Volkswagen Jetta Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 387 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Volkswagen Jetta across 24 model years. The 2001 model year has the most (67). The words owners use most often: “rear brakes” (17% of reports).
- 387service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 36mention a crash
- 14mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- $660typical repair cost reported by owners
- 24%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.
- Rear brakes: mentioned in 67 of 387 complaints (17%)
- Brake pads: mentioned in 45 of 387 complaints (12%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical service brakes, hydraulic repair on the Volkswagen Jetta at $660, and half of them between $590 and $1,000.
Based on 21 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2002–2010), 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 service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 230 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 387 complaints, 36 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 14 an injury.
Volkswagen Jetta service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Jetta | 1 | 2% | 15,000 |
| 2023 Jetta | 1 | 2% | 20,000 |
| 2021 Jetta | 1 | 1% | 14,469 |
| 2017 Jetta | 1 | 1% | 84,000 |
| 2016 Jetta | 1 | 1% | 69,000 |
| 2015 Jetta | 1 | 1% | 31,000 |
| 2012 Jetta | 3 | 1% | 31,000 |
| 2011 Jetta | 5 | 1% | 88,000 |
| 2010 Jetta | 10 | 1% | 30,000 |
| 2009 Jetta | 35 | 4% | 34,391 |
| 2008 Jetta | 15 | 8% | 22,900 |
| 2007 Jetta | 38 | 19% | 20,000 |
| 2006 Jetta | 21 | 4% | 27,500 |
| 2005 Jetta | 10 | 4% | 17,300 |
| 2004 Jetta | 8 | 3% | 14,575 |
| 2003 Jetta | 18 | 4% | 10,900 |
| 2002 Jetta | 46 | 7% | 65,050 |
| 2001 Jetta | 67 | 10% | 39,000 |
| 2000 Jetta | 41 | 9% | 45,403 |
| 1999 Jetta | 29 | 8% | 89,713 |
| 1998 Jetta | 11 | 6% | 80,000 |
| 1997 Jetta | 1 | 2% | 12,000 |
| 1996 Jetta | 2 | 6% | 69,500 |
| 1995 Jetta | 21 | 10% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
Model years: 2020
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling one 2020 Jetta vehicle. The front brake caliper bolts may come loose.
Risk: If a brake caliper bolt comes loose, it may affect the vehicle's brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify the owner, and a dealer will replace all four front brake caliper bolts, free of charge. The recall began July 1, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47Q2.
Electronic stability control (esc); service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Model years: 2009, 2010
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Sedan, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GTI, Rabbit and Audi A3 vehicles, and 2010 Volkswagen Golf A6 vehicles. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) control unit may fail during ABS or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) activation, possibly causing a loss of vehicle control.
Risk: A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control module software to improve the module's self-testing abilities. Any module that fails the new diagnostic test will be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Model years: 2001, 2002
Problem: On some passenger vehicles, short circuits can occur within the electronic control unit of the anti-lock braking system (abs).
Risk: This can result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the abs control unit. Owner notification began march 8, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 1995
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The rear brake line on the passenger side was routed too close to the corner of the fuel tank. The line could be damaged by chafing against the fuel tank.
Risk: Repeated chafing could eventually result in a leaking brake line causing diminished braking in one brake circuit increasing the vehicle's stopping distance.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the brake line and replace any damaged lines.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, there was a burning odor coming from outside…
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…
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The…
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled down to the floorboard; however, the vehicle responded as needed. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Mavis Tire and Brakes, where…
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that ABS and the ESC warning lights illuminated intermittently. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The vehicle was taken…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Volkswagen Jettas have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 387 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic 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 service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Volkswagen Jetta?
Owners report a typical cost of $660 (half paid between $590 and $1,000), from 21 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Volkswagen Jetta?
The most frequent phrase is “rear brakes”, in 67 of 387 complaints, followed by “brake pads” (45).
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)
- Fuel System, Diesel problems (527)
- Visibility problems (486)
See all Volkswagen Jetta problems.