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 — Fuel System, Diesel (22% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Fuel System, Diesel complaints here are 5.2× the median for that category across the 1401 model-years tracked on this site.
3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Diesel | 195 · 22% | Recalled | Recall 11V490000 · Recall 10V621000 |
| Service Brakes | 165 · 18.6% | Recalled | Recall 20E064000 · Recall 16V913000 |
| Electrical System | 105 · 11.8% | No official action | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 102 · 11.5% | Recalled | Recall 11V490000 · Recall 10V621000 |
| Engine | 95 · 10.7% | No official action | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 93 · 10.5% | 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 888 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 19V679000 · 2019 · reported 09/25/2019
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
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 16V913000 · 2016 · reported 12/20/2016
A loss of vehicle control can increase 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 11V490000 · 2011 · reported 10/03/2011
DUE TO THE RESONANCE CONDITION, INJECTOR LINE NUMBER 2 COULD DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE. LEAKING FUEL 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 09V333000 · 2009 · reported 08/20/2009
THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL 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 09V164000 · 2009 · reported 05/19/2009
IF THE VEHICLE IS MOVING WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE DETACHED DRIVESHAFT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE THE GEARBOX HOUSING. A DAMAGE GEARBOX HOUSING COULD LEAK GEARBOX OIL ONTO THE STREET AND CREATE A RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND OTHER MOTORISTS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 10V621000 · 2010 · reported 12/10/2010
IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP. 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
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.
“SHORTLY AFTER STARTING UP, THE CAR STALLED ABRUPTLY WHILE STILL IN DRIVEWAY. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS (LOW POWER, ROUGH RUNNING, ETC), AND IT WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10355930 — filed 09/16/2010 · FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
“WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN MY 2009 JETTA TDI SPORTWAGEN, I EXPERIENCED A "CLUNK", A LOSS OF POWER AND A COIL LIGHT ON THE…”NHTSA complaint 10355519 — filed 09/14/2010 · FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
“2009 VW JETTA TDI FUEL PUMP EXPLODES SENDING MENTAL SHAVING INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM AND ENGINE. CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF…”NHTSA complaint 10355102 — filed 09/12/2010 · FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Fuel system, diesel issues are the most-reported category, cited in 195 of 888 NHTSA complaints (22%), followed by service brakes (165), electrical system (105), fuel/propulsion system (102). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
888 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 31 involved a crash, 8 involved a fire, and 17 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V679000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
3 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.
