NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
At a glance
What can fail
A manufacturing issue with the infotainment system's memory module may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying on the screen.
What the fix does
This page covers 4 recalls, 63 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta.
33–34 mpg combined
6.9–7.1 L/100km
Compact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Brake complaints dominate the 2021 Jetta's owner reports, with rear brake pads and rotors wearing out far earlier than expected being the most consistent theme. Owners describe needing rear brake replacements as early as 8,000 miles and repeatedly by 20,000 to 35,000 miles, with some reporting multiple replacements within the first few years of ownership. A smaller group of manual transmission owners describes the hill-hold brake assist holding the brakes too long on inclines, making smooth clutch engagement difficult and sometimes causing stalls. The fuel and propulsion system and forward collision avoidance systems each account for a handful of complaints, though the narratives don't point to a single dominant symptom across those categories. An isolated report describes the sunroof shattering spontaneously while driving. The rear brake wear pattern, though, is clearly the most recurring issue owners bring up for this model year.
63
Total Complaints
2
Crash-Related
By System
The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta has 4 recalls, the most serious involving the airbag control module, which was installed in the wrong position and can cause airbags to deploy incorrectly in a crash, raising the risk of injury.
A second recall addresses the front seat tracks, where mounting bolts may be missing entirely. Without those bolts, the seat can slide freely forward and backward during a crash rather than staying fixed, leaving the occupant out of position relative to the seatbelt and airbags. On the visibility side, two recalls affect the rearview camera. In one, a fault in the infotainment system's memory module can prevent the camera image from appearing at all when reversing. In the other, the camera can malfunction mid-ignition cycle and produce either a black screen or a completely frozen image. Both conditions leave the driver without any rear view while backing up, and prior repair attempts for the camera issue did not fully resolve it across all affected vehicles, which is why separate remedies exist.
At a glance
What can fail
A manufacturing issue with the infotainment system's memory module may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying on the screen.
What the fix does
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Dealers will update the infotainment software at no cost to restore rearview camera display function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air bag control module was welded into an incorrect position, which could affect air bag system function.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the air bag control module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Bolts that secure the front seat tracks may be missing, which could affect seat stability.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the front seat tracks and install any missing bolts at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear view camera may malfunction when the vehicle is started, causing the infotainment display to go black or freeze.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the infotainment system software at no cost to restore camera function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.