Volkswagen

Jetta

Compact Cars · model years 1984 to 2027

Includes Jetta, Jetta Hybrid and Jetta Wagon as listed by the EPA.

See all 231 Jetta trims All Volkswagen cars

The verdict

Best year: 2027. complaints: 0, below this model's typical 32; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 4.

Worst year: 2011. complaints: 607, about 3.2x this model's typical 191; recalls: 7, about 1.8x this model's typical 4.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Volkswagen Jetta
Year	Trims	MPG	HP	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	TSBs	Top complaints
1984	10Diesel, Gas	25.5	no data	$2,800	no data	no data	0	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1984
1985	4Diesel, Gas	30	no data	$2,775	no data	no data	0	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1985
1986	4Diesel, Gas	30	no data	$2,775	no data	no data	0	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1986
1987	2Gas	24	no data	$2,825	no data	no data	0	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1987
1988	2Gas	24	no data	$2,800	no data	no data	0	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1988
1989	3Diesel, Gas	25	no data	$2,800	no data	no data	0	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1989
1990	3Diesel, Gas	25	no data	$2,500	5	22	0	no data	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 27%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 15%
complaints: 22, below this model's typical 95 recalls: 5, above this model's typical 4 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 72 of 100, where higher is better.
1991	4Diesel, Gas	29	no data	$2,425	5	31	0	no data	VISIBILITY 19%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 14%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 14%
complaints: 31, below this model's typical 127 recalls: 5, above this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 Score: 74 of 100, where higher is better.
1992	3Diesel, Gas	25	no data	$2,500	2	30	0	no data	VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 25%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 19%
complaints: 30, below this model's typical 95 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 5 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 75 of 100, where higher is better.
1996	3Diesel, Gas	23	no data	$2,700	1	31	0	no data	VISIBILITY 37%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 9%
complaints: 31, below this model's typical 95 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 5 Score: 83 of 100, where higher is better.
1997	3Diesel, Gas	24	no data	$2,600	1	54	0	no data	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%, VISIBILITY 17%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12%
complaints: 54, below this model's typical 95 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 77 of 100, where higher is better.
1998	3Diesel, Gas	24	no data	$2,600	2	192	0	no data	VISIBILITY 17%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%, TIRES 8%
complaints: 192, about 2x this model's typical 95 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 10 complaints reporting a fire: 8 Score: 29 of 100, where higher is better.
1999	5Diesel, Gas	22	no data	$2,850	6	349	0	no data	VISIBILITY 17%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 17%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%
complaints: 349, about 2.2x this model's typical 159 recalls: 6, about 1.5x this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 29 complaints reporting a fire: 9 Score: 9 of 100, where higher is better.
2000	8Diesel, Gas	23	no data	$2,975	4	439	0	no data	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 21%, VISIBILITY 13%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%
complaints: 439, about 1.7x this model's typical 254 recalls: 4, in line with this model's typical 4 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 35 complaints reporting a fire: 14 Score: 2 of 100, where higher is better.
2001	12Diesel, Gas	22	no data	$2,975	6	668	0	no data	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13%, AIR BAGS 12%
complaints: 668, about 1.8x this model's typical 382 recalls: 6, about 1.5x this model's typical 4 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 47 complaints reporting a fire: 12 Score: 6 of 100, where higher is better.
2002	18Diesel, Gas	22.5	no data	$2,850	5	704	0	no data	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%, AIR BAGS 13%, POWER TRAIN 12%
complaints: 704, above this model's typical 572 recalls: 5, above this model's typical 4 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 10 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 75 complaints reporting a fire: 71 Score: 6 of 100, where higher is better.
2003	14Diesel, Gas	23.5	no data	$2,775	2	458	0	no data	SEATS 19%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%, AIR BAGS 14%
complaints: 458, above this model's typical 445 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 4 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 85 complaints reporting a fire: 71 Score: 37 of 100, where higher is better.
2004	14Diesel, Gas	24	no data	$2,650	2	233	0	no data	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%, POWER TRAIN 12%
complaints: 233, below this model's typical 445 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 15 complaints reporting a fire: 20 Score: 65 of 100, where higher is better.
2005	16Diesel, Gas	24	no data	$2,650	4	248	0	no data	POWER TRAIN 24%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12%
complaints: 248, below this model's typical 509 recalls: 4, in line with this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 8 complaints reporting a fire: 14 Score: 64 of 100, where higher is better.
2006	6Diesel, Gas	24.5	no data	$2,850	4	580	0	no data	POWER TRAIN 32%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%, AIR BAGS 8%
complaints: 580, about 3x this model's typical 191 recalls: 4, in line with this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 17 complaints reporting a fire: 6 Score: 15 of 100, where higher is better.
2007	4Gas	23	no data	$2,975	4	201	0	no data	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 14%, AIR BAGS 13%
complaints: 201, about 1.6x this model's typical 127 recalls: 4, in line with this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 14 complaints reporting a fire: 7 Score: 38 of 100, where higher is better.
2008	4Gas	24	no data	$2,850	4	188	0	no data	POWER TRAIN 22%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%, AIR BAGS 8%
complaints: 188, above this model's typical 127 recalls: 4, in line with this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 complaints reporting a fire: 4 Score: 47 of 100, where higher is better.
2009	6Diesel, Gas	25	no data	$2,600	6	889	0	no data	FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 15%, SERVICE BRAKES 13%, POWER TRAIN 11%
