2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    key fob and immobilizer

    67 unsafe, 2 broken, 11 annoyance

    80
    incidents
    Typical range: 50,000–80,500 mi

    Median 64,000 mi, based on 122 reports (12% had no usable mileage)

    • "THE KEY CONTINUED TO GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND IT WAS ALSO VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE KEY TO START THE ENGINE. AT ONE POINT, THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED AND COULD NOT TURN THE CAR OFF WHILE MY DAUGHTER HAD IT. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO VW DEALERSHIP AND…"~18,200 mi, complaint #1377516
    • "WHILE IN PARK MY KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT COME OUT. CAR WAS ON AND I TRIED TO TURN IT OFF AND REMOVE THE KEY AS NORMAL BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN FULLY TO THE OFF POSITION OR COME OUT. I EVENTUALLY STALLED MY CAR OUT AS IT IS A MANUAL TO SHUT IT…"~52,000 mi, complaint #1311910
    • "IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN OFF AFTER STARTING CAR. HAVE TO JIGGLE AND TAP ON KEY TO EVENTUALLY GET KEY TO TURN TO THE OFF POSITION. ONCE OUT OF TEN TIMES THE KEY MAY TURN OFF NORMALLY. I HAVE TRIED MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH WHILE TURNING KEY OFF…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1308338
    • "KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND CAR WOULD NOT SHUT OFF AT THE GAS STATION SO THAT I COULD PUT GAS IN THE CAR. AFTER FIGHTING WITH THE KEY FOR ABOUT AN HOUR IT FINALLY CAME OUT. NOW EVERY TIME I NEED TO SHUT OFF THE CAR I HAVE TO FLICK THE KEY REALLY HARD THE…"~82,000 mi, complaint #1382461
    • "THE KEY LOCKS IN THE IGNITION WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING AND IN PARK, WILL NOT DISENGAGE TO TURN THE CAR OFF (STEERING WHEEL NOT LOCKED). I WAS UNABLE TO TURN MY CAR OFF. THIS FIRST OCCURRED WHILE I WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT (NO DANGER). AFTER THE DEALERSHIP…"~913,000 mi, complaint #1227272
  2. #2

    fuel pump

    19 stranded, 24 unsafe, 1 broken

    44
    incidents
    Typical range: 24,500–62,500 mi

    Median 37,000 mi, based on 56 reports (8% had no usable mileage)

    • "VEHICLE ENGINE (JETTA 2.0 TDI) ABRUPTLY STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED; AND HAD DISINTEGRATED IN A FASHION THAT THE DEBRIS HAD CONTAMINATED THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM. FUEL TANK, LINES AND INJECTION S…"~5,421 mi, complaint #1185800
    • "AROUND NOON TIME THIS PAST SATURDAY MY SON WAS RETURNING FROM A NEIGHBORHOOD STORE AND THE CAR STALLED AT THE ROADSIDE ABOUT 1/2 MILE FROM HOME. HE CALLED AND REPORTED THE CEL AND "COIL" LIGHT BLINKING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR, CONF…"~23,350 mi, complaint #997513
    • "THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND DESTROYED THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM OF THE CAR. *TR"~37,000 mi, complaint #1018857
    • "ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014, AT ABOUT 1145 HOURS, I WAS TRAVELING SB I-[REDACTED ADDRESS], IN MURRIETA, CA IN MY 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI, WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL SET AT APPROXIMATELY 77 MILES PER HOUR. WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING, A WARNING LIGHT ON MY DASHB…"~66,200 mi, complaint #1032886
    • "THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE TRAVELING AT 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED, CAUSING THE SHUTDOWN. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA HAD ALREADY ISSUED AN EXTENSION ON THE WARRANTY FOR THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, BUT I'M BEYOND THE MILEAGE OF THE EXTE…"~159,000 mi, complaint #1558857
  3. #3

    engine stall or no start

    6 stranded, 32 unsafe

    38
    incidents
    Typical range: 1,000–59,000 mi

    Median 22,000 mi, based on 52 reports (19% had no usable mileage)

    • "AFTER LESS THAN 3 MINUTES OF OPERATION, THE VEHICLE CAN STALL UNDER A SPECIFIC SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES. THE INCIDENCES (13 AND COUNTING IN 2 MONTHS) ALWAYS OCCUR WHEN IN SECOND OR THIRD GEAR AT ~30-35 MPG. THE DRIVER IS SLOWING DOWN (AS TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT)…"~850 mi, complaint #935090
    • "VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 25 MPH, SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND DIED. *TR *JS"~12,000 mi, complaint #931532
    • "ACCELERATING UP FROM A STOP SIGN VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT. PUSHED ON ACCELERATOR AND VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND WENT INTO LIMP MODE. COULD HAVE RESULTED IN ACCIDENT IF I HAD BEEN MERGING ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND…"~42,000 mi, complaint #1070054
    • "ENGINE WOULD NOT START AFTER STANDING IN COLD WEATHER X 10 DAYS. MOISTURE FROM THE INTAKE AIR CONDENSED & COLLECTED IN THE CHARGE AIR COOLER. THIS MOISTURE THEN FROZE, AND CAUSED BLOCKAGE OF THE INTAKE AIR SYSTEM. TSB ISSUED IN JUNE 2011, AMENDED SEPTEMBER…"~73,092 mi, complaint #1145960
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FIRST TEAM VOLKSWAGEN ([REDACTED ADDRESS], ROANOKE, VA 24019) AT LEAST TWELVE TIMES TO HAVE THE FUEL SYSTEM REPAIRED IN ORD…"~161,316 mi, complaint #1634915
  4. #4

    airbag system

    24 unsafe

    24
    incidents
    Typical range: 48,000–66,500 mi

    Median 50,000 mi, based on 31 reports (21% had no usable mileage)

