FaultScore

Volkswagen Jetta airbag problems

871 of the 13,865 complaints filed about the Volkswagen Jetta are about the airbag system — 6% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2002.

871

Complaints

6%

Share of all complaints

269

Crashes

7

Fires

Airbags complaints by model year

1986 Jetta 2 0.2%
1994 Jetta 5 0.6%

Median failure at 91,800 miles

1995 Jetta 23 2.6%

Median failure at 68,000 miles

1997 Jetta 6 0.7%

Median failure at 84,000 miles

1998 Jetta 9 1.0%

Median failure at 120,000 miles

1999 Jetta 31 3.6%

Median failure at 66,000 miles

2000 Jetta 46 5.3%

Median failure at 65,000 miles

2001 Jetta 103 11.8%

Median failure at 68,300 miles

2002 Jetta 110 12.6%

Median failure at 50,000 miles

2003 Jetta 81 9.3%

Median failure at 35,561 miles

2004 Jetta 23 2.6%

Median failure at 46,920 miles

2005 Jetta 30 3.4%

Median failure at 68,500 miles

2006 Jetta 65 7.5%

Median failure at 85,000 miles

2007 Jetta 36 4.1%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

2008 Jetta 20 2.3%

Median failure at 94,000 miles

2009 Jetta 35 4.0%

Median failure at 75,000 miles

2010 Jetta 31 3.6%

Median failure at 63,975 miles

2011 Jetta 36 4.1%

Median failure at 77,000 miles

2012 Jetta 34 3.9%

Median failure at 63,000 miles

2013 Jetta 31 3.6%

Median failure at 45,000 miles

2014 Jetta 37 4.2%

Median failure at 55,267 miles

2015 Jetta 17 2.0%

Median failure at 41,500 miles

2016 Jetta 7 0.8%

Median failure at 18,500 miles

2017 Jetta 21 2.4%

Median failure at 27,500 miles

2018 Jetta 6 0.7%

Median failure at 24,600 miles

2019 Jetta 16 1.8%

Median failure at 6,250 miles

2020 Jetta 2 0.2%
2021 Jetta 4 0.5%

Median failure at 60 miles

2022 Jetta 1 0.1%
2023 Jetta 1 0.1%
2024 Jetta 2 0.2%

What owners said

2013 Volkswagen Jetta London, MI Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

Airbags did not deploy..as per police report

NHTSA complaint #11755733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Volkswagen Jetta North Haven, CT Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

There was an intersection, I hit a car head on and no airbags went off

NHTSA complaint #11746389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Volkswagen Jetta Port Jervis, NY Crash

AIR BAGS

When driving to work, two deer ran out infant of my car. I had seen the first one and missed it but by time I had seen the first one I already hit the second one. The impact occurred while driving 73 mph. The impact alone slowed my car down by approximately 20 mph. My whole front end was crushed in causing it to be a total loss according to the insurance assessor. the front emblem with a sensor behind it was broken and the sensor was detached from its original location, being held onto the car only by its wiring.

NHTSA complaint #11735489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 Volkswagen Jetta Walnutport, PA Crash

AIR BAGS

Car was hit in rear by tractor trailer, spun into another tractor trailer. Then the second tractor trailer slammed the vehicle front end first into the median. Front end crushed, driver side door caved in, rear end damage. No airbags were deployed the entire time. 55 mph (approximate) to a complete stop in a fraction of a second. The vehicle is currently in the possession of the insurance company, and it was a massive risk to my own safety. I have no idea how I did survive, and no airbags deploying makes it a very difficult situation to ever purchase a VAG vehicle again.

NHTSA complaint #11706221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Volkswagen Jetta Enterprise, AL

AIR BAGS

A warning lamp came on that I didn’t know what it was for. It came on yesterday along with a tire warning lamp. The steering wheel buttons won’t work. I had it inspected by a local service center and it was confirmed to be the clock spring. I was informed it may fall under an active recall. It is a safety issue due to the airbag not being able to deploy if need be.

NHTSA complaint #11704592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Volkswagen Jetta Muscatine, IA Crash

AIR BAGS

On October 17, 2025, I was driving my 2014 Volkswagen Jetta at approximately 25–30 mph on the bypass in Muscatine, Iowa. Another vehicle cut into my lane and struck the front driver-side of my car. My vehicle suffered significant front-end impact, including wheel/tire damage, bumper and fender damage, and visible suspension impact. During the crash, the driver-side airbag did NOT deploy, even though the impact was directly to the front driver-side area where the crash sensors are located. The airbag warning light did not come on before or after the crash. Because the force of the impact was strong enough to damage the front wheel, suspension components, and bumper structure, I believe the airbag system (airbag module, front crash sensor, or related wiring) failed to detect the crash properly. A collision at this speed and angle should have triggered airbag deployment. This failure put me at risk of serious injury. I am reporting this because the airbag system did not function as intended in a front-end collision, and I am concerned there is a defect affecting the airbag deployment sensors or modules in this model.

