The Volkswagen brand is among the most well-known in the automotive industry, thanks to iconic VW models such as the Beetle, Bus, and Golf. But when it comes to long-term dependability and low maintenance costs, is a Volkswagen a smart buy?
Whether shopping for a new car or a used car, understanding VW’s reliability ratings, warranty, and overall cost of ownership can help you decide if it’s one of the best cars for your needs.
How Reliable are Volkswagen Vehicles?
- What To Know About Volkswagen Reliability
- How Reliable are Volkswagens Compared with Other Brands?
- Most Reliable Volkswagens
- Least Reliable Volkswagens
- Major Volkswagen Recalls
- Do Volkswagens Come with a Good Warranty?
- More on Volkswagen reliability
What To Know About Volkswagen Reliability
Volkswagen’s reliability rating varies depending on the model year and specific Volkswagen models you’re considering. Overall brand reliability is mixed, depending on the source, but VW doesn't feature in our guide to the 10 most reliable car brands.
According to RepairPal.com, Volkswagen’s reliability rating is 3.5 out of 5.0, ranking 12th out of 32 car brands. However, with an average annual repair cost of $676, the Volkswagen brand is slightly above the automotive industry average in that measurement. That’s not an uncommon trait for a German car, though; Volkswagen, along with German brands such as Audi and BMW, tend to have advanced safety features and powertrains that increase complexity and therefore repair costs.
Ratings are vastly different at J.D. Power, where the Volkswagen brand finished last in its latest vehicle dependability study. VW didn’t fare much better with Consumer Reports, placing 26th out of 32 brands for reliability and owner satisfaction.
How Reliable are Volkswagens Compared with Other Brands?
Volkswagen typically lags behind car brands such as Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, and Ford in overall reliability and durability.
New Volkswagen cars have also been regularly criticised for glitchy infotainment systems, which could prompt an unexpected visit to the dealership.
While Volkswagens aren’t the best cars when it comes to reliability, they do shine in other areas. Many VW models provide good fuel efficiency and an excellent driving experience, making them fun-to-drive commuter cars.
Most Reliable Volkswagens
The most reliable new vehicle you’ll find at a VW dealership is the Volkswagen Tiguan compact SUV. According to Consumer Reports, the Tiguan has average reliability, and J.D. Power gives it a score of 81 out of 100 for quality and reliability.
The Volkswagen Jetta compact car has below-average reliability according to Consumer Reports, but the Jetta scores a decent 79 out of 100 in J.D. Power’s evaluation of quality and reliability.
Similarly, the Volkswagen Taos small crossover has a below-average reliability score from Consumer Reports, but J.D. Power gives the Taos an 80 out of 100 for quality and reliability.
Least Reliable Volkswagens
There are many Volkswagen models with poor reliability ratings. The Atlas and the related Atlas Cross Sport midsize SUVs both have below-average reliability according to Consumer Reports and low scores from J.D. Power in the categories of quality and reliability. It’s the same story for other Volkswagen models such as the Golf GTI hatchback and the ID.4 electric vehicle.
The Passat midsize sedan has a higher cost of ownership compared with vehicles such as the Honda Accord. The Volkswagen Beetle also has a higher cost of ownership than other vehicles in its class.
Although Volkswagen isn’t the most reliable car brand, routine maintenance, such as regular oil changes, can improve long-term reliability. There are also many forums dedicated to Volkswagen upkeep.
Major Volkswagen Recalls
In 2025, the Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport were recalled for a loose engine cover that could melt and cause a fire. That recall covered roughly 177,000 vehicles from the 2024 and 2025 model years.
A 2022 recall also covered the Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport. More than 25,000 units of the midsize SUVs were recalled over a production issue that could cause connecting rod bearing failure.
The Volkswagen Jetta compact car and Golf GTI hatchback were recalled in 2024 by the NHTSA to fix a potentially faulty suction jet pump installed in the fuel tank assembly. The recall included 261,000 vehicles, although some of were Audi cars.
Electric vehicles from VW have also been recalled. The NHTSA recalled nearly 100,000 units of the Volkswagen ID.4 because of faulty door handles. It covered vehicles from the 2021 to 2024 model years.
Do Volkswagens Come with a Good Warranty?
New Volkswagen vehicles come with a 4-year/50,000-mile limited warranty, which includes bumper-to-bumper coverage. That’s competitive within the automotive industry.
Volkswagen also offers a 2-year/24,000-mile warranty on its certified pre-owned (CPO) used cars. CPO used cars are available exclusively from a Volkswagen dealership.
More on Volkswagen reliability
For a more in-depth look at the model history and reliability of Volkswagen's most popular cars, check out our individual buying guides:
