1996 Volkswagen Jetta Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 42%of 31 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 110,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the visibility of the 1996 Volkswagen Jetta, 42% of the 31 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 110,500 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“Just purchased my first vw Jetta. May be my last vw period. My windows work when they feel like it. After researching the problem, I found out this is a extremely common problem that vw takes no reponsibility for. Fixing it myself, it costs me $150 every time it happens. I should charge vw $70 an hour for labor!”
NHTSA complaint #10074777, filed 2004-06, 90,000 miles“On january 12, 2006, as I was driving my car at 65 MPH on the highway an opaque white gas was quickly released from my heater vents and within seconds effectively turned the passenger compartment of my car into a gas chamber. The engine temperature increased after I was able to safely remove the vehicle of the highway. My car was sold with a permanent maintenance free pink vw antifreeze. The documentation that came with the car indicated that other than topping off the antifreeze periodically that no maintenance was necessary. …”
NHTSA complaint #10152770, filed 2006-03, 114,500 miles“Driving home from school (12 minute drive) at night and the air coming from the vents smelled funny, like coolant. I turned off the fans but still smelled funny. I turned the fans back on and white 'smoke' was coming out of the vents and it smelled heavily of coolant. My windshield began to fog up while I was on the highway. I rolled down my windows and sunroof and tried everything I could to get the window to defog, but it only got worse. I could barely see and felt like I was in a very dangerous situation so I pulled off on the nearest county road. …”
NHTSA complaint #10198308, filed 2007-08, 125,000 miles“Heater core ruptured, causing the coolant to spill over the driver's feet. This eventually caused the windshield to fog up, making the ability to see the road difficult. While consumer was driving the vehicle, he hit a bump and hot coolant fell on his feet. The steam from the hot coolant fogged up the windows and escaped through the vents. The consumer pulled over to parking lot to avoid crashing because of the steam on the window. Volkswagen agreed to repair heating core.”
NHTSA complaint #10117049, filed 2005-03, 164,493 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10122956May 8, 2015Tech Tips (Heated Rear Window, One or More Lines Inoperative): To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open…
- 10239789Jan 24, 2014To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open in the grid line. The check must be performed with the engine…
- 10122240Jan 24, 2014Tech Tips (Heated Rear Window, One or More Lines Inoperative): To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 9% |
| 2024 | 4 | 9% |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 4 | 6% |
| 2020 | 2 | 4% |
| 2019 | 26 | 5% |
| 2017 | 5 | 3% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 4 | 2% |
| 2014 | 8 | 2% |
| 2013 | 13 | 3% |
| 2012 | 24 | 5% |
| 2011 | 26 | 4% |
| 2010 | 14 | 2% |
| 2009 | 10 | 1% |
| 2008 | 8 | 4% |
| 2007 | 7 | 3% |
| 2006 | 24 | 4% |
| 2005 | 7 | 3% |
| 2004 | 11 | 5% |
| 2003 | 21 | 5% |
| 2002 | 45 | 6% |
| 2001 | 71 | 11% |
| 2000 | 77 | 18% |
| 1999 | 81 | 23% |
| 1998 | 42 | 22% |
| 1997 | 16 | 30% |
| 1996 | 13 | 42% |
| 1995 | 26 | 12% |
| 1994 | 15 | 13% |
| 1993 | 4 | 24% |
| 1992 | 3 | 10% |
| 1991 | 7 | 23% |
| 1990 | 4 | 18% |
| 1989 | 6 | 21% |
| 1988 | 2 | 11% |
| 1987 | 4 | 22% |
| 1986 | 3 | 21% |
| 1985 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 1996 Volkswagen Jetta
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 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