2018 Volkswagen Jetta Owner Complaints
Complaint Summary
The 2018 Volkswagen Jetta has 33 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve unknown or other and air bags.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 33 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
8 24.2%
AIR BAGS
6 18.2%
POWER TRAIN
4 12.1%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3 9.1%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
3 9.1%
Quick Insights
The top category is UNKNOWN OR OTHER, accounting for 24.2% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 13 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta
The 2018 Volkswagen Jetta has 33 owner complaints in this dataset. UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the most common complaint category, representing about 24% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta are UNKNOWN OR OTHER (8), AIR BAGS (6), POWER TRAIN (4).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 17 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2018 Volkswagen Jetta?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 13 of 13 systems
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
8 Reports24% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE BACKUP CAMERA INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO WORK ALONG WITH THE OTHER FUNCTIONS(E.G., RADIO) OF THE INFORMATION SCREEN. A LOCAL DEALERSHIP "REBOOTED" THE INFO SYSTEM BUT THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED.
3/18/2019
STRAP FP. 6H0-867-749 THE YELLOW STRAP IS RISKING DRIVER OR OCCUPANTS OF A HOMICIDE FROM ASSAILANTS OR ASSAILANT BECAUSE OF CRIME OF OPPORTUNITY FROM STRANGULATIONS. THE SPACE SAVER TIRE CHANGING SPACING IN KIT IS NOT BEING UTILIZED FOR A FULL SIZE TIRE WHILE IN DISTRESS WHILE AWAITING OR CHANGING FLATTEN TIRE ON ROADSIDE.
7/14/2020
AIR BAGS
6 Reports18% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
SOMETIMES I LEAVE MY CELL PHONE ON THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE WARNING BELL CHIMES. IF I REMOVE MY CELL PHONE FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE WARNING STOPS OR IF I DO LOCK THE SEATBELT, IT WILL ALSO STOP THE WARNING. IT SEEMS LIKE THE PART THAT CHECKS IF A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE SEAT IS MALFUNCTIONING. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME BUT I HAVE NOTICED IT THREE TIMES SO FAR, MOSTLY IN COLDER WEATHER.
2/28/2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL WAS NOT FUNCTIONING, THE CONTACT STRUCK A GUARDRAIL AND THE VEHICLE COME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED AND NO ONE SEEKED MEDICAL ATTENTION. CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BUT DID NOT DEFLATE AFTERWARDS; WHEN INSPECTING THE SIDE AIRBAGS ON FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIRBAGS HAD "RIPS" ON THE TOP AND BOTTOM. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,700.
1/5/2021
POWER TRAIN
4 Reports12% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
WHILE IN MOTION AT LOW SPEEDS, BETWEEN 28 AND 30 MPH, YOU CAN HEAR A GRINDING OR SCRAPING NOISE COMING FROM THE CAR AND YOU CAN FEEL A BIT OF LOSS OF POWER IN THE CAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS IN THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN BOUGHT NEW, THIS NOISE WAS NON EXISTING, IT APPEARED AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF DRIVING
7/10/2019
AFTER REVERSING AND THEN STOPPING AND SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION POPS IN TO GEAR. ALSO VEHICLE RADIO TURNS ON AND OFF AT RANDOM TIMES HAVING TO RESTART WHILE IN MOTION. *TR
5/15/2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
AFTER REVERSING AND THEN STOPPING AND SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION POPS IN TO GEAR. ALSO VEHICLE RADIO TURNS ON AND OFF AT RANDOM TIMES HAVING TO RESTART WHILE IN MOTION. *TR
5/15/2020
The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. The contact shifted in neutral and attempted to restart the vehicle. The contact had to push the vehicle to the side of the road and made several attempts to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was made aware of a recall regarding the fuel rail. The mechanic was unable to determine the exact cause for the failure however, the mechanic linked the failure to a failure with the electrical system. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure persisted with the battery and EPC warning lights illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,782.
