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2020 Volkswagen Jetta engine problems

12 complaints (22% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 14,000.

owner complaints
12
of this car's complaints
22%
typical mileage
14,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Volkswagen Jetta engine problems in other years

19901995200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Check engine light 6

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2020 Volkswagen Jetta owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 12, 2026 · Engine · CO

Upon “starting” car, all systems turn on and car tells me the engine is on; however, if I put into any gear nothing. Only once I press the ignition one more time does the engine actually start.

Filed Oct 11, 2025 · Engine · OR

October 9, 2025 EPC light on. October 10, 2025, called Brown's VW in Charlottetown, PEI and brought the car in. The EPC light was off. The scan revealed that turbo on the vehicle had a seized wastegate. The cost of repair is $4,026.85 and a wait for parts. If the EPC light was flashing, the vehicle would buck and stop in the middle of the road causing a safety issue. There were no warnings previous to the EPC light going on. the vehicle is out of warranty but low mileage. Please note I spend 6 months a year in PEI, Canada and 6 months in the US. My address in Canada is: 81 Kilkenny Rd., Rte 250, Harrington, PE CIE 3A5. The vehicle is registered in PEI and had a RIV certificate. I was also told by an independent source that the above problem is common in the Atlantic Provinces because of the position of the wastegate and also the salt in the air in the Atlantic Provinces. I am certain in sea coast areas of the US, there is a similar problem with this VW turbo and the VW Tiguan is also affected. Many years of the VW Jetta have the same problem.

Filed Jan 27, 2025 · Body, Electrical · NJ

When I start the car Multiple times the car will throw over half of all the error code and could not start the vehicle. Driving in the highway doing 65mph with the cruise control on the car completely shut off and I had to limp it to the shoulder and was unable to start the car. Each time I cleared the fault codes then was able to start the car. If I didn’t have my scanner I would have had to get towed each time to the dealer. I see there is an ignition switch recall on the 2019 and the 2020 cars but for some reason I don’t see my 2020 included in that. Now the proximity sensor is at fault and I have to take it to the dealer again. Please let me know what I should do

Filed Dec 3, 2024 · Engine · GA

My check engine light came on on Sunday Dec 1. I immediately took it to a diagnostic service station in my local area. They diagnosed that my car has a vent control valve malfunction. This issue is a KNOWN problem to Volkswagen. They do not replace this part if it fails after 60K miles. This makes zero sense to me. I purchased my car, used with 63K miles on it. It now has 80K. At no time was I made aware that this part would/could fail! The vent control valve is over $250 and labor will be another $200. When I called VW they said they don't issue recalls, only NTHSA does. Furthermore, VW also said that if I am to get reimbursed, should they see fit to issue this recall, that I must take it to a VW dealer. All well and good, but VW wants $238 to diagnose a problem that already cost me $130. I was also told that there are currently 11K cars waiting on this part. That is not a statistical anomaly. Therefore, NTHSA needs to issue a recall and help VW owners get their vent valve control replaced before our engines are damaged.

Filed Feb 27, 2024 · Engine · 46,625 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving uphill at 55 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly shut off with an unknown warning light flashing on the instrument panel. Despite the failure, the contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive to the residence. The vehicle was later taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed but no defect was found. The contact then stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle shut off with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle eventually restarted after several attempts. The dealer was contacted about the failure and the contact was promised a callback. The contact had not yet heard back from the dealer. The manufacturer was also notified about the failure and the contact was referred to another dealer for service. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 46,625.

Filed Nov 8, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · 65,789 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 70-80 MPH, the electronic parking brake engaged independently. The message "Driver's Side Door Fault" and a message indicating that the auto Start/Stop feature was unavailable were displayed. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving at various speeds, while making turns, and while coming to a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the driver's side door wiring harness had failed and caused the module to experience an electrical shortage. The dealer informed the contact that the electronic parking brake had engaged because the door was securely closed while driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 65,789.

Filed Jan 3, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · FL

When vehicle goes over 60mph starts to shake really bad and warning not enough power for engine light is on

Filed Dec 21, 2021 · Acceleration, Engine · FL

Was is merging onto interstate i95 and the Jetta wouldn’t accelerate no matter how hard I pushed the gas pedal eventually took my foot off and had to turn on emergency lights then The Jetta started slowly moving as if it was just going to stall almost got rear ended and then the car wanted to send me in to another lane. Due to the angry driver behind me.

Filed Apr 11, 2021 · Brakes, Electrical · 14,000 miles · TX

Vehicle was stationary in parking spot and upon ignition began revving uncontrollably and threw up error codes "engine speed max. 4000 RPM" and "start-stop system error", along with epc and engine lights. The brake was also depressed. Upon putting into reverse the parking brake was automatically engaged while the engine continued to rev. Soon after, engine would sputter but not turn over with the same error codes on display.

Filed Feb 3, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · NM

I came to a stop light and had my car in neutral. Put it into first at a green light and there was no power, the engine had cut off. I drive a manual and have for my entire life. There was no lurching or anything, just a silent cut. Hard to get it turned back on, the vehicle seemed confused when I hit the start button... Was nearly rear ended.

Questions about the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta engine

Does the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta have engine problems?

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the engine of the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta, 22% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2020 Volkswagen Jetta engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 14,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Volkswagen Jetta have bad engine?

The Volkswagen Jetta model years with the most engine complaints are 2010 (188 complaints), 2009 (168 complaints) and 2019 (149 complaints).

Other 2020 Volkswagen Jetta problems

Electrical 17Brakes 7Transmission 7Fuel system 5Steering 4Acceleration 3Driver assistance 3Suspension 3Airbags 2Body 2Visibility 2Seats 1Tires 1Wheels 1

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