2020 Volkswagen Jetta: owner complaints and recalls

Analysis of 51 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 6 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.

51
Complaints
6
Recalls
1
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
2
Injuries
39.2
Severity index

Severity index 39.2 - Medium. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.

Among the 103 2020 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta ranks 70 of 103 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 32% of its model-year peers. See the full 2020 ranking.

What actually fails

ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1631.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1325.5%
ENGINE1223.5%
SERVICE BRAKES713.7%
POWER TRAIN713.7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM59.8%
STEERING35.9%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL35.9%

The single most-reported system is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, cited in 16 of 51 complaints (31.4%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.

Complaints filed per year

2020: 72021: 92022: 52023: 72024: 142025: 52026: 420212223242526
YearComplaints
20207
20219
20225
20237
202414
20255
2026 (year to date)4
Complaint volume is broadly steady year over year.

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
20V50500026/08/2020SEATSVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.
21V49200030/06/2021AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULEVolkswagen 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.
20V35900017/06/2020SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPERVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling one 2020 Jetta vehicle. The front brake caliper bolts may come loose.
22V81500031/10/2022TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMSVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas
23V60400030/08/2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCHVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf Sportwagen, 2019-2020 Golf GTI, and Jetta vehicles equipped with a conventional ignition switch. The ignition switch may fail, especially in high temperature environments.
24V11000014/02/2024FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 20
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.