What 51 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta Hev

Volkswagen mandatory software update/campaign 24Fi corrupted the OCU/Telematics firmware on my vehicle. This firmware corruption deactivated the critical emergency SOS safety system (Automatic Crash Notification), leaving a persistent red fault light on the overhead console. The dealership confirmed the internal malfunction code(B105207 & B200049) occurred immediately after they performed the flash, but the manufacturer is refusing to remedy the compromised safety system at no cost.

NHTSA ODI 11738989

Rear left coil spring snapped mid driving, breaking off a 3 inch piece. Car now rattles when it goes over bumps. Upon looking under the car, the right rear coil spring is corroded and snapped as well.

NHTSA ODI 11733888

There was a warning light for the emergency call function unavailable please service immediately.

NHTSA ODI 11729607

Upon “starting” car, all systems turn on and car tells me the engine is on; however, if I put into any gear nothing. Only once I press the ignition one more time does the engine actually start.

NHTSA ODI 11717699

While driving southbound on I-15 near Exit 300 (5300 S, Murray, Utah), the sunroof on my 2020 Volkswagen Jetta SEL suddenly and spontaneously exploded outward without any impact or external object striking the glass. The vehicle had approximately 72,000 miles at the time. There was no tint, film, or modification to the sunroof. The weather was clear, and the road was smooth. The explosion produced a loud gunshot-like sound, followed by glass fragments scattering across the sunshade. Fortunately, the sunshade was closed, which prevented most of the glass from falling into the cabin. However, the incident caused a significant distraction which posed a serious safety risk while driving at highway speeds. No warning lights, messages, or symptoms appeared before the failure. The glass appears to have shattered from internal stress rather than impact, as there were no visible signs of an object strike. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by Volkswagen, law enforcement, or insurance, but the glass remains available for inspection if needed.

NHTSA ODI 11698386

October 9, 2025 EPC light on. October 10, 2025, called Brown's VW in Charlottetown, PEI and brought the car in. The EPC light was off. The scan revealed that turbo on the vehicle had a seized wastegate. The cost of repair is $4,026.85 and a wait for parts. If the EPC light was flashing, the vehicle would buck and stop in the middle of the road causing a safety issue. There were no warnings previous to the EPC light going on. the vehicle is out of warranty but low mileage. Please note I spend 6 months a year in PEI, Canada and 6 months in the US. My address in Canada is: 81 Kilkenny Rd., Rte 250, Harrington, PE CIE 3A5. The vehicle is registered in PEI and had a RIV certificate. I was also told by an independent source that the above problem is common in the Atlantic Provinces because of the position of the wastegate and also the salt in the air in the Atlantic Provinces. I am certain in sea coast areas of the US, there is a similar problem with this VW turbo and the VW Tiguan is also affected. Many years of the VW Jetta have the same problem.

NHTSA ODI 11692696

While driving down a the road, my husband, 2 children and I, with no cars around us, we heard a loud pop (almost exploding like). We all looked around and then my husband looked up and our sunroof glass was shattered. As we exited the vehicle to take a better look, you could clearly see that the glass was broken from the inside, as if it was popped like a balloon. While no glass fell in the vehicle due to the shade being shut, there was glass all over the top that my husband had to clean up. Unfortunately due to no negligence on our part, we had to file an insurance claim.

NHTSA ODI 11678099

This is the same thong that was recalled on the other 2020 vw jetta..I also had a 2016 jettabefore I was allowed to trade it in for the 2020 jetta and the air went out on the both of them before the car was 2 years old. Now the 2020 has rain water coming in holding in the doors. When you open it the water comes out. What's showing is: 1.front assist not available 2. Fault electronic parking brake 3. Transmission in emergency mode you can continue driving 4.only exit vehicle in P position service engine soon Number 3 has shown before and I had another transmission put in. Also engine light was on for the longest. I'm not sure of the exact date. I do have repair bills but I will have to go in my storage unit. Would like to send later

NHTSA ODI 11673621

When I start the car Multiple times the car will throw over half of all the error code and could not start the vehicle. Driving in the highway doing 65mph with the cruise control on the car completely shut off and I had to limp it to the shoulder and was unable to start the car. Each time I cleared the fault codes then was able to start the car. If I didn’t have my scanner I would have had to get towed each time to the dealer. I see there is an ignition switch recall on the 2019 and the 2020 cars but for some reason I don’t see my 2020 included in that. Now the proximity sensor is at fault and I have to take it to the dealer again. Please let me know what I should do

NHTSA ODI 11638851

Vehicle has been displaying "Emergency services unavailable" along with lights for steering and braking systems, Intermittently since new. The dealer stated no problem found.. Now that the vehicle is out of warranty they tell me it needs a new computer module. I believe they said Telematics control unit.