10/18/2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
3 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
Car's warning lights came on with initial start, followed by strong fuel smell. Shut off engine and walked around car to find large puddle of fuel coming from engine compartment under fuel rail.
10/28/2024
Engine stalled and car emitted fuel smell and leaked from engine area. Vehicle towed to shop. Mechanic found fuel leak near Cylinder #4. Removed intake manifold and found fuel rail loose and leaking from #4 injector. Left upper fuel rail retaining bolt was broken and left lower bolt was loose.
3/17/2025
ENGINE
2 Reports6% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
On or about January 24, 2023, Found oil leak and heard noise from engine. No warning lamps or messages prior, mechanic diagnosed and found cam phaser cover bolts loose and leaking. He had to re-torque bolts and check engine. Leaking stopped. Mechanic said they should not have come loose and if bolts came anymore loose, they could have caused serious problems with timing and engine.
1/28/2023
On Monday [XXX] my 2018 VW Jetta S started gushing gas from the bottom of the car. I immediately pulled over and called AAA to have my car towed to my nearest VW dealer which was National City Volkswagen 3131 Mile of Car National City, Ca. The issue my car was having looked similar to a recall due to fuel rails coming loose. My car ended up having faulty gas rails which is part of a recall for my vehicle. I was told it was already corrected 4 years ago so i had to pay out of pocket for it. Yet the repairs or corrected recall are not on the carfax, for one. And for two, I did not own the car when said repairs were completed and I cannot find any record of it. I believe VW is still responsible for this as it is the same parts that were repaired for the recall. Plus, I missed a whole day at work because of this. ($30hrÃ8=$240) plus the $1438.26 I had to pay out of pocket. Thank you for your time and consideration. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
8/22/2025
SEAT BELTS
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
SOMETIMES I LEAVE MY CELL PHONE ON THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE WARNING BELL CHIMES. IF I REMOVE MY CELL PHONE FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE WARNING STOPS OR IF I DO LOCK THE SEATBELT, IT WILL ALSO STOP THE WARNING. IT SEEMS LIKE THE PART THAT CHECKS IF A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE SEAT IS MALFUNCTIONING. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME BUT I HAVE NOTICED IT THREE TIMES SO FAR, MOSTLY IN COLDER WEATHER.
2/28/2019
SERVICE BRAKES
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL WAS NOT FUNCTIONING, THE CONTACT STRUCK A GUARDRAIL AND THE VEHICLE COME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED AND NO ONE SEEKED MEDICAL ATTENTION. CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BUT DID NOT DEFLATE AFTERWARDS; WHEN INSPECTING THE SIDE AIRBAGS ON FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIRBAGS HAD "RIPS" ON THE TOP AND BOTTOM. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,700.
1/5/2021
TIRES:BEAD
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
Vehicle Dealer Colonial Volkswagen failed to register the DOT number on all of my tires Colonial Volkswagen is in Feasterville/Trevose PA Tire failed have photos inside of tire wall
7/29/2022
TIRES:SIDEWALL
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
Vehicle Dealer Colonial Volkswagen failed to register the DOT number on all of my tires Colonial Volkswagen is in Feasterville/Trevose PA Tire failed have photos inside of tire wall
7/29/2022
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact's mother owns a 2018 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that her mother's vehicle had failed to start up with an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. Upon inspection, her mother discovered that an unknown fluid had leaked from the vehicle. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed with a leak in the fuel rail. The failure was linked to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V648000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 51,723.
3/17/2023
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle and attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start on the first attempt. Upon starting the vehicle and driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle seemed to return to normal functionality. However, the contact stated that the failure had since become a regular occurrence. The contact also stated that the infotainment system operated erratically, symptomatic of a possible electrical issue. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel pump. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
9/28/2023
WHEELS
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
Front wheel bearing failure same as nhtsa campaign 19V879000
7/2/2024
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta?
Are complaints about the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta?
Are complaints about the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Volkswagen Jetta: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 33
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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