Headlight complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 17% | — |
| 2025 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2019 | 26 | 5% | 0 miles |
| 2017 | 5 | 3% | 23,000 miles |
| 2016 | 3 | 2% | 130,000 miles |
| 2015 | 5 | 3% | 45,000 miles |
| 2014 | 24 | 6% | 56,000 miles |
| 2013 | 17 | 3% | 42,000 miles |
| 2012 | 13 | 3% | 70,000 miles |
| 2011 | 42 | 7% | 65,000 miles |
| 2010 | 21 | 2% | 70,000 miles |
| 2009 | 24 | 3% | 65,000 miles |
| 2008 | 5 | 3% | 118,000 miles |
| 2007 | 8 | 4% | 99,000 miles |
| 2006 | 35 | 6% | 59,000 miles |
| 2005 | 14 | 6% | 67,000 miles |
| 2004 | 11 | 5% | 73,000 miles |
| 2003 | 29 | 6% | 63,000 miles |
| 2002 | 51 | 7% | 71,000 miles |
| 2001 | 80 | 12% | 58,000 miles |
| 2000 | 34 | 8% | 79,000 miles |
| 1999 | 20 | 6% | 83,000 miles |
| 1998 | 7 | 4% | 79,000 miles |
| 1995 | 11 | 5% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Issue: 2019 VW Jetta, the problem first occurred at 46,000 miles and has occurred approximately 8 times while in operation both when at a full stop and in motion at speeds from 10 to 50mph. When this happens all electronics shut off, dashboard goes blank, to include turn signals, side and front warning indicators, head lights and brake lights. This appears to happen in elevated outside temperatures. The vehicle will still drive, however without any electronics, lights etc. Vehicle starts up again with full electronics after stopping and restarting engine, usually takes two or three attempts. This has put my safety and drivers around me at risk of accident. I took the vehicle to the VW dealership, they did not observe the problem to my knowledge but said diagnostics indicated the original battery was malfunctioning and needed replacement, which I had done, not by VW. …
Without any warning whatsoever the entire electrical system goes completely off while driving the vehicle after 5 mins of it being on. This means that the lights including blinker and brake lights go off, air conditioning stops, and the entire dashboard goes off. The engine is still able to run. I am able to use the gas and breaks but I do not know what my speed is or any other information that is typically available via the dashboard. I have tried to do a reset when the problem occurs but that does not help the situation. The safety of myself and others is definitely at risk when this happens since the break lights and turning signal will no longer function at all. I can only use the hazard lights to indicate the hazard this presents. …
FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY: 1) the HID HALOGEN lights- (a.) the main DS3 buld continues to burn out not lasting longer than a month. (b.) the ballast also than shorts out (c.) the HIGH BEAM does the reverse effect making everything black (d.) the LOW BEAM do not work right as i cannot see obstacles in the road clearly- WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT; I ONLY HAVE MY FRONT DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT AND FOG LIGHT ASSEMBLY TO DEPEND ON PRIMARILY. THE PASSENGER LIGHTS WHEN SOMEWHAT WORKING; ARE DIM AND WHEN THE HID BULB BURNS OUT- ALL I HAVE TO DEPEND ON (for that side of car) ARE MY DAY RUNNING AND FOR LIGHTS. 2.) FORWARD COLLISION WARNING SENORS ARE NOT WORKING MAKING IT TOO LATE IF OBSTACLES DETECTED 3.) THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WARMER STOPPED WORKING
The fuse that controls the exterior lights (tail, marker,etc.) and interior lights at first interment would blow/burn out. Sometimes after a few days or a few months for the past year. In the past few weeks the fuse blows immediately once replaced. The car was brought to a VW dealer a year ago who changed the fuse and ran a diagnostic. It was brought back 4-5 months later and they again changed the fuse and ran a diagnostic. The second time was not given a slip indicating it was was there for the service and was not charged. While I understand no charge there is no no proof of service. As the fuse controls all the lights the car is dark at night.
-The front right passenger electrical system that contains the wiring in order for the front headlight and front high beam to function properly suddenly started a short circuit and caused the front passenger light system wiring to catch fire to that part and the parts that surround it. The car is available for inspection at any time. -My safety was put at risk because my vehicle caught fire in a matter of seconds and spread so fast that it was impossible to stop the fire without requesting help of the Miami Gardens Fire Department that arrived on the scene as fast as they could a few minutes later. Other vehicles waiting at the traffic light were also put at risk because of the fire, smoke, and the hazardous wastes that could've possibly led to an explosion from the fire spreading over the whole right side of the engine. …
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, the contact became aware that the front and rear exterior lights were not functioning as needed. The headlamp warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed an electrical fault with the exterior lights. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.
