1988 Volkswagen Jetta Coupe Review

Summary: 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.

Notes: CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Summary: 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.

Notes: SYSTEM: BRAKES; HYDRAULIC LINES.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH DIGIFANT ENGINE MANAGEMENTSYSTEMS.

Summary: 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.

Notes: SYSTEM: WATER HEATER; HEATER CORE.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AUTOMOBILES.

Summary: 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.

Notes: SYSTEM: FUEL LINES.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION:PASSENGER CARS.

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.

Notes: SYSTEM: RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.DESCRIPTION OF DEFECTS: AN INCORRECTLY CONTOURED METAL BRAKE LINE LEADING TO THERIGHT FRONT WHEEL COULD BE DAMAGED BY A PREHEATING TUBE CHAFING AGAINST IT.

Summary: BRAKE BOOSTERS HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED WITH THE TWO HALVES OF THE BOOSTER UNIT INSUFFICIENTLY CONNECTED.

Consequence: BRAKE BOOSTER HALVES COULD SEPARATE UNDER HEAVY BRAKEAPPLICATION AND BRAKING POWER WOULD SUDDENLY DIMINISH WHICH COULD RESULT IN ANACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPLACE BRAKE BOOSTERS AS NECESSARY.

Notes: SYSTEM: BRAKE BOOSTERS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.

Summary: SEAT BELT RETRACTOR PAWL MAY NOT MEET HARDENING SPECIFICATIONS CONTAINED IN VOLKSWAGENS DESIGN STANDARD.

Consequence: VEHICLES DO NOT MEET VOLKSWAGENS DESIGN STANDARD.

Remedy: REPLACE FRONT PASSIVE RESTRAINT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY AS NECESSARY.

Notes: SYSTEM: FRONT SEAT BELTVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH PASSIVE RESTRAINT SEATBELT SYSTEMS.

Summary: CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY NOT BE MARKED WITH LETTERS RES TO IDENTIFY THE RESUME FUNCTION AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 101.

Consequence: VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 101.

Remedy: REPLACE PART OF CRUISE SWITCH PORTION.

Notes: SYSTEM: CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH/FMVSS 101.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.