    • "AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. PRIOR THIS OCCURRENCE A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THAT INDICATED SOOT IN MY FUEL TANK. ONCE THAT PROBLEM WAS SOLVED AFTER FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS FROM USER MANUAL, THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINS ON. THIS OCCUR…"~15,800 mi, complaint #1412770
    • "IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, DEBRIS MAY CONTAMINATE THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING, A SPIRAL WOUND, FLAT CABLE THAT KEEPS THE AIR BAG POWERED WHILE THE STEERING WHEEL IS BEING TURNED. THIS CONTAMINATION MAY TEAR THE CABLE AND RESULT IN A LOSS OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTION T…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1400717
    • ""TAKATA RECALL" "WATER PUMP" I GOT MANY RECALLS ON MY JETTA GLI 2012 . THE LAST RECALL I GOT ON THE MAIL WAS ON NOVEMBER ,2016 FOR THE AIRBAG CONTROL . AFTER I DROPPED MY CAR FOR THE RECALL I PICKED IT UP SAME DAY . I NOTICED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON FOR TH…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1355361
    • "I WAS INJURED IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN MY 2012 VW JETTA WHERE THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED BUT WERE NOT. PEOPLE INCLUDING POLICE AND INSURANCE COMPANIES WERE SURPRISED MY AIR BAGS DID NOT FUNCTION. LOOKING FURTHER INTO THE INCIDENT I FOUND OUT VIA INTERNE…"~68,000 mi, complaint #1560135
    • "THE AIR BAG SENSOR CAME ON DASH AND ALSO STATES AIR BAG OFF FOR PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR."~120,000 mi, complaint #1548351
  5. #5

    other

    11 unsafe, 5 annoyance

    16
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=14, median 68,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER BROKE UNDER NORMAL USE CONDITIONS - FAILED TO RESET FROM "ON" POSITION WITH SIGNAL OPERATIONAL / UNABLE TO TURN OFF SIGNAL - HEADLIGHT HIGH/LOW-BEAM FUNCTION ALSO DISABLED. APPARENT INTERNAL PART FAILURE OR BREAKAGE OF PLASTIC COMPONENTS…"~27,000 mi, complaint #1315024
    • "KEY STUCK IN IGNITION WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING ( STATIONARY ) NOT ABLE TO TURN KEY TO OFF POSITION TO SHUT OFF ENGINE"~54,000 mi, complaint #1397460
    • "UPON RETURNING HOME ON SUNDAY 12/21 AT 3 PM, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM OUR GARAGE. WE OPENED THE GARAGE DOOR TO DISCOVERY MY CAR ON FIRE AND A GARAGE FULL OF SMOKE. WE CALLED 911 AND REQUESTED FIRE ASSISTANCE. WE THEN PROCEEDED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE USING 5 COMME…"~67,000 mi, complaint #1145262
    • "KEY GOT STUCK IN IGNITION AND CAR WILL NOT SHUT OFF. CAR WAS IN PARK ON A FLAT DRIVEWAY. KEY BROKE IN HALF WHILE STILL IN IGNITION. WAS ABLE TO REMOVE KEY WITH PLIERS"~69,000 mi, complaint #1321384
    • "IGNITION SWITCH WON'T TURN OFF WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING"~104,054 mi, complaint #1419055
  6. #6

    wiper and washer

    1 stranded, 10 unsafe, 1 broken, 4 annoyance

    16
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=16, median 56,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WIPER BLADES STOP WORKING AS THE LINKAGES FREEZE UP IN FREEZING COLD WET WEATHER WHEN THERE IS NO EXCESSIVE VISIBLE ICE AT THE BASE OF THE WIPER ARM. THE ONLY SOLUTION SO FAR HAS BEEN TO BRING THE CAR INTO A HEATED SHOP TO UN-FREEZE THE WIPERS. HAPPENS EVERY T…"~17,300 mi, complaint #1030730
    • "WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD (BELOW FREEZING), WHILE DRIVING, AFTER SITTING OUTSIDE OVERNIGHT, OR IN SNOWY CONDITIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FREEZE AND DO NOT WORK UNTIL THE WEATHER WARMS UP, OR THE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN A GARAGE. I LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS OF COLORAD…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1263732
    • "WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS COLD, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON OUR 2012 VW JETTA REFUSE TO ACTIVATE CAUSING A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE DRIVING AND THE TEMPERATURE DROPS. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WARMS BACK UP, THE WIPERS START WORKING AGAIN. I'VE CONT…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1162492
    • "WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE AND THE TEMPERATURE GOES BELOW 20 DEGREES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WARMS UP THE WIPERS START WORKING AGAIN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT IS RAINING OR SNOWING AN I AM UNABLE TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD!"~69,000 mi, complaint #1543298
    • "WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT FUNCTION IN LOW TEMPERATURES. I OWN A 2012 VW JETTA. I FIRST NOTICED THIS DURING THE FIRST SNOWFALL WE HAD. I CLEARED THE VEHICLE OF ALL SNOW AND MADE SURE THAT THE WIPERS WERE NOT FROZEN TO THE WINDSCREEN. GETTING BACK IN THE VEHICLE…"~94,000 mi, complaint #1438035
  7. #7

    engine internal

    1 stranded, 12 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    14
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 55,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "MIDNIGHT, DRIVING BACK FROM A FRIENDS HOUSE. MY 16 MONTH OLD (OR RATHER NEW) JETTA SE 2012, SHAKES UP WHEN I TURN ON IGNITION. I GIVE IT 2-3 SECONDS TO CALM DOWN. IT DOESN'T. INSTEAD, THE EPC LIGHT GOES ON. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. HMM... WEIRD. THOSE WERE…"~7,600 mi, complaint #1067234
    • "TRIED TO START VEHICLE STARTED ONCE THEN STALLED IMMEDIATELY. TRIED A SECOND AND THIRD TIME VEHICLE WOULD JUST CLICK. LET CAR SIT 14 HOURS VEHICLE CLICKED ONCE THEN STARTED AND RAN ROUGH WITH WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF EXHAUST. READ UP ON HARD STARTS AND FOUND…"~37,000 mi, complaint #1147556
    • "MY JETTA DIESEL ENGINE WAS HYDRO-LOCKED DUE TO WATER BEING PULLED INTO THE ENGINE FROM THE INTERCOOLER. VOLKSWAGEN HAS A TSB (TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN) PUBLISHED FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM (FROZEN INTERCOOLER) - YET IS ONLY IMPLEMENTING OR OFFERING THIS TSB T…"~55,600 mi, complaint #1037646
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND THERE WERE METAL FRAGMENTS STUCK IN THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND BATTERY INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1495953
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at 15 mph, the vehicle made a clunking sound then loss motive power without warning. The crankshaft position sensor was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnos…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1761345
  8. #8

