2026 Volkswagen Jetta
Only 5 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
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.
Only 5 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1982 | 0 |
| 1983 | 0 |
| 1984 | 1 |
| 1985 | 13 |
| 1986 | 14 |
| 1987 | 18 |
| 1988 | 19 |
| 1989 | 28 |
| 1990 | 22 |
| 1991 | 32 |
| 1992 | 30 |
| 1993 | 17 |
| 1994 | 120 |
| 1995 | 220 |
| 1996 | 173 |
| 1997 | 141 |
| 1998 | 192 |
| 1999 | 349 |
| 2000 | 439 |
| 2001 | 668 |
| 2002 | 702 |
| 2003 | 455 |
| 2004 | 231 |
| 2005 | 248 |
| 2006 | 580 |
| 2007 | 201 |
| 2008 | 188 |
| 2009 | 888 |
| 2010 | 852 |
| 2011 | 606 |
| 2012 | 499 |
| 2013 | 516 |
| 2014 | 386 |
| 2015 | 194 |
| 2016 | 161 |
| 2017 | 159 |
| 2018 | 31 |
| 2019 | 547 |
| 2020 | 52 |
| 2021 | 67 |
| 2022 | 42 |
| 2023 | 43 |
| 2024 | 43 |
| 2025 | 28 |
| 2026 | 5 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Only 5 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
2 of 5 total reports mention: electrical system.
Show complaint excerpts
The vehicle says itâs overheating and will go into limp mode it has also been reported that other 2026 Jettas have had the same issue
NHTSA ODI report, 20260807
Also filed under ENGINE
I'm not exactly sure on what happened but when using the lane stay assist it doesn't read the lines correctly causing the car to abruptly jerk in a unexpected direction! doing this during certain scenarios would cause an accident for sure.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260115
Also filed under STEERING and EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 of 5 total reports mentions: steering.
1 of 5 total reports mentions: forward collision avoidance.
Show complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2026 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle brakes engaged independently causing the RPM to decrease and after a couple of seconds the vehicle began to work as intended.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260803
1 of 5 total reports mentions: exterior lighting.
1 of 5 total reports mentions: engine.
SAFETY TIMELINE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Jetta vehicles. The transmission ground wire may not have been properly connected during assembly, causing an open electrical circuit.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair transmission ground wire as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Campaign 26V138000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2026 Volkswagen Jetta — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (2 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (1 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for forward collision avoidance issues (1 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 26V138000 (electrical system) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 40% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta have?
1 recall on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.