Volkswagen Jetta Complaints

10,351 consumer complaints on file.

#11767613September 28, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER, STRUCTURE:BODY
The panoramic sunroof glass shattered spontaneously while driving. I was accelerating onto the highway from an on-ramp at approximately 50 to 60 mph. There were no vehicles in front of me and the highway was empty, so nothing could have struck the glass. I heard a loud bang similar to a gunshot, looked up, and saw a hole covering roughly 20% of the sunroof panel with cracks spreading across the rest of the glass. I pulled over to the right shoulder and inspected it from outside. The glass at the break was bent upward and outward, indicating the failure came from inside the panel and not from an external impact. I removed the larger loose pieces for safety and taped over the roof before continuing. Safety risk: The sudden loud explosion at highway speed was startling and could have caused me to swerve or brake suddenly in traffic. Loose tempered glass fragments at speed pose a risk to occupants and to vehicles behind me. Luckily my shade panel was up and no glass fall on me and my passengers. No warning lights, messages, or prior symptoms. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by a dealer, the manufacturer, or insurance. Photos were taken before any glass was removed, and glass fragments have been retained and are available for inspection.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767193September 26, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Im reporting a safety concern involving my car, while driving on 30 highway at 65 mph the vehicle suddenly lost throttle response and would not accelerate when I pressed the accelerator pedal, this created a potentially dangerous situation because I was traveling with surrounding 3 pm traffic and could have been involved in a collision do to the unexpected loss of power. I was force to pull over and after searching inf I turn off the car for 10 minutes and restarting the vehicle it appeared to operate normally again.However the failure occurred without warning, and I’m concerned that it could happen again while driving. I towed the car to the closest dealership but they can look at it until Thursday 10/01/2026 5 days after the accident.the vehicle recently received a software update and I don’t know whether the issue may be related because it happens days after. The incident represents a significant safety risk because a sudden loss of acceleration on highway can place driver as other motorists in danger.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766995September 25, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Rental Vehicle Door Malfunction (Claim # [Insert Complaint/Claim Number]) Date: XXX To: Damage Recovery Unit / Customer Relations Enterprise Rent-A-Car Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to formally report a serious safety defect and personal injury resulting from a rental vehicle provided by your [XXX] location, and to register a formal protest against returning this vehicle to service without a certified mechanical inspection. Rental & Vehicle Details •Rental Location: [XXX] •Pickup Date/Time: XXX at 11:15 AM •Vehicle: 2025 Volkswagen Jetta (Black) •License Plate: [XXX] •VIN: [XXX] •Vehicle Unit #: XXX •Starting Mileage / Fuel: 18,635 / 8.2 gal •Damage Recovery Unit Complaint #: [Insert Complaint Number Here] Incident Summary & Pre-Existing Vehicle History At the time of rental, an Enterprise representative mentioned that the vehicle had just been returned from a body shop. When I inquired about the reason, the representative stated that the previous renter had left it there. A second representative mentioned while dropping me when went to return car with help of a friend after release from ER, that doors on these models can feel heavy and that lightweight hinges can cause issues. While I was opening the driver’s side door after parking and getting out, it forcefully and unexpectedly slammed shut forcefully, crushing and severely injuring my right (dominant) hand and wrist. Comparative checks on similar vehicles confirm that standard driver-side doors do not operate or slam violently in this manner. Medical Impact & Ongoing Treatment injury occurred over 3 months ago and has caused severe, ongoing pain and mobility restriction. The impacts include: •Medical Care: Multiple emergency room visits, ongoing primary care, and orthopedic consultations. Treatment has required a hard cast, a removable brace, elastic bandaging, and prescribed physical therapy. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11766997September 25, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
upon my mechanic's inspection of the vehicle for an unrelated issue, it was found that the entire subframe is rusty and corroded. He informed me that it was at a critical stage that would sooner than later lead to structural failure. Upon brining it to the VW dealer, they agreed with the assessment. VW is not willing to take responsibility for the issue. I am willing to let it be inspected upon request and the dealer supplied me with a video of the inspection. There has been no indication that this was happening, it was only found when my car was put on a rack for an unrelated issue. Here's a link to the video [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766739September 24, 2026