    horn

    8 unsafe, 6 annoyance

    14
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 45,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "THE HORN ON THIS VEHICLE BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE AT TIMES. WHEN IT DOES WORK, THE HORN TONE IS VERY LOW AND IS DIFFICULT TO HEAR. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. IT ALSO CONCERNS ME SINCE AN OPERATIONAL HORN IS NEEDED TO PASS THE STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. I HAVE NOT…"~17,000 mi, complaint #1133168
    • "VEHICLE HAS 38,000 MILES, WE'RE THE ORIGINAL OWNER, HORN BECAME INTERMITTENT, THEN STOPPED WORKING. WE TOOK IT TO THE VW DEALER IN BRANDON, FL. THEY SAID THERE'S A RECALL ABOUT TO BE ANNOUNCED IN NOVEMBER THAT WILL COVER THE HORN, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR AN AIRB…"~38,000 mi, complaint #1230770
    • "2012 JETTA TDI. HORN INTERMITTENT AND ABOUT THE SAME TIME MY MOON ROOF STOPPED WORKING. AS A MILITARY MEMBER STATIONED NEAR SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA, I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND SOMEONE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME EVEN THOUGH I WAS A LOW SPEED I STILL HAD TO SMASH ON…"~45,000 mi, complaint #1227484
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE HORN FAILED TO SOUND WHEN IT WAS PRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER (NORTHTOWNE VOLKSWAGEN, 6728 N OAK TRAFFICWAY, KANSAS CITY, MO 64118, [RED…"~73,400 mi, complaint #1468208
    • "I RECENTLY BOUGHT THIS 2012 JETTA AND THE HORN DOES NOT WORK. IT DOES NOT SOUND WHEN YOU LOCK THE DOORS OR HIT THE PANIC BUTTON ON THE KEY PAD. THERE WAS A RECALL ON SOME MODELS FOR THE HORN, BUT MINE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE INCLUDED IN ON THAT RECALL."~92,000 mi, complaint #1592048
  9. #9

    lighting exterior

    8 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    11
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=12, median 60,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "REVERSE LIGHTS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE ARE NOT WORKING WITH 580 MILES ON THE CAR AND AFTER 1 MONTH OF OWNERSHIP. *TR"~580 mi, complaint #924534
    • "BOTH OF THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AS I WAS DRIVING HOME ON A UNLIT HIGHWAY AT NIGHT. THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WORKED WHEN I TURNED OFF THE HEADLIGHTS, AND THE HIGH-BEAM HEADLIGHTS WORKED WHEN I TRIED USING THEM. THE NEXT MORNING I REPLACED BOTH…"~56,000 mi, complaint #1236692
    • "LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS GO OUT EVERY TWO MONTHS. EACH BULB FAILS INDEPENDENTLY WITHIN A WEEK OF EACH OTHER. THE DEALERSHIP HAS CHECKED WIRING, VOLTAGE, AND FIXTURES BUT FOUND NO PROBLEMS. THIS CREATES A SAFETY ISSUES WITHOUT HAVING ANY HEADLIGHTS."~70,000 mi, complaint #1445110
    • "DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT, BOTH LOWBEAM HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS STILL WORKED AS DID THE HIGH BEAMS. I REPLACED ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS WITH A NEW BULD, AND IT STILL DID NOT WORK "~77,456 mi, complaint #1245707
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WOULD NOT SOUND AND THE HEADLAMPS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED, BUT THE HEADLAMPS WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS N…"~95,000 mi, complaint #1368467
  10. #10

    brake hydraulics

    10 unsafe

    10
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=17, median 60,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT HEADED UP HILL. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I RELEASED THE BRAKES & CLUTCH WHILE PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL. MUCH TO MY SURPRISE THIS KILLED THE ENGINE. (I HAVE DRIVEN STICKS SHIFTS FOR 50 YEARS.) THE CAR STOPPED ABRUPTLY. THE CAR BEHIND ME…"~6,500 mi, complaint #1115189
    • "WE WERE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON I-95 SOUTH IN VIRGINIA ON A FAMILY VACATION WITH A THREE YEAR OLD AND A 6 YEAR OLD IN THE VEHICLE. TRAFFIC CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP AND MY WIFE, WHO WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME, SCREAMED THAT THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I IMM…"~20,676 mi, complaint #1042048
    • "WHILE IN MOTION BRAKES WERE ENGAGED TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN. BRAKES "STUCK" AT TOP OF MOTION AND WOULD NOT DEPRESS. HAD TO PUMP AND AFTER PUTTING VEHICLE IN PARK AND THEN DRIVE AGAIN THEY WOULD ENGAGE. USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP ON WAY HOME. FAILURE HAPPENS…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1709986
    • "BRAKES INOP. MAKING HISSING SOUND ABOVE THE BRAKE PEDAL. SOUNDS LIKE PRESSURE IS BEING RELEASED FROM A HOSE. ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN IN MOTION I'VE HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO COME TO A STOP."~62,000 mi, complaint #1533124
    • "I AM MYSTERIOUSLY LOSING BREAK FLUID, YET THERE IS NOT A SINGLE LEAK IN THE CAR. IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE COMPLAINING ABOUT BREAK ISSUES AND HOW THEY SUDDENLY DO NOT WORK UP TO STANDARD. I HOWEVER HAVE ENOUGH KNOW HOW TO AT LEAS…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1600533
  11. #11

    control module

    9 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=16, median 51,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "MY 2012 JETTA WITH DSG AUTOMATIC 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE AN ISSUE OF EVERY 30-50 MILES, THE SERVICE WRENCH WOULD POP ON + CEL AT TIMES. THE CODE CAME UP P0106. AFTER CHECKING WITH DEALER, THEY CLEARED CODE UNDER WARRANTY MANY TIMES AND COULD NOT…"~12,000 mi, complaint #1337834
    • "ENGINE LIGHT AND ECM (ENGINE CONTROL MALFUNCTION) LIGHT BOTH COME ON. HAVE TAKEN THIS NEW CAR IN 6 TIMES IN 2 YEARS, AND THE LIGHTS ARE ON, YET AGAIN. AFTER VW REPLACED SENSORS (FOUR TIMES), AND WIRING (MODULE), AND HARNESS....ALL UNDER WARRANTY, THIS IS STI…"~18,959 mi, complaint #1077416
    • "CANNOT SHUT ENGINE OFF. CANNOT REMOVE IGNITION KEY. *TR"~45,000 mi, complaint #1174693
    • "THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. ALSO REFERRED TO AS THE STEERING COLUMN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE FAILURE ILLUMINATED THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND ALL THE STEERING WHEEL SWITCHES AND HORN STOPPED WORKING. IT WAS JUST OVER THE 50,000 MI W…"~56,000 mi, complaint #1081483
    • "MAP SENSOR - REPEATING FAILURE THE MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE PRESSURE (MAP) SENSOR FAILURE CAUSES EXPONENTIAL SAFETY ISSUES WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS AND/OR HIGHER SPEEDS THAT CAN RESULT IN DEATH. AFTER REPEATED REPLACEMENT AND REPAIRS, CONTINUOUS FAILURE OCCURS. ST…"~170,000 mi, complaint #1537845
  12. #12

