Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Power Train (17.3% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Power Train complaints here are 3.6× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 43 · 17.3% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 41 · 16.5% | No official action | — |
| Engine | 27 · 10.9% | Recalled | Recall 14E007000 |
| Air Bags | 24 · 9.7% | No official action | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 19 · 7.7% | Recalled | Recall 14E007000 |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 18 · 7.3% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 248 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 20E064000 · 2020 · reported 09/23/2020
If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14E007000 · 2014 · reported 03/07/2014
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 07V063000 · 2007 · reported 02/20/2007
THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 07V442000 · 2007 · reported 09/24/2007
NONCOMPLIANCE CAN INHIBIT PROPER HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT FOR ROADWAY ILLUMINATION, IMPROPERLY AIMED HEADLAMPS COULD CAUSE REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 05V305000 · 2005 · reported 07/05/2005
FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V586000 · 2004 · reported 12/15/2004
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 07E023000 · 2007 · reported 03/29/2007
LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“WE RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (THE NEWER DESIGN ALSO COINCIDED 2005.5) FROM A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL IN MARCH 2010. WE NOTICED THERE WAS A…”NHTSA complaint 10365704 — filed 11/15/2010 · POWER TRAIN
“2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI SEDAN - ENGINE RAN ROUGH AND NOTICED SLIPPAGE AND HESITATION DURING ACCELERATION FROM FULL STOP. REPEATED RESULTS FROM REPAIR SHOP VISITS…”NHTSA complaint 10325762 — filed 04/14/2010 · POWER TRAIN
“ON FEBRUARY 16TH WHILE RUNNING ERRANDS I PULLED THROUGH A DRIVE THROUGH FOR LUNCH, CAR WAS RUNNING AND SOUNDED JUST FINE, AFTER PULLING AWAY I…”NHTSA complaint 10259196 — filed 02/18/2009 · POWER TRAIN
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 43 of 248 NHTSA complaints (17.3%), followed by electrical system (41), engine (27), air bags (24). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
248 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 8 involved a crash, 14 involved a fire, and 8 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 20E064000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
