2025 Volkswagen Jetta
The Verdict
The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta has 28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (15 complaints) and transmission (5 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 93/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating.
This is the cleanest year on record. Nice pick.
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.
Recalls 2
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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 elec...
Risk
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...
Reported Nov 3, 2026
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Jetta and Taos vehicles. The instrument panel may fail to display warning lights or gauges. As such, these vehicles fail to ...
Risk
An instrument panel that does not display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the instrument panel software and replace the instrument panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 22, 2026. Owners may contac...
Reported Apr 11, 2026
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
| Year | Body | Brakes | Electrical | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 138 | 34 | 107 | 151 | 32 |
| 2001 | 161 | 65 | 253 | 146 | 56 |
| 2002 | 178 | 44 | 264 | 131 | 94 |
| 2003 | 144 | 20 | 173 | 74 | 51 |
| 2004 | 55 | 10 | 58 | 79 | 31 |
| 2005 | 29 | 11 | 56 | 79 | 73 |
| 2006 | 80 | 27 | 150 | 105 | 216 |
| 2007 | 35 | 42 | 64 | 32 | 28 |
| 2008 | 36 | 21 | 57 | 30 | 45 |
| 2009 | 82 | 203 | 98 | 413 | 107 |
| 2010 | 97 | 57 | 222 | 422 | 77 |
| 2011 | 125 | 26 | 205 | 249 | 33 |
| 2012 | 144 | 33 | 145 | 159 | 33 |
| 2013 | 123 | 15 | 126 | 145 | 104 |
| 2014 | 76 | 15 | 99 | 138 | 52 |
| 2015 | 59 | 15 | 48 | 55 | 17 |
| 2016 | 31 | 18 | 32 | 69 | 11 |
| 2017 | 37 | 12 | 38 | 62 | 10 |
| 2018 | 9 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 5 |
| 2019 | 112 | 20 | 116 | 168 | 128 |
| 2020 | 16 | 4 | 10 | 17 | 4 |
| 2021 | 17 | 23 | 12 | 13 | 2 |
| 2022 | 11 | 11 | 6 | 14 | 0 |
| 2023 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 1 |
| 2024 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 13 | 5 |
| 2025 | 15 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
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Complaints
I am the owner/operator of a 2025 Volkswagen Jetta S and am submitting this complaint regarding recurring optical distortion in the windshield within my normal driving field of view. The vehicle has undergone four windshield replacement attempts for this same condition, yet the distortion remains present. The distortion appears as a rippling or “funhouse” effect that can cause objects and straight lines viewed through the windshield to appear distorted while driving. The dealership and Volkswagen have inspected the vehicle on multiple occasions. Although the condition has not been consistently reproduced by every inspector, I continue to experience the distortion during normal driving. Following the most recent replacement, I believe the distortion is more noticeable than before. Volkswagen has been notified of the problem and has assigned corporate case number REF 07697200. The dealership has documented my continuing complaint and Volkswagen Customer Retention is currently involved. I am requesting that NHTSA document this complaint and consider whether recurring optical distortion in the driver’s field of view in this vehicle or windshield application may represent a safety-related defect.
I am reporting a recurring safety defect involving the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system in my 2025 Volkswagen Jetta. The ACC system fails suddenly and without warning while driving, including during highway operation. This creates an immediate safety hazard, as the vehicle unexpectedly disengages speed control and forces abrupt driver intervention, increasing the risk of collision. The defect first occurred during the first week after I took delivery of the vehicle and has continued for over a year. The issue is completely unrelated to any accident; it existed before the accident, persisted during body shop repairs, and continues even after completing all repairs recommended by the dealership. I followed every diagnostic and repair instruction provided by the authorized Volkswagen dealership, but the defect has never been resolved. The ACC failure occurs intermittently and unpredictably, including during normal highway driving. When the defect occurs, the vehicle displays an ACC error and immediately disables the system, requiring sudden manual control. This behavior represents a serious safety risk, especially at higher speeds or in traffic. I have video and photo evidence documenting the defect occurring during real driving conditions. The dealership and Volkswagen Customer CARE have been unable to diagnose or correct the issue, despite multiple attempts and extensive time spent on repairs. Based on the timeline and repeated failures, this appears to be a manufacturing defect affecting the ACC or related electrical/sensor systems. Requested Action I request that NHTSA investigate this issue as a potential safety defect affecting the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta. The defect is persistent, unrelated to any accident, and has not been resolved despite multiple repair attempts. Given the safety implications, I believe this issue warrants federal review and potential recall consideration.
This submission is an update to my previous NHTSA ODI complaint #11761837. I am adding new documentation provided by the authorized repair facility, including service records, diagnostic notes, and repair details. These documents confirm that the same safety defect continues to occur despite following all repair instructions and completing the recommended work. Please attach these materials to my existing complaint and include them in the ongoing review of this unresolved safety issue.
