Are there open safety recalls?
3 open
Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2018 Volkswagen Jetta has 3 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 31 owner complaints, and gets about 27 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2018 Volkswagen Jetta
- Engine 4-cyl 2L
- Drive Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Regular
- Body Compact Cars
Should you worry?
Look closer
Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.
What do owners report?
31 complaints
1 of 31 reports mentioned a crash. Look for patterns below.
How did it score in crash tests?
5 out of 5 stars
5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2018.
- 20165recalls
- 20177recalls
- 2018 · this car3recalls
- 201911recalls
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 20, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- 5 / 5 stars
- Frontal
- 4 / 5 stars
- Side
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side pole
- 5 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Optional
Tested as: 2018 Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD
Open safety recalls
3 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
-
Fuel System, Gasoline
21/10/2020
Volkswagen 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.
How they fix it: Volkswagen 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.
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Service Brakes, Hydraulic
23/09/2020
Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
How they fix it: Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.
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Electrical System
22/08/2019
Volkswagen 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."
How they fix it: Volkswagen 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.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 20, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2018.
- 2016160reports
- 2017159reports
- 2018 · this car31reports
- 2019545reports
31 owner reports on file
1 crash mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 31 total reports.
- AIR BAGS 6 of 31
Passenger airbag light is illuminated after hitting a bump in the road
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 6 of 31
ignition swith . Same as 2019 and up model recall.NHTSA campaign number: 23V604
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 5 of 31
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.
- POWER TRAIN 5 of 31
My car made a loud banging noise and would not move even though engine was running. Had towed and was told car needs new transmission I brought to another mechanic for second opinion and was told the same thing code P073300
- ENGINE 2 of 31
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.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2 of 31
Malfunction ignition switch, and ignition cylinder, 50,000 miles on car. Took it to the dealer for diagnosis. No warning lamps or lights showed. My car just stopped allowing my key to come out of the ignition to turn the car off. I have to
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 20, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
Combined MPG · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2018.
- 201627mpg
- 201727mpg
- 2018 · this car27mpg
- 201934mpg
$2,300
estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles
Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.
City driving 24 mpg
Highway driving 33 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 27 mpg
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to cost about $500 more on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
- Passenger space
- 94 cubic feet
- Cargo space
- 16 cubic feet
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 20, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
4-cyl 2L
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (AM-S6)
Fuel
Regular
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 2 L
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (AM-S6)
- Body
- Compact Cars
- Fuel
- Regular
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 20, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 3 open NHTSA recalls (including the fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2018 Volkswagen Jetta listings
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta? +
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta, including the fuel system, gasoline. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta get? +
The EPA rates the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta at 27 mpg combined (24 city / 33 highway), about $2,300 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta? +
Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA for the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta, including 1 involving a crash. The most-reported area is air bags.
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