RecallMyCar

1981 Volkswagen Jetta Recalls, Complaints & Specs

3 safety recalls list the 1981 Volkswagen Jetta. Check your own VIN below.

3
safety recalls
0
owner complaints to NHTSA

3 safety recalls for the 1981 Volkswagen Jetta

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Fuel injection system (fuel system)

    NHTSA 83V117000 Reported 930,000 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    The fuel pump may stop functioning without warning. This can occur because an electrical connector in the fuse panel may overheat and interrupt the electrical circuit.

    Remedy: Dealer will inspect the fuse box and its connectors for corrosion, and correct where necessary. A bypass adapter to the fuel pump electrical circuit will be installed.

  2. Suspension: front

    NHTSA 80V155000 Reported 25 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    The lockwasher for the two bolts holding the left and right axle strut to the axle bearing housing, as well as the bolt holding the wishbone to the crossmember, may have been improperly manufactured. Some of these washers are too brittle. This may lead to breakage due to excess carbon deposits.

    Remedy: The dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the lock washers at no charge.

  3. Labels (equipment)

    NHTSA 80V140000 Reported 3,200 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    Tire labels written in french were inadvertently affixed to vehicles in u.s.. This fails to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, " tire selection and rims".

    Remedy: The dealer will correct the involved vehicles prior to their first retail sale by installing the correct labels.

No owner complaints on file

NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1981 Volkswagen Jetta. For context, the average model year in NHTSA's database has dozens; a zero can mean a reliable vehicle, a rare one, or both.

Compare Volkswagen Jetta model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Volkswagen Jetta model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1980 Volkswagen Jetta10
1981 Volkswagen Jetta30
1982 Volkswagen Jetta10
1983 Volkswagen Jetta10
1984 Volkswagen Jetta11
1985 Volkswagen Jetta313
1986 Volkswagen Jetta214
1987 Volkswagen Jetta318
1988 Volkswagen Jetta719
1989 Volkswagen Jetta428
1990 Volkswagen Jetta522
1991 Volkswagen Jetta531
1992 Volkswagen Jetta230
1993 Volkswagen Jetta417
1994 Volkswagen Jetta5117
1995 Volkswagen Jetta4220
1996 Volkswagen Jetta131
1997 Volkswagen Jetta154
1998 Volkswagen Jetta2192
1999 Volkswagen Jetta6349
2000 Volkswagen Jetta4439
2001 Volkswagen Jetta6668
2002 Volkswagen Jetta5702
2003 Volkswagen Jetta2456
2004 Volkswagen Jetta2231
2005 Volkswagen Jetta4248
2006 Volkswagen Jetta4580
2007 Volkswagen Jetta4201
2008 Volkswagen Jetta4188
2009 Volkswagen Jetta6888
2010 Volkswagen Jetta4852
2011 Volkswagen Jetta7607
2012 Volkswagen Jetta5500
2013 Volkswagen Jetta4517
2014 Volkswagen Jetta4386
2015 Volkswagen Jetta7194
2016 Volkswagen Jetta4161
2017 Volkswagen Jetta6159
2018 Volkswagen Jetta231
2019 Volkswagen Jetta11549
2020 Volkswagen Jetta653
2021 Volkswagen Jetta469
2022 Volkswagen Jetta143
2023 Volkswagen Jetta043
2024 Volkswagen Jetta044
2025 Volkswagen Jetta229
2026 Volkswagen Jetta16

Checking a specific 1981 Volkswagen Jetta

How do I know if my 1981 Volkswagen Jetta has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 1981 Volkswagen Jetta; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Volkswagen dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 80V140000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Volkswagen models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.