Model year 2018 · Compact Cars

2018 Volkswagen Jetta: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta at 27–33 mpg combined across 4 versions. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 32 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

EPA combined mpg

27–33

NHTSA overall rating

5/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Volkswagen dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2018 Volkswagen Jetta recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 2 safety recalls for the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta, newest first.

Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel injection system: Fuel rail

NHTSA 20V648000 Reported Oct 21, 2020

Filed by: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 24Gi)
Units affected: 218,192 (estimate)
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Jetta vehicles. The fuel rail bolts may become loose over time, allowing fuel to leak.
Risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rail bolts and, as necessary, the fuel rail. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24Gi.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Electrical system: Ignition: Anti-theft: Control module and 1 more component

NHTSA 19V615000 Reported Aug 22, 2019

Filed by: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 37M2)
Components: Electrical system: Ignition: Anti-theft: Control module; Steering: Column locking: Anti-theft device
Units affected: 679,027 (estimate)
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
Risk: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2018 Volkswagen Jetta fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2018 Volkswagen Jetta EPA fuel economy
Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	Fuel	City/Hwy/Comb	Fuel cost/yr	CO2 g/mi
Jetta	1.4L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic 6-speed	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	28/38/32 mpg	$2,100	282
Jetta	1.4L 4-cyl turbo	Manual 5-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	28/40/33 mpg	$2,050	271
Jetta	1.8L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic 6-speed	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	24/33/28 mpg	$2,400	321
Jetta	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic 6-speed	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	24/33/27 mpg	$2,500	326

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2018 Volkswagen Jetta crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2018 Volkswagen Jetta NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk	Forward collision warning
2018 Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD	5 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars	11.1%	Optional
2018 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 4 DR FWD	5 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars	11.1%	No

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2018 Volkswagen Jetta owner complaints

Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta, most recently on Oct 22, 2026. 1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2018 Volkswagen Jetta complaints
Component named in complaints	Mentions
Unknown or other	8
Fuel/propulsion system	7
Air bags	6
Power train	5
Electrical system	3
Engine	2
Chest clip, buckle, harness	1
Fuel system, gasoline	1
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel injection system: Fuel rail	1
Seat belts	1

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Volkswagen Jetta model years

Volkswagen Jetta by model year
Year	Combined	Recalls	Complaints	Overall rating
2027 Jetta	33–34 mpg	—	—	5/5
2026 Jetta	33–34 mpg	1	6	5/5
2025 Jetta	33 mpg	2	31	5/5
2024 Jetta	33–34 mpg	0	46	5/5
2023 Jetta	33–35 mpg	0	43	5/5
2022 Jetta	33–35 mpg	1	43	5/5
2021 Jetta	28–34 mpg	4	70	5/5
2020 Jetta	28–34 mpg	6	54	5/5
2019 Jetta	28–34 mpg	11	549	5/5
2017 Jetta	27–33 mpg	6	160	5/5
2016 Jetta	27–44 mpg	4	164	5/5
2015 Jetta	26–44 mpg	8	197	5/5

All Volkswagen Jetta years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2018 Volkswagen models

2018 Volkswagen Atlas 2018 Volkswagen Beetle 2018 Volkswagen Golf/GTI 2018 Volkswagen Passat 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan

Sources

Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Volkswagen.