Exterior Lighting Problems of Volkswagen Jetta - part 1

Volkswagen Jetta owners have reported 114 problems related to exterior lighting (under the exterior lighting category). The most recently reported issues are listed below. Also please check out the statistics and reliability analysis of Volkswagen Jetta based on all problems reported for the Jetta.

1 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 08/12/2025

I was driving my car on a 100 degree day and and after about a block, a warning popped up on the little screen behind the steering wheel that said "ignition switch off, safely stop the vehicle". I feel like the engine may have shut off, but I'm not sure as I just rolled to the side of the road and turned off my car as fast as a could. I waited a few minutes and turned it on, drove about a block, and it said, "starter system faulty, please service vehicle". I once again turned it off, waited a few minutes. I googled on my phone instances of this and people saying they were still able to drive that car, so I turned it back on and started to drive it the two blocks back to my house, the "starter system faulty" message popped up again and suddenly all of the electrical in the car shut off (the engine was still running). My radio, speedometer, everything was just off. I made it home, got on my computer and found an article about a recall that match my car's make, model, year, and key rather than button ignition. It described my exact experience. I looked up my car to see if it had a recall and it didn't. I called the dealership and they were no help, so I called the Volkswagen of America customer care line. They told me my VIN didn't qualify "probably" because it wasn't within the "manufacturing dates". I'm having a hard time understanding that since everything else lines up. Additionally, I just purchased this vehicle used from a vw dealership less than two months ago. The dealer plates are still on the car. According to them, the car was in great condition. . .

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2 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 05/05/2025

As reported by many other drivers on this website and all over the internet that 2019 having ignition switch problem in 2019 Volkswagen Jettas. I started having the same problem aswell. This has happened several time already and now I am scared to drive this car on the highways. It is clearly mentioned that 2019 and 2020 ignition systems are faulty than why vw is not helping people who have those year cars. This is the big safety concern and I believe it should not be overlooked. I tried searching with my plates and VIN but it’s says 0 recalls. Every thing shuts off inside (ac, infotainment screen, all the dash lights, wiper blades, speedometer, rpm meter, everything) I hope NHTSA will take this problem seriously as not hundreds but thousands of vehicles are affected with this problem so far. Thank you.

3 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 02/19/2025

Without any warning whatsoever the entire electrical system goes completely off while driving the vehicle after 5 mins of it being on. This means that the lights including blinker and brake lights go off, air conditioning stops, and the entire dashboard goes off. The engine is still able to run. I am able to use the gas and breaks but I do not know what my speed is or any other information that is typically available via the dashboard. I have tried to do a reset when the problem occurs but that does not help the situation. The safety of myself and others is definitely at risk when this happens since the break lights and turning signal will no longer function at all. I can only use the hazard lights to indicate the hazard this presents. I’ve brought this issue up to multiple Volkswagen dealerships having paid the $200 diagnostics fee every time and they inform me that they are not recognizing the issue. I ask if this has anything to do with a recall that had happened to this car and been “fixed” in 2021 and they do not answer the question. I ask if it is possible that the recall was not fixed correctly and that is why I am having issues and they do not answer the question. I have also emailed customer support at Volkswagen worldwide and they state that my car never had any recalls done which is so incredibly false. I have the paperwork to confirm that it had a total of 6 different recalls done in 2021. I believe one of the recalls was never fixed properly and has only deteriorated worse since 2021. Volkswagen dealership of san bernardino does not give any codes or anything that is more specific than possible alert to car battery/terminals/cables/clamps issues. Their recommendation was to change the car battery but that was already replaced in Aug 2024. They also recommended to change my oil filter but I had an oil change less than 5 days before at a different location. The pep boys diagnostic revealed code p253200 which indicates a problem with the ignition switch.

4 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 05/29/2024

Without any warning whatsoever the entire electrical system goes completely off while driving the vehicle after 5 mins of it being on. This means that the lights including blinker and brake lights go off, air conditioning stops, and the entire dashboard goes off. The engine is still able to run. I am able to use the gas and breaks but I do not know what my speed is or any other information that is typically available via the dashboard. I have tried to do a reset when the problem occurs but that does not help the situation. The safety of myself and others is definitely at risk when this happens since the break lights and turning signal will no longer function at all. I can only use the hazard lights to indicate the hazard this presents. I’ve brought this issue up to multiple Volkswagen dealerships having paid the $200 diagnostics fee every time and they inform me that they are not recognizing the issue. I ask if this has anything to do with a recall that had happened to this car and been “fixed” in 2021 and they do not answer the question. I ask if it is possible that the recall was not fixed correctly and that is why I am having issues and they do not answer the question. I have also emailed customer support at Volkswagen worldwide and they state that my car never had any recalls done which is so incredibly false. I have the paperwork to confirm that it had a total of 6 different recalls done in 2021. I believe one of the recalls was never fixed properly and has only deteriorated worse since 2021.

