Home · 2019 Volkswagen Jetta · Complaints

What 537 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

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 (537)Crash / fire / injury (34)Transmission & drivetrain (161)Electrical system (149)Engine (144)Brakes (29)Fuel system (29)Lights (26)Visibility & wipers (23)Body & structure (22)Airbags (16)Speed control (16)

Newest first · 537 complaints · page 4 of 22

Sep 9, 2024

My starter and gear shift have been malfunctioning, the starter barely turns over and the gearshift sends out a warning to only exit the vehicle in ‘P’ position…

NHTSA ODI 11613505

Sep 4, 2024Fuel system

Car with 37540 miles check engine light came on, per the dealership the Evap purge valve and the fuel line needs to be replaced. It looks like there is an open recall “ Emissions Recall Code: 20CQ” for the same car but for some reason it excludes my car.

NHTSA ODI 11612628

Sep 3, 2024Electrical system

The ignition switch failed while vehicle was in motion. Engine stalled and the electrical system shut off. There is currently a NHTSA recall on this vehicle (NHTSA recall 23V604, 2019 Jetta manufactured between Sept. 3, 2018, and Dec. 21, 2019) however Volkswagen says our VIN number is not included in their recall (VW recall number 28H7)

NHTSA ODI 11612422

Aug 30, 2024Engine

I purchased 2019 Volkswagen Jetta RLine Turbo in 2022 with 30 something thousand miles with warranty. The car was and only serviced at Volkswagen dealership since purchased(oil changes, etc.). My daughter mentioned several times to the service people the coolant was empty and needed to be refilled they checked and said it probably do to the heat and use of AC. So we took car in for an oil change at 60,000-70,000 to a Volkswagen dealership in Tampa because oil light came on. They said that the engine oil had sludge all throughout the engine. How no way possible. The car had only been serviced at Volkswagen in Brandon were we lived since we purchased it. I couldn’t believe it. They had just serviced our car at Brandon location not even a month or so. They couldn’t find the problem is all I was told. I have spent over $3500 in 5 mths trying to have the dealership mechanics give us an answer. I spent $24,000 for this vehicle and doesn’t have 75,000 miles. They said it is a failure within engine! Help!!!

NHTSA ODI 11611893

Aug 26, 2024Lane DepartureDriver assistance

When accelerating from 1st gear to 2nd gear, the gear gets stuck.. Rpms spike high and the car won't go any faster until it gets unstuck. This has caused issues while in traffic, nearly getting ran over by cars behind me. I can't accelerate as normal when pulling onto a road, there's the risk that the transmission gets stuck and I can't move forward. This car is only 5 years old.

NHTSA ODI 11610946

Aug 22, 2024Electrical systemEngine

I took my car for ignition switch recall but after one month I have same issue tge car won't start

NHTSA ODI 11610175

Aug 19, 2024Electrical systemEngine

I live in Florida where it is very hot - one day my car doesn't turn on and I get the notice on my dashboard that says "STARTER SYSTEM FAULTY. SERVICE VEHICLE". It wont turn on again. I searched the NHTSA website and it seems there is an open recall already, however for some reason my 2019 Jetta is NOT included, and the dealership refuses to claim it under recall. NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V604000 I am submitting this complaint to include this batch of 2019 Jettas also affected.

NHTSA ODI 11609409

Aug 12, 2024Fuel system

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the odor of fuel was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that fuel was leaking underneath the vehicle from the fuel tank. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 138,021.

NHTSA ODI 11607974

Aug 10, 2024Electrical system

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 10-15 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and the electrical system shut down and the vehicle stalled. The message "Ignition Switch Off - Safely Stop the Vehicle" and "Starter System Faulty - Please Service Vehicle" were displayed. The contact was unable to pull the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle shut off again within 5-15 seconds of driving. The message "Starter System Faulty - Please Service Vehicle" was The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 10-15 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and the electrical system shut down and the vehicle stalled. The message "Ignition Switch Off - Safely Stop the Vehicle" and "Starter System Faulty - Please Service Vehicle" were displayed. The contact was unable to pull the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle shut off again within 5-15 seconds of driving. The message "Starter System Faulty - Please Service Vehicle" was displayed.

