Home · 2020 Volkswagen Jetta Hev · Complaints

What 51 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta Hev

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 (51)Crash / fire / injury (3)Electrical system (16)Engine (12)Brakes (7)Transmission & drivetrain (7)Fuel system (5)Speed control (3)Steering (3)Airbags (2)Driver assistance (2)Suspension (2)

Newest first · 51 complaints · page 2 of 3

Sep 27, 2023

The sunroof shattered after closing the car door from the pressure or motion of the car door closing. The sunroof glass panel popped up in the center and all the shattered glass was in an upward motion indicating the cause was from the pressure in the cabin. There were no visible chips or debris on the sunroof prior to this occurring. I took the vehicle to the Volkswagen dealership for an inspection and repair but they denied warranty coverage even though the vehicle is under the original warranty. Volkswagen claims that a chip or rock would cause the sunroof to shatter from the door closing. This is not a safe or acceptable design - sunroofs should not shatter when car doors are opened/closed or from the movement of the vehicle driving.

NHTSA ODI 11546848

Sep 25, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

Internal Component on Transmission has failed, Vehicle is Available for inspection (Niello Volkswagen has already confirmed). The vehicle shakes when shifting which could potentially cause an accident. Yes, Niello Volkswagen confirmed the issue. Dealer for Manufacturer has confirmed issue. No vehicle warning or Lights or messages, check engine light didn't trigger. Dealership attempted to "Flash" Transmission and ECM which made the issue worse.

NHTSA ODI 11546501

Jul 11, 2023Electrical system

I live in a very hot area where the temperatures rise to well above 100°. My dashboard gets hot. I imagine that the computer system is in the dashboard after the car has been in the sun I get into my vehicle start my engine things seem fine and then I’m driving down the street and the whole front panel turns off. The air turns off, the stereo turns off most importantly, the air turns off and there is an ecosystem set in my car, where the engine turns off while I’m idling. . The air turns off, the stereo turns off most importantly, the air turns off and there is an ecosystem set in my car, where the engine turns off while I am at a lot of times the whole car will turn off. I cannot see any of the gauges and I can’t roll the windows down for air most of the time, the car will continue to drive down the street, but under very dangerous and uncomfortable conditions. Below I’m going to add today’s date because it’s the most recent time that it happened but it happens. Every day doesn’t happen at night doesn’t happen in the morning because the car was cool overnight. Let me be clear that the engine is not overheating. It is the computer system. Just like when an iPhone is too hot to work.

NHTSA ODI 11531718

Jul 8, 2023AirbagsBrakes

MY SUNROOF WAS EXPODED during I drive to home.

NHTSA ODI 11531073

Jul 3, 2023Electrical system

The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while exiting a parking lot, the instrument panel went blank without warning. The contact turned off the vehicle and after several attempts was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 25,000.

NHTSA ODI 11530170

Dec 23, 2022Visibility & wipers1 injury

The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the panoramic sunroof shattered without impact. The contact stated that he was cut by shards of falling glass from the sunroof. The contact stated that no medical attention was sought. The contact pulled over and inspected the vehicle but found no cause or evidence that an object had struck the sunroof glass to cause the failure. The contact was able to drive to the residence with no additional issues. The local dealer was notified of the failure and suggested that the vehicle be brought in for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,829. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11498675

Dec 22, 2022Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemDriver assistance

Hit a pot hole in the road and vehicle completely shut down and will not crank. Diagnostic code U0100 is saying that the ecm and pcm are no longer communicating. If I had been on the highway or in a high traffic area that could have been a life threatening situation as everything is run through the electronics of the car.

NHTSA ODI 11498544

Sep 20, 2022Electrical system

The problem I am facing is with making calls in the car both via android auto and Bluetooth. When making a phone call, if the volume is adjusted during the call, the other person will hear a very bad echo of their own voice. The echo only occurs when the call volume is adjusted, and I can't hear it in my own car. I have been to the dealer twice to diagnose this issue, and talked to VW Customer Care, neither has been able to fix the problem or determine why it's happening. The first visit I didn't know that changing the volume caused the issue, during one of the trips they replaced the microphone and tried multiple phones (iPhone and Android), neither fixed the problem. I purchased this car used with around 10k miles on it from VW and have had the issue ever since. This is NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, it’s just very annoying.

NHTSA ODI 11485425

Apr 20, 2022Transmission & drivetrainBrakes

When I was driving my engine randomly increased rpms and i was forced to apply the brake. Regarding my brakes, my brakes make a clicking noise and sometimes have decreased braking performance at times which is a serious safety concern.