This update is for ODI #11761839. I am submitting new diagnostic evidence confirming that the ACC/Travel Assist safety defect in my 2025 Volkswagen Jetta continues to occur and existed long before any accident or windshield replacement. On August 18, 2026, a certified ADAS technician performed a full diagnostic scan and documented U112300 Databus errors and C12B3FD temporary camera view limitation. During the test drive, the technician successfully reproduced the Travel Assist failure (“Travel Assist not available”). The technician also wrote: “Owner is having issues with the ACC intermittingly since pick up. He took it to the dealer, but they were not able to find any faults.” This shows the defect existed from initial delivery and is not accident‑related. The technician also identified NHTSA TSB MC‑11007395‑0001 (48‑23‑01), which may apply to 2025 models and describes potential hardware or software deviation in the steering wheel hands‑on detection system. After windshield replacement and both static and dynamic ADAS calibrations, a second diagnostic scan on September 1, 2026 showed the defect persists. The ACC module still reports U112300 Databus errors. Additional communication faults were found in the instrument cluster (U111000), gateway module (B184C00, U17A000), and electronic central electric module. The front camera also reported an internal malfunction (B200FF0) despite successful calibration. These results demonstrate that the issue is caused by internal electronic/communication failures, not the windshield or calibration. The ACC/Travel Assist system continues to fail during normal and highway driving, creating an ongoing safety risk due to sudden disengagement. I request that this evidence be added to my existing complaint and that NHTSA continue its investigation into this unresolved safety defect.
Description of Safety Defect The vehicle has experienced significant optical distortion in the driver’s primary line of sight with three separate replacement windshields. The distortion has included noticeable rippling, warping, and a “funhouse” effect that causes straight objects and the surrounding environment to appear distorted when viewed through portions of the windshield directly in front of the driver. Component or system that failed or malfunctioned The affected component is the windshield/front windshield glass, specifically its optical quality in the driver’s field of view. The vehicle has had three windshield replacements, and visual distortion has been present with each replacement. The current windshield is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle is also available for inspection. The concern is not simply cosmetic variation at the edges of the windshield. The distortion occurs in the driver’s normal viewing area and is noticeable during ordinary driving. How was safety put at risk? The distortion affects the driver’s ability to clearly and accurately perceive objects and road features through the windshield. Straight objects can appear wavy, bent, or distorted, and the image can appear to move or change shape as the vehicle or driver’s head moves. Because the distortion is located directly within the driver’s normal line of sight, it can interfere with accurate visual perception while driving and can be distracting. This creates a potential safety risk because the windshield is the primary viewing surface through which the driver observes traffic, road markings, vehicles, pedestrians, and other hazards. The concern is particularly significant because the distortion is present in the driver’s primary field of view rather than being limited to a peripheral area. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed? Yes. The optical distortion in the current windshield was personally demonstrated to and confirmed by the dealership service ma
2025 Jetta Sport completely loses acceleration on straightaways and during turns, creating an intersection collision hazard. Severe drivability and safety hazard. It drops power during turns, which exposes me to oncoming traffic. Also when I press the gas, the car does not want to go.
The brake pads that are being used on Volkswagen are semi metallic and that causes the brakes to make a grinding noise which the dealer says is common on volkswagen. The problem you cannot tell if brakes need replacement. I have had my vehicle in service dept twice for the same problem. The noise is a grinding noise and that is a safety hazard. Now I have a warrantey on the entire car and I was told I have to pay 1100 dollars to have it repaired.
There is a noticable whine from the transmission or torque converted between 1000-2000 RPM that does not vary with speed and noticable when lightky pressing gas pedal on 8th geer. This happens only when transmission is waremed up and indicates an issue with 2025 Volkswagen tranmissions. I am afraid to drive it, because it can go bad in the highway and cause crash. Volkswagen dealers and manufacturer ignore this issues and state that all Jetta's make that "hormonic" whine. This is not normal and should be reported and investigated. Too many issues and could cause loss of lives in the future.
When I push the gas pedal the car does nothing for seconds. I was trying to do a u turn and pushed the gas to go and nothing for to long and almost got hit. It also did it trying to pull out into busy traffic that would have been no problem if the car would move when you push the gas. The car does not respond forever when pushing gas. I took to dealer to today and of course, they found nothing and said that's how those cars are. It has 20,000 miles. There is no way this is how they are. I'm going to end up getting hit at some point over it. No lights come on in the dashboard when it happens. It is available for inspection.
The contact owns a 2025 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the infotainment screen was darkened and inoperative. There were several different unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: (example: 26V185000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted however, the dealer confirmed the remedy was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
I was going down the highway and enable cruise control, the car fell like RPM dropped then suddenly jolted back. Also when driving it feels like the transmission isnt proper and yoy can feel it be shotty. I've asked the dealer and they said "this is normal the camera may see a bump and cause it to slow down" but this has happened without the ACC and on normal cruise control mode. I think this can pose a saftey risk as this could cause further transmission and or engine damage and cause a failure in highways leading to a risk.
Car was in an accident on 12/5/25 and has been in the body shop for over 5 months because Volkswagen cannot or will not provide the required rear seat belts. I have reached out to VW and they have not been cooperative and don’t seem to care about me or that these are required safety parts. VW has no ETA on when parts will be available.
