What are the most common problems with the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta?

Owners filed 54 complaints with NHTSA. The electrical system leads with 17, followed by unknown or other causes and the engine.

Does the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta have recalls?

Yes. The by-year fact shows 6 recalls for this model year. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.

Are there brake complaints on the 2020 Jetta?

Yes. 7 complaints name the brakes. Owners describe parking brake and braking feel concerns.

How reliable is the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta?

The page lists 54 owner complaints. They are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so use them as a checklist for a test drive.

What is the gas mileage of the 2020 Jetta?

See the fuel economy section on this page.

2020 Volkswagen Jetta Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 54 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta^[1]. The electrical system is the biggest group, with 17 of them^[2].

54owner complaints^[1]

6recalls^[3]

28–34MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups, biggest first.

Electrical System. 17 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe warning lights that pop up at highway speed, power that drops off when they try to pass, and error messages that appear together. One owner describes infotainment modules that quit within days of purchase.
Unknown Or Other. 13 complaints^[6]. These reports do not name a clear component group.
Engine. 12 complaints^[7]. Owners describe the car refusing to speed up when the pedal is pressed, the engine cutting out at a stop, and a shake at higher speeds.
Brakes. 7 complaints^[8]. Owners describe a car rolling away with the electronic parking brake not announcing itself, grinding from a worn pad, and a clicking sound with weaker stopping at times.
Power Train. 7 complaints^[9]. Owners describe sudden loss of power, a shudder when the gearbox shifts, and a car that shut down after a bump in the road.
Fuel/Propulsion System. 5 complaints^[10].
Steering. 4 complaints^[11].
Speed Control. 3 complaints^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2020 Jetta is necessarily included.

Fuel System, Gasoline (24V110), February 2024. About 261,257 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch (23V604), August 2023. About 62,538 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems (22V815), October 2022. About 296,044 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module (21V492), June 2021. About 379 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Seats (20V505), August 2020. About 5,376 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper (20V359), June 2020. About 1 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[18]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Jetta, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[19]	25 / 33 / 28	$2,400
Jetta, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[20]	25 / 32 / 28	$2,400
Jetta, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	30 / 40 / 34	$1,950
Jetta, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[21]	30 / 40 / 34	$1,950

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR FWD^[5]	5	4	5	4	13.1%
4 DR FWD^[22]	5	4	5	4	13.1%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2020 Volkswagen Jetta with 1.4L 4-cylinder^[23]	147 hp
2020 Volkswagen Jetta with 2.0L 4-cylinder^[24]	228 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
JETTA 4DR SEDAN^[25]	186 in	71 in	57 in	106 in	2,976 lb
JETTA GLI 4DR SEDAN^[26]	186 in	71 in	57 in	106 in	3,225 lb

How 2020 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Jetta model year. The 2020 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	220	4
1996	31	1
1997	54	1
1998	192	2
1999	349	6
2000	439	4
2001	668	6
2002	704	5
2003	458	2
2004	233	2
2005	248	4
2006	580	4
2007	201	4
2008	190	4
2009	905	6
2010	875	5
2011	640	8
2012	527	6
2013	633	7
2014	441	7
2015	197	8
2016	164	4
2017	160	6
2018	31	2
2019	549	11
2020	54	6
2021	69	4
2022	43	1
2023	43	0
2024	46	0
2025	30	2
2026	6	1

NHTSA's counts for the Jetta show 54 complaints and 6 recalls for 2020^[3]. Among the 33 model years listed, 8 have fewer complaints than 2020 and 23 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2009 (905)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2020 Jetta?

The 2020 Jetta has a modest complaint file, with 54 reports in all^[1]. The electrical system, unknown causes and the engine lead the list^[2]^[6]^[7]. Some owners in the engine and power train complaints describe a sudden loss of power while driving, which is worth asking about on a test drive. The by-year fact shows that recalls exist for this model year, so check the Recalls section above^[3]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a guide to what to ask about when you shop.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta?: Owners filed 54 complaints with NHTSA^[1]. The electrical system leads with 17^[2], followed by unknown or other causes^[6] and the engine^[7].
Does the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta have recalls?: Yes. The by-year fact shows 6 recalls for this model year^[3]. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.
Are there brake complaints on the 2020 Jetta?: Yes. 7 complaints name the brakes^[8]. Owners describe parking brake and braking feel concerns.
How reliable is the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta?: The page lists 54 owner complaints^[1]. They are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so use them as a checklist for a test drive.
What is the gas mileage of the 2020 Jetta?: See the fuel economy section on this page.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Volkswagen Jetta

2011 640 complaints, 8 recalls
2012 527 complaints, 6 recalls
2013 633 complaints, 7 recalls
2014 441 complaints, 7 recalls
2015 197 complaints, 8 recalls
2016 164 complaints, 4 recalls
2017 160 complaints, 6 recalls
2019 549 complaints, 11 recalls
2020 this page
2024 46 complaints, 0 recalls

Compare all model years of the Volkswagen Jetta

Other Volkswagen models from 2020

2020 Volkswagen Tiguan 141 complaints, 3 recalls

All Volkswagen models

Similar cars from 2020: compact cars

2020 Nissan Versa 64 complaints, 2 recalls

All compact cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 54 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta (1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
17 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 8,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Volkswagen Jetta model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Jetta, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 30 city / 40 highway / 34 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 13.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
13 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
12 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 14,000). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 24V110, filed February 14, 2024: Fuel System, Gasoline. NHTSA recall database
Recall 23V604, filed August 30, 2023: Electrical System › Ignition › Switch. NHTSA recall database
Recall 22V815, filed October 31, 2022: Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems. NHTSA recall database
Recall 21V492, filed June 30, 2021: Air Bags › Air Bag / Restraint Control Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V505, filed August 26, 2020: Seats. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V359, filed June 17, 2020: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Jetta, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 33 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Jetta, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 32 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Jetta, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 30 city / 40 highway / 34 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 13.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2020 Volkswagen Jetta with 1.4L 4-cylinder: rated 147 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2020 Volkswagen Jetta with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 228 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, JETTA 4DR SEDAN: length 186 in, width 71 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 2,976 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, JETTA GLI 4DR SEDAN: length 186 in, width 71 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,225 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2020 Volkswagen Jetta: problems, recalls and fuel economy