Transmission slips and starter faults in the redesign year
The 2019 Jetta has about 550 complaints per 100,000 sold, more than twice the model average. The eight-speed automatic slipping into neutral and starter or ignition shutoffs lead the list.
Updated November 2026 · based on 552 owner complaints and 11 recalls
550 2.6x the Jetta average
11 free to fix at a dealer
Every Jetta year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2019 Jetta
Top problems and what they cost
Transmission slips
Slips into neutral between 3rd and 4th and grinds.
Fix: Software or torque converter $300 to $2,500
Transmission and drivetrain
Starter and ignition faults
The car shuts off while driving with warning lights.
Fix: Starter $400 to $700
Electrical
Recalls
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
A reduction in the driver's visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
If the driver is not notified by an audible noise that the key is left in the ignition, it can increase the risk of vehicle theft or crash.
In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the wrong air bag may not work correctly, increasing the risk of injury.
If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Show all 11 recalls
The excessive stress can cause steering, traction or other stability issues or breakage relating to the front wheels, and increase the risk of a crash.
An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
Ignition switch failure can cause the electrical system to shut down and the engine to stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Without an audible warning, the driver may be unaware that the key is left in the ignition, which can increase the risk of vehicle theft or a crash.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta
- Drive through all gears and feel for slips between 3rd and 4th.Rough, delayed or slipping gear changes are early signs of transmission trouble. A rebuilt or replacement transmission often costs $3,000 to $6,000.Owners filed 30 complaints about transmission slipping and shifting problems on the 2019 Jetta, one of the worst years for it.
- Ask for transmission and starter repair records.Rough, delayed or slipping gear changes are early signs of transmission trouble. A rebuilt or replacement transmission often costs $3,000 to $6,000.Owners filed 30 complaints about transmission slipping and shifting problems on the 2019 Jetta, one of the worst years for it.
- Check the VIN for open recalls.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2019 Jetta has 11 recalls on record, listed below.
Questions
Is the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
Transmission slips and starter faults in the redesign year. The 2019 Jetta has about 550 complaints per 100,000 sold, more than twice the model average. The eight-speed automatic slipping into neutral and starter or ignition shutoffs lead the list.
How many recalls does the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta have?
11 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Volkswagen dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2019 Volkswagen Jetta problems?
Transmission slips; Starter and ignition faults.
Crash rating shown for the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.