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2018 Volkswagen Jetta

Gas
Compact Cars
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
C
Safety Signal
77 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical2
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA31
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA33 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2018 Volkswagen Jetta is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact car with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Jetta, is EPA-rated at 33 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 31 complaints, most often about the air bags. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
JettaGasFWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo284033$1,900
JettaGasFWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo283832$1,950
JettaGasFWD1.8L 4-cyl turbo243328$2,250
JettaGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo243327$2,300

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 39039, 39038, 39228, 39229.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2018 Volkswagen Jetta is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Fuel System, Gasoline

24Gi
218,192 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen 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.RiskA fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.FixVolkswagen 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.
NHTSA campaign 20V648000reported Oct 21, 2020Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Steering

37M2
679,027 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen 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."RiskRemoving 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.FixVolkswagen 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.
NHTSA campaign 19V615000reported Aug 22, 2019Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
31complaints filed

1 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2019: 3 · 2020: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2024: 7 · 2025: 5 · 2026: 5

Most-cited components

Unspecified8
Air Bags6
Fuel/Propulsion System6
Power Train5
Electrical System3
Tires2

What owners describe

“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…”Jul 16, 2026 · Fuel/Propulsion System · NHTSA owner report
“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 ris…”Jun 29, 2026 · Fuel/Propulsion System · NHTSA owner report
“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 o…”Jun 8, 2026 · Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆11%
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆11%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Jetta model years

A

2027 Volkswagen Jetta

0 recalls · 0 complaints

B

2026 Volkswagen Jetta

1 recalls · 5 complaints

C

2025 Volkswagen Jetta

2 recalls · 28 complaints

A

2024 Volkswagen Jetta

0 recalls · 43 complaints

A

2023 Volkswagen Jetta

0 recalls · 43 complaints

A

2022 Volkswagen Jetta

1 recalls · 42 complaints

C

2021 Volkswagen Jetta

4 recalls · 67 complaints

F

2020 Volkswagen Jetta

6 recalls · 51 complaints

F

2019 Volkswagen Jetta

11 recalls · 545 complaints

F

2017 Volkswagen Jetta

6 recalls · 159 complaints

F

2016 Volkswagen Jetta

4 recalls · 164 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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