Volkswagen Jetta is one of the best compact sedans as it is extremely family-friendly. This vehicle is known for its long lifespan and durability, so it is famous among many people.
This vehicle has been in the market since 1984 in the US. Since it has built an outstanding reputation, there is no doubt it will be taking off anytime soon.
Now you’re probably wondering the best and worst years for Volkswagen Jetta and whether or not it is reliable?
According to repair pal, the Volkswagen Jetta has a reliability rating of four out of five, which is considered above average.
And the best and worst years are as follows:
Best Years for Volkswagen Jetta:
- 2007
- 2008
- 2011
- 2012
- 2017
Worst Years for Volkswagen Jetta:
- 2006
- 2009
- 2010
- 2013
- 2019
So now that you know the best and worst years let me explain in further detail to have a clear understanding.
Other than that, the buying guide will also assist you in having a decent knowledge of the Volkswagen Jetta.
Table of Contents
List Of The Best Years For The Volkswagen Jetta: What Years To Buy
This popular compact sedan is undeniably one of the best vehicles you can spend your money on.
The main reason these model years are on this list is how reliable and comfortable it is to drive them.
Planning to purchase a Volkswagen Jetta can be a confusing procedure because there are too many options out there.
But that can be done easily once you look into this article.
I’ve explained these model years in detail so you can understand what they have to offer once purchased, as all of them are different from one another.
Other than that, if you are looking for a roomy interior and excellent fuel economy, this vehicle is a perfect choice.
So let’s get into the details of the model liters that you should buy!
#1 Best Year: 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
Starting with the first model, you have the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta. It is a Wolfsburg edition with high-quality features.
The ideal way of value packaging comes in many outstanding options, which come at a reasonable cost to the consumer.
In the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 liter five-cylinder motor engine that can make around 150 horsepower and drives the front wheels with the help of six-speed automatic transmission.
You can get this model starting from $47,000 or more.
The great features of this model are that the Wolfsburg includes 16 inches of alloy wheels with good tire treads, a power tilt slide sunroof, anthracite leather interior, power windows, loves, and heated mirrors.
The six-speed automatic can be shifted manually and can be dropped to the sport or simply on the drive, it also has traction and stability control so you can have a safe ride all the time.
#2 Best Year: 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
The 2008 Volkswagen Jetta is another amazing option for you and your family. It has many trim options that you can choose from.
The one that is commonly owned is the 2.0 turbo Wolfsburg edition which makes it unique among family sedans and small vehicles.
It is stated that around 12,500 Wolfsburg editions were made in the year 2008.
The vehicle’s features include one-touch up and down window switches, the sunroof vents for fresh air, floor-mounted accelerated throttle especially for winters, DSG transmission, which is smooth and quickly shifts to the manual mode, 2.0-litre turbo engine that is extremely powerful.
You can find this vehicle for $23,000 brand new, which is pretty reasonable and offers much.
#3 Best Year: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
One of the biggest reasons why the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta has seen so much success is the interior design of this compact sedan which has always been better than their competitors.
Some people even said that the interior of this vehicle is comparable to luxury cars out there in the market.
Some owners of this model even said that it has a soft interior and an upscale kind of quality to offer.
According to many people, the steering wheel, E-brake, shifter, and door panels are quite good to handle and use as they feel pretty upscale.
To add on, the switch gears and the optional navigation system are easy to use as they run instantly.
This vehicle is said to be running in the best way compared to other small cars. You can find this vehicle at an affordable price of around $20,000 or so.
#4 Best Year: 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
Coming to the old new 2012 Volkswagen that is one of the best sellers, it has been redesigned to make it a bit longer and a little bit wider, which adds more legroom in the back seat so passengers can ride comfortably.
The infamous trunk room is a 15 and a half cubic-foot trunk that works perfectly for the vehicle.
The seats have a mechanical function and have an option to elevate the seat for extra comfort and have lumbar support to inflate or deflate the back of the seat.
You can have complete control of the vehicle when you downshift or upshift as you please.
The features of this vehicle include a great binder system, on the ramp acceleration, great transmission options from sport mode to normal drive to Tiptronic mode that contributes to the overall driving experience, and so much more.
#5 Best Year: 2017 Volkswagen Jetta
The incredible 2017 Volkswagen Jetta can be found in multiple trim levels, but the best one is the 1.40 found in the A trim level and has 205 55 R16 tires, which are 16-inch steel wheels with hubcaps.
It also has four-wheel disc brakes with ventilated disc brakes in the front and solid disc brakes in the back so you can have the best driving experience.
