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EnginePart report

2021 Volkswagen Jetta Engine Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
7%of 70 total for the year
Median mileage
4,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine of the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta, 7% of the 70 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 4,000 miles.

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.

“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

“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

“I've owned my car for 3 weeks and have driven it ~10 times in total. On 2 different occasions (most recently yesterday), it has stalled out while standing in traffic. On both occasions, it was a soft stall just as a vehicle with auto on/off would have. I had no warning lights, and wasn't even aware that the car had stalled until I put it in gear and began to let the clutch out, at which point I discovered that the engine was off.”

NHTSA complaint #11422588, filed 2021-06

“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

“The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11451329, filed 2022-02, 4,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026117%
202513%
20241226%
20231126%
20221228%
202157%
20201222%
201914727%
201826%
20173321%
20164327%
20154322%
201410828%
201311222%
20128417%
20119015%
201011714%
20099611%
20082011%
2007168%
2006397%
20052711%
2004115%
2003164%
200271%
200191%
200082%
199921%

Other parts of the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta

Brakes
26 complaints
Electrical system
13 complaints
Other or unknown
11 complaints
Fuel system
10 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
9 complaints
Air bags
5 complaints
Lane departure
4 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints
Seat belts
3 complaints
Steering
3 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
2 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology