2022 Volkswagen Jetta Problems And Complaints

Volkswagen Jetta Problems

The Volkswagen Jetta is a pretty good commuter with a comfortable interior and a big cabin. These attributes have attracted a lot of the rivals’ crowd towards the German. But with the increasing sales, more people started reporting their troubles and issues. Some of the most common issues listed on the NHTSA include:

Electrical issues:

1. Infotainment issues: People have complained of the carnet and the Bluetooth audio module failing in new cars. Some 2021 Jetta owners have reported this mishap after a week of purchase. Dealerships pulled the respective fuse to reset the system and solved the issue temporarily.
2. Backup camera issues: Many 2019 Jetta owners have complained that the backup camera in their cars shut down while reversing. This caused them to collide with their surroundings. The issue exists in the 2020 Jetta as well. Some complainants have reported the backup camera getting stuck when shifting to drive. This causes a distraction while driving.
3. Speakers issue: In the variants equipped with the Beats Audio system, people have complained of rattling noise when the volume is above 50%. The issue causes a distraction when driving on the highway and people have reported headaches and nausea due to this. 
4. Door actuator malfunction: Some 2019 Jetta owners have reported the door actuator motor failing. This causes the door to remain unlocked while driving. People have reported this issue to the dealerships and had to get the actuators replaced out of warranty.

Mechanical issues:

1. Random EPC light flashing: Some 2020 Volkswagen Jetta owners have complained of the EPC light flashing in their instrument cluster. This usually happens when they rev up the engine for an overtake. The EPC light cuts down the engine power and limits the RPMs, causing the vehicle to bog down. Complainants have expressed concerns about this and have reported the issue to be possibly fatal.
2. Start/stop system error: The start/stop system in the 2019 Jetta was widely reported as faulty. This system is reported to stall the car when coming to a stop. People have reported that the car didn’t start automatically and they had to manually restart the car again.
3. Excessive engine oil consumption: People have expressed concerns over the German saloon burning engine oil. This abnormal consumption has led to many issues, including engine failures. Dealerships have reported the problem to be unfixable and advised the customer to deal with it on an as-is basis.
4. Transmission issues: The automatic transmission in the 2019 Jetta gives out grinding noises while accelerating. The issue is communicated to the manufacturer and a resolution is being worked upon. Owners have also complained of the gearbox slipping to neutral while moving. This causes the engine to rev up unnecessarily.

Interior issues:

1. Rear seat belt buckle issues: Many people have complained about the rear seat belt buckle going into the seats. Due to this, the rear passenger isn’t able to buckle up before the drive. Some people have also reported the buckle does not latch the seat belt properly. This caused the occupant to hit the front seats during emergency braking.
2. HVAC issues: There have been many complaints about the HVAC system failing in the Volkswagen Jetta. People report that the HVAC works fine temporarily and then fails to operate. This faulty system blows hot air into the cabin, causing discomfort while driving.
3. Shattering windows: Many 2019 Jetta owners have reported the window glass in their cars shattering without any impact from any outside source. This shattering caused the glass to enter the cabin and cause injuries to the occupants inside.

Safety features issue:

1. Airbag issues: There have been many reports where the airbags of the Jetta failed to deploy. This caused injuries, sometimes fatal, to the occupants inside. On the contrary, people have also reported the airbags to be tight and make it difficult for the occupant to exit the vehicle after crashing. 
2. Hill-hold assist malfunction: Some 2019 Jetta owners have reported the system malfunctioning. This malfunction causes the clutch to engage and burn, emitting smoke from the bonnet. This also causes premature clutch wear. 
3. Vehicle Speed Control (VSC) issues: People have reported the VSC to malfunction and kick in while driving at highway speeds. The complainants report the engine power getting limited and decelerating. There are some reports of rear-end collisions due to this.

Volkswagen Jetta Recalls

The Volkswagen Jetta had seen an uneven start to its current generation with 7 recalls for the initial model year. The saloon had faced a lot of criticism due to this but the issues were solved by the German carmaker. The latest recall for the Jetta was issued on June 30, 2021, with NHTSA Campaign Number 21V492000. A summary of all the recalls is mentioned in the table below:

S. No.	Date	NHTSA Campaign Number	Affected Component	Additional Remarks
1.	September 26, 2018	18V671000	Exterior Lighting	Incorrectly positioned headlight on the passenger’s side reduces the driver’s visibility in dark conditions, increasing the risk of a crash. As such, the affected units fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment”.
2.	November 26, 2018	18V824000	Electrical System	Failure of the instrument cluster to audibly warn the driver of the key is in the ignition with the door open increases the risk of theft or a crash. As such, the affected units fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection”.
3.	December 19, 2018	18V904000	Suspension	Premature fracture of the rear coil springs may damage the rear tire and cause loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
4.	February 20, 2019	19V110000	Airbags	Incorrectly installed driver-side airbags may not deploy upon impact, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
5.	March 6, 2019	19V188000	Suspension	Premature fracture of the rear coil springs may damage the rear tire and cause loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
6.	September 25, 2019	19V679000	Unknown	The affected units may fail to comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements due to some modifications made during the evaluation period, possibly increasing the risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
7.	December 11, 2019	19V879000	Wheels	Improperly machined front wheel bearings can cause excessive stress on the wheel and related bolts and bearings, increasing the risk of a crash.
8.	June 17, 2020	20V359000	Brakes	Loose front brake calipers may affect the braking performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
9.	August 26, 2020	20V505000	Seats	Improperly welded parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may break, reducing the restraint and increasing the risk of injury.
10.	November 18, 2020	20V716000	Back Over Prevention	Malfunction of the rear-view camera during an ignition cycle may lead to the screen freezing or blanking out, increasing the risk of a crash.
11.	February 1, 2021	21V038000	Seats	Missing bolts from the front seat tracks may cause movement of the seats, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
12.	June 30, 2021	21V492000	Airbags	Improperly positioned airbag control modules may hinder the airbag’s deployment or cause spontaneous deployment of the airbags, increasing the risk of a crash.

What model year of the Volkswagen Jetta should you avoid?

The Volkswagen Jetta’s foray into the current generation has been rather shaky with a lot of issues in the debut model year. The same model year was also subject to 7 recalls in four years. If not clear already, the 2019 Jetta is the model year we would avoid due to all the issues and recalls listed against its name. 

Should you buy the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta?

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta is a pretty good deal considering the massive drop in complaints when compared to the previous model years. The saloon is now more reliable with the most common issues sorted out for good. The car remains a very commendable and comfortable offering for the daily commuter who prefers good boot space. If one wants to go for a used Volkswagen Jetta, consider going for the 2020 model year and above to get the best experience and avoid unnecessary issues.