AIR BAGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
There is a known issue released by Volkswagen that certain model years of their vehicles are eligible for a limited extended warranty regarding the clock spring. In their release announcement VWP-18-11 on April 27, 2023, they specifically mentioned vehicle year model 2010 to 2022 qualifies for U37 Warranty key if the issue exists. However, my 2021 Volkswagen Jetta is excluded from this because they told me there is no identified issue as of now. However, the clock spring damage can lead to a severe safety concern that the driver's airbag won't be triggered and the front alert is not working properly as well. Taking these into consideration, Volkswagen still declined my request to offer the limited warranty they offerred to other vehicle that has the same problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766421September 23, 2026
STEERING
The issue with the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta is the steering wheel which appears to be a known issue. A warning light and audible warning tone activate repeatedly while the car is in motion with the alert of "Travel Assist Currently Not Available". The frequency of the alert by tone and alert light is excessive and distracting while driving the car. The issue appears to be from an internal failure in the wheel's capacitive touch hands-detection sensor mat. In my 2022 Jetta, the original wheel at purchase had the exact same issue and was replaced under warranty. The wheel that Volkswagen replaced it with had the same defect, and the problem began occurring again in 2 or less years. Currently the alert begins and continues any moment that I touch any part of the bottom of the steering wheel. I communicated with Volkswagen for help and they indicated this car/VIN does not apply to any technical bulletin for them to do anything about it, but it appears based on my experience that they are knowingly providing and installing steering wheels with this issue that effects the car and driver's attention in motion.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766007September 21, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle’s Forward Collision Avoidance system (Front Assist) and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) intermittently malfunction while driving. On at least three separate occasions during clear, dry weather with clean sensors, the AEB system engaged full hydraulic braking unexpectedly with no obstacles ahead—once while utilizing Adaptive Cruise Control and twice while driving manually. This severe "phantom braking" creates an immediate, life-threatening rear-end collision hazard on public roadways. Immediately following these braking events, the digital cluster displays the warning message "Front Assist Currently Unavailable."The vehicle has a documented history of electrical instability, including a prior dealership visit where technicians allegedly attempted to fix power errors by servicing a loose battery connection. However, electrical faults have persisted, culminating in instant, false "Engine is overheated. Safely stop the vehicle!" warnings within seconds of starting a cold engine, as well as non-functional rear seat heaters. These combined electrical faults align with an open powertrain ground failure, as described in NHTSA Recall 26V138 / VW Campaign 97TC (loose transmission ground wire causing stray current backfeed through sensor harnesses). The vehicle was towed to an authorized Volkswagen dealership on 09/14/2026 after displaying an instant cold overheating error and remains there for diagnostic inspection. The vehicle and its components remain intact and are available for inspection upon request.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11764869September 17, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS
Suddenly the car showed the abs, cruise control, air bag , and a flashing break light on the dashboard. Took to dealership to get diagnostic and the Abs control module needs to be replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11764944September 17, 2026
AIR BAGS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Airbag delopy
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11764620September 16, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My problem is the same as Recall 28H7/or 23V604. I have the some make and model and ignition as the Jettas with the recall but for some reson it is not a part of the recall. When the car gets hot the ignition cuts off while I'm driving and I have not speedometer, turn signals or wippers. Please make my VIN a part of the VW recall for this problem
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11764312September 15, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
