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1987 Volkswagen Jetta GL 3AT

All Volkswagen Jetta trims (1985–1992) → All Volkswagen Jetta generations →
1987 Volkswagen Jetta – front Unverified
Photo: Volkswagen Jetta II TX phase 1 Face avant by Olifer7, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photos show the Jetta II (1985–1992); trim, color, and model year may differ.
All photo credits
  1. Photo: Volkswagen Jetta II TX phase 1 Face avant by Olifer7, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  2. Photo: Volkswagen Jetta CL by Bene Riobó, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  3. Photo: Volkswagen Jetta GL by Bene Riobó, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  4. Photo: VW Jetta II Beach by KarleHorn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  5. Photo: 1986 Volkswagen Jetta TX - 1595cc 1.6 (75PS) Petrol - Tornado Red - 05-2024, Rear by Harvey Bold, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The 1987 Volkswagen Jetta GL 3AT is a 1.8-liter inline-4 with a 3-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $10,660 MSRP and is rated at 22 mpg combined.

EPA fuel-economy estimates are 21 mpg city and 25 mpg highway (22 mpg combined).

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$10,660 ($30,497 *)
Engine
Engine Type1.8L I4
Displacement1.8 L
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission3-speed automatic
Fuel Economy
City21 MPG
Highway25 MPG
Combined22 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1987 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

Apr 14, 1992 · VISIBILITY: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.

Consequence: THE COOLANT ESCAPING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COULDCONTACT THE DRIVER'S FEET AND INJURE THE DRIVER. ALSO, STEAM FROM THE HEATEDLIQUID WILL CLOUD ON THE WINDOW SURFACES AND IMPAIR THE DRIVER'S VISION ANDCOULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPLACE THE HEATER CORE WITH AN IMPROVED HEATER CORE.

NHTSA campaign 92V050000

Dec 8, 1989 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Consequence: PROLONGED CHAFING COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE A LEAKING BRAKELINE RESULTING IN DIMINISHED BRAKING IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT WHICH WOULD INCREASETHE STOPPING DISTANCES AND RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: CURVE OR REPLACE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE.

NHTSA campaign 89V221000

Apr 14, 1987 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

FUEL PUMP, LOCATED INSIDE FUEL TANK, COULD SEIZE DURING HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BECAUSE OF AN EXTREME FINE MESH FUEL FILTER RESTRICTING THE FUEL FLOW.

Consequence: FUEL SUPPLY TO ENGINE WOULD BE PARTIALLY INTERRUPTED,RESULTING IN STALLING.

Remedy: INSTALL A MODIFIED FUEL PUMP AND FILTER.

NHTSA campaign 87V053000

19 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1987 Volkswagen JETTA

Owner Complaints

19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1987 Volkswagen JETTA (1 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Visibility4
Engine And Engine Cooling3
Fuel System3
Gasoline3
Electrical System2
Seat Belts2
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Nov 15, 2002 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDED ON A 5-SPEED JETTA WITH GASOLINE ENGINE.-----DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS-------769740. *AK”
Sep 17, 2001 · Fuel System, Gasoline
“FUEL PUMP INSIDE OF GAS TANK GETS HOT IT AND QUITS. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED RECALL ON FUEL PUMP PROBLEM AND REPAIR WAS DONE. *YH”
Feb 27, 2001 · Engine And Engine Cooling, Visibility 1 injury
“WHILE CONSUMER WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND TIRED TO STEP ON GAS TO GO, RADIATOR EXPLODED, AND THROUGH RADIATOR WATER ENTERED INTO VEHICLE BURNING PASSENGER, AND FLOODING VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER…”
Feb 24, 2001 · Visibility 1 injury
“CONSUMER STATES THE HEATER CORE EXPLODED WHILE SITTING IN A DRIVE-THRU, ANTIFREEZE LEAKED THROUGH THE VENTS AND RADIO COMPARTMENT ONTO THE FLOOR WITH PASSENGERS IN VEHICLE, ONE PERSON WAS BURNT WITH…”
Jan 8, 2001 · Steering, Suspension Crash
“WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH, LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE, WHEEL CAME OFF, TIE ROD SNAPPED IN HALF, VEHICLE ROLLED 3 OR 4 TIMES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1987 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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