Volkswagen Jetta Complaints
219 consumer complaints on file.
- #11706244December 20, 2025UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle was parked in my driveway. My wife and I were about 10 feet from it working on another vehicle when we heard a loud pop. We looked over at the vehicle and the sunroof has exploded. It was bubbled upward and completely shattered. I contacted my VW dealer and we slowly drove the car to the shop and left it. The dealer said it probably wasn't covered under dealer warranty because it was glass. It just shattered out of the blue, this should not be my fault or at my expense.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11706221December 19, 2025AIR BAGS
Car was hit in rear by tractor trailer, spun into another tractor trailer. Then the second tractor trailer slammed the vehicle front end first into the median. Front end crushed, driver side door caved in, rear end damage. No airbags were deployed the entire time. 55 mph (approximate) to a complete stop in a fraction of a second. The vehicle is currently in the possession of the insurance company, and it was a massive risk to my own safety. I have no idea how I did survive, and no airbags deploying makes it a very difficult situation to ever purchase a VAG vehicle again.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11705279December 16, 2025ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2024 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH up an incline, the hill assist system engaged. The contact stated that while descending the incline, the hill assist was still engaged. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle to disengage the feature. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent at first but had gradually become a recurring failure. The contact stated that the vehicle had additional failures with the transmission and the rear brakes due to the hill assist not disengaging as needed. The contact stated that the manual transmission was slipping out of gear and the rear brakes showed premature wear on the pads. The contact had taken the vehicle to several dealers. The contact stated that one dealer recommended that the transmission be replaced. The contact had taken the vehicle to another local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,600.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11704903December 13, 2025ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle’s SOS/emergency call system has been inoperative since the vehicle was purchased. At delivery, the emergency call function did not work and displayed error messages. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Volkswagen dealer, and the OCU (online connectivity unit) module responsible for the SOS system was replaced under warranty on 3/17/2025 at approximately 6,294 miles. After the repair, the system functioned temporarily. In December 2025, the SOS system failed again and now displays an “Emergency Call Function Not Available / Please Service Vehicle” warning. The dealer has confirmed the same OCU module has failed again and must be replaced a second time. When the system is inoperative, the vehicle cannot automatically contact emergency services after a collision. This is a safety concern because the emergency call system is intended to function at all times in the event of a crash.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11701619November 26, 2025BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The backup camera in my 2023 VW Jetta has been malfunctioning since the car was new. It intermittently fails to display an image when shifted into reverse, creating a serious safety hazard. Backup cameras are federally required safety equipment, and when it doesn’t work, visibility behind the vehicle is completely lost. This failure also affects all associated safety systems, including rear cross traffic alerts and lane assist, reducing driver awareness and increasing the risk of a collision. We were advised early on that the issue would probably be resolved through a future software update, but that never happened. The issue continues without warning and has been documented on video. Despite this, Murdock Volkswagen in Logan Utah refuses to perform warranty repairs because no diagnostic trouble codes are present. They have been offered video proof but declined to review it. According to the dealer, VW policy requires technicians to personally witness the malfunction or retrieve a fault code, otherwise Volkswagen will not approve warranty work. This policy effectively blocks repair of an ongoing federally mandated safety feature failure and raises serious concerns about compliance with safety obligations. I have had a lot of trouble with this car with mechanical and electrical issues. The manufactures policy of no pay if no codes is not acceptable and making our highways more dangerous than they should be. I bought the car in part because of all the safety features.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11700262November 19, 2025UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving home from work last night, I heard a loud noise that sounded like a gun going off right in the passenger compartment of my Jetta. A lot of wind noise followed. I thought initially that a tire might have blown out, but it was the car’s sunroof that had spontaneously and inexplicably exploded. There was no one close to me on the road, so I don’t believe a foreign object struck the roof. I was able to drive the car home, but the sunroof is demolished.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11697051November 2, 2025LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
The “travel assist currently not available” warning keeps coming on over and over through a drive cycle. The dealer is telling me that the steering wheel needs to replaced. Since the car is out of the warranty period, they advised that the cost will be $999.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11691489October 5, 2025VISIBILITY/WIPER
Front Windshield wipers randomly go on causing a distraction almost resulting in a accident. The vehicle was taken in for this problem to Colonial VW located at 200 W Street RD, Feasterville PA 19053. Service rep stated he knows of the issue but there is currently no fix for it. This problem first stared approximately 1 month ago. No warning lights or alerts are present on the vehicle. Issue seems to happen more in bright sunlight but can happen at anytime with multiple wipes at once. The issue will go away for a few mins to a day then reappear out of no where sometimes coming and going the whole trip A google search reveals this maybe a a more common problem than just my vehicle.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11691387October 4, 2025FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
I purchased a brand-new 2025 Volkswagen Jetta from LaFontaine Volkswagen of Dearborn, MI on October 2, 2025. Within 24 hours, the check-engine light illuminated, and the fuel gauge cluster froze, showing an incorrect fuel level. On October 3, 2025, I contacted the dealership and was told to bring it in for service. The service department confirmed a faulty Transmission Control Module (TCM) and opened a repair order. Before the repair could be completed, the vehicle became inoperable and would not engage Drive, leaving me stranded in my driveway. The car had less than 350 miles on it at the time of failure. This incident is extremely concerning for a brand-new vehicle and raises questions about potential safety and manufacturing defects in the 2025 Jetta model line. A new car’s transmission should not fail within days of delivery. I have filed related complaints with the Michigan Attorney General and Better Business Bureau regarding the dealership’s handling of the issue and lack of transparency. Please investigate potential defects in the transmission control system and electrical fuel cluster of 2025 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles to prevent similar failures from occurring with other consumers.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11686678September 11, 2025UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY/WIPER
