This page covers 4 recalls, 20 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta.
33 mpg combined
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.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints for the 2025 Jetta center most heavily on the powertrain, with multiple owners describing a throttle lag or hesitation where the car fails to accelerate for a noticeable moment after the pedal is pressed, several say this happened while merging or turning across traffic. Transmission behavior also draws complaints, with owners reporting roughness, jolts, and what feels like inconsistent engagement during normal driving. A handful of owners report forward collision avoidance activating unexpectedly or the adaptive cruise control causing sudden deceleration on the highway, sometimes accompanied by an RPM drop and jolt. A couple of fuel or propulsion system reports round out the set, though those are less specific in detail. One isolated report mentions an inoperative infotainment screen accompanied by multiple warning lights while the vehicle was parked.
20
Total Complaints
4
Crash-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta has 4 recalls, the most serious being a fire risk caused by a transmission ground wire that may not have been connected during assembly, allowing wiring and nearby components to overheat.
The second concern involves the instrument panel cluster, which can fail to display entirely when the vehicle is started. When this happens, the speedometer, gear selector indicator, and warning lights all go dark, leaving the driver without basic information needed to monitor speed or respond to mechanical faults. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve this issue, and a second filing addresses the same blackout in slightly broader terms, including compliance with federal display requirements. Both filings point to the same outcome: a blank instrument cluster that raises the risk of a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
The instrument panel may fail to display warning lights or gauges, preventing you from seeing important vehicle information.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the instrument panel software and replace the instrument panel if needed, at no cost.
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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 →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software problem can prevent the instrument cluster from displaying when you start the vehicle, making it impossible to see the speedometer, gear selection, warning lights, and malfunction indicators.
What the fix does
Volkswagen will mail you instructions to visit a dealership for a software update. The dealer will replace the instrument cluster if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission ground wire may not be connected, which could cause wiring and nearby parts to overheat.
What the fix does
Volkswagen will inspect the transmission ground wire at a dealership and repair it if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission ground wire may not have been properly connected during assembly, creating an open electrical circuit.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair the transmission ground wire as necessary at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
