Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2026 Jetta.
The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta delivers EPA ratings of 29 mpg city, 40 mpg highway, and 34 mpg combined through its automatic (S8) transmission. Reliability data shows just three owner complaints—categorized under "Unknown Or Other"—and a single recall, making this the least complained-about model year in the line's 1990–2026 production history. With only three complaints compared to the 903 logged in 2009, the 2026 Jetta represents a historic low in the model's reliability record, providing researchers with a critical baseline for assessing its long-term performance trajectory.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 29 / 40 / 34 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 94 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 16 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
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.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | GLI Autobahn Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 5.60 sec | 14.20 sec | 228 hp | FWD |
| 2025 | GLI Autobahn Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 6.00 sec | 14.50 sec | 228 hp | FWD |
| 2025 | SEL Sedan 1.5L Turbo I-4 | 8.50 sec | 16.50 sec | 158 hp | FWD |
| 2023 | GLI Autobahn Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 6.40 sec | 14.70 sec | 228 hp | FWD |
| 2023 | Sport Sedan 1.5L Turbo I-4 | 7.00 sec | 15.50 sec | 158 hp | FWD |
| 2022 | GLI Autobahn Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 6.10 sec | 14.60 sec | 228 hp | FWD |
| 2022 | SEL Sedan 1.5L Turbo I-4 | 7.10 sec | 15.50 sec | 158 hp | FWD |
| 2022 | SEL (Premium) Sedan 1.5L Turbo I-4 | 7.60 sec | 15.90 sec | 158 hp | FWD |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta shows just 3 federal complaints and 1 recall, continuing a steady downward trend from the 21 complaints and 2 recalls recorded in 2025. Across the broader generation, complaint volumes peaked dramatically in earlier decades—most notably 903 complaints in 2009 and 713 in 2002—before stabilizing in the low double digits from 2020 onward. The 2026 model year's top complaint areas are "Unknown Or Other" (2 complaints) and "Steering, Electrical System, Exterior Lighting" (1 complaint), with zero crash or fire complaints reported, though the data does not specify root causes. The target year sits at the very end of this long generational arc, where TSBs have also dropped sharply from 525 in 2020 to just 62 in 2026, suggesting Volkswagen has refined the platform significantly over time. Given the consistently low complaint and recall numbers across the 2022–2025 period leading up to it, the 2026 Jetta appears to be a solid buy, though buyers should monitor for emerging issues as the fleet accumulates mileage.
All 3 complaints on record, top 2 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Jetta vehicles. The transmission ground wire may not have been properly connected during assembly, causing an open electrical circuit. Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair transmission ground wire as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen…
Showing 5 of 62 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 |
| VIN4APIN20260527 | 2026-05-27 | Unknown Or Other | Oil leak from Cylinder Head Cover; MIL on, engine runs rough with misfire faults… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 29 city / 40 highway / 34 combined mpg.