Volkswagen Jetta Fuel System, Diesel Problems
Owners have filed 527 complaints with NHTSA about fuel system, diesel problems on the Volkswagen Jetta across 14 model years. The 2009 model year has the most (195). The words owners use most often: “high pressure fuel” (30% of reports).
- 527fuel system, diesel complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $10,600typical repair cost reported by owners
- 37%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.
- High pressure fuel: mentioned in 156 of 527 complaints (30%)
- Glow plug: mentioned in 111 of 527 complaints (21%)
- Pump failed: mentioned in 50 of 527 complaints (9%)
- Tdi diesel: mentioned in 34 of 527 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical fuel system, diesel repair on the Volkswagen Jetta at $10,600, and half of them between $2,650 and $14,350.
Based on 54 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2003–2014), 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 fuel system, diesel problems happen?
Based on 511 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 527 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 4 a fire.
Volkswagen Jetta fuel system, diesel complaints by model year
| Model year | Fuel System, Diesel complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Jetta | 3 | 1% | 1,985 |
| 2013 Jetta | 7 | 1% | 19,000 |
| 2012 Jetta | 24 | 5% | 25,350 |
| 2011 Jetta | 82 | 14% | 20,061 |
| 2010 Jetta | 166 | 19% | 31,216 |
| 2009 Jetta | 195 | 22% | 50,065 |
| 2006 Jetta | 10 | 2% | 69,250 |
| 2005 Jetta | 7 | 3% | 71,000 |
| 2004 Jetta | 13 | 6% | 73,500 |
| 2003 Jetta | 4 | 1% | 51,600 |
| 2002 Jetta | 3 | 0% | 50,000 |
| 2001 Jetta | 9 | 1% | 41,000 |
| 2000 Jetta | 3 | 1% | 98,361 |
| 1999 Jetta | 1 | 0% | 40,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Fuel system, diesel
Model years: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Problem: Volkswagen is recalling certain model 2009-2012 jetta and jetta sportwagen vehicles, manufactured from may 2008 through september 2011, model year 2010-2012 volkswagen golf vehicles, manufactured from may 2009 through september 2011, and model year 2010-2012 audi a3 vehicles, manufactured from september 2009 through september 2011, that are equipped with a 2.0l tdi common rail diesel engine/clean diesel engine. The fuel injection pulses could coincide with the natural frequency of the injector line #2, in specific load and rpm conditions. This resonance creates additional stress in the fuel line.
Risk: Due to the resonance condition, injector line number 2 could develop small cracks which could lead to fuel leakage. Leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source, may lead to a fire.
Fix: Volkswagen will install an improved fuel injector line for the number 2 cylinder on certain vehicles and will install vibration dampers on all of the injector lines. Volkswagen and audi will notify owners to have the vehicles repaired free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during november 2011. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Fuel system, diesel
Model years: 2004, 2005
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the high pressure diesel pumps were produced with an improper fastener, which could allow diesel fuel to escape from the pump.
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may lead to a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the diesel pump. The recall began on february 8, 2005. Owners should contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I was driving on the road going up a hill and my fuel was just alittle low about 120 miles my car sputtered and died and didn't start back up stuck on the road with barley any gaurd rail so I'm partially in the lane and I got it looked at and my high pressure fuel pump failed and sent metal scrapes…
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated he smelled a strong odor of carbon dioxide inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test however, no failure was found. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed…
The vehicle has a long history of the throttle becoming inoperative resulting in no-power (idle power strictly speaking) conditions. That condition is cleared when the clutch pedal is depressed and released. Recently there was an instance of uncommanded acceleration: instead of no power, full power…
Wife went outside to start her tdi and after sitting and making no progress in warming and smelling a lot of un-burnt diesel she decided to shut it off. After she came inside and told me it was not warming up and it seemed to be running out of fuel very quickly i went outside to check it out. I…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 volkswagen passat. While driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle lost power without warning. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the high pressure fuel system…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Volkswagen Jettas have fuel system, diesel problems?
No. NHTSA has 527 owner complaints about fuel system, diesel 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 fuel system, diesel?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list fuel system, diesel. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix fuel system, diesel problems on the Volkswagen Jetta?
Owners report a typical cost of $10,600 (half paid between $2,650 and $14,350), from 54 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about fuel system, diesel problems on the Volkswagen Jetta?
The most frequent phrase is “high pressure fuel”, in 156 of 527 complaints, followed by “glow plug” (111).
Other Volkswagen Jetta problems
- Electrical System problems (2,099)
- Power Train problems (1,600)
- Engine problems (1,083)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (854)
- Air Bags problems (839)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (604)
- Visibility problems (486)
- Service Brakes problems (482)
See all Volkswagen Jetta problems.