What's Wrong with the 7th Generation (2019–2021) Jetta?

Jetta owners have made 39 complaints about the 2019–2021 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 26th out of 46 VW generations in overall reliability, with some transmission and engine concerns.

Compare With Other Jetta Generations

Common 2019-2021 Volkswagen Jetta Problems

Some of the worst issues 7th generation Jetta owners have to deal with.

  1. Front Assist Problems

    VW's collision avoidance technology is detecting objects that don't exist. When that happens it slams on the brakes and ends up putting unsuspecting occupants in harm's way. A lawsuit wants the automaker to do more than simply suggest that …

    Continue reading article "Front Assist Problems" Red warning light of VW's collision avoidance technology

  2. What Are We Missing?

    We know there's more problems than this. Let us know which one you'd like to see us cover next.

    Continue Red warning light of VW's collision avoidance technology

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

7th Generation (2019–2021) Jetta Key Numbers

  1. 3 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 39 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 26th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 46 eligible generations.

Recent 7th Generation (2019–2021) Jetta News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. A new class-action says VW's front assist technology applies the brakes randomly and without warning.

    Customers who complain are typically given two not-so-great options, live with it and document the malfunctions or disable the feature entirely.

    The Missouri-based class-action says that's unacceptable and wants VW to take ownership of the problem. That includes covering any related repairs or costs associated with the system malfunctioning under warranty.

    keep reading article "Volkswagen's Front-Assist Emergency Braking Can Activate For No Reason, Says Lawsuit"

  2. Earlier this summer a lawsuit was filed regarding dangerous defects in the Aisin AWF8F35 8-speed transmission.

    Specifically how it hesitates, shakes, and grinds its way to busted seals, oil leaks, and eventual failure.

    Volkswagen asked for the case to be dismissed on the classic legal defense of sure there complaints, but it's not that many complaints.

    And when they tried to convince the court the plaintiffs shouldn't have a case because VW couldn't have possibly known about the problems before the vehicles were sold, they were asked about a "technical tip" sent to VW dealerships on possile transmission problems before the vehicles were sold. The document describes scraping noises commonly heard when shifting into 5th gear at speeds of 20-25 mph, under light load.

    keep reading article "VW Fails to Convince Judge Their 8-Speed Transmissions Aren't Trash"

  3. Volkswagen is recalling 56,000 vehicles with rear coil springs that can snap, crackle, and pop the tires.

    This appears to be an expansion of a smaller recall for the exact same problem last month. It wasn’t until the cars were shipped and sold that VW’s supplier admitted the coil springs weren’t ready for production. Yikes. Owners of the 2015-2019 Golf, 2017-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, and 2018-2019 Tiguan should watch for a recall notice next month.

    keep reading article "VW Recalls More Vehicles with Rear Coil Springs ‘Not Ready for Production'"

  6. Volkswagen is recalling 6,300 vehicles after their supplier informed them the rear coil springs they provided weren’t ready for production.

    Um, whoops? If the coil spring breaks it will cause an unsettling noise (bad), a sagging backend (worse), and can even puncture a tire leading to a sudden blowout (holy smokes terrible). Owners of the 2018-2019 Atlas, 2015 Golf SportWagen, and 2019 Jetta should be on the lookout for a recall notice in the mail.

    VW Coil Spring Recall

    keep reading article "VW Says Supplier Sent Coil Springs That Can Snap, Crackle, and Pop the Tires"

  7. You know that annoying-but-useful chime that comes on every time you open the car door with the key still in the ignition?

    Turns out it might not be working in the 2018-2019 Atlas and 2019 Jetta. VW determined a data container wasn't coded correctly, something that will cause a failure of the instrument cluster to provide an audible warning when the driver opens the door with the key still in the ignition.

    That’s a federal safety no-no. To fix the issue, VW has scheduled a recall for January 18, 2019.

    keep reading article "These VW Vehicles Won’t Alert You When You’ve Left the Key in the Ignition"

  8. A tiny number of 2019 Jetta cars shipped with passenger-side LED headlights that are out of position.

    VW says a driver may have trouble seeing at night, not to mention the incorrect settings violate federal safety standards. Only 28 cars are being recalled so the chances are pretty low that yours is one of them.

    Of course it’s a much higher probability than you hitting that $1.6B mega millions jackpot, so look into it.

    keep reading article "Certain 2019 Jettas Recalled for Out-Of-Position Headlights"