NHTSA ODI 11461542

Jan 3, 2022SteeringSpeed controlEngine

When vehicle goes over 60mph starts to shake really bad and warning not enough power for engine light is on

NHTSA ODI 11445991

Dec 21, 2021Tires

Since I PURCHASED MY Jetta SEL the car IN 2020 March the back right tire will not hold air. Have taken to the dealership and the young man said it was the valve stem and simple fix small issue. Claiming had an stem issues. Leaving the dealership 15 minutes later Hit the interstate and all of a sudden light comes on low air right tire ongoing issue for over a year refuse to be fixed by the car dealership just being pushed over. Bought car brand new very upsetting treatment.

NHTSA ODI 11444588

Dec 21, 2021Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlEngine

Was is merging onto interstate i95 and the Jetta wouldn’t accelerate no matter how hard I pushed the gas pedal eventually took my foot off and had to turn on emergency lights then The Jetta started slowly moving as if it was just going to stall almost got rear ended and then the car wanted to send me in to another lane. Due to the angry driver behind me.

NHTSA ODI 11444593

Dec 9, 2021Airbags

The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V492000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not 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 and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and a case was opened. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11443210

Apr 15, 2021Fuel system

CATASTROPHIC FUEL PUMP FAILURE AT 14,000 MILES ' BOTH FUEL PUMP AND FUEL PUMP MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN MAINTAINED PROPERLY ACCORDING TO SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE STANDARDS.

NHTSA ODI 11408286

Apr 11, 2021Electrical systemBrakesEngine

VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN PARKING SPOT AND UPON IGNITION BEGAN REVVING UNCONTROLLABLY AND THREW UP ERROR CODES "ENGINE SPEED MAX. 4000 RPM" AND "START-STOP SYSTEM ERROR", ALONG WITH EPC AND ENGINE LIGHTS. THE BRAKE WAS ALSO DEPRESSED. UPON PUTTING INTO REVERSE THE PARKING BRAKE WAS AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED WHILE THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV. SOON AFTER, ENGINE WOULD SPUTTER BUT NOT TURN OVER WITH THE SAME ERROR CODES ON DISPLAY.

NHTSA ODI 11407463

Apr 7, 2021Visibility & wipers

SUNGLASS HOLDER KEEPS BREACKING WHICH PREVENTS ME FROM SEEING REVIEW VIEW MIRROS. THIS IS AN ONGOING VW ISSUES THAT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED FOR MANY YEARS. IT IS CHEAP AND BREAKS EASILY .

NHTSA ODI 11406951

Feb 3, 2021Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT AND HAD MY CAR IN NEUTRAL. PUT IT INTO FIRST AT A GREEN LIGHT AND THERE WAS NO POWER, THE ENGINE HAD CUT OFF. I DRIVE A MANUAL AND HAVE FOR MY ENTIRE LIFE. THERE WAS NO LURCHING OR ANYTHING, JUST A SILENT CUT. HARD TO GET IT TURNED BACK ON, THE VEHICLE SEEMED CONFUSED WHEN I HIT THE START BUTTON... WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED.

NHTSA ODI 11394406

Jan 19, 2021SteeringTransmission & drivetrainEngine

AS I WAS DRIVING HOME LATE LAST NIGHT FROM WORK ON A CITY STREET , MY CAR SUDDENLY WOULD NOT ACCELERATE IN SPEED WHILE IN MOTION BUT YOU CAN HEAR THE CAR ACCELERATE WHEN I WAS PUSHING ON THE GAS. IT FELT AS IF THE CAR HAS TURNED OFF BECAUSE THEN MY STEERING WHEEL GOT HARD WAS HARD TO MOVE WHILE IN MOTION. CAUSE OF PROBLEMS IS UNKNOWN BUT MAY NOT BE SAFE TO DRIVE IF IT CONTINUES

NHTSA ODI 11388795

Jan 11, 2021Electrical system

THE HILL HOLD ASSIST DID NOT DISENGAGED QUICKLY WHEN STOPPED ON AN INCLINE, BURNING THE CLUTCH TO GET THE VEHICLE TO MOVE FORWARD. THIS CAUSED SMOKING FROM THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND WE WERE THEN FORCED TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF A VERY CONGESTED HIGHWAY AND WAIT FOR THE SMOKING TO STOP AND GIVE THE CLUTCH A BREAK. THIS HAS NOW CAUSED PREMATURE CLUTCH WEAR.

NHTSA ODI 11387573

Oct 23, 2020Electrical system

VEHICLE IS BRAND NEW AND HAS BEEN IN MY POSSESSION FOR 7 DAYS. CAR-NET MODULE AND BLUETOOTH AUDIO MODULES HAVE BOTH FAILED. CAR-NET FAILED ON DAY 5, BLUETOOTH ON DAY 6. PRESCRIBED RESOLUTION INVOLVES PULLING THE APPROPRIATE FUSE TO RESET THE SYSTEM. AFTER THIS PROCEDURE, SYSTEM FAILED TO RESET.

