What years of the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen should I avoid?

NHTSA data points to 2011 and 2014 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 83 and 100, the two highest among the 7 model years covered.

Which Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen model years are best?

2009 and 2012 are rated Good, with complaint indexes of 17 and 33. The 2009 rating is capped to Good rather than Best because complaint records for 2005-2009 model years are less complete.

What is the most common problem with the Jetta SportWagen?

Across all years, Electrical System issues are the top problem area, accounting for 40 of 171 total complaints (23%), followed by Fuel System issues at 19%.

Did the 2011 Jetta SportWagen have electrical problems?

Yes. Electrical System complaints made up 48% of all 2011 complaints, mostly involving fuse box overheating that caused loss of exterior lighting.

Are there recalls on the Jetta SportWagen?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns across the model years covered, including an airbag inflator recall affecting the 2011 and 2014 model years.

Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen Best and Worst Years (2008–2014)

Avoid the 2011 and 2014 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, which have the highest complaint indexes (83 and 100) and rank worst among the 7 model years covered. 2009 and 2012 are the best-rated with lower complaint indexes of 17 and 33, though 2009 is capped to Good due to incomplete early records.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2011 Avoid 2014

Model years: 7; 2008–2014
NHTSA complaints: 171
Recall campaigns: 2
Crashes reported: 6
Fires reported: 5
Top problem area: Electrical System

Jetta SportWagen Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2008	No verdict	0	2	0	0	0	Airbags	24	—
2009	Good	17	16	0	0	1	Brakes	25	—
2010	Caution	50	23	1	0	1	Brakes	28.5	—
2011	Avoid	83	33	1	3	1	Electrical System	29.5	—
2012	Good	33	27	0	1	1	Electrical System	29	—
2013	Caution	67	36	1	1	1	Fuel System	29	—
2014	Avoid	100	34	3	0	1	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	29	—

Jetta SportWagen years to avoid: what went wrong

2014 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen Index 100 · 34 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2014 model has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100 and ranks worst overall (1 of 7). Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints lead at 32% of the year's total, including a tire tread separation reported during highway driving that led to loss of control. Fuel system issues followed at 18% of complaints, with reports of high-pressure fuel pump failure causing sudden stalling. The year recorded 3 crashes and 3 injuries, more than any other SportWagen year, plus 1 recall for airbag inflators. Median mileage at failure across all complaints was 77,311.5.

2011 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen Index 83 · 33 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2011 model has a complaint index of 83, the second-worst of all covered years, and ranks 2 of 7 worst-first. Electrical System issues dominate, making up 48% of complaints for the year, with owners reporting failed exterior lighting tied to overheating fuse boxes, sometimes causing partial loss of headlights, tail lights, and turn signals. Median mileage at failure across all complaints was 80,000. The year also saw 3 fires and 1 recall covering airbag inflators. Suspension and fuel system problems each accounted for a smaller share of complaints, but electrical failures stand out as the defining issue for this model year.

2011 electrical system problems →

Most common Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Electrical System40 (23%)
Fuel System33 (19%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires26 (15%)
Brakes23 (13%)
Engine23 (13%)
Airbags21 (12%)
Other21 (12%)
Transmission & Powertrain13 (8%)
Steering8 (5%)
Structure & Body6 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to 2011 and 2014 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 83 and 100, the two highest among the 7 model years covered.
Which Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen model years are best?: 2009 and 2012 are rated Good, with complaint indexes of 17 and 33. The 2009 rating is capped to Good rather than Best because complaint records for 2005-2009 model years are less complete.
What is the most common problem with the Jetta SportWagen?: Across all years, Electrical System issues are the top problem area, accounting for 40 of 171 total complaints (23%), followed by Fuel System issues at 19%.
Did the 2011 Jetta SportWagen have electrical problems?: Yes. Electrical System complaints made up 48% of all 2011 complaints, mostly involving fuse box overheating that caused loss of exterior lighting.
Are there recalls on the Jetta SportWagen?: NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns across the model years covered, including an airbag inflator recall affecting the 2011 and 2014 model years.