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1996 Volkswagen Jetta Brakes Problems

16 owner-reported brakes complaints from NHTSA data

16
Complaints
3
Crashes
Jan 1997Dec 1998
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (16)

mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CrashFiled: Apr 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN AGGRESSIVE AND FORCEFUL ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO TWO PARKED VEHICLES. THE AMBULANCE AND POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND THE OCCUPANTS IN THE PARKED VEHICLES WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED MODERATE INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND EXTENT OF THE VEHICLE DAMAGE HAVE NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA #: 10267226
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
Filed: Oct 2003

CONSUMER PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE FROM DEALER AND VEHICLE NEEDED REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS AND BRAKE SHOES. THE WHEEL CYLINDERS WERE LEAKING, AND THE BRAKE SHOES CRUMBLED WHEN REMOVED FOR REPAIR DONE BY CONSUMER SINCE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.*AK

NHTSA #: 10042918
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jun 2001

WHEN STEPPPING ON BRAKES AIR CONDITIONER FAN COMES ON. THIS MAY ALSO HAPPEN WHEN STEPPING CLUTCH PEDAL. *AK

NHTSA #: 889819
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Oct 2000

I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 1996. I IMMEDIATELY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES AND HAD TO BRING THE CAR IN MANY TIMES AND WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. AFTER THE 24 MONTH WARRANTY WAS UP I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED FRONT ROTORS AND PADS AND REAR CALIPERS AND PADS. I ARGUED WITH THEM (VW AMERICA) AND THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T HELP BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE PROOF OF THEM SAYING NOTHING WAS WRONG FOR 2 YEARS AND THEN OUT OF A SUDDEN I NEEDED OVER $500. WORTH OF WORK.*AK (TIRESIZE: 15 INCH)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 15 INCH )

NHTSA #: 733971
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Jul 2000

THE JACK POPS OFF THE RIDGE UNDER THE CAR WHEN LIFTING THE CAR. THIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND COULD HAVE CAUSED THE CAR TO DROP ON USE WHILE CHANGING THE TIRE. SECOND PROBLEM: ON INSPECTING THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, THEY WERE WORN DOWN MORE THAN WHAT ONE WOULD EXPECT AT 40K. THERE WAS STILL PAD LEFT. THIS WOULD INDICATE POOR MATERIALS IN THE ROTOR.*AK

NHTSA #: 725628
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VISIBILITY,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Filed: Dec 1999

FREEZING DOOR LOCKS, BROKEN WINDOW REGULATORS, INABILITY TO USE AFTERMARKET DISC BRAKE PADS AND OTHER ITEMS ARE ACKNOWLEDGED BY VW IN "TECHNICAL BULLETINS" BUT CUSTOMER MUST PAY FOR THEIR ERRORS. I AM HAPPY TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFO. ABOUT THIS IF CONTACTED. CUSTOMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR MANUFACTURER ERRORS (ACKNOWLEDGED BY MANUFACTURER.)

NHTSA #: 715652
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Aug 1999

THE ENTIRE ABS HAS FAILED. THIS INCLUDES THE ECM, THE ABS PUMP AND THE SENSOR. THIS WILL COST OVER $1600.00 TO FIX. THE CAR IS BARELY 3 YEARS OLD.

NHTSA #: 709828
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Filed: Dec 1998

WHEN DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THEY GRIND AND SQUEAK, AND THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. ALSO, HOOD LATCH NEEDS TO BE FIXED DUE TO THE HOOD FLYING UP WHILE DRIVING WHICH COULD BLIND THE CONSUMER. *AK

NHTSA #: 832752
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CrashFiled: Oct 1998

CONSUMER HAD ACCIDENT ON FREEWAY. ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT CONSUMER FROM BEHIND BECAUSE WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON, AND THE ONCOMING VEHICLE DID NOT KNOW THAT HE WAS STOPPING. *AK

NHTSA #: 828652
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Sep 1998

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. WHEN DRIVING IN WET WEATHER CONDITIONS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL CUT OFF. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. AT TIMES, WILL NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER . ALSO, REPLACED TRANSMISSION/ THROTTLE BODY AND ALTERNATOR. IN ADDITION, FRONT BRAKE ROTORS FAILED AND FRONT PADS CRACKED/ENGINE IDLES/BUCKS AND STALLS. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON/OFF. *AK

NHTSA #: 827314
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, AIR
Filed: Jun 1998

BRAKE ROTOR FAILURE.

NHTSA #: 536837
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Sep 1997

WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMALCONDITIONS POWER ASSISTED BRAKES LOST ALL PRESSURE, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKES. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN PLEASE DESCRIBE INCIDENTS. *AK

NHTSA #: 816578
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CrashFiled: Jun 1997

TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE; WHILE DRIVING AT OR ABOUT 10 MPH OWNER TRIED TO STOP VEHICLE BY PUSHING BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP WITH THE REGULAR BRAKE SYSTEM , SO SHE APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED . *AK

NHTSA #: 813333
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jan 1997

BRAKE FAILURE, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, LOSS OF EFFECTIVENESS, TO STOP VEHICLE USED THE PARKING EMERGENCY BRAKE. *AK

NHTSA #: 807690
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Apr 1996

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THEY VIBRATE AND MAKE VERY LOUD NOISE. *AK

NHTSA #: 982995
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Apr 1996

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THEY VIBRATE AND MAKE VERY LOUD NOISE. *AK

NHTSA #: 982995

Other 1996 Volkswagen Jetta Issues