The 1981 Volkswagen Jetta has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 933,225 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
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.
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.
THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LOCK WASHERS AT NO CHARGE.
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".
THE DEALER WILL CORRECT THE INVOLVED VEHICLES PRIOR TO THEIR FIRST RETAIL SALE BY INSTALLING THE CORRECT LABELS.
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1981 Volkswagen Jetta as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.