NHTSA has received 69 owner complaints about the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta, or 11.9 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.29, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #24 of 85 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Volkswagen models its rate is 59% lower; against other Compact cars it is 46% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2021-05-04 and 2026-09-24. Median delay from incident to filing: 9 days.
69Complaints
11.9Complaints per year on the road
0.29Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
4Recalls
4.3%Share involving a crash or fire
9Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2020) drew 8.0 complaints per year, fewer than this one. The following model year (2022) drew 9.0 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2021 model collected 17 complaints, 72% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Brakes (33.3% of complaints), followed by Electrical (15.9%) and Airbags & seat belts (10.1%). Brakes complaints are 5.5 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 3 reports (4.3%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 1 injury and 2 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 36 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (41% of incidents). In the last 12 months 9 new complaints were filed, versus 14 in the 12 months before — down 36%.
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for this model year.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.29
vs. other Volkswagen models0.41
vs. other 2021 models0.31
vs. other Compact cars0.54
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (17)0.28
While traveling at the posted speed limit and approaching a signalized intersection, I attempted to brake for stopped traffic ahead.
Brakes · 2026-07-14 · ODI 11750281 · Crash
There is a known issue released by Volkswagen that certain model years of their vehicles are eligible for a limited extended warranty regarding the clock spring.
Airbags & seat belts · 2026-09-24 · ODI 11766739
There appears to be a known issue with the rear braking system on the VW Jetta for various model years including 2021.
Brakes · 2026-09-15 · ODI 11764312
Mid June 2026 infotainment update was over the air software update. Update caused infotainment failures: looping screen resets, unable to play audio, disruption to screen during safety features such as back up cam, unable to accomplish directions, CarPlay no…
Electrical · 2026-09-02 · ODI 11761522
Volkswagen corporate deployed a mandatory over-the-air (OTA) software update to the MIB3 infotainment system. The update failed mid-installation, entirely bricking the J794 information module.
Electrical · 2026-07-01 · ODI 11747680
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA Campaign 22V514000 · 2022-07-20
Summary: 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."
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE Campaign 21V492000 · 2021-06-30
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Jetta and Jetta GLI vehicles. The air bag control module was welded in the incorrect position.
Risk: Incorrect positioning of the air bag control module can cause the vehicle's air bags to deploy improperly during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, the vehicle's air bags can deploy unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 28, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69CK.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Long Wheelbase and Jetta vehicles. Bolts may be missing from the front seat tracks.
Risk: The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat tracks and, as necessary, install the bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 18, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72L6.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA Campaign 20V716000 · 2020-11-18
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91BB/91BC.
