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)

22 of 537 complaints match · Body & structure · clear filters

Jun 25, 2026AirbagsBody & structureBrakesCrash1 injury

There was an intersection, I hit a car head on and no airbags went off

NHTSA ODI 11746389

Mar 4, 2026Body & structure

I was driving when I heard a loud "bang" over my head. I was terrified and swerved because I was startled. This put me at risk of hitting a vehicle in the lane next to me and injuring myself or others. There were no warning lights or anything to indicate what happened and no cars within 100 feet of me in the front. When I got to my destination I looked to find any visible damage to my car but nothing seemed to stick out at first. Eventually I saw spidering of the glass panel between my factory windshield and sunroof without any point of impact. I took my vehicle to the dealer and they inspected it and tried to gaslight me that it was from impact. There is no impact point. There is separation/lifting of the panel at the seems. I was told they would not replace it since their corporate stated that the claim was "denied since it was due to impact" based off of some dealer photos that were submitted for their review. When I spoke to the service person on the phone he indicated he had heard of this happening before but when I was in person the manager tried to gaslight me that it was due to impact and not spontaneous even though there are tons of documented cases of this happening.

NHTSA ODI 11721940

Jan 24, 2026Body & structure

Powered sunroof exploded while driving. Contacted Volkswagen and explained the issue to no avail. Also contacted local glass repair business that said they have replaced 3 sunroofs on the same vehicle for the same issue

NHTSA ODI 11713050

Oct 3, 2023Body & structure1 injury

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the upper left corners on both the driver and passenger side doors of the vehicle would bend outward upon opening the doors. While the contact's husband was stepping down from a curb to enter the passenger side of the vehicle, the door's sharp corner pierced his husband's right eye. The contact was taken to the hospital where he sought medical treatment for the injury. Since the injury, the contact's husband continued to seek treatment from an eye specialist and stated that the injury had left him legally blind. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

NHTSA ODI 11547980

Jul 12, 2023Transmission & drivetrainBody & structureEngine

Jan 2023-check engine light for oil came on-just had oil change November 21, 2022 and only went 3000 miles. No oil in engine so it was topped off at a local Volkswagon Satellite and inspected for leaks no leaks found. Mid Feb 2023 had to put 2 quarts oil in car and high pitch noise/humming coming from car when driving. Mar 2023 went to VW dealership and explained noise and oil. They said noise was bad wheel bearings and it was ok to drive until backorder came in to replace. Was told the oil consumption is normal for VW despite us telling them it’s not normal consumption and they told us to read the owners manual. They couldn’t find leak, they topped it off and sent us on our way. April,May 2023 humming noise louder and a creaky, clanking, cricket chirp noise began and gear shifting became delayed. Made an appoint with VW dealership for June 2023 for wheel bearings to be replaced and told them about oil (we had to put 2 quarts in June)and new noise, and shifting. Wheel bearings are replaced, noise continued and they replaced front axle, different noise continued and now they are replacing transmission. They said they were going to prep car for oil consumption test but DO NOT have my car back from the shop to drive it to determine the cause. Called sales to get quote on extended warranty as mine is about to expire in about 8000 miles. I was “told it is not an inexpensive car to warranty and was quoted $5749.00 for a 4 yr 60k warranty (it’s in an email I have) My worry is “what else is going to break or even possibly hurt or kill my daughter”. This was her graduation present to get her through college and on her feet with a job. She attended undergrad out of state and now attending her graduate school out of state. 97% of her miles 62-64k are highway miles. She has kept up with all service requirements for her vehicle and has never been in an accident (carfax). All her records are in her car and can upload once we get her car back. Car is at Sheehey VW

NHTSA ODI 11531816

Oct 13, 2021Body & structure

We were driving on highway 90 from Del Rio to San Antonio Texas when our sunroof exploded without any signs. No signs of impact or anything just exploded. Dealership declined any warranty coverage as they stated that something could have hit the sunroof weeks prior to the incident. There are no signs of impact on the sunroof and you can see the broken bits bending outward on the glass and not inward.

