Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Volkswagen Jetta owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Where to start? Problem with the lock cylinders, which broke and had to be replaced, instrument cluster lights blown out, replaced the bulbs and 1 month later they are blown out again, window regulators failed, the steel cable snapped inside the housing faulty designed wheel and motors blown, can not buy motors separately need to buy the whole regulator which costs over $200, paint peeled and cracked, side molding fell off had to re-glue, and that is all I can think of off hand I am not including the numerous suspension and exhaust problems.
I bought my Jetta III gls in 1995 brand new. Within a year the molding on the doors started peeling off and eventually falling off. The dealer sent it to a body shop to have it glued and it never stuck. I've been driving for years with one molding missing. I have replaced multiple power window motors and parts. Failure of these power windows are consistantly failing one after the another. I had smoke and an electrical burning smell coming from the steering column and failing blinkers which were both related. I replaced the blinker system and problem was solved. The lock freeze easily in cold weather and I have had the driver side lock completely fall apart while unlocking the car. The seal on front windshield is wearing away causing leaking of rain and this will be fixed with $100 resealing of windshield. …
Volkswagen has two ongoing recalls (September 1998): check/replace right rear brake line and check/replace hood lock assembly. I cannot find a local maryland Volkswagen dealer that will perform the recall work on a Saturday even though they are open for service. Therefore, in order for vehicles owners to get this work performed, most owners will have to take time off from work. Although the recalls address an important safey issue, the dealers are not providing reasonable means to customers to have their vehicles checked or repaired. Many vehicles May go unchecked or unrepaired because of the lack of access to service. I complained to Volkswagen of America, inc., customer service at [phone]. I was told that the dealers are independent from Volkswagen of America. I was only offered phone numbers of other dealers within a 50 mile radius.
Front drivers side door lock cylinder came out with key! Dealer replaced, as well as replacing passenger side door lock. I was charged labor and parts. Approx $110 . Complained to vw of America (customer service) told that locks to their knownledge not a known problem! Car out of warrenty and they could not make any $ arrangement with me. I have reviewed NHTSA records for 95-6 jettas. Sum total of at least 15 other people have had door lock cylinder problems. Luckily I did not get locked out of car somewhere far from home! However I was not able to lock the car either against theft! Vw should at least fix an item such as this no charge lock cyclinders should not come out, when you lock or unlock your car! The lock cylinder mechanisms are failing under normal usage. Thank you for attetion to this matter.
Received recall notice in the mail (#98V160000) (mfg. Recall #uc) & notified dealer. Was informed that parts were not available. Called manufacturer & told parts mailed to dealer. Dealer has yet to receive parts for hood latch. Been to 2 dealerships. Transmission was rebuilt three times. Radio failed. Cluster housing replaced three times. Alarm computer replaced. Headlight switch replaced.distributor cap and rotor button replaced. Instrument cluster replaced.
Door lock froze, not opening w/key. Windows rolled down & then making clicking noises when trying to roll window back up. Needed to pull window up by hand. Air conditioner makes noise when turned on. Windshield cracked due to stress. Received recall for nood latch, but unable to get replacement parts. Paint is cracking. Radio goes out. Vw says that there is a factory defect, but have not helped repair these problems.
The drivers door lock has failed 4 times 10/4/96 repair cost 57.00 31K miles 3/24/97 0.00 40K miles covered under part warranty 9/19/97 200.00 50K miles 10/15/98 not repaired yet. 70K miles I telephoned vw requesting they cover the cost of repair. Vw refused to let me know if other jettas have experienced the same problems. I would like to know if a hidden warranty exists.
Recall # 98V160000 vw/hood latch; contacted dealer yesterday for the third time within a one month. Recall notice states that parts will be available on 10/15/98. Consumer was informed that parts were not available. Dealer not sure when parts will be available. Same situation exists for a recall for brake lining failure that owner has also received.
Frozen outer locks would not spin, causing link between lock tumbler and servomotor used to raise/lower lock buttons & engage security system to fail. Failures occured in both locks preventing owner from gaining entrance to car. Dealer had no parts - and offered no help. Retro-kit takes 1-4 weeks to arrive. This leaves Jetta with no way to lock it.
While driving, hood flew up and smashed into the windshield, dealership was in posession of vehicle for 30 days, consumer was not aware of recall 98v16 until this incident happened, dealership refused to service the vehicle, consumer wants dealership to pay for all charges since this vehicle is included in recall campaign.
Related recalls
Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the hood latch and securing bolts and replace them if necessary.
Door Lock & Latch complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are door lock & latch problems on the 1995 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the locks & latches of the 1995 Volkswagen Jetta, 17% of the model year's 220 complaints. The component named most often is doors › latch (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Volkswagen Jetta door lock & latch problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 98V-160 (latch, Jul 16, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1995 Volkswagen Jetta door lock & latch problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 139,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to locks & latches problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.