    fuel tank and lines

    3 stranded, 3 unsafe, 1 broken, 2 annoyance

    9
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 36,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WHEN FUELING WITH DIESEL, SOME DIESEL PUMP HANDLES DON'T FIT INTO FILL NOZZLE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REFUEL VEHICLE. FUEL WILL SPILLED OVER ONTO PERSON FILLING, GROUND AND VEHICLE. YOU ARE UNABLE TO SAFELY FILL VEHICLE WITHOUT SPILLING FUEL. *TR"~6,000 mi, complaint #921471
    • "RECEIVED A LETTER FROM VOLKSWAGEN AMERICA FOR "SERVICE ACTION CAMPAIGN CODE: 20T8 SUBJECT: CERTAIN 2009-2012 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES WITH TDI CLEAN DIESEL ENGINE INSTALL MISFUELING GUARD MAY 21, 2013" TO INSTALL THE MISFUELING GUARD VW PART #5K0 201 400…"~21,000 mi, complaint #986458
    • "ON 5/31 WE FILLED OUR TDI AFTER GETTING 515 MILES ON OUR PREVIOUS TANK OF FUEL. 5/31 WAS MY LAST DIESEL FILLUP IN MY TDI BEFORE MY ISSUE CAME ABOUT. AT THAT VISIT ON 5/31 WE ADDED 14,207 GALLONS OF FUEL TO OUR 14.5 GALLON TANK. ABOUT 12 DAYS PASSED FROM OUR LA…"~28,800 mi, complaint #985549
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. JIM ELLIS VOLKSWAGEN ([REDACTED ADDRESS], ATLANTA, GA 30341) DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS…"~45,000 mi, complaint #1468597
    • "FUEL LINE LEAK. THIS LEAK IS NOT ONLY OCCURRING IN DIESEL BASED ENGINES. WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED AS IT APPEARED THERE WAS OBVIOUS STRESS ON THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL & THE CAR STRUGGLED TO MAINTAIN MOMENTUM PRIOR TO THE STALL.…"~89,000 mi, complaint #1596475
  13. #13

    tire failure

    1 stranded, 8 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 52,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "DRIVING BACK FROM THE BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT ON 20/59 WEST TO TUSCALOOSA DRIVING 68 MPH IN A LEASED 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK OPTIMO H725A TIRES, LINE SIZE 205/55R16 91H, DOT# 1GRP DY H2 THE VEHICLE STARTING PULLING HARD LEFT. I DECELERATED TO PU…"~7,522 mi, complaint #951067
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK TIRES, TIRE LINE: OPTIMO H725A, TIRE SIZE: P205/55/R16 AND DOT NUMBER: 1GRPDYH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WALL WAS SEPARATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER.…"~47,500 mi, complaint #1160200
    • "CONTI PRO CONTACT (CONTINENTAL TIRE): THE TIRES CAME INSTALLED ON A 2012 VW JETTA 2.5 LE. AT 27,000 MILES THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE PROBLEM WAS A TORN SIDEWALL. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH ANOTHER CONTI PRO CONTACT. AT 53,216 MILES THE F…"~53,216 mi, complaint #1033419
    • "AT THE TIME OF A ROUTINE TIRE ROTATION, IT WAS NOTICED THE INSIDE OF 3 TIRES WERE SPLIT. ONE OF THESE SPLITS WAS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH THAT THE TIRE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED NOT DRIVING FURTHER. THE TREAD ON THE TIRES AND OUTSIDE SURFACE WAS STILL IN GOOD CONDITIO…"~65,500 mi, complaint #1184803
    • "THIS VEHICLE CAME FROM THE MANUFACTURER WITH DUNLOP SP SPORT 01 A TIRES (225/40R18) (AUGUST 2012 PURCHASE). WITHIN NINE MONTHS (8800 MILES) TWO TIRES DEVELOPED SIDEWALL BUBBLES. AFTER CONTACTING DUNLOP, THEY REPLACED TWO TIRES ST NO CHARGE. AT THAT TIME, T…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1499392
  14. #14

    transmission automatic

    1 stranded, 8 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=12, median 15,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "VOLKS [REDACTED ADDRESS] SPEED OF APPROX 55-60 MPH, WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO COME OUT OF GEAR, ENGINE REVVED AND TACHOMETER RED-LINED, VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW, BUT OBVIOUSLY NOT LOOSE POWER AS EVIDENCED BY TACHOMETER AND HIGH RPM'S ON…"~15,000 mi, complaint #946887
    • "I HAVE A "2012 VW JETTA SE 2.5L AUTO PZEV" THAT AT AROUND 90,110 MILES EXPERIENCED A SHIFT LEVER FAILURE ON 07/17/2019 AT AROUND 4:50 PM CST. THE PHYSICAL LOCKING MECHANISM OF THE SHIFT LEVER FAILED, AND IT WAS POSSIBLE TO ACCIDENTALLY SHIFT INTO DIFFERENT SEL…"~90,110 mi, complaint #1585799
    • "90K MILES TRANSMISSION AND TRANS AXEL WENT"~91,000 mi, complaint #1461120
    • "I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY OF 2019. SINCE THEN THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD WHEN SWITCHING INTO GEARS. I DROVE THIS CAR WHILE HAVING MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR WHEN THE CAR VERY VIOLENTLY SWITCHED IN AND OUT OF GEARS. IT WAS VERY SCARY!…"~124,000 mi, complaint #1625179
    • "JUST BOUGHT THIS VECHILE USED, WITH 136K MILES. ON INITIAL DRIVE, WHICH LASTED AROUND 30 MINUTES, EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. NOW IT'S ALMOST LIKE ITS SLIPPING GEARS AND SLAMMING WHEN IT DOWN SHIFTS COMING TO A STOP. OBVIOUSLY CAME WITH NO WARRANTY, DIDN'T THINK I…"~136,466 mi, complaint #1686165
  15. #15

    abs module

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "WHEN STARTING MY 2012 VW JETTA, THE ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON ON THE DASHBOARD ALONG WITH A LONG BEEPING SOUND. THE SOUND EVENTUALLY STOPS BUT THE LIGHTS STAY ON. VEHICLE IS TRYING TO RUN THROUGH DIAGNOSTICS UPON STARTING (VEHIC…"~63,000 mi, complaint #1713817
    • "MISCOMMUNICATION FROM COMPUTER TO ABS SYSTEM CAUSING THE ABS TO ENGAGE WHEN BRAKING NORMALLY DRIVING UP TO AN INTERSECTION CAUSING VEHICLE TO NOT STOP WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE."~64,000 mi, complaint #1702010
    • "THE CAR HAS UNDER 70,000 MILES. THE CAR NEEDS A NEED VACUUM PUMP AND ABS MODULE!!!!!!! ABS MODULE IS $2,200 DOLLARS AT THE DEALERSHIP. HOW DOES THAT BRAKE SO SOON ON A CAR?"~70,000 mi, complaint #1642774
    • "TL* THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT START-UP THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANCIRA VOLKSWAGEN IN SAN ANTONIO LOCATED AT [REDACTED ADDRESS], SAN ANTONIO, TX 78238, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONT…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1673278
  16. #16