The great aspects of this vehicle are manually adjustable car seats, a 12-volt power supply for the back seats, dual-tip exhaust, 1.4-litre four-cylinder TSI engine, which is the turbocharged stratified direct engine, telescoping steering column, and so much more.
Other than that, the tech features are also one of the best things about this vehicle, with the 6.3 touchscreen infotainment system that runs smoothly rear vision cameras that will help you park perfectly and safely.
List Of The Worst Years For The Volkswagen Jetta: What Years To Avoid
So now that you already know about the best years for Volkswagen Jetta, it is highly recommended to learn about the worst years.
These years tend to be quite problematic for several people, so they are advised to be avoided.
Although Volkswagen has been in the market for many years and introducing various models, it does not mean that all of the models will be manufactured the same way or perform the same way.
With the help of this article, you will be careful about these model years.
If you do have any of these models, it will be easier to identify the problems each model has to get fixed immediately before it worsens.
However, many people said that problems with this vehicle led them to pay a lot of money multiple times, but there seems to be no change.
With that out of the way, let’s discuss the worst years, so you do not make the mistake of buying them!
#1 Worst Year: 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
The 2006 Volkswagen Jetta has the most reported complaints, according to the research done by the CarComplaints website.
The most common issue with this VW Jetta model is transmission failure which usually arises when the vehicle is around 85,000 miles up to 11,000 miles.
This problem can be quite serious because it will make it difficult for the driver to shift gears.
According to some complaints, the vehicle will get stuck in neutral, so people have a hard time driving it.
This problem can also make the vehicle jerk when shifting the gears, especially in 2nd, 3rd, or 4th gear.
In addition to that, this problem is so serious that many had to replace the entire system, costing above $4000.
Keep in mind that another issue also includes checking engine light turning on during cold weather because the plugs and wirings are not placed accurately.
#2 Worst Year: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta has fewer issues than the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta, but they are still not something that can be taken lightly.
The first most prominent problem with this vehicle is that the Antilock Braking System failed to function properly.
The majority of the reported problems were the brakes problems in this model that made it difficult for people to drive.
This issue is easy to notice because the ABS light will come on once the system fails. This issue usually leads to the vehicle not working or stalling during the drive.
This can be quite dangerous because many had an accident or almost had an accident in some cases.
In addition to that, the brakes and traction control are so poor, or it just stops working immediately.
It is worth mentioning that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had to issue a recall on this vehicle for the malfunctioning ABS module.
#3 Worst Year: 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
Another problematic model is this 2010 Volkswagen Jetta a year later. This model has over 100 complaints reported to the CarComplaints site.
Keep in mind that this vehicle has been recalled various times, so buying a used model is not the best choice for you.
The issue found in this compact sedan is that it has a faulty stereo system as it randomly dies and stops working while driving.
This can be because of faulty plugs and wires, and usually, to fix this issue completely, people had to replace the entire stereo system, which can cost around $600 or more.
Besides that, fuel pump failure is also another major issue realized in this vehicle.
This can cause the vehicle to stall a lot during the drive. It also malfunctions the check engine lights and bad acceleration.
If you notice the vehicle has issues with a high-pressure fuel pump, it should get checked immediately because that’s when the problem starts.
#4 Worst Year: 2013 Volkswagen Jetta
The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta is the most disliked model by many users.
According to Consumer Reports, this vehicle got an overall reliability rating of 1 out of 5, and this vehicle has been ranked at 9 out of 9 in the category of a compact sedan.
The most common issue is with the engine, which tends to stall a lot, especially while driving.
This usually happens when the drivers are hitting 70 mph, which can be quite dangerous and cause serious accidents.
Keep in mind that this issue happens when the vehicle reaches around 68,000 miles in many cases.
Other than that, the fuel system is also a common problem with this vehicle because it flashes wrong error lights, which can confuse the drivers and ruin the entire performance of the vehicle.
#5 Worst Year: 2019 Volkswagen Jetta
Another worst year for Volkswagen, the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta, has a reliability rating of 1 out of 5 according to the Consumer Reports, and it is placed at 9 out of 9 based on 2019 small cars.
It is said that this vehicle does not work well in different modes. This is usually because the transmission starts producing grinding noises once it is in Normal or ECO mode.
This vehicle made many people have a disturbing experience and drive slowly yet carefully on the road, so it does not cause accidents.
Moreover, the body hardware of this vehicle is also quite poor.
