Volkswagen Jetta Engine Problems
Owners have filed 1,082 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the Volkswagen Jetta across 28 model years. The 2019 model year has the most (147). The words owners use most often: “glow plug” (5% of reports).
- 1,082engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 21mention a crash
- 16mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- $3,400typical repair cost reported by owners
- 34%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Glow plug: mentioned in 55 of 1,082 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the Volkswagen Jetta at $3,400, and half of them between $1,400 and $7,250.
Based on 50 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2012–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 792 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,082 complaints, 21 mention a crash, 24 a fire, 16 an injury.
Volkswagen Jetta engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Jetta | 1 | 17% | — |
| 2025 Jetta | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2024 Jetta | 11 | 24% | 17,600 |
| 2023 Jetta | 11 | 26% | 2,000 |
| 2022 Jetta | 12 | 28% | 4,500 |
| 2021 Jetta | 5 | 7% | 4,000 |
| 2020 Jetta | 12 | 22% | 14,000 |
| 2019 Jetta | 147 | 27% | 700 |
| 2018 Jetta | 2 | 6% | — |
| 2017 Jetta | 32 | 20% | 64,560 |
| 2016 Jetta | 43 | 27% | 38,000 |
| 2015 Jetta | 43 | 22% | 32,706 |
| 2014 Jetta | 108 | 28% | 64,335 |
| 2013 Jetta | 112 | 22% | 54,000 |
| 2012 Jetta | 84 | 17% | 45,000 |
| 2011 Jetta | 90 | 15% | 51,500 |
| 2010 Jetta | 117 | 14% | 65,592 |
| 2009 Jetta | 96 | 11% | 80,600 |
| 2008 Jetta | 20 | 11% | 96,000 |
| 2007 Jetta | 16 | 8% | 104,293 |
| 2006 Jetta | 39 | 7% | 123,543 |
| 2005 Jetta | 27 | 11% | 112,750 |
| 2004 Jetta | 11 | 5% | 116,500 |
| 2003 Jetta | 16 | 4% | 90,000 |
| 2002 Jetta | 7 | 1% | 93,000 |
| 2001 Jetta | 9 | 1% | 90,821 |
| 2000 Jetta | 8 | 2% | 166,500 |
| 1999 Jetta | 2 | 1% | 87,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Model years: 2017
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Jetta vehicles equipped with a 1.4L engine. These vehicles have an engine that may seize due to an improper casting of the block.
Risk: If the engine seizes, the wheels may suddenly lock up, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will either buy back the vehicle or replace the engine block, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 10F4.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum; engine and engine cooling:engine
Model years: 2015, 2016
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Risk: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system
Model years: 2011
Problem: Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 jetta sedan vehicles manufactured from march 18, 2010, through august 22, 2011. Some vehicles had a stainless steel exhaust tip installed at the port during importation. These exhaust tips may extend beyond the original length of the factory-installed exhaust pipes. It is possible for inadvertent contact to occur with a person's leg.
Risk: If the tailpipe extension is hot during inadvertent contact, a burn could occur.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the stainless steel exhaust tips as necessary free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during november 2011. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan
Model years: 1995
Problem: Improper material was used in manufacturing the radiator fan motor shaft causing the shaft to wear and become noisy.
Risk: A worn and noisy fan motor shaft can seize renderingthe fan motor inoperative, eventually causing the engine to overheat and stall. A stalled vehicle in traffic can increase the potential for a vehicle accident.
Fix: Dealers will replace the complete cooling fan assembly on vehicle having the potential shaft material problem. Dealers will install a new fan blade including a new lock nut on vehicle with loose fan blade lock nuts.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I am reporting an unsafe vehicle release and failed recall remedy by Findlay Volkswagen Henderson regarding NHTSA Campaign Number 16V913000 (Volkswagen Campaign 45F2) on my 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. The dealership closed out the safety recall on October 7, 2026, via Invoice #485977, claiming the…
The vehicle is currently experiencing steady coolant loss with no external puddles.My vehicle is at 65,000 miles, placing it just 5,000 miles outside of the 60,000-mile factory powertrain warranty. This specific issue matches the exact symptoms of Volkswagen Technical Service Bulletin #2071245…
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
Ignition switch off, safely stop the vehicleâ or âStarter system faultyâ Error was shown on a hot day. The vehicle turned off
I own a Silver 2024 Volkswagen Jetta. My car stopped accelerating while I was driving on the freeway on 7/18/2026 which was a huge safety issue resulting in my car needing to be towed to the dealership because it was not drivable. The warning lights came on after the car stopped accelerating on the…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Volkswagen Jettas have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,082 owner complaints about engine for the Volkswagen Jetta. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Volkswagen Jetta engine?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the Volkswagen Jetta?
Owners report a typical cost of $3,400 (half paid between $1,400 and $7,250), from 50 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the Volkswagen Jetta?
The most frequent phrase is “glow plug”, in 55 of 1,082 complaints.
Other Volkswagen Jetta problems
- Electrical System problems (2,099)
- Power Train problems (1,600)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (854)
- Air Bags problems (839)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (603)
- Fuel System, Diesel problems (527)
- Visibility problems (486)
- Service Brakes problems (482)
See all Volkswagen Jetta problems.