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Engine & cooling

Volkswagen Jetta Engine problems by year

2,014 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Volkswagen Jetta's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20261000
20251000
202413000
202312000
202212000
20215000
202012000
2019149440
20182000
201735321
201645201
201545101
2014114320
2013116201
201295102
2011119343
2010190100
2009168110
200826101
200725111
200693001
200568021
200448001
200363201
2002113001
2001120121
2000131041
199977201
199815000
199717010
199620000
199523021
199418001
19930001
19926010
19914020
19907000
19892000
19873010
19851000

Engine recalls

Latest Jetta engine complaints

2019 Volkswagen JettaSteeringEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the EPS, steering, and engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was scheduled to be diagnosed and repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed Incident Steering · EngineNHTSA 11776051
2016 Volkswagen JettaEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle was shaking erratically, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. In addition, the steering wheel was firm, and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was restarted and the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with spark...

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plugs and valve cover gasket failures and the engine was cleaned. The contact was informed that the engine was covered in oil. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where a smoke and dye test was completed. The contact was informed that the spark plugs and valve cover gaskets needed to be replaced. In addition, a full engine cleaning was needed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the following morning, the contact noticed oil all over the ground underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed back to the independent mechanic where the valve cover gaskets, sealants, and spark plug were replaced. In addition, the engine was cleaned again. The failure reoccurred with the low battery warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the serpentine belt was shredded. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was driven to the residence, but the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that in addition, the vehicle was smoking and the engine seized. The contact referenced a recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure.

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · EngineNHTSA 11773936
2024 Volkswagen JettaBrakesEngine & cooling

My rear breaks needed replacement at 18k miles, after some research online it is apparent other owners of the 2024 VW Jetta have experienced issues with their brakes needing replacement early. At around 37k miles the engine light for my car turned on and the car began having acceleration issues. I brought my car to a dealership as it was under warranty, and bought brand new, that was about three months ago. Neither the dealership or VW technicians have been able to identify the issue. Again, based on online research other drivers of the 2024 VW Jetta have had issues with the engine.

Filed Incident Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11771790
2017 Volkswagen JettaEngine & coolingFuel system

I was driving on Monday [redacted] when my car started to smoke and smell of fumes. The EPC light came on and my car was stuttering, so I immediately pulled over and turned off the car. When I got out I noticed a large pool of gas under the front of the car. I called a tow truck who brought it to Crew VW in [[redacted]] who diagnosed to car with broken fuel rail bolts which caused the fuel injectors to pop and fuel to leak. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11771082
2009 Volkswagen JettaEngine & cooling

I am reporting an unsafe vehicle release and failed recall remedy by Findlay Volkswagen Henderson regarding NHTSA Campaign Number 16V913000 (Volkswagen Campaign 45F2) on my 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. The dealership closed out the safety recall on October 7, 2026, via Invoice #485977, claiming the repair was finalized. However, their paperwork is explicitly non-compliant. Page 1 bills out an outdated, uncorrected factory part number (1K0-907-375-AH), completely violating the 45F2 safety protocol which mandates upgraded...

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replacement modules 1K0-907-375-AP or 1K0-907-375-AN. Furthermore, Page 2 text contains the technician's actual notes stating he only did a temporary module reset to force a signal and explicitly writes: "CONTINUED WITH RECALL AND FOUND MODULE REQUIRES REPLACEMENT." Due to this uncompleted safety recall repair and use of non-compliant hardware, the ABS module suffered a complete network communication crash immediately upon leaving the dealership lot. This sudden network failure cut off critical speed sensor data to the vehicle's transmission, instantly dropping the vehicle into an automatic transmission 'Limp Mode' while driving on public roads. The transmission locked into a single safety gear and refused to shift, causing a severe, sudden loss of vehicle acceleration and creating an immediate traffic hazard. When contacted immediately at 5:30 PM, the dealership refused to tow the vehicle to correct their failed recall remedy and demanded I pay an out-of-pocket diagnostic fee. The vehicle is currently un-repaired, hazardous to operate, and stranded.

