Volkswagen Jetta reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 4,243 complaints about the Volkswagen Jetta with NHTSA since 2010, most often about electrical system and engine. Volkswagen has filed 26 warranty extensions and 7 service campaigns for it, and there are 39 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Volkswagen Jetta? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Jetta a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 4,243
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 26
- Filed by Volkswagen
- Service campaigns
- 7
- Filed by Volkswagen
- Safety recalls
- 39
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Jetta with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | Electrical system (50%) | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 29 | Automatic emergency braking and collision warning (21%) | 2 | 2 |
| 2024 | 44 | Engine (25%) | 0 | 6 |
| 2023 | 42 | Engine (26%) | 0 | 5 |
| 2022 | 43 | Brakes (28%) | 1 | 7 |
| 2021 | 69 | Brakes (36%) | 4 | 6 |
| 2020 | 53 | Electrical system (32%) | 6 | 6 |
| 2019 | 549 | Transmission and drivetrain (30%) | 11 | 5 |
| 2018 | 31 | Other or unspecified (26%) | 2 | 3 |
| 2017 | 159 | Electrical system (21%) | 6 | 4 |
| 2016 | 161 | Engine (27%) | 4 | 3 |
| 2015 | 194 | Electrical system (25%) | 7 | 3 |
| 2014 | 387 | Engine (28%) | 4 | 8 |
| 2013 | 517 | Electrical system (29%) | 4 | 10 |
| 2012 | 500 | Electrical system (28%) | 5 | 13 |
| 2011 | 607 | Electrical system (31%) | 7 | 11 |
| 2010 | 852 | Electrical system (27%) | 3 | 16 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Jetta model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Volkswagen
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Volkswagen filed with NHTSA for the Jetta, in its own words. A warranty extension means Volkswagen pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionSep 2025· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2010, 2012–2013, 2019–2024
This supporting FAQ is for the Turbocharger Limited Warranty Extension Class Action Settlement.
- Warranty extensionSep 2025· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2019–2024
For applicable Settlement Class Vehicles, the New Vehicle Limited Warranty will be extended to cover 50% of the repair or replacement of the Turbocharger by an authorized Volkswagen Dealer for 8.5 years or 85,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle’s in-service date.
- Warranty extensionMay 2025· Other or unspecified· model years 2022
Volkswagen has extended the Warranty coverage for the Evap Leak Detection Pump (LDP) to 15 years or 150,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicles original in-service date, for certain 2022 Model Year Volkswagen vehicles.
- Warranty extensionFeb 2025· Brakes· model years 2020–2025
The Rear Brake Pad Limited Warranty Extension has been revised to include model year 2025 for Certain Volkswagen Jetta and Certain Volkswagen Taos vehicles.
- Warranty extensionMay 2024· Automatic emergency braking and collision warning· model years 2016–2023
These documents are for the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Limited Warranty Extension as part of the Class Action Settlement
- Warranty extensionMay 2024· Automatic emergency braking and collision warning· model years 2016–2023
These documents are for the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Limited Warranty Extension as part of the Class Action Settlement
- Warranty extensionApr 2023· Steering· model years 2010–2018
This Document was revised. The model year chat was removed for VWP-18-11 for the Steering Wheel Clock Spring Limited Warranty Extension
- Warranty extensionDec 2021· Engine and cooling· model years 2019
This Document informs dealers on the warranty extension for the Activated Carbon Filter Pipe
- Warranty extensionJun 2021· Equipment and accessories· model years 2013
This Document informs dealers on the new Intake Manifold Warranty Extension for 2013, 2014, 2016 & 2017 Model Year with Engine Codes CBFA and CCTA
- Warranty extensionApr 2021· Fuel system· model years 2010–2011
Warranty Extension for Intake Manifold & Fuel Injectors Certain 2008-2011
- Warranty extensionApr 2021· Fuel system· model years 2011
Warranty Extension for Fuel Injectors Certain 2011 Model Year Volkswagen
- Warranty extensionDec 2019· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2014
This Document informs dealers on the the new Water Pump Limited Warranty Extension
- Warranty extensionDec 2019· Engine· model years 2010–2014
This Document informs dealers on the the Frequently Asked Questions for the new Water Pump Limited Warranty Extension
- Warranty extensionOct 2019· Steering· model years 2012–2015
This Document informs dealers the warranty extension for the steering column lock housing has been revised to include 2014 and 2015 model year
- Warranty extensionAug 2019· Fuel system (diesel)· model years 2010–2014
This document informs dealers of a revision to the Extended Emissions Warranty Limited Warranty Extension for 2.0L TDI Gen 1 vehicles. Added clarification on totaled vehicles and loaners
- Warranty extensionAug 2019· Fuel system (diesel)· model years 2015
This document informs dealers of a revision to the claim coding for the "Extended Emissions Warranty" Limited Warranty Extension for certain 2.0L TDI GEN 3 vehicles. Added clarification on totaled vehicles and loaners.
- Warranty extensionJan 2019· Engine· model years 2010, 2012–2014
The Vehicle Maintenance Declaration has been added back to WISE for the Timing Chain Warranty Extension.
- Warranty extensionAug 2018· Engine· model years 2010, 2012–2014
This document advises dealers regarding the Timing Chain/Timing Chain Tensioner Limited Warranty Extension
- Warranty extensionFeb 2017· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010, 2012–2014
This technical bulletin was updated per powertain team and warranty team.
