1988 Volkswagen Jetta
WVWZZZ16ZJW734840
Vehicle record for the 1988 Volkswagen Jetta (VIN WVWZZZ16ZJW734840). Beige, sedan, diesel. Registered in Khmelnytskyi. 8 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year. Free specifications, registration region and recall data.
No photo of this model yet1988 Volkswagen Jetta · Beige on the registration record
Full vehicle history report
Everything below is in the paid report for VIN WVWZZZ16ZJW734840, compiled live from NMVTIS and licensed providers the moment you unlock it. Not every vehicle has every record type — the report shows what is on file, and says so when nothing is. The 8 recall campaigns for this model year are shown free further down.
📜 Title & ownership
- Title statusClean, salvage, rebuilt, junk, flood or lemon — from the national title database (NMVTIS)🔒
- Title brand historyEvery brand ever applied, by state, with what each one means🔒
- Title & registration recordsHow many times it has been titled, where, and the years-per-owner pace🔒
- Decode consistency checkThe provider's decode cross-checked against ours — a mismatch is a cloned-VIN warning sign🔒
🛞 Odometer
- Odometer timelineEvery reported reading with its date and state, drawn as a timeline🔒
- Rollback checkFlags any reading that goes backwards🔒
- Miles per yearThis car's pace against the US average🔒
💥 Damage, loss & theft
- Total-loss recordsInsurance total-loss declarations, with the reporting insurer type and date🔒
- Salvage & junk-yard recordsSalvage, junk and auction dispositions, including export flags🔒
- Theft screenActive and recovered theft records🔒
- Accident indicatorsDamage events reflected in title data (NMVTIS does not carry police crash reports)🔒
- Flood-exposure checkTitle activity in a disaster area soon after a major flood or hurricane🔒
💰 Liens & value
- Liens, impounds & exportOpen liens with the lender, tow/impound and export records🔒
- Market value for this exact carRetail adjusted for its mileage and state, trade-in, loan value, auction low/avg/high and retail by condition🔒
- DepreciationDrop from original MSRP, yearly rate and a one-year projection🔒
- Sticker vs dealer invoiceWhat it cost new, and what the dealer paid🔒
🧰 Factory warranty & equipment
- Remaining warrantyBasic, powertrain and rust coverage left, estimated from the first title date and odometer🔒
- Standard equipment & coloursWhat this trim came with from the factory, and the colours it was offered in🔒
🚨 Recalls on this VIN
- Per-VIN recall statusWhether each campaign has been repaired on THIS car, remedy availability, do-not-drive and stop-sale flags, dealer labour time🔒
History reports cover US-titled vehicles only. This car is registered in Ukraine, so title, salvage and odometer records from the US national title database (NMVTIS) don't apply to it. The registration record, specifications and recall data on this page are free.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
🧾 Window sticker / build sheet → All 1988 Volkswagen Jetta data →
📋 All factory specifications on file8 more fields from the manufacturer's VIN record (NHTSA vPIC)
🏭 Manufacturing & other
Values are as reported by the manufacturer for this VIN pattern; blank or "not applicable" fields are omitted.
MPG & running costs
U.S. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 1988 Volkswagen Jetta.
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. Actual mileage varies with trim and driving conditions.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1988 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.
Safety recall campaigns 8
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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."
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Campaign #06E018000 · manufacturer #171.611.701B · 01/03/2006SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
AN ENGINE PREHEATING TUBE MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SUPPORTED DUE TO A MISSING SUPPORT BRACKET, CAUSING THE PREHEATING TUBE TO CHAFE AGAINST THE RIGHT FRONT METAL BRAKE LINE. THIS CAN DAMAGE THE HYDRAULIC LINE, CAUSING BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE AND DIMINISHED BRAKING IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PREHEATING TUBE SUPPORT BRACKET TO ENSURE PROPER POSITIONING RELATIVE TO THE RIGHT FRONT METAL BRAKE LINE.
NHTSA Campaign #93V129000 · 02/08/1993VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
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.
Remedy: REPLACE THE HEATER CORE WITH AN IMPROVED HEATER CORE.
NHTSA Campaign #92V050000 · 14/04/1992FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION RAIL ON THE ENGINE MAY SHRINK BEYOND THE CLAMP FORCE OF THE FUEL HOSE CLAMPS, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK.
Remedy: REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL AND INSTALL A NEW SPRING TYPE SELF-TIGHTENING CLAMP.
NHTSA Campaign #92V058000 · 14/04/1992SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Remedy: CURVE OR REPLACE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE.
NHTSA Campaign #89V221000 · 08/12/1989SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
BRAKE BOOSTERS HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED WITH THE TWO HALVES OF THE BOOSTER UNIT INSUFFICIENTLY CONNECTED.
Remedy: REPLACE BRAKE BOOSTERS AS NECESSARY.
NHTSA Campaign #88V144000 · 29/08/1988SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT RETRACTOR PAWL MAY NOT MEET HARDENING SPECIFICATIONS CONTAINED IN VOLKSWAGENS DESIGN STANDARD.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT PASSIVE RESTRAINT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY AS NECESSARY.
NHTSA Campaign #87V182000 · 01/12/1987VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY NOT BE MARKED WITH LETTERS RES TO IDENTIFY THE RESUME FUNCTION AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 101.
Remedy: REPLACE PART OF CRUISE SWITCH PORTION.
NHTSA Campaign #87V175000 · 16/11/1987Note: recall data comes from the U.S. NHTSA and covers the US-market version of this model. A car registered in Ukraine may have different campaigns — check with the manufacturer's local importer.
These are NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year, last checked 7 Oct 2026. They don't show whether this particular car has had the repair done — check this VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.
We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on all 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1988 Volkswagen Jetta, here are the most-reported problem areas — and what to check before you buy.
💥 1 involved a crash 🔥 2 involved a fire
🔍 Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
🔍 Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
🔍 Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
🔍 Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
🔍 Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 24
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 1988 Volkswagen Jetta.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE TRAVELING CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE HOOD. CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER HOOD, AND VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. ALSO DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Fire · NHTSA ODI #852213SEAT BELTS
VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED WITHOUT FRONT LAP BELTS . VOLKSWAGEN SAYS THAT THE CAR MEETS ALL STANDARDS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #837156LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
LEFT REAR DOOR LATCH STICKS, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE OR OUT.
NHTSA ODI #604819SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKES REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #513556FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
REPLACED FUEL LINE.
NHTSA ODI #513556TIRES
BRIDGESTONE TIRE SIDEWALL IS CRACKING.
NHTSA ODI #507496VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
GAS PEDAL STICKS IN COLD WEATHER, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *DH
NHTSA ODI #507126VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DRIVER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #982530+ 16 more complaints on record.
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