complaints: 889, about 4.7x this model's typical 191 recalls: 6, about 1.5x this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 17 complaints reporting a fire: 8 Score: 5 of 100, where higher is better.
2010	6Diesel, Gas	26	170	$2,500	4	852	4 (1 open)	897	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20%, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 14%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 10%
complaints: 852, about 4.5x this model's typical 191 recalls: 4, in line with this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 11 complaints reporting a fire: 5 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 7 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.1 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2011	6Diesel, Gas	27.5	140	$2,425	7	607	5 (1 open)	1,044	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21%, ENGINE 10%, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 9%
complaints: 607, about 3.2x this model's typical 191 recalls: 7, about 1.8x this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 15 complaints reporting a fire: 9 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.9 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2012	8Diesel, Gas	26.5	155	$2,450	5	500	5 (1 open)	1,140	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16%, ENGINE 12%
complaints: 500, about 2x this model's typical 254 recalls: 5, above this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 17 complaints reporting a fire: 6 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 13 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.0 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2013	9Diesel, Gas, Hybrid	27	128	$2,450	6	596	4 (1 open)	1,311	POWER TRAIN 23%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19%, ENGINE 15%
complaints: 596, about 2.1x this model's typical 286 recalls: 6, about 1.5x this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 10 complaints reporting a fire: 3 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 5 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.3 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2014	9Diesel, Gas, Hybrid	29	170	$2,450	6	407	4 (1 open)	1,268	ENGINE 19%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%, POWER TRAIN 15%
complaints: 407, above this model's typical 286 recalls: 6, about 1.5x this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 19 complaints reporting a fire: 2 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 24 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.4 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2015	9Diesel, Gas, Hybrid	29	143	$2,250	8	195	1	910	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%, ENGINE 15%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 12%
complaints: 195, below this model's typical 286 recalls: 8, about 2x this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 9 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 41 of 100, where higher is better.
2016	7Gas, Hybrid	29	170	$2,150	4	162	1	711	ENGINE 17%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 14%
complaints: 162, below this model's typical 223 recalls: 4, in line with this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 14 complaints reporting a fire: 5 Score: 59 of 100, where higher is better.
2017	5Gas	29	160	$2,150	6	159	0	555	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%, ENGINE 13%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 12%
complaints: 159, in line with this model's typical 159 recalls: 6, about 1.5x this model's typical 4 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 9 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 31 of 100, where higher is better.
2018	4Gas	30	150	$2,075	2	31	0	556	UNKNOWN OR OTHER 22%, AIR BAGS 16%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 16%
complaints: 31, below this model's typical 127 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 4 Score: 86 of 100, where higher is better.
2019	2Gas	34	147	$1,850	11	549	2	665	POWER TRAIN 20%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19%, ENGINE 19%
complaints: 549, about 8.6x this model's typical 64 recalls: 11, about 2.8x this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 36 complaints reporting a fire: 3 NHTSA advised parking the 2019 model year outdoors over fire risk Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2020	4Gas	31	147	$2,025	6	53	1	500	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16%, ENGINE 15%
complaints: 53, below this model's typical 127 recalls: 6, about 1.5x this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 Score: 67 of 100, where higher is better.
2021	2Gas	33.5	147	$1,875	4	69	0	458	SERVICE BRAKES 25%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11%
complaints: 69, above this model's typical 64 recalls: 4, in line with this model's typical 4 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 37 of 100, where higher is better.
2022	2Gas	34.5	158	$1,825	1	43	0	417	ENGINE 17%, SERVICE BRAKES 17%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%
complaints: 43, below this model's typical 64 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 4 Score: 83 of 100, where higher is better.
2023	2Gas	34.5	158	$1,825	0	43	0	312	ENGINE 18%, SERVICE BRAKES 16%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16%
complaints: 43, below this model's typical 64 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 4 Score: 85 of 100, where higher is better.
2024	2Gas	34	158	$1,850	0	44	0	223	ENGINE 16%, SERVICE BRAKES 15%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%
complaints: 44, below this model's typical 64 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 4 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 80 of 100, where higher is better.
2025	1Gas	33	158	$2,050	2	29	0	122	FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 16%, POWER TRAIN 16%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16%
complaints: 29, below this model's typical 32 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 Score: 74 of 100, where higher is better.
2026	1Gas	34	no data	$1,950	1	6	0	no data	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 30%, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 20%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 20%
complaints: 6, below this model's typical 32 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 4 Score: 90 of 100, where higher is better.
2027	1Gas	34	no data	$1,950	0	0	0	no data	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 32 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 4 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median1984: 25.5 to 2027: 34

Owner complaints1990: 22 to 2027: 0

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Volkswagen Jetta to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.