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2020 Volkswagen Jetta S 8A

The 2020 Volkswagen Jetta S 8A is a 147-hp 1.4-liter turbocharged with an 8-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $19,695 MSRP and is rated at 34 mpg combined.

It makes 147 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 184 lb-ft of torque at 1400 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 30 mpg city and 40 mpg highway (34 mpg combined).

The Jetta measures 185.1 inches long on a 105.7-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,967 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$19,695
MSRP with Destination$20,615
Engine
Engine Type1.4L inline four cylinder, 16V, turbocharged/intercooled, TSI
Displacement1.4 L
Horsepower147 hp @ 5,000 rpm
Torque184 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC, tooth-belt, 16-valve, variable intake and exhaust timing
Bore and Stroke74.5 x 80.0
Compression Ratio10.0:1
Injection TypeDirect injection (TSI)
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission8-speed automatic
Fuel Economy
City30 MPG
Highway40 MPG
Combined34 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded
Tank Capacity13.2 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionStrut-type with lower control arms, coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar
Rear SuspensionTorsion beam, coil springs, telescopic dampers
Dimensions & Weight
Length185.1 in
Width70.8 in
Height57.4 in
Wheelbase105.7 in
Front Track60.7 in
Rear Track60.4 in
Ground Clearance5.6 in
Cargo Volume14.1 ft³
Curb Weight2,967 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front38.5 in
Headroom Rear37.2 in
Legroom Front41.1 in
Legroom Rear37.4 in
Shoulder Room Front55.9 in
Shoulder Room Rear54 in

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall ★★★★★
Frontal crash ★★★★★
Side crash ★★★★★
Rollover ★★★★★ (13.1 % risk)
Tested variant: 2020 Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD

Recalls

6 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2020 Volkswagen JETTA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Feb 14, 2024 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.

NHTSA campaign 24V110000

Aug 30, 2023 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf Sportwagen, 2019-2020 Golf GTI, and Jetta vehicles equipped with a conventional ignition switch. The ignition switch may fail, especially in high temperature environments.

Consequence: Ignition switch failure can cause the electrical system to shut down and the engine to stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 1, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 28H7.

NHTSA campaign 23V604000

Oct 31, 2022 · TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Consequence: An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi’s customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.

NHTSA campaign 22V815000

Jun 30, 2021 · AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 21V492000

Aug 26, 2020 · SEATS

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.

Consequence: In the event of a rear-end crash, the backrest adjustment could break, possibly reducing the amount of occupant restraint, thus increasing risk of injury.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats, and, as necessary, replace the seatback frames, free of charge. The recall began September 11, 2020. Volkswagen owners may contact their customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Audi owners may contact their customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72L1, 72K8, and 72K9.

NHTSA campaign 20V505000

Jun 17, 2020 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling one 2020 Jetta vehicle. The front brake caliper bolts may come loose.

Consequence: If a brake caliper bolt comes loose, it may affect the vehicle's brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify the owner, and a dealer will replace all four front brake caliper bolts, free of charge. The recall began July 1, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47Q2.

NHTSA campaign 20V359000

54 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2020 Volkswagen JETTA

Owner Complaints

54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Volkswagen JETTA (1 mention a crash, 2 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Electrical System17
Unknown Or Other13
Engine12
Power Train7
Service Brakes7
Fuel/Propulsion System5
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Oct 10, 2026 · Steering, Suspension, Wheels
“On September 25th 2026, while driving my 2020 Volkswagen Jetta south on Route 12, the driver-front wheel completely separated from the vehicle while in motion. The vehicle suffered an immediate loss…”
Sep 25, 2026 · Structure
“upon my mechanic's inspection of the vehicle for an unrelated issue, it was found that the entire subframe is rusty and corroded. He informed me that it was at a critical stage that would sooner than…”
Sep 10, 2026 · Electrical System
“On 2 separate occasions (in recent 2 months); the car would not restart and error messages would include printing the electrical parking brake engagement. Attempts to reset were futile. Car had to be…”
May 20, 2026 · Forward Collision Avoidance
“Volkswagen mandatory software update/campaign 24Fi corrupted the OCU/Telematics firmware on my vehicle. This firmware corruption deactivated the critical emergency SOS safety system (Automatic Crash…”
Apr 26, 2026 · Suspension
“Rear left coil spring snapped mid driving, breaking off a 3 inch piece. Car now rattles when it goes over bumps. Upon looking under the car, the right rear coil spring is corroded and snapped as well.”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2020 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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