5 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 03/20/2024

What system component failed or malfunctioned? is it available for inspection upon request? the car boards are left inoperative. If the entire car loses power don't grab the car how was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I'm driving down the road and suddenly the car no longer works. It doesn't start and the drivers behind me have to avoid me. On many occasions I have had to leave the car on while I run errands because I have had to ask for help to turn it on, so I don't turn it off because I don't know if it will turn on again. And this is a dangerous practice since they can steal my car and what I have inside since I have to leave it on. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by an independent dealer or service center? every time I bought it and took it to the dealer, they indicated a different fault. At first they indicated that it was the electrical part and they made changes to it. Then apparently it was the battery but it was not safe. They have taken it apart several times but have not been able to fix it, since each time it seems to have a different error. The last scan showed a ground short circuit. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? I have always taken the vehicle to the dealer who sold it to me. Were there warning lights, messages or other symptoms of the problem before the failure and when did they first appear? the first time he took it was because the dashboard went out, the electrical part was left not working. If you are unsure, simply indicate unknown and provide your best assessment of the incident and cause in your description.

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6 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 02/07/2024

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, the contact became aware that the front and rear exterior lights were not functioning as needed. The headlamp warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed an electrical fault with the exterior lights. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

See all problems of the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta 🔎.

7 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 01/31/2024

I have had my headlights replaced 3 times by a certified mechanic within the last year. While I was driving on the highway, my low beams and high beams on both sides went out. Extreme safety issue!.

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8 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 01/20/2024

This vehicle has a "digital cockpit" without traditional analog gauges. It completely shut down on me while driving on the freeway, leaving me without a speedometer, and a red caution "do not drive" warning indicator. I have a video of this incident captured by my partner that I can share, as well as a static image, which I attach therein. Prior to this incident, it repeatedly shut down while driving, but in those cases would come back up in 5 to 10 seconds. This may have been a computer "crash" as it came back up with 0 on the trip odometers. The dealer seemingly fixed this problem with a reset process described in a TSB. In the most recent incident, the display never came back online, and I was unable to safely continue driving. There are also random issues with this display locking into "night" mode during the day, usually after backing out of a dark garage or going through a tunnel, which leaves the display impossible to read in bright sun. The only fix when this happens is to pull over, turn the car off, wait 5 minutes, and resume driving.

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9 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 09/03/2023

While driving car ignition shuts off. Gas and breaks still work, but no lights, no speedometer, nothing else, ignition completely off. Has happened on 5 different occasions on days the temperature is 90 degrees. Volkswagen dealership aren't able to fix it.

10 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 09/01/2023

Car stalled out while driving, restarted, car said, "check starter system". Restarted again, engine stayed running, no lights at all (brake, headlight or tail light), however the hazards still seemed to work.

11 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 07/27/2023

On hot days in the summer, when I start driving the car, a notice that states “systems start failure” appears. The air conditioning turns off. The speedometer turns off. The brake lights don’t work, and the turn signals do not work. The car still drives, but due to the brake lights turning off and turn signals not working, I believe this poses a safety risk to myself and others. I believe this to be an ignition switch problem, as many others have stated online that getting a replacement for the ignition switch has solved the problem. The problem has been reproduced by a service center. The problem has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives.

12 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 07/16/2023

Hot day (~107f), car started fine but after a mile of driving all electrical systems appeared to stop with the following error: "starter system faulty. Please service vehicle. " the engine kept going, and the car was driven home (with no signals, speedo, air conditioning, lights etc. ) if this had happened in a more demanding situation (e. G. Weather, night or traffic) there could have been an accident. There are numerous threads online about this happening to 2019 Jettas in hot weather, and the ignition switch being blamed. I recreated the issue in the heat of the day, but the car worked fine later on when the day cooled down.

13 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 07/07/2023

Passenger side daytime running light led has gone dim. This reduces the visibility of the vehicle in daytime conditions. The dealer has confirmed that the light is bad but the manufacturer says since there is no active recall for it, it is not covered.

14 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 07/04/2023

Only on days where I leave my car in the direct heat under the sun for a few hours I go to get in and start and it starts up at first and then the dashboard displays "check starter system" soon after all the electrical work in the car shuts down and doesn't turn on again until the car cools down or when the sun goes down. I live in phoenix where it's hot everyday so this issue is happening frequently with my vehicle.

15 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 07/02/2023

A minute after starting my car sitting in a hot parking lot, the entire car and engine shut off. A message popped up saying “please check starter system”. I looked this up and seems to be an extremely common issues with 2019 Jettas, and everyone has had issues with getting it fixed. Mechanics have said there’s “no issue” with the car because it won’t shut off every time. Some even had their cars shut off on the highway. My car has about 25,000 miles and is in great shape. I’m terrified to drive it for safety reasons, and I don’t have money to take it in anywhere. I’m so disappointed there has not been a recall on this common, extremely dangerous issue. There were no prior warning lights or signs.

