Model year 2026 · Compact Cars

2026 Volkswagen Jetta: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta at 33–34 mpg combined across 2 versions. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 6 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

1

EPA combined mpg

33–34

NHTSA overall rating

5/5

Recall file dated Oct 28, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 28, 2026, 7:36 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.

2026 Volkswagen Jetta recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta, newest first.

Electrical system: Wiring

NHTSA 26V138000 Reported Mar 11, 2026
Filed by
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 97TC)
Units affected
48,165 (estimate)
Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Jetta vehicles. The transmission ground wire may not have been properly connected during assembly, causing an open electrical circuit.
Risk
An open circuit may draw a higher current and increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and repair transmission ground wire as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97TC. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 13, 2026.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

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

2026 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.

2026 Volkswagen Jetta EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
Jetta1.5L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 8-speedFront-Wheel DriveRegular29/40/34 mpg$1,950265
Jetta Sport/SE/SEL1.5L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 8-speedFront-Wheel DriveRegular29/40/33 mpg$2,050271

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.

2026 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.

2026 Volkswagen Jetta NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2026 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 4 DR N/A FWD5 stars4 stars5 stars4 stars13%Standard
2026 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI 4 DR N/A FWD5 stars4 stars5 stars4 stars13%Standard

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.

2026 Volkswagen Jetta owner complaints

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta, most recently on Sep 21, 2026. 0 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 2026 Volkswagen Jetta complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Electrical system3
Unknown or other2
Engine1
Exterior lighting1
Forward collision avoidance1
Forward collision avoidance: Automatic emergency braking1
Forward collision avoidance: Warnings1
Steering1

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
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2027 Jetta33–34 mpg——5/5
2025 Jetta33 mpg2325/5
2024 Jetta33–34 mpg0465/5
2023 Jetta33–35 mpg0435/5
2022 Jetta33–35 mpg1435/5
2021 Jetta28–34 mpg4705/5
2020 Jetta28–34 mpg6545/5
2019 Jetta28–34 mpg115505/5
2018 Jetta27–33 mpg2325/5
2017 Jetta27–33 mpg61605/5
2016 Jetta27–44 mpg41645/5
2015 Jetta26–44 mpg81975/5

All Volkswagen Jetta years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2026 Volkswagen models

2026 Volkswagen Atlas2026 Volkswagen GLI2026 Volkswagen Golf/GTI2026 Volkswagen ID.42026 Volkswagen Taos2026 Volkswagen Tiguan

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 28, 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.