NHTSA ODI 11436648

Mar 10, 2021Body & structure

THE PLASTIC CAPS ON SIDE MIRRORS (BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER) ARE INCREDIBLY UNSTABLE AND ARE AT RISK OF FLYING OFF OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY DURING A WINDY DAY WHEN THE PLASTIC CAP FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR FLEW OFF. THE MIRROR/CAP HAD NO PREVIOUS DAMAGE AND WAS NOT LOOSE IN ANY WAY, SO THERE IS NO REASON THAT IT SHOULD HAVE JUST FLOWN OFF. THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT, AND WHEN I HAD THE PIECE REPAIRED, IT WAS SIMPLY SNAPPED ON WITH NO SEALANT, AND CONTINUED TO FALL OFF AFTER REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI 11400240

Feb 22, 2021Body & structureEngine

BOUGHT CAR NEW MARCH 2020. BACK COVER OF DRIVER SIDE MIRROR CAME OFF IN APRIL 2020. JANUARY 15, 2021 WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH. THE CAR BEGAN TO JERK AND SPUTTER. EVERY ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO JERK MORE. AFTER EXITING THE INTERSTATE I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE 25 MPH TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD CYLINDER 1 WAS DEAD AND OTHERS ARE MISFIRING. I HAVE SINCE BEEN TOLD THAT SOMETHING BROKE OFF AND WAS SUCKED INTO CYLINDER 1 DAMAGING CYLINDER 1. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A NEW ENGINE SINCE JANUARY. I HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY TOLD IT IS ON BACK ORDER WITH NO ETA. IT IS NOW 2/22/21

NHTSA ODI 11397276

Oct 5, 2020Body & structure1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE'S AN EXPOSED METAL PIPE ABOVE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THAT CAUSED THE CONTACT TO BURN HIS FEET MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VILLAGE VOLKSWAGEN OF CHATTANOOGA, 6001 INTERNATIONAL DR, CHATTANOOGA, TN 37421, AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT'S THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.

NHTSA ODI 11362807

Apr 30, 2020Body & structure

INTERIOR TRIM PIECE BELOW THE INFOTAINMENT CENTER IS DEFECTIVE. IT BEND OUTWARD LEAVING A 1 INCH GAP BETWEEN TRIM PIECE AND THE DASH. TAKEN TO VW DEALER AND IT IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY FOR DEFECTIVE PIECE.

NHTSA ODI 11322826

Feb 11, 2020Body & structure1 injury

THE PASSENGER SIDE INDOOR, DOOR HANDLE IS A STICKER AND NOT AN ACTUAL CHROME HANDLE. THE STICKER HAS PEELED OFF THE BOTTOM, CREATING SHARP EDGES. I HAVE CUT MY FINGERS WHEN OPENING THE DOOR TWICE NOW. THE HANDLES ALL SHOULD BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI 11308621

May 21, 2019Body & structure

UPON ACCESSING THE TRUNK, I HAVE BEEN STRUCK ON THE BACK OF THE HEAD NUMEROUS TIMES BECAUSE THE TRUNK LID DOES NOT STAY UP UPON OPENING. I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS DESIGN FLAW WAS CORRECTED AFTER A CERTAIN MANUFACTURER DATE, BUT I REPORTED IT TO MY DEALER WHO DID NOTHING ABOUT IT AND SAID THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT.

NHTSA ODI 11208900

Apr 28, 2019Body & structure

MY SUNROOF EXPLODED WITH NO IMPACT FOR NO REASON.

NHTSA ODI 11204195

Mar 11, 2019Body & structure

THIS CAR HAS VENT ISSUES AND COWL SEAL ISSUE. THE SEAL IS NOT TIGHT AND THE INSIDE THE WINDSHIELD AND WINDOW FREEZES

NHTSA ODI 11185759

Mar 3, 2019Body & structure

INSIDE THE CAR WINDSHIELD AND WINDOWS FREEZES AND FORMS ICE EVERYDAY MORNING. AIR LEAK IN THE DOOR MIGHT BE POSSIBLE.

NHTSA ODI 11183737

Feb 28, 2019Transmission & drivetrainBody & structure

1. 1800 MILES-TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK, THE SERVICE PEOPLE TOLD ME IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH 2019 JETTAS, REPAIR TOOK 2 MONTHS 2. HEATER DOESN'T BLOW OUT WARM AIR WHEN TRAVELING UNDER 40 MPH, EVEN AFTER 18 MILES OF DRIVING 3. GRINDING/CROAKING NOISE LIKE A FROG AT 28-30 MPH AND AGAIN AT 40 MPH 4. BRAKES SQUEAK 5. TRUNK FALLS ON MY HEAD UNLESS I PUSH IT ALL THE WAY UP PER OWNERS MANUAL ADDENDUM

NHTSA ODI 11183199

Feb 22, 2019Transmission & drivetrainBody & structureEngine1 injury

FIRST, TRUNK OF THE CAR. IT'S UNSAFE AND DOESN'T LOCK UNLESS U OVEREXTEND IT OPEN. I HAVE BEEN HIT IN MY HEAD TWICE BEFORE I LEARNED MY LESSON. SECOND, TRANSMISSION. IT MAKES A GRINDING NOISE WHEN OPERATED AT SLOWER SPEEDS. I AM REACHING 9,500 MILES AND NOISE IS STILL THERE SINCE DAY ONE. THREE, THE ENGINE. I BELIEVE THERE IS A INTERNAL DEFECT BECAUSE TODAY I WAS DRIVING A THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. ONCE I CHECKED THE OIL I SAW THAT THE DIPSTICK WAS CLEAN, NO OIL, NADA. WHERE HAS ALL THE OIL GONE ON A NEW 2019 JETTA? IT SURE HASN'T BEEN LEAKING ON THE GROUND OF MY GARAGE BECAUSE THERE IS NO FLUIDS.

