One of the better Jetta years
Owners filed about 82% fewer complaints than a typical Jetta year. The area owners reported most is the fuel system.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Jetta years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta. The most reported problem area is the fuel system (9, 28% of complaints), followed by the air bags and the transmission and drivetrain. That is the fewest complaints of any Jetta year from 2012 to 2024 on file. It has 3 recalls.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2018 Volkswagen Jetta before you buy.
Fuel system
9 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The vehicle wouldn't start and upon closer inspection some fluid was underneath the vehicle and there was a strong smell of gas. We had the car towed the following morning to a repair shop and were informed there was a fuel leak from behind the intake manifold. The service technician found two loose fuel rail bolts and one missing fuel…Owner complaint, filed 2026
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. When I called my local authorized Volkswagen dealership, Southern Team Volkswagen at 6520 Peters…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Air bags
6 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
Front passenger air bag light came on without provocation and remains on. Have noticed multiple recalls of similar situations with VW air bags being recalled. It appeared to start with the detection of weight change in the seat. It would not deactivate when a small child sat in the front seat. Now the passenger air bag light just…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Air bag light came on unprovoked. Remains on. We noted this announcement and feel it is the same problem. ((In April 2023, Volkswagen recalled some vehicles due to a faulty front passenger detection system that could deactivate the front passenger air bag. A deactivated air bag won't deploy in a crash, which could increase the risk of…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Transmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
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 P073300Owner complaint, filed 2026
Key locked in ignition at an unsafe area where I was stuck for hours. Car has approximately 89,000 miles and the key being stuck in ignition has happened to me twice recently and I know it will continue to do so until there is a recall for the safety issue that the Ignition causes.Owner complaint, filed 2022
Electrical system
3 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. The contact shifted in neutral and attempted to restart the vehicle. The contact had to push the vehicle to the side of the road and made several attempts to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 90,782 miles
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 struggle to get it out of the ignition for 10-20 mins every time I take my key out. My car could…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Engine and cooling
2 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
On or about January 24, 2023, Found oil leak and heard noise from engine. No warning lamps or messages prior, mechanic diagnosed and found cam phaser cover bolts loose and leaking. He had to re-torque bolts and check engine. Leaking stopped. Mechanic said they should not have come loose and if bolts came anymore loose, they could have…Owner complaint, filed 2023
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. The issue my car was having looked similar to a recall due to fuel rails coming loose. My car ended…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Wheels and tires
2 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
Vehicle Dealer Colonial Volkswagen failed to register the DOT number on all of my tires Colonial Volkswagen is in Feasterville/Trevose PA Tire failed have photos inside of tire wallOwner complaint, filed 2022
Brakes and stability control
1 complaintBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2018 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated while driving 55mph. The contact depressed on the brake pedal and the pedal was not functioning, the contact struck a guardrail and the vehicle come to a stop. The contact stated that no one was injured and no one seeked medical attention. Contact stated that the airbags…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 40,700 miles
Seats and seat belts
1 complaintBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
Sometimes I leave my cell phone on the passenger seat and the warning bell chimes. If I remove my cell phone from the passenger seat, the warning stops or if I do lock the seatbelt, it will also stop the warning. It seems like the part that checks if a passenger is sitting in the seat is malfunctioning. This does not happen every time…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 8,500 miles
Volkswagen Jetta complaints by year
Compare the 2018 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2018 compact cars
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 Volkswagen Jetta | One of the better years | 3 |
| 2018 Toyota Corolla | One of the better years | 3 |
| 2018 Honda Civic | Worse than most years | 6 |
| 2018 Mazda Mazda3 | About average | 4 |
2018 Volkswagen Jetta recalls
Fuel system Fuel rail
- Risk
- A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rail bolts and, as necessary, the fuel rail.
Full recall summary
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.
Brakes Master cylinder
- Risk
- If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users.
Full recall summary
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.
Electrical system Control module
- Risk
- Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
2018 Volkswagen Jetta questions
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta?
The most reported problem areas on the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta are the fuel system (9 complaints), the air bags (6 complaints) and the transmission and drivetrain (5 complaints).
Is the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta a good year to buy?
One of the better Jetta years. Owners filed about 82% fewer complaints than a typical Jetta year. The area owners reported most is the fuel system. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Jetta years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta have?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta. The most recent, from Oct 2020, covers the fuel rail. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
Which Volkswagen Jetta years should I avoid?
The Jetta years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2012, 2013 and 2019. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2018, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
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