Which year to buy
Best bet2018Fewest serious problems: 0.3× usual
Newest we'd buy2025The latest year rated a good buy
AvoidNoneNo year stands out as bad
Be careful2010, 2019, 2022More problems; check the recalls were done
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.
2012GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual Extended coverage
314 serious complaints of 526, the most about engine (88) and fuel system (52); per car on the road, 0.8× this model's usual year. 8 recalls. NHTSA investigation EA11003: high-pressure fuel pump failure. NHTSA investigation EA18003: air bag clockspring failure.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate properly. Additionally, the contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was shuddering. The check engine warning light was illuminated.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Jun 2023
“While driving on the interstate at 70 mph in the middle lane of three lanes at approximately 10:00 pm through light rain the glow plug indicator on the dash began to flash. Then the engine lost power. I pulled to the emergency lane where the car lost all engine power and would not restart.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the fuel system, Oct 2014
Fixes and extended coverage
- 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)
- 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 advises dealers regarding the Timing Chain/Timing Chain Tensioner Limited Warranty Extension (VWP-18, Aug 2018)
- 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 The Vehicle Maintenance Declaration has been added back to WISE for the Timing Chain Warranty Extension. (Vehicle, Jan 2019)
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.
526 owner complaints · 8 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 25–32 mpg · NHTSA: 4 of 5 stars · 2012 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; 2.0L 4-cyl turbo diesel; 2.5L 5-cyl · Drive: FWD
2012 Jetta trims
| GLI | 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.