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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2008–2014

Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 171 owner complaints for the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, covering model years 2008 to 2014. The 2013 model year drew the most complaints (36), and Electrical System is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 2 recall campaigns on file
  • 171 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 7 model years with data (2008–2014)
  • most complaints: 2013 (36 for that model year)
  • top component: Electrical System (39 complaints)
  • latest recall 16V913000 (reported Dec 20, 2016)
  • 6 complaints reporting a crash (3.5%)
  • 5 complaints reporting a fire (2.9%)
  • 4 complaints reporting an injury (2.3%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen complaints by model year

7 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2013 model year has the most complaints: 36 of 171, or 21.1%. Next come 2014 (34) and 2011 (33). The fewest are for 2008, with 2 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2008–2014Column chart of 171 complaints across 7 model years. The highest is 2013 with 36. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2008: 2 complaints220082009: 16 complaints1620092010: 23 complaints2320102011: 33 complaints3320112012: 27 complaints2720122013: 36 complaints3620132014: 34 complaints342014
Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
200820000
2009160000
2010231010
2011331310
2012270100
2013361100
2014343020
All model years1716540

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Electrical System is the component named most often, in 39 complaints (22.8% of all 171), followed by Fuel/Propulsion System (28) and Suspension (24).

Components named most often in Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Electrical System3922.8%
Fuel/Propulsion System2816.4%
Suspension2414.0%
Service Brakes2313.5%
Air Bags2112.3%
Unknown or Other2112.3%
Engine1911.1%
Power Train137.6%
Steering84.7%
Exterior Lighting74.1%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)63.5%
Fuel System, Diesel52.9%
Seat Belts42.3%
Structure42.3%
Vehicle Speed Control42.3%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen recalls

2 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Jetta SportWagen, newest first. The 2 campaigns cover model years 2009 to 2014. 6 model years tie for the most campaigns (1 each).

  • 2 recall campaigns
Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen recall campaigns covering each model year
2009: 1 campaign2010: 1 campaign2011: 1 campaign2012: 1 campaign2013: 1 campaign2014: 1 campaign

  1. NHTSA campaign 16V913000

    Reported

    Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

    Model year 2009

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Sedan, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GTI, Rabbit and Audi A3 vehicles, and 2010 Volkswagen Golf A6 vehicles. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) control unit may fail during ABS or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) activation, possibly causing a loss of vehicle control.

    Consequence:
    A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control module software to improve the module's self-testing abilities. Any module that fails the new diagnostic test will be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  2. NHTSA campaign 16V078000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module

    Model years 2010–2014

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

    Consequence:
    In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
    Remedy:
    Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen have?

NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recall campaigns for the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, covering model years 2008 to 2014. The most recent, 16V913000, was reported on December 20, 2016 and is filed under “Electronic stability control (esc); service brakes, hydraulic”.

Which Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen model year has the most complaints?

The 2013 model year, with 36 of the 171 complaints in NHTSA’s file (21.1%). The next are 2014 (34) and 2011 (33). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen complaint?

Electrical System is the component named most often: 39 complaints, or 22.8% of all 171. Fuel/Propulsion System (28) and Suspension (24) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Volkswagen dealer.

How many Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 171 complaints, 6 report a crash, 5 a fire, 4 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Volkswagen models

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Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.