2020 Volkswagen Jetta: common problems and reliability

One of the best Jetta years.

53 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 6 recalls.

Should I buy a 2020 Jetta?

The 2020 Volkswagen Jetta has 53 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and engine.

Safety record for the 2020 model year

53
Owner complaints
6
Recalls
1
Crash reports
0
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2020 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles (US, public record).

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

Is 2020 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 53 complaints, the 2020 Jetta sits below 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

electrical system
18
engine
12
service brakes
7
power train
7
fuel/propulsion system
5

Recalls affecting the 2020 Jetta

seats

Campaign 20V505000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.

air bags: air bag/restraint control module

Campaign 21V492000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Jetta and Jetta GLI vehicles. The air bag control module was welded in the incorrect position.

service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper

Campaign 20V359000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling one 2020 Jetta vehicle. The front brake caliper bolts may come loose.

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."

Show 2 more recalls

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.

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 2020 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Jetta against its rivals

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