16 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 06/28/2023

Ignition system (available for inspection upon request) malfunctioned, which disallowed the engine from starting. After multiple attempts, the engine started and I was able to drive and indicate turns, but there was no dashboard display such as speed, gas level, etc. Since the first incident, this has happened 3 times. At one point while driving with no screen display, I forgot to turn off the option for the engine to stop when the car has come to a complete stop. When I stopped at a light, the engine stopped and I was unable to get it to start again for several minutes, causing me to block traffic. There was no warning prior to the failure, just beeping and a screen notification while it was failing. The problem has not been replicated/confirmed, and the vehicle has not been inspected since the issue began to happen. Each time this failure happens, it is during a hot day after the car has been parked in direct sunlight.

17 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 06/07/2023

When the car sits in direct sunlight and the interior temperature raises above 100f, the car will start and all is well for a minute or so and then the ignition fails. Dash says check starter system and all gauges, clusters, infotainment system, interior and exterior lights turn off. The car thinks that it is off electronically but it still runs, shifts, and drives. Attached photo was taken after I left home, traveling on highway at ~55mph.

18 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 05/22/2023

The car lost all electrical components, gauges, turn signals, and possibly break lights while in operation. If I had been unlucky, I could have been rear-ended or ended up in an accident if my brake lights were not working and I could not tell how fast I was going. First, the car dinged and said "please check starter system" while I was downshifting while coming to a stop. The engine remained running, but I lost all gauges, dashboard lights, cabin controls, and turn signals.

19 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 04/05/2023

Vehicle parked under the sun, temperature reaching 85 degree, hotter inside the cabin. Vehicle started with no issues but "check starter system" warning comes up and all the electrical component shut off its power, including all the gauge in the dashboard and radio. Headlight is not working as well after few min. Car drives (manual transmission) with no issues. When the car is placed under the shade/cools down, shows no problems. Some of owners reported the faulty ignition switch, part number 5q1-905-865-a. Google search of "2019 Jetta check starter system" results in multiple complaints. The part in question is in national back order, suggesting the issue is more wide spread.

20 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 03/20/2023

I purchased a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta from north coast auto mall on March 19, 2023 and the following day several issues went wrong with the vehicle like: the car reeked of gasoline, oil and engine lights came on, driver side head light blew out. Also, I was told that the car had an inspection, come to find out they didn't do an inspection by north coast service manager, so they lied. Also, the reason for the gasoline smell is because the vehicle needs a fuel rack, oil pan, oil pressure switch, and a new headlight. Too many things are going wrong with this car in such a short period of time. It took north coast two weeks to take my vehicle and they didn't want to give me a loaner car. Also, they have had my vehicle since March 28, 2023 and refuse to disclose of the reconditioning shop of my vehicle. They moved my car from Volkswagen of streetsboro to north coast to another undisclosed location that they won't disclose. Lastly, the car was unsafe for me and my special needs son. He couldn't even ride in my car due to the bad gasoline fumes and I had to ride with the windows down, and come to find out the car could have caught on fire or exploded.

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21 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 03/02/2023

I am continually have issue with my headlights bi-xenon ds3 bulbs going out. I have replaced the ballast and the bulb w oem parts and the issue continues. My day runner led lights work on the passenger side but the hid bulb does not work. I have no low beam. Everything else works. Same issue on drivers side until I replaced the entire housing unit. Regardless both lights do not reflect in distance making it extremely hard to see at night forcing me to have to drive w my fog lights on just to see.

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22 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 03/01/2023

While driving, the following warning will appear “starter system faulty! service vehicle. ” the instrument panel will then shut down entirely, and brake lights, headlights, and blinkers will not work. This can happen anywhere—on the highway traveling at 70 mph at night, for example. When the vehicle is pulled over and turned off, it will restart as normal—but while driving it might shut down again. There are numerous complaints on the internet, in vw forums and elsewhere, and the dealers do not seem to know how to correct the problem because it doesn’t happen all of the time. It is unpredictable. This creates an extraordinarily dangerous situation, and the vehicles should be recalled and vw should correct the issue immediately.

23 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 12/05/2022

Lights coming on by themselves while in park position and draining the battery. Replaced battery 3 times in the last 7 months.

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24 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 11/07/2022

The fuse that controls the exterior lights (tail, marker,etc. ) and interior lights at first interment would blow/burn out. Sometimes after a few days or a few months for the past year. In the past few weeks the fuse blows immediately once replaced. The car was brought to a vw dealer a year ago who changed the fuse and ran a diagnostic. It was brought back 4-5 months later and they again changed the fuse and ran a diagnostic. The second time was not given a slip indicating it was was there for the service and was not charged. While I understand no charge there is no no proof of service. As the fuse controls all the lights the car is dark at night.

