Volkswagen Jetta Recalls (2021, 2022, 2025, 2026)
Every recall for model year 2021 and newer · Safety warnings · California lemon law
The 2021, 2022, 2025, 2026 Volkswagen Jetta has 6 recall campaigns for model year 2021 and newer, 0 with a do-not-drive warning, 0 with a park-outside fire warning, and 0 where NHTSA’s filing shows an interim notice or no final fix. Most involve electrical system (3), air bags (1), body, doors and seats (1). Check your VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup, and if your Jetta keeps going back to the dealer for the same problem, it may qualify under California’s lemon law.
What recalls does the Volkswagen Jetta have?
- 2025 Volkswagen Jetta Instrument Cluster Recall (26V185)
March 25, 2026 · 75,323 vehicles · Electrical SystemThe instrument panel may fail to display warning lights or gauges. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
Risk: An instrument panel that does not display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel software and replace the instrument panel as necessary, free of charge.
- 2025-2026 Volkswagen Jetta Wiring Recall (26V138)
March 11, 2026 · 48,165 vehicles · Electrical SystemThe transmission ground wire may not have been properly connected during assembly, causing an open electrical circuit.
Risk: An open circuit may draw a higher current and increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair transmission ground wire as necessary, free of charge.
- 2021 Volkswagen GTI Infotainment Software Recall (22V514)
July 20, 2022 · 43,091 vehicles · Electrical SystemThe 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."
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge.
- 2021 Volkswagen Jetta Air Bag Control Module Recall (21V492)
June 30, 2021 · 379 vehicles · Air BagsThe air bag control module was welded in the incorrect position.
Risk: Incorrect positioning of the air bag control module can cause the vehicle's air bags to deploy improperly during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, the vehicle's air bags can deploy unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge.
- 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Seat Fastener Recall (21V038)
February 1, 2021 · 57 vehicles · Body, Doors and SeatsBolts may be missing from the front seat tracks.
Risk: The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat tracks and, as necessary, install the bolts, free of charge.
- 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Backup Camera Recall (20V716)
November 18, 2020 · 32,048 vehicles · Rearview CameraThe 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."
Risk: A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge.
Which Jetta parts are recalled most?
| Recall area | Campaigns | Vehicles covered |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 | 166,579 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 379 |
| Body, Doors and Seats | 1 | 57 |
| Rearview Camera | 1 | 32,048 |
Which Jetta model years have the most recalls?
| Model year | Recalls | Campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4 | 22V514000 (electrical system), 21V492000 (air bags), 21V038000 (body, doors and seats), 20V716000 (rearview camera) |
| 2022 | 1 | 22V514000 (electrical system) |
| 2025 | 2 | 26V185000 (electrical system), 26V138000 (electrical system) |
| 2026 | 1 | 26V138000 (electrical system) |
How do I check my Jetta for open recalls?
Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. The lookup lists every open safety recall on that specific vehicle, so you will see which of the 6 Volkswagen Jetta campaigns above apply to you. You can also ask any authorized Volkswagen dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is on your registration card, your insurance card, and a plate at the lower driver-side corner of the windshield. Brand-new recalls can take a few days to show up, so check again if you received a letter.
What are Jetta owners reporting?
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA since 2020, by model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports, but the components that come up most often show where owners are having trouble.
| Model year | Complaints | Most reported components |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 69 | Service Brakes (26), Electrical System (13), Unknown Or Other (11) |
| 2022 | 43 | Service Brakes (12), Engine (12), Electrical System (9) |
| 2025 | 29 | Unknown Or Other (6), Power Train (6), Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control (5) |
| 2026 | 6 | Electrical System (3), Unknown Or Other (2), Steering (1) |
Excerpts from owner complaints (unverified):
Under 20,000 miles, but over 1 year old (leased new february 12, 2021). VW dealership and secondary party reported rear brake pads and rotors were worn down to 1mm and that the car was unsafe to drive.
2021 VOLKSWAGEN Jetta owner, Service Brakes, NHTSA complaint 11645459
Since January of 2024, I been having issues with this vehicle. Check engine light came on after 3 day of purchase I was told it needs to be reset.
2021 VOLKSWAGEN Jetta owner, Electrical System, NHTSA complaint 11642859
Have had the car to dealer numerous times for brake noise issues. Now front and rear brakes make a growling and squealing noise especially when they are cold . Squealing and growling sounds are severe especially when backing up and the brakes are cold.
2022 VOLKSWAGEN Jetta owner, Service Brakes, NHTSA complaint 11633945
Can a recall make your Jetta a lemon in California?
A recall alone does not make a Volkswagen Jetta a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act looks at whether a warranty defect substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety and was not fixed within a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Most are single-repair campaigns, but repeat visits for any covered defect still count.
Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the same defect was repaired two or more times when it is likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases, and owners outside that window can still have a claim. An owner who prevails can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
What to keep: every repair order, the recall owner letters, your purchase or lease contract, and a log of dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure every visit is written up, even when the dealer says it found nothing.
More Volkswagen Jetta lemon law pages
All Volkswagen recalls · 2021 Volkswagen Jetta lemon law · 2022 Volkswagen Jetta lemon law · 2025 Volkswagen Jetta lemon law · 2026 Volkswagen Jetta lemon law
Other Volkswagen models with recalls
Frequently asked questions about Volkswagen Jetta recalls
How many recalls does the Volkswagen Jetta have?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for 2021 and newer Volkswagen Jetta vehicles as of October 1, 2026. The newest is 26V185000, filed March 25, 2026.
How do I check my Volkswagen Jetta for open recalls?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask any authorized dealer to run it. Not every vehicle of a model year is included in each recall.
Are recall repairs free?
Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers. Ask the dealer to confirm before work begins.
Can I get a buyback for my Volkswagen Jetta?
Possibly, if a covered defect was not fixed in a reasonable number of attempts or the vehicle spent a long time out of service. A recall alone is not enough, but repeat repairs or a failed recall fix can support a claim.
Sources
- NHTSA recalls
- NHTSA recall and complaint data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). Recall data from NHTSA. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. This page is general information, not legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.