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 5 of 22

Apr 26, 2024Fuel system

Check engine light is on. When it’s checked it says a fuel emissions leak. Code is cleared and then turns back on a month later.

NHTSA ODI 11585481

Apr 25, 2024Fuel system

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the contact smelled a strong gasoline odor inside the vehicle. An unknown local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11585277

Apr 23, 2024

I know there is a Shift Lever Micro Switch Recall for the Volkswagen Jetta up to the year 2018. My car is the 2019 model and I am getting the error message for this issue. Can the recall be expanded to include the 2019 model? For now, I am setting my parking brake to keep my car from possibly rolling when I park.

NHTSA ODI 11584650

Apr 21, 2024Steering

The steering lock has miraculously failed and several other individuals have made this complaint. VW advised this is a known issue but has not issued a recall to have this fixed. Instead, we are forced to pay thousands to fix their mistake when it came to manufacturing

NHTSA ODI 11584364

Apr 19, 2024Electrical system

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 35 – 45 MPH, the instrument cluster went blank, and the “Safety System Failure - Stop Vehicle” message was displayed. The contact stated that the A/C, radio, and hazard lights became inoperable. The contact pulled over and stopped the vehicle. After five minutes, the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V604000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was informed about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,413.

NHTSA ODI 11583982

Apr 18, 2024Suspension

Rear coil spring broke while driving about 50 mph in a straight line. A loud bang was heard in the rear of the car. This was confirmed by the dealer during an oil change. I see that this was a recall for other 2019 VW Jetta models.

NHTSA ODI 11583770

Apr 17, 2024Fuel system

-It is not pumping gas correctly, it started out as while I pump gas it will stop frequently. I brought it to the mechanic and they replaced the evap system canister & now (while pumping) it stops even more frequently than before. Now I can only pump about 3/4 full & when I get to "full" it overflows. -I believe it is a safety concern because it is the fuel tank system. -It is available for inspection. -The problem hasn't been reproduced, it has been confirmed that 2019 VW Jetta GLI, 2019 VW Golf Sportwagen's, as well as some Audi's have been recalled for this problem. Has been confirmed that this is how it starts out. -No, there were not any indicators or symptoms prior to the problem beginning. It first started at the end of January of 2024.

NHTSA ODI 11583688

Apr 16, 2024BrakesEngine

The car is making a weird sound when I break. It sounds like liquid is moving around and another sound. The central caution off in my car and the airbags too

NHTSA ODI 11583416

Apr 15, 2024Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING. ALL ELECTRICAL TURNS OFF, DASHBOARD GOES DARK CODE READS STARTER SYSTEM FAULTY, IGNITION SWITCHED OFF, PLEASE SERVICE VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI 11582990

Apr 9, 2024Electrical system

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ODI 11581996

Mar 18, 2024Transmission & drivetrainCrash2 injuries

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle in a handicapped parking space, the vehicle failed to stop despite the contact's foot firmly depressed on the brake pedal. As the vehicle continued to move forward with the contact's foot depressed to the floorboard, the vehicle drove over the parking barrier, knocked over the handicapped post, and entered the sidewalk. The vehicle eventually decelerated and the contact managed to shift the vehicle into reverse(R) and regain control of the vehicle. The contact was uncertain if any warning lights appeared on the instrument panel during the failure. Despite the property damage and emotional distress suffered by both the contact and the passenger, no injuries were reported and no immediate medical attention was needed. A police report was not filed and the air bags did not deploy as a result of the failure. The incident was reported to the store manager. The contact was able to drive the vehicle back home without incident. The manufacturer nor the dealer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or serviced. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

NHTSA ODI 11577941

Mar 18, 2024Engine

Exhaust cam phaser cover bolt backed out. It hit the engine casing which caused the exhaust cam phaser to misfunction.disfunction. The car has not been checked by a dealer but is available for inspection.

NHTSA ODI 11578161

Feb 29, 2024AirbagsCrash1 injury

1. Was rear ended on [XXX]. The air bag in my vw jetta 2019 did not deploy. The car is currently at the Ritchey Automotive 5320 I-55 North in Jackson, MS... It is available for inspection upon request. 2. No. 3. No. The car was sent to the collision center for rear bumper repair and cosmetics. 4. No. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11574620

Feb 27, 2024Fuel system

refueling problems - early stopping of gas station fuel nozzles - then the fuel would spillback on me during the refueling at the gas station 4/10/2023 - early stopping of gas station fuel nozzles - remove and replace leak detection pump - evaporative emissions system and leak detection pump 7/27/2023 - continued early stopping then fuel spillback (very dangerous situation) during refueling - remove and replace gas tank - problems have not returned

