# Volkswagen Jetta power steering warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 13 - **Most complaints:** 2019 (5) - **Related recalls:** 0 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 13 owner complaints about the power steering warning light on the Volkswagen Jetta (2015-2026 models), most for the **2019** model year (5). No recall covers the parts behind this light, so a repair is usually at the owner's cost. Drive to a shop this week: If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. ## Volkswagen Jetta power steering warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the power steering light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 4 | 194 | 2% | | 2016 | 2 | 164 | 1% | | 2017 | 1 | 160 | 1% | | 2019 | 5 | 552 | 1% | | 2022 | 1 | 43 | 2% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Is there a recall for the Volkswagen Jetta power steering warning light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. The Volkswagen Jetta has 32 recalls for other parts in 2015-2026; see the [Volkswagen Jetta page](/vehicles/volkswagen-jetta) or check your VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). ## What Volkswagen Jetta owners report - "EPS engine light on dash. Driver's door widow regulator malfunction for door not going down with one touch. Replaced under warranty. Dealer for VW stated that they would no longer do any brake repairs. Obviously, the material being used for brake materials is cheap and doesn't last. Have had situation with the main..." -- owner of a 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, complaint filed 2024 - "Car engine stalling while driving and failure of the EPS/EPC light comes on When attempted to start the car warning start stop system malfunctioning unable to start at times" -- owner of a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta, complaint filed 2023 - "List: Brake light, Adaptive cruise control, ASC, Power steering lamp, Seat belt lamp and sometimes the seat belt alarm goes off when seat belt is clicked IN!,ABS,Air bag lamp is intermittent,EPC lamp is intermittent. Problems have been confirmed by: Independent auto repair center and Vista VW of Pompano Beach, FL...." -- owner of a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta, complaint filed 2022 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the power steering warning light means The power steering light means the car has detected a fault in the steering assist system, and steering may feel much heavier, especially at low speed and when parking. On most newer cars with electric power steering, a low battery or charging voltage is a common cause. On older cars with hydraulic steering, low fluid or a slipping belt is more likely. You can still steer without assist, but it takes much more effort. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Low battery or charging voltage** (common) 2. **Electric power steering motor or module fault** (common) 3. **Low power steering fluid (hydraulic systems)** (common) 4. **Steering torque or angle sensor fault** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Power steering warning light](/warning-lights/power-steering). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Volkswagen Jetta power steering light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. A repair is usually at the owner's cost unless the car is under warranty. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, since new recalls are added often. ### Which Volkswagen Jetta years have the most power steering light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2016 and 2019 Jetta model years have the most complaints mentioning the power steering warning light, with 5 for 2019. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Volkswagen Jetta with the power steering light on? Drive to a shop this week. If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. If steering becomes heavy, jerky or locks up, or the light is red, pull over and stop driving; have the car towed, because sudden loss of assist at speed or in a tight turn can cause a crash. ### How do I check if my Volkswagen Jetta has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Volkswagen dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Volkswagen Jetta warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/volkswagen-jetta): 10 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/volkswagen-jetta): 35 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/volkswagen-jetta): 14 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/volkswagen-jetta): 110 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/volkswagen-jetta): 22 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/volkswagen-jetta): 14 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/volkswagen-jetta): 9 complaints ## Power steering warning light on other models - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ram-1500): 1061 complaints - [Chevrolet Colorado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-colorado): 810 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ford-explorer): 498 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-silverado): 389 complaints - [Honda Civic](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-civic): 387 complaints - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-cr-v): 362 complaints - [Chrysler Pacifica](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chrysler-pacifica): 252 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-wrangler): 248 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-grand-cherokee): 231 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-accord): 220 complaints ## Volkswagen Jetta - [Volkswagen Jetta specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/volkswagen-jetta) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/volkswagen-jetta Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.