Toyota Corolla vs Volkswagen Jetta: reliability compared
From 2006 to 2026, owners filed an average of 378 complaints per model year about the Toyota Corolla and 291 about the Volkswagen Jetta.
Side by side
| Toyota Corolla | Volkswagen Jetta | |
|---|---|---|
| Model years compared | 2006-2026 | 2006-2026 |
| Owner complaints | 7,945 | 6,119 |
| Complaints per model year | 378 | 291 |
| Recalls | 40 | 43 |
| Years to avoid | 2006200720092010 | 2006200920102011 |
| Best years | 201720182022 | 201720202021 |
| Most common problem | Airbags | Electrical |
| Crash rating | No data | No data |
| Fuel economy | 22-50 mpg combined (2026) | 33-34 mpg combined (2026) |
A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.
Complaints per model year
Problems compared
| Corolla | Jetta | |
|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 3,281 | 403 |
| Steering | 1,063 | 245 |
| Acceleration | 844 | 208 |
| Engine | 810 | 1,268 |
| Brakes | 644 | 621 |
| Electrical | 641 | 1,442 |
| Transmission | 468 | 1,152 |
| Fuel system | 264 | 1,147 |
Questions about the Toyota Corolla vs Volkswagen Jetta
Which is more reliable, the Toyota Corolla or the Volkswagen Jetta?
Between 2006 and 2026, the Toyota Corolla has 4 years to avoid and the Volkswagen Jetta 4. Both are about equally consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Volkswagen Jetta drew fewer complaints per model year (291 vs 378), though sales volume affects that number.
Which has more recalls, the Toyota Corolla or the Volkswagen Jetta?
From 2006 to 2026, the Toyota Corolla was covered by 40 recalls and the Volkswagen Jetta by 43.
What years of the Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Jetta should you avoid?
Toyota Corolla: 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010. Volkswagen Jetta: 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
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