Research · Compact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2023 Volkswagen JettaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 43 owner complaints for the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta. Most complaints involve engine (11) and service brakes (10). 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
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
43
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$1,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta as of Nov 3, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

43 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2023 – Sep 2026
  1. Engine11
  2. Service brakes10
  3. Electrical system9
  4. Forward collision avoidance5
  5. Fuel/propulsion system3
  6. Vehicle speed control3
  7. Lane departure2
  8. Power train2
  9. Suspension1

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

11 reports
“Car was started on afternoon of XXX and the Low Coolant alert sound and dashboard light came on. Opened hood and car was completely out of coolant. Took to Royal Automotive, Vestavia Hills, AL on Wednesday XXX to be fixed. Dealer assessment was “PERFORMED COOLING SYSTEM LEAK TEST. THE VEHICLE PASSED TEST. CHECK FOR VISUAL LEAKS. FOUND NO LEAKS, BUT FOUND SEEPAGE AT THE HEAD GASKET. VOLKSWAGEN SAID THIS WAS NORMAL PER 00-26-01 - DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FLUID LEAKAGE AND SEEPAGE. TOP OFF COOLING SYSTEM.” The car was purchased new by me in October 2022 and my warranty expires in October 2022. It has just over 17,100 miles on it. Further, Volkswagen published a Technical Service Bulletin 15-23-01 - Head Gasket Leakage on XXX documenting known problems with head gaskets for my car’s engine. Despite dealership stating the head gaskets is leaking, Volkswagen stated to the dealership it doesn’t warrant repair. I believe Volkswagen should repair at their expense the defect of their vehicle. The dealership acknowledged the head gasket is clearly “seeping” coolant. Coolant shouldn’t be leaking at all from a closed loop system. This is causing a potential safety issue for my…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 20, 2026EngineODI 11751628

Service brakes

10 reports
“At only 24,000 miles, the rear brakes are already showing significant wear. When checked by the dealer, they were 2mm, while the front brakes were 12mm. The service representatives at the dealership have said this is a known problem with this model year, and they have already seen several cars with the same issue of brakes wearing out way too quickly. If a driver wasn't getting regular inspections, they would assume that their brakes would still be in great condition with this mileage, and it could pose a large safety risk.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 14, 2026Service brakesODI 11737730

Electrical system

9 reports
“The SOS Module failed three times and was replaced three times under warranty. The failure mode is a battery that cannot be ordered due to manufacturer issues. The failed module limits crash reporting. I have attached the three work orders for this vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 8, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11736502
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
294234$1,900265
Jetta Sport/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 · 42 hwy · $1,900/yr
    34
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta Sport/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 18303Vehicle 18304
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

2023 Jetta questions

How many recalls does the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 3, 2026.

What are the most common 2023 Volkswagen Jetta problems?

Owners filed 43 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (11), service brakes (10), electrical system (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta get?

The EPA rates the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta at 33–35 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026