Filed Incident Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11769785
2022 Volkswagen JettaEngine & cooling

The vehicle is currently experiencing steady coolant loss with no external puddles.My vehicle is at 65,000 miles, placing it just 5,000 miles outside of the 60,000-mile factory powertrain warranty. This specific issue matches the exact symptoms of Volkswagen Technical Service Bulletin #2071245 (Service Action 15-23-01) regarding the premature failure of the factory head gasket.Because this is a well-documented manufacturing defect that VW.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11756558
2024 Volkswagen JettaElectrical systemAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

I own a Silver 2024 Volkswagen Jetta. My car stopped accelerating while I was driving on the freeway on 7/18/2026 which was a huge safety issue resulting in my car needing to be towed to the dealership because it was not drivable. The warning lights came on after the car stopped accelerating on the freeway. My car needs a ECM replacement which is covered by the Federal Emissions Warranty and I received a call from my Volkswagen representative on the case at Family Volkswagen of Burleson. The representative with...

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Volkswagen told me on 7/25/2026 that the ECM needs to be replaced as they did not think it was safe for them to release the vehicle until this repair has been made and they were waiting for Volkswagen to authorize the repair. The representative later stated that Volkswagen will not authorize the replacement of the ECM and this is a safety concern. The dealership has not completed a repair for this issue and this vehicle does not need to be on the road for the safety of me and others. The dealership have told me I can pick up the vehicle and just bring it back if the safety issues occurs again, I refuse to pick up this car due to the safety issues and concerns. I have contacted the corporate office of Volkswagen and they have not responded to me on why they declined the authorization for this repair.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 11754339
2017 Volkswagen JettaTransmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

Note: (never has any issues before ever as vehicle always maintained and taken directly to vw for maintenance.) /-/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I was driving: came to a stop: light turned Green proceeded to go through intersection YET VEHICLE. KT NOT MOVE! Put lever into park: turned off car and turned back on : put thr stick BACK INTO DRIVE - NOTHING HAPPENED I GUNNED it BY pushing my foot on the gas VW Jetta ALMOST REDLINED but didnt: was able to get across the interaction as I turned Left . Car sputtered: Car died: CAR CAUGHT FIRE! put fire out with towel: transmission fluid expelled: Car SEIZED ALL MOVEMENT Car would turned on with push start: could put in ALL GEARS BUT WOULD NOT MOVE

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11753433
2019 Volkswagen JettaElectrical systemEngine & cooling

The vehicle experiences a sudden engine stall shortly after starting, accompanied by an immediate dashboard error message stating: "Starter system faulty, please service vehicle." An OBD-II diagnostic scan confirms active fault code P253200 (Ignition Switch Run Position Circuit High). This failure mirrors Volkswagen Safety Recall 28H7 / NHTSA Campaign 23V604 exactly, but my specific VIN is currently excluded from the recall database. The sudden stalling presents an immediate traffic safety and crash hazard.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11751931
2019 Volkswagen JettaElectrical systemEngine & cooling

I bought a VW 2019 Jetta used in 2023 from a Volkswagen dealer in Bayside, Queens with about 20k miles on it. There was a recall on the car for a faulty ignition switch and prior to getting my car inspected recently, it needed to be taken care of to pass inspection as well as an oil sensor contributing to a check engine light. Both were taken care of by VW Platinum Service in Hicksville and the car passed inspection with a mileage now with about 62k miles. Since then, my car on two extremely hot days has shut off...

