The problem
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The bolts securing the front hood latch can loosen over time. The latch would move causing disengagement of the hood striker from the latch.
The risk
Unexpected opening of the hood could occur obstructing the driver's view of the road while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the hood latch and securing bolts and replace them if necessary.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 98V-160 (98V160000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| Component | Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch |
| Report date | July 16, 1998 |
| Owners notified | October 15, 1998 |
| Vehicles affected | 238,000 |
| Initiated by | NHTSA investigation |
Vehicles covered
- 1995 Volkswagen Golf
- 1995 Volkswagen GTI
- 1996 Volkswagen GTI
- 1995 Volkswagen Jetta
- 1996 Volkswagen Jetta
Plus 1 other model/year combinations not covered on this site.
Owner complaints about the locks & latches
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 98V-160 repair free?
Yes. Volkswagen dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will inspect the hood latch and securing bolts and replace them if necessary.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 238,000 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.