2018 Volkswagen Jetta Owner Complaints

My vehicle has an active, federally mandated safety recall for a fuel rail leak (Recall 24Gi / 20V648000), which is a documented fire hazard. The vehicle now has an active "EPC" (Electronic Power Control) dashboard light and a fuel odor. When I called my local authorized Volkswagen dealership—Southern Team Volkswagen at 6520 Peters Creek Road in Roanoke, VA—to schedule the safety repair, the service department flat-out refused to take the vehicle. The representative stated that they "are not taking new clients" and "will not be repairing" the vehicle. They left me stranded with an active, dangerous safety hazard on my property and refused to comply with the federal recall mandate. When escalations were made to corporate, I was told my only option was to take the vehicle for an hour to Lynchburg, VA, at my expense. Because they don’t have a policy to pay for towing. I had to call the manufacturer and have them step in to “pull some strings” he said. Am currently waiting to hear back from them.

NHTSA ID

11750939

Incident

Jul 14, 2026

Leaking gas. And charcoal canister problems. I’m not sure why this vehicle is not recalled but the vw gti is and same years as other vw models but not this one. There has to be a recall with this vin vehicle no one was harmed or injured yet since this problem is scary and leaks gas I am unable to drive car due to risk of fire and injury.

NHTSA ID

11747315

Incident

Jun 1, 2026

I buckled my 2.5 year old daughter into her carseat and secured the magnetic chest clip. It very easily popped back open WITHOUT pressing the buttons. I attempted to get it to securely close several times and with light pressure it opens back up. This is extremely unsafe as it would likely not stay clipped in a crash or a child could very easily open the chest clip. After a quick online search, it appears that several others have had this issue. I just noticed it yesterday but I have no idea how long this has been occuring and, unless checked thoroughly every time, could happen to anyone.

NHTSA ID

11742734

Incident

Jun 7, 2026

My car made a loud banging noise and would not move even though engine was running. Had towed and was told car needs new transmission I brought to another mechanic for second opinion and was told the same thing code P073300

NHTSA ID

11728653

Incident

Mar 23, 2026

The car makes a loud popping/ clicking sound in the back of the car (near exhaust) whenever I accelerate or let off the gas.

NHTSA ID

11718601

Incident

Feb 17, 2026

On Monday [XXX] my 2018 VW Jetta S started gushing gas from the bottom of the car. I immediately pulled over and called AAA to have my car towed to my nearest VW dealer which was National City Volkswagen 3131 Mile of Car National City, Ca. The issue my car was having looked similar to a recall due to fuel rails coming loose. My car ended up having faulty gas rails which is part of a recall for my vehicle. I was told it was already corrected 4 years ago so i had to pay out of pocket for it. Yet the repairs or corrected recall are not on the carfax, for one. And for two, I did not own the car when said repairs were completed and I cannot find any record of it. I believe VW is still responsible for this as it is the same parts that were repaired for the recall. Plus, I missed a whole day at work because of this. ($30hr×8=$240) plus the $1438.26 I had to pay out of pocket. Thank you for your time and consideration. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11682295

Incident

Aug 18, 2025

Passenger airbag light is illuminated after hitting a bump in the road

NHTSA ID

11675689

Incident

Feb 5, 2025

I was backing out of a parking spot, turned the wheel and the screen lit up staing error:airbag. Air bag light came on dash screen. Cruise control, steering wheel options for music control and menu and horn have stopped working. There is this nosie that comes from the steering column when making turns now as well.

NHTSA ID

11665499

Incident

Jun 6, 2025

Front passenger air bag light came on without provocation and remains on. Have noticed multiple recalls of similar situations with VW air bags being recalled. It appeared to start with the detection of weight change in the seat. It would not deactivate when a small child sat in the front seat. Now the passenger air bag light just continuously stays on regardless of adult, child, or nothing is the seat.

NHTSA ID

11653841

Incident

Mar 2, 2025

Engine stalled and car emitted fuel smell and leaked from engine area. Vehicle towed to shop. Mechanic found fuel leak near Cylinder #4. Removed intake manifold and found fuel rail loose and leaking from #4 injector. Left upper fuel rail retaining bolt was broken and left lower bolt was loose.

