1981 Volkswagen Jetta
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1981 Volkswagen Jetta is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 8 on record.
1981 Volkswagen Jetta at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1981 Volkswagen Jetta recalls 4
CERTAIN HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES, P/N 171.611.107B, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1975-1985 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) RABBIT; 1985-1992 VW GOLF; AND 1980-1992 VW JETTA PASSENGER VEHICLES. POSSIBLE BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD OCCUR WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES."
Fix: FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE BRAKE HOSES WITH COMPLIANT BRAKE HOSES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS AT 305-885-8646 EXT. 11.
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.
Fix: 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.
Fix: 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".
Fix: THE DEALER WILL CORRECT THE INVOLVED VEHICLES PRIOR TO THEIR FIRST RETAIL SALE BY INSTALLING THE CORRECT LABELS.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1981 Volkswagen Jetta. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Canadian recalls 3
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1981 Volkswagen Jetta. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Emissions
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. - INOPERATIVE EGR VALVE -
Transport Canada #1987020 · Feb 1987Fuel System
On certain vehicles, an increased resistance of the fuel pump's electrical connection in the fuse and relay board could cause insufficient fuel pump pressure. This in turn could lead to starting difficulties and to some degree stalling. Vehicle stalling in traffic could present a dangerous situation.
Transport Canada #1984004 · Jan 1984Not Entered
MAXIMUM LOAD/TIRE PRESSURE LABELS ARE INCORRECT FOR DIESEL ENGINED VEHICLES. DOES NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S.110
Transport Canada #1981120 · Dec 1981Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Volkswagen Jetta
The Volkswagen Jetta is a compact car/small family car manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen since 1979. Positioned to fill a sedan niche slightly above the Golf hatchback, it has been marketed over seven generations, variously as the Atlantic, Vento, Bora, City Jetta, Jetta City, GLI, Jetta, Clasico, and Sagitar.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
1981 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles on record
1981 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZBW253493
1981 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZCW156755
1981 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZBW478929
1981 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZBW702091
1981 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZBW414168
1981 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZBW198988
1981 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZBW555086
1981 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZBW433716