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Volkswagen JettaModel year report

2021 Volkswagen Jetta Problems

Compared with other Volkswagen Jetta years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

29/100 0.6× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
70filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
9,000miles, 8 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
33 mpgcombined, 1.4L 4-cyl FWD · 29 city / 39 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report rear brake pads and rotors wearing out early, sometimes with grinding or scraping before any warning appears, and often a short time after a previous replacement. A second cluster of complaints covers electronics and safety-assist systems: door lock actuators, the infotainment unit and backup camera, and forward collision or lane-assist features that intervene when owners say there was no obstacle. Refueling trouble and repeated check-engine light visits for evaporative emissions issues also appear in the sample.

  1. Brakes

    Rear brakes wear out early

    • 17 complaints (24%)
    • median 14,469 mi at 3.3 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
    • owner-quoted repair $522 (median of 5 quotes)
    • filed 2023–2026

    Owners describe rear pads and rotors needing replacement far earlier than expected, sometimes with the inner pad worn down to metal while the front brakes still look fine. Many mention a grinding or scraping noise from the rear, and some say it returned only a few thousand miles after a first replacement. According to the complaints, dealers replaced the rear pads and rotors, and several owners report being told the wear was covered under an extended warranty on the rear brakes while others say coverage was refused. Mostly reported between about 8,000 and 35,000 miles, often within the first two years of ownership.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Have the rear pads and rotors measured rather than eyeballed, and ask for the service history showing when they were last replaced. Note that some owners mention an extended warranty on the rear brakes; ask whether it applies to this vehicle.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Went in for service appointment at 27000 miles. I was told rear brake pads needed replacing. Upon questioning this as I have NEVER had to replace a set of brake pads with such little miles, and I am not a hard braker, the service advisor stated that VW extended to warranty for the brake pads to 2 years, 24,000 miles. VW claims to have lower cost maintance than other car brands. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11625900, filed 2024-11

    “I do not feel safe with my Vehicle. I purchased new and at 16,550 Miles it needed new rear rotors and pads. Again at 38417 it needed new rotors and pads. I drive the car softly and am not heavy on the brakes. This seems to be a known issue and the dealership says I should be prepared to replace rotors and pads this frequently. It was only 1.5 years until the 2nd pad/rotor change. Not only do I not feel safe, that is a financial hardship.”

    NHTSA complaint #11557047, filed 2023-11
  2. Forward collision avoidance

    Forward collision and lane assist acting unexpectedly

    • 10 complaints (14%)
    • median 14,000 mi at 2.2 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2022–2026

    Complaints describe automatic emergency braking engaging over a steel plate, a clear road or with no obstruction ahead, and one owner reports the system failing to intervene in a real braking situation. Lane keep assist is described as pulling or jerking the wheel, in one case toward oncoming traffic, and adaptive cruise control is reported to deactivate intermittently or brake the car to a stop. Owners say dealers often could not reproduce the behavior or found no fault codes. Reported from under 1,000 miles to around 35,000 miles, at highway and lower speeds.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Ask whether any software updates or sensor replacements were done for the driver assistance systems, and try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on a road with clear markings. Note that a service bulletin describes a procedure for unwarranted autonomous emergency braking; ask the dealer whether it was performed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The car suddenly warned and stopped abruptly while we were traveling over a steel plate on the road. There were no other hazards in the road and no other cars in front of us in our lane (there were cars oncoming in the opposite traffic lane, but none had crossed over into ours). While we were impressed by how quickly and effectively the car stopped, we are concerned that the car may have deemed the steel plate to be another car or other road hazard. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11469540, filed 2022-06

    “When I started the car an alert came on the said the door there was a driver door contact switch error. When I was trying to back up the emergency brake came on. The door was closed. There was an electric parking break error. Also a start stop error. When trying to go forward the parking brake kept coming on. I was going 10 mph and the e brake engaged and would not let me out unless I turned off the car and turned it back on. When I brought it to the dealership they ran tests on it and they said it was the door wiring harness. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11457912, filed 2022-03
  3. Fuel system