    transmission manual clutch

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 75,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WHEN MAKING A BROKEN U-TURN IN AN ATTEMP TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE GOT STUCK IN REVERSE AND WOULD NOT SHIFT TO PARK OR DRIVE. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN REVERSE, ONCE THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO RE-START. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED…"~3,645 mi, complaint #964421
    • "WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE YOU PUSH THE TRANSMISSION DOWN, LEFT AND UP ALMOST LIKE YOU ARE SHIFTING INTO 1ST (ONLY DIFFERENCE IS 1ST YOU DON'T PUSH DOWN). TODAY, AND MULTIPLE TIMES PREVIOUSLY IT SEEMS TO NOT IN REVERSE, BUT ALSO NOT IN 1ST (ALMOST LIKE IT'S BE…"~62,333 mi, complaint #1656793
    • "THE THROW OUT BEARING SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AS I WAS GOING 80 MPH DOWN THE FREEWAY, TO REPLACE IT I DISCOVERED THAT THE SWAY BARS END LINKS WERE RUSTED SOLID AND THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN DONE 6 TIMES AND BROKEN EVERY TIME BUT THIS LAST TIME WITHIN A MONT…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1676984
    • "5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER ONLY 80,200 MILES. UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, ACCELERATING AFTER A STOP, THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE "CLUNK" SOUND AFTER SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, AND THEN A CONTINUOUS LOUD RATTLING SOUND IN ALL THE GEARS 2ND-5…"~80,200 mi, complaint #1394748
    • "KEY STUCK IN IGNITION, UNABLE TO TURN OFF ENGINE ONLY BY RELEASING THE CLUTCH IN FIRST GEAR. PROBLEM HAPPENS ALL THE TIME BUT I HAVE BEEN ABLE WIGGLE IT OUT, HOWEVER NOW ITS STUCK FOR SURE!"~141,000 mi, complaint #1390493
  17. #17

    engine cooling

    3 stranded, 3 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "AFTER STOPPING THE CAR, THE COOLING FAN REMAINS ON, AND THE ENGINE SEEMS INAPPROPRIATELY HOT, YET I HAD NOT DRIVEN THAT FAR. IDEAS RANGE FROM A BLOCKED RADIATOR, A POOR THERMOSTAT? THE COOLANT HAD BEEN CHANGED. HAS ANYONE ELSE REPORTED A SIMILAR PROBLEM? IT WA…"~36,000 mi, complaint #1478385
    • "I HAD TWO NO START CONDITIONS DUE TO A FROZEN INTER COOLER. THIS HAPPENED IN JANUARY A WEEK APART. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN THE GARAGE."~44,000 mi, complaint #1260384
    • "I BOUGHT THE CAR IN OCTOBER 2017 AND HAD TO BRING IT BACK FEW DAYS LATER BECAUSE THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING. THEY FIXED IT AND COUPLE WEEKS LATER I HAD TO REPLACE THE HEATER CORE COUPLINGS BECAUSE THEY WERE LEAKING. NOW IN THE BEGINNING OF DECEMBER 2017 I WAS…"~82,548 mi, complaint #1454969
    • "COOLANT CAME THEN WENT OFF AFTER SHUTTING OFF CAR TURNING BACK THEN 3DAYS LATER ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING PULLED OVER TURNT CAR OFF TURNED ON AFTER 5 MINS ENGINE LIGHT CUT OFF. 2 DAYS LATER ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. *TR"~89,934 mi, complaint #1342935
    • "CAR RAN HOT FIRST TIME AIR CONDITIONING GOT HOT CAR WAS GOING ANY FASTER WITH SMOKE FROM ENGINE. NO INDICATOR AT ALL CAR WAS RUNNING HOT. DEALERSHIP STATED THE BLOCK MESS UP. ADJUSTER CAME STATED THEROMAST WHICH NOT COVER WARRANTY FOR MY CAR. WHY WAS I NEVER A…"~92,234 mi, complaint #1679777
  18. #18

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 unsafe, 5 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 20,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I WENT ON A ROAD TRIP PRIOR TO THIS VISIT, AND HAD A SCARY ISSUE WITH MY CAR WHERE IT HESITATED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING, IT WAS HESITATING LIKE IT WAS OUT OF GAS BUT I JUST FILLED IT UP WITH OF COURSE THE RECOMMENDED GAS WHICH IS DIESEL. AFTER A COUPLE OF…"~9,058 mi, complaint #1061890
    • "ONCE AGAIN I HAD TO WASTE MORE SCHOOL TIME AND GAS MONEY, AFTER MY LAST 20K VISIT ON MY CAR THE NOISE WAS DRIVING ME MORE AND MORE INSANE, I TRIED IGNORING THE ISSUE AND TURNING THE MUSIC UP, BUT THE NOISE HAD STARTED TO PROGRESSIVELY GETTING TO THE POINT WHER…"~19,504 mi, complaint #1061886
    • "AFTER MY LAST VISIT WITH THE A/C, I MAYBE THOUGHT THAT THIS DEALER SHIP WOULD HELP ME OUT (VW EL CAJON) UNLIKE (VW KEARNY). I HAD TOLD THEM WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON WITH THIS RUMBLING NOISE THAT HAD STARTED OFF FAINT BUT NOW IS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE AND IS…"~19,967 mi, complaint #1061878
    • "AFTER A NEW ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN IN THE SAME GENERAL AREA OF THE ISSUE WITH MY CAR THAT HAD BEEN HAPPENING PRETTY MUCH SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR. THE NOISE THAT HAS BEEN OCCURRING NOW AT THIS POINT, IS STILL THE SAME RUMBLING, THROBBING NOISE (SIMILAR TO A BEAR…"~25,011 mi, complaint #1061883
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE ENGINE MADE A HUMMING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUF…"~59,600 mi, complaint #1463047
  19. #19

