Volkswagen Jetta years to avoid
More than twice the Jetta's typical complaint count for a model year.
Best Volkswagen Jetta years
Fewest owner complaints among the last 20 model years, counting only those with at least four years on the road.
Volkswagen Jetta complaints by model year
Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.
Most common Volkswagen Jetta problems
All model years combined.
- Electrical2,141
- Engine1,972
- Transmission1,618
- Fuel system1,345
- Brakes927
- Airbags843
- Visibility628
- Lights490
- Seats370
- Acceleration351
- Body343
- Steering314
Volkswagen Jetta problems year by year
Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.
| Year | Score | Complaints | Top problem | Typical mileage | Recalls | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | - | 1 | Electrical | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2026 | - | 6 | Electrical | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2025 | - | 32 | Transmission | 2 | 4 | ||
| 2024 | - | 46 | Brakes | 15,000 | 0 | 2 | |
| 2023 | - | 43 | Engine | 0 | 1 | ||
| 2022 | 93 | 43 | Driver assistance | 1 | 1 | ||
| 2021 | 88 | 71 | Brakes | 14,000 | 4 | 3 | Fewest complaints |
| 2020 | 88 | 54 | Electrical | 7,902 | 6 | 1 | Fewest complaints |
| 2019 | 40 | 552 | Transmission | 4,900 | 11 | 19 | Avoid |
| 2018 | 94 | 32 | Fuel system | 40,000 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 76 | 160 | Fuel system | 37,000 | 6 | 18 | Fewest complaints |
| 2016 | 77 | 162 | Engine | 42,731 | 4 | 18 | |
| 2015 | 75 | 194 | Electrical | 42,000 | 7 | 8 | |
| 2014 | 57 | 388 | Engine | 55,000 | 4 | 20 | |
| 2013 | 46 | 518 | Electrical | 56,000 | 4 | 12 | Avoid |
| 2012 | 47 | 500 | Electrical | 55,600 | 5 | 24 | Avoid |
| 2011 | 38 | 607 | Electrical | 50,000 | 7 | 27 | Avoid |
| 2010 | 28 | 852 | Fuel system | 54,000 | 4 | 23 | Avoid |
| 2009 | 25 | 889 | Fuel system | 60,200 | 6 | 31 | Avoid |
| 2008 | 78 | 188 | Transmission | 60,000 | 4 | 4 | |
| 2007 | 76 | 201 | Electrical | 55,000 | 4 | 11 | |
| 2006 | 42 | 580 | Transmission | 71,491 | 4 | 15 | Avoid |
| 2005 | 73 | 248 | Transmission | 71,899 | 4 | 8 | |
| 2004 | 73 | 231 | Engine | 66,000 | 2 | 15 | |
| 2003 | 43 | 456 | Seats | 56,493 | 2 | 25 | |
| 2002 | 28 | 702 | Electrical | 52,000 | 5 | 31 | Avoid |
| 2001 | 34 | 668 | Engine | 50,000 | 6 | 40 | Avoid |
| 2000 | - | 439 | Engine | 65,000 | 4 | 27 | |
| 1999 | - | 349 | Visibility | 74,274 | 6 | 33 | |
| 1998 | - | 192 | Visibility | 82,563 | 2 | 11 | |
| 1997 | - | 54 | Electrical | 78,000 | 1 | 3 | |
| 1996 | - | 31 | Visibility | 95,000 | 1 | 2 | |
| 1995 | - | 220 | Electrical | 121,200 | 4 | 21 | |
| 1994 | - | 116 | Electrical | 5 | 7 | ||
| 1993 | - | 17 | Locks | 4 | 0 | ||
| 1992 | - | 30 | Acceleration | 2 | 4 | ||
| 1991 | - | 31 | Visibility | 117,000 | 5 | 2 | |
| 1990 | - | 22 | Engine | 5 | 1 |
Recalls 69
Volkswagen Jetta warranty extensions
Repairs the manufacturer covers beyond the normal warranty. Check whether your car and mileage qualify before paying for one of these.
- For applicable Settlement Class Vehicles, the New Vehicle Limited Warranty will be extended to cover 50%...
- This supporting FAQ is for the Turbocharger Limited Warranty Extension Class Action Settlement
- Volkswagen has extended the Warranty coverage for the Evap Leak Detection Pump (LDP) to 15 years or...
- The Rear Brake Pad Limited Warranty Extension has been revised to include model year 2025 for Certain...
- These documents are for the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Limited Warranty Extension as part of the...
Compare the Jetta
Jetta vs Ford FocusJetta vs Honda CivicJetta vs Toyota CorollaJetta vs Hyundai ElantraJetta vs Nissan SentraJetta vs Chevrolet CruzeJetta vs Mazda MAZDA3Jetta vs Subaru ImprezaJetta vs Kia Forte
Questions about the Volkswagen Jetta
What years of the Volkswagen Jetta should you avoid?
2001, 2002, 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Each has more than twice the Volkswagen Jetta's typical number of owner complaints for a model year; 2009 alone has 889, mostly about fuel system and brakes.
What is the best year for a used Volkswagen Jetta?
2020, 2021 and 2017 have the fewest owner complaints among model years that have been on the road for at least four years (54, 71 and 160).
What is the most common problem with the Volkswagen Jetta?
Electrical, with 2,141 complaints across all years, followed by engine (1,972) and transmission (1,618).
How many recalls does the Volkswagen Jetta have?
69 recalls between 1990 and 2027. The 2019 model year has the most, with 11.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Volkswagen Jetta?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history