Sensitive sunroof glass. Sunroof glass shattered a section of the glass that has an open glass area now and will leak in inclement weather conditions.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11686353September 10, 2025AIR BAGS
Driving on interstate 74 west bound entered rain storm. Did not see car that was slow or stopped until impact. Traveling at a speed of 78 mph. Airbag did not deploy. Is this normal? Rear ended car in front. Volkswagen was totaled with severe front end damage. Other car was a bigger suv. There is dash cam footage that shows impact.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11686138September 9, 2025SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I just got this 2024 Jetta Sport 6 speed manual and tried getting up the drive that's slightly inclined and the brake assist would not disengage or the fuel was cut after it didn't progress then dies. It is possible to power through the brake assist but it will cause premature wear on the clutch, flywheel as well as the rear E brake with all this wireless tech on the brakes, throttle can't figure it out so take it back.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11685589September 7, 2025FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
Travel Assist is disabled which includes Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist. The warning lights flash on and off, sometimes multiple times a second, sounding a loud beeping each time. It is triggered at engine start and persists through all speeds. I have experienced it 0-70 mph. The flashing lights and associated rapid beeping indicating the failure is extremely distracting while driving. Warning lights and warning sounds are designed to alert the driver to a potential safety issue so ignoring the lights and sounds is dangerous in the event it is a different caution/warning. However, also not ignoring it is dangerous because of the frequency of the warnings which causes the driver to look away from the road. After speaking with the maintenance department at my VW dealership, they indicated that this is a widely known problem that is remedied only with the replacement of the steering wheel. There are several other sensors that are triggered by the same issue I was told by the maintenance department. They are uncertain at this time if it impacts the airbag system which is another potential safety concern. The steering wheel can only be ordered after inspection by the maintenance department and there is shortage and/or back order of the part to fix the problem.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11684897September 3, 2025SERVICE BRAKES
Brakes make loud noise when I come to stop when leaving highway. Rear pads are at 2mm as of 8/28/2025 when they were replaced in on 5/14/2025. Repairs were performed by dealership on 5/14/2025 but they did not replace the rotors, they only replaced the rear pads.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11684685September 3, 2025SERVICE BRAKES
The rear brake pads on my 2021 Volkswagen Jetta have worn out prematurely twice by 20,000 miles. The first replacement occurred at only 8,006 miles in April 2023. At that time, Volkswagen acknowledged the problem and provided “goodwill” coverage of 50% since my vehicle was only one month outside of the Rear Brake Pad Limited Warranty Extension. Now at approximately 20,846 miles in September 2025, the rear pads have worn out again and required replacement. Volkswagen has refused to provide any assistance this time. Normally, front brake pads wear faster than the rear. In this case, the rear pads are failing far earlier than expected, which creates a potential safety issue since brake performance is being compromised at very low mileage. Volkswagen has already acknowledged this defect by issuing the warranty extension for 2020–2023 Jettas, but coverage expired by time, not mileage, leaving owners like me with repeated failures and no support. When I raised the issue with my dealership, they suggested that the premature wear is due to the emergency brake always being engaged when the car is parked. This explanation does not make sense, since pads do not normally wear when the car is stationary. The fact that VW created a warranty extension for this exact problem shows this is a design defect, not a misuse issue. This issue has been confirmed by a Volkswagen dealer and independent service centers, and is well-documented among other owners. If the pads continue to wear this quickly, it poses a recurring safety risk and results in abnormally high repair costs for a critical safety component. I am reporting this so NHTSA is aware that the defect continues to affect owners even beyond the limited warranty extension and goodwill offers, and that a long-term solution is needed.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11684683September 3, 2025SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
The contact owns a 2024 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear tires. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear rotors, and brake pads needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired at the consumer's expense. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11683437August 27, 2025VISIBILITY/WIPER
My driver side mirror is over-corrected/magnified. If I need to navigate to left lane, the magnification makes the vehicle in my blind spot appear too close. Same in a situation where I am performing a zipper merge to the left. I have driven 50 years in different cars, including Volkswagens, and never in an accident. This mirror seems hazardous and dangerous because trusting the instrument for left visuals of oncoming cars isn't accurate in a 1:1 ratio. The dealership replaced the mirror and it appears the same. All VW service techs, and other drivers who I have asked for evaluation, agree the mirror is not right.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11683124August 26, 2025ENGINE
My 2023 vehicle has needed coolant topped off every 5-10K miles. This appears to be a very common occurrence for several owners however dealerships are just telling folks to top off as it's due to evaporation (it's a closed system and shouldn't evaporate). It is due to a faulty head gasket that VW even later redesigned. If you review reddit and numerous forums about the 1.5T produced before July 2023 it is a known issue that caused VW to redesign the headgasket. The powertrain warranty on new vehicle purchases is very short (50K miles) so they avoid replacing and tell folks to just "top off" until the warranty expires.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11679401August 8, 2025ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2024 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that at start-up, there was an abnormal amount of white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that a cause for the failure was not found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 18,078.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11677315July 30, 2025FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
I purchased my brand new 2025 Volkswagen Jetta S, and not a week later the check engine light came on and the car started acting weird. The RPM's would spike before the car would move. I brought it back to the dealership that I purchased the car from; and they diagnosed it. They said it was a faulty fuel pump. It was very inconvenient, and could end up causing long term issues with the car/ engine. And could seriously harm other people.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0