Research · Compact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2020 Volkswagen JettaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 54 owner complaints for the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta. Most complaints involve electrical system (17) and engine (12). The EPA rates it 28–34 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
28–34mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Feb 2024
Owner complaints
54
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$1,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Feb 14, 2024NHTSA 24V110000

Electrical system: switch

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf Sportwagen, 2019-2020 Golf GTI, and Jetta vehicles equipped with a conventional ignition switch. The ignition switch may fail, especially in high temperature environments.

Electrical systemReported Aug 30, 2023NHTSA 23V604000

Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

TiresReported Oct 31, 2022NHTSA 22V815000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

54 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2020 – Oct 2026
  1. Electrical system17
  2. Engine12
  3. Service brakes7
  4. Power train7
  5. Fuel/propulsion system5
  6. Steering4
  7. Suspension3
  8. Vehicle speed control3
  9. Structure2

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
2
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

Electrical system

17 reports
“On 2 separate occasions (in recent 2 months); the car would not restart and error messages would include printing the electrical parking brake engagement. Attempts to reset were futile. Car had to be towed. After 2nd incident, the VW dealership identified that the ground wire for the electrical harness that runs through fuse box and engine was severely overheated resulting in inability to start. There are no recalls on this item; from a safety standpoint, this could happen while driving and a loss of power could result with overheated ground wire condition. This is a potential very unsafe condition and a costly repair item. In comparison, the non-start stop button vehicles have experienced the same condition, and recalls were performed on 2018-2021 Jetta’s. The same exact case, severely overheated ground wires requiring complete replacement of main wiring harness.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 10, 2026Electrical systemODI 11763364

Engine

12 reports
“Upon “starting” car, all systems turn on and car tells me the engine is on; however, if I put into any gear nothing. Only once I press the ignition one more time does the engine actually start.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 12, 2026EngineODI 11717699

Service brakes

7 reports1 crash
“This is the same thong that was recalled on the other 2020 vw jetta..I also had a 2016 jettabefore I was allowed to trade it in for the 2020 jetta and the air went out on the both of them before the car was 2 years old. Now the 2020 has rain water coming in holding in the doors. When you open it the water comes out. What's showing is: 1.front assist not available 2. Fault electronic parking brake 3. Transmission in emergency mode you can continue driving 4.only exit vehicle in P position service engine soon Number 3 has shown before and I had another transmission put in. Also engine light was on for the longest. I'm not sure of the exact date. I do have repair bills but I will have to go in my storage unit. Would like to send later”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 15, 2025Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11673621
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 · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S8) · Manual 6-spd · Automatic (AM-S7)
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
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
304034$1,900263
Jetta
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
304034$1,900262
Jetta
Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
253228$2,300315
Jetta
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
253328$2,300319
  • Jetta
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    30 city · 40 hwy · $1,900/yr
    34
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    30 city · 40 hwy · $1,900/yr
    34
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta
    Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    25 city · 32 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    25 city · 33 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
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
13.1%
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
13.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 14746Vehicle 14747
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

2020 Jetta questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta have?

6 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 2020 Volkswagen Jetta problems?

Owners filed 54 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (17), engine (12), service brakes (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta at 28–34 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026