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on me completely while driving. The first time it happened, they inspected the car again and assured me after several tests there were no issues with the car. I had the car back for about 2 weeks and then this past Friday 7/17, the car shut off on me again and I towed it to the same service center. They keep claiming it has nothing to do with the recall and provide me with service reports that say "no codes found" after their inspection. They want to charge me for additional tests and "mechanical diagnostics" as per the owner of the center. There is ample evidence online that suggests the symptoms I am experiencing with my car are exactly attributed to the recall they claim to have fixed. There was never an issue prior to getting the recall taken care of and the inspection at this service center. They do not care about my safety concerns and I am legitimately afraid to drive the car around. The only reason why I am not injured yet is because it thankfully has died while driving at lower speeds leaving work in a parking lot.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11751785
2023 Volkswagen JettaEngine & cooling

Car was started on afternoon of [redacted] and the Low Coolant alert sound and dashboard light came on. Opened hood and car was completely out of coolant. Took to Royal Automotive, Vestavia Hills, AL on Wednesday [redacted] to be fixed. Dealer assessment was "PERFORMED COOLING SYSTEM LEAK TEST. THE VEHICLE PASSED TEST. CHECK FOR VISUAL LEAKS. FOUND NO LEAKS, BUT FOUND SEEPAGE AT THE HEAD GASKET. VOLKSWAGEN SAID THIS WAS NORMAL PER 00-26-01 - DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FLUID LEAKAGE AND SEEPAGE. TOP OFF COOLING...

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SYSTEM." The car was purchased new by me in October 2022 and my warranty expires in October 2022. It has just over 17,100 miles on it. Further, Volkswagen published a Technical Service Bulletin 15-23-01 - Head Gasket Leakage on [redacted] documenting known problems with head gaskets for my car's engine. Despite dealership stating the head gaskets is leaking, Volkswagen stated to the dealership it doesn't warrant repair. I believe Volkswagen should repair at their expense the defect of their vehicle. The dealership acknowledged the head gasket is clearly "seeping" coolant. Coolant shouldn't be leaking at all from a closed loop system. This is causing a potential safety issue for my [[redacted]] daughter who drives the car, as when the head gasket fully fails as documented by Volkswagen, the car could be in traffic and put my daughter's life and other peoples lives in jeopardy from a blown engine or an overheated engine. It's unacceptable that Volkswagen's direction is for us to carry around a gallon of coolant and constantly check the coolant levels because they don't want to fix their known defect. I called Volkswagen customer care and complained. They refused to assist, stating they stand by the dealership's assessment. I reminded them that the dealership was doing what Volkswagen directed, but that didn't change their decision. I asked for escalation, was told it was escalated twice and that their decision is not changing. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11751628
2019 Volkswagen JettaElectrical systemEngine & cooling

The vehicle is a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta (VIN [[redacted]]). The primary malfunction appears to involve the vehicle's electrical and starting system. The vehicle intermittently displays a "Starter System Faulty" warning message and has shut off unexpectedly while driving, particularly during periods of hot weather. The exact failed component has not been definitively identified, but the symptoms are consistent with an ignition switch or electrical system defect. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request....

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This defect creates a serious safety risk because the vehicle can lose power and stall while in motion. The unexpected shutdown places the driver, passengers, and surrounding motorists at risk of a crash, especially when driving at higher speeds or in traffic. The problem has occurred multiple times and has persisted despite repair attempts. More than $1,000 has been spent on repairs related to this issue, but the problem has not been resolved. The vehicle has been inspected and repaired by service technicians; however, the underlying cause has not been successfully corrected. The vehicle has not been involved in a crash as a result of the defect, but the recurring stalling and loss of power present an ongoing safety concern. Volkswagen has been contacted regarding the issue, but assistance has not resolved the problem. Prior to the vehicle shutting off, warning messages including "Starter System Faulty" appeared on the dashboard. The issue is more likely to occur during hot weather conditions. These warning messages began appearing before the stalling events and continue to occur despite repair efforts. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11742778
2022 Volkswagen JettaEngine & cooling

Head Gasket, premature failure at 49k miles. Online this a very common issue for Jetta and Taos owners that Volkswagen is not addressing through a recall. This will cause engines to fail.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11742452

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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