2019 Volkswagen Jetta

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2019 Volkswagen Jetta
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Volkswagen Jetta Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2019 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 1 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1986 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 19 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1991: 31 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1992 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 117 complaints 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 31 complaints 1997: 54 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1998 1999: 349 complaints 2000: 439 complaints 2001: 668 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2003: 455 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2004 2005: 248 complaints 2006: 580 complaints 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2009: 888 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2010 2011: 606 complaints 2012: 499 complaints 2013: 515 complaints 2014: 386 complaints 2015: 193 complaints 2016: 160 complaints 2016 2017: 158 complaints 2018: 30 complaints 2019: 537 complaints 2019 2020: 51 complaints 2021: 65 complaints 2022: 41 complaints 2022 2023: 41 complaints 2024: 36 complaints 2025: 21 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026
2019: 537 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19820
19830
19841
198513
198614
198718
198819
198928
199022
199131
199230
199317
1994117
1995220
199631
199754
1998192
1999349
2000439
2001668
2002702
2003455
2004231
2005248
2006580
2007201
2008188
2009888
2010852
2011606
2012499
2013515
2014386
2015193
2016160
2017158
201830
2019537
202051
202165
202241
202341
202436
202521
20263

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 30%

30% of complaints: power train — 160 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle in a handicapped parking space, the vehicle failed to stop despite the contact's foot firmly depressed on the brake pedal.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240318

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 27%

27% of complaints: electrical system — 145 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
ENGINE 27%

27% of complaints: engine — 144 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES 5%

5% of complaints: service brakes — 29 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 5%

5% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 25 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20181105 — exterior lighting

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles equipped with LED headlights. The passenger side headlight may be incorrectly positioned, reducing the driver's visibility when it is dark.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side headlight, free of charge. The recall began November 2, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94L1.

Campaign 18V671000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20181213 — electrical system

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles that do not have keyless entry.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

Campaign 18V824000 — check if this car was fixed

2019 — complaint volume: 537
R 20190131 — suspension

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas, 2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen, and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.

Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

Campaign 18V904000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190412 — suspension

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J5.

Campaign 19V188000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190419 — air bags

Volkswagen Group of America (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Jetta vehicles. An incorrect driver frontal airbag may have been installed during a service/repair visit.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag with the correct part, free of charge. The recall began April 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

Campaign 19V110000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20190903 — DP (closed 20200630)

Vehicle Stalling - Manual Transmission

R 20191106 — unknown or other

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7.

Campaign 19V679000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200113 — wheels

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Jetta GLI, Golf Alltrack, and Golf GTI vehicles.

Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will replace the wheel bearing assemblies, wheels, and wheel bolts, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

Campaign 19V879000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20221118 — tires

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Remedy: Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi’s customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Campaign 22V815000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20230926 — electrical system

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Jetta vehicles. The instrument cluster may not provide an audible warning to let the driver know that the key is still in the ignition when the door is open.

Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 3, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 90W7.

Campaign 23V619000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20231212 — RQ (closed 20240701)

Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)

R 20240201 — electrical system

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf Sportwagen, 2019-2020 Golf GTI, and Jetta vehicles equipped with a conventional ignition switch.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 1, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 28H7.

Campaign 23V604000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20240725 — fuel system, gasoline

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024.

Campaign 24V110000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2019 Volkswagen Jetta — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (160 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (145 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (144 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 18V671000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V824000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V904000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V188000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V110000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V679000 (unknown or other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V879000 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 22V815000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 23V619000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 23V604000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V110000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2018 ▲ 1992 ▲ 1991

WORST YEARS

■ 2009 ■ 2010 ■ 2002

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta have?

11 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.