188 of the 13,865 complaints filed about the Volkswagen Jetta are about the seat belts — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1999.
188
Complaints
1%
Share of all complaints
24
Crashes
1
Fires
SEAT BELTS
Car was in an accident on 12/5/25 and has been in the body shop for over 5 months because Volkswagen cannot or will not provide the required rear seat belts. I have reached out to VW and they have not been cooperative and don’t seem to care about me or that these are required safety parts. VW has no ETA on when parts will be available.
NHTSA complaint #11732758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the seat belt failed to securely buckle. The seat belt warning light was illuminated. There was an abnormal beeping sound detected. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed the contact that the seat belt buckle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that there was no recall or warranty coverage on the vehicle. No additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.
NHTSA complaint #11585227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the front driver’s and front passenger’s side seat belts failed to remain buckled while driving with the seat belt warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that the failure was a manufacturer’s defect. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed the contact that the part was not covered under warranty or recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000.
NHTSA complaint #11562351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
Caused an accident and died
NHTSA complaint #11540562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
I purchased the vehicle on 6/10/3023 and that evening I noticed a dashboard error message that the Rear View camera was unavailable. Due to my work schedule I was unable to get back to the dealership until Monday, 6/12/2023. On Monday I asked [XXX], my sales representative, and [XXX], a sales manager, what it meant and how to fix it. They offered Wes, a repair technician, to come look. [XXX] left rapidly and never returned, so I left for work. On 6/15/2023 I had the car inspected by my mechanic for an assessment and he stated that I needed a new electrical body harness for the repair. This part costs over $5K, plus labor; total estimate $12,742.14. My safety is at risk because this electrical issue not only renders (this list is not exhaustive): the back-up camera useless, but also the seat belt sensor, side mirror lights, and the front proximity sensors work only intermittently. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11527475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
The drivers seatbelt does not latch. It will eventually but sometimes takes 30 or 40 attempts.
NHTSA complaint #11520653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that upon picking up his vehicle from the dealer, the air bag warning light illuminated. The mechanic informed him that the failure was related to the driver’s side seat belt and was not covered under recall. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.
NHTSA complaint #11512771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
I have noticed an issue with how easily the rear, passenger-side seatbelt is able to be clicked into the buckle. Initially when I got the car, passengers using that seatbelt did not seem to have any issue with easily clicking the seatbelt into the buckle. More recently, it seems my passengers using that seatbelt have a more difficult time clicking it into the buckle because the buckle seems to go down into the cushion when they put pressure on it. Passengers now have to hold the buckle in place while clicking it in. The only thing I can think of that could explain this change in how easily the seat belt can be clicked in could be that I put the seats down at one point using the pull lever in the trunk. I'm not sure this "ease of use" issue was the result of putting down the seats at one point but it's what comes to mind. This does not seem to affect the seat belt in terms of it being securely connected to the car, it only seems to affect how easily someone is able to click it into the buckle. People now seem to need to use two hands to click it in versus being able to do it with one hand.
NHTSA complaint #11480550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact while driving at 40 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle would not accelerate. After a couple of minutes, the vehicle eventually responded and increased in speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was not able to be determined. On a separate occasion, the contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, a sudden stop was made, and the front passenger seatbelt failed to retract and secure the passenger in their seat. The vehicle was not diagnosed for the seat belt failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #11476506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
Abs light on(yellow) with flashing break light (red) code 16352
NHTSA complaint #11452988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
The seat belt anchor will not grip, click and lock right away. It takes several times before it locks. Afraid it will become dislodge while traveling. Auto dealer will have to remove and replace entire seat belt mechanism and was advised not to drive the vehicle due to safety concerns.
NHTSA complaint #11449424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
SRS system error, says my seatbelt is not fastened when it is, warning chime and light intermittently will continue to chime with light illuminated saying my seatbelt is not fastened. When key is inserted wheel will sometimes not unlock allowing the key to turn from off to accessory or start position, as if the key isn’t working properly.
NHTSA complaint #11445340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the passenger’s side seat failed to adjust. The contact stated that his wife was unable to utilize the passenger’s side seat and seat belt in a safe manner. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the vehicle was designed that way. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 1,900.
