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1996 Volkswagen Jetta GLX VR6 4AT

All Volkswagen Jetta trims (1993–1998) → All Volkswagen Jetta generations →
1996 Volkswagen Jetta – front Unverified
Photo: 1997 Volkswagen Jetta GLS in Sequoia Green Metallic, Front Right, 06-25-2022 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photos show the Jetta III (1993–1998); trim, color, and model year may differ.
All photo credits
  1. Photo: 1997 Volkswagen Jetta GLS in Sequoia Green Metallic, Front Right, 06-25-2022 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  2. Photo: 1997 Volkswagen Jetta GLS in Sequoia Green Metallic, Rear Right, 06-25-2022 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  3. Photo: BAS 24, Brussels (P1170179-RR) by Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  4. Photo: JettaMkIII Interior by Analogue Kid at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The 1996 Volkswagen Jetta GLX VR6 4AT is a 2.8-liter with a 4-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $21,035 MSRP and is rated at 19 mpg combined.

EPA fuel-economy estimates are 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway (19 mpg combined).

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$21,035 ($43,572 *)
Engine
Engine Type2.8L VR6
Displacement2.8 L
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission4-speed automatic
Fuel Economy
City16 MPG
Highway23 MPG
Combined19 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 1996 Volkswagen Jetta 4-DR.

Recalls

2 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1996 Volkswagen JETTA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Apr 7, 2009 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

NHTSA campaign 09E012000

Jul 16, 1998 · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BOLTS SECURING THE FRONT HOOD LATCH CAN LOOSEN OVER TIME. THE LATCH WOULD MOVE CAUSING DISENGAGEMENT OF THE HOOD STRIKER FROM THE LATCH.

Consequence: UNEXPECTED OPENING OF THE HOOD COULD OCCUR OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HOOD LATCH AND SECURING BOLTS AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY.

NHTSA campaign 98V160000

183 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1996 Volkswagen JETTA

Owner Complaints

183 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Volkswagen JETTA (17 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 9 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Visibility40
Electrical System33
Power Train23
Engine And Engine Cooling20
Latches/Locks/Linkages18
Service Brakes16
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Nov 7, 2010 · Steering
“I OWN A 1996 VW JETTA GLS AND MY CAR SMOKES FROM MY STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. I WILL BE DRIVING AND OUT OF NO WHERE WHITE SMOKE POURS OUT OF THE COLUMN. I THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE OF MY HEADLIGHTS BEING ON…”
May 6, 2010 · Electrical System
“WHEN THE VDO ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT CLUSTER "TOTAL" ODOMETER READING CROSSED FROM 299,999 MILES TO 300,000 MILES . . . THE WORD "TOTAL" DISAPPEARED AND MILEAGE DROPPED TO "0". THE "TRIP" SIDE OF THE…”
Apr 29, 2009 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle Speed Control Crash 3 injuries
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN AGGRESSIVE AND FORCEFUL ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE…”
Aug 2, 2007 · Visibility
“DRIVING HOME FROM SCHOOL (12 MINUTE DRIVE) AT NIGHT AND THE AIR COMING FROM THE VENTS SMELLED FUNNY, LIKE COOLANT. I TURNED OFF THE FANS BUT STILL SMELLED FUNNY. I TURNED THE FANS BACK ON AND WHITE…”
Apr 25, 2007 · Latches/Locks/Linkages
“WELL, ITS AN OLD CAR YES AND HAVEN'T HAD ANY SEVERE MALFUNCTIONS EXCEPT ON PRETTY MUCH EVERY LATCH MECHANISM ON THE CAR. CURRENTLY, THE TRUNK DOES NOT OPEN. THE LATCH IS BROKE AND WILL NOT OPEN WITH…”

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 1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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