2018 Volkswagen Jetta
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Fuel System
Fuel System leads by volume: 8 of 31 complaints (26%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 159 in 2017 to 31 in 2018.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,750–2,300 | 1,900–2,300 | 1,900–2,300 | 1,850–2,250 | 1,850–2,250 | |
| Combined MPG | 27–44 | 27–33 | 27–33 | 28–34 | 28–34 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 23–42 / 33–48 | 23–28 / 33–40 | 24–28 / 33–40 | 25–30 / 32–40 | 25–30 / 32–40 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 200–333 | 271–335 | 271–326 | 262–321 | 262–319 | |
| Complaints filed | 162 | 159 | 31 | 545 | 52 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 7 | 3 | 11 | 6 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 18 | 18 | 1 | 19 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 5 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 14 | 9 | 0 | 36 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 7 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta?
Fuel System: 8 of 31 NHTSA complaints (26%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta get?
EPA rates it 27–33 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Volkswagen Jetta?
EPA estimates $1,900–$2,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 28 mpg (high) | 38 mpg | 32 mpg | $1,950 | 282 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 28 mpg (high) | 40 mpg (high) | 33 mpg (high) | $1,900 (low) | 271 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 24 mpg (low) | 33 mpg (low) | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 321 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (AM-S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 24 mpg (low) | 33 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | $2,300 (high) | 326 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL · Campaign 20V648000 · Oct 22, 2020
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rail bolts and, as necessary, the fuel rail. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24Gi.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER · Campaign 20E064000 · Sep 8, 2020
Defect: 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.
Consequence: If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE · Campaign 19V615000 · Aug 22, 2019
Defect: 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."
Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.