2026 Volkswagen Jetta
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 2 of 5 complaints (40%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 28 in 2025 to 5 in 2026.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | vs. 2026 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,850–1,900 | 1,900 | 1,850–1,900 | 1,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 33–34 | 33 | 33–34 | 34 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 29–30 / 40–42 | 29 / 39–40 | 29 / 40 | 29 / 40 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 263–272 | 271 | 265–271 | 265 | |
| Complaints filed | 43 | 28 | 5 | 0 | |
| Recalls issued | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
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 2026 Volkswagen Jetta have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
Electrical: 2 of 5 NHTSA complaints (40%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta get?
EPA rates it 33–34 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
EPA estimates $1,850–$1,900 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 1.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 29 mpg | 40 mpg | 34 mpg (high) | $1,850 (low) | 265 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 1.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 29 mpg | 40 mpg | 33 mpg (low) | $1,900 (high) | 271 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 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 (1)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · Campaign 26V138000 · Mar 12, 2026
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Jetta vehicles. The transmission ground wire may not have been properly connected during assembly, causing an open electrical circuit.
Consequence: An open circuit may draw a higher current and increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair transmission ground wire as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97TC. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 13, 2026.