25 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 09/01/2022

When going fast real quick the car start to smell like something is burning. My right light isn’t working right.

26 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 08/09/2022

As I was driving, all gauges went black. The vehicle continued to run until I came to a complete stop then the engine stopped. It would start for a few minutes. When it did it would shut down when I put it in gear. After letting it cool down, it started and I was able to get home. It still happens. Sometimes the lights will work when it happens other time they won't. I got it diagnosed and the could find any thing wrong. The check starter system warning comes on as well as ignition switch warning. It seems to happen during hot days.

27 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 07/23/2022

On my recent drive on the 2019 Jetta, I was traveling at a speed of 10-15 miles when all of a sudden the dashboard went blank, including the turn signals, side, and front warning indicators. Though the car continued to be in motion, it was very disturbing to drive without visibility to the dashboard. I had to stop the car in a strip mall and then restart the car at which point the dashboard came on again. This was the second time this happened while the car was in operation. Let me know if other car owners have reported similar issues. I think this is a big safety issue and will get drivers into accidents.

28 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 06/05/2022

Front left headlight has no power going to it. Rear right tail light has no power going to it. Third, brake light has no power going to it. Wind shield washer pump has no power going to it. Both rear doors do not lock. This issue is all connected with each other because it fixed itself. Once and they all came back on together and then it went back out.

29 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 04/25/2022

Issue: 2019 vw Jetta, the problem first occurred at 46,000 miles and has occurred approximately 8 times while in operation both when at a full stop and in motion at speeds from 10 to 50mph. When this happens all electronics shut off, dashboard goes blank, to include turn signals, side and front warning indicators, head lights and brake lights. This appears to happen in elevated outside temperatures. The vehicle will still drive, however without any electronics, lights etc. Vehicle starts up again with full electronics after stopping and restarting engine, usually takes two or three attempts. This has put my safety and drivers around me at risk of accident. I took the vehicle to the vw dealership, they did not observe the problem to my knowledge but said diagnostics indicated the original battery was malfunctioning and needed replacement, which I had done, not by vw. After battery replacement and recoding of electronics according to vw specifications, same issue occurred again two days later. Dashboard warning message, “please check starter system” appears when this failure happens. Also states pull over immediately and address problem. Research online indicates this is a common problem in vw’s and appears to be an electrical switch problem. See attached vw dealership docs.

30 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 03/20/2022

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the headlights and the turn signal lights had failed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the wiring was damaged. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 355,000.

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31 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 11/19/2021

-the front right passenger electrical system that contains the wiring in order for the front headlight and front high beam to function properly suddenly started a short circuit and caused the front passenger light system wiring to catch fire to that part and the parts that surround it. The car is available for inspection at any time. -my safety was put at risk because my vehicle caught fire in a matter of seconds and spread so fast that it was impossible to stop the fire without requesting help of the miami gardens fire department that arrived on the scene as fast as they could a few minutes later. Other vehicles waiting at the traffic light were also put at risk because of the fire, smoke, and the hazardous wastes that could've possibly led to an explosion from the fire spreading over the whole right side of the engine. -the problem hasn't been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer; however, I do have a police report that states that the miami gardens fire department confirmed it was an electrical problem that started the fire and the severity of the damage that they believed was a total loss. The vehicle fire was able to be put out once the miami dade fire rescue got there and managed to stop the fire. The police officer inspected the vehicle once the fire was extinguished and was able to write the police report and gave me the police case #. -there was one warning light on on the driver dashboard that had appeared a week prior to the vehicle catching fire and it was that the front headlight bulb was not working and had to be replaced.

32 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 07/14/2021

Im thinking electrical problems lights windshield wipers air locks windows locks dont work when you turn the car off lights dont go out! there is 6 recalls on this car I need to find out if they have been fixed. It was bought for my daughter and can not give it to her like this.

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33 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 06/10/2021

Dash goes dark a check engine start system comes up. I have no lights inside or outside no turn signals or brake lights no heat, the engine still runs and drives but with the windows not working I cannot use hand signals. I took it to a dealer in bend or they did not fix the problem. It happened again in boise id. That was fun. I called the dealer in bend and have an appointment the end of December does not help if it goes out again. This has happened several times since June? it is happening more and more.

34 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 04/01/2021

The contact's wife owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact's wife started noticing that the passenger’s side headlight had started to dim while driving. His wife took the vehicle to a dealer where she was informed that the passenger’s side headlamp needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 18v671000 (exterior lighting) which he linked to the failure; however, the dealer had informed him that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

35 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta

Failure Date: 01/12/2021

My lights failed abruptly. When driving my car pulls to the right.



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