Volkswagen · Jetta · 2020
6
Recalls
49
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2020 Volkswagen Jetta has 6 recalls and 49 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: unknown or other (8 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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Rollover Resistance
13.1% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.
Remedy Status
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats, and, as necessary, replace the seatback frames, free of charge. The recall began September 11, 2020. Volkswagen owners may contact their customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Audi owners may contact their customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72L1, 72K8, and 72K9.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Jetta and Jetta GLI vehicles. The air bag control module was welded in the incorrect position.
Remedy Status
Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 28, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69CK.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling one 2020 Jetta vehicle. The front brake caliper bolts may come loose.
Remedy Status
Volkswagen will notify the owner, and a dealer will replace all four front brake caliper bolts, free of charge. The recall began July 1, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47Q2.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
Remedy Status
Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audis customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf Sportwagen, 2019-2020 Golf GTI, and Jetta vehicles equipped with a conventional ignition switch. The ignition switch may fail, especially in high temperature environments.
Remedy Status
Dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 1, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 28H7.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.
Remedy Status
Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.
There was a warning light for the emergency call function unavailable please service immediately.
Upon “starting” car, all systems turn on and car tells me the engine is on; however, if I put into any gear nothing. Only once I press the ignition one more time does the engine actually start.
While driving southbound on I-15 near Exit 300 (5300 S, Murray, Utah), the sunroof on my 2020 Volkswagen Jetta SEL suddenly and spontaneously exploded outward without any impact or external object striking the glass. The vehicle had approximately 72,000 miles at the time. There was no tint, film, or modification to the sunroof. The weather was clear, and the road was smooth. The explosion produced a loud gunshot-like sound, followed by glass fragments scattering across the sunshade. Fortunately, the sunshade was closed, which prevented most of the glass from falling into the cabin. However, the incident caused a significant distraction which posed a serious safety risk while driving at highway speeds. No warning lights, messages, or symptoms appeared before the failure. The glass appears to have shattered from internal stress rather than impact, as there were no visible signs of an object strike. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by Volkswagen, law enforcement, or insurance, but the glass remains available for inspection if needed.
October 9, 2025 EPC light on. October 10, 2025, called Brown's VW in Charlottetown, PEI and brought the car in. The EPC light was off. The scan revealed that turbo on the vehicle had a seized wastegate. The cost of repair is $4,026.85 and a wait for parts. If the EPC light was flashing, the vehicle would buck and stop in the middle of the road causing a safety issue. There were no warnings previous to the EPC light going on. the vehicle is out of warranty but low mileage. Please note I spend 6 months a year in PEI, Canada and 6 months in the US. My address in Canada is: 81 Kilkenny Rd., Rte 250, Harrington, PE CIE 3A5. The vehicle is registered in PEI and had a RIV certificate. I was also told by an independent source that the above problem is common in the Atlantic Provinces because of the position of the wastegate and also the salt in the air in the Atlantic Provinces. I am certain in sea coast areas of the US, there is a similar problem with this VW turbo and the VW Tiguan is also affected. Many years of the VW Jetta have the same problem.
While driving down a the road, my husband, 2 children and I, with no cars around us, we heard a loud pop (almost exploding like). We all looked around and then my husband looked up and our sunroof glass was shattered. As we exited the vehicle to take a better look, you could clearly see that the glass was broken from the inside, as if it was popped like a balloon. While no glass fell in the vehicle due to the shade being shut, there was glass all over the top that my husband had to clean up. Unfortunately due to no negligence on our part, we had to file an insurance claim.
When I start the car Multiple times the car will throw over half of all the error code and could not start the vehicle. Driving in the highway doing 65mph with the cruise control on the car completely shut off and I had to limp it to the shoulder and was unable to start the car. Each time I cleared the fault codes then was able to start the car. If I didn’t have my scanner I would have had to get towed each time to the dealer. I see there is an ignition switch recall on the 2019 and the 2020 cars but for some reason I don’t see my 2020 included in that. Now the proximity sensor is at fault and I have to take it to the dealer again. Please let me know what I should do
My check engine light came on on Sunday Dec 1. I immediately took it to a diagnostic service station in my local area. They diagnosed that my car has a vent control valve malfunction. This issue is a KNOWN problem to Volkswagen. They do not replace this part if it fails after 60K miles. This makes zero sense to me. I purchased my car, used with 63K miles on it. It now has 80K. At no time was I made aware that this part would/could fail! The vent control valve is over $250 and labor will be another $200. When I called VW they said they don't issue recalls, only NTHSA does. Furthermore, VW also said that if I am to get reimbursed, should they see fit to issue this recall, that I must take it to a VW dealer. All well and good, but VW wants $238 to diagnose a problem that already cost me $130. I was also told that there are currently 11K cars waiting on this part. That is not a statistical anomaly. Therefore, NTHSA needs to issue a recall and help VW owners get their vent valve control replaced before our engines are damaged.
I recently purchased a vehicle on July 11th, and on July 12th, I noticed a significant issue with the transmission. Specifically, the vehicle began grinding when I attempted to engage reverse gear. Concerned for safety, I promptly contacted the dealership. Initially, they advised that the proper procedure was to shift from first gear to reverse, attributing the issue to a known Volkswagen transmission characteristic. Upon further inspection at the dealership, they acknowledged the problem as a documented issue with Volkswagen transmissions, providing a "tech tip" confirming its severity. This issue poses a serious safety risk due to the delay in shifting from first to reverse, potentially impeding quick maneuvering in emergencies, thereby compromising driver and passenger safety. The problem was replicated multiple times during dealership visits, with no warning lights or indications prior to the grinding in reverse.