    power windows and locks

    3 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO LOCK AND/OR UNLOCK WITH KEY FOB OR LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTONS IN THE CABIN (BEGAN APPROX 6/20/2018 AT APPROX 43,000 MILES). MUST USE THE KEY IN EXTERIOR KEY HOLE TO MANUALLY LOCK OR UNLOCK, BUT WHILE KEY IS IN THE IG…"~43,000 mi, complaint #1527409
    • "FOR THIS YEAR OF JETTA THE DOORS LOCK AROUND 10 MILES AN HOUR. MINE DOES NOT LOCK. THE DOORS WILL KEEP ATTEMPTING TO LOCK WITH NO SUCCESS. IF YOU GO ON A LONG TRIP AND SLOW DOWN TO THE 10 MPH RANGE THEY WILL TRY TO LOCK AGAIN. THE DOOR ALSO DOES NOT LOCK WHEN…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1155876
  20. #20

    wiring harness

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 63,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MILES AN HOUR AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING AND ALL POWER. WITHOUT POWER STEERING IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GET ALL THE WAY OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND TO THE NEAREST VW DEAL…"~14,364 mi, complaint #957534
    • "THE FIRST TIME MY RADIO CAUGHT ON FIRE, IT WAS THE SUMMER OF 2014. MY CAR WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT WHILE I WAS AT WORK. WHEN I ENTERED THE CAR TO DRIVE HOME, I TURNED STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS A EXTREMELY LOUD SOUND, MUCH LIKE AN EXPLOSION. THE MIDD…"~35,000 mi, complaint #1216184
    • "CAR'S FUSE # 6 KEEPS BLOWING WHICH CONTROLS THE BACK LIGHTS THAT TURNS ON AT NIGHT, WHEN FUSE BLOWS LIGHTS ON BACK GO OUT AND CARS BEHIND YOU CAN'T SEE YOU AND MAY CAUSE A COLLISION WHERE SERIOUS INJURY AND DEATH MAY RESULT. I THINK THIS AN ENGINEERING FLAW WH…"~62,000 mi, complaint #1281173
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he noticed a burning odor and smoke coming from the vents into the cabin of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated…"~122,000 mi, complaint #1864890
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that for the past eight months, the contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition. Several warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that to start the vehicle, the contact had to p…"~131,260 mi, complaint #2112517
  21. #21

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    4 unsafe, 1 broken

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "RH REAR SEAT RETRACTABLE BELT FROZE AND WAS INOPERABLE. WHEN RH REAR SEAT WAS IN THE FULLY FLAT FOLDED POSITION, THE INERTIA PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT LOCATED INSIDE THE SEAT BACK FROZE AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. WHILE THERE WAS NO PASSENGER AND THE BELT WAS NOT…"~11,900 mi, complaint #964533
    • "LH REAR SEAT BELT AND REAR CENTER SEAT BELT RECEPTACLES CAN BE DAMAGED BY FOLDING REAR SEAT INTO THE FULLY FLAT POSITION AS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL. WHEN FOLDED TO FULLY FLAT POSITION THERE IS INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN FLOOR AND FOLDED SEAT BACKS.…"~35,600 mi, complaint #964535
    • "MY FIRST CONCERN IS THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT WILL NOT STOP MAKING AN ALARM NOISE. MY SEAT BELT IS PLUGGED IN, AND THE ALARM WILL NOT STOP AND THE DASHBOARD VIEWS IT AS UN PLUGGED AS WELL. CLEARLY, IT WAS PLUGGED IN. I TRIED TO TAKE IT OUT, INSERTING IT BACK…"~38,000 mi, complaint #1275148
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OUTER CASE WHERE THE SEAT BELT LATCHED WAS CRACKED AND PREVENTED THE SEAT BELT FROM SECURING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELT NEEDED TO…"~51,000 mi, complaint #1203192
    • "REAR SEAT BELT HOUSINGS BROKEN, REAR SEAT CENTER LOCATION WHERE TWO HOUSINGS ARE CO-LOCATED. ONE OF THE TWO HOUSINGS DOES NOT LATCH THE BELT CLIP RENDERING THIS SEAT LOCATION USELESS AS THE OCCUPANT WILL NOT HAVE A WORKING SEAT BELT. USING A CALIPER THE HOUSIN…"~51,000 mi, complaint #1236222
  22. #22

    starter

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "WHEN I DROVE HOME AT 7PM ON WEDNESDAY, I STOPPED THE CAR AND SHIFTED TO PARK. BUT I COULDN'T TURN THE KEY OFF FROM IGNITION. THE KEY WAS JUST LOCKED IN THE ON POSITION AND THE ENGINE JUST KEPT RUNNING. I DROVE AROUND AND TRIED IT AGAIN. BUT I STILL COULDN'T SH…"~35,910 mi, complaint #1058285
    • "WHILE PULLING INTO INTERSECTION, IGNITION QUIT. TOW TRUCK DRIVER RESTARTED VEHICLE. DEALER FOUND FAULT WITH ELECTRONIC IGNITION. REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH. "~56,500 mi, complaint #1116948
    • "UNABLE TO TURN KEY TO TURN OFF IGNITION. CAR IS IN THE VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE CENTER FOR THE THREE WEEKS FOR REPAIR."~87,000 mi, complaint #1683243
    • "UNABLE TO TURN VEHICLE ENGINE OFF. IGNITION SWITCH IS STUCK IN THE RUN POSITION AND WILL NOT TURN TO OFF POSITION WITHOUT BREAKING KEY OFF IN THE IGNITION. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND REPAIR COST OVER 700…"~91,000 mi, complaint #1618226
  23. #23

    steering column

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "CAR IGNITION WILL NOT TURN OFF. WAS TOLD BY A DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK AND SHEER BOLTS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR"~45,000 mi, complaint #1095076
    • "STEERING COLUMN LOCK HOUSING - KEY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE OR STUCK IN THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK HOSING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED"~80,000 mi, complaint #1465032
    • "I WAS HAVING TROUBLES TURNING MY CAR OFF IN DECEMBER 2015. THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE ON POSITION AND NO MATTER WHAT I DID, I COULDN'T REMOVE IT. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD TO BRING MY CAR IN IMMEDIATELY. THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK HOUSING.…"~149,000 mi, complaint #1468710
  24. #24

    steering rack mechanical

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 66,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "NO WARNING OR DRIPS IN THE DRIVEWAY. STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING, STARTED MAKING NOISE WHEN TURNING. TOOK TO THE DEALER THAT NIGHT. REQUIRED STEERING RACK REPLACEMENT. NO POWER STEERING FLUID WAS FOUND. SEE ATTACHED."~33,700 mi, complaint #1325510
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REMAIN IN POSITION AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE MOVED TO THE OPPOSITE POSITION WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE LEFT AND THE STEERING WHEEL S…"~53,000 mi, complaint #1268926
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD IN A JERKING MOTION WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED PER A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO…"~66,000 mi, complaint #1323762
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION KEY CEASED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START IMMEDIATELY. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND FAILED TO…"~125,000 mi, complaint #1746918
  25. #25

