CarRecallWatchThe 2021 Volkswagen Jetta has 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 71 complaints with NHTSA, including 3 crashes, 1 injury.
The most-reported problem area is Service Brakes (25 reports).
2021 Volkswagen Jetta recalls
Rearview Camera May Not Display Image, Raising Crash Risk
The rearview camera image may fail to appear on the infotainment screen because of a manufacturing issue with the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system.
Air Bags May Deploy Improperly or Unintentionally
Some 2020-2021 Volkswagen Jetta and Jetta GLI vehicles have an air bag control module that was welded in the wrong position.
Front Seats May Move Freely, Raising Crash Injury Risk
Some front seat tracks may be missing bolts.
Rear camera may go black or freeze, raising crash risk when reversing
The rear view camera can malfunction during an ignition cycle, causing a black screen or a frozen infotainment system.
Most common 2021 Volkswagen Jetta problems
Problem areas named in the 71 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 25 |
| Electrical System | 13 |
| Unknown Or Other | 11 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 11 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 11 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Lane Departure | 5 |
| Seat Belts | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
What owners report
EVAP N80 purge valve failed under 34,000 miles. Dealer refused to cover due to time elapsed. Replaced out-of-pocket due to predatory dealership repair pricing for a known manufacturing defect.
> The fuel/propulsion system experienced continuous refueling difficulties characterized by premature nozzle shut-offs and trapped air in the fuel tank, preventing normal refueling operations. This ongoing malfunction creates potential safety hazards during vehicle operation and roadside refueling. UNKNOWN if reproduced or confirmed by a dealership, and the vehicle has not yet been formally inspected by manufacturer representatives, police, or insurance. No warning lamps or dashboard messages have appeared prior to or during the failure.
There is a known issue released by Volkswagen that certain model years of their vehicles are eligible for a limited extended warranty regarding the clock spring. In their release announcement VWP-18-11 on April 27, 2023, they specifically mentioned vehicle year model 2010 to 2022 qualifies for U37 Warranty key if the issue exists. However, my 2021 Volkswagen Jetta is excluded from this because they told me there is no identified issue as of now. However, the clock spring damage can lead to a severe safety concern that the driver's airbag won't be triggered and the front alert is not working properly as well. Taking these into consideration, Volkswagen still declined my request to offer the l
There appears to be a known issue with the rear braking system on the VW Jetta for various model years including 2021. The issue seems to be a combination of soft brake pads combined with the autonomous braking system which overuses the brakes and causes premature wear. This rear autonomous braking system cannot be turned off. VW acknowledged this issue by issuing Policy and Procedure Bulletin VWP 22-18 on 12/20/2022 which extended the warranty on the rear brake pads to 2 years or 24K miles. This extension was due to a premature wear issue though they did not acknowledge in the bulletin that the autonomous braking system was to blame or faulty. I had to replace my rear brakes and rotors
Mid June 2026 infotainment update was over the air software update. Update caused infotainment failures: looping screen resets, unable to play audio, disruption to screen during safety features such as back up cam, unable to accomplish directions, CarPlay no longer consistent feature. None of these listed problems were present before over the air software update.
2021 Volkswagen Jetta questions
Does the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta: Rearview Camera May Not Display Image, Raising Crash Risk; Air Bags May Deploy Improperly or Unintentionally; Front Seats May Move Freely, Raising Crash Injury Risk; Rear camera may go black or freeze, raising crash risk when reversing. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta?
Based on 71 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Service Brakes (25), Electrical System (13), Unknown Or Other (11).
How do I check if a recall on my 2021 Volkswagen Jetta has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.