2021 Volkswagen Jetta problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (23) · Fuel/Propulsion System (10) · Electrical System (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Volkswagen Jetta model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (4)
Equipment:electrical:infotainment:software 2022-07-20 · campaign 22V514000 · 43,091 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.
Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module 2021-06-30 · campaign 21V492000 · 379 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Jetta and Jetta GLI vehicles. The air bag control module was welded in the incorrect position.
Risk: Incorrect positioning of the air bag control module can cause the vehicle's air bags to deploy improperly during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, the vehicle's air bags can deploy unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 28, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69CK.
Seats:critical Fasteners 2021-02-01 · campaign 21V038000 · 57 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Long Wheelbase and Jetta vehicles. Bolts may be missing from the front seat tracks.
Risk: The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat tracks and, as necessary, install the bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 18, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72L6.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera 2020-11-18 · campaign 20V716000 · 32,048 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91BB/91BC.
Service bulletins (487)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-09-17 · V0116152014815_20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
suggested fuel additive
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-09 · SM 39-2026 · Other
this special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
Service Brakes 2026-08-27 · V4622022067177_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
repair or replace information
Electrical System 2026-08-14 · VOS-26-47 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a notice for software changes with the odis diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: a software fix is needed to correct the issue: part number 3q0-959-435n software version number 1307 has incorrect coding.
Power Train 2026-08-11 · SM 04-2026 · Other
this special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
Power Train 2026-08-10 · V4015022033347_8 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
replacement instruction
Showing the 6 most recent of 487 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-29 · Fuel/Propulsion System“evap n80 purge valve failed under 34,000 miles. dealer refused to cover due to time elapsed. replaced out-of-pocket due to predatory dealership repair pricing for a known manufacturing defect.…”
2026-10-22 · Fuel/Propulsion System“> the fuel/propulsion system experienced continuous refueling difficulties characterized by premature nozzle shut-offs and trapped air in the fuel tank, preventing normal refueling operations. this ongoing malfunction creates potential safety hazards during vehicle operation and roadside refueling. unknown if reproduced or confirmed by a dealership…”
2026-09-24 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings“there is a known issue released by volkswagen that certain model years of their vehicles are eligible for a limited extended warranty regarding the clock spring. in their release announcement vwp-18-11 on april 27, 2023, they specifically mentioned vehicle year model 2010 to 2022 qualifies for u37 warranty key if the issue exists. however, my 2021 …”
2026-09-15 · Service Brakes“there appears to be a known issue with the rear braking system on the vw jetta for various model years including 2021. the issue seems to be a combination of soft brake pads combined with the autonomous braking system which overuses the brakes and causes premature wear. this rear autonomous braking system cannot be turned off. vw acknowledged th…”
2026-09-02 · Unknown Or Other“mid june 2026 infotainment update was over the air software update. update caused infotainment failures: looping screen resets, unable to play audio, disruption to screen during safety features such as back up cam, unable to accomplish directions, carplay no longer consistent feature. none of these listed problems were present before over the air…”
2026-07-14 · Service Brakes · 💥 crash“while traveling at the posted speed limit and approaching a signalized intersection, i attempted to brake for stopped traffic ahead. the vehicle did not decelerate as expected, and the automatic emergency braking/forward collision mitigation system did not activate or provide any braking assistance. additionally, no forward collision warning or aud…”
2026-07-01 · Unknown Or Other“volkswagen corporate deployed a mandatory over-the-air (ota) software update to the mib3 infotainment system. the update failed mid-installation, entirely bricking the j794 information module. this failure completely disabled vital driver information systems, including the digital dash compass, all audio alerts, and driver notification tones while …”
2026-06-17 · Fuel/Propulsion System“epc light comes on and vehicle starts losing power while driving, you lose all acceleration. check engine light has also illuminated i have taken in to have repairs done on this same issue 4 times in a span of owing this car for 7 months, this vehicle has become unreliable and a safety hazard while driving. they have replaced battery replaced ign…”
2026-05-09 · Service Brakes“vehicle information: year: 2021 make: volkswagen model: jetta date of purchase: march 2022 approximate mileage at time of incident: 25,000 miles --- nature of complaint: i am filing this complaint regarding premature and dangerous rear brake pad and rotor wear on my 2021 volkswagen jetta, purchased new in march 2022. at approximately 25,000 mile…”
2026-02-25 · Service Brakes“i took my car into dealer at 20,000 miles. they told me rear brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced. at that time, they were replaced under warranty. i took my car into dealer at 34,000 miles for regular service and was told rear brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced. pads were at 3%, service associate warned me about driving on the high…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.