Volkswagen Jetta problems by year
9,879 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across 42 Volkswagen Jetta model years. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaint totals are lifetime counts — years that have been on the road longer accumulate more reports.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most reported problem | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 1 | — | |
| 2025 | 23 | 2 | Power Train | |
| 2024 | 38 | 0 | Engine | |
| 2023 | 42 | 0 | Engine | |
| 2022 | 41 | 1 | Service Brakes | |
| 2021 | 66 | 4 | Service Brakes | |
| 2020 | 51 | 6 | Electrical System | |
| 2019 | 543 | 11 | Power Train | |
| 2018 | 31 | 2 | Unknown OR Other | |
| 2017 | 159 | 6 | Electrical System | |
| 2016 | 160 | 4 | Engine | |
| 2015 | 193 | 7 | Electrical System | |
| 2014 | 386 | 4 | Engine | |
| 2013 | 515 | 4 | Electrical System | |
| 2012 | 499 | 5 | Electrical System | |
| 2011 | 606 | 7 | Electrical System | |
| 2010 Most complained | 852 | 4 | Electrical System | |
| 2009 Most complained | 888 | 6 | Fuel System, Diesel | |
| 2008 | 188 | 4 | Power Train | |
| 2007 | 201 | 4 | Electrical System | |
| 2006 | 580 | 4 | Power Train | |
| 2005 | 248 | 4 | Power Train | |
| 2004 | 231 | 2 | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2003 | 455 | 2 | Seats | |
| 2002 Most complained | 702 | 5 | Electrical System | |
| 2001 Most complained | 668 | 6 | Electrical System | |
| 2000 | 439 | 4 | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1999 | 349 | 4 | Visibility | |
| 1998 | 192 | 2 | Visibility | |
| 1997 | 54 | 1 | Electrical System | |
| 1996 | 31 | 0 | Visibility | |
| 1995 | 220 | 0 | Electrical System | |
| 1994 | 117 | 0 | Equipment | |
| 1993 Fewer complaints | 17 | 0 | — | |
| 1992 | 30 | 0 | Vehicle Speed Control | |
| 1991 | 31 | 0 | Visibility | |
| 1990 | 22 | 0 | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1989 | 28 | 0 | Seat Belts | |
| 1988 Fewer complaints | 19 | 0 | — | |
| 1987 Fewer complaints | 18 | 0 | — | |
| 1986 Fewer complaints | 14 | 0 | — | |
| 1985 Fewer complaints | 13 | 0 | — |
How to read this. Complaints are unverified reports owners file with NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation, counted once per case number. Raw totals are not adjusted for sales volume, and recent model years have had less time on the road. “Most complained” flags years well above the model’s median; treat it as a signal for deeper research, not a verdict. This page is not affiliated with Volkswagen.