2018 Volkswagen JETTA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
31 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
40,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 31 complaints (25.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 12.9% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 9.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 9.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 6.5% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 3.2% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
Unknown Or Other: 8; Air Bags: 6; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Power Train: 5; Electrical System: 3; Engine: 2; Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 24 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2019: 3; 2020: 2; 2021: 3; 2022: 2; 2023: 4; 2024: 7; 2025: 5; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11183128 · 2019-02-28 (February 28, 2019)
SOMETIMES I LEAVE MY CELL PHONE ON THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE WARNING BELL CHIMES. IF I REMOVE MY CELL PHONE FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE WARNING STOPS OR IF I DO LOCK THE SEATBELT, IT WILL ALSO STOP THE WARNING. IT SEEMS LIKE THE PART THAT CHECKS IF A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE SEAT IS MALFUNCTIONING. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME BUT I HAVE NOTICED IT THREE TIMES SO FAR, MOSTLY IN COLDER WEATHER.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11183128 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11187453 · 2019-03-18 (March 18, 2019)
THE BACKUP CAMERA INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO WORK ALONG WITH THE OTHER FUNCTIONS(E.G., RADIO) OF THE INFORMATION SCREEN. A LOCAL DEALERSHIP "REBOOTED" THE INFO SYSTEM BUT THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11187453 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11230706 · 2019-07-10 (July 10, 2019)
WHILE IN MOTION AT LOW SPEEDS, BETWEEN 28 AND 30 MPH, YOU CAN HEAR A GRINDING OR SCRAPING NOISE COMING FROM THE CAR AND YOU CAN FEEL A BIT OF LOSS OF POWER IN THE CAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS IN THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN BOUGHT NEW, THIS NOISE WAS NON EXISTING, IT APPEARED AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF DRIVING
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11230706 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11324610 · 2020-05-15 (May 15, 2020)
AFTER REVERSING AND THEN STOPPING AND SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION POPS IN TO GEAR. ALSO VEHICLE RADIO TURNS ON AND OFF AT RANDOM TIMES HAVING TO RESTART WHILE IN MOTION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 20,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11324610 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11339296 · 2020-07-14 (July 14, 2020)
STRAP FP. 6H0-867-749 THE YELLOW STRAP IS RISKING DRIVER OR OCCUPANTS OF A HOMICIDE FROM ASSAILANTS OR ASSAILANT BECAUSE OF CRIME OF OPPORTUNITY FROM STRANGULATIONS. THE SPACE SAVER TIRE CHANGING SPACING IN KIT IS NOT BEING UTILIZED FOR A FULL SIZE TIRE WHILE IN DISTRESS WHILE AWAITING OR CHANGING FLATTEN TIRE ON ROADSIDE.
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11339296 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11386640 · 2021-01-05 (January 5, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL WAS NOT FUNCTIONING, THE CONTACT STRUCK A GUARDRAIL AND THE VEHICLE COME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED AND NO ONE SEEKED MEDICAL ATTENTION. CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BUT DID NOT DEFLATE AFTERWARDS; WHEN INSPECTING THE SIDE AIRBAGS ON FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIRBAGS HAD "RIPS" ON THE TOP AND BOTTOM. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WA…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11386640 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11394599 · 2021-02-04 (February 4, 2021)
AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES- CAR WOULD NOT MOVE IN DRIVE POSITION. DASH CODE: ESC. LUCKILY, 2018 JETTA STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11394599 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11433614 · 2021-09-20 (September 20, 2021)
From the day I bought the car brand new the driver window rolls down and you have to roll it completely down in order to roll it back up I have had every part replaced in the window and it still does it
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11433614 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V615000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module | Steering:Column Locking:Anti-Theft Device
Reported: 2019-08-22 (August 22, 2019)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V648000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail
Reported: 2020-10-21 (October 21, 2020)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Jetta vehicles. The fuel rail bolts may become loose over time, allowing fuel to leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rail bolts and, as necessary, the fuel rail. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24Gi.
NHTSA campaign record ↗