    Refueling problems and check-engine light

    • 9 complaints (13%)
    • typically at 4.0 yrs old
    • filed 2022–2026

    Owners report the fuel door failing to release, with an error message when they try to open it, and others describe the pump nozzle shutting off repeatedly so the tank fills only slowly or spills at the filler neck. A separate group describes a check-engine light tied to the evaporative emissions system, with repeated dealer visits, parts replacements and software updates that did not resolve it. Some owners say the dealer stated no fix was available at the time. Reported from roughly 16,000 miles upward, in some cases recurring over many months.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Try opening the fuel door and filling the tank during a test drive, and ask for the service record for any evaporative emissions or check-engine repairs, including software updates.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Since January of 2024, I been having issues with this vehicle. Check engine light came on after 3 day of purchase I was told it needs to be reset. From there vehicle emissions valve failed, N80 valve, electronic module and now fuel injection”

    NHTSA complaint #11642859, filed 2025-02

    “EPC light comes on and vehicle starts losing power while driving, you lose all acceleration. Check engine light has also illuminated I have taken in to have repairs done on this same issue 4 times in a span of owing this car for 7 months, this vehicle has become unreliable and a safety hazard while driving. They have replaced battery replaced ignition coils replaced EVAP valve reset my computer software updated my computers. I have spent a ton of money on this car for a repair that is unrepairable. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11744747, filed 2026-06
  4. Electrical system

    Door locks and electrical glitches

    • 5 complaints (7%)
    • typically at 2.8 yrs old
    • filed 2022–2025

    Complaints describe door lock actuators that stop locking or unlocking from the outside, remote or auto-lock, and doors that have to be opened from the inside handle. Some owners report a door contact switch error message, and others describe the car refusing to start or losing power entirely, sometimes with a check starter system message. Dealers named wiring harnesses, actuators and software in some cases, while other owners say no fault was found. Reported across a wide mileage range, from low-mileage cars to vehicles past 30,000 miles.

    3 related service bulletins

    What to check: Cycle the locks with the fob, the interior switch and the auto-lock while driving, and check each door opens from the outside. Ask whether the battery and any software updates have been addressed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The car would not turn on while using the start/stop feature on three different occasions. Once at a stop sign when I wanted to reverse to make sure I was not pulled out too far into an intersection. I was stuck and could not get out of the way of a car coming. Each time I had to shut the vehicle off completely to restart the system.”

    NHTSA complaint #11507553, filed 2023-02

    “What system component failed or malfunctioned? Is it available for inspection upon request? The car boards are left inoperative. If the entire car loses power Don't grab the car How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I'm driving down the road and suddenly the car no longer works. It doesn't start and the drivers behind me have to avoid me. On many occasions I have had to leave the car on while I run errands because I have had to ask for help to turn it on, so I don't turn it off because I don't know if it will turn on again. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11615365, filed 2024-09
  5. Electrical system

    Infotainment freezes and backup camera dropouts

    Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

    Owners describe the radio shutting down or restarting on its own, including while the backup camera is active, and the camera screen going black or not appearing on activation. Some reports concern an over-the-air infotainment update that left the screen looping through resets, disabled audio and alerts, or disrupted phone projection. According to the complaints, dealers acknowledged a pattern of camera and infotainment faults in some cases and replaced the radio in others. Reported at various mileages, sometimes shortly after an over-the-air software update.

    Recall 22V514000Recall 20V7160003 related service bulletins

    What to check: Check the backup camera and radio on a cold start, and confirm with the dealer whether the open infotainment recalls for the rearview camera image and the recall software updates have been completed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Backup camera has been having problems with blacking out or not working upon activation. I informed the service advisor who did not investigate the problem and said VW should be coming out with something about it because there has been a lot of issues with them. I have no received anything regarding this officially from VW.”

    NHTSA complaint #11625901, filed 2024-11

    “Mid June 2026 infotainment update was over the air software update. Update caused infotainment failures: looping screen resets, unable to play audio, disruption to screen during safety features such as back up cam, unable to accomplish directions, CarPlay no longer consistent feature. None of these listed problems were present before over the air software update.”

