Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 34 | 1.5× | 1 | Suspension | Caution |
| 2013 | 36 | typical | 1 | Fuel System | Average |
| 2012 | 27 | typical | 1 | Electrical | Average |
| 2011 | 33 | typical | 1 | Electrical | Average |
| 2010 | 23 | −28% | 1 | Brake | Average |
| 2009 | 16 | −64% | 1 | Brake | Good |
* Complaints compared with the median Jetta Sportwagen year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen problems
Latest Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen recalls
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Sedan, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GTI, Rabbit and Audi A3 vehicles, and 2010 Volkswagen Golf A6 vehicles.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control module software to improve the module's self-testing abilities. Any module that fails the new diagnostic test will be replaced.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification…
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen should you avoid?
2014 — this year has the most complaints relative to other Jetta Sportwagen years at the same age, led by suspension problems in the 2014.
What is the best year for the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen?
2009 has the fewest complaints compared with other Jetta Sportwagen years at the same age, followed by 2010. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the electrical system (39), fuel & propulsion system (33) and suspension (24). Electrical complaints peak in the 2011 model year.
How many recalls has the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen had?
2 recalls across 2009–2014. The model year with the most is 2009.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.