What 537 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

A minute after starting my car sitting in a hot parking lot, the entire car and engine shut off. A message popped up saying “please check starter system”. I looked this up and seems to be an extremely common issues with 2019 Jettas, and everyone has had issues with getting it fixed. Mechanics have said there’s “no issue” with the car because it won’t shut off every time. Some even had their cars shut off on the highway. My car has about 25,000 miles and is in great shape. I’m terrified to drive it for safety reasons, and I don’t have money to take it in anywhere. I’m so disappointed there has not been a recall on this common, extremely dangerous issue. There were no prior warning lights or signs.

NHTSA ODI 11530043

When interior gets hot, check starter system message displays and all gauges, AIR conditioning system, infotainment system and all associated systems become inoperable. This becomes especially dangerous as it will happen while driving.

NHTSA ODI 11529453

Starter System Faulty. Please service vehicle. Warning shows on screen when high temperature outside. Car will not start/turn on if the weather is hot outside. I researched the issue and multiple 2019 Jetta users have the same issue when weather is hot outside.

NHTSA ODI 11529123

Driving down the highway and received a “starter system failure” message. All electronics in the car shutoff. Engine continued to run normally.

NHTSA ODI 11528187

I purchased the vehicle on 6/10/3023 and that evening I noticed a dashboard error message that the Rear View camera was unavailable. Due to my work schedule I was unable to get back to the dealership until Monday, 6/12/2023. On Monday I asked [XXX], my sales representative, and [XXX], a sales manager, what it meant and how to fix it. They offered Wes, a repair technician, to come look. [XXX] left rapidly and never returned, so I left for work. On 6/15/2023 I had the car inspected by my mechanic for an assessment and he stated that I needed a new electrical body harness for the repair. This part costs over $5K, plus labor; total estimate $12,742.14. My safety is at risk because this electrical issue not only renders (this list is not exhaustive): the back-up camera useless, but also the seat belt sensor, side mirror lights, and the front proximity sensors work only intermittently. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11527475

When the car sits in direct sunlight and the interior temperature raises above 100F, the car will start and all is well for a minute or so and then the ignition fails. Dash says check starter system and all gauges, clusters, infotainment system, interior and exterior lights turn off. The car thinks that it is off electronically but it still runs, shifts, and drives. Attached photo was taken after I left home, traveling on highway at ~55mph.

NHTSA ODI 11527355

Driving my car in 85+ degree weather and an alert came on that said “check starter system,” “find a safe place to park,” “ignition shutting off.” My car shut off on the highway. A quick google search found that hundreds of people with 2019 jettas were having this exact same problem. This issue has now happened twice with my car, both when temperatures exceeded 85 degrees.

NHTSA ODI 11526711

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle lost electrical power; however, the engine remained running. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the “STOP Safely” message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11525429

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the check starting system warning light illuminated. The contact stated he had experienced the failure a total of four times within two months. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and continued to experience the failure in warmer weather. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,400.

NHTSA ODI 11523270

The Car lost all electrical components, gauges, turn signals, and possibly break lights while in operation. If I had been unlucky, I could have been rear-ended or ended up in an accident if my brake lights were not working and I could not tell how fast I was going. First, the car dinged and said "Please check starter system" while I was downshifting while coming to a stop. The engine remained running, but I lost all gauges, dashboard lights, cabin controls, and turn signals.

NHTSA ODI 11523348

While driving my vehicle to a town 20 minutes away, as I was exiting the highway my vehicle turned off completely. Gave a “Ignition switched off, Please stop safely” message and shortly after popped up a “Please check starter system” message. This was on a fairly hot day. I was able to pull over, let it cool off and drive back home. I called the Vorderman Volkswagen in Fort Wayne Indiana and they told me the issue was my battery, paid $500 for a new battery. 3 weeks later on May 12th as I’m driving home from work, my vehicle turns off again and gives the same messages. At this point I’m very irritated because I explained to the dealership what I believe it is because MULTIPLE others have had the same issue and they ignored me. I’ve tried to explain to them this second time that it has something to do with the ignition switch but they keep telling me “nothing is wrong” they want to give my vehicle back unfixed and I feel very unsafe driving something that turns off while I’m driving it and doesn’t work unless it’s cooler outside.

NHTSA ODI 11522341

THE CAR WILL JUST SHUT DOWN. IF THE CAR IS PARKED IN THE SUN IT WILL JUST RANDOMLY NOT START. SINCE THE TEMPATURES OUTSIDE HAVE GOTTEN WARMER IT HAS NOW DONE 3 TIMES: THE CAR WILL START FINE AS I AM DRIVING THE ELECTRICAL PANELS AND EVERYTHING SHUTS OFF BUT THE GAS STILL WORKS AND THE CAR SAYS CHECK STARTER SYSTEM. MY 16 YEAR OLDS DRIVE THIS CAR. THE INSTRUMENT PANELS ALL TURN OFF. THE CAR HAS ALSO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE WHILE IN MOTION THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOESNT SHOW AND BECAUSE IT IS RANDOM MY MECHANIC CANNOT FIND THE MAIN PROBLEM AND PARTS RELATED TO THIS ARE SOLD OUT WITH VW DUE TO IF YOU LOOK EVERYONE IS HAVING THIS ISSUE. SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE PLEASE. MY CAR HAS SERVICE RECORDS JUST 50,000 MILES AND ITS BEEN AN ON GOING ISSUE FOR AWHILE. WE CANT TRADE IT IN FOR FINANCIAL REASONS BUT HAVE TO DRIVE IT. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE OUR KIDS DRIVING OUR HYUNDAI AND WE DRIVE THIS JETTA CAUSE I WOULD RATHER IT SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WITH HE OR I DRIVING THAN THEM. PLEASE THIS JETTA WILL KILL THE DRIVERS, PASSENGERS AND WHOEVER CRASHES INTO IT WHEN IT KEEP SHUTTING OFF. IT HAS BEEN AT THE SHOP FOR A WEEK AT A TIME AT TIMES TRYING TO FIX THIS

