Home · 2019 Volkswagen Jetta Hev · Complaints

What 541 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta Hev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (541)Crash / fire / injury (34)Transmission & drivetrain (162)Electrical system (152)Engine (146)Brakes (29)Fuel system (29)Lights (26)Visibility & wipers (23)Body & structure (22)Airbags (16)Speed control (16)

Newest first · 541 complaints · page 15 of 22

Feb 2, 2020Engine

I HAVE HAD A VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2019 FOR 3 MONTHS AND I HAVE NOTICED A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IT STARTS THE NOISE AT 30-40MPH AT 1000-3000RPMS, IT'S LOUDER IN ECO MODE BUT CAN STILL BE HEARD IN DRIVE MODE VARY FAINTLY BUT STILL NOTICEABLE. I LOOKED IT UP AND FOUND OUT A LOT OF PEOPLE ALREADY KNOW ABOUT IT SO I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, TOLD THEM ABOUT THE NOISE, 9 HOURS LATER I RECEIVE A CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP TO TELL ME IT WAS NORMAL. THAT THE NOISE WAS PART OF THE TURBO THEY CALLED IT 'TURBOCHARGED'. I'M NO SCIENTIST BUT I KNOW WHAT A TURBO SOUNDS LIKE AND THEY DON'T SOUND LIKE THAT. I JUST WANT THIS PROBLEM FIXED OR A NEW CAR BECAUSE I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT IT GOING TO CAUSE BIGGER PROBLEM THAT MIGHT NOT BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI 11306528

Jan 31, 2020AirbagsSeat beltsCrash1 injury

VEHICLE REAR-ENDED ON A BUSY DAY BETWEEN 5:00 PM TO 6:00 PM ON A THURSDAY. ALL THE AIR-BAGS IN THE CAR DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR-BAG STAYED INFLATED FOR A LONG TIME, AND THE RIGHT SIDE AIR-BAG ALSO DID NOT DEFLATE. INFLATED AIR-BAG HELD THE DRIVER SO TIGHT, AND THE DRIVER COULD NOT EXIT OUT OF THE ACCIDENT CAR. SIMULTANEOUSLY SEAT ALSO HELD THE DRIVER SO TIGHT. THE DRIVER SUFFERED A SIGNIFICANT INJURY FRACTURING HIS STERNUM. THE CAR WAS LESS THAN 40 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER DOWNLOADED THE ELECTRONIC DATA RECORD FROM THE CAR AND NEVER SHARED IT WITH THE DRIVER DESPITE THE WRITTEN REQUEST. DRIVER FEELS BRAKE MAY HAVE FAILED. DRIVER HAS TO SLIDE OUT OF THE CAR AS THE SIDE AIR BAG STAYED INFLATED. PICTURE ATTACHED SHOWS AIR-BAG STAYING INFLATED EVEN AFTER 10-25 MINS AND STARTED TO GO DOWN SLOWLY.

NHTSA ODI 11306408

Jan 30, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A HORRIBLE NOISE FROM 25MPH TO UPWARDS OF 60MPH. THE DEALER HAS NOT ROAD TESTED, BUT IMMEDIATELY HANDED ME A TECH TIP FROM VW CORPORATE THAT SAYS THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION. TAKING IT IN AGAIN FOR ANOTHER WARRANTY REPAIR THIS WEEKEND, BUT THIS DOES NOT ACT LIKE OR SOUND LIME NORMAL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FUNCTION.

NHTSA ODI 11306196

Jan 30, 2020Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

LOUD GRINDING NOISES FROM THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND A LOSS OF POWER WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP TO 35 MPH. AT HIGHER THAN 50 MPH I CAN FEEL SOMETHING RATTLING/VIBRATING IN THE PEDAL AND STEERING WHEEL. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY WON'T EVEN POP THE HOOD BEFORE TELLING ME IT'S NORMAL. ALSO IT WILL NOT STAY IN ECO MODE. I BELIEVE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE CAUSES IT TO SWITCH OUT OF ECO MODE BUT THE BUTTON STILL SAYS IT'S IN ECO MODE. THE DISPLAY HOWEVER SAYS IT'S IN DRIVE MODE.

