Volkswagen Jetta years to avoid
The Volkswagen Jetta years to avoid are 2009, 2010, 2002, 2011, 2001, 2006, 2019, 2013, 2012, 2000, 2003, 2014, 1999, 2005, 1995 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1983 is the cleanest year on record.
14,146
Total complaints
86
Recall campaigns
1980–2026
Years covered
15
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Jetta years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | High complaints + open investigation | 1,275 | |
| 2010 | High complaints + open investigation | 1,184 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 885 | |
| 2011 | High complaints + open investigation | 880 | |
| 2001 | High complaint rate | 862 | |
| 2006 | High complaint rate | 792 | |
| 2019 | High complaint rate | 782 | |
| 2013 | High complaints + open investigation | 737 | |
| 2012 | High complaints + open investigation | 692 | |
| 2000 | High complaint rate | 633 | |
| 2003 | High complaint rate | 553 | |
| 2014 | High complaints + open investigation | 552 | |
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 488 | |
| 2005 | High complaint rate | 354 | |
| 1995 | High complaint rate | 338 |
Every Jetta year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2025 | 27 | 2 | |
| 2024 | 53 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 64 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 68 | 1 | |
| 2021 | 93 | 4 | |
| 2020 | 78 | 6 | |
| 2019avoid | 782 | 11 | |
| 2018 | 37 | 3 | |
| 2017 | 247 | 7 | |
| 2016 | 249 | 5 | |
| 2015 | 284 | 8 | |
| 2014avoid | 552 | 5 | |
| 2013avoid | 737 | 6 | |
| 2012avoid | 692 | 8 | |
| 2011avoid | 880 | 10 | |
| 2010avoid | 1,184 | 5 | |
| 2009avoid | 1,275 | 7 | |
| 2008 | 250 | 6 | |
| 2007 | 280 | 6 | |
| 2006avoid | 792 | 6 | |
| 2005avoid | 354 | 7 | |
| 2004 | 295 | 5 | |
| 2003avoid | 553 | 4 | |
| 2002avoid | 885 | 7 | |
| 2001avoid | 862 | 7 | |
| 2000avoid | 633 | 5 | |
| 1999avoid | 488 | 7 | |
| 1998 | 253 | 3 | |
| 1997 | 213 | 2 | |
| 1996 | 245 | 2 | |
| 1995avoid | 338 | 6 | |
| 1994 | 167 | 7 | |
| 1993 | 22 | 6 | |
| 1992 | 33 | 4 | |
| 1991 | 38 | 7 | |
| 1990 | 29 | 7 | |
| 1989 | 28 | 5 | |
| 1988 | 23 | 8 | |
| 1987 | 21 | 4 | |
| 1986 | 18 | 3 | |
| 1985 | 18 | 4 | |
| 1984 | 1 | 2 | |
| 1983 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1982 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1981 | 0 | 4 | |
| 1980 | 0 | 2 |
Common questions
What are the worst Volkswagen Jetta years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Jetta years to avoid are 2009, 2010, 2002, 2011, 2001, 2006, 2019, 2013, 2012, 2000, 2003, 2014, 1999, 2005, 1995. The cleanest year on record is 1983.
What is the best year for the Volkswagen Jetta?
By complaint volume, 1983 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Jetta years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Volkswagen Jetta have?
Across all model years, the Jetta has 86 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 14,146 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.