- Warranty extensionFeb 2017· Electrical system· model years 2010
This document informs dealers of a limited warranty extension for the ABS control module for certain 2009 - 2010 Volkswagen vehicles repaired by Safety Recall 45F2.
- Warranty extensionJun 2015· Fuel system (diesel)· model years 2010–2012
Warranty Extension for High-Pressure Fuel Pump: Volkswagen informed customers of a decision to extend the warranty for the high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) in the TDI® Clean Diesel engine vehicle under specific conditions to 10 years or 120,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from…
- Warranty extensionJun 2015· Fuel system (diesel)· model years 2010–2012
Warranty Information (Policies and Procedures Bulletin): Volkswagen has extended the warranty for the high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) under specific conditions to 10 years or 120,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's original in-service date, for certain 2009 -…
- Warranty extensionJun 2013· Engine· model years 2010–2012
Secondary Air Pressure Sensor Limited Warranty Extension. Volkswagen has extended the Emission Control Systems Warrantly for secondary air pressure sensor replacement under specific conditions to 10 years or 120,000 miles whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's original…
- Warranty extensionJun 2013· Engine and cooling· model years 2010
Secondary Air Pressure Sensor Limited Warranty Extension
- Warranty extensionMar 2013· Engine and cooling· model years 2010–2012
Engine Exhaust Flap Limited Warranty Extension
- Warranty extensionNov 2010· Engine and cooling· model years 2010–2011
There is a warranty extension on hard start conditions for customers who had an earlier campaign addressed on their vehicles.
- Service campaignSep 2025· Engine· model years 2024
In affected vehicles, the turbocharger housing included an unintended and unused hose port.
- Service campaignJul 2025· Airbags· model years 2024
An incorrect EPROM component with lower bytes memory density may have been installed in some airbag control modules.
- Service campaignMay 2025· Other or unspecified· model years 2025
In affected vehicles it is possible that a faulty exhaust pressure sensor may impact tailpipe emissions. To address this issue, the exhaust pressure sensor will be replaced on affected vehicles
- Service campaignOct 2024· Other or unspecified· model years 2020
Volkswagen is providing a hardware and/or a software update to address an issue in selected vehicles where the fuel gage may show a lower fuel level than what is actually remaining in the vehicle.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Jetta model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Electrical system1,136 (27%)
- Engine831 (20%)
- Transmission and drivetrain675 (16%)
- Other or unspecified631 (15%)
- Fuel and propulsion452 (11%)
- Brakes264 (6%)
- Fuel system (diesel)248 (6%)
- Airbags188 (4%)
Safety recalls
39 recalls cover at least one Jetta model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The instrument panel may fail to display warning lights or gauges. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays.
The transmission ground wire may not have been properly connected during assembly, causing an open electrical circuit.
Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.
The instrument cluster may not provide an audible warning to let the driver know that the key is still in the ignition when the door is open.
The ignition switch may fail, especially in high temperature environments.
The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously.
The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display.
The air bag control module was welded in the incorrect position.
Bolts may be missing from the front seat tracks.
The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze.
The fuel rail bolts may become loose over time, allowing fuel to leak.
Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.
The front brake caliper bolts may come loose.
The front wheel bearings may have been improperly machined, potentially causing excessive stress on the wheel, wheel bolts, or wheel bearings.
Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
And 24 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- RQ23007Recall query· opened Dec 2023, closed Jul 2024· Fuel system· model years 2019–2020
Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
Led to recall 24V110.
- DP19003Defect petition· opened Sep 2019, closed Jun 2020· Engine· model years 2019
Vehicle Stalling - Manual Transmission
- EA18003Engineering analysis· opened Apr 2018, still open· Airbags· model years 2010–2014
Air Bag Clockspring Failure
- RQ17009Recall query· opened Nov 2017, closed May 2018· Airbags· model years 2011–2014
Air Bag Clockspring Failure
- PE15010Preliminary evaluation· opened Mar 2015, closed Sep 2015· Airbags· model years 2011–2014
Air Bag Clockspring Failure
Led to recall 15V483000.
- PE11023Preliminary evaluation· opened Aug 2011, closed Dec 2011· Fuel system (diesel)· model years 2010–2012
Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage
Led to recall 11V490000.
- EA11003Engineering analysis· opened Feb 2011, closed Mar 2015· Fuel system (diesel)· model years 2010–2012
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
- PE10034Preliminary evaluation· opened Aug 2010, closed Feb 2011· Fuel system (diesel)· model years 2010
High Pressure Fuel Pump Failure (HPFP)
NHTSA's own page for the 2027 Volkswagen Jetta has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 4,243 owner complaints, 26 warranty extensions and 7 service campaigns Volkswagen filed, and 39 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2010 (852), 2011 (607), 2019 (549). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Volkswagen Jetta?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name electrical system (27%), engine (20%), transmission and drivetrain (16%). Volkswagen has filed 26 warranty extensions covering the Jetta, listed on this page.
Which Jetta model years have the most complaints?
2010 (852), 2011 (607), 2019 (549). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Jetta with each other rather than with other models.
Has Volkswagen extended the warranty on the Jetta?
Yes: transmission and drivetrain (model years 2010, 2012–2013, 2019–2024); transmission and drivetrain (model years 2019–2024); other or unspecified (model years 2022), and 23 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Jetta?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 39 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.