NHTSA ODI 11365866

Oct 3, 2020Steering

AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WILL SWAY TO THE RIGHT AND AT TIMES VERY ABRUPTLY GOING OVER OR NEAR THE LANE DIVIDERS WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL REMAINS STRAIGHT BUT IT FEELS LIKE I'M DRIVING WITH A STRONG CROSS WIND THE ENTIRE TIME.

NHTSA ODI 11362571

Aug 28, 2020Electrical systemEngine

THE EPC LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN REVVING UP THE ENGINE TO OVERTAKE CARS. THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BOGS DOWN AND ENGINE RPMS ARE LIMITED TO 3000 WHEN LIGHT IS ON. IT COULD BE A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE AND FORCES ME TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY. THE ONLY WAY FOR THE LIGHT TO COME OFF IS TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON. I VISITED A LOCAL VW DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME OF A FAULT CODE P227900 INTAKE AIR SYSTEM LEAK PASSIVE/SPORADIC. THEY PERFORMED AN AIR INTAKE SYSTEM TEST AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS EPC LIGHT COMES ON. IF IT HAPPENS A 4TH TIME I WILL ONCE AGAIN TAKE IT TO THE DEALER IF SOMETHING COMES ON. IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING THAT I CAN'T REV MY CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR ELSE THIS LIGHT KEEPS TURNING ON.

NHTSA ODI 11351913

Aug 20, 2020

IN HEAVY RAIN OR ADVERSE WEATHER THE SONAR IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR FOR CRASH AVOIDANCE FAILS AND STATES THAT IT'S UNABLE TO PROTECT ME AND MY PASSENGERS! THE DEALER HAS HAD THIS CAR FOR 3 TIMES AND THE OWNERS MANUAL DOESN'T TELL THAT IN THOSE SITUATIONS THAT THIS CAN OR SHOULD OCCUR

NHTSA ODI 11350495

Jul 19, 2020Electrical systemSpeed controlBrakes

2 SEPARATE INCIDENTS INVOLVING THE EPC. ONE WAS ABOUT 10 DAY'S AGO, JULY 9TH GETTING ON THE FREEWAY IN HOUSTON. CAR THREW UP NUMEROUS ERROR CODES, IT AUTOMATICALLY SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES UPON ENTERING THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE FREEWAY, GAVE AN EPC ERROR CODE, TRANSMISSION ERROR CODE, AND START/STOP ERROR CODE. I GOT IT TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, MONTROAD VOLKSWAGEN OFF I-45. THEY CLAIM THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG AFTER SITTING ON IT FOR 24 HOURS & SENT ME ON MY WAY. FAST FORWARD TO LAST NIGHT, NOW 10 DAY'S LATER, JULY 19TH, COMING BACK HOME FROM DALLAS, A NEARLY 600 MILE ROUND TRIP & ANOTHER EPC CODE CODE COMES UP & SAYS FAULT: ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE WHEN I WENT TO PARK THE CAR & HEAD INSIDE. NOW I'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR A MONTH, IT SHOULDN'T HAVE ALL THESE KINDS OF ISSUES & IT DEEPLY CONCERNS ME.

NHTSA ODI 11340224

Jul 3, 2020Electronic Stability Control (esc)BrakesCrash

MY CAR ROLLED INTO A WALL ON THE OTHER SIDE OF A PARKING LOT WHILE I WAS INSIDE THE OPPOSITE BUILDING. THERE IS NO ALERT/INDICATOR/NOTIFICATION THAT THE E-BRAKE IS ENGAGED. THERE ARE ALERTS FOR THE SEAT BELT, AIR BAG, TRUCK/DOOR OPENED, LOW GAS, LIGHTS, ETC. THERE IS EVEN A NOTIFICATION ON THE SCREEN TO REMIND ME TO GRAB MY PHONE AFTER I TURN OFF THE CAR AND OPEN THE DOOR. BUT FOR THE E-BRAKE, WHICH IS A TWO-STEP PROCESS THAT REQUIRES DISCRETE PAUSES BY THE DRIVER, THERE IS NOTHING.THIS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW, THAT COULD RESULT IN A CAR ROLLING AND INJURING SOMEONE. I URGE YOU NOT TO WAIT FOR CRITICAL MOMENTS AS IN THE PAST FOR AUTO ALERTS TO BE INSTALLED IN CARS, BUT TO ACT NOW. I REQUEST ALL AUTO MANUFACTURES, VW AND OTHERWISE, THAT HAVE E-BRAKES, CREATE AN ALERT THAT NOTIFIES THE DRIVER THE CAR IS OFF AND THE E-BRAKE IS NOT ENGAGED, RECALL THOSE CARS, AND UPDATE THE COMPUTER. AND IF THERE ISN'T ROOM, I SUGGEST DELETING THE NOTIFICATION TO NOT FORGET ONE'S PHONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11337341

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Working with the data? Download all 51 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 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 2020 Volkswagen Jetta Hev verdict →