1987 Volkswagen Jetta
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1987 Volkswagen Jetta is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 418 on record.
1987 Volkswagen Jetta at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1987 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 END CAP CONNECTING THE HEAT EXCHANGER'S CORE TO THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM COULD RUPTURE AND ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
Fix: REPLACE THE HEATER CORE WITH AN IMPROVED HEATER CORE.
Fix: CURVE OR REPLACE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE.
FUEL PUMP, LOCATED INSIDE FUEL TANK, COULD SEIZE DURING HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BECAUSE OF AN EXTREME FINE MESH FUEL FILTER RESTRICTING THE FUEL FLOW.
Fix: INSTALL A MODIFIED FUEL PUMP AND FILTER.
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.
1987 Volkswagen Jetta common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1987 Volkswagen Jetta MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1987 Volkswagen Jetta costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1987 Volkswagen Jetta — ranges cover the 4 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 3
DEFECTIVE HEATER CORES Closed
DEFECTIVE HEATER CORES
NHTSA #DP92003 · Visibility · opened Mar 1992 · closed Mar 1992HEATER CORE FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #EA91054 · Visibility · opened Dec 1991 · closed Jun 1992HEATER CORE FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #PE91114 · Visibility · opened Aug 1991 · closed Dec 1991An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 1
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.
SUBJECT REGARDING LATCH SYSTEM LOWER ANCHORS AND TETHERS FOR CHILDREN, INSTALLING / RETROFITTING. *TT
Bulletin 0101 · Seats · Jun 2001Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the JETTA. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 6
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1987 Volkswagen Jetta. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Engine
NOTE: GASOLINE POWERED FUEL INJECTED VEHICLES. DURING WINTER PERIODS OF LOW TEMPERATURE WITH HIGH HUMIDITY, THE AIR PRE-HEATING SYSTEM MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO PREVENT THROTTLE ICING DURING LONG DISTANCE DRIVING DUE TO PRE-HEATER VACUUM SWITCH CONTAMINATION. THIS COULD PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. CORRECTION: A…
Transport Canada #1997038 · Feb 1997Structure
CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT MAY PREVENT THE HOOD LATCH AND THE SAFETY CATCH FROM WORKING PROPERLY. THIS COULD RESULT IN HOOD FLY-UP WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION RESULTING IN OBSCURED DRIVER VISION AND A POSSIBLE CRASH. CORRECTION: OWNERS OF AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE ADVISED BY MAIL REGARDING THE NECESSITY FOR PERIODIC LUBRICATION OF THE ENGINE HOOD LATCH MECHANISM. DEALERS WIL…
Transport Canada #1992149 · Nov 1992Heater And Defroster
IF THE ENGINE OVERHEATS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE WALL OF THE END CAP CONNECTING THE HEAT EXCHANGER'S CORE TO THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM COULD RUPTURE AND ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN, SOME OF THE COOLANT COULD CONTACT THE DRIVER'S FEET, CAUSING INJURY AND STEAM UP THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE, IMPAIRING VISIBILITY. CORRECTION: HEAT EXCHANGER WILL BE REPLACED.
Transport Canada #1992057 · May 1992Brakes
A CONTOUR DEVIATION IN THE BRAKE LINE COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE LINE TO CHAFE AGAINST A PREHEATING TUBE. PROLONGED CHAFING COULD LEAD TO BRAKE LINE LEAKAGE AND A POSSIBLE PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE WHICH COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND BRAKE LINES WILL BE RE-CONTOURED OR REPLACED IF NECESSARY. V…
Transport Canada #1989167 · Dec 1989Fuel System
The fuel pump located inside the fuel tank could seize during high ambient temperatures because of an extreme fine mesh fuel filter restricting the fuel flow. This could cause the vehicle to stall posing a threat to traffic safety. Correction: A modified fuel pump and filter will be installed.
Transport Canada #1987044 · Apr 1987Emissions
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. - INOPERATIVE EGR VALVE -
Transport Canada #1987020 · Feb 1987Source: 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.
1987 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles on record
1987 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZHW734016
1987 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZHW722743
1987 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZHW092390
1987 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZHW307640
1987 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZHW487353
1987 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZHW869972
1987 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZHW092100
1987 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZHW921593
1987 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZHW683247
1987 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZHW003222
1987 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZHW743101
1987 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZHW853476
1987 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZHW853832
1987 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZHW888358
1987 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZHW703021
1987 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZHW342747
1987 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZHW798739
1987 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ17ZCW315356
1987 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZHW317139
1987 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZHW940284
1987 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZHW857148
1987 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZHW197873
1987 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZJW180991
1987 Volkswagen JettaWVWZZZ16ZHW207813