NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
I have noticed an issue with how easily the rear, passenger-side seatbelt is able to be clicked into the buckle. Initially when I got the car, passengers using that seatbelt did not seem to have any issue with easily clicking the seatbelt into the buckle. More recently, it seems my passengers using that seatbelt have a more difficult time clicking it into the buckle because the buckle seems to go down into the cushion when they put pressure on it. Passengers now have to hold the buckle in place while clicking it in. The only thing I can think of that could explain this change in how easily the seat belt can be clicked in could be that I put the seats down at one point using the pull lever in the trunk. I'm not sure this "ease of use" issue was the result of putting down the seats at one point but it's what comes to mind. This does not seem to affect the seat belt in terms of it being securely connected to the car, it only seems to affect how easily someone is able to click it into the buckle. People now seem to need to use two hands to click it in versus being able to do it with one hand.
When I started the car an alert came on the said the door there was a driver door contact switch error. When I was trying to back up the emergency brake came on. The door was closed. There was an electric parking break error. Also a start stop error. When trying to go forward the parking brake kept coming on. I was going 10 mph and the e brake engaged and would not let me out unless I turned off the car and turned it back on. When I brought it to the dealership they ran tests on it and they said it was the door wiring harness. There is problem with it and IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. When driving around corners it also has a tendency to want to depart you from the lane. It will try to kick you out of the lane even if you are in the middle of the lane. It has done this around corners and when driving straight. It caused my sister to be driven off the road. This has been brought to the dealerships attention and they found a problem with the lane departure and told me that they could fix it and then they came right back and told me that there was nothing wrong with the car.
I have been having issues with the EVAP system in my 2021 VW Jetta. It has been in the shop at least 7 times since around 12K miles for the same issue. They have replaced all parts and upgraded the software several times and it is still an issue. My check engine light comes on and off all the time. It is just over a year old with almost 50K miles and they say that they are waiting on an update from VW and until then there is nothing they can do.
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the passenger’s side seat failed to adjust. The contact stated that his wife was unable to utilize the passenger’s side seat and seat belt in a safe manner. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the vehicle was designed that way. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 1,900.
1.It's not stable to drive in highway. Problem starts at around 55mph. 2. When I stop in traffic light suddenly rpm goes up and car jumps forward. It happened several times. The car was warm and in drive mode. I'm sure it shouldn't do this. Now when I stop in traffic light and pedestrian crossing in front of me, every time I put it to neutral and hold brake, in other ways just holding brake sometimes can not stop the car. If someone calls me I give more details.
This model Jetta seems to have an issue with the rear license plate mount. The rear license plate mount sandwiches the license plate between a plastic piece attached to the vehicle body and a plastic piece with branding specific to the dealership. The issue I have is when I unscrewed them to remove the top, plastic piece. After I tried to rescrew it without the top piece, it seemed like the screw holes were already stripped. Many people don't want to provide free advertising for the dealership and may attempt to remove the top, plastic piece this way. For safety purposes, you should be able to unscrew and re-screw them without stripping the screw holes.
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V492000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.
I've owned my car for 3 weeks and have driven it ~10 times in total. On 2 different occasions (most recently yesterday), it has stalled out while standing in traffic. On both occasions, it was a "soft stall" just as a vehicle with auto on/off would have. I had no warning lights, and wasn't even aware that the car had stalled until I put it in gear and began to let the clutch out, at which point I discovered that the engine was off.
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed with needing the air bag control module replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60.
CONFLICTING TORQUE SPEC IS LISTED FOR THE WHEEL BOLTS. THE OWNER'S MANUAL (17A012723SF) SPECIFIES 120 NM, BUT I SEE A ODI TSBS (HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2020/MC-10183302-0001.PDF) THAT INDICATES THE TORQUE SPEC IS 140 NM. THAT IS A LARGE DISCREPANCY.
I have driven my 2021 VW Jetta about 56,000 miles. Literally the whole time I have owned this car the check engine light has been on for an evaporative emissions issue. I have brought it into the dealer about six times. They have replaced everything associated with this system at least once and have done a software update. During my last visit, they reported that they had a conversation with VW and said “VW does not have a fix for this." We will let you know when they do.” I owned a diesel VW involved in diesel-gate scandal. This is the same, but different. Instead of hiding the problem, they are ignoring the problem. Clearly, VW needs a higher authority to make this a priority, fine them, or force them to buy these cars back. The car will soon be useless, unable to be inspected, because the check engine light is on. They gave me one complementary inspection already. I’m sure they cheated; passing the inspection when the check engine light was on. Please call if I can assist further. Once the check engine light is cleared, it will be back on within a day. I encouraged a friend to buy a Jetta. He has the same issue with his 2021 Jetta, VIN[XXX] It was purchased at a different dealer many months after I bought mine. Both dealers have indicated that other Jettas have the same problem. I understand that a problem can come up. I do not understand VW having a widespread emissions issue that has gone over a year without a fix. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026