Volkswagen Jetta years to avoid (and the best years)
4,229 NHTSA owner complaints and 43 recalls across 16 model years, 2010 to 2025. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 4,229complaints
- 43recalls
- 182reported crashes
- 38reported fires
- 143reported injuries
- 3reported deaths
Which Volkswagen Jetta years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Volkswagen Jetta years to avoid are 2010, 2011, 2019, 2013, 2012 and 2014. The typical Volkswagen Jetta year has 160 complaints on file.
- 2010: 852 complaints, 5.3 times the typical year. Most complaints name the fuel system (36% of complaints) and the electrical system (27% of complaints).
- 2011: 607 complaints, 3.8 times the typical year. Most complaints name the electrical system (31% of complaints) and the fuel system (27% of complaints).
- 2019: 548 complaints, 3.4 times the typical year. Most complaints name the transmission and drivetrain (30% of complaints) and the electrical system (28% of complaints).
- 2013: 516 complaints, 3.2 times the typical year. Most complaints name the electrical system (29% of complaints) and the transmission and drivetrain (27% of complaints).
- 2012: 499 complaints, 3.1 times the typical year. Most complaints name the electrical system (28% of complaints) and the engine (18% of complaints).
- 2014: 386 complaints, 2.4 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (30% of complaints) and the electrical system (24% of complaints).
What are the best Volkswagen Jetta years?
The Volkswagen Jetta years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2018 (31), 2022 (42) and 2023 (43). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 28 | 0.2× | 2 | 4 | 1 | Few red flags | Forward collision avoidance system |
| 2024 | 43 | 0.3× | 0 | 2 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2023 | 43 | 0.3× | 0 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2022 | 42 | 0.3× | 1 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2021 | 68 | 0.4× | 4 | 3 | 1 | Some concerns to check | Brakes |
| 2020 | 52 | 0.3× | 6 | 1 | 2 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2019 | 548 | 3.4× | 11 | 19 | 36 | Approach with caution | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2018 | 31 | 0.2× | 3 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Fuel system |
| 2017 | 159 | 1.0× | 7 | 18 | 9 | Some concerns to check | Fuel system |
| 2016 | 161 | 1.0× | 5 | 18 | 14 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2015 | 194 | 1.2× | 8 | 8 | 9 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2014 | 386 | 2.4× | 5 | 20 | 18 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2013 | 516 | 3.2× | 6 | 12 | 10 | Approach with caution | Electrical system |
| 2012 | 499 | 3.1× | 8 | 24 | 17 | Approach with caution | Electrical system |
| 2011 | 607 | 3.8× | 10 | 27 | 15 | Approach with caution | Electrical system |
| 2010 | 852 | 5.3× | 5 | 23 | 11 | Approach with caution | Fuel system |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 1,744 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain826 (47%)
- Electrical & infotainment455 (26%)
- Brakes149 (9%)
- Structure & body98 (6%)
- Steering, suspension & tires89 (5%)
Recalls (43)
Electrical system · 26V185000 · Mar 2026 · model year 2025
An instrument panel that does not display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 26V138000 · Mar 2026 · model year 2025
An open circuit may draw a higher current and increase the risk of a fire.
Fuel system · 24V110000 · Feb 2024 · model years 2019, 2020
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Electrical system · 23V619000 · Sep 2023 · model year 2019
Without an audible warning, the driver may be unaware that the key is left in the ignition, which can increase the risk of vehicle theft or a crash.
Electrical system · 23V604000 · Aug 2023 · model years 2019, 2020
Ignition switch failure can cause the electrical system to shut down and the engine to stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tires · 22V815000 · Oct 2022 · model years 2019, 2020
An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 22V514000 · Jul 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 21V492000 · Jun 2021 · model years 2020, 2021
Incorrect positioning of the air bag control module can cause the vehicle's air bags to deploy improperly during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, the vehicle's air bags can deploy unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 21V038000 · Feb 2021 · model year 2021
The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Safety · 20V716000 · Nov 2020 · model year 2021
A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 20V648000 · Oct 2020 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018
A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Brakes · 20E064000 · Sep 2020 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 20V505000 · Aug 2020 · model year 2020
In the event of a rear-end crash, the backrest adjustment could break, possibly reducing the amount of occupant restraint, thus increasing risk of injury.
Brakes · 20V359000 · Jun 2020 · model year 2020
If a brake caliper bolt comes loose, it may affect the vehicle's brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 19V879000 · Dec 2019 · model year 2019
The excessive stress can cause steering, traction or other stability issues or breakage relating to the front wheels, and increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 19V679000 · Sep 2019 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2019
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Electrical system · 19V615000 · Aug 2019 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Suspension · 19V188000 · Mar 2019 · model year 2019
If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 19V110000 · Feb 2019 · model year 2019
In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the wrong air bag may not work correctly, increasing the risk of injury.
Suspension · 18V904000 · Dec 2018 · model year 2019
If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 18V824000 · Nov 2018 · model year 2019
If the driver is not notified by an audible noise that the key is left in the ignition, it can increase the risk of vehicle theft or crash.
Exterior lighting · 18V671000 · Sep 2018 · model year 2019
A reduction in the driver's visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 17V352000 · May 2017 · model year 2017
The mismatched VINs make the vehicle noncompliant with regulatory requirements.
Safety · 17V136000 · Mar 2017 · model year 2017
Overloading the vehicle may affect vehicle handling or result in tire damage, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 17V137000 · Mar 2017 · model year 2017
Overloading the vehicle may affect vehicle handling or result in tire damage, increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine · 17V070000 · Feb 2017 · model year 2017
If the engine seizes, the wheels may suddenly lock up, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 16V913000 · Dec 2016 · model year 2010
A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 16V403000 · Jun 2016 · model year 2016
A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
Engine · 15V705000 · Oct 2015 · model years 2015, 2016
If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 15V627000 · Oct 2015 · model year 2015
In the event of a crash, if the front passenger seat occupant is incorrectly classified or non-detected, the passenger frontal air bag may deploy improperly or not at all, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Airbags · 15V483000 · Aug 2015 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fuel system · 15V028000 · Jan 2015 · model years 2014, 2015
A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
Exterior lighting · 14V790000 · Dec 2014 · model year 2015
Insufficient headlight output may increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 14V670000 · Oct 2014 · model year 2015
Unexpected movement of the driver's seatback may distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Suspension · 14V656000 · Oct 2014 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013
The reduced durability of the trailing arm may result in its sudden fracture, possibly causing loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 14V182000 · Apr 2014 · model year 2014
The leaking transmission fluid could contact a hot surface and result in a vehicle fire.
Engine · 14E007000 · Mar 2014 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fuel system · 11V490000 · Oct 2011 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
DUE TO THE RESONANCE CONDITION, INJECTOR LINE NUMBER 2 COULD DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE. LEAKING FUEL IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Engine · 11E036000 · Sep 2011 · model years 2011, 2012
IF THE TAILPIPE EXTENSION IS HOT DURING INADVERTENT CONTACT, A BURN COULD OCCUR.
Engine · 11V466000 · Sep 2011 · model year 2011
IF THE TAILPIPE EXTENSION IS HOT DURING INADVERTENT CONTACT, A BURN COULD OCCUR.
Electrical system · 11V196000 · Mar 2011 · model year 2011
SHOULD THIS HAPPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, THE ENGINE COULD STALL, OR THE HEADLIGHTS OR WIPERS COULD TURN OFF UNEXPECTEDLY, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fuel system · 10V621000 · Dec 2010 · model year 2010
IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Transmission · 09V333000 · Aug 2009 · model year 2010
THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.