What 537 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

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

At ~44,000, in a vehicle we bought 3 months earlier from OffLeaseOnly, the clutch burned out and the car ceased forward propulsion on a deserted country road driven by a very experienced manual car driver who had not burned through a clutch in his driving career. There were no warning lights. It put three people at risk. OffLeaseOnly - had done a full inspection AND stood behind their sale by paying for the new clutch assembly. The clutch and associated mechanism was fully replaced by 12/17/2021 by Niello VW. Vehicle was driven from January - August by same driver. There were occasional clutch burning smells but mechanical inspection did not reveal any issue. The car was not driven regularly from Sept - March 2023. Prior to our daughter driving it starting at the end of March, we had it reviewed by a local mechanic who found no issues with the vehicle. At ~54,000 miles, on May 10, the vehicle was being driven on US HWY 280 between San Carlos and Redwood City, CA. Suddenly, the vehicle would not shift and would not go above 40 mph. The very new driver was able to successfully maneuver to the shoulder and bring the car to a stop. Her safety was definitely at risk as 280 is a congested, fast moving highway where the average speed is 75 mph. The clutch was burning. CA HWY Patrol pulled the car to a park in Woodside where it was collected by a flatbed and brought to Boardwalk VW. Once again, the clutch is completely burned out. Boardwalk VW is tearing down the transmission to see if there is a cause for the multiple clutch burnouts. We have multiple manual vehicles - this is only happening with the VW Jetta. I’ve driven manual cars since 1987 and this has NEVER happened with any of them. We are awaiting Boardwalk VW assessment of the cause. There were no warning lights. There were no symptoms of the problem until the car ceased to operate. Both times, we have brought the car to a VW dealer for inspection and repair.

NHTSA ODI 11521704

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 contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with an unknown warning light illuminated and an unknown message displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

NHTSA ODI 11519802

The windshield cracked while car was sitting in my driveway. At 8:30am it was fine. At 3pm there was a very large crack. No mark from rock, pebble or object of any kind is present. Car is available for inspection. Safety put at risk should the crack cause a weakened windshield to fall out of frame. No inspections have been performed yet.

NHTSA ODI 11519621

At approximately 44,000 miles TPMS light illuminated however all tire PSI were normal and not low. I reset TPMS light however it came back on around 20 miles later. I kept resetting TPMS light however it would keep coming on even though tire PSI were set. At around 46000 miles car was taken into dealer. Dealer reset light and at around 20 miles light keeps coming back on.

NHTSA ODI 11519096

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

On my 2019 Volkswagen Jetta I am having the same issue that the recalled Volkswagen Atlas SUV's are having. When the car is running I get a Air Bag error on my dashboard and the Air Bag turned off light stays on. This also happens when a passenger is seated in the front passenger side seat. It doesn't happen all the time but has about 5 times in the last couple of weeks.

NHTSA ODI 11515657

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

As I was driving on the highway 101 in Bay Area California, suddenly the sunroof glass exploded and the fragments were deposited on the under cover. No weather related issues at the time. Did not feel any debris hitting the car either. Seems like a manufacturing defect. Vehicle still under warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11513026

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

Vehicle has auto hold feature which activates on an incline. UNABLE TO TURN OFF. when driving a manual transmission car, this is causing premature clutch wear. Brake will be engaged for 3 seconds even when gas pedal is depressed. people unaware of this feature can let go of gas pedal and brake causing a roll back into another vehicle or object.

NHTSA ODI 11509531

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 in a head on collision where the other person crossed the line and two empty lanes to hit me head on. This WAS in may 2021. Not one single warning was used by forward collision sensors. No emergency braking was applied. My airbags were not deployed and this man hit me doing at least 35 miles an hour and also I was forward moving even though I was applying my brakes. The car was totaled. Yet not a single warning sound or light or indicator once went off. I also paid extra for the Volkswagen carnet services. Never once did they come over the speaker to ask if I was ok. To tell me I had been in an accident or ask if I needed them to send help. In essence these services failed me completely. I do not understand why I was not included in any of the airbag recalls or settlement information I have heard about. All of the Extra features and functions I paid all the extra money to have - every single one failed me when I needed it. This vehicle left me without the protections it promised.

NHTSA ODI 11505669

https://www.hometownsource.com/classifieds/press_news/community/announcements/legal/notice_of_sales/2019-volkswagon-jetta-burdas-towing/pdfdisplayad_0e7d0609-179e-5fd0-9b71-1f5cd42e9757.html

NHTSA ODI 11502305

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the sensor was reset; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11501421

Moonroof exploded leavin shards of glass all over, no rocks hit car no bumps no explanation, I was just driving on a flat surface around 30 MPH, I heard a loud explosion and glass was everywhere including my arms and face. I nearly caused an accident with the sudden explosion.

NHTSA ODI 11500746

Vehicle caught fire while putting car in reverse. Car exploded from engine, no check engine light. I could have died, the fire almost burned down a building. The fire department was called and the front of the car was melted. My arm was injured and I had to get a new cast for my broken wrist. Car was towed by city officials as a hazard.

NHTSA ODI 11497676

Unknown. I took my car in for recall repairs and they repaired all but the one listed on this site which seems kind of important

NHTSA ODI 11496840

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the windshield wipers independently activated without any waring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer stated that no failure was found; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 20,000.

NHTSA ODI 11496390

Like MANY people have experienced, I was driving on the highway when the sunroof glass suddenly exploded. It was terrifying and the startled reaction could easily have caused a serious highway speed crash. There was no obvious reason for the failure of the glass but having shattered glass fall in my lap was scary.

NHTSA ODI 11496256

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