    NHTSA complaint #11761522, filed 2026-09

Buying note. Ask for the full service history, with particular attention to when the rear brakes were last replaced and whether any extended coverage was applied, plus any completed recall and software updates. A pre-purchase inspection that measures the rear pads and checks the door locks, backup camera and driver assistance systems is worth the cost on this model year.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 70 consumer complaints for the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta. 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 9,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 an injury, 2 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 487 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 15 Volkswagen Jetta model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 29 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Steering (3), Transmission and drivetrain (2), Back-over prevention (rear camera) (1), Exterior lighting (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seats (1), Suspension (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “I purchased my Volkswagen Jetta July 2021. I had been getting my car serviced ever since at the dealership in Orange Park for routine maintenance, repairs, and recalls. There were times when I brought the vehicle to the dealership and the check engine light was on but they said nothing was wrong. I continue to complain about a noise coming from my trunk but again I was informed that nothing was wrong. …”

NHTSA complaint #11510974, filed 2023-03

Electrical system: “When I started my car a light came on saying “check starter system” and I turned the car off and then turned it back on and same message appeared. I waited until it was cooler outside and tried it again and the light disappeared. I’m aware of the recalls on the 2019-2020 Jetta and the faulty ignition switch, and I believe this is what it is as well.”

NHTSA complaint #11604356, filed 2024-07

Other or unknown: “While driving home from work last night, I heard a loud noise that sounded like a gun going off right in the passenger compartment of my Jetta. A lot of wind noise followed. I thought initially that a tire might have blown out, but it was the car’s sunroof that had spontaneously and inexplicably exploded. There was no one close to me on the road, so I don’t believe a foreign object struck the roof. I was able to drive the car home, but the sunroof is demolished.”

NHTSA complaint #11700262, filed 2025-11

Fuel system: “I have been having issues with the EVAP system in my 2021 VW Jetta. It has been in the shop at least 7 times since around 12K miles for the same issue. They have replaced all parts and upgraded the software several times and it is still an issue. My check engine light comes on and off all the time. It is just over a year old with almost 50K miles and they say that they are waiting on an update from VW and until then there is nothing they can do.”

NHTSA complaint #11497923, filed 2022-12

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 1,900 and 14,469 miles.

50%0–1038%10–2513%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 9,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

20212022202320242120252026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Jetta · sedan FWD★★★★★4 / 4554 · 13.1% risk
Jetta GLI · sedan FWD★★★★★4 / 4554 · 13.1% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning not available, automatic emergency braking optional.

Neighbouring years: 2020: same overall rating; 2022: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2021 Volkswagen Jetta version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Jetta FWD1.4L 4-cyl6-speed manual304134$1,950
Jetta FWD1.4L 4-cyl8-speed automatic293933$2,050
Jetta GLI FWD2.0L 4-cyl7-speed automatic243528$2,400
Jetta GLI FWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed manual243328$2,400

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 487 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 487 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volkswagen Jetta

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202663001534—Too new
202531—2533Too new to compareToo new
20244615,0000534Too new to compareToo new
20234311,00005340 · FewerToo new
2022433,25015340 · FewerRising
2021709,000453329 · FewerRising
2020546,951653430 · FewerStable
20195494,50011534100 · MoreRising
20183240,00025320 · FewerRising
201716036,950652951 · TypicalStable
201616142,731452937 · TypicalFalling
201519442,000752849 · TypicalFalling
201438855,000452861 · TypicalFalling
201351856,000442667 · MoreFalling
201250055,412542687 · MoreFalling
201160750,0007427100 · MoreFalling
201085253,9394—25100 · MoreFalling
200988960,1506—25100 · MoreFalling
200818858,0004—2440 · TypicalFalling
200720153,6614—24Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200658071,4914—24Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200524871,2074—23Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200423166,0002—24Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200345656,0002—23Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200270252,0005—22Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200166850,0006—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200043964,4004—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199934972,0006—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199819281,2822—22Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19975478,0001—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19963195,0001—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1995220112,9844—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199411791,8005—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199317170,0004—22—Stable
199230119,6462—23Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199131117,0005—23Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199022125,0005—23—Stable
198928—4—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198819—7—23—Stable
198718—3—23—Stable
19861497,8692—25—Not enough data
198513—3—25—Not enough data

All Volkswagen Jetta model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta?

Owners of this model year most often report rear brake pads and rotors wearing out early, sometimes with grinding or scraping before any warning appears, and often a short time after a previous replacement. The issues reported most often: Rear brakes wear out early; Forward collision and lane assist acting unexpectedly; Refueling problems and check-engine light.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta have?

NHTSA recorded 70 consumer complaints for the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 26 complaints (37% of the total), followed by electrical system with 13.

Has the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta (Jetta, 1.4L 4-cyl) at 33 mpg combined, 29 city and 39 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 9,000 miles and the middle half falls between 1,900 and 14,469 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.