NHTSA complaint #11443124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
1) seat belt did not lock and airbags did not deploy. Available for requested inspection. 2) injured driver & passenger. Both flew up out of their seats hitting their heads and body on windshield 3) Not yet appointment only available in 2 weeks 4)No 5)police and tow impound company. Still in impound waiting on insurance 6)no
NHTSA complaint #11435121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELTS NO LONGER WORKING EXCEPT FOR THE DRIVER SIDE. PASSAGES SIDE WILL NOT LOCK AND POPS OUT. ALL THREE BACK SEAT BELTS ARE STUCK AND WILL NOT RELEASE. I'VE HAD THE CAR ONLY A YEAR PURCHASED FROM DRIVETIME. THEN MY KEY GOT STUCK IN MY IGNITION AND COULD NOT TURN CAR OFF HAD TO RUSH TO DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT THE ISSUES HAD TO PAY FOR SOMETHING I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER. THEN HAD ISSUES WITH THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, AND TRUBO SUPERCHARGER ISSUES LOSING POWER. ALMOST WAS HIT MY A SEMI TRUCK ON THE FREEWAY FOR LOSING POWER TO MY CAR. THESE ISSUES I FEEL HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH ME A A CUSTOMER TO HAVE TO PAY FOR ONLY HAVING THE CAR A YEAR. THESE ISSUES ARE LIFE THREATENING. I WAS FORCED TO PURCHASED GAP AND THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR NOTHING TO BE COVERED! THIS CAR IS A LEMON, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT HAS IGNITION AND ENGINE ISSUES. THE CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD.
NHTSA complaint #11378463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
MY TIRED WAS PUNCTURED AND THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT DID NOT COME ON AT ALL. THE SEATBELTS NEVER RETRACT AFTER TAKING THEM OFF THEY JUST HANG THERE. SOMETIMES WHEN I LOCK THE DOORS THE ALARM DOES NOT SOUND OFF INDICATING THE ALARM IS SET, ALSO MY HORN WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO BUT NEVER WHEN IT SHOULD, FOR INSTANCE THERE WAS A CAR COMING UP THE STREET THE WRONG WAY AND MY CAR FAILED TO CREATE SOUND FROM THE HORN FOR ME TO ALERT THE OTHER DRIVER. MY CAR COULD BE IN MOTION OR STATIONARY NONE OF THE ABOVE WORKS, MY BRAKES HAVE WENT OUT A FEW TIMES WHILE I WAS IN MOTION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AS WELL. THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN HAPPENING WAY BEFORE THE DATE I LISTED BELOW BUT I JUST THOUGHT THESE WERE NORMAL ISSUES I NEED TO GET FIXED ON MY OWN BUT WHO KNEW IT WAS A RECALL ISSUE ALL ALONG.
NHTSA complaint #11378392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
AFTER GOING TO THE MECHANICS AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I WAS EXPECTING ALL THE PROBLEMS TO BE GONE BUT TO MY SURPRISE THE JOLTING WHEN I ACCELERATE IS STILL THERE. ITS A VERY HARSH JOLT FORWARD ROUGHLY WHEN ITS GOING TO SECOND GEAR, THE RPMS GO TO 4K THEN JUMP DOWN TO 2K AND IT DOES THAT FOR A WHILE. FOR EXAMPLE I'LL BE DRIVING AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'LL DO A HARSH JOLT FORWARD AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT WHEN ACCELERATING OR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO GO AT A STEADY SPEED. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE SEATBELTS ARE NOT RETRACTABLE ANYMORE AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHY. WHEN I WOULD TURN OFF THE CAR THE GAS WOULD BE REGURGITATED BACK AS IF THE CAR WAS ON AS IT'S COMPLETELY OFF. I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT COMES FROM BUT WATER GETS IN THE CAR WHEN IT RAINS AND THE CARPETS WILL BE COMPLETELY SOAKED AND IT'LL SMELL LIKE MOLD, WE HAVE TRIED TO FIX IT AND MECHANICS HAVE LOOKED AT IT AND THEY ARE CLUELESS TOO.
NHTSA complaint #11366411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
THE THROW OUT BEARING SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AS I WAS GOING 80 MPH DOWN THE FREEWAY, TO REPLACE IT I DISCOVERED THAT THE SWAY BARS END LINKS WERE RUSTED SOLID AND THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN DONE 6 TIMES AND BROKEN EVERY TIME BUT THIS LAST TIME WITHIN A MONTH
NHTSA complaint #11339434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS OFF AND ON IF I DO NOT KEEP THE SEATBELT LOCKED, EVEN WITH NO PASSENGER. THUS OCCURS WHILE I AM DRIVING AND ASSUME THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE, SAFETY ISSUE, AND POTENTIAL AIRBAG ISSUE. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING OFF AND ON FOR OVER A YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #11321511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE DISAPPEARS INTO SEAT WHEN TRYING TO ATTACH. I HAD CAR AT DEALER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY LOOKED AT 3 OTHER JETTA'S OF THE SAME YEAR AND THE SAME HAPPENED ON ALL.
NHTSA complaint #11309353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.