PROLONGED RECALL BELOW 4 CARS BEEN IN RECALL SINCE LATE FEBURARY. NEED FIX ASAP!!!! 3VW5X7BU4SM073489 3VW5X7BU3SM088081 3VW5X7BU4SM064677 3VW5X7BU1SM088872
"My 2025 Volkswagen Jetta is subject to Safety Recall 26V185 (90Z5). The vehicle's instrument cluster fails to display speed, RPM, and safety warnings upon startup, creating a severe safety hazard. I visited Heritage Volkswagen Catonsville on 04/07/26, and they officially documented that the 'REPAIR NOT YET AVAILABLE.' Volkswagen Customer Care has refused to open a repurchase case or provide a safe solution. I am unable to use the vehicle safely and I am requesting an immediate intervention to address this safety issue."
Since October 2025 I have had Tail Lamp Assembly VW Part #17A-945-093-D (the trunk rear light) on order with no expected delivery date. Once the lens is cracked or broken you can not properly maintain the car and are at risk of receiving a ticket due to the broken light. The last time I checked their was 130 on back order. That is affecting 130 vehicles which have a broken tail lamp assemble. This is a safety issue and the owner of the vehicle is at high risk of being ticketed.
The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta SE transmission making whining and whistling noise from 1000 to 2000 rpm when on light load or coasting. There is a high probability of transmission failing on 2025 car with 12700 miles and danger of failure on the highway while driving.
2025 Volkswagen Jetta SE with 12,000. Developed transmission whine from 1200-2000 RPM. During low speed acceleration and when engine is under slight load. It is whining sound coming from transmission.
I am reporting a safety concern involving unintended acceleration in a 2025 Volkswagen Jetta SE (VIN [XXX] ) Te vehicle has experienced two separate incidents in which it surged forward unexpectedly when shifting from park to drive while my foot depressed the brake pedal. The first incident occurred in approximately August 2025 while attempting to move the vehicle into a residential garage. When the transmission was shifted into Drive, the vehicle accelerated forward despite continued brake application and traveled approximately 30 feet before stopping. A collision with a structural wall was narrowly avoided. The second incident occurred on [XXX]. When shifting from Park into Drive with my foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle again surged forward unexpectedly and struck a storage cabinet inside the garage, causing property damage. A family member was nearby at the time. Following these incidents, the vehicle was taken to an authorized Volkswagen dealership (Garnet Volkswagen of West Chester, Pennsylvania) on December 15, 2025 for inspection. The dealership preformed diagnostic scans and reported no stored fault codes and was unable to duplicate the condition. The vehicle was returned without repair. The vehicle was later presented to another authorized Volkswagen, Pohanka Volkswagen of Salisbury, Maryland in February 2026 for additional evaluation without any solution. I subsequently notified Volkswagen Group of America and requested a manufacturer-level engineering review to determine whether a defect exists and whether the vehicle is safe to operate. Volkswagen declined to conduct any further manufacturer-directed investigation. Because the problem has not been resolved, I remain concerned that an intermittent mechanical or electronic defect may exist. The vehicle has relatively low mileage and is less than one year old. I am submitting this complaint so that the incident is documented as a potential safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
At least 5 times I have had my finger caught in the drivers side interior door handle release. It seems to catch my fingers in the back of the handle. I've owned 4 other VW Jettas and this has never happened. It 's mostly aggravating but it also hurts!
Two safety defect incidents involving unintended acceleration. This defect has resulted in two loss of control incidents causing property damage. First incident: While attempting to move vehicle inside garage, I started engine with foot firmly on the brake, shifted the transmission into drive, and maintained full brake pressure. Immediately upon shifting, the vehicle bolted forward at an accelerate rate, despite my foot remaining fully depressed on brake. Vehicle travel about 30 feet in only a few second, coming within three feet of a structural cinder-block wall supporting house beams before braking force finally overcame the surge. Avoided a serious collision required immediate corrective action and full driver control. Second incident: Again, vehicle parked in my driveway in front of storage garage. After briefly backing up to clear the driveway, I again shifted to drive with my foot firmly on brake. As with previous incident, the vehicle surged forward unexpectedly and forcefully, overcoming normal braking and collided with full-length of storage cabinet system inside garage, destroying the cabinetry and stopping the vehicle's forward motion. At the time, my brother-in-law was nearby. Had he been in the vehicle's path serious injury could have occurred. As in the first incident, avoiding a more catastrophic impact required immediate and precise driver intervention. Following these incidents, I presented the vehicle to Garnet Volkswagen of West Chester, 1620 Wilmington Pike, West Chester, PA 19382, on December 15, 2025. The dealership reported that: They were unable to replicate the condition. Diagnostic scans reportedly showed no stored fault codes. The vehicle was returned without identifying or correcting the issue. Both major incidents occurred under the same operating scenario: shifting into drive from a stationary position with the brake pedal fully depress.
28 total