NHTSA ODI 11574152

Feb 22, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

My son, [XXX] , bought a 2019 Jetta on [XXX] from Westside VW in St. Louis Park, MN. It was marked as a Certified vehicle. On [XXX] the clutch started slipping. Later that day it gave out completely, and had to be towed to Westside. After service looked, they said that the clutch was burned out, and that this is a “wear and tear” item like tires so that he was on the hook for the entire cost of repairs, $3,433.16. When we pushed harder, they indicated that the clutch had actually been replaced just before [XXX] bought the car, when it had 43,111 miles. It failed at 52,829 miles. He has been driving manual transmission vehicles for around 15 years. I first handed down a 2000 Passat 5-speed that I bought new, and he drove that until it fell apart with around 150,000 miles and the original transmission. Later he bought a 2015 Toyota Corolla with a manual transmission, and drove that for over 80,000 miles until it was totaled in 2023. The point is that he is an experienced driver of manual transmissions. Westside claimed that he caused the clutch to wear out in less than six months and 9,718 miles. Clearly there is a problem with the vehicle if it needs two completely-new clutches in that period of time and low mileage. We are very disappointed and dissatisfied with both Volkswagen quality and Westside VW for not standing by their product. [XXX] is terrified that, despite his most cautious driving, the clutch will again fail in six months or so. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11573387

Feb 5, 2024Electrical system

Starter system faulty message. Car shuts off when it gets warm. Shut down while driving on interstate.

NHTSA ODI 11570077

Feb 1, 2024Electrical systemEngine

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 30–40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The instrument cluster was blank. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V604000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11569330

Jan 23, 2024Electrical system

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V604000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11567286

Jan 22, 2024Electrical systemEngine

when getting into the car the ignition switch failed to start 8 times. This happens every time I enter the vehicle where I live which is a cold climate. The recall is suspected only to affect the car in hotter climates but my car has been affected in the cold. It stalled while I was driving as well and I was able to turn the car back on. On the screen, it said failed transmission. This recall has been mailed to me 5 months ago and is still not yet fixed. I have been paying for my car on time monthly and am struggling to drive my car to the ignition switch failing. The car stalling did not hurt me and luckily no one was behind me. volkswagen has recognized the issue and sent out a recall in the mail but It's taking so long to fix and was not supposed to stall like this. the warning light was that there was failed transmission. my car has been inspected by Fitzgerald and they are unable to do anything about it because there is no remedy for the issue at the moment.

NHTSA ODI 11566961

Jan 16, 2024Electrical system

There has been a recall out on my vehicle for the past 6 months. Previous to this recall being announced by Volkswagen I had issues with my vehicle starting, the dealership determined it was the ignition switch and replaced it out of my pocket. Since this recall being out I have noticed the same issue starting to come back. I have been in person to my local dealership and spoken to many managers as well as waited HOURS trying to contact VW Corporate. I have exhausted all ends and ultimately VW has put me into a position where my vehicle is no a reliable car to drive on day to day life having responsibilities. They have stated that I can have the current issue fixed (the recall) but it will be replaced with the same part and come out of my pocket as well as saying that I will run into this issue again until VW Corporate has come out with a solution and so far it has taken 6 months. I have waited patiently, as we all know, as time goes on the issue is progressing. My local dealership keeps trying to get me to trade in my vehicle but I should not have to take more money out of my pocket when this is a RECALL to begin with.

NHTSA ODI 11565822

Jan 16, 2024Electrical system

Manufacture hasn’t come up with repairs my car turns off complete while driving. I haven’t been able to drive it because I’m scared of being or cause an accident please help

NHTSA ODI 11565867

Jan 12, 2024Electrical system

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V604000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11565181

Jan 8, 2024Electrical system

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V604000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11564215

Dec 30, 2023

I had been having issues with car turning off while I was driving, at times leaving me stuck at a red light or stop sign. I’d get a warning on my car that said “Please check the starter system”. At times, my car wouldn’t start at all. This issue had been happening since around March 2023 and it’s the end of July 2023, my car stopped turning on completely. I have not been able to use my car. A recall was issued for the problems I had been having in September 2023. I haven’t been able to use my car in almost 6 months

NHTSA ODI 11562752

Dec 28, 2023Seat belts

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the front driver’s and front passenger’s side seat belts failed to remain buckled while driving with the seat belt warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that the failure was a manufacturer’s defect. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed the contact that the part was not covered under warranty or recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11562351

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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 →