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2021 Volkswagen Jetta

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.

Class: Compact Cars
Body styles: 4dr Sedan, Gli 4dr Sedan
Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Horsepower: 147–228 hp
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, 6-speed manual
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive
Seats: 5
Fuel: Regular Gasoline
MPG (best): 34 combined · 30 city / 41 hwy
Length: 185.8 in
Curb weight: 2,976–3,225 lb
NHTSA rating: ★★★★★
Recalls: 4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Excellent fuel economyUp to 34 MPG combined — 24% better than the average 2021 compact car (27.5 MPG).
5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 32 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta is a compact car offered with 2 engines (1.4L 4-cyl turbo and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 186 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,976 lb (4dr Sedan).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 34 MPG combined (30 city / 41 highway), 24% better than the 2021 compact car average of 27.5 MPG, for an estimated $1,950 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 70 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.

What changed for 2021

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 Jetta — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 Jetta →

Trims, performance & features

Engine147 hp1.4L turbo 4-cyl

Engine228 hp2.0L turbo 4-cyl

Transmission8-speed automatic · 6-speed manual

DriveFWD

Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

S / SE / R-LineSELS / R-LineSEL PremiumS / Autobahn

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard

Forward collision warningStandard

Backup cameraStandard

Automatic high beamsStandard

LED headlightsYes

Built in: Puebla, Mexico

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2021 Jetta configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

Body	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Track F / R	Curb weight	Weight F/R
4dr Sedan	185.8 in	71.3 in	57.5 in	105.9 in	60.6 / 60.6 in	2,976 lb	59/41
Gli 4dr Sedan	185.8 in	71.3 in	57.5 in	105.9 in	60.6 / 60.6 in	3,225 lb	59/41

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City / Hwy / Comb	vs. class	Fuel / yr	CO₂ g/mi
Jetta	1.4L 4-cyl turbo	Manual 6-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	30 / 41 / 34	+24%	$1,950	260
Jetta	1.4L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (S8)	Front-Wheel Drive	29 / 39 / 33	+20%	$2,050	266
Jetta GLI	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (AM-S7)	Front-Wheel Drive	24 / 35 / 28	+2%	$2,400	314
Jetta GLI	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Manual 6-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	24 / 33 / 28	+2%	$2,400	319

7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)

7/10EPA greenhouse gas score

Save $2,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car

27.5 MPG2021 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

Version	Overall	Frontal	Driver / passenger	Side	Side pole	Rollover	Rollover risk
2021 Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD	★★★★★	★★★★★	4★ / 4★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	13.1%

StandardElectronic stability control

OptionalForward collision warning

Not availableLane departure warning

Frontal crash test — 2021 Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Side crash test — 2021 Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2021 compact cars

Model	Best MPG / range	NHTSA overall	Recalls
2021 Volkswagen Jetta (this car)	34 MPG	★★★★★	4
2021 Toyota Corolla	52 MPG	★★★★★	1
2021 Honda Civic	36 MPG	★★★★★	4
2021 Honda Accord	48 MPG	★★★★★	4
2021 Toyota Camry	52 MPG	★★★★★	1
2021 Nissan GT-R	18 MPG	Not rated	1
2021 Toyota Prius	56 MPG	★★★★★	0

Recalls (4)

Equipment › Electrical › Infotainment › Software · Jul 20, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V514000 · 43,091 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.

Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module · Jun 30, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V492000 · 379 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Jetta and Jetta GLI vehicles. The air bag control module was welded in the incorrect position.
Risk: Incorrect positioning of the air bag control module can cause the vehicle's air bags to deploy improperly during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, the vehicle's air bags can deploy unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 28, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69CK.

Seats › Critical Fasteners · Feb 1, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V038000 · 57 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Long Wheelbase and Jetta vehicles. Bolts may be missing from the front seat tracks.
Risk: The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat tracks and, as necessary, install the bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 18, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72L6.

Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · Nov 18, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V716000 · 32,048 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91BB/91BC.

Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2021 Volkswagen Jetta is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

70Complaints to NHTSA since 2015

3Involved a crash

0Involved a fire

1Injuries reported

14,000 miTypical mileage at failure

Service Brakes25

Electrical System13

Unknown Or Other11

Fuel/Propulsion System10

Engine5

Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking5

Air Bags4

Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings4

Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2021 Volkswagen Jetta buyer's checklist

Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
Service Brakes — 25 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
Electrical System — 13 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
Fuel/Propulsion System — 10 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 14,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Jetta years

Compare all years →

Year	MPG (best)	Length	Overall	Recalls	Complaints
2027 Jetta	34	–	Not rated	0	0
2026 Jetta	34	185.8 in	Not rated	1	6
2025 Jetta	33	185.8 in	★★★★★	2	32
2024 Jetta	34	185.8 in	★★★★★	0	46
2023 Jetta	35	185.8 in	★★★★★	0	43
2022 Jetta	35	185.8 in	★★★★★	1	43
2020 Jetta	34	185.8 in	★★★★★	6	54
2019 Jetta	34	185.8 in	★★★★★	11	550
2018 Jetta	33	–	★★★★★	2	32
2017 Jetta	33	183.1 in	★★★★★	6	160
2016 Jetta	44	183.1 in	★★★★★	4	164
2015 Jetta	44	183.1 in	★★★★★	8	197

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →