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2019 Volkswagen Jetta

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2019 Jetta.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S8)

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is a passenger car equipped with an Automatic (S8) transmission and an engine requiring 4.2 qt of 0W-20 oil, returning an EPA rating of 30/40/34 mpg. In terms of reported issues, this model year logged 537 total owner complaints and 11 recalls, with the Power Train emerging as the top complaint area. Contextualized within the model's complaint history from 1990-2026, the 2019 model's volume places it between the history's peak of 903 complaints in 2009 and the lowest recorded count of 3 in 2026, indicating a position that avoids the historical extremes of the model's record.

Model year2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified

Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy30/40/34 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 04E115561T. 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.

Tire size225/45R17 91HOEM · verified

Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	04E115561T alt 06L115562B
Engine air filter	5QM129620B alt 5Q0129620B
Spark plug	06K905601K alt 04E905602D
Serpentine belt	06K903137A alt 04E145933AL
Thermostat	04E121113G alt 04E121113N
Cabin air filter	5Q0819669

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	185.8 in
Overall width	71.3 in
Overall height	57.5 in
Wheelbase	105.9 in
Curb weight	2976 lb
Track (front / rear)	60.6 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	30 / 40 / 34 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	94 cu ft
Cargo volume	14 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular 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.

5.6–7.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.60 sec — 2019 GLI 35th Anniversary Edition Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2019	GLI 35th Anniversary Edition Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4	5.60 sec	14.20 sec	228 hp	FWD
2019	GLI S Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4	5.80 sec	14.40 sec	228 hp	FWD
2019	GLI 35th Anniversary Edition Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4	5.90 sec	14.30 sec	228 hp	FWD
2019	GLI 35th Anniversary Edition Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4	6.10 sec	14.60 sec	228 hp	FWD
2019	S Sedan 1.4L Turbo I-4	7.60 sec	16.00 sec	147 hp	FWD
2019	SE Sedan 1.4L Turbo I-4	7.60 sec	16.00 sec	147 hp	FWD
2019	R-Line Sedan 1.4L Turbo I-4	7.70 sec	16.10 sec	147 hp	FWD
2019	S Sedan 1.4L Turbo I-4	7.70 sec	16.10 sec	147 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Dot 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	Dot 4
Engine Oil	0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity	4.2 qt
Engine Oil	0W-20

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	Diesel Engines: 84 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	6.6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18.4 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	6.6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18.4 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	88 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	89 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	89 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-5-3-6-2-4
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Volkswagen
Spark Plug Torque	16 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Volkswagen
Spark Plug Gap	.028-.031 in
Spark Plug Torque	22 ft-lbs

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	58.0
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum	101.0
Residual Pressure	43.5 Minimum pressure after 10 minutes. psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	26.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	Front: 148.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque	Front: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.0787; Rear: 0.0787 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: .866; Rear: .315

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Lower vehicle and tighten an additional 180°

148 ft. lbs

Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Lower vehicle and tighten an additional 180°

148 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°.

22 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

29.5 ft. lbs. Step 2: 90°. Step 3: 90°. Step 4: Repeat Step 3.

29.5 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

29.5 ft. lbs. Step 2: 90°. Step 3: 90°. Step 4: Bolt 11: 3 ft. lbs. Step 5: Bolt 11: 90°.

29.5 ft. lbs

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

44 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°.

44 ft. lbs

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

44 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°.

44 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.

Every 10,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 mi	Battery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exterior Lighting (inspect)
At 40,000 mi	Sunroof Assembly (lubricate)
Every 40,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Instrument Cluster Warning Indicator (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Air Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean)
Every 80,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)

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 2019 Volkswagen Jetta marks a notable inflection point in its generation, with federal complaint volumes spiking to 537—more than ten times the 2018 total (31) and significantly higher than the 2020–2024 average (46). This surge coincides with the launch of the seventh-generation model, suggesting early-build teething issues rather than a systemic flaw, as complaints drop sharply in subsequent years. Recalls also peak in 2019 at 11, double the 2018 count, while investigations (2) and TSBs (748) reflect heightened scrutiny during this transitional year. The data doesn’t specify root causes, but the concentration of powertrain (108) and electrical (62) complaints aligns with common first-year gremlins in redesigned platforms. Post-2019, the trend stabilizes, with recalls and complaints declining steadily, indicating Volkswagen addressed most issues quickly. Takeaway: While the 2019 Jetta’s federal record is comparatively turbulent, its problems appear largely resolved in later production, and its higher-mileage examples today may offer better value than unproven 2020+ models—provided a pre-purchase inspection confirms powertrain and electrical systems are sound.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

748

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

537

Owner complaints

19 involved a crash · 3 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18’19’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 537 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train108

Electrical System62

Engine54

Unknown Or Other50

Electrical System,Engine21

Power Train,Engine19

Structure15

Fuel/Propulsion System12

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V679000Unknown Or OtherReported 25/09/2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015… Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298…

18V671000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 26/09/2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles equipped with LED headlights. The passenger side headlight may be incorrectly positioned, reducing the driver's… Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side headlight, free of charge. The recall began November 2, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 748 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TT 10-18-02_2	2026-06-18	Engine	Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
TT 13-20-01_3	2026-06-18	Engine	Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
V6919012010479_17	2026-06-11	Air Bags	Inquiries
V1719012012855_81	2026-06-04	Engine	Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
V0026012081638_1	2026-05-19	Unknown Or Other	Difference between Component fluid leakage and seepage

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.

Vehicles taking 4.2 qt Engine oil filter 04E115561T Engine air filter 5QM129620B Spark plug 06K905601K Serpentine belt 06K903137A

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2019 Jetta take?

4.2 qt of 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2019 Jetta have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Jetta get?

EPA figures are 30 city / 40 highway / 34 combined mpg.