There are various quality issues since many components tend to wear out quickly, some bolts get loose easily, the water also tends to leak inside the car, and the trunk is faulty.
What Are The Most Common Problems With The Volkswagen Jetta?
I will be discussing the most common Volkswagen Jetta reliability issues, so you do not end up buying a problematic car.
If you already own this vehicle, this information is also beneficial because it will help you determine the issue and get it fixed immediately.
But do keep in mind that most of the problems in this model are not easy to solve, you will need to consult an expert to replace the component, and it will cost you a lot of money for the whole process.
Anyway, here are the most common issues that many people had trouble dealing with!
1. Oil Sludge In The Engine
This is one of the most annoying problems people have to deal with.
The oil sludge is a thick stew of oil full of contaminants that expand friction and warmth in the engine.
This usually happens because the 1.8 liters turbocharged engine consists of tiny oil capacity, resulting in sludge.
It is worth mentioning that owners of this vehicle will be compensated 100% for the repair costs if they had conducted the two oil changes before the oil sludge or engine failure started.
2. Ignition Coil Failing
This Volkswagen Jetta has a history of the ignition coil system failing.
This issue makes it difficult for the car to start and makes the engine lose its power while driving, which can be quite dangerous.
This problem is commonly found in the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta. Volkswagen also issues a Customer Satisfaction Campaign to dissuade recall after two investigations.
You will notice this ignition coil failing issues when there is a startup issue, loud engine noises, hesitations, and a high risk of an engine fire.
3. Front Assist Issues
This problem is quite serious because the vehicle spontaneously brakes on its own because of the defects in the front assist technology.
This happens when the front assist technology detects objects that are not visible and applies the brakes randomly.
The system also turns off in harsh weather, which results in adaptive cruise control disabling.
Due to this issue, many owners of this vehicle sued Volkswagen in 2020 because they were told to turn the feature off if they didn’t like how it functioned.
Related: Why Won’t My Volkswagen Jetta Start?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What Is The Average Lifespan Of A Volkswagen Jetta?
The average lifespan of a Volkswagen Jetta is around seven and a half years.
However, the life expectancy of the Volkswagen Jetta is said to be more than 20 years and can reach up to 200,000 miles easily.
It is worth mentioning that the lifespan of the vehicle also depends on how it is taken care of, the driving dynamics, and maintenance.
Related: How Long Do Volkswagen Jettas Last?
Q2. Why Is The Jeep Jetta Cheap?
The main reason the Jeep Jetta is cheap is that they are poorly manufactured. They are also said to be unreliable. This is why there is little to no demand for them in the market at all.
Q3. Is Jetta Expensive To Fix?
No, the Volkswagen Jetta is not expensive to fix. This is why it is considered to be cheap for maintenance.
It is said that the overall yearly car maintenance cost of this vehicle is $600, and the average vehicle cost annually is $651.
Q4. Are The Used Jettas Reliable?
Unfortunately, used Volkswagen Jettas are not reliable.
This is because it has an overall reliability of 45.75 out of 100, which is below average and does not make it to the list of reliable compact sedans.
However, if you wish to buy this vehicle, the most reliable years would be the 2011 and 2017 Volkswagen Jetta.
Q5. Is The Passat Better Than The Jetta?
Both the Passat and Jetta are great performing vehicles. However, if you have a bigger family and wish to have extra space in the backseat and the trunk, the Passat is the best option.
This vehicle is also more powerful and comfortable than the Jetta. Whereas, if you want a smaller vehicle that is cheaper and has a fuel economy, the Jetta is the one for you.
Conclusion
With the information I have provided viewing the best and worst years for Volkswagen Jetta, you can make your judgment easily.
Although the Jetta does not have the best reliability ratings, it is better than most compact sedans.
If you plan to buy this vehicle, it is best to invest in a 2011 or the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta for a sufficient experience.
Just make sure to check the used vehicle before purchasing so you do not end up dealing with severe issues because it can cost a lot of money.
I am Tahir Azam, and I have been writing amazing articles for TaxiHack for as long as I can remember. I know everything that is to know when it comes to automobiles and is always on top of industry news and developments. While I am not an expert by any means, I pride myself on knowing the ins and outs of many different problems and, of course, their solutions. The articles on our website are some of the best and well-researched content that you will find, and I spend countless hours making sure this remains to be true. This is why I ask you to take your time out and read some of my articles, especially if you find a topic that resonates with you or is something you are looking into. This way, you will find the perfect mix of information and tips on your desired topic. Learn more about Tahir.