NHTSA ODI 11306206

Jan 28, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

WHILE DRIVING, THERE IS A GRINDING SOUND FROM THE TRANSMISSION AT THE LOWER/MID RPMS

NHTSA ODI 11302679

Jan 25, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE. THE JETTA ONLY HAS 6,812 MILES ON IT. CLUTCH COMPLETELY FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI 11301872

Jan 15, 2020Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlWheels

ON 9/6/2019 I BOUGHT 2019 VW JETTA 1.4 T R-LINE TSI 16 VALVE DOHC TURBO 4 CYLINDER W/DIRECT FUEL INJECTION. HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FIRST WEEK COMPLAINING ABOUT THE GRINDING AND GROWLING NOISES UNDER 40 MPH RANGE WHILE DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC. I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER DEALERSHIP IT IS NORMAL FOR 8 SPEED TRANSMISSIONS. ALSO SAID THE ONLY WAY STOP THE NOISE IS TO DRIVE IT IN SPORT MOD , NOT GOOD WITH GAS CONSUPTION BUT YOU WON'T HEAR IT. WHILE MAKING A U TURN AND COMING OUT OF A DRIVE WAY INTO CITY TRAFFIC, IT HAS UNPREDICTABLE ACCELERATION WHICH REALLY SHOCKED ME. I LEFT RUBBER AND THE WHEELS MADE A LOUD SOUND ON THE PAVEMENT. IT LARCHED TWICE AND I DO NOT TRUST THIS CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11299542

Jan 15, 2020Transmission & drivetrainBrakes

WHEN PUTTING MY CAR IN REVERSE AND BACKING OUT OF A SPOT BRAKES MAKE A HIGH PITCH RINGING. ALSO, WHEN PARKED MUFFLER/ TAIL PIPE ON THE LEFT SIDE, IT GURGLES AS IF WATER IS BOILING IN IT. CAR IS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD.

NHTSA ODI 11299547

Jan 13, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A GRINDING NOISE WHEN IT IS SHIFTING ON MID TO UPPER LEVEL GEARS. THIS SENDS A VIBRATION THROUGH THE GAS PEDAL AS WELL. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION GOING FORWARD ONLY REGARDLESS OF ROAD AND DRIVING CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ODI 11299083

Jan 13, 2020Brakes

I HAVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION 2019 JETTA GLI. BECAUSE I HAVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, I ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WHENEVER I PARK. IF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS ON FOR A PERIOD OF 3 OR MORE HOURS, IT WILL NOT DISENGAGE WHEN I ATTEMPT TO DO SO WITH THE ELECTRONIC BUTTON. THE ELECTRONIC BUTTON SHOWS IT IS OFF, BUT THE BRAKES ARE STILL ENGAGED. I HAVE TO TRY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO "BREAK" THE PADS AWAY. IT PRODUCES A VERY VIOLENT "BOOM" FROM THE BRAKES AS THEY PULL AWAY. THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS "NORMAL" BECAUSE CONDENSATION STICKS THE PADS TO THE CALIPERS (OR WHATEVER, I DON'T KNOW THE TERMS), BUT IT SEEMS VERY VIOLENT TO ME AND FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES ARE BEING COMPROMISED EVERY TIME I USE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE DEALER WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT THIS.

NHTSA ODI 11299138

Jan 9, 2020Electrical system

ELECTRICAL ISSUES. CAR WON'T LOCK AND I HAVE A SAFETY WARNING STATING ELECTRICAL FAULT.

NHTSA ODI 11298075

Jan 6, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A CHECK UP AND TOLD THEM THAT THE CAR MAKES A HIGH PITCH SQUEAL EVERY TIME I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND I BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. IT ALSO SOUNDS LIKE WHEN I BACK OUT THE BRAKES ARE GRINDING. THIS CAR IS LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS OLD AND HAS LESS THAN 5K MILES AND IM TOLD THAT THIS IS NORMAL AND NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT IS HAVING A PROBLEM AND WITH VW CURRENT "BRAND ISSUES" AND "LACK OF TRUST" I WOULD THINK THEY WOULD WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. EVEN THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY ARE GETTING SEVERAL CARS A DAY WITH THE SAME ISSUES AND THAT VW OF AMERICA SAYS ITS NORMAL..... NOT REALLY SURE HOW THAT IS NORMAL IF EVERYONE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI 11297394

