1,408 of the
13,865 complaints filed about the Volkswagen Jetta
are about the fuel system —
10% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2009.
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 complaint #11750939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 complaint #11747315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EPC light comes on and vehicle starts losing power while driving, you lose all acceleration. Check engine light has also illuminated I have taken in to have repairs done on this same issue 4 times in a span of owing this car for 7 months, this vehicle has become unreliable and a safety hazard while driving. They have replaced battery replaced ignition coils replaced EVAP valve reset my computer software updated my computers. I have spent a ton of money on this car for a repair that is unrepairable. And it currently sits in the VW dealership shop again because it is become a safety hazard to drive with myself let alone putting my child's life at risk driving on highways.
NHTSA complaint #11744747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driving vehicle on highway, vehicle lost engine power, no acceleration possible. Attempt to restart vehicle resulted in no start. Subsequent evaluation of fault revealed high pressure fuel pump failure.
NHTSA complaint #11735317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
It will not take fuel. I try very slowly to put fuel in it and it keeps shutting off at the pump. I took it to the VW Dealership and they said it was a stuck valve in the tank. That I would need a new gas tank and wanted to charge me $2000 to fix it. I took it to another place and they said it was a venting problem. They put a camera down in the tank and pushed the stick valve open and it wasn’t stuck as much as it had pressure built up in the tank from not getting holding the valve shut. I’m not sure what to do. I don’t know if it’s a stuck valve or a venting problem.
NHTSA complaint #11728131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am reporting a safety concern involving unintended acceleration in a 2025 Volkswagen Jetta SE (VIN [XXX] ) Te vehicle has experienced two separate incidents in which it surged forward unexpectedly when shifting from park to drive while my foot depressed the brake pedal. The first incident occurred in approximately August 2025 while attempting to move the vehicle into a residential garage. When the transmission was shifted into Drive, the vehicle accelerated forward despite continued brake application and traveled approximately 30 feet before stopping. A collision with a structural wall was narrowly avoided. The second incident occurred on [XXX]. When shifting from Park into Drive with my foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle again surged forward unexpectedly and struck a storage cabinet inside the garage, causing property damage. A family member was nearby at the time. Following these incidents, the vehicle was taken to an authorized Volkswagen dealership (Garnet Volkswagen of West Chester, Pennsylvania) on December 15, 2025 for inspection. The dealership preformed diagnostic scans and reported no stored fault codes and was unable to duplicate the condition. The vehicle was returned without repair. The vehicle was later presented to another authorized Volkswagen, Pohanka Volkswagen of Salisbury, Maryland in February 2026 for additional evaluation without any solution. I subsequently notified Volkswagen Group of America and requested a manufacturer-level engineering review to determine whether a defect exists and whether the vehicle is safe to operate. Volkswagen declined to conduct any further manufacturer-directed investigation. Because the problem has not been resolved, I remain concerned that an intermittent mechanical or electronic defect may exist. The vehicle has relatively low mileage and is less than one year old. I am submitting this complaint so that the incident is documented as a potential safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)
NHTSA complaint #11723060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VIN: [XXX] Previous Report: XXX.. This a report of a continuing problem with my vehicle. The engine randomly shuts down endangering both myself and my passengers who are often my [XXX] and [XXX] grandchildren . No warning lamps. the car both stumbles and stops while driving and at stop signs and traffic lights. I repeatedly have taken it to my dealer (Elgin IL VW) they have been unable to determine the fault and fix it. This has been going on since June 2026 and progressively worsened. The most recent incident was on the afternoon of 19 June 2026. The “fixes’ so far have included bith replacing the fuel taknk fuel pump and today a part of the fuel feed system. It’s still at the dealership. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11719261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Check engine light came on after attempting a remote start and failed. Upon using an OBD-II code reader, it gave the code: P2421 - EVAP Vent Valve stuck open. This part is not covered under the 8/80k federal emissions warranty but is still an issue and is affecting emissions. There were no other alerts or warnings issued before attempting the remote start that caused the issue.
