MYRModel Year Report

Volkswagen Jetta — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

11 model years to avoid, 2 to watch and 10 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid11 years

Caution2 years

Best bets10 years

Complaint history

1980: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1980 1981: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1982: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1983: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1984: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1985: 13 complaints, Not enough data 1986: 14 complaints, Not enough data 1986 1987: 18 complaints, Not enough data 1988: 19 complaints, Not enough data 1989: 28 complaints, Not enough data 1990: 22 complaints, Not enough data 1991: 32 complaints, Recommended 1992: 30 complaints, Recommended 1992 1993: 17 complaints, Not enough data 1994: 120 complaints, Recommended 1995: 220 complaints, Recommended 1996: 173 complaints, Recommended 1997: 141 complaints, Recommended 1998: 192 complaints, Recommended 1998 1999: 349 complaints, Caution 2000: 439 complaints, Avoid 2001: 668 complaints, Avoid 2002: 702 complaints, Avoid 2003: 456 complaints, Avoid 2004: 231 complaints, Recommended 2005: 248 complaints, Recommended 2006: 580 complaints, Avoid 2007: 201 complaints, Recommended 2008: 188 complaints, Recommended 2009: 888 complaints, Avoid 2009 2010: 852 complaints, Avoid 2011: 607 complaints, Avoid 2012: 500 complaints, Avoid 2013: 517 complaints, Avoid 2014: 386 complaints, Caution 2015: 194 complaints, Recommended 2016: 161 complaints, Recommended 2016 2017: 159 complaints, Recommended 2018: 31 complaints, Recommended 2019: 549 complaints, Avoid 2020: 53 complaints, Recommended 2021: 69 complaints, Recommended 2022: 43 complaints, Recommended 2022 2023: 43 complaints, Recommended 2024: 44 complaints, Recommended 2025: 29 complaints, Not enough data 2026: 6 complaints, Not enough data 2009 · 888
1980: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1980 1981: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1982: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1983: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1984: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1984 1985: 13 complaints, Not enough data 1986: 14 complaints, Not enough data 1987: 18 complaints, Not enough data 1988: 19 complaints, Not enough data 1988 1989: 28 complaints, Not enough data 1990: 22 complaints, Not enough data 1991: 32 complaints, Recommended 1992: 30 complaints, Recommended 1992 1993: 17 complaints, Not enough data 1994: 120 complaints, Recommended 1995: 220 complaints, Recommended 1996: 173 complaints, Recommended 1996 1997: 141 complaints, Recommended 1998: 192 complaints, Recommended 1999: 349 complaints, Caution 2000: 439 complaints, Avoid 2000 2001: 668 complaints, Avoid 2002: 702 complaints, Avoid 2003: 456 complaints, Avoid 2004: 231 complaints, Recommended 2004 2005: 248 complaints, Recommended 2006: 580 complaints, Avoid 2007: 201 complaints, Recommended 2008: 188 complaints, Recommended 2009: 888 complaints, Avoid 2009 2010: 852 complaints, Avoid 2011: 607 complaints, Avoid 2012: 500 complaints, Avoid 2013: 517 complaints, Avoid 2014: 386 complaints, Caution 2015: 194 complaints, Recommended 2016: 161 complaints, Recommended 2016 2017: 159 complaints, Recommended 2018: 31 complaints, Recommended 2019: 549 complaints, Avoid 2020: 53 complaints, Recommended 2020 2021: 69 complaints, Recommended 2022: 43 complaints, Recommended 2023: 43 complaints, Recommended 2024: 44 complaints, Recommended 2024 2025: 29 complaints, Not enough data 2026: 6 complaints, Not enough data 2009 · 888
1980: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1980 1981: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1982: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1982 1983: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1984: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1984 1985: 13 complaints, Not enough data 1986: 14 complaints, Not enough data 1986 1987: 18 complaints, Not enough data 1988: 19 complaints, Not enough data 1988 1989: 28 complaints, Not enough data 1990: 22 complaints, Not enough data 1990 1991: 32 complaints, Recommended 1992: 30 complaints, Recommended 1992 1993: 17 complaints, Not enough data 1994: 120 complaints, Recommended 1994 1995: 220 complaints, Recommended 1996: 173 complaints, Recommended 1996 1997: 141 complaints, Recommended 1998: 192 complaints, Recommended 1998 1999: 349 complaints, Caution 2000: 439 complaints, Avoid 2000 2001: 668 complaints, Avoid 2002: 702 complaints, Avoid 2002 2003: 456 complaints, Avoid 2004: 231 complaints, Recommended 2004 2005: 248 complaints, Recommended 2006: 580 complaints, Avoid 2006 2007: 201 complaints, Recommended 2008: 188 complaints, Recommended 2009: 888 complaints, Avoid 2009 2010: 852 complaints, Avoid 2011: 607 complaints, Avoid 2012: 500 complaints, Avoid 2012 2013: 517 complaints, Avoid 2014: 386 complaints, Caution 2014 2015: 194 complaints, Recommended 2016: 161 complaints, Recommended 2016 2017: 159 complaints, Recommended 2018: 31 complaints, Recommended 2018 2019: 549 complaints, Avoid 2020: 53 complaints, Recommended 2020 2021: 69 complaints, Recommended 2022: 43 complaints, Recommended 2022 2023: 43 complaints, Recommended 2024: 44 complaints, Recommended 2024 2025: 29 complaints, Not enough data 2026: 6 complaints, Not enough data 2026 2009 · 888
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2026 ○ Not enough data 6 Only 6 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2025 ○ Not enough data 29 Only 29 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2024 ▲ Recommended 44 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2023 ▲ Recommended 43 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2022 ▲ Recommended 43 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2021 ▲ Recommended 69 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2020 ▲ Recommended 53 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2019 ■ Avoid 549 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2018 ▲ Recommended 31 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2017 ● Recommended 159 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2016 ● Recommended 161 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2015 ● Recommended 194 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2014 ◆ Caution 386 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2013 ■ Avoid 517 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2012 ■ Avoid 500 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2011 ■ Avoid 607 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2010 ■ Avoid 852 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2009 ■ Avoid 888 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2008 ● Recommended 188 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2007 ● Recommended 201 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2006 ■ Avoid 580 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2005 ● Recommended 248 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2004 ● Recommended 231 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2003 ■ Avoid 456 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2002 ■ Avoid 702 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2001 ■ Avoid 668 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2000 ■ Avoid 439 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1999 ◆ Caution 349 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1998 ● Recommended 192 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1997 ▲ Recommended 141 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1996 ● Recommended 173 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1995 ● Recommended 220 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1994 ▲ Recommended 120 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1993 ○ Not enough data 17 Only 17 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1992 ▲ Recommended 30 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1991 ▲ Recommended 32 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1990 ○ Not enough data 22 Only 22 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1989 ○ Not enough data 28 Only 28 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1988 ○ Not enough data 19 Only 19 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1987 ○ Not enough data 18 Only 18 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1986 ○ Not enough data 14 Only 14 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1985 ○ Not enough data 13 Only 13 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1984 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1983 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1982 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1981 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1980 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

86

recalls on file across every Volkswagen Jetta model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other Volkswagen models