Volkswagen

Jetta (A7)

2019-2025 · Midsize Sedan ยท 4 engines
Best Engine โœ… Recommended (3.9)
838 NHTSA Complaints
19 Recalls
3 Fire Reports
29 Crash Reports
Includes data from: GLIJETTAJETTA GLI
View all 4 generations of the Volkswagen Jetta → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (13.0% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (13.0% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (13.0% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (133.0% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (13.0% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (133.0% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (13.0% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (133.0% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (13.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (13.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (13.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (13.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (13.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: No

Engine Reliability Ratings

TSI

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo / 228 hp
โœ… Recommended (3.9)
32 complaints 8.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
9
safety systems
6
other
6
fuel system
5
transmission
4

Known Issues

Engine Issues (9 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (6 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (5 complaints)

1.5 TSI

1.5L 4-cyl Turbo / 158 hp
โš ๏ธ Caution (3.2)
98 complaints 32.7 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
35
engine
29
electrical
25
safety systems
20
other
9

Known Issues

Brakes Issues (35 complaints)
Engine Issues (29 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (25 complaints)

2.0 TSI

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo / 228 hp
โš ๏ธ Caution (3.1)
89 complaints 12.7 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
44
transmission
24
fuel system
14
electrical
11
other
9

Known Issues

Engine Issues (44 complaints)
Transmission Issues (24 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (14 complaints)

1.4 TSI

1.4L 4-cyl Turbo / 147 hp
โŒ Avoid (1.0)
606 complaints 171.3 per year Gasoline
2 fire reports 4 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
171
transmission
145
engine
122
other
82
brakes
74

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (171 complaints)
Typical onset: 29,500โ€“81,500 mi Est. repair: $305โ€“$3,325 (10 reports)
Transmission Issues (145 complaints)
Engine Issues (122 complaints)
Typical onset: 8,902โ€“71,894 mi Est. repair: $1,364โ€“$4,013 (7 reports)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Volkswagen Jetta regardless of engine variant.

Electrical System Issues (207 complaints)
electrical serious
Engine Issues (204 complaints)
engine critical
Transmission Issues (169 complaints)
transmission serious
Brakes Issues (109 complaints)
brakes serious
Safety Systems Issues (86 complaints)
safety_systems critical

Recalls (19)

26V185000Mar 24, 2026serious
Electrical System

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Jetta and Taos vehicles. 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."

26V138000Nov 2, 2026serious
Electrical System

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Jetta vehicles. The transmission ground wire may not have been properly connected during assembly, causing an open electrical circuit.

24V110000Feb 13, 2024serious
Fuel System

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. 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.

23V604000Aug 29, 2023serious
Electrical System

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf Sportwagen, 2019-2020 Golf GTI, and Jetta vehicles equipped with a conventional ignition switch. The ignition switch may fail, especially in high temperature environments.

23V619000Jun 8, 2023serious
Electrical System

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Jetta vehicles. 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 114, "Theft Protection."

22V815000Oct 30, 2022serious
Tires

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

22V514000Jul 19, 2022serious
Back Over Prevention

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

21V492000Jun 29, 2021serious
Air Bags

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Jetta and Jetta GLI vehicles. The air bag control module was welded in the incorrect position.

21V038000Jan 1, 2021serious
Seats

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Long Wheelbase and Jetta vehicles. Bolts may be missing from the front seat tracks.

20V505000Aug 25, 2020serious
Seats

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.

20V716000Nov 17, 2020serious
Back Over Prevention

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

20V359000Jun 16, 2020serious
Service Brakes

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling one 2020 Jetta vehicle. The front brake caliper bolts may come loose.

19V679000Sep 24, 2019serious
Unknown Or Other

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. 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.

19V110000Feb 19, 2019serious
Air Bags

Volkswagen Group of America (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Jetta vehicles. An incorrect driver frontal airbag may have been installed during a service/repair visit.

19V879000Nov 11, 2019serious
Wheels

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Jetta GLI, Golf Alltrack, and Golf GTI vehicles. The front wheel bearings may have been improperly machined, potentially causing excessive stress on the wheel, wheel bolts, or wheel bearings.

19V188000Jun 2, 2019serious
Suspension

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.

18V824000Nov 25, 2018serious
Electrical System

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles that do not have keyless entry. 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."

18V671000Sep 25, 2018serious
Exterior Lighting

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles equipped with LED headlights. The passenger side headlight may be incorrectly positioned, reducing the driver's visibility when it is dark. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

18V904000Dec 18, 2018serious
Suspension

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas, 2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen, and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.

Alternatives in Midsize Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2019-2025 Volkswagen Jetta problems?

The 2019-2025 Volkswagen Jetta has accumulated 838 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Electrical System, Engine, Transmission. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Volkswagen Jetta engine is most reliable?

The 2019-2025 Volkswagen Jetta was offered with 4 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 1.4L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2019-2025 Volkswagen Jetta a good used car?

The 2019-2025 Volkswagen Jetta can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 838 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2019-2025 Volkswagen Jetta have?

The 2019-2025 Volkswagen Jetta has 838 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2019-2025 Volkswagen Jetta?

There are 19 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2019-2025 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Volkswagen Jetta?

Before buying a used Volkswagen Jetta, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Electrical System, Engine, Transmission, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Jetta?

The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (13.0% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 838 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

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