Volkswagen Jetta Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Avoid the 2009-2013 Volkswagen Jetta and the 2019 model, which have the highest complaint indexes (75-100) and the most fuel system, electrical, and engine problems. Best years are 2018, 2020, and 2022-2024, all with complaint indexes under 20.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2009Avoid 2010Avoid 2011Avoid 2012Avoid 2013Avoid 2019Best 2018Best 2020Best 2022Best 2023Best 2024
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 6,336
- Recall campaigns
- 46
- Crashes reported
- 251
- Fires reported
- 77
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Jetta 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.
Volkswagen Jetta problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Good | 40 | 248 | 8 | 14 | 4 | Transmission & Powertrain | 24 | — |
| 2006 | Caution | 65 | 580 | 15 | 6 | 4 | Transmission & Powertrain | 24.5 | — |
| 2007 | Good | 45 | 201 | 11 | 7 | 4 | Electrical System | 23 | — |
| 2008 | Good | 35 | 188 | 4 | 4 | 4 | Transmission & Powertrain | 24 | — |
| 2009 | Avoid | 100 | 888 | 31 | 8 | 6 | Fuel System | 25 | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 95 | 852 | 23 | 5 | 4 | Fuel System | 26 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 85 | 607 | 27 | 9 | 7 | Electrical System | 27.5 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Avoid | 80 | 499 | 24 | 6 | 5 | Electrical System | 26.5 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 75 | 516 | 12 | 3 | 4 | Electrical System | 26.5 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 70 | 386 | 20 | 2 | 4 | Engine | 28.5 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 50 | 194 | 8 | 1 | 7 | Electrical System | 28.5 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 60 | 161 | 18 | 5 | 4 | Engine | 29 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 55 | 159 | 18 | 3 | 6 | Fuel System | 29 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Best | 0 | 31 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Fuel System | 30 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 90 | 548 | 19 | 3 | 11 ! | Electrical System | 31 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Best | 15 | 52 | 1 | 0 | 6 | Electrical System | 31 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Good | 25 | 69 | 3 | 0 | 4 | Brakes | 30.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 5 | 43 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 34 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Best | 10 | 43 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 34 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Best | 20 | 43 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Engine | 34 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Good | 30 | 28 | 4 | 0 | 2 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 33 | 5★ |
Jetta years to avoid: what went wrong
2009 Volkswagen Jetta Index 100 · 888 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2009 Jetta has the worst complaint index of any year at 100 and ranks worst overall. Fuel system problems make up 35% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 59,081 miles. Brakes account for 25% of complaints, failing at a median 89,000 miles. NHTSA lists six recalls for this year, including fuel injector line and ABS module campaigns. Owners describe fuel injector line failures, sudden airbag deployment, and brakes that failed to stop the car despite adequate pedal pressure.
2009 fuel system problems →2009 brakes problems →2009 engine problems →
2010 Volkswagen Jetta Index 95 · 852 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2010 Jetta ranks second-worst with a complaint index of 95. Fuel system issues dominate at 36% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 44,000 miles, followed by electrical system problems at 28% (67,000 miles median). NHTSA lists four recalls, covering fuel lines and ABS software. Owners describe unexpected rollaway due to a defective gear shift selector, steering wheel lockups tied to wiring defects, and high-pressure fuel pump failures causing stalling at highway speed.
2010 fuel system problems →2010 electrical system problems →2010 engine problems →
2019 Volkswagen Jetta Index 90 · 548 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2019 Jetta carries a complaint index of 90 with 548 complaints and 11 recalls, including one do-not-drive recall. Electrical system, engine, and transmission and powertrain problems each account for 30% of complaints, with engine and transmission failures reported at extremely low median mileages of 700 and 887.5 miles. Owners describe cars shutting down while parked and restarting erratically, brake rotors shearing off and causing wheel lock-up, and airbags that stayed inflated after deployment, trapping the driver.
2019 electrical system problems →2019 engine problems →2019 transmission & powertrain problems →
2011 Volkswagen Jetta Index 85 · 607 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2011 Jetta carries a complaint index of 85. Electrical system complaints lead at 34% of the total, failing at a median 60,000 miles, with fuel system issues close behind at 27% (35,232 miles median). Seven recalls apply to this year, including airbag clock spring and electrical switch campaigns. Owners describe engine fires after low-speed collisions, an intelligent crash response system that engaged unexpectedly, and gear shifters that slipped from park into reverse while driving.
2011 electrical system problems →2011 fuel system problems →2011 engine problems →
2012 Volkswagen Jetta Index 80 · 499 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2012 Jetta has a complaint index of 80. Electrical system complaints lead at 29% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 61,888 miles, followed by engine issues at 20% (44,250 miles median). NHTSA lists five recalls, including airbag clock spring coverage. Owners describe engines that hydro-locked after ice buildup, brake pedals going to the floor without stopping the car, and sudden stalling at highway speed followed by failed restart attempts.
2012 electrical system problems →2012 engine problems →2012 fuel system problems →
2013 Volkswagen Jetta Index 75 · 516 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2013 Jetta has a complaint index of 75. Electrical system complaints lead at 31% of the total (55,000 miles median), followed by transmission and powertrain issues at 27% (67,000 miles median). Four recalls apply, including an airbag clock spring campaign. Owners describe brake pedals sticking to the floorboard during stops, horns that failed to sound before a crash, and steering wheels that hardened and leaked oil, requiring repeated replacement.
2013 electrical system problems →2013 transmission & powertrain problems →2013 engine problems →
Most common Volkswagen Jetta problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Electrical System1,610 (25%)
- Engine1,500 (24%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1,231 (19%)
- Fuel System1,164 (18%)
- Other759 (12%)
- Brakes718 (11%)
- Airbags429 (7%)
- Structure & Body312 (5%)
- Steering243 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires243 (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 Volkswagen Jetta should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta rank worst, with complaint indexes between 75 and 100. The 2009 model ranks worst overall with a complaint index of 100.
- What is the best year for the Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024 Volkswagen Jetta are rated Best, with complaint indexes ranging from 0 to 20, the lowest of all 21 model years covered.
- Why is the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta rated Avoid?
- The 2019 Jetta has a complaint index of 90, 548 complaints, and 11 recalls including one do-not-drive recall. Electrical, engine, and transmission problems each account for 30% of complaints, some occurring at very low mileage.
- What is the most common problem area across all Volkswagen Jetta years?
- Across all 21 model years, electrical system issues make up 25% of the 6,336 total complaints, followed by engine problems at 24% and transmission and powertrain issues at 19%.
- How many recalls does the Volkswagen Jetta have overall?
- NHTSA lists 46 recall campaigns across all Volkswagen Jetta model years from 2005 to 2025.