VolkswagenJetta (BU3)2022Overview/volkswagen/jetta-bu3/2022/base/

2022 Volkswagen Jetta (BU3)

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2022 Jetta.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta is a compact sedan built on Volkswagen's proven platform and equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission, offering an EPA-estimated 31 mpg in the city, 41 mpg on the highway, and 35 mpg combined. With 41 total owner complaints reported for this model year, the 2022 Jetta demonstrates significantly better reliability than the model's historical peaks—the 2009 Jetta amassed 903 complaints—though it hasn't yet reached the exceptionally low complaint levels of the newest model years. The 2022 model is subject to one recall, with service brakes identified as the primary complaint area among the relatively small ownership population. This positions the 2022 Jetta as a notably improved iteration within the model's long production history, offering buyers a sedan that has largely resolved the reliability concerns that plagued earlier generations.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque89.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy31/41/35 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI The manufacturer used many different sized batteries during production of this model. Carefully fit the battery to size. The vehicles battery must be registered and the computer reset with a scan tool after installation. PR-Codes denote type of battery options used. EFB: PR-J0T: 48, PR-J0S: 47, PR-J2D: 48; NS Battery Type: PR-J0N: 47, PR-J1D: 48, PR-J1L: 47 · O.E. AmpHrs for Enhanced Flooded Batteries: J0T: 70.0, J0S: 59.0, J2D: 68.0; NS Batteries: J0N: 61.0, J1L: 60.0, J1D: 72.0 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI The manufacturer used many different sized batteries during production of this model. Carefully fit the battery to size. The vehicles battery must be registered and the computer reset with a scan tool after installation. PR-Codes denote type of battery options used. EFB: PR-J0T: 48, PR-J0S: 47, PR-J2D: 48; NS Battery Type: PR-J0N: 47, PR-J1D: 48, PR-J1L: 47 · O.E. AmpHrs for Enhanced Flooded Batteries: J0T: 70.0, J0S: 59.0, J2D: 68.0; NS Batteries: J0N: 61.0, J1L: 60.0, J1D: 72.0 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size225/45R18 91HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length185.8 in
Overall width71.3 in
Overall height57.5 in
Wheelbase105.9 in
Curb weight2976 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined31 / 41 / 35 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume94 cu ft
Cargo volume16 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Jetta of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.1–7.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.10 sec — 2022 GLI Autobahn Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2022GLI Autobahn Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-46.10 sec14.60 sec228 hpFWD
2022SEL Sedan 1.5L Turbo I-47.10 sec15.50 sec158 hpFWD
2022SEL (Premium) Sedan 1.5L Turbo I-47.60 sec15.90 sec158 hpFWD
2021GLI Autobahn (Black Pack) Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-46.10 sec14.60 sec228 hpFWD
2021SEL Premium Sedan 1.4L Turbo I-47.70 sec16.00 sec147 hpFWD
2023GLI Autobahn Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-46.40 sec14.70 sec228 hpFWD
2023Sport Sedan 1.5L Turbo I-47.00 sec15.50 sec158 hpFWD
2020GLI Autobahn Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-46.00 sec14.50 sec228 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 89.0 ft-lbs.

Engine torques

Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new bolts only.
Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new bolts only.

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts89.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts89.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.09-1.21 lbs

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Inspection Procedure (Lower) — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inspect Ball Joint by pulling down on lower control arm then forcing it upward. The joint should also be inspected by moving the lower portion of the tire and wheel in an in and out motion. During inspections allow for normal upper strut mount and wheel bearing wear but no ball joint play should be observed. Step 3: The ball joint should also be replaced if the boot is torn, stud is worn or joint shows any play.
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
129.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 90°, Step 4: Bolt 11: 3.0 ft. lbs., Step 5: Bolt 11: 90°29.5 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 80,000 mi; coolant every 20,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 20,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 miBattery (inspect) · Body Water Drains (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Instrument Cluster Warning Indicator (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAir Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 80,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2022 Jetta sits in a markedly improved phase of the model's federal record, with just 41 complaints and a single recall — the lowest recall count since 2018 and a sharp drop from the 11 recalls and 537 complaints seen in 2019. Complaints have trended downward consistently since that 2019 peak, falling from 66 in 2021 to 41 in both 2022 and 2023, while TSB volume has declined steadily from 748 in 2019 to 431 in 2022 and further to 325 in 2023. The 2022 complaint profile centers on service brakes (9), engine (6), and forward collision avoidance (3), with only one crash complaint and no fire reports; the data does not specify root causes for these categories. Compared to the volatile early-2020s and the high-volume eras of the 2000s and early 2010s, the 2022 model year reflects a stable, low-incident period. Takeaway: the 2022 Jetta is a good year to buy, showing the cleanest federal-record footprint of the past five model years.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
431
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
41
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 41 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes9
Engine6
Forward Collision Avoidance3
Electrical System,Engine3
Forward Collision Avoidance,Lane Departure2
Steering,Lane Departure1
Steering,Electrical System1
Steering,Unknown Or Other,Lane Departure1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

22V514000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraReported 20/07/2022

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 431 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
V0125042078297_52026-06-24EngineUpdate programming for Evap Emission Control System
TT 10-18-02_22026-06-18EngineLubricating engine components before reassembly.
TT 13-20-01_32026-06-18EngineInstruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
Customer email_91UB2026-06-15Unknown Or OtherYour vehicle is currently eligible for the 91UB software update designed to:
Dealer 91UB2026-06-15Unknown Or OtherThis OTA update addresses a potential issue with special characters being broadcast over…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Jetta. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2022 Jetta have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Jetta get?

EPA figures are 31 city / 41 highway / 35 combined mpg.