2019 Volkswagen Jetta Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
90/100
#3 most-complained of 21 Jetta years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta has 548 owner complaints and 11 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 90 out of 100 — #3 highest of 21 Jetta model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is electrical system (162 complaints, 30% of the total). Complaints report 19 crashes, 3 fires, and 36 injuries.
- Complaints
- 548
- Recalls
- 11
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 19 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 36 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 31
- 27.5 city / 36 hwy
Top 2019 Volkswagen Jetta problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System162 (30%)
- Engine162 (30%)
- Transmission & Powertrain162 (30%)
- Other95 (17%)
- Brakes34 (6%)
- Fuel System29 (5%)
- Structure & Body25 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires25 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers22 (4%)
- Airbags16 (3%)
2019 Volkswagen Jetta recalls
11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V110000Feb 14, 2024Fuel System261,257 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline
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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.
- NHTSA 23V619000Sep 6, 2023Electrical System8 vehicles
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
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."
Risk: Without an audible warning, the driver may be unaware that the key is left in the ignition, which can increase the risk of vehicle theft or a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 3, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 90W7.
- NHTSA 23V604000Aug 30, 2023Electrical System62,538 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition:switch
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.
Risk: Ignition switch failure can cause the electrical system to shut down and the engine to stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 1, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 28H7.
2019 Volkswagen Jetta fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 27.5 MPG
- Highway
- 36 MPG
- Combined
- 31 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,100
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2019 compared with other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta ranks #3 of 21 among Jetta model years (Complaint Index 90/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 548 complaints and 11 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The most reported problem areas are electrical system (162 complaints), engine (162 complaints), and transmission & powertrain (162 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 4,500 miles.
- Does the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta, most recently reported 2024, covering fuel system, electrical system, suspension, wheels & tires, and other. At least one carries a Do Not Drive advisory.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta?
- EPA rates the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta at 31 MPG combined (27.5 city / 36 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,100. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.