There appears to be a known issue with the rear braking system on the VW Jetta for various model years including 2021. The issue seems to be a combination of soft brake pads combined with the autonomous braking system which overuses the brakes and causes premature wear. This rear autonomous braking system cannot be turned off. VW acknowledged this issue by issuing Policy and Procedure Bulletin VWP 22-18 on 12/20/2022 which extended the warranty on the rear brake pads to 2 years or 24K miles. This extension was due to a premature wear issue though they did not acknowledge in the bulletin that the autonomous braking system was to blame or faulty. I had to replace my rear brakes and rotors at 25,100 miles and have now been told I need to do this again at 47,800 miles. I paid over $500 the first time and have been quoted over $600 this time. I believe VW is aware that the rear braking system is faulty and is causing excessive wear to brake pads and resulting damage to rotors. This premature wear could lead to a safety issue if the rear brakes do not function as needed. I believe VW should issue a recall for the rear braking system and fix the issue rather than force consumers to keep replacing pads/rotors every 24K miles. I will attach the service bulletin from VW along with my invoice for replacing my brakes at 25K miles and the estimate to replace them again at 47,800 miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11764216September 14, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I was driving and the passenger side rearview mirror glass delaminated and separated from the vehicle leaving non-reflective adhesive residue. The blind spot monitoring light and sensor still function correctly. Car is a 2019 (almost 7 years old), 72,180 miles, and regularly maintained.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11763909September 13, 2026
SUSPENSION
On July 24,2026 my 2019 VWJetta with 44,000 miles on the odometer was brought to a local independent service center for routine maintenance and a NY State inspection. Surprisingly, it failed inspection due to a broken left rear coil spring. Service center personal informed me that a broken coil spring can dislodge can cause further damage to the adjacent tire and cause a loss of control. Other than the service center employees no one else has inspected the broken spring and no warning lights or symptoms preceded the diagnosis. A mechanic told me he has seen this issue in quite a few VWs and suggested I check if there are any recalls. i did find a coil spring recall for 2019 Jettas, but my vin # was not included. Possibly the recall was not wide enough?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11763364September 10, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On 2 separate occasions (in recent 2 months); the car would not restart and error messages would include printing the electrical parking brake engagement. Attempts to reset were futile. Car had to be towed. After 2nd incident, the VW dealership identified that the ground wire for the electrical harness that runs through fuse box and engine was severely overheated resulting in inability to start. There are no recalls on this item; from a safety standpoint, this could happen while driving and a loss of power could result with overheated ground wire condition. This is a potential very unsafe condition and a costly repair item. In comparison, the non-start stop button vehicles have experienced the same condition, and recalls were performed on 2018-2021 Jetta’s. The same exact case, severely overheated ground wires requiring complete replacement of main wiring harness.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11762160September 4, 2026
STEERING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
When driving using cruise control, the vehicle will alarm if the driver is not holding the steering. If the driver does not take control of the steering wheel, a secondary alarm will alert the driver on the dashboard to take over steering. If the driver does not take over steering, the vehicle will aggressively pulse the brakes to alert the driver. In this vehicle, the alarm may trigger when holding the steering wheel from the side or bottom, and it generally occurs on straight or minimally curving highways. If music is turned loud, it is difficult to hear the secondary alarm and the vehicle may unexpectedly and aggressively brake even when the driver has full control of the steering wheel. To cancel the alarm may require significant input or even steering out of the lane. In wet conditions, the automatic pulsing of the brakes may cause loss of traction and total loss of vehicle control.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11761784September 3, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I am the owner/operator of a 2025 Volkswagen Jetta S and am submitting this complaint regarding recurring optical distortion in the windshield within my normal driving field of view. The vehicle has undergone four windshield replacement attempts for this same condition, yet the distortion remains present. The distortion appears as a rippling or “funhouse” effect that can cause objects and straight lines viewed through the windshield to appear distorted while driving. The dealership and Volkswagen have inspected the vehicle on multiple occasions. Although the condition has not been consistently reproduced by every inspector, I continue to experience the distortion during normal driving. Following the most recent replacement, I believe the distortion is more noticeable than before. Volkswagen has been notified of the problem and has assigned corporate case number REF 07697200. The dealership has documented my continuing complaint and Volkswagen Customer Retention is currently involved. I am requesting that NHTSA document this complaint and consider whether recurring optical distortion in the driver’s