1996 Volkswagen Jetta Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 10%of 31 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 101,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 1996 Volkswagen Jetta, 10% of the 31 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 101,500 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“In late feb 2005 purchased a 1996 Volkswagen Jetta (which was a certified used vehicle) and in (appox) sept 2005 while driving down a packed freeway during rush hour, in the middle lane, the hood of my vehicle flew up. I was traveling about 60-65 MPH and it visually looked like a piece of cardboard crumpling however the impact was so great that it cracked my windshield. I consider myself and the passengers extremely lucky that we were not injured and/or did not crash. …”
NHTSA complaint #10156592, filed 2006-05, 95,000 miles“1996 vw Jetta - door locks would not operate when temperature is below 0 c or 32 f. This matches technical service bulletin # 57 9702 NHTSA item number 53643.”
NHTSA complaint #10052644, filed 2004-01, 108,000 miles“Well, its an old car yes and haven't had any severe malfunctions except on pretty much every latch mechanism on the car. Currently, the trunk does not open. The latch is broke and will not open with key placed in it or with release button. To open it, I have to lay the back seats down and crawl into the trunk and activate the emergency release manually. To add to the mess, both rear doors will open but under no circumstances will close again. I've had to rig a wire to pull the latch into its locked position to keep both doors closed. (resulting in the only 4 door coupe I know of!)”
NHTSA complaint #10188837, filed 2007-04Related recalls
- 98V160000Jul 16, 1998Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The bolts securing the front hood latch can loosen over time. The latch would move causing disengagement of the hood…Covers: Volkswagen Jetta 1993–1996, Golf 1993–1996, GTI 1993–1996
Latches, locks and linkages: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 | 3 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 0% |
| 2011 | 7 | 1% |
| 2010 | 14 | 2% |
| 2009 | 9 | 1% |
| 2008 | 10 | 5% |
| 2007 | 8 | 4% |
| 2006 | 14 | 2% |
| 2005 | 7 | 3% |
| 2004 | 4 | 2% |
| 2003 | 7 | 2% |
| 2002 | 6 | 1% |
| 2001 | 18 | 3% |
| 2000 | 8 | 2% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
| 1997 | 4 | 7% |
| 1996 | 3 | 10% |
| 1995 | 37 | 17% |
| 1994 | 9 | 8% |
| 1993 | 5 | 29% |
| 1991 | 1 | 3% |
| 1988 | 2 | 11% |
Other parts of the 1996 Volkswagen Jetta
13 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Volkswagen Jetta
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology