Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Unknown or other8
- Fuel/propulsion system6
- Air bags6
- Power train5
- Electrical system3
- Engine2
- Fuel system, gasoline2
- Service brakes1
- Tires1
- Chest clip, buckle, harness1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 15 2018 Jetta vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 15 people died inside them, and 3 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta failed the safety check 2.45% of the time — 49% more often than the average 2018 passenger car (1.65%). Median odometer at inspection: 57,061 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2018
3,028 new Volkswagen Jetta cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2018; the largest markets were Romania (1,044), Hungary (693), Poland (648).
- Average mass
- 1,361 kg
- Average CO₂
- 115 g/km (NEDC)
- Average power
- 86 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Petrol 63% · Diesel 37%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
In the United Kingdom
30 cars built in 2018 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025.
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In Finland
15 of these cars first registered in 2018 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 97,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 1 variant; 1 of 1 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 11.1 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Optional
- Lane departure warning
- No
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Recalls
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Jetta vehicles. The fuel rail bolts may become loose over time, allowing fuel to leak.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Volkswagen told its dealers about the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11011379 | This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication for the keyless start system. 00B7 - Interface for Access/Start: U101300: Control module not coded & Software Configuration incorrect coding hotfix |
| 11011374 | HVAC duct cleaning and deodorizing |
| 11010024 | Lack of paint under roof |
| 11010022 | Engine Oil Standards |
| 11010021 | Additional reporting |
| 11010011 | Vehicle Concerns Before Recall Repair Available |
| 11008861 | Fluid requirements |
| 11008860 | Manual transmission noise diagnosing |
| 11008858 | A list of engine oil that meet Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards |
| 11008857 | How to perform the engine oil consumption measurement |
| 11008856 | Checking Engine Oil and correctly reading dip stick |
| 11008853 | How to manage software versions using VW diagnostic Tool |
| 11008852 | Recommended Gasoline Quality |
| 11008851 | Engine Misfire Diagnostic Aid |
| 11008850 | Fuel additive to help with misfire faults |
| 11008846 | Wind & Water Leak Checking |
| 11008845 | This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided. |
| 11007398 | Battery testing |
| 11007393 | Engine Oil Standards |
| 11005825 | Engine oil quality standards |
| 11005820 | Engine Assembly Tip |
| 11005819 | Engine Replacement Tip |
| 11005818 | Engine No Start, ECM shorted due to incorrect battery removal |
| 11002875 | Engine oil quality standards |
| 11002874 | Remnants of the valve stem seal on the valve guide can interfere with the installation of new valve stem seals |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)