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Research · Compact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2018 Volkswagen JettaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 32 owner complaints for the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (7) and air bags (6). The EPA rates it 27–33 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
27–33mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Oct 2020
Owner complaints
32
Top: fuel/propulsion system
Fuel cost / yr
$1,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Oct 21, 2020NHTSA 20V648000

Service brakes

Free remedy

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Sep 23, 2020NHTSA 20E064000

Electrical system: control module

Free remedy

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."

Electrical systemReported Aug 22, 2019NHTSA 19V615000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

32 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2019 – Oct 2026
  1. Fuel/propulsion system7
  2. Air bags6
  3. Power train5
  4. Electrical system3
  5. Engine2
  6. Fuel system, gasoline2
  7. Chest clip, buckle, harness1
  8. Wheels1
  9. Tires1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Jetta model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996183
1997141
1998194
1999354
2000451
2001677
2002711
2003463
2004233
2005248
2006580
2007201
2008190
2009905
2010875
2011640
2012527
2013518
2014388
2015196
2016164
2017160
201832
2019552
202054
202171
202243
202343
202446
202532
20266
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Fuel/propulsion system

7 reports
“The vehicle wouldn't start and upon closer inspection some fluid was underneath the vehicle and there was a strong smell of gas. We had the car towed the following morning to a repair shop and were informed there was a fuel leak from behind the intake manifold. The service technician found two loose fuel rail bolts and one missing fuel rail bolt which caused the fuel rail to come out of the engine. Prior to the vehicle not starting, we had no warning lights or symptoms that indicated there was an issue with the car.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 22, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11773000

Air bags

6 reports1 crash
“I was backing out of a parking spot, turned the wheel and the screen lit up staing error:airbag. Air bag light came on dash screen. Cruise control, steering wheel options for music control and menu and horn have stopped working. There is this nosie that comes from the steering column when making turns now as well.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 7, 2025Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11665499

Power train

5 reports
“My car made a loud banging noise and would not move even though engine was running. Had towed and was told car needs new transmission I brought to another mechanic for second opinion and was told the same thing code P073300”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 1, 2026Power trainODI 11728653
All 2018 Jetta problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
1.4L 4-cyl turbo · 1.8L 4-cyl turbo · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic (S6) · Automatic (AM-S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Jetta
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
284033$1,950271
Jetta
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
283832$2,000282
Jetta
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
243328$2,300321
Jetta
Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
243327$2,400326
  • Jetta
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    28 city · 40 hwy · $1,950/yr
    33
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    28 city · 38 hwy · $2,000/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo
    24 city · 33 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta
    Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    24 city · 33 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.1%
Overall
5 / 5
Volkswagen Jetta GLI 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 12368Vehicle 12364
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2018 Jetta questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2018 Volkswagen Jetta problems?

Owners filed 32 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (7), air bags (6), power train (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta at 27–33 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026