Last updated: 2026-03-28
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 76/100 compared to 73/100. 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 76/100 vs 73/100.
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 | 73/100 | 76/100 |
| 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 | 7 |
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 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 2026(predicted) | 75/100(predicted) | 81/100(predicted) | Volkswagen Jetta |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Subaru Impreza scored 77/100 and the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta scored 82/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
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 76/100 compared to 73/100. 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 sold versus 4.1 for the Subaru Impreza. This per-sales normalization 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
More Subaru Impreza comparisons
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
See incorrect data? Report an issue