkswagen Jetta have?
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1987 Volkswagen Jetta as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1987 Volkswagen Jetta is reported most often?
Visibility is named most often, in 4 complaints (22% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 3.
Has the 1987 Volkswagen Jetta been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1987 Volkswagen Jetta get?
The EPA rates the 1987 Volkswagen Jetta (Jetta GLI 16v, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 21 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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.