NHTSA ODI 11607694

Aug 8, 2024Engine

While driving, the car's electrical system failed and came to a complete stop. Identified as a faulty ignition switch by the dealer's service center. I contacted Volkswagen regarding the issue and provided NHTSA's campaign number of 23V604 for a recall on the 2019 Jetta's for ignition switch failure. Volkswagen took my information but stated the recall did not include my car based on the vin number. I am reporting it here to see if there are other Jetta owners who have reported the same issue. The case number with Volkswagen is #06375019.

NHTSA ODI 11607212

Aug 7, 2024Electrical system

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 10-15 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and the electrical system shut down and the vehicle stalled. The message "Ignition Switch Off - Safely Stop the Vehicle" and "Starter System Faulty - Please Service Vehicle" were displayed. The contact was unable to pull the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle shut off again within 5-15 seconds of driving. The message "Starter System Faulty - Please Service Vehicle" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V604000 (Electrical System), which the contact related to the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

NHTSA ODI 11607000

Jul 31, 2024Electrical system

Very similar to Recall #: 28H7 of VW. Was driving in hot temperature and dash displayed warning: "Starter system faulty. Please service vehicle" after a warning sound and message "Car Ignition Off. Please stop vehicle for safety." After this, all my electrical went out (from dash to blinkers to head lights to tail lights). However the car could still accelerate and brake.

NHTSA ODI 11605733

Jul 31, 2024Electrical system

This is the third occurrence of the vehicle engine shutting off without warning. Each time the instrument cluster displayed "Ignition switched off. Safety stop the vehicle" and "starter system faulty" warnings. After the first occurrence (see detailed report submitted on 07-12-24, NHTSA ID # 11601511) the vehicle was taken to a VW dealership on 07-12-24 in Albuquerque, NM. A detailed account of the problem was explained to the dealership and how all the symptoms matched the documentation on active Volkswagen recall #23V604000 (28H7). The dealership immediately said that even though the vehicle was the same year it was not part of the recall, and it would not restart if this was indeed the problem. We completely disagreed on this account as the problem as stated in the Volkswagen recall was related to a polyfuse which by design opens when heated and closes when it cools down. The dealership diagnosed the issue as electrical and replaced the battery ($400) and declared the problem fixed. On 07-30-24 and 07-31-24 vehicle experience same issue as occurred on 07-11-24. Each time the vehicle was parked in +100 F ambient conditions. Vehicle initially starts and when leaving parking lot, the engine suddenly shuts down. Instrument cluster displays same warnings "ignition switch off" and "starter system faulty". Attempts restart the vehicle are unsuccessful, but it appears after the interior of the vehicle has cooled sufficiently it finally restarts and continues to run. Please look into this issue. I see two recently reported issues occurring on 2019 Jetta's that the VIN is not included in the recall. It is not a coincidence when all the symptoms EXACTLY match those in the active Volkswagen recall. Volkswagen should not wait for a body count before action is taken, it is a known problem that is occurring outside of the initially identified recall. Once again this has the potential to result in a dangerous crash if the vehicle should shut itself off without warning.

NHTSA ODI 11605755

Jul 23, 2024Steering

The power steering on my vehicle malfunctioned, never giving me a warning as stated in the owner manual with a yellow steering light. As I was coming down a hill, the red steering light came on accompanied with a loud beep, and I lost power steering, nearly causing an accident. I had a mechanic look at it and the DTC codes he received were B200FF0 and B200F2 The dealership and independent service center I was recommended are unable to service the car for another 3 weeks. The only inspection done on my vehicle has been by a private mechanic There were no warning lights prior to the failure. The owner manual states a yellow steering wheel will illuminate to warn of an issue, then turn red if it's not addressed. This never happened. It went directly to red, and I lost steering during transit.

NHTSA ODI 11604042

Jul 18, 2024Electrical systemSpeed control

the ignition switch fails while the car is in motion, causing shut off the engine and electrical system, this lead to almost had crash.

