2021 Volkswagen Jetta Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta has a complaint index of 25, ranking 16th worst out of 21 model years, with a Good verdict. Brakes account for 38% of its 69 complaints, and NHTSA lists 4 recalls including an airbag control module issue.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 25/100
- #16 of 21 Jetta years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 69
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 30.5
- 26.5 city / 37 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 2
Top 2021 Volkswagen Jetta problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Automatic emergency braking and forward collision mitigation reportedly fail to activate or warn when approaching stopped traffic.
- Airbag warning light illuminates shortly after purchase, tied to a control module that needs replacement, at a median mileage around 14,469 miles.
- Engine reportedly stalls with a soft stop while sitting in traffic, with no warning lights, in one case at 4,000 miles.
- Electrical system throws door contact switch and electric parking brake errors, with the parking brake engaging on its own at low speed.
- Rear-view camera and collision-avoidance systems reportedly trigger sudden, hard stops on the road without an actual hazard present.
- Rear passenger-side seatbelt buckle becomes progressively harder to click into place over time.
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 based on complaints?
- NHTSA data gives the 2021 Jetta a complaint index of 25, ranking 16th worst among 21 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other Jetta years.
- What is the most common problem reported for the 2021 Jetta?
- Brakes are the top problem area, making up 38% of the 69 complaints filed, 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 infotainment software, an incorrectly welded airbag control module, missing front seat track bolts, and a rear-view camera malfunction.
- Which Jetta model years should be avoided instead of 2021?
- According to NHTSA complaint indexes, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2019 all carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes between 75 and 100, far higher than the 2021 model's 25.
- Were there any injuries or deaths linked to 2021 Jetta complaints?
- NHTSA data for the 2021 Jetta records 3 crashes, 1 injury, and 2 deaths among the 69 complaints filed.