NHTSA ODI 11632961

My check engine light came on on Sunday Dec 1. I immediately took it to a diagnostic service station in my local area. They diagnosed that my car has a vent control valve malfunction. This issue is a KNOWN problem to Volkswagen. They do not replace this part if it fails after 60K miles. This makes zero sense to me. I purchased my car, used with 63K miles on it. It now has 80K. At no time was I made aware that this part would/could fail! The vent control valve is over $250 and labor will be another $200. When I called VW they said they don't issue recalls, only NTHSA does. Furthermore, VW also said that if I am to get reimbursed, should they see fit to issue this recall, that I must take it to a VW dealer. All well and good, but VW wants $238 to diagnose a problem that already cost me $130. I was also told that there are currently 11K cars waiting on this part. That is not a statistical anomaly. Therefore, NTHSA needs to issue a recall and help VW owners get their vent valve control replaced before our engines are damaged.

NHTSA ODI 11628532

Will not take fuel. Even when the gasoline tank is empty it will not accept fuel properly. Fuel seeps out and leaks. Problem presents identically to the 2015-2020 VW & Audi recall. VW doesn’t acknowledge my VIN as a vehicle with the problem. My car is on the identical platform as the Audi A3 and is FWD. my problem is identical to the recall but VW will not acknowledge the problem.

NHTSA ODI 11607621

I recently purchased a vehicle on July 11th, and on July 12th, I noticed a significant issue with the transmission. Specifically, the vehicle began grinding when I attempted to engage reverse gear. Concerned for safety, I promptly contacted the dealership. Initially, they advised that the proper procedure was to shift from first gear to reverse, attributing the issue to a known Volkswagen transmission characteristic. Upon further inspection at the dealership, they acknowledged the problem as a documented issue with Volkswagen transmissions, providing a "tech tip" confirming its severity. This issue poses a serious safety risk due to the delay in shifting from first to reverse, potentially impeding quick maneuvering in emergencies, thereby compromising driver and passenger safety. The problem was replicated multiple times during dealership visits, with no warning lights or indications prior to the grinding in reverse.

NHTSA ODI 11605105

My brakes have always sounded weird to me. But the dealer and my mechanic assured me that they were fine. On Saturday 7/6/24, I noticed a horrible grinding noise. I took it to my mechanic and was told that due to a faulty brake caliper the passenger side front inner brake pad has gone metal to metal. I can see that there is a recall on the calipers for 2020 VW Jetta but it doesn't show up for my VIN #. I am having to pay $541.07 and feel that if this is a recall I shouldn't have to pay.

NHTSA ODI 11600522

The built-in navigation and apple carplay periodically show the wrong location, offset by several hundred feet from the real one. A huge number of cases on the Internet, Volkswagen does nothing about it. They update the software, but it doesn't help.

NHTSA ODI 11598368

There is a spring that it out of place and when I turned to get out of the seat it scratched my back.

NHTSA ODI 11596004

The fuel door would not open for me to put gas in my car. I cannot drive my car without fuel. If I can’t get to my gas tank because the fuel door has malfunctioned I become a danger to those who drive as well as myself and my vehicle. My car tells me everything else but not that. I only find out once I need gas and others getting upset because they waiting on the gas spot can get me hurt or killed in this day and age with peoples lack of patience. I had to spend extra money to tow my car just for them to break the actuator just so I can put gas in my car. Now my fuel door hangs open and now I have to worry about my car and who may do something in that instance. The car doesn’t offer a switch or button in the car to release the fuel door. My car runs on gas if the malfunction happens every 6 months or every year it stops my life. I need to work go to school and so much more. This is an issue that will continue because of the build of the vehicle and others like it in many make and models. Help please

NHTSA ODI 11594913

Mid-drive, the vehicle gave me a "check starter system" warning, a known 2020 VW Jetta issue. However, my car has not gotten a recall message yet. The message also disappeared again after I turned off the car for 10 minutes and started it again.

