2019 Volkswagen Jetta Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 5%of 552 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta, 5% of the 552 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Factory wipers result in streaking, replaced at less than 5k miles. Problem alleviated. Typical metallic grinding at low speeds, as described by other reports. Passenger LED headlight ring excessively dim. Multiple sources report open recall for this, however, no sources including dealer agree my vehicle is included. Several people have pointed out my faulty headlight ring. Review of photos containing vehicle indicate headlight issue was not present at purchase. Can not confirm.”
NHTSA complaint #11185606, filed 2019-03, 100 miles“Interior ambient lighting issue on 2019 Jetta gli autobahn: the ambient lights inconsistently light up during some starts. In some cases, none come on. In other cases, some # of the 6 zones will come on. Attached are pics where the driver side panel and center console lighting zones are off while all others are lit. I've taken it to the dealer twice without any resolution. The first time one LED was out (in front of the shifter). At 4k miles, LED lights should not be burning out. …”
NHTSA complaint #11279285, filed 2019-11, 4,000 miles“Only on days where I leave my car in the direct heat under the sun for a few hours I go to get in and start and it starts up at first and then the dashboard displays check starter system soon after all the electrical work in the car shuts down and doesn't turn on again until the car cools down or when the sun goes down. I live in phoenix where it's hot everyday so this issue is happening frequently with my vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11542930, filed 2023-09“The Car lost all electrical components, gauges, turn signals, and possibly break lights while in operation. If I had been unlucky, I could have been rear-ended or ended up in an accident if my brake lights were not working and I could not tell how fast I was going. First, the car dinged and said Please check starter system while I was downshifting while coming to a stop. The engine remained running, but I lost all gauges, dashboard lights, cabin controls, and turn signals.”
NHTSA complaint #11523348, filed 2023-05“dash goes dark a check engine start system comes up. I have no lights inside or outside no turn signals or brake lights no heat, the engine still runs and drives but with the windows not working I cannot use hand signals. I took it to a dealer in Bend Or they did not fix the problem. It happened again in Boise Id. that was fun.I called the dealer in Bend and have an Appointment the end of December does not help if it goes out again. This has happened several times since June? it is happening more and more”
NHTSA complaint #11441979, filed 2021-11Related recalls
- 18V671000Sep 26, 2018Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles equipped with LED headlights. The passenger side headlight…Covers: Volkswagen Jetta 2019
Related service bulletins
- 11030845Mar 30, 2026Moisture Accumulation
- 10236366May 17, 2023Customer states MIL-on, P0442 stored in ECM memory Customer states MIL-on, fault P2402 stored in ECM memory Customer states MIL-on, fault P04F0 stored in ECM memory Customer…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 17% |
| 2025 | 1 | 3% |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 26 | 5% |
| 2017 | 5 | 3% |
| 2016 | 3 | 2% |
| 2015 | 5 | 3% |
| 2014 | 24 | 6% |
| 2013 | 17 | 3% |
| 2012 | 13 | 3% |
| 2011 | 41 | 7% |
| 2010 | 19 | 2% |
| 2009 | 24 | 3% |
| 2008 | 5 | 3% |
| 2007 | 8 | 4% |
| 2006 | 32 | 6% |
| 2005 | 14 | 6% |
| 2004 | 9 | 4% |
| 2003 | 28 | 6% |
| 2002 | 50 | 7% |
| 2001 | 80 | 12% |
| 2000 | 34 | 8% |
| 1999 | 17 | 5% |
| 1998 | 7 | 4% |
| 1995 | 7 | 3% |
| 1993 | 1 | 6% |
| 1988 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta
163 complaintsElectrical system
154 complaintsEngine
147 complaintsOther or unknown
95 complaintsBrakes
30 complaintsFuel system
29 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
26 complaintsBody and structure
23 complaintsSuspension
17 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsForward collision avoidance
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2019 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