2020 Volkswagen Jetta Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
15/100
#18 most-complained of 21 Jetta years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2020 Volkswagen Jetta has 52 owner complaints and 6 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 15 out of 100 — #18 highest of 21 Jetta model years (verdict: Best). The most reported problem area is electrical system (17 complaints, 33% of the total). Complaints report 1 crash and 2 injuries.
- Complaints
- 52
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 31
- 27.5 city / 36.5 hwy
Top 2020 Volkswagen Jetta problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System17 (33%)
- Engine13 (25%)
- Other13 (25%)
- Brakes7 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (13%)
- Fuel System5 (10%)
- Steering3 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (6%)
- Airbags2 (4%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (4%)
2020 Volkswagen Jetta recalls
6 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 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.
- NHTSA 22V815000Oct 31, 2022Suspension, Wheels & Tires296,044 vehicles
Tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
Risk: An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or AudiÂs customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.
2020 Volkswagen Jetta fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 27.5 MPG
- Highway
- 36.5 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.
2020 compared with other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta ranks #18 of 21 among Jetta model years (Complaint Index 15/100, verdict: Best). It has 52 complaints and 6 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The most reported problem areas are electrical system (17 complaints), engine (13 complaints), and brakes (7 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 6,951 miles.
- Does the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta, most recently reported 2024, covering fuel system, electrical system, suspension, wheels & tires, and airbags.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta?
- EPA rates the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta at 31 MPG combined (27.5 city / 36.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,100. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.