2019 Volkswagen Jetta: common problems and reliability

One of the worst Jetta years.

One of the Volkswagen Jetta years to avoid. All Jetta years

548 owner complaints, most about power train. 11 recalls.

Should I buy a 2019 Jetta?

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta has 548 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 11 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and electrical system.

Safety record for the 2019 model year

548
Owner complaints
11
Recalls
19
Crash reports
3
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles (US, public record).

The Year Score compares this year with other Jetta years only. How we score it

Is 2019 a good year for the Jetta?

Across the 30 Jetta model years we track, complaint volume runs from 44 (2023) to 1,750 (2010). With 548 complaints, the 2019 Jetta sits above the model's median of 318.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

power train
162
electrical system
154
engine
147
service brakes
29
exterior lighting
26

Recalls affecting the 2019 Jetta

unknown or other

Campaign 19V679000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

exterior lighting:headlights

Campaign 18V671000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles equipped with LED headlights. The passenger side headlight may be incorrectly positioned, reducing the driver's visibility when it is dark. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

suspension:rear:springs:coil springs

Campaign 18V904000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas, 2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen, and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.

electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

Campaign 18V824000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles that do not have keyless entry. The instrument cluster may not provide an audible warning to let the driver know that the key is still in the ignition when the door is open. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."

Show 7 more recalls

air bags:frontal

Campaign 19V110000

Volkswagen Group of America (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Jetta vehicles. An incorrect driver frontal airbag may have been installed during a service/repair visit.

suspension:rear:springs:coil springs

Campaign 19V188000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.

wheels

Campaign 19V879000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Jetta GLI, Golf Alltrack, and Golf GTI vehicles. The front wheel bearings may have been improperly machined, potentially causing excessive stress on the wheel, wheel bolts, or wheel bearings.

tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systems

Campaign 22V815000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

electrical system:ignition:switch

Campaign 23V604000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf Sportwagen, 2019-2020 Golf GTI, and Jetta vehicles equipped with a conventional ignition switch. The ignition switch may fail, especially in high temperature environments.

electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

Campaign 23V619000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Jetta vehicles. The instrument cluster may not provide an audible warning to let the driver know that the key is still in the ignition when the door is open. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 114, "Theft Protection."

fuel system, gasoline

Campaign 24V110000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on the specific generation, engine, and maintenance history.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Jetta. See the full Jetta owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used Jetta listings typically run $12,044–$23,549.

Other Jetta model years

Compare every Jetta year side by side to see how 2019 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Jetta against its rivals

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