Which year to buy
Too new to judge: 2026. Give a new year a year or two of owner reports.
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.
2011GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual Extended coverage
411 serious complaints of 640, the most about engine (93) and fuel system (82); per car on the road, 1.0× this model's usual year. 11 recalls. NHTSA investigation EA11003: high-pressure fuel pump failure. NHTSA investigation EA18003: air bag clockspring failure.
What owners report
“I was operating the car on a highway when the vehicle experienced a sudden reduction in power and the dash displayed a flashing glow plug light and solid check engine warning lights. I immediately pulled to the side of the road where the engine was shut off. The engine failed to restart and was towed to a volkswagen dealership.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Aug 2014
“I was operating the car on a highway when the vehicle experienced a sudden reduction in power and the dash displayed a flashing glow plug light and solid check engine warning lights. I immediately pulled to the side of the road where the engine was shut off. The engine failed to restart and was towed to a volkswagen dealership.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the fuel system, Aug 2014
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage Warranty Information (Policies and Procedures Bulletin): Volkswagen has extended the warranty for the high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) under specific conditions to 10 years or 120,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's original in-service date, for certain 2009 - 2012 Model Year (MY)… (VWP-15, Jun 2015)
- Extended coverage Warranty Extension for High-Pressure Fuel Pump: Volkswagen informed customers of a decision to extend the warranty for the high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) in the TDI® Clean Diesel engine vehicle under specific conditions to 10 years or 120,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's… (Customer, Jun 2015)
- Extended coverage This Document informs dealers on VWP-18-11 for the Steering Wheel Clock Spring Limited Warranty Extension (VWP-18-11, Oct 2018)
- Extended coverage This Document informs dealers on the the new Water Pump Limited Warranty Extension (VWP-19, Dec 2019)
- Extended coverage VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP COMMUNICATION: Volkswagen announced a warranty extension program to cover the High Pressure Fuel Pump on 2009-2012 model year TDI Clean Diesel Engine vehicles (Dealer, Apr 2015)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
640 owner complaints · 11 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 25–32 mpg · NHTSA: 4 of 5 stars · 2011 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl; 2.0L 4-cyl turbo diesel; 2.5L 5-cyl · Drive: FWD
2011 Jetta trims
| Jetta, S | SE | SEL | SEL, TDI |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Volkswagen reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Volkswagen aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, 158 hp | FWD | 33–34 mpg | 5 of 5 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 2026 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, 158 hp | FWD | 33–34 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 6 | Electrical system (3) | — |
| 2025 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, 158 hp | FWD | 33 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 29 | Unknown or other (6) | — |
| 2024 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, 158 hp manual available | FWD | 33–34 mpg | 5 of 5 | 0 | 44 | Engine (11) | — |
| 2023 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, 158 hp manual available | FWD | 33–35 mpg | 5 of 5 | 0 | 43 | Engine (11) | — |
| 2022 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, 158 hp manual available | FWD | 33–35 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 43 | Engine (12) | — |
| 2021 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, 147 hp manual available | FWD | 33–34 mpg | 5 of 5 | 4 | 69 | Service brakes (25) | — |
| 2020 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, 147 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 228 hp manual available | FWD | 28–34 mpg | 5 of 5 | 6 | 53 | Electrical system (17) | — |
| 2019 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, 147 hp manual available | FWD | 34 mpg | 5 of 5 | 11 | 549 | Power train (162) | — |
| 2018 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, 150 hp 1.8L 4-cyl turbo, 170 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 210 hp manual available | FWD | 27–33 mpg | 5 of 5 | 3 | 31 | Unknown or other (8) | — |
| 2017 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, 150 hp 1.8L 4-cyl turbo, 170 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 210 hp manual available | FWD | 27–33 mpg | 5 of 5 | 7 | 159 | Electrical system (33) | — |
| 2016 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, 150–170 hp 1.4L 4-cyl turbo hybrid, 150–170 hp 1.8L 4-cyl turbo, 170 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 150–210 hp manual available | FWD | 27–44 mpg | 5 of 5 | 5 | 162 | Engine (43) | — |
| 2015 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo hybrid 1.8L 4-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl turbo diesel manual available | FWD | 26–44 mpg | 5 of 5 | 8 | 197 | Electrical system (49) | — |
| 2014 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo hybrid 1.8L 4-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl turbo diesel 2.5L 5-cyl manual available | FWD | 25–44 mpg | 5 of 5 | 6 | 440 | Engine (117) | — |
| 2013 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo hybrid 2.0L 4-cyl 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl turbo diesel 2.5L 5-cyl manual available | FWD | 25–44 mpg | 4 of 5 | 7 | 632 | Power train (202) | — |
| 2012 | 2.0L 4-cyl 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl turbo diesel 2.5L 5-cyl manual available | FWD | 25–32 mpg | 4 of 5 | 8 | 526 | Electrical system (144) | — |
