Volkswagen Jetta Recalls

The Volkswagen Jetta has 100 recalls spanning 1981 through the 2026 model year; the most pressing issue for current owners is a transmission ground wire on 2025–2026 models that may not have been connected during assembly, allowing wiring and nearby components to overheat and create a fire risk.

On the 2025 model year, the instrument panel can also fail to display the speedometer, warning lights, and other gauges when the vehicle is started. The 2021–2022 model years have a rearview camera that can go black or freeze during an ignition cycle, reducing rear visibility when backing up. On 2020–2021 vehicles, the airbag control module was welded in the wrong position, which can cause airbags to deploy incorrectly or not at all in a crash. The 2020 model year also has a front brake hose that can rub against the steering mechanism and develop a leak, reducing braking ability, along with a driver's seat frame that may not have been properly welded and can shift in a crash. Loose front seat track bolts on some 2021 vehicles can allow the seat to slide freely, and improperly welded seat frame and backrest components on 2020 models can break in a rear-end collision.

The 2019 model year carries a notable cluster of issues. Front wheel bearings on 2019 GLI trims may have been improperly machined, causing stress that can lead to steering instability or wheel breakage. Rear coil springs on 2019 vehicles can fracture and damage a rear tire. The ignition switch on 2019–2020 models can fail in high temperatures, cutting power to the engine while driving. A fuel line on 2019–2020 GLI trims can leak near an ignition source and cause a fire. The passenger-side headlight on some 2019 models with LED lighting may be misaligned, reducing nighttime visibility. The tire pressure monitoring system on 2019–2020 vehicles can fail to detect a sudden loss of pressure in all four tires.

Going back to the mid-2010s, fuel rail bolts on 2016–2018 models can loosen over time and allow fuel to leak, creating a fire risk. The 2017 model year has a separate engine block casting defect where the engine can seize and lock the wheels, causing sudden loss of control. On 2015–2016 models, a camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump can shear off, removing brake assist and significantly lengthening stopping distances. The 2013–2015 Jetta Hybrid equipped with the 7-speed DSG transmission can develop hairline cracks in the transmission control unit, causing an internal oil leak and a sudden loss of drive power. The airbag clock spring on 2011–2014 models can become contaminated with debris, severing the electrical connection to the driver's frontal airbag and preventing deployment in a crash. On 2011 models, a shared fuse covering the converter box, horn, and anti-theft system can blow and shut off the engine management system, headlights, or wipers without warning while driving. Also on 2011 models, a shift lever switch can accumulate deposits and falsely indicate the transmission is in Park, allowing the ignition key to be removed while the car can still roll.

The 2009–2012 diesel models have a fuel injector line that can crack under resonance conditions and leak diesel fuel onto hot engine surfaces. On 2009–2010 models,