1996 Volkswagen Jetta Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 10%of 31 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 102,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the steering of the 1996 Volkswagen Jetta, 10% of the 31 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 102,000 miles.
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.
“Smoke from the steering column. After the vehicle was started, a puff of smoke arose from the steering column and I lost use of my windshield wipers. I have been online and have seen numerous similar complaints to the same affect. Shouldn't this be a recall item ? Ave had quite a few others problems in the 6 months since we have owned our 1996 Jetta.”
NHTSA complaint #10105707, filed 2005-01, 106,500 miles“The steering in this 1996 Jetta is just horrible, no mechanic has been able to repair it. Im told there is something on the wheel base torn (rear) and its going to cost me 800 to fix. Yet, the steering has been this way since ive had the car and I hardly noticed until I rented a car (because the crank shaft in the Jetta broke too). …”
NHTSA complaint #10075256, filed 2004-06, 54,000 miles“I own a 1996 vw Jetta gls and my car smokes from my steering wheel column. I will be driving and out of no where white smoke pours out of the column. I thought it was because of my headlights being on but then noticed it doing it without them on. It even does it when the car is off! This I feel and my friend who has the same problem is a fire hazard and could be very dangerous to drive. I called a vw dealership and spoke to the mechanic and he told me he feared for my life and it sounds like a fire hazard or it could cause my breaks and other things on my car to fail. …”
NHTSA complaint #10364362, filed 2010-11, 102,000 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 17% |
| 2025 | 1 | 3% |
| 2024 | 2 | 4% |
| 2023 | 1 | 2% |
| 2022 | 7 | 16% |
| 2021 | 3 | 4% |
| 2020 | 4 | 7% |
| 2019 | 12 | 2% |
| 2017 | 14 | 9% |
| 2016 | 11 | 7% |
| 2015 | 15 | 8% |
| 2014 | 17 | 4% |
| 2013 | 37 | 7% |
| 2012 | 42 | 8% |
| 2011 | 23 | 4% |
| 2010 | 13 | 2% |
| 2009 | 24 | 3% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% |
| 2006 | 10 | 2% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 4 | 2% |
| 2003 | 1 | 0% |
| 2002 | 8 | 1% |
| 2001 | 5 | 1% |
| 2000 | 8 | 2% |
| 1999 | 8 | 2% |
| 1998 | 12 | 6% |
| 1997 | 2 | 4% |
| 1996 | 3 | 10% |
| 1995 | 14 | 6% |
| 1994 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 2 | 6% |
| 1987 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1996 Volkswagen Jetta
13 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
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