2021 Volkswagen Jetta
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 69 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 20th highest complaint count among 26 Jetta model years with reports.
Of the 2021 reports, 3 involved a crash. 1 person was injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraJul 20, 2022
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."
A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 22V514000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, air bag/restraint control moduleJun 30, 2021
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 21V492000 on NHTSA.gov
SeatsFeb 1, 2021
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.
The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
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.
Campaign 21V038000 on NHTSA.gov
Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraNov 18, 2020
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."
A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 20V716000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
11 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 2, 2026
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 software update.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Lane departure, Jul 1, 2026
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 the vehicle is in motion. This represents an immediate, manufacturer-initiated distraction and safety hazard that disables cabin instrumentation.
Other or unspecified, Nov 19, 2025
While driving home from work last night, I heard a loud noise that sounded like a gun going off right in the passenger compartment of my Jetta. A lot of wind noise followed. I thought initially that a tire might have blown out, but it was the car’s sunroof that had spontaneously and inexplicably exploded. There was no one close to me on the road, so I don’t believe a foreign object struck the roof. I was able to drive the car home, but the sunroof is demolished.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jun 21, 2025
Shifting vehicle into reverse, turns of back up camera, then shifting into drive camera remains on for a set period of time, if shifted back into reverse as camera turns off, camera will not come back on. Android Auto was being used.
Other or unspecified, Apr 5, 2025
The car is at the dealer service department for the fifth time for EVAP system faults.
Other or unspecified, Feb 6, 2024
UNKNOWN. I was driving from Alabama to Atlanta [XXX]. Pouring rain but no hail, no thunder nor lighting. I was not around nor under an overpass and my sunroof spontaneously shatters. I just bought this vehicle 2 weeks ago at Carmax. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power train, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jun 4, 2023
Hill Assist system creates dangerous situations because it prevents me from moving right away while pulling out in traffic or in front of traffic lights, out of parking garages and stop signs. Hill Assist system often stalls the engine due to holding brakes engaged for an extended period of time even on a slight hill. With a manual transmission this makes it even worse because engine dies in these situations frequently. Dealer dismisses the issue because "there are no fault codes", but if it was manufactured incorrectly and/or calibrated improperly, no error/fault codes will come on. I have been driving manual transmissions all my life (from motorcycles to semi trucks) for over 40 years and it's clear to me that this vehicle is a safety concern with underpowered engine that cannot overcome Hill Assist. Other Hill Assist systems immediately disengage the brakes when an accelerator pedal is pressed. In this vehicle, the brake stays on and vehicle dies on even on a slightest hill. Please help investigate.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 16, 2023
The car would not turn on while using the start/stop feature on three different occasions. Once at a stop sign when I wanted to reverse to make sure I was not pulled out too far into an intersection. I was stuck and could not get out of the way of a car coming. Each time I had to shut the vehicle off completely to restart the system.
Seat belts, Other or unspecified, Aug 22, 2022
I have noticed an issue with how easily the rear, passenger-side seatbelt is able to be clicked into the buckle. Initially when I got the car, passengers using that seatbelt did not seem to have any issue with easily clicking the seatbelt into the buckle. More recently, it seems my passengers using that seatbelt have a more difficult time clicking it into the buckle because the buckle seems to go down into the cushion when they put pressure on it. Passengers now have to hold the buckle in place while clicking it in. The only thing I can think of that could explain this change in how easily the seat belt can be clicked in could be that I put the seats down at one point using the pull lever in the trunk. I'm not sure this "ease of use" issue was the result of putting down the seats at one point but it's what comes to mind. This does not seem to affect the seat belt in terms of it being securely connected to the car, it only seems to affect how easily someone is able to click it into the buckle. People now seem to need to use two hands to click it in versus being able to do it with one hand.
Other or unspecified, Aug 8, 2022
This model Jetta seems to have an issue with the rear license plate mount. The rear license plate mount sandwiches the license plate between a plastic piece attached to the vehicle body and a plastic piece with branding specific to the dealership. The issue I have is when I unscrewed them to remove the top, plastic piece. After I tried to rescrew it without the top piece, it seemed like the screw holes were already stripped. Many people don't want to provide free advertising for the dealership and may attempt to remove the top, plastic piece this way. For safety purposes, you should be able to unscrew and re-screw them without stripping the screw holes.
Other or unspecified, May 4, 2021
CONFLICTING TORQUE SPEC IS LISTED FOR THE WHEEL BOLTS. THE OWNER'S MANUAL (17A012723SF) SPECIFIES 120 NM, BUT I SEE A ODI TSBS (HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2020/MC-10183302-0001.PDF) THAT INDICATES THE TORQUE SPEC IS 140 NM. THAT IS A LARGE DISCREPANCY.