I purchased a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta from North Coast Auto Mall on March 19, 2023 and the following day several issues went wrong with the vehicle like: The car reeked of gasoline, oil and engine lights came on, driver side head light blew out. Also, I was told that the car had an inspection, come to find out they didn't do an inspection by North Coast Service manager, so they lied. Also, the reason for the gasoline smell is because the vehicle needs a fuel rack, oil pan, oil pressure switch, and a new headlight. Too many things are going wrong with this car in such a short period of time. It took North Coast two weeks to take my vehicle and they didn't want to give me a loaner car. Also, they have had my vehicle since March 28, 2023 and refuse to disclose of the reconditioning shop of my vehicle. …
When driving my brand new 2015 Jetta tdi sel at night for the first time, 5 days ago, I was unable to see the road almost at all (even at bare minimum) when I engaged my high beams. Upon closer inspection and multiple tries I discovered my low beams would turn off every time I engaged my high beams while driving at night. I almost hit wildlife on the road and swerved to miss it. No crash or injury occurred this time and was lucky. At this time I am unable to use this car unless it is at full daylight. This is an extreme hazard that needs to be corrected. I've been driving for over 25 years and have an excellent driving record. Please correct this so I can use my brand new Jetta without regret and safety hazard.
Related recalls (7)
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles equipped with LED headlights. The passenger side headlight may be incorrectly positioned, reducing the driver's visibility when it is dark.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side headlight, free of charge. The recall began November 2, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured July 11, 2014, to November 13, 2014. Due to incorrect software within the headlight control module, the low beam headlights may turn off when high beam lights are turned on.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the headlight control module software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2015.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Certain vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." some vehicles May not have had a required cap installed which disables the headlight horizontal aim and some vehicles May contain a cap that disables the vertical aiming…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for the presence of a cap in the socket of the low beam horizontal aiming screw and install one if missing, and inspect for the presence of a cap in the socket of the vertical aiming screw and if…
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch May malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.
Remedy: Dealers will install the newly designed brake light switch free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 2007, and will be conducted in several staggered mailings through September 21, 2007.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with automatic or manual transmissions and cruise controls, a brake light switch on these vehicles May malfunction if it was installed incorrectly during safety recalls 03v-265 or 04v-096.
Remedy: Dealers will install the newly designed brake light switch free of charge. The recall began on November 27, 2006. Vehicles within the make, model, and model year of this population May be involved in either this recall…
Show 2 more recalls
Exterior lighting › Hazard flashing warning lights › Switch
On certain passenger vehicles, the hazard switch and flasher system function May degrade over time because of distortion and material transfer of the contacts of certain hazard switch relays which occurs due to substantially increased electrical current load from higher wattage turn signal bulbs.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hazard flasher switch/relay kit. The recall began on March 31, 2005. Owners should contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
On certain passenger vehicles, a brake light switch on these vehicles May malfunction.
Remedy: This recall has been superceded by 06v-183. Owners who have had a remedy performed under this recall should return to their dealer for the redesigned remedy. Owners should contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
NHTSA investigations
Lights and/or windshield wiper obscured
There is no summary currently available
Light and /windshield wipers
There is no summary currently available
Brake light switch failure
By letters dated May 24, 2006 and August 4, 2006, Volkswagen (vw) notified the agency that it is conducting a safety recall (NHTSA recall no 06v-183) involving model year (my) 1998-2002 Volkswagen new beetle and 1999-2002 Volkswagen jetta vehicles equipped with cruise control.Volkswagen?s recall covers 646,246 vehicles.previously, vw recalled these vehicles to replace a defective brake light switch (recalls 03v-265…
Brake light switch
The number of duplicates between odi and manufacturer failure reports cannot be determined due to missing and or inaccurate information.the injury noted above was minor.on February 26, 2004, Volkswagen of America, inc. (vw) submitted a defect notification (per 49cfr573) to the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) advising that certain model year (my) 1999 - 2002 Volkswagen jetta vehicles…
Turn signal/hazard flasher failure
This investigation was opened on October 19, 2004, based on nine reports on 2000 through 2001 jetta and gti vehicles alleging that the turn signals and or hazard flashers fail to blink, or flash.some of the complainants reported that the lights would blink only a few times and then stop.several of the complainants reported that having the hazard flasher switch replaced repaired their vehicles.by letter of December…
Frequently asked questions
Which Volkswagen Jetta years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (80), 2002 (51), 2011 (42), 2006 (35) and 2000 (34) model years. Headlight complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Volkswagen Jetta headlight problems?
Yes — 7 recalls, including 18V-671 (headlights, Sep 26, 2018); 14V-790 (headlights, Dec 15, 2014); 07V-442 (headlights, Sep 24, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Volkswagen Jetta headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles; 33% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the brake lights › switch (116 mentions), followed by the headlights (40).
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.