NHTSA ODI 11182044

Jan 24, 2019Body & structure

THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR VIBRATES LIKE CRAZY WHEN THE RADIO IS TURNED ON AND A CERTAIN FREQUENCY IS HIT (DOESN'T MATTER THE BASS OR VOLUME). THE PROBLEM CAN BE ALLEVIATED BY PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE ARM REST OF FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THIS ISSUE CAN OCCUR AT ANYTIME - IN MOTION, STATIONARY, ETC.

NHTSA ODI 11171990

Jan 18, 2019Body & structure1 injury

TRUNK LID DOES NOT STAY OPEN ALL THE WAY UNLESS IT IS PUSHED AND LOCKED INTO PLACE. COULD KNOCK SOMEONE OUT IF YOU FORGET TO DO THIS. NEVER SEEN A DESIGN LIKE THIS. VW SHOULD ADDRESS AND FIX THIS HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI 11170790

Jan 18, 2019Body & structure

AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED WATER LEAKS THROUGH THE REAR DOOR HANDLES WHEN THE CAR WAS STATIONARY. WHENEVER IT RAINED, WATER GOT INTO THE DOOR LOCK LATCH MECHANISMS AND WATER WAS POOLING BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER DOOR SEALS. WHEN THE DOORS WERE OPENED, WATER POURED OUT. I EXPLAINED THIS ISSUE TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND DEMONSTRATED THE PROBLEM BUT THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY TALKED TO VOLKSWAGEN AND THAT IT WAS NORMAL WATER DRAINAGE. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS NORMAL FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS : 1) THE FRONT DOORS DON'T HAVE THIS ISSUE 2) THIS ISSUE IN THE LEFT REAR DOOR IS NOT AS BAD AS THE RIGHT REAR DOOR ( A GOOD AMOUNT OF WATER POOLS IN THE SILL IN THE RIGHT REAR DOOR AND I CAN SEE WATER IN THE LOCK LATCH MECHANISM ) 3) THIS ISSUE DIDN'T EXIST WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR 4) WATER IS POOLING INSIDE OF THE OUTER PLASTIC DOOR SEAL THAT IS ON THE DOOR SO IF ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES, IT MAY END UP PASSING THE INNER PLASTIC SEAL THAT IS ON THE FRAME ( THERE ARE DRAINAGE HOLES ON THE OUTER BOTTOM PART OF THE DOOR, WHICH IS FOR NORMAL WATER DRAINAGE. I AM NOT REFERRING TO THESE ) 5) THIS CAN LEAD TO RUST IN THE LOCK MECHANISM AND CAN ALSO BE A SAFETY HAZARD IN COLD WEATHER WHERE THE DOOR LOCKS MAY FREEZE SHUT 6) I HAVE NOT SEEN THIS TYPE OF ISSUE IN ANY OF THE OTHER VEHICLES I'VE OWNED SO, I DON'T AGREE WITH THE DEALER'S AND MANUFACTURER'S ASSESSMENTS THAT THIS IS NORMAL. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11170875

Jan 6, 2019Body & structure

TAKATA RECALL- I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN BECAUSE THE HORN ON THE VEHICLE WAS GOING OFF RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING. ONCE DIAGNOSED VW DEALERSHIP SAID THAT IT WAS BECAUSE THE FIREWALL OF THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN SEALED, THEREFORE WATER WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS MOLD FOUND IN THE VEHICLE, WHICH NOW THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR OVER TWO WEEKS, AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A COMPLETION DATE FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE ACTUALLY MADE NO EFFORTS TO CONTACT ME.

NHTSA ODI 11165458

Nov 25, 2018Body & structure

GLASS PANEL AT LEADING EDGE OF ROOF SHATTERED WHILE PARKED. LATERAL "CRACK" FROM SIDE TO SIDE APPEARS TO BE THE RESULT OF TORSIONAL LOADING. GLASS WAS NOT DAMAGED WHEN VEHICLE WAS INITIALLY PARKED.

NHTSA ODI 11153594

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 →