NHTSA ODI 11521570

When my car gets hot from the sun it turns off my whole electrical system in the car including my radio and speedometer

NHTSA ODI 11520503

The vehicle steering has been off and alignment when driving. My gas gauge has been off constantly, since I've owned the vehicle. I documented this many times and reported this to the dealership under warranty and Volkswagen care.

NHTSA ODI 11518599

Vehicle parked under the sun, temperature reaching 85 degree, hotter inside the cabin. Vehicle started with no issues but "Check starter system" warning comes up and all the electrical component shut off its power, including all the gauge in the dashboard and radio. Headlight is not working as well after few min. Car drives (manual transmission) with no issues. When the car is placed under the shade/cools down, shows no problems. Some of owners reported the faulty ignition switch, part number 5Q1-905-865-A. Google search of "2019 Jetta check starter system" results in multiple complaints. The part in question is in national back order, suggesting the issue is more wide spread.

NHTSA ODI 11516763

The car has an active grill shutter vulnerability where it could be damaged easily by snow and or rain while driving the vehicle It malfunctions, and according to internet traffic, it seems to malfunction often. To repair/replace this small motor THE ENTIRE FRONT BUMPER/GRILL assembly needs to be removed. It is not an easily repaired item outside of the dealership. And the cost to replace including parts and labor is about $1300 estimate for a simple shutter motor. This is not fair to the owners of these VW vehicles.

NHTSA ODI 11514103

While driving, the following warning will appear “Starter system faulty! Service vehicle.” The instrument panel will then shut down entirely, and brake lights, headlights, and blinkers will not work. This can happen anywhere—on the highway traveling at 70 mph at night, for example. When the vehicle is pulled over and turned off, it will restart as normal—but while driving it might shut down again. There are numerous complaints on the internet, in VW forums and elsewhere, and the dealers do not seem to know how to correct the problem because it doesn’t happen all of the time. It is unpredictable. This creates an extraordinarily dangerous situation, and the vehicles should be recalled and VW should correct the issue immediately.

NHTSA ODI 11512702

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the failure electrical, child safety start, and stop defect, and other electrical features failed to function as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the ECM software was updated. The vehicle was repaired but the failure continued, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer who stated that the vehicle needed a battery replacement. The battery was replaced but the failure continued. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 13,805.

NHTSA ODI 11507478

I was driving on a active snowing highway at 7pm when an alert appeared on the dashboard to “check starter system” and “pull vehicle over…”. During this time im on the highway going about 6mph and everything electrical turned off including my headlights and windshield wipers turned off. I was able to activate my hazards and pull off the highway but due to the snow and everything electrical cutting off my windows fogged up and almost caused me to crash into a semi-truck. I have googled this issue and it seems to be very common for this specific vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11495564

I bought the car October 1 2022 around October 15th it shut off without and warning while crossing over a intersection on November 19th I was on i95 north and it shut off again with no warning I got to the side of the highway and it started I got about a mile up the highway and it shut off a 3rd time this time it said error stop/start

NHTSA ODI 11494266

As I was driving, all gauges went black. The vehicle continued to run until I came to a complete stop then the engine stopped. It would start for a few minutes. When it did it would shut down when I put it in gear. After letting it cool down, it started and I was able to get home. It still happens. Sometimes the lights will work when it happens other time they won't. I got it diagnosed and the could find any thing wrong. The check starter system warning comes on as well as ignition switch warning. It seems to happen during hot days.

NHTSA ODI 11487705

While driving yesterday afternoon, the electrical system shut down thrice. Everytime i had to restart the car. When it shuts off it pops up a notification that says “Please check the starter system”. Reddit has many complaints regarding the 2019 Jetta Shutoff problem while driving. https://www.reddit.com/r/jetta/comments/p5pmti/2019_jetta_shut_off_while_driving/

NHTSA ODI 11476831

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle would stall upon the depression of the accelerator pedal, with the ignition switch warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the gear shifter would intermittently fail to move out of park(P) and the windows would fail to operate as needed. The manufacturer and the dealer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11476563

On my recent drive on the 2019 Jetta, I was traveling at a speed of 10-15 miles when all of a sudden the dashboard went blank, including the turn signals, side, and front warning indicators. Though the car continued to be in motion, it was very disturbing to drive without visibility to the dashboard. I had to stop the car in a strip mall and then restart the car at which point the dashboard came on again. This was the second time this happened while the car was in operation. Let me know if other car owners have reported similar issues. I think this is a big Safety issue and will get drivers into accidents.

NHTSA ODI 11475521

My car battery would not start, nor would the car click over. The system kept saying “turn off infotainment center” or “drive car to charge batter” but this did not allow for the car to be turned on. Prior to this issue, I had to reset the car infotainment center due to it not recognizing a cd or a Bluetooth connected device. This is in addition to me having to get work done, since purchase, to repair dimming headlights, window functions and other “electrical” aspects

NHTSA ODI 11470188