field of view in this vehicle or windshield application may represent a safety-related defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11761837September 3, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I am reporting a recurring safety defect involving the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system in my 2025 Volkswagen Jetta. The ACC system fails suddenly and without warning while driving, including during highway operation. This creates an immediate safety hazard, as the vehicle unexpectedly disengages speed control and forces abrupt driver intervention, increasing the risk of collision. The defect first occurred during the first week after I took delivery of the vehicle and has continued for over a year. The issue is completely unrelated to any accident; it existed before the accident, persisted during body shop repairs, and continues even after completing all repairs recommended by the dealership. I followed every diagnostic and repair instruction provided by the authorized Volkswagen dealership, but the defect has never been resolved. The ACC failure occurs intermittently and unpredictably, including during normal highway driving. When the defect occurs, the vehicle displays an ACC error and immediately disables the system, requiring sudden manual control. This behavior represents a serious safety risk, especially at higher speeds or in traffic. I have video and photo evidence documenting the defect occurring during real driving conditions. The dealership and Volkswagen Customer CARE have been unable to diagnose or correct the issue, despite multiple attempts and extensive time spent on repairs. Based on the timeline and repeated failures, this appears to be a manufacturing defect affecting the ACC or related electrical/sensor systems. Requested Action I request that NHTSA investigate this issue as a potential safety defect affecting the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta. The defect is persistent, unrelated to any accident, and has not been resolved despite multiple repair attempts. Given the safety implications, I believe this issue warrants federal review and potential recall consideration.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11761839September 3, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
This submission is an update to my previous NHTSA ODI complaint #11761837. I am adding new documentation provided by the authorized repair facility, including service records, diagnostic notes, and repair details. These documents confirm that the same safety defect continues to occur despite following all repair instructions and completing the recommended work. Please attach these materials to my existing complaint and include them in the ongoing review of this unresolved safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11761889September 3, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The cars check engine light came on randomly at the top of the year but kept going away and returning. After getting it checked out, the code was P0456 for an evap leak. Owner took the car to VW and was quoted ~$3,200 for the repair and asked the service team how was it even possible for this to happen to a newer car, and they said it was a common issue. If the issue is common, it should have a recall because the risks of this ongoing is engine damage and failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11761915September 3, 2026
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
After approximately 30 to 40 minutes of driving, my 2024 Volkswagen Jetta intermittently fails to move after coming to a complete stop. When I press the accelerator, the engine RPMs rise, but the vehicle does not move. The vehicle is in its normal driving mode when this occurs. This has happened while I was attempting to accelerate into moving traffic, leaving my vehicle stopped in the path of approaching vehicles and creating a serious collision risk. There were no warning lights or messages before the failure. In August 2026, an authorized Volkswagen dealership inspected the vehicle. The technician duplicated the failure during a test drive and recorded measurements comparing engine speed with accelerator-pedal position. The dealership then consulted Volkswagen Technical Assistance. No repair was performed. Volkswagen suspected “possible bad gas” and recommended using higher-grade fuel. However, the dealership tested my fuel and told me the results were “not too bad.” I consistently purchase fuel from reputable, high-quality stations and use the 87-octane fuel identified on the vehicle’s fuel filler flap. Volkswagen Customer CARE confirmed that the fuel filler flap provides the appropriate fuel guidance for my vehicle and that higher-octane fuel would not improve engine power. Customer CARE documented my complaint but stated that it could not authorize additional testing and would not provide further follow-up. The vehicle was returned without a repair or definitive diagnosis and remains available for inspection. I am concerned that it may again fail to move without warning while entering or crossing traffic. I am reporting this dealer-duplicated acceleration failure so NHTSA can determine whether similar incidents indicate a broader safety defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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