    door latch and hinge

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "COULD NOT OPEN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR DUE TO FROZEN ICE INSIDE THE HINGED SPACE BETWEEN DOOR AND FENDER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORTHTOWN VOLKSWAGEN IN BUFFALO AND THEY REFUSED TO HONOR ANY WARRANTY SOLUTION. THERE WAS A BULLETIN ON THIS EXACT ISSUE. DEA…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1205970
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LATCH FAILED AND THE DOOR COULD NOT BE CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DORSCHEL VOLKSWAGEN ([REDACTE…"~107,000 mi, complaint #1577684
    • "DOOR LATCH FAILED MID-DRIVE AND MY DOOR FLEW WIDE OPEN MID-TURN. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. IF THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, I WOULDN'T BOTHER POSTING THIS. BUT IF YOU USE A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH, THIS IS AN ISSUE VOLKSWAGEN WIDE. NOT ISOLATED TO THE JETTAS, NOT EVEN…"~112,000 mi, complaint #1512268
  26. #26

    driveshaft axle cv

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "VEHICLE HAS VIBRATION OVER 50 MPH. IT IS FELT THROUGH OUT CAR. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO DIAGNOSE, DEALER STATES THAT ITS CHARACTERISTIC. I HAVE TESTED SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME LINEAGE AND DISAGREE. IT IS EITHER DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL OR OUTER AXLE FAIL…"~12,013 mi, complaint #930272
    • "THERE IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW IN THE REAR AXLE OF THIS VEHICLE WHEREBY ROAD DEBRIS CAN STRIKE THE AXLE CAUSING IT TO BEND. I THINK THE DESIGN FLAW IS TWO-FOLD. 1. THE AXLE IS PLACED IN SUCH A MANNER THAT IT IS TOTALLY UNPROTECTED FROM ROAD DEBRIS. 2. THE…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1246728
  27. #27

    fuel injector

    1 stranded, 3 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "2013-07-19 - DRIVING AT 25MPH, ENGINE BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE, ERROR LIGHT COMES ON, ENGINE STOPS COMPLETELY, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE POWER, WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SIDE STREET. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. VW SERVICE TEAM MANAGER ASSERTS…"~10,857 mi, complaint #996701
    • "(THIS CAR IS A JETTA TDI DIESEL, TDI OPTION IS NOT AVAILABLE IN PULL-DOWN LIST ABOVE) AFTER EXITING HIGHWAY, I SMELLED DIESEL FUEL. PARKED AT DESTINATION AND OBSERVED FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDER HOOD AND POOLING ON GROUND. TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED & WAS TOLD TO G…"~26,700 mi, complaint #991839
    • "I HAVE A 2012 JETTA TDI THAT IS NOW JUST OUT OF BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY, EXCEPT THE 10YR/120K COVERAGE EXTENDED ON THE KNOWN POORLY DESIGNED HPFP (INVESTIGATED IN NHTSA ACTION PE10034). I DO A FUEL FILTER CHANGE EARLY 15K FROM THE LAST DEALER CHANGE AT 4…"~44,500 mi, complaint #1212967
  28. #28

    sunroof

    3 unsafe, 1 broken

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 55 IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, (AROUND 9:15AM CT ON JUNE 26, 2013) TOWARDS RIVERSIDE DRIVE (DOWNTOWN MEMPHIS) WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD BOOM/CRASH SOUND ON THE ROOF OF MY VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (2012, WHICH I OWNED FO…"~15,900 mi, complaint #989398
    • "MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING EAST BOUND ON C470, IN ENGLEWOOD COLORADO, TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED BETWEEN 60-65 MPH WHEN AN EXTREMELY LOUD EXPLOSION OCCURRED. WE INITIALLY THOUGHT WE WERE BEING SHOT AT OR SOMETHING FELL OUT OF THE SKY. THERE WAS BROKEN GLASS…"~49,000 mi, complaint #1560317
    • "MY SUNROOF EXPLODED AND MY FRONT RIGHT DAY LIGHT BULB HAD MELTED AND NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE CONNECTOR."~87,000 mi, complaint #1420457
    • "AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE 78 WEST BOUND FREEWAY, IT SOUNDED LIKE A LOUD EXPLOSION. I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED AND SHATTERED. IT JUST BLEW UP WITH NO EXPLANATION, NOTHING HIT IT."~112,000 mi, complaint #1652647
  29. #29

    throttle and pedal

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=12, median 82,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORT WAGON TDI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AND STEERING COLUMN COMPUTER CH…"~7,281 mi, complaint #1033548
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EPC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND EACH TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED. THE CONTACT H…"~92,000 mi, complaint #1212784
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC POWER CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT MERGED THE VEHICLE TO THE ROAD SHOULDER TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE ENGINE W…"~97,000 mi, complaint #1393903
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while turning into the parking lot at the residence, with a foot on the brake pedal, the contact was unaware that the vehicle was still in drive and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that th…"~155,000 mi, complaint #1758999
  30. #30

    ac compressor and refrigerant

    3 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I HAD TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO A NEW VW IN EL CAJON, WHERE I HAD A NEW ISSUES POP UP WITH MY A/C. MY A/C WAS NOT BLOWING AS COLD AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. WHEN DRIVING I WOULD NOTICE MY A/C GO FROM COLD TO WARM A LOT. IT WOULD RANDOMLY DO IT ALL THROUGHOUT THE DAY, I…"~16,312 mi, complaint #1061876
  31. #31

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "UPON ENTERING AN ON-RAMP AND ALSO ACCELERATING AROUND A TURN, EXPERIENCED NO RESPONSE TO DEPRESSION OF GAS PEDAL. BASICALLY CAR HAD SERIOUS LAG BEFORE TAKING OFF. WORRIED ABOUT SAFETY ISSUE WHEN TRYING TO GET OUT OF SOMEONE'S WAY. VERY UNPREDICTABLE IN OCCU…"~1,000 mi, complaint #896175
    • "WHEN STARTING FROM A FULL STOP IN DRIVE MODE "D" I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR RESPONDED WITH ALMOST ZERO POWER TO ACCELERATE. IT JUST ROLLED FORWARD AS THOUGH I WASN'T PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR AT ALL MOVING 1 TO 2 MPH. AFTER 5 SECONDS OF PRESSING THE…"~11,000 mi, complaint #1048650
    • "I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AT 3 AM I JUMPED ON THE FREEWAY AND MY VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION AND STARTED SPUTTERING BACK AND FORTH I WAS ABLE TO PULL ASIDE TO GET AWAY FROM THE FREEWAY THE CAR THEN SPED UP ON ITS OWN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE PEDAL TO SEE IF I COULD…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1638487
  32. #32

    battery and charging

    2 stranded, 1 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "CAR WAS ONLY UNDER MY POSSESSION FOR ONE YEAR AND SEVEN MONTHS... IT WAS LEASED BRAND NEW . 3/25/14-WHEN GOT INTO THE CAR TO GO TO WORK, CAR WOULD NOT START. DISCOVERED IT HAD NO BATTERY POWER. HORN STOPPED WORKING. PREVIOUS TO THIS, WEEK BEFORE THERMOSTAT L…"~14,363 mi, complaint #1059041
    • "CAR WONT START AFTER YOU SHUT IT OFF. REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE AND THE ALTERNATOR THREE TIMES IN THREE DAYS. NO CHARGE FROM THE ALTERNATOR TO THE BATTERY. HAD IT TESTED THE BATTERY IS GOOD BUT STILL SHOWING A BAD ALTERNATOR. REPLACED ALL THE FUSES AS WELL.…"~112,103 mi, complaint #1316390
  33. #33

    brake pads and rotors

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "WHILE DRIVING (SECONDARY ROADS, SUBURBS) NOTICED 'SPONGY' BRAKE FEEL AND STRANGE SOUND FROM LEFT REAR. WHEN I GOT HOME (AFTER ABOUT 15 MIN OF DRIVING), LEFT REAR DISC WAS GLOWING ORANGE/YELLOW AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE WHEEL. HAD REAR PADS REPLACED/RESET…"~44,000 mi, complaint #1223117
    • "LEFT REAR CALIPER IS SEIZING, WONT LET GO OF CALIPER. MECHANIC SAYS THE CALIPER HAS RUSTED SHUT AFTER ONLY 45,000 MILES AND HE SEES THEM ALL THE TIME ON VW VEHICLES. *TR"~45,000 mi, complaint #1156105
    • "2012 JETTA WAGON - WHILE DRIVING ON A RECENTLY PAVED HIGHWAY (EG. SEEMINGLY PRISTINE ASPHALT), MY WIFE AND I NOTED A STRANGE VIBRATION SENSATION IN OUR CAR. THERE WAS NO DRAG, VEERED STEERING, ABNORMAL HANDLING, OR WARNING ON THE DASH. WE HAD ACCELERATED TO…"~49,195 mi, complaint #1216466
  34. #34

    emissions aftertreatment

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated he smelled a strong odor of carbon dioxide inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test however, no failure was found. The vehicle was then taken to an independent me…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1866180
    • "GLOW PLUG LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR LOOSES POWER GOING DOWN THE ROAD. DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THAT IT IS CAUSED BY A FAULTY DPF ( COVERED UNDER WARRANTY) THAT IS NOT AVAILABLE AND RENDERS THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH CUSTOMER CARE AND…"~121,000 mi, complaint #1663856
  35. #35

    engine turbo supercharger

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "THE TURBO ON MY 2012 JETTA SPORTWAGON HAS FAILED AT 89,000 MILES AND VW WOULD NOT FIX IT. IT COST ME $3000 TO FIX. THE PARTICULATE FILTER WAS DIRTIED AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE AND VW WILL NOT REPLACE IT. IT WILL COST ME $2000 TO FIX IT. I WANT FULL VALUE…"~89,000 mi, complaint #1288087
  36. #36

    suspension struts shocks

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "BOTH FRONT COULD SPRINGS BROKE AT 45000 MILES. NO RECALL BUT CLEARLY OTHERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. COST TO REPLACE WAS JUST UNDER $500 AS THE STRUTS WERE COMPROMISED WHEN SPRINGS BROKE. THERE WAS NOT INDICATION OF WHEN THEY BROKE AND WE WERE LUCKY OUR MECHANIC…"~45,000 mi, complaint #1422040
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 50 MPH, THE DRIVER HEARD A BANGING SOUND EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE JOLTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SCOTT VOLKSWAGEN ([REDACTED ADDRESS], EAST PROVIDENCE, RI 02914) WHERE IT WAS DIA…"~135,000 mi, complaint #1388562
  37. #37

    timing belt or chain

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "MY 2012 JETTA GLI TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED, LUCKILY MINE FAILED AT AS I STARTED UP MY CAR IN MORNING, BECAUSE IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ON THE ROAD NOT ONLY WOULD IT HAVE CAUSED MORE DAMAGE TO MY ENGINE, BUT IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED SOME ACCIDENTS. AFTER HAVING…"~58,000 mi, complaint #1409144
    • "MY COSINE AND I HAVE A 2012 AND A 2013 VW. JETTA THAT HAS AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. HIS FIRST. P0011 CODE. THE SYMPTOMS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE ENGINE HAS A HARD START CONDITION, REDUCTION IN FUEL MILEAGE, THE ENGINE RUNS ROUGH, HESITATE, OR STALL. P0011…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1446087
    • "2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI 2.0 TURBO ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION WAS MISFIRING CAUSING SPEED REDUCTION WITHOUT NOTICE, RUNNING ROUGH WHILE AT AN IDLE AND WOULD RATTLE UNDER LOAD ASCENDING A HILL. DEALERSHIP SERVICE MEMBER SAID THE TENSIONER CHAIN WAS AB…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1423663
  38. #38

    transmission cvt

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE NEW ALMOST 3 YEARS AGO, IT HAS VERY OCCASIONALLY EXHIBITED A HESITATION DURING ACCELERATION FROM A STOP. IT IS A TDI VERSION WITH THE AUTOMATED MANUAL DSG TRANSMISSION. UP TILL NOW, IT HAS BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO INDUCE ON COMMAND, MAK…"~12,000 mi, complaint #1159958
    • "THE VEHICLE TENDS TO STUTTER, LURCH, OR HESITATE AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS HAS CAUSED SEVERAL DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE INTO ANOTHER LANE OR ONTO THE ROAD FROM A DRIVEWAY. THE DEALER HAS INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS NORMAL BEHAVIOR FOR THEDSG…"~27,000 mi, complaint #1115566
    • "THE CVT TRANSMISSION IS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT NISSAN FIXED UP TO THE 2010 MODELS UP TO 120000 BUT CONTINUED TO MANUFACTURE THEM AND THE 2012 MODELS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. I AM DISAPPOINTED IN THE LACK OF RECALL DUE TO THIS ISSUE BEING