Most common 2025 Volkswagen Jetta problems
Share of the 30 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volkswagen Jetta complaints by model year
Best Jetta years: 2018, 2020, 2022. Years to avoid: 2019, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2010. Compare all years →
2025 Volkswagen Jetta recalls (2)
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
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 comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel software and replace the instrument panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2026.
Electrical system › Wiring
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.
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.
What 2025 Volkswagen Jetta owners say
Driver assistance
The car has a manual transmission. In all other vehicles I have driven with cruise control, when the clutch is depressed, the cruise completely disengages, same as a brake. When cruise control is engaged and the clutch is depressed, the cruise temporarily disengages and re-engages when put into a lower gear or the same gear. VERY scary since a majority of the time, the driver is anticipating a slow down. If left out of gear for a period of time, the cruise will fully disengage. I can only guess someone copied programming for the manual transmission car from an automatic transmission car. I have reproduced this behavior multiple times. Seems unlikely to do in standard cruise control. VW of America contacted and seemed unconcerned. Has not been brought to the dealer.
"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."
Transmission & drivetrain
I purchased a brand-new 2025 Volkswagen Jetta from LaFontaine Volkswagen of Dearborn, MI on October 2, 2025. Within 24 hours, the check-engine light illuminated, and the fuel gauge cluster froze, showing an incorrect fuel level. On October 3, 2025, I contacted the dealership and was told to bring it in for service. The service department confirmed a faulty Transmission Control Module (TCM) and opened a repair order. Before the repair could be completed, the vehicle became inoperable and would not engage Drive, leaving me stranded in my driveway. The car had less than 350 miles on it at the time of failure. This incident is extremely concerning for a brand-new vehicle and raises questions about potential safety and manufacturing defects in the 2025 Jetta model line. A new car's transmission should not fail within days of delivery. …
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.
Fuel & propulsion system
I purchased a brand-new 2025 Volkswagen Jetta from LaFontaine Volkswagen of Dearborn, MI on October 2, 2025. Within 24 hours, the check-engine light illuminated, and the fuel gauge cluster froze, showing an incorrect fuel level. On October 3, 2025, I contacted the dealership and was told to bring it in for service. The service department confirmed a faulty Transmission Control Module (TCM) and opened a repair order. Before the repair could be completed, the vehicle became inoperable and would not engage Drive, leaving me stranded in my driveway. The car had less than 350 miles on it at the time of failure. This incident is extremely concerning for a brand-new vehicle and raises questions about potential safety and manufacturing defects in the 2025 Jetta model line. A new car's transmission should not fail within days of delivery. …
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. …
2025 Volkswagen Jetta engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | FWD | 29 / 40 / 33 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta a good car?
Based on 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2025 Jetta rates average: 34% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Jetta at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta?
The driver assistance — 7 complaints, 23% of all complaints for this model year, most often about adaptive cruise control. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (6) and fuel & propulsion system (4).
How many recalls does the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta, the most recent from March 25, 2026 (instrument cluster/panel). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volkswagen Jetta?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2018, 2020 and 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2010. See the full Volkswagen Jetta years comparison.
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.