NHTSA ODI 11603197

Jul 12, 2024Electrical system

On 07-11-24 vehicle was started after sitting in parking lot. When driving vehicle in parking lot the vehicle engine suddenly shut off. Instrument cluster initially had "ignition switch off" then a second warning light showing "starter system faulty". The vehicle was restarted several times and the engine continued to shut off and display "starter system faulty". A short time later the vehicle was restarted and continued to run. At the time outside temperatures were in the high 90's with the indoor car temperature significantly higher as it was parked. A quick internet search revealed active Volkswagen recall #23V604000 (28H7) issued 08-29-23. Volkswagen was contacted on 07-12-24 and at the current time are not recognizing this vehicle as part of the recalled group. I was given case #06334060 for this call. The vehicle is experiencing the EXACT symptoms as stated in the recall notice. The vehicle is in the same year/model as the vehicles in the active recall. I believe that the current recall has not correctly identified all affected vehicles. This has a high potential of resulting in a dangerous situation as the vehicle shuts itself down with no warning.

NHTSA ODI 11601511

Jun 24, 2024Electrical system

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the message "Please Check Starter System" was displayed. Additionally, the engine overheated, and the instrument cluster gauges were inoperable. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V604000 (Electrical System), which the contact related to the failure. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 43,776.

NHTSA ODI 11596186

Jun 22, 2024

There is a yellow triangle caution light keep coming up and it stated that I should park safely and please service vehicle. I think its the shift level causing that warning ️ to appear.

NHTSA ODI 11595948

Jun 21, 2024Electrical systemFuel system

The first time stalling while I was driving the car was stalling in the middle of the road. The second time drove to work park the car when I went to start the car it wouldn't start.

NHTSA ODI 11595683

Jun 18, 2024Electrical systemEngine

Driving on a highway when all of a sudden my car completely shut off and would not turn back on, had to sit in 110 degree weather with my children. everything was completely dead and we could not open the trunk to get our jumper cables.

NHTSA ODI 11595087

Jun 16, 2024

I keep getting a message on my dash saying ONLY EXIT VEHICLE IN “P” Position. Please Service Vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11594628

Jun 11, 2024Electrical system

When weather is warm and interior heats up car will shut off by itself and a message saying "Ignition switch off, safely stop the vehicle," followed by "Starter system faulty, please service vehicle" appears. Vehicle must cool down before it runs normally.

NHTSA ODI 11593771

Jun 7, 2024Electrical systemEngine

VW Jetta should be included in the ignition switch recall. Problem started last year August on a trip out of state. After a day sitting in the hot parking lot on drive back car reported ignition switch failure and all electronics shut off and eventually the car shut off and wouldn't restart until the interior of the car cooled off. Once inside of car cooled down car was drivable again. Contacted dealer they stated they had not serviced another Jetta with this problem yet. They adivised to continue driving and see if problem occurs again. All winter (living in cold climate) it was no problem. In March as things warmed up problem occurred multiple times. Multiple occasions the car shut off in the middle of the road luckily no accidents occurred. Had car serviced at VW dealer, they were able to replicate problem and talked with VW field rep. who said to change the ignition switch. Since replacing the ignition switch my car has not had any issues anymore. I contacted VW Care and asked to add my car to the recall or reimburse my repair cost ($ 320) They refuse and insist that my car does not have the same problem as the recalled 2019/2020 models. I was fortunate that nobody hit me from behind when my car decided to shut off in the middle of a 55 mile an hour road. since the warning lights won't work when this problem occurs. This is a very serious problem and the remedy was to replace the ignition switch. I have the email conversation between the VW CARE rep as well as a copy of my repair bill. The last email I received from VW care states that my car is not part of the recall, that they can not add it to the recall and even though it presents with the exact same problem nothing can be done about it. Please let me know if you need any additional information Sincerely [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11592978

Jun 6, 2024Electrical system

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal beeping sound. The message "Faulty Ignition Starter" was displayed, and the vehicle shut off. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts and continued driving; however, the failure recurred while driving. The contact stated that the failure had recurred several times while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V604000 (Electrical System); however, the dealer and the manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under the recall because the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

NHTSA ODI 11592803

May 15, 2024Electrical system

The incident occurred twice the first time the car stopped in the intersection and a notice came up with ignition failure; start vehicle engine: have vehicle serviced. All the electrical systems shut down except for the radio. No lights, monitor, turn signals, everything shut off except the engine kept running. I changed all the spark plugs but that did not solve the problem. When it gets really hot here in Vegas the cars ignition just fails. They have recalled 47,000 of these 2019 Jetta's for this problem but not mine. They want me to dish out money for something that is obviously their problem.

NHTSA ODI 11588967

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Working with the data? Download all 537 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 11, 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 verdict →