The most-reported Jetta run is 3VWC57BUXKM (2019 builds) with 29 complaints, 10× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 23% of reports; 2019 is the worst model year at 6.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 86 recall campaigns for Jetta model years 1981–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Volkswagen Jetta has 2,851 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 2% of every Jetta complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3VWC57BUXKM•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 3VWC57BU2KM•••••• | 2019 | 3 | — | |
| 3VWC57BU5KM•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 3VWC57BU0KM•••••• | 2019 | 1 | — | |
| 3VWC57BU9KM•••••• | 2019 | 1 | — | |
| 3VWC57BU1KM•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 3VWC57BU8KM•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 3VWRL71K89M•••••• | 2009 | — | — | |
| 3VWRL71K29M•••••• | 2009 | 1 | — | |
| 3VWSE69M92M•••••• | 2002 | 1 | 5 | |
| 3VWSE69M52M•••••• | 2002 | 2 | 3 | |
| 3VWRL71KX9M•••••• | 2009 | — | 1 |
Each of the other 2,839 Jetta runs has 22 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 314 Jetta VINs so far, most often 2019, 2015, 2025 builds; 7 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Volkswagen Jetta the gap between build years is 4.2×: a 2019 car draws 6.7 complaints per run, a 2018 one 1.6.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 5 | — | |
| 2025 | 24 | 16 | 4 | |
| 2024 | 44 | 32 | 2 | |
| 2023 | 42 | 31 | 1 | |
| 2022 | 42 | 30 | 1 | |
| 2021 | 68 | 30 | 3 | |
| 2020 | 53 | 31 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 542 | 81 | 19 | |
| 2018 | 31 | 20 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 157 | 53 | 18 | |
| 2016 | 159 | 62 | 18 | |
| 2015 | 185 | 66 | 6 | |
| 2014 | 357 | 116 | 19 | |
| 2013 | 485 | 122 | 11 | |
| 2012 | 448 | 126 | 23 | |
| 2011 | 524 | 136 | 23 | |
| 2010 | 727 | 162 | 19 | |
| 2009 | 787 | 179 | 28 | |
| 2008 | 159 | 69 | 4 | |
| 2007 | 144 | 77 | 7 |
Heaviest year here is 2019 at 6.7 complaints per run; lightest is 2026 at 1. The 2026 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 23% of everything Volkswagen Jetta owners report: Electrical System, 1,826 of 8,400 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 41 | 87 | |
| Power Train | 26 | 5 | |
| Engine | 20 | 22 | |
| Service Brakes | 81 | 10 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 18 | 5 | |
| Air Bags | 208 | 6 | |
| Fuel System | 2 | 8 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 | 17 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 86 recall campaigns on the Volkswagen Jetta; the 6 below cover build years 1981 to 2019. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 20E064000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder | 2004–2018 |
| 14E007000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 1999–2013 |
| 06E018000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1981–1992 |
| 09E012000 | Exterior Lighting | 1990–1998 |
| 19V679000 | Unknown Or Other | 2007–2019 |
| 19V615000 | Electrical System:ignition:anti-theft:control Module | 2011–2018 |
The Jetta against its rivals
The Jetta draws 2.9 complaints per production run; the Toyota Corolla 5.2, the Nissan Versa 6.6 and the Subaru Legacy 1.5.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Jetta | 8,400 | 2,851 | 4.7% | |
| Toyota Corolla | 10,489 | 2,033 | 14.9% | |
| Nissan Versa | 2,976 | 451 | 7.6% | |
| Subaru Legacy | 2,751 | 1,871 | 8.7% |
How serious were they
Of the 8,400 reports on the Volkswagen Jetta, 4.7% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Volkswagen Jetta | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 8,400 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 392 (4.7%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 245 (2.9%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 460 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 16 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Volkswagen Jetta share of that is 8,400 complaints over 2,851 runs, 0.75% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Volkswagen Jetta VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 8,400 NHTSA complaints from 2,851 Jetta runs and 86 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Jetta production run has the most complaints?
3VWC57BUXKM, a 2019 build, with 29 complaints. The typical Jetta run has 2.9.
Which Jetta years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2019 is heaviest at 6.7 complaints per run and 2026 lightest at 1.
Does the Jetta get more complaints than the Toyota Corolla?
No: 2.9 complaints per production run for the Jetta against 5.2 for the Toyota Corolla.
How many Jetta complaints involve a crash?
4.7% of 8,400 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 245 involved a fire.
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