2018 Volkswagen Jetta Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 19%of 32 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 24,600miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the air bags of the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta, 19% of the 32 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 24,600 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Sometimes I leave my cell phone on the passenger seat and the warning bell chimes. If I remove my cell phone from the passenger seat, the warning stops or if I do lock the seatbelt, it will also stop the warning. It seems like the part that checks if a passenger is sitting in the seat is malfunctioning. This does not happen every time but I have noticed it three times so far, mostly in colder weather.”
NHTSA complaint #11183128, filed 2019-02, 8,500 miles“I was backing out of a parking spot, turned the wheel and the screen lit up staing error:airbag. Air bag light came on dash screen. Cruise control, steering wheel options for music control and menu and horn have stopped working. There is this nosie that comes from the steering column when making turns now as well.”
NHTSA complaint #11665499, filed 2025-06“Front passenger air bag light came on without provocation and remains on. Have noticed multiple recalls of similar situations with VW air bags being recalled. It appeared to start with the detection of weight change in the seat. It would not deactivate when a small child sat in the front seat. Now the passenger air bag light just continuously stays on regardless of adult, child, or nothing is the seat.”
NHTSA complaint #11653841, filed 2025-04“The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 55mph. The contact depressed on the brake pedal and the pedal was not functioning, the contact struck a guardrail and the vehicle come to a stop. The contact stated that no one was injured and no one seeked medical attention. Contact stated that the airbags deployed but did not deflate afterwards; when inspecting the side airbags on front driver and passenger side contact stated that the airbags had rips on the top and bottom. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. …”
NHTSA complaint #11386640, filed 2021-01, 40,700 miles“Air bag light came on unprovoked. Remains on. We noted this announcement and feel it is the same problem. ((In April 2023, Volkswagen recalled some vehicles due to a faulty front passenger detection system that could deactivate the front passenger air bag. A deactivated air bag won't deploy in a crash, which could increase the risk of injury to the front passenger. Volkswagen is developing a remedy and will notify owners when it's available. In the meantime, owners shouldn't let anyone sit in the front passenger seat. ))”
NHTSA complaint #11610694, filed 2024-08Related service bulletins
- 11034621Jun 11, 2026Inquiries
- 11030826Mar 2, 2026The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent warning regarding counterfeit replacement airbag inflators that are being installed in used…
- 11014956Feb 12, 2025This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: This hotfix is for multiple vehicles for…
- 10249688Jan 30, 2024Grinding noises can be heard from the area of the steering wheel/driver airbag or steering column when maneuvering OR Various controls, warnings or fault indicators, such as…
- 10247537Dec 11, 2023Rear of teering wheel trim modification for noise when maneuvering.
- 10231584Feb 2, 2023VW contact when reporting a Airbag or Pyrotechnic safety belt deployment. Update to model year applicability.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 4% |
| 2023 | 1 | 2% |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 5 | 7% |
| 2020 | 2 | 4% |
| 2019 | 16 | 3% |
| 2018 | 6 | 19% |
| 2017 | 21 | 13% |
| 2016 | 7 | 4% |
| 2015 | 17 | 9% |
| 2014 | 37 | 10% |
| 2013 | 31 | 6% |
| 2012 | 34 | 7% |
| 2011 | 37 | 6% |
| 2010 | 31 | 4% |
| 2009 | 35 | 4% |
| 2008 | 20 | 11% |
| 2007 | 35 | 17% |
| 2006 | 65 | 11% |
| 2005 | 26 | 10% |
| 2004 | 21 | 9% |
| 2003 | 77 | 17% |
| 2002 | 108 | 15% |
| 2001 | 97 | 15% |
| 2000 | 41 | 9% |
| 1999 | 30 | 9% |
| 1998 | 9 | 5% |
| 1997 | 5 | 9% |
| 1995 | 22 | 10% |
| 1994 | 4 | 3% |
| 1986 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta
9 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology