Interesting, since here in EU the VAG group cars (Seat, Škoda, VW, Audi) are widely perceived as the most reliable and there's a huge amount of people buying nothing else.
Perhaps it's where they are built. I assume most US-bound VWs are from Mexico or US proper due to NAFTA and auto-import regulations.
My 2011 Jetta was built in Hamburg, according to the VIN plate.
I had a 2009 Wolfsburg Jetta 2.0t, assembled in Mexico I believe, that was a complete maintenance nightmare. I got out of it before the timing belt needed to be replaced and purchased a Toyota instead.
Yes, VWs made outside of Germany are basically junk.
As was my German-built Corrado in the 90s.
Of course, is that stopping me from buying another one this year? Nope, it just took me 15 years ago to get over it.