NHTSA ODI 11588253

Vehicle's sunroof spontaneously shattered while driving, raining down thousands of shards of glass. There was a loud bang, it sounded like a firecracker went off. I was not behind another vehicle and was going 55-60 mph. Another issue that this brought up was that after I had pulled off and assessed what happened, I wasn't initially able to buckle my seat belt due to glass in the receptacle.

NHTSA ODI 11586466

After buying this vehicle in June 2020, and the "Emergency SOS Module" never malfunctioning once, I enrolled in VW's free "Safe and Secure" service through the myVW mobile application on March 7, 2024, and immediately received an "Emergency SOS Error" light. The vehicle manual states that the vehicle is not safe to drive and must be taken to the dealership immediately. I then called my local VW dealership asking if I could stop by since I was in the area, and the service department stated that have seen a lot of vehicles coming in with this issue lately and the car must be brought in to replace the emergency call module. Upon bringing my vehicle in, the dealership stated that there is a diagnostic charge of over $250, in addition to the cost of potentially replacing the module (which I'm reading online others have paid between $900-$1,500 for replacement. This is completely unacceptable to pass on a charge to a customer for something that is not included in the vehicle's scheduled (or unscheduled) maintenance list, as well as has nothing to do with the mechanical operation of the vehicle – in addition to posing a safety risk. I never had an issue with this module until the minute I decided to enroll in VW's free "Safe and Secure" service, at which point it seems either they have installed faulty equipment in their vehicles or have an error in their software.

NHTSA ODI 11580503

The SOS emergency that is supposed to work when you press the button or if your car is stolen the module failed and on months of back order

NHTSA ODI 11579033

The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving uphill at 55 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly shut off with an unknown warning light flashing on the instrument panel. Despite the failure, the contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive to the residence. The vehicle was later taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed but no defect was found. The contact then stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle shut off with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle eventually restarted after several attempts. The dealer was contacted about the failure and the contact was promised a callback. The contact had not yet heard back from the dealer. The manufacturer was also notified about the failure and the contact was referred to another dealer for service. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 46,625.

NHTSA ODI 11574207

The front strut spring broke. The dealer warned against driving it at all, since it could cut open the tire or damage other parts that would cause a lot of control. The vehicle is just past the three year warranty. But it is too new for aftermarket parts, so I had to replace it the same parts. The dealer said this is very common on this make/model and to expect these parts to consistently fail.

NHTSA ODI 11567420

The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 70-80 MPH, the electronic parking brake engaged independently. The message "Driver's Side Door Fault" and a message indicating that the auto Start/Stop feature was unavailable were displayed. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving at various speeds, while making turns, and while coming to a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the driver's side door wiring harness had failed and caused the module to experience an electrical shortage. The dealer informed the contact that the electronic parking brake had engaged because the door was securely closed while driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 65,789.

NHTSA ODI 11554127

Incident Occurred in May. Was on Reddit and saw someone say to report any issues to NHTSA so that's what I'm doing At the end of the month in May (2023) when starting my car after work that had been sitting in the sun, it turned on but then turned off about 10 seconds later saying "ignition switch off safely stop the vehicle" then it flashed to another screen saying "please check the starter system." I waited about 10 minutes then I was able to start my car with no issue. Then after leaving work I pulled onto the highway and the issue happened again while going 60+ mph. Everything cut off and it gave me the same message. My jetta is a manual so it was still in gear and could keep driving but it was super sketchy. I immediately pulled off the road and when I came to a stop the car completely shut off. Then I waited another 10 minutes. Started my car again and the exact same thing happened and I had to pull off the highway. After that I was able to start the car without it happening again and I drove straight to the Volkswagen dealer to have them fix it. I left the the next day to go to a work conference out of state and returned the following Sunday to my car which was now fixed. Part P2532 was replaced in the ignition switch. Luckily I have a 4 year 40,000 mile warranty so I didn't have to pay anything.

NHTSA ODI 11548316