1981 Volkswagen Jetta 2-Door
Unverified
All photo credits
- Photo: 1983 Volkswagen Jetta 1.3 C front by Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: VW Jetta I front 20080315 by Rudolf Stricker, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1981 Volkswagen Jetta GL by Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Techno Classica 2018, Essen (IMG 9671) by Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1983 Volkswagen Jetta 1.3 C rear by Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1981 Volkswagen Jetta 2-Door is a 74-hp 1.7-liter inline-4 with a 4-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $7,975 MSRP.
It makes 74 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 89 lb-ft of torque.
The Jetta measures 168.1 inches long on a 94.5-inch wheelbase.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Sedan |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $7,975 ($28,513 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 1.7L Inline-4 (EA827, North America-only) |
| Displacement | 1.7 L |
| Horsepower | 74 hp @ 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 89 lb-ft |
| Injection Type | Bosch CIS (K-Jetronic) continuous fuel injection |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | FWD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 4-speed Manual |
| Fuel Economy | |
| Tank Capacity | 10.6 gal |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Tires Front | 175/70 R13 |
| Tires Rear | 175/70 R13 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 168.1 in |
| Width | 63 in |
| Height | 55.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 94.5 in |
| Cargo Volume | 13.3 ft³ |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1981 Volkswagen Jetta 2-Door with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.
Recalls
4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1981 Volkswagen JETTA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Mar 1, 2006 · 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."
Consequence: BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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
Nov 9, 1983 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign 83V117000
Nov 28, 1980 · SUSPENSION:FRONT
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.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LOCK WASHERS AT NO CHARGE.
NHTSA campaign 80V155000
Oct 23, 1980 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
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".
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL CORRECT THE INVOLVED VEHICLES PRIOR TO THEIR FIRST RETAIL SALE BY INSTALLING THE CORRECT LABELS.
NHTSA campaign 80V140000
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1981 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.