My brakes have always sounded weird to me. But the dealer and my mechanic assured me that they were fine. On Saturday 7/6/24, I noticed a horrible grinding noise. I took it to my mechanic and was told that due to a faulty brake caliper the passenger side front inner brake pad has gone metal to metal. I can see that there is a recall on the calipers for 2020 VW Jetta but it doesn't show up for my VIN #. I am having to pay $541.07 and feel that if this is a recall I shouldn't have to pay.
The built-in navigation and apple carplay periodically show the wrong location, offset by several hundred feet from the real one. A huge number of cases on the Internet, Volkswagen does nothing about it. They update the software, but it doesn't help.
There is a spring that it out of place and when I turned to get out of the seat it scratched my back.
The fuel door would not open for me to put gas in my car. I cannot drive my car without fuel. If I can’t get to my gas tank because the fuel door has malfunctioned I become a danger to those who drive as well as myself and my vehicle. My car tells me everything else but not that. I only find out once I need gas and others getting upset because they waiting on the gas spot can get me hurt or killed in this day and age with peoples lack of patience. I had to spend extra money to tow my car just for them to break the actuator just so I can put gas in my car. Now my fuel door hangs open and now I have to worry about my car and who may do something in that instance. The car doesn’t offer a switch or button in the car to release the fuel door. My car runs on gas if the malfunction happens every 6 months or every year it stops my life. I need to work go to school and so much more. This is an issue that will continue because of the build of the vehicle and others like it in many make and models. Help please
Will not take fuel. Even when the gasoline tank is empty it will not accept fuel properly. Fuel seeps out and leaks. Problem presents identically to the 2015-2020 VW & Audi recall. VW doesn’t acknowledge my VIN as a vehicle with the problem. My car is on the identical platform as the Audi A3 and is FWD. my problem is identical to the recall but VW will not acknowledge the problem.
Mid-drive, the vehicle gave me a "check starter system" warning, a known 2020 VW Jetta issue. However, my car has not gotten a recall message yet. The message also disappeared again after I turned off the car for 10 minutes and started it again.
Vehicle's sunroof spontaneously shattered while driving, raining down thousands of shards of glass. There was a loud bang, it sounded like a firecracker went off. I was not behind another vehicle and was going 55-60 mph. Another issue that this brought up was that after I had pulled off and assessed what happened, I wasn't initially able to buckle my seat belt due to glass in the receptacle.
After buying this vehicle in June 2020, and the "Emergency SOS Module" never malfunctioning once, I enrolled in VW's free "Safe and Secure" service through the myVW mobile application on March 7, 2024, and immediately received an "Emergency SOS Error" light. The vehicle manual states that the vehicle is not safe to drive and must be taken to the dealership immediately. I then called my local VW dealership asking if I could stop by since I was in the area, and the service department stated that have seen a lot of vehicles coming in with this issue lately and the car must be brought in to replace the emergency call module. Upon bringing my vehicle in, the dealership stated that there is a diagnostic charge of over $250, in addition to the cost of potentially replacing the module (which I'm reading online others have paid between $900-$1,500 for replacement. This is completely unacceptable to pass on a charge to a customer for something that is not included in the vehicle's scheduled (or unscheduled) maintenance list, as well as has nothing to do with the mechanical operation of the vehicle – in addition to posing a safety risk. I never had an issue with this module until the minute I decided to enroll in VW's free "Safe and Secure" service, at which point it seems either they have installed faulty equipment in their vehicles or have an error in their software.
The SOS emergency that is supposed to work when you press the button or if your car is stolen the module failed and on months of back order
The front strut spring broke. The dealer warned against driving it at all, since it could cut open the tire or damage other parts that would cause a lot of control. The vehicle is just past the three year warranty. But it is too new for aftermarket parts, so I had to replace it the same parts. The dealer said this is very common on this make/model and to expect these parts to consistently fail.
The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving uphill at 55 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly shut off with an unknown warning light flashing on the instrument panel. Despite the failure, the contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive to the residence. The vehicle was later taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed but no defect was found. The contact then stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle shut off with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle eventually restarted after several attempts. The dealer was contacted about the failure and the contact was promised a callback. The contact had not yet heard back from the dealer. The manufacturer was also notified about the failure and the contact was referred to another dealer for service. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 46,625.
The sunroof shattered after closing the car door from the pressure or motion of the car door closing. The sunroof glass panel popped up in the center and all the shattered glass was in an upward motion indicating the cause was from the pressure in the cabin. There were no visible chips or debris on the sunroof prior to this occurring. I took the vehicle to the Volkswagen dealership for an inspection and repair but they denied warranty coverage even though the vehicle is under the original warranty. Volkswagen claims that a chip or rock would cause the sunroof to shatter from the door closing. This is not a safe or acceptable design - sunroofs should not shatter when car doors are opened/closed or from the movement of the vehicle driving.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2020 Volkswagen Jetta has 6 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 49 owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta.
The 2020 Volkswagen Jetta received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta are unknown or other (8 reports), electrical system (6 reports), engine (4 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 6 recalls on record for the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.