Are there open safety recalls?
4 open
Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta has 4 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 66 owner complaints, and gets about 33 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2021 Volkswagen Jetta
- Engine 4-cyl 1.4L
- Drive Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Regular
- Body Compact Cars
Should you worry?
Be careful
Serious flags in the public record. Read below, and verify recall work was done.
What do owners report?
2 deaths reported
Out of 66 owner reports. Read the Owners section before you buy.
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 2021.
- 201911recalls
- 20206recalls
- 2021 · this car4recalls
- 20221recall
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 25, 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: 2021 Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD
Open safety recalls
4 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
-
Seats
01/02/2021
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Long Wheelbase and Jetta vehicles. Bolts may be missing from the front seat tracks.
How they fix it: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat tracks and, as necessary, install the bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 18, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72L6.
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Air Bags
30/06/2021
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Jetta and Jetta GLI vehicles. The air bag control module was welded in the incorrect position.
How they fix it: Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 28, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69CK.
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Back Over Prevention
18/11/2020
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
How they fix it: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91BB/91BC.
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Back Over Prevention
20/07/2022
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
How they fix it: Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.
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 25, 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 2021.
- 2019545reports
- 202051reports
- 2021 · this car66reports
- 202242reports
66 owner reports on file
3 crash mentions 1 injury mentions 2 death mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 66 total reports.
- SERVICE BRAKES 23 of 66
While traveling at the posted speed limit and approaching a signalized intersection, I attempted to brake for stopped traffic ahead. The vehicle did not decelerate as expected, and the automatic emergency braking/forward collision mitigatio
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12 of 66
Volkswagen corporate deployed a mandatory over-the-air (OTA) software update to the MIB3 infotainment system. The update failed mid-installation, entirely bricking the J794 information module. This failure completely disabled vital driver i
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 6 of 66
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,
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 5 of 66
While driving home from work last night, I heard a loud noise that sounded like a gun going off right in the passenger compartment of my Jetta. A lot of wind noise followed. I thought initially that a tire might have blown out, but it was t
- AIR BAGS 4 of 66
It cause to have an account
- STEERING 3 of 66
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with adaptive cruise control on, the vehicle inadvertently applied the brakes completely bringing the vehicle to a complete stop in the
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 25, 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.
Sold in 2 versions
They range from 28 to 33 mpg combined. Figures below are the base version. Pick yours to see its own numbers.
Combined MPG · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2021.
- 201934mpg
- 202028mpg
- 2021 · this car33mpg
- 202235mpg
$1,850
estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles
Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.
City driving 29 mpg
Highway driving 39 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 33 mpg
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to save about $1,750 on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
- Passenger space
- 94 cubic feet
- Cargo space
- 16 cubic feet
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 25, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
4-cyl 1.4L
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (S8)
Fuel
Regular
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 4-cyl 1.4L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 1.4 L
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (S8)
- Body
- Compact Cars
- Fuel
- Regular
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 25, 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 4 open NHTSA recalls (including the seats). 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.
Have a mechanic check the service brakes
Owners report problems with the service brakes more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
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
2021 Volkswagen Jetta listings
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta? +
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta, including the seats. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta get? +
The EPA rates the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta at 33 mpg combined (29 city / 39 highway), about $1,850 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta? +
Owners have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA for the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta, including 3 involving a crash. The most-reported area is service brakes.
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