YearToAvoid

2019 Volkswagen Jetta Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta ranks 3rd worst out of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 90, 548 complaints, and 11 recalls, earning an Avoid verdict. Electrical System, Engine, and Transmission & Powertrain issues each account for 30 percent of complaints.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
90/100
#3 of 21 Jetta years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
548
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
11
1 Do Not Drive
Crashes
19
reported in complaints
Fires
3
Injuries
36
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2020
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
31
27.5 city / 36 hwy
Injuries / deaths
36 / 0

Top 2019 Volkswagen Jetta problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System162 (30%)
  2. Engine162 (30%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain162 (30%)
  4. Other95 (17%)
  5. Brakes34 (6%)
  6. Fuel System29 (5%)
  7. Structure & Body25 (5%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires25 (5%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers22 (4%)
  10. Airbags16 (3%)

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

What owners report

  • Engine stalls unexpectedly at low mileage, sometimes requiring extended dealer repair time.
  • Cold-start idle feels rough with noticeable vibration and shaking until the engine warms up.
  • A grinding noise from the transmission or transfer case occurs around specific low speeds.
  • Rear brake rotor failure has led to wheel lock-up and loss of control.
  • Sudden unintended lurching forward when the brake pedal is applied has caused rear-end collisions.
  • Window and door electrical components, including power window switches, have overheated or melted.
2019 Volkswagen Jetta complaints: complaints filed per quarter462018 Q32019 Q42021 Q12022 Q22023 Q32024 Q42026 Q1
548 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2018 Q3 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q3 (46).

2019 Volkswagen Jetta recalls

11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 11 recalls for the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta →

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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2017Caution55159629
2018Best031230
2019Avoid9054811 !31
2020Best1552631
2021Good2569430.5

All Volkswagen Jetta years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
Compared with other Jetta model years, 2019 ranks poorly. NHTSA data shows 548 complaints, a complaint index of 90, and a rank of 3rd worst out of 21 years, giving it an Avoid verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Jetta?
NHTSA complaints show Electrical System, Engine, and Transmission & Powertrain issues each make up 30 percent of reports. Brakes account for another 6 percent, with a median failure mileage of 10,000 miles.
Does the 2019 Jetta have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2019 Jetta, including one do-not-drive recall for improperly machined front wheel bearings on the Jetta GLI.
Which Jetta model years are better than 2019?
NHTSA data shows 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024 all carry a Best verdict, with complaint indexes as low as 0, far below the 2019 model's index of 90.
What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Jetta?
EPA rates the 2019 Jetta at 31 mpg combined (27.5 city / 36 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,100.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.