| 2011 | 2.0L 4-cyl 2.0L 4-cyl turbo diesel 2.5L 5-cyl manual available | FWD | 25–32 mpg | 4 of 5 | 11 | 640 | Electrical system (201) | — |
| 2010 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl turbo diesel 2.5L 5-cyl manual available | FWD | 25–32 mpg | Not rated | 6 | 875 | Electrical system (236) | — |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 4 DR ICE FWD | 5 | No | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 | VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 4 DR N/A FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 6 |
| 2025 | Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 2 | 29 |
| 2024 | Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 0 | 44 |
| 2023 | Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD | 5 | Standard | Optional | 0 | 43 |
| 2022 | Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD | 5 | Standard | Optional | 1 | 43 |
| 2021 | Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | No | 4 | 69 |
| 2020 | Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | No | 6 | 53 |
| 2019 | Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | No | 11 | 549 |
| 2018 | Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | No | 3 | 31 |
| 2017 | Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | No | 7 | 159 |
| 2016 | Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | No | 5 | 161 |
| 2016 | Volkswagen Jetta HEV 4 DR FWD | 5 | No | No | 0 | 1 |
| 2015 | Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | No | 8 | 194 |
| 2015 | Volkswagen Jetta HEV 4 DR FWD | 5 | No | No | 9 | 195 |
| 2014 | Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD | 5 | No | No | 5 | 386 |
| 2014 | Volkswagen Jetta HEV 4 DR FWD | 5 | No | No | 7 | 398 |
| 2014 | Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen SW FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 6 | 412 |
| 2013 | Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 6 | 517 |
| 2013 | Volkswagen Jetta HEV 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 8 | 585 |
| 2013 | Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen SW FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 7 | 542 |
| 2012 | Volkswagen Jetta SW FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 9 | 526 |
| 2012 | Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 9 | 526 |
| 2011 | Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 11 | 640 |
| 2011 | Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen SW FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 11 | 638 |
| 2010 | Volkswagen Jetta 4-DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 6 | 875 |
| 2010 | Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen 4-DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 6 | 875 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Jetta | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 34 |
| 2027 | Jetta Sport/SE/SEL | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 33 |
| 2026 | Jetta | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 34 |
| 2026 | Jetta Sport/SE/SEL | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 33 |
| 2025 | Jetta | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 33 |
| 2025 | Jetta Sport/SE/SEL | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 33 |
| 2024 | Jetta | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo |
34 |
| 2024 | Jetta Sport/SE/SEL | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 33 |
| 2023 | Jetta | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo |
34–35 |
| 2023 | Jetta Sport/SE/SEL | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 33 |
| 2022 | Jetta | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo |
34–35 |
| 2022 | Jetta SE/SEL | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 33 |
| 2021 | Jetta | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo |
33–34 |
| 2020 | Jetta | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
28–34 |
| 2019 | Jetta | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo |
34 |
| 2018 | Jetta | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
27–33 |
| 2017 | Jetta | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
27–33 |
| 2016 | Jetta | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
27–33 |
| 2016 | Jetta Hybrid | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo | 44 |
| 2015 | Jetta | Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
26–35 |
| 2015 | Jetta Hybrid | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo | 44 |
| 2014 | Jetta | Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L |
25–32 |
| 2014 | Jetta Hybrid | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo | 44 |
| 2014 | Jetta SportWagen | Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S6), 5 cyl, 2.5 L Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 2.5 L |
26–32 |
| 2013 | Jetta | Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 5 cyl, 2.5 L Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L |
25–32 |
| 2013 | Jetta Hybrid | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo | 44 |
| 2013 | Jetta SportWagen | Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S6), 5 cyl, 2.5 L Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 2.5 L |
26–32 |
| 2012 | Jetta | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 5 cyl, 2.5 L Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L |
25–32 |
| 2012 | Jetta SportWagen | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S6), 5 cyl, 2.5 L Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 2.5 L |
26–32 |
| 2011 | Jetta | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S6), 5 cyl, 2.5 L Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L |
25–32 |
| 2011 | Jetta SportWagen | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S6), 5 cyl, 2.5 L Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 2.5 L |
26–32 |
| 2010 | Jetta | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 5 cyl, 2.5 L Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
25–32 |
| 2010 | Jetta SportWagen | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S6), 5 cyl, 2.5 L Auto 6-spd, 5 cyl, 2.5 L |
25–32 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.