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KLUNK
KLUNK

2018 Volkswagen Jetta

The Verdict

93 Smooth Ride

The 2018 Volkswagen Jetta has 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (9 complaints) and engine (8 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 93/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Volkswagen Jetta, consider the 2025 model year which has 30% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2025 has 30% fewer complaints

View the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta dashboard →

93

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20001383410715132
20011616525314656
20021784426413194
2003144201737451
20045510587931
20052911567973
20068027150105216
20073542643228
20083621573045
20098220398413107
2010975722242277
20111252620524933
20121443314515933
201312315125145104
201476159913852
20155915475517
20163018326911
20173712386110
201891785
201910920115165127
202016410174
2021172211132
202211116130
20239109121
20241183122
202590345

By Category

Body
9
Engine
8
Electrical
7
Transmission
5
Brakes
1

By Severity

1
18
2
11
4
1

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Engine 2

Leaking gas. And charcoal canister problems. I’m not sure why this vehicle is not recalled but the vw gti is and same years as other vw models but not this one. There has to be a recall with this vin vehicle no one was harmed or injured yet since this problem is scary and leaks gas I am unable to drive car due to risk of fire and injury.

19d ago
Body 2

I buckled my 2.5 year old daughter into her carseat and secured the magnetic chest clip. It very easily popped back open WITHOUT pressing the buttons. I attempted to get it to securely close several times and with light pressure it opens back up. This is extremely unsafe as it would likely not stay clipped in a crash or a child could very easily open the chest clip. After a quick online search, it appears that several others have had this issue. I just noticed it yesterday but I have no idea how long this has been occuring and, unless checked thoroughly every time, could happen to anyone.

1mo ago
Transmission 1

My car made a loud banging noise and would not move even though engine was running. Had towed and was told car needs new transmission I brought to another mechanic for second opinion and was told the same thing code P073300

3mo ago
Engine 1

The car makes a loud popping/ clicking sound in the back of the car (near exhaust) whenever I accelerate or let off the gas.

5mo ago
Engine 1

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. ($30hr×8=$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)

11mo ago
Electrical 1

Passenger airbag light is illuminated after hitting a bump in the road

12mo ago
Electrical 1

I was backing out of a parking spot, turned the wheel and the screen lit up staing error:airbag. Air bag light came on dash screen. Cruise control, steering wheel options for music control and menu and horn have stopped working. There is this nosie that comes from the steering column when making turns now as well.

13mo ago
Electrical 2

Front passenger air bag light came on without provocation and remains on. Have noticed multiple recalls of similar situations with VW air bags being recalled. It appeared to start with the detection of weight change in the seat. It would not deactivate when a small child sat in the front seat. Now the passenger air bag light just continuously stays on regardless of adult, child, or nothing is the seat.

15mo ago
Engine 1

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.

16mo ago
Engine 1

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.

20mo ago
Electrical 1

Malfunction ignition switch, and ignition cylinder, 50,000 miles on car. Took it to the dealer for diagnosis. No warning lamps or lights showed. My car just stopped allowing my key to come out of the ignition to turn the car off. I have to struggle to get it out of the ignition for 10-20 mins every time I take my key out. My car could potentially not turn on or off when the pieces go out completely

22mo ago
Electrical 1

Air bag light came on unprovoked. Remains on. We noted this announcement and feel it is the same problem. ((In April 2023, Volkswagen recalled some vehicles due to a faulty front passenger detection system that could deactivate the front passenger air bag. A deactivated air bag won't deploy in a crash, which could increase the risk of injury to the front passenger. Volkswagen is developing a remedy and will notify owners when it's available. In the meantime, owners shouldn't let anyone sit in the front passenger seat. ))

23mo ago
Body 2

ignition swith . Same as 2019 and up model recall.NHTSA campaign number: 23V604

24mo ago
Body 1

Front wheel bearing failure same as nhtsa campaign 19V879000

24mo ago
Body 2

N/A

25mo ago
Body 2

the tunk lid fills with water and gets all the tail light components and wiring wet when it rains heavy or get a car wash.

27mo ago
Electrical 2

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.

33mo ago
Engine 1

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.

34mo ago
Engine 1

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.

40mo ago
Engine 1

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.

42mo ago

30 total

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