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1989 Volkswagen Jetta GL 5MT

All Volkswagen Jetta trims (1985–1992) → All Volkswagen Jetta generations →
1989 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 1989 Volkswagen Jetta GL 5MT is a 1.8-liter inline-4 with a 5-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $11,440 MSRP and is rated at 25 mpg combined.

EPA fuel-economy estimates are 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway (25 mpg combined).

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$11,440 ($29,984 *)
Engine
Engine Type1.8L I4
Displacement1.8 L
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission5-speed manual
Fuel Economy
City22 MPG
Highway31 MPG
Combined25 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

5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1989 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

Aug 2, 1993 · SERVICE 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.

Consequence: DIMINISHED BRAKING CAN RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PREHEATING TUBE SUPPORT BRACKET TO ENSURE PROPER POSITIONING RELATIVE TO THE RIGHT FRONT METAL BRAKE LINE.

NHTSA campaign 93V129000

Apr 14, 1992 · FUEL 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.

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE IF THE FUEL COMES IN CONTACT WITH A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy: REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL AND INSTALL A NEW SPRING TYPE SELF-TIGHTENING CLAMP.

NHTSA campaign 92V058000

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

30 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1989 Volkswagen JETTA

Owner Complaints

30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1989 Volkswagen JETTA (1 mention a crash, 2 a fire). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Seat Belts10
Visibility6
Fuel System4
Gasoline4
Vehicle Speed Control3
Engine And Engine Cooling2
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Aug 30, 2007 · Unknown Or Other
“1989 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. CONSUMER WANTS DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DISCONNECTED. CUSTOMER STATES THAT SHE WOULD LIKE THE DRIVERS AIRBAG DISCONNECTED BECAUSE OF SEEING SEVERE INJURIES RESULTING WITH THE AIRBAG…”
Nov 2, 2003 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“I OWN A 1989 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, VIN WVW PA01G4KW724572. I HAD A LEAK OF MY HEATER CORE (PER A NON-VW MECHANIC). THE NHTSA WEBSITE REPORTS THAT THERE WAS A RECALL OF 1989 JET'S FOR THEIR HEATER CORE. I…”
Jul 28, 2003 · Visibility
“THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALL (92V-050000) ON THE HEATER CORE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE…”
Mar 25, 2002 · Structure
“DOOR HANDLES FELL OFF. CAN'T OPEN DOORS FROM OUTSIDE. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK CONSUMER HAS TO USE ROPE TO TIE THE DOORS SHUT SO HIS CHILDREN WILL BE SECURE. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER TO LUBRICATE HANDLES PER…”
Mar 18, 2000 · Visibility
“NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *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 1989 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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