2021 Volkswagen Jetta Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
27/100
#12 most-complained of 16 Jetta years
The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta has 69 NHTSA complaints and a Complaint Index of 27, ranking 12th of 16 model years — a Good verdict relative to other Jetta years. Brakes are the top problem area at 38% of complaints, with 4 recalls on file.
- Complaints
- 69
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 2
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 30.5
- 26.5 city / 37 hwy
Top 2021 Volkswagen Jetta problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes26 (38%)
- Electrical System13 (19%)
- Other11 (16%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras9 (13%)
- Fuel System9 (13%)
- Airbags5 (7%)
- Engine5 (7%)
- Lane Departure4 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (6%)
- Seat Belts3 (4%)
What owners report
- Automatic emergency braking has failed to activate when approaching stopped traffic, giving no warning and no deceleration.
- Airbag warning lights have illuminated shortly after purchase, tied to the airbag control module recall.
- Owners describe the engine performing a soft stall while idling in traffic, with no warning lights.
- Some owners report the engine losing power while reversing, accompanied by the check engine light.
- Electrical faults have triggered false parking-brake engagement and door-sensor errors while driving at low speed.
- At highway speeds around 55 mph, some owners report instability and sudden RPM surges that jolt the car forward when stopped.
2021 Volkswagen Jetta recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V514000Jul 20, 2022Other43,091 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:infotainment:software
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.
- NHTSA 21V492000Jun 30, 2021Airbags379 vehicles
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Jetta and Jetta GLI vehicles. The air bag control module was welded in the incorrect position.
Risk: Incorrect positioning of the air bag control module can cause the vehicle's air bags to deploy improperly during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, the vehicle's air bags can deploy unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 28, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69CK.
- NHTSA 21V038000Feb 1, 2021Structure & Body57 vehicles
Seats:critical fasteners
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Long Wheelbase and Jetta vehicles. Bolts may be missing from the front seat tracks.
Risk: The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat tracks and, as necessary, install the bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 18, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72L6.
2021 Volkswagen Jetta fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26.5 MPG
- Highway
- 37 MPG
- Combined
- 30.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,125
- 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.
2021 compared with other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
- Compared with other Jetta model years, 2021 ranks 12th of 16 with a Complaint Index of 27 and a Good verdict. It has fewer reported problems than older years like 2010 and 2019.
- What is the top problem area for the 2021 Jetta?
- Brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 38% of the 69 complaints filed with NHTSA, with a median failure mileage of 14,469 miles.
- Does the 2021 Jetta have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2021 Jetta, covering the airbag control module, missing front seat track bolts, a rearview camera software issue, and an infotainment software update.
- How does the 2021 Jetta compare to the 2019 Jetta?
- The 2019 Jetta has a Complaint Index of 100 and an Avoid verdict, far higher than the 2021 Jetta's Complaint Index of 27 and Good verdict.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Jetta?
- EPA rates the 2021 Jetta at 30.5 mpg combined (26.5 city / 37 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,125.