NHTSA complaint #11712344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the past I owned a 2017 jetta, which I sold approximately one year ago. It had a 1.4 liter turbo engine. At some point around 18 to 20 years ago, I started smelling gasoline fumes in the cabin. It was rare and intermittent. I did not check it out as it did not seem like an urgent issue. I sold the vehicle about a year ago. I also now own a 2016 jetta TSI model, 1.8 liter turbo with about 104,000 miles. In the past few days I started smelling gasoline in the cabin while operating the vehicle. It was not serviced in many months so it’s not likely to have anything to do with bad mechanical service and the vehicle runs well. I checked the internet and discovered a massive vw/audi recall for 260,000 vehicles around 2024, having something to do with a seal related to some sort of a fuel pump, which included 2017 model vehicles. I contacted two vw dealerships expecting them to check the problem and handle this serious hazard. Both dealerships decline to check the vehicle other than for cash. They confirmed my vehicle was not subject to a recall. I took my problem to the Volkswagen company today. I was told that there was no fuel related recall for my vin number and they would not accommodate my request. But I was advised that I should not drive the vehicle going forward, but have it towed. This dangerous condition was exhibited by 2 separate jettas I owned. The likelihood of this condition being found in 2 separate vehicles is mere coincidence and not indicative of a dangerous problem created in the manufacturing process is beyond a plausible explanation. Please follow up ASAP as I am being effectively deprived of the use of this vehicle. My phone number is [XXX] . Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11712200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Two safety defect incidents involving unintended acceleration. This defect has resulted in two loss of control incidents causing property damage. First incident: While attempting to move vehicle inside garage, I started engine with foot firmly on the brake, shifted the transmission into drive, and maintained full brake pressure. Immediately upon shifting, the vehicle bolted forward at an accelerate rate, despite my foot remaining fully depressed on brake. Vehicle travel about 30 feet in only a few second, coming within three feet of a structural cinder-block wall supporting house beams before braking force finally overcame the surge. Avoided a serious collision required immediate corrective action and full driver control. Second incident: Again, vehicle parked in my driveway in front of storage garage. After briefly backing up to clear the driveway, I again shifted to drive with my foot firmly on brake. As with previous incident, the vehicle surged forward unexpectedly and forcefully, overcoming normal braking and collided with full-length of storage cabinet system inside garage, destroying the cabinetry and stopping the vehicle's forward motion. At the time, my brother-in-law was nearby. Had he been in the vehicle's path serious injury could have occurred. As in the first incident, avoiding a more catastrophic impact required immediate and precise driver intervention. Following these incidents, I presented the vehicle to Garnet Volkswagen of West Chester, 1620 Wilmington Pike, West Chester, PA 19382, on December 15, 2025. The dealership reported that: They were unable to replicate the condition. Diagnostic scans reportedly showed no stored fault codes. The vehicle was returned without identifying or correcting the issue. Both major incidents occurred under the same operating scenario: shifting into drive from a stationary position with the brake pedal fully depress.
NHTSA complaint #11707114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The fuel rail bolts on the car loosened, one sheered off. Fuel poured from the front end of the car. When the car was started, to be placed on a flatbed the car caught on fire. The car is currently at a mechanics, but has not been repaired. The car could have easily caught on fire while being driven or started any time before or after it actually caught on fire, it was only taken care of quickly as the tow truck driver had a fire extiguisher, we do not carry one in the car. The car had the recall work done in 2021 in Tyson's Corner VA. The dealer refuses speak to us and states that the recall was done and therefore not their issue. The issue was confirmed with the new mechanic. There was one EFC light on the night it started leaking fuel.
NHTSA complaint #11702692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fuel fire hazard. Safety Recall 24Gi performed 5-11-21 @ 67k miles. 4 years and 60k miles later, fuel rail bolts backed out, causing fuel to pour into engine compartment. VW’s repair solution was not adequate. Do I have any recourse?
NHTSA complaint #11698073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I purchased a brand-new 2025 Volkswagen Jetta from LaFontaine Volkswagen of Dearborn, MI on October 2, 2025. Within 24 hours, the check-engine light illuminated, and the fuel gauge cluster froze, showing an incorrect fuel level. On October 3, 2025, I contacted the dealership and was told to bring it in for service. The service department confirmed a faulty Transmission Control Module (TCM) and opened a repair order. Before the repair could be completed, the vehicle became inoperable and would not engage Drive, leaving me stranded in my driveway. The car had less than 350 miles on it at the time of failure. This incident is extremely concerning for a brand-new vehicle and raises questions about potential safety and manufacturing defects in the 2025 Jetta model line. A new car’s transmission should not fail within days of delivery. I have filed related complaints with the Michigan Attorney General and Better Business Bureau regarding the dealership’s handling of the issue and lack of transparency. Please investigate potential defects in the transmission control system and electrical fuel cluster of 2025 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles to prevent similar failures from occurring with other consumers.
NHTSA complaint #11691387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and being refueled, fuel was pouring out onto the ground. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with fuel tank failure. The contact was informed that the fuel tank, charcoal canister, and the EVAP purge valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced an unknown recall however, the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000. The VIN was unavailable.
NHTSA complaint #11689551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I just got this 2024 Jetta Sport 6 speed manual and tried getting up the drive that's slightly inclined and the brake assist would not disengage or the fuel was cut after it didn't progress then dies. It is possible to power through the brake assist but it will cause premature wear on the clutch, flywheel as well as the rear E brake with all this wireless tech on the brakes, throttle can't figure it out so take it back.
NHTSA complaint #11686138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The turbocharger is out. I've had problems with coolant leaking. Mechanic pressurized tank, its fine. While parked coolant disappears, evaporates, idk..Nothing leaking on ground. Now smoke coming out of exhaust. Car has 56,000 miles.
NHTSA complaint #11683134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 complaint #11682295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Why driving at 55mph the high pressure fuel pump grenaded sending metal shrapnel through the engine causing an immediate engine shut off while still driving. Entire fuel system has shut down as result
NHTSA complaint #11679371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.