Jan 5, 2020Visibility & wipers

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, CAR IN MOTION, GOING STRAIGHT, NOT TURNING, I HEAR A LOUD POP. THE SOUND WAS SIMILAR TO A GUN SHOT. IN FACT, IT WAS SO LOUD IT STARTLED ME, CAUSING ME TO SWERVE TO THE LEFT, ALMOST HITTING THE CAR IN THE LANE TO THE LEFT OF ME. I FRANTICALLY LOOKED AROUND THE OUSTSIDE OF MY CAR, AND NOTICED THE SOUND OF WIND ABOVE MY HEAD WAS LOUD AND THEN SAW BROKEN GLASS ALL OVER THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE SUNROOF HAD BROKE, AND I KNOW FOR SURE IT WAS NO ROCK OR OUTSIDE CAUSE. IT WAS STILL DAYTIME, AND I NEVER SAW ANYTHING FLY AT ME. THERE WAS NOT AN OVERPASS OR BRIDGE TO DRIVE UNDER FOR ABOUT 8 MILES. SO, I KNOW NOTHING HAD DROPPED ONTO AND THREW THE WINDOW. CURIOUS ABOUT THIS, I LOOK UP ONLINE 'DEFECTIVE BROKEN SUNROOF VW JETTA 19' AND FIND MULTIPLE STORIES OF PEOPLE HAVING SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. I GUESS THIS IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN WITH A LOT OF MAKES AND MODELS OF CARS, BECAUSE THE SUNROOF IS A COMMON FEATURE PUT IN CARS NOWADAYS AND THEY ARE LARGER IN SIZE. ALSO, I FOUND OUT VW IS IN COURT NOW FOR OLDER MODELS OF THEIR CARS HAVING DEFECTIVE SUNROOF, AND THEY KNOW THEY WERE POORLY DESIGNED BUT STILL PUT THEM IN AND SOLD THEM WITH NO DISCLOSURE TO THW CUSTOMER OF THE POOR QUALITY SUNROOF. THIS HAPPENED 12/29/19, AND AS OF NOW THE DEALERSHIP WONT FIX IT. VW WONT FIX AND CLAIM THAT THEIR ENGINEERS ARE SAYING THE WINDOW BROKE FROM THE OUTSIDE, LIKE FROM A ROCK. THESE ENGINEERS ARE CONCLUDING THIS BY LOOKING AT PICTURES. THEY ARE NOT INVESTIGATING MY CAR IN PERSON BUT BY PICTURES SENT TO THEM. IF ONE LOOKS AT THE SUNROOF OF MY CAR IN PERSON YOU CAN SEE THAT THE GLASS HAS BROKEN UP AND OUT WARD TOWARDS THE SKY NOT DOWNWARD TOWARDS THE SEATS, WHICH IS WHAT A ROCK WOULD DO. THEY WANT ME TO CALL MY INSURANCE AND HAVE THEM DEAL WITH IT. THIS IS FRUSTRATING AND NOT RIGHT OF VW. I ALMOST WRECKED, SO THIS SURELY COULD CAUSE A DEATH OR SOMEONE GETTING HURT

NHTSA ODI 11297175

Jan 3, 2020

SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED AND SHATTERED INTO PIECES WHILE MOVING.

NHTSA ODI 11296964

Jan 2, 2020Transmission & drivetrainEngine

GRINDING NOISE FROM TRANSMISSION WHEN TRAVELLING AT 30-40 MPH. SOUND IS LOUDEST IN ECO MODE. HAVING THE SAME ISSUE THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE STATED ONLINE WITH THE 2019 JETTA, AND IT SOUNDS LIKE VW IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT SAY IT'S NORMAL SINCE ALL OF THE 2019 JETTAS ARE DOING THIS.

NHTSA ODI 11296652

Jan 1, 2020Electrical systemEngine

THE VEHICLE IS A 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT WHEN COMING TO A STOP. NOT USER ERROR, SINCE THE STALLING HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS IN NEUTRAL - COASTING TO A STOP. STALL OUT IS VERY SOFT - AKIN TO JUST SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE. THIS HAPPENS NEARLY EVERY STOP AFTER RUNNING THE CAR FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. THIS PHENOMENON IS REPEATABLE AND EXTREMELY UNSAFE.

NHTSA ODI 11292489

Dec 28, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

ON DEC 14, 2019 I PURCHASED A NEW 2019 VW JETTA SEL FROM A VW DEALERSHIP. THE CAR HAD ONLY 7 MILES ON IT. THE DAY AFTER I PURCHASED IT, I NOTICED A CONSISTENT GRINDING, GROWLING OR RUBBING NOISE WHEN TRAVELING AT LOWER SPEEDS. THE CAR SEEMS SLOW, LIKE IT'S NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. IT HAPPENS ALL DAY LONG, EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT & I WAS TOLD THIS IS A NORMAL SOUND. IT DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT TO ME, I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY. BRAND NEW CAR! THEN I GOT ON THE INTERNET TODAY ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THERE IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH 2019 VW JETTAS - MAYBE THE TRANSMISSION OR THE TORQUE CONVERTER.

