Last updated: 2026-10-10
Subaru Impreza vs Volkswagen Jetta: Reliability Compared
Subaru Impreza
Volkswagen Jetta
Choosing between the Subaru Impreza and the Volkswagen Jetta? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact sedans.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Volkswagen Jetta currently leads with an average score of 77/100 compared to 74/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Volkswagen Jetta is more reliable than the Subaru Impreza, scoring 77/100 vs 74/100.
Key Differences
- 1Volkswagen Jetta costs $44 less per year to repair
- 2Subaru Impreza has 7 fewer total recalls
- 3Volkswagen Jetta has 7% lower major repair risk
Category Scoreboard
Subaru Impreza vs Volkswagen Jetta: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Subaru Impreza | Volkswagen Jetta |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 74/100 | 77/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 18 | 25 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 4.1 | 3.4 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $653/yr | $609/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 17% | 10% |
| Year Wins | 1 | 8 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Subaru Impreza and Volkswagen Jetta?
| Component | Subaru Impreza | Volkswagen Jetta |
|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 1.2Low | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1.1Low | —None |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.3Very Low | 0.8Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.1Very Low | 0.8Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.3Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.1Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.1Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| VISIBILITY | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| TIRES | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Subaru Impreza vs Volkswagen Jetta Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Subaru Impreza | Volkswagen Jetta | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 81/1000R / 0C | 88/1000R / 0C | Volkswagen Jetta |
| 2025 | 77/1000R / 2C | 81/1000R / 11C | Volkswagen Jetta |
| 2024 | 74/1002R / 23C | 82/1000R / 26C | Volkswagen Jetta |
| 2023 | 74/1002R / 4C | 81/1000R / 34C | Volkswagen Jetta |
| 2022 | 76/1001R / 11C | 77/1001R / 33C | Volkswagen Jetta |
| 2021 | 71/1002R / 14C | 74/1004R / 62C | Volkswagen Jetta |
| 2020 | 74/1001R / 83C | 75/1006R / 48C | Volkswagen Jetta |
| 2019 | 66/1005R / 185C | 58/10011R / 519C | Subaru Impreza |
| 2018 | 69/1005R / 148C | 79/1003R / 27C | Volkswagen Jetta |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2022 Subaru Impreza scored 76/100 and the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta scored 82/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.
Subaru Impreza vs Volkswagen Jetta: Common Questions
- Is the Subaru Impreza more reliable than the Volkswagen Jetta?
- Based on our data, the Volkswagen Jetta is more reliable with an average score of 77/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Subaru Impreza or the Volkswagen Jetta?
- The Volkswagen Jetta has more recalls (25) compared to the Subaru Impreza (18). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Subaru Impreza or the Volkswagen Jetta?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Volkswagen Jetta has a lower complaint rate at 3.4 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 4.1 for the Subaru Impreza. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Subaru Impreza or the Volkswagen Jetta?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Volkswagen Jetta is cheaper to maintain at $609/year versus $653/year for the Subaru Impreza.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Subaru Impreza and Volkswagen Jetta? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How we score the Subaru Impreza and Volkswagen Jetta
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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