AI Damage2019 Volkswagen Jetta: common problems
Owners of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta filed 549 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. The maker issued 497 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 549
- involving a crash
- 19
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 497
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 30% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 28% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 27% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
- 5 Exterior lighting 5% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 5% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 5% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 4% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 162 complaints (30% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 28.
- Electrical system: 154 complaints (28% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 102.
- Engine: 147 complaints (27% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 60.
- Service brakes: 29 complaints (5% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 19.
- Exterior lighting: 26 complaints (5% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.4 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 8-speed
- dual-clutch (DCT), 7-speednamed in 3 complaints
- manual, 6-speednamed in 31 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 549 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 162 | 3 | 28 |
| Electrical system | 154 | 2 | 102 |
| Engine | 147 | 4 | 60 |
| Service brakes | 29 | 6 | 19 |
| Exterior lighting | 26 | 0 | 8 |
| Visibility | 25 | 1 | 18 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 25 | 0 | 3 |
| Structure | 23 | 1 | 17 |
| Air bags | 16 | 7 | 10 |
| Suspension | 16 | 2 | 6 |
| Vehicle speed control | 16 | 1 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 12 | 3 | 6 |
| Steering | 12 | 4 | 5 |
| Lane departure | 8 | 1 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The vehicle’s dashboard/electrical system indicated AIRBAG:ERROR, and the police report reflects that airbag deployed yet we have photo evidence that the airbag did not deploy. However, photo evidence clearly shows that no airbags deployed for any occupants. The airbags remained completely intact following the crash.
The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH on a rainy day, the windows were foggy and the contact was not able to view the roadway. The contact attempted to veer to the left when the vehicle slid until it impacted a concrete barrier.
As the vehicle continued to move forward with the contact's foot depressed to the floorboard, the vehicle drove over the parking barrier, knocked over the handicapped post, and entered the sidewalk.
While driving approximately 40 mph and suddenly depressing the brake pedal the vehicle lurched forward and crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. During the crash, the driver sustained an injured left hand. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away.
I just purchased a 2019 jetta r line and since day one I have a grinding noise coming from the transfer case or the transmission. It's always there at around 50km/per hour for about 2 sec. Like many others said it doesn't feel right for me. I hope vw will take action and do something about it.
The police report indicated that after impact with parked car #1, I rolled back 55 feet and hit another parked car on the opposite side of the street. I did not think any of this was possible until I was reading about car hacking and cars being driven remotely.
Began stalling after 6 months of ownership. Car was purchased brand new with 62 miles. Brought vehicle to dealer 09/27/2019 and they stated it was fine no issues could be found. On 05/18/2020 the car stalled again it had 15452 miles on it.
Since day one car is shaking like a boat, when I drive it on a highway making it not stable. Brakes squeak and I see signs on the brake disk.I am with the original brakes. Car is shutting down when I park.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 94 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 4% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Jetta has 99 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 549, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Suggested fuel additive
- This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided
- This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during…
This 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 issue: Part number 3Q0-959-435N software…
- Repair or Replace Information
- Replacement instruction
- Differences between a leak and seepage
- Permission to change Daily Order upgraded to RED Order
- This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during…
This 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 issue: DA 0019 - Hotfix 12-V battery…
- Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement
- Inquiries
- Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
- Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start
NHTSA lists 497 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, engine. Total complaints: 549. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (22%), stalls while driving (14%), warning lights, check engine (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA lists 497 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2019 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.