Research · Compact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2022 Volkswagen JettaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 43 owner complaints for the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta. Most complaints involve engine (12) and service brakes (12). The EPA rates it 33–35 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
33–35mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jul 2022
Owner complaints
43
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$1,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Back over prevention: camera

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Back over preventionReported Jul 20, 2022NHTSA 22V514000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

43 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2022 – Sep 2026
  1. Engine12
  2. Service brakes12
  3. Electrical system10
  4. Forward collision avoidance9
  5. Steering7
  6. Lane departure7
  7. Fuel/propulsion system3
  8. Vehicle speed control2
  9. Air bags1

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

Engine

12 reports
“The vehicle is currently experiencing steady coolant loss with no external puddles.My vehicle is at 65,000 miles, placing it just 5,000 miles outside of the 60,000-mile factory powertrain warranty. This specific issue matches the exact symptoms of Volkswagen Technical Service Bulletin #2071245 (Service Action 15-23-01) regarding the premature failure of the factory head gasket.Because this is a well-documented manufacturing defect that VW.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 12, 2026EngineODI 11756558

Service brakes

12 reports
“the components that failed are the rear brakes and rotors. we no longer have the components as the vehicle would not pass inspection without having the work completed. The manufacturer sent a letter to customers affected by this issue as it is a known issue for this year/make/model. the inspection location advised that given the mileage on the vehicle there is no reason it should need this type of work performed, under 25k miles on vehicle. the only warning that was given was the letter sent by the manufacturer. we took our vehicle back to the dealership when the letter was received and were informed they would not complete the outlined work on our vehicle. now that the vehicle would not pass inspection, the brake work had to be performed so my daughter could get back and forth to work”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 4, 2026Service brakesODI 11741996

Electrical system

10 reports
“The contact owned a 2022 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the contact heard a dinging noise twice coming from the instrument panel. The driver assist not avaiable warning light was illuminated. An Independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering wheel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mention the failure has occurred on several different occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 75,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 27, 2026Steering, Electrical systemODI 11740386
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
1.5L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S8) · Manual 6-spd
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, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
314135$1,850256
Jetta
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
294334$1,900259
Jetta SE/SEL
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
294033$1,950268
  • Jetta
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo
    31 city · 41 hwy · $1,850/yr
    35
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo
    29 city · 43 hwy · $1,900/yr
    34
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta SE/SEL
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo
    29 city · 40 hwy · $1,950/yr
    33
    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
13.0%
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
133.0%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 16508Vehicle 16509
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

2022 Jetta questions

How many recalls does the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta have?

1 safety recall 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 2022 Volkswagen Jetta problems?

Owners filed 43 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (12), service brakes (12), electrical system (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta get?

The EPA rates the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta at 33–35 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026