NHTSA ODI 11291791

Dec 27, 2019Visibility & wipers

WIPER BLADES RANDOMLY START GOING. WIPER ARM IS IN OFF POSITION, IT IS NOT RAINING. SCARES ME WHEN DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11291518

Dec 26, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

2019 JETTA S. 8SPD AUTO. GRINDING NOISE FROM 4-6TH GEAR. 15-25 MPH. LACK OF POWER AND NOT FEELING COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE CAR UNDER HEAVY ACCELERATION OR LOAD.

NHTSA ODI 11291283

Dec 25, 2019BrakesEngine

I WAS WAITING FOR A PARKING SPACE AND WAS PLACING THE CAR IN REVERSE TO GIVE MORE ROOM FOR THE PERSON TO BACK UP AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND AGAIN THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK THEN BACK IN REVERSE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. I AGAIN PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, RESTARTED THE CAR PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND THE CAR WENT IN REVERSE..THIS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE. THE OTHER INCIDENT WAS I WAS REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND THE VEHICLE BRAKES JAMMED ON..I CHECKED FOR VEHICLES/PEOPLE PRIOR TO BACKING UP AND THERE WERE NO VEHICLES/PEDESTRIANS PRESENT BUT THE BRAKES ENGAGED ANYWAY. THE SECOND TIME THIS OCCURRED I WAS TRAVELING AT 40 MPH AND THE BRAKES JAMMED ON AGAIN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY HAD HEARD ABOUT THIS "PHANTOM" BRAKING" BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHY AND AS FAR AS THE VEHICLE NOT MOVING, JUST SHUTTING DOWN THEY SAID THAT THEY RECEIVED AN EMAIL SAYING THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE COMPUTER CHIP AND I AM STILL WAITING TO HEAR THE OUTCOME.

NHTSA ODI 11291183

Dec 19, 2019Transmission & drivetrainEngine

I RECENTLY STARTED A LEASE FOR A 2019 JETTA SE. I STARTED TO NOTICE A STRANGE SOUND LIKE SCRAPPING AND GRINDING AS THE CAR ACCELERATED AND PARTICULARLY AROUND THE 20-30 MPH MARK. IT IS ALMOST LIKE A SHALLOW HOWLING AND SEEMINGLY FROM THE TRANSMISSION. PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT I BROUGHT THE CAR NEW ABOUT 25 MILES ON IT AND THE NOISE STARTED ALMOST INSTANTLY. THE VW DEALERSHIP I WENT TO GAVE NO GOOD RESOLUTION AND INFORMED ME THAT THE NOISE WAS 'NORMAL' OF THIS TRANSMISSION. A NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION OF A NEW CAR SHOULD NEVER BE TAKEN AS 'NORMAL'. I HAVE ENJOYED DRIVING THE 2017 MODEL THE LAST 3 PRIOR YEARS AND AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS RESPONSE AND THE WAY THE VEHICLE IS FUNCTIONING. I HOPE VW DOES THE RIGHT THING WITH EITHER A PROPER FIX OR A RECALL. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE LONGEVITY OF THIS ISSUE AND WHAT IT MEANS SAFETY WISE NOW AND DOWN THE LINE.

NHTSA ODI 11290054

Dec 18, 2019AirbagsSeat belts

WHEN MOBILE DEVICE IS PLACED IN PASSENGERS SEAT SEATBELT LIGHT COMES ON AND AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11289801

Dec 18, 2019Engine

ENGINE BURNING THROUGH OVER A QUART OF OIL BEFORE 10K OIL CHANGES.

NHTSA ODI 11289803

Dec 18, 2019Electrical system

MY CAR SHUTS ITSELF OFF RANDOMLY. AT STOP LIGHTS, SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY, IN THE CAR PICK UP LINE AT SCHOOL ETC. I ASKED THE DEALER TO LOOK INTO THIS. AT TIMES IT WILL TELL ME THE CAR HAS TO SHUT OFF TO KEEP THE BATTERY FROM ANY DAMAGE. THE DEALER CLAIMS IT'S NORMAL BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE ONLINE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS. I DON'T THINK IT'S NORMAL.

NHTSA ODI 11289974

Dec 17, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

RANDOM SHORT GRINDING SOUND AROUND 25-35MPH IN 5TH GEAR OR IN REVERSE WHEN AT LOW RPM (1,200). SOUNDS LIKE IT IS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION AREA/TORQUE CONVERTER. VEHICLE IN MOTION GOING STRAIGHT OR TURNING WHEN THIS OCCURS.

NHTSA ODI 11289692

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Working with the data? Download all 541 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2019 Volkswagen Jetta Hev verdict →