NHTSA ID

11648748

Incident

Mar 9, 2025

Car's warning lights came on with initial start, followed by strong fuel smell. Shut off engine and walked around car to find large puddle of fuel coming from engine compartment under fuel rail.

NHTSA ID

11622261

Incident

Oct 25, 2024

Malfunction ignition switch, and ignition cylinder, 50,000 miles on car. Took it to the dealer for diagnosis. No warning lamps or lights showed. My car just stopped allowing my key to come out of the ignition to turn the car off. I have to struggle to get it out of the ignition for 10-20 mins every time I take my key out. My car could potentially not turn on or off when the pieces go out completely

NHTSA ID

11611846

Incident

Aug 28, 2024

Air bag light came on unprovoked. Remains on. We noted this announcement and feel it is the same problem. ((In April 2023, Volkswagen recalled some vehicles due to a faulty front passenger detection system that could deactivate the front passenger air bag. A deactivated air bag won't deploy in a crash, which could increase the risk of injury to the front passenger. Volkswagen is developing a remedy and will notify owners when it's available. In the meantime, owners shouldn't let anyone sit in the front passenger seat. ))

NHTSA ID

11610694

Incident

May 13, 2024

Front wheel bearing failure same as nhtsa campaign 19V879000

NHTSA ID

11598220

Incident

Jan 1, 2024

ignition swith . Same as 2019 and up model recall.NHTSA campaign number: 23V604

NHTSA ID

11598216

Incident

Mar 6, 2024

N/A

NHTSA ID

11594184

Incident

Jun 7, 2024

the tunk lid fills with water and gets all the tail light components and wiring wet when it rains heavy or get a car wash.

NHTSA ID

11580868

Incident

Apr 3, 2024

The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. The contact shifted in neutral and attempted to restart the vehicle. The contact had to push the vehicle to the side of the road and made several attempts to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was made aware of a recall regarding the fuel rail. The mechanic was unable to determine the exact cause for the failure however, the mechanic linked the failure to a failure with the electrical system. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure persisted with the battery and EPC warning lights illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,782.

NHTSA ID

11550559

Incident

Oct 18, 2022

Mileage

90,782 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle and attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start on the first attempt. Upon starting the vehicle and driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle seemed to return to normal functionality. However, the contact stated that the failure had since become a regular occurrence. The contact also stated that the infotainment system operated erratically, symptomatic of a possible electrical issue. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel pump. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11547215

Incident

Apr 15, 2023

The contact's mother owns a 2018 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that her mother's vehicle had failed to start up with an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. Upon inspection, her mother discovered that an unknown fluid had leaked from the vehicle. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed with a leak in the fuel rail. The failure was linked to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V648000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 51,723.

NHTSA ID

11512432

Incident

Mar 16, 2023

Mileage

51,723 mi

On or about January 24, 2023, Found oil leak and heard noise from engine. No warning lamps or messages prior, mechanic diagnosed and found cam phaser cover bolts loose and leaking. He had to re-torque bolts and check engine. Leaking stopped. Mechanic said they should not have come loose and if bolts came anymore loose, they could have caused serious problems with timing and engine.

NHTSA ID

11504161

Incident

Jan 24, 2023

Key locked in ignition at an unsafe area where I was stuck for hours. Car has approximately 89,000 miles and the key being stuck in ignition has happened to me twice recently and I know it will continue to do so until there is a recall for the safety issue that the Ignition causes.

NHTSA ID

11481801

Incident

Aug 29, 2022

Vehicle Dealer Colonial Volkswagen failed to register the DOT number on all of my tires Colonial Volkswagen is in Feasterville/Trevose PA Tire failed have photos inside of tire wall

NHTSA ID

11476461

Incident

Jun 27, 2022

From the day I bought the car brand new the driver window rolls down and you have to roll it completely down in order to roll it back up I have had every part replaced in the window and it still does it

NHTSA ID

11433614

Incident

Mar 19, 2018

AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES- CAR WOULD NOT MOVE IN DRIVE POSITION. DASH CODE: ESC. LUCKILY, 2018 JETTA STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY

NHTSA ID

11394599

Incident

Jul 30, 2020

Mileage

40,000 mi