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Volkswagen Jetta: which year to buy? Recalls and complaints by year

Of 28 model years of the Volkswagen Jetta on record, 2024 has the most owner complaints at NHTSA (41, most often about service brakes). 2019 has the most recall campaigns (11). 2002 has the most complaints mentioning a crash, a fire or an injury (11).

How to read this

Each row counts what official sources have on record for that model year: recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and how many of those complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury. We do not rate reliability. Fewer complaints can also mean fewer cars sold or a newer car, so open the year before you decide. 🇺🇸 Local data

Year Recalls Complaints Crash, fire or injury Most reported Combined
2027 0 0 0 — 34 MPG
2026 0 0 0 — 34 MPG
2025 2 29 6 UNKNOWN OR OTHER 33 MPG
2024 0 41 3 SERVICE BRAKES 34 MPG
2023 0 40 1 ENGINE 35 MPG
2022 1 40 1 ENGINE 33 MPG
2021 4 40 1 SERVICE BRAKES 33 MPG
2020 6 40 2 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 34 MPG
2019 11 40 3 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 34 MPG
2018 3 31 1 UNKNOWN OR OTHER 32 MPG
2017 7 40 5 ENGINE 32 MPG
2016 5 40 4 ENGINE 32 MPG
2015 8 40 0 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 29 MPG
2014 5 40 6 POWER TRAIN 29 MPG
2013 6 40 2 POWER TRAIN 32 MPG
2012 8 40 0 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 32 MPG
2011 10 40 6 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 32 MPG
2010 5 40 3 SERVICE BRAKES 32 MPG
2009 7 40 1 SERVICE BRAKES 32 MPG
2008 6 40 2 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 25 MPG
2007 6 40 6 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 25 MPG
2006 6 40 1 AIR BAGS 33 MPG
2005 7 40 9 ENGINE 32 MPG
2004 5 40 7 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 22 MPG
2003 4 40 7 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 22 MPG
2002 7 40 11 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19 MPG
2001 7 40 6 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 22 MPG
2000 5 40 6 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 22 MPG

Recalls: NHTSA campaigns only, so a defect also recalled in Canada is not counted twice. Stars: NHTSA overall rating. Fuel economy: EPA.

All years of the Volkswagen Jetta

Questions

Which Volkswagen Jetta year has the most complaints?
Of 28 model years of the Volkswagen Jetta on record, 2024 has the most owner complaints at NHTSA (41, most often about service brakes).
Which Volkswagen Jetta year has the most recalls?
2019 has the most recall campaigns (11).
Which Volkswagen Jetta years have no complaints or recalls on record?
2027, 2026. That can also mean fewer cars sold or a newer car, not only a better one.
How is this comparison made?
We count, for each model year, the recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and how many complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury. We do not rate reliability: raw counts also depend on how many cars were sold and how old they are.