2020 Volkswagen Jetta Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 31%of 54 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 8,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the electrical system of the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta, 31% of the 54 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 8,000 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.
“2 separate incidents involving the epc. One was about 10 day's ago, july 9th getting on the freeway in houston. Car threw up numerous error codes, it automatically slammed on the brakes upon entering the middle lane of the freeway, gave an epc error code, transmission error code, and start/stop error code. I got it to the nearest dealership, montroad Volkswagen off I-45. They claim they could find nothing wrong after sitting on it for 24 hours & sent me on my way. …”
NHTSA complaint #11340224, filed 2020-07, 4,950 miles“The epc light comes on randomly at highway speeds when revving up the engine to overtake cars. The engine suddenly bogs down and engine rpms are limited to 3000 when light is on. It could be a potentially dangerous situation because the car will not want to accelerate and forces me to get off the freeway. The only way for the light to come off is to turn off the car and turn it back on. I visited a local vw dealer and they informed me of a fault code p227900 intake air system leak passive/sporadic. They performed an air intake system test and found no problems. …”
NHTSA complaint #11351913, filed 2020-08, 6,000 miles“The hill hold assist did not disengaged quickly when stopped on an incline, burning the clutch to get the vehicle to move forward. This caused smoking from the hood of the car and we were then forced to pull to the side of a very congested highway and wait for the smoking to stop and give the clutch a break. This has now caused premature clutch wear.”
NHTSA complaint #11387573, filed 2021-01, 8,000 miles“Vehicle is brand new and has been in my possession for 7 days. Car-net module and bluetooth audio modules have both failed. Car-net failed on day 5, bluetooth on day 6. Prescribed resolution involves pulling the appropriate fuse to reset the system. After this procedure, system failed to reset.”
NHTSA complaint #11365866, filed 2020-10, 140 miles“Vehicle was stationary in parking spot and upon ignition began revving uncontrollably and threw up error codes engine speed max. 4000 RPM and start-stop system error , along with epc and engine lights. The brake was also depressed. Upon putting into reverse the parking brake was automatically engaged while the engine continued to rev. Soon after, engine would sputter but not turn over with the same error codes on display.”
NHTSA complaint #11407463, filed 2021-04, 14,000 milesRelated recalls
- 23V604000Aug 30, 2023Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf Sportwagen, 2019-2020 Golf GTI, and Jetta vehicles equipped…Covers: Volkswagen Jetta 2019–2020, GTI 2019–2020, Golf 2019 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 11036886Aug 14, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the…
- 11035772Jul 15, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the…
- 11030829Mar 6, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct…
- 11028490Jan 6, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct a…
- 11027254Dec 8, 2025Diagnosis for Excessive Current Draw.
- 11026186Nov 20, 2025A "How To" activate Car Net® 2.0 - Emergency Call Module and Communication Unit -J949-Vehicle is Offline (Not Connected)
- 11026188Nov 18, 2025This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- 11022722Aug 27, 2025Activation
- 11020323Jun 11, 2025Remote Key Battery Replacement
- 11016579Mar 10, 2025Update Engine/Motor Control Module
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 50% |
| 2025 | 3 | 9% |
| 2024 | 7 | 15% |
| 2023 | 9 | 21% |
| 2022 | 10 | 23% |
| 2021 | 13 | 19% |
| 2020 | 17 | 31% |
| 2019 | 154 | 28% |
| 2018 | 3 | 9% |
| 2017 | 33 | 21% |
| 2016 | 36 | 22% |
| 2015 | 49 | 25% |
| 2014 | 94 | 24% |
| 2013 | 148 | 29% |
| 2012 | 138 | 28% |
| 2011 | 186 | 31% |
| 2010 | 233 | 27% |
| 2009 | 107 | 12% |
| 2008 | 42 | 22% |
| 2007 | 45 | 22% |
| 2006 | 112 | 19% |
| 2005 | 48 | 19% |
| 2004 | 36 | 16% |
| 2003 | 97 | 21% |
| 2002 | 148 | 21% |
| 2001 | 117 | 18% |
| 2000 | 60 | 14% |
| 1999 | 44 | 13% |
| 1998 | 41 | 21% |
| 1997 | 17 | 31% |
| 1996 | 4 | 13% |
| 1995 | 45 | 20% |
| 1994 | 24 | 21% |
| 1993 | 2 | 12% |
| 1992 | 6 | 20% |
| 1991 | 4 | 13% |
| 1990 | 4 | 18% |
| 1988 | 1 | 5% |
| 1987 | 2 | 11% |
| 1986 | 1 | 7% |
| 1985 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta
13 complaintsEngine
12 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsForward collision avoidance
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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