The Lemon Index

All cars · Volkswagen Jetta · 2018

2018 Volkswagen Jetta. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index8100 = average car
Complaints8NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold90,805U.S. model year
Per 100K sold9complaints
Year rank#1 of 23#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 4

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
1.4L 4-cyl turboManual 5-spdFWD28 / 40 / 33Regular$1,900
1.4L 4-cyl turboAuto (S6)FWD28 / 38 / 32Regular$1,950
1.8L 4-cyl turboAuto (S6)FWD24 / 33 / 28Regular$2,200
2.0L 4-cyl turboAuto (AM-S6)FWD24 / 33 / 27Regular$2,300

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 20,200 and 51,700 miles. Median 40,000, from 7 complaints with a mileage.

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Transmission & drivetrain38%
Airbags25%
Seat belts12%
Electrical12%
Brakes12%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
3110002

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 20V648000 Oct 2020 Fuel System, Gasoline / Fuel Injection System / Fuel Rail

    Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Jetta vehicles. The fuel rail bolts may become loose over time, allowing fuel to leak.

    Risk. A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

    Remedy. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rail bolts and, as necessary, the fuel rail. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24Gi.

  • 20E064000 Sep 2020 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Foundation Components / Master Cylinder

    Defect. Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.

    Risk. If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.

  • 19V615000 Aug 2019 Electrical System / Ignition / Anti-Theft / Control Module

    Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."

    Risk. Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

    Remedy. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.

Manufacturer communications 658

Volkswagen filed 658 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Standard Maintenance Section: Moved: "Exterior Lighting" from Extended Maintenance Section
  • Standard Maintenance Section: Added "boots" to "Engine and engine compartment components:…
  • Customer states MIL-on with P0496 Customer states oil leak from the engine Customer states oil…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Volkswagen Jetta GLI 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
20155780131,109Electrical
20165973121,107Brakes
20176377115,807Electrical
20188890,805Transmission & drivetrain
2019310318100,453Transmission & drivetrain
2020362882,662Electrical
2021765161,967Brakes

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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