NHTSA complaint #11702637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Volkswagen Jetta Dekalb, IL

AIR BAGS

I discovered that my 2013 Volkswagen Jetta has a completely nonfunctional airbag system. On 8/23/23- airbag warning light illuminated and has remained on. In 08/2025- Midas staff informed me the light may indicate an airbag defect and referred me to Volkswagen. On 09/24/2025- Volkswagen dealer inspection documented both front crash sensors were unplugged/damaged, leaving the airbag system inoperable. Safety concern: I unknowingly drove this car for over two years with no functional airbags. This created a severe risk of injury or death in the event of a motor vehicle accident. This car was sold by Carvana as having passed a 150-point inspection and under warranty coverage. However, Carvana later stated that they have a disclaimer that shifts the responsibility of the car being safe to drive onto the consumer, and that they never claimed the car had a functioning air bag system.

NHTSA complaint #11691807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Volkswagen Jetta Elizabethtown, NC

AIR BAGS

Please copy the link. It is not a spam nor malware. It is the diagnostic report ran 9/12/2025. Please look under “airbag” tab and you will see the code related to brake system. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11686881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Volkswagen Jetta Roachdale, IN Crash

AIR BAGS

Driving on interstate 74 west bound entered rain storm. Did not see car that was slow or stopped until impact. Traveling at a speed of 78 mph. Airbag did not deploy. Is this normal? Rear ended car in front. Volkswagen was totaled with severe front end damage. Other car was a bigger suv. There is dash cam footage that shows impact.

NHTSA complaint #11686353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Volkswagen Jetta Eustis, FL

AIR BAGS

My car began flashing a bunch of warning lights, including the passenger air bag and the blind spot warning and locks working on the inside. I took my car to the dealer and had them diagnose it. Turns out it needs to parts that are connected; one part they have, another they have tried to order from corporate. This part has been on back order for 8 months.

NHTSA complaint #11681052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Volkswagen Jetta Aubrey, TX

AIR BAGS

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

NHTSA complaint #11675689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Volkswagen Jetta Hoquiam, WA

AIR BAGS

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 complaint #11665499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Volkswagen Jetta at 90,000 miles Aberdeen, WA

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front passenger’s seat air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the passenger’s side occupant sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V627000 (AIR BAGS). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #11663177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Volkswagen Jetta Phoenix, AZ Crash 4 injured

AIR BAGS

While traveling on [XXX] in Van Buren, Arkansas, I was involved in a hit-and-run accident. The impact caused significant front-end damage and resulted in physical injuries. The vehicle’s dashboard/electrical system indicated AIRBAG:ERROR, and the police report reflects that airbag deployed yet we have photo evidence that the airbag did not deploy. However, photo evidence clearly shows that no airbags deployed for any occupants. The airbags remained completely intact following the crash. The vehicle is a certified pre-owned 2019 Volkswagen Jetta that was still under warranty at the time. This raises serious safety concerns regarding the accuracy of the airbag deployment system and the failure of the airbags to function during a serious collision. The vehicle is being held for preservation at the co-part yard. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11655105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Volkswagen Jetta Whitewater, CA

AIR BAGS

so all the sudden my air bag light came on and my whole steering wheel don't work.. none of the buttons nor the cruse control and air bag light is on . Not sure why this happened but I feel very unsafe with my children in the car due to there's been a lot of crazy ppl out that don't pay attention when driving .

NHTSA complaint #11654388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Volkswagen Jetta Black Mountain, NC

AIR BAGS

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 complaint #11653841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Volkswagen Jetta San Bernardino, CA

AIR BAGS

Nothing has happened as far as a crash goes yet but my air bag lights are on. Indicating that they need repair of some sort. There are also electrical issues that include doors locking while in the vehicle and various lights. I have called different Volkswagen dealers and I was told that there are no current recalls on my vehicle. As a result I was told I would have to pay for these issues on my own. This is not a possible scenario, I receive Social Security as my total income. My family is in danger at this point due to these issues. Volkswagen also requires an upfront amount of 200 "just in case" something else is wrong that is not covered. I could be wrong but I think this is a form of extortion that takes my choices away. Anyway at this point I don't quite know what to do to take care of these issues before one of us dies that drive the car?? I never even wanted this car but the dealer told me I could only get and afford this vehicle, A 17,000 dollar vehicle??? I thought it must be what he wanted to get rid of but I needed a car, so??? Help us?? Phone # [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11638379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Volkswagen Jetta at 110,000 miles St Clair Shores, MI

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2007 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the failure could be duplicated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA complaint #11634854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Volkswagen Jetta Olathe, KS Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

My daughter was rear-ended in her 2017 Jetta while stopped. The other driver was going approximately 45 mph, forcing my daughter into the car in front of her as well, causing significant front impact and damage to the vehicle. The air bag did not deploy. The amount of impact seems as though the airbag should have deployed. She suffered a mild concussion and whiplash from the impact.

NHTSA complaint #11633490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Volkswagen Jetta Mobile, AL

AIR BAGS

During this summer (2024), I got a warning with three beeps then warning lights came on, went off for a several months, and now have come on and stayed on (ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, BRAKE, AIRBAG, Tire Pressure). This has to be an issue with VW. There was close to 63,000 miles on the car at the time. Now there's only 64,000 miles on the car. The dealer service center couldn't really determine the cause but still quoted a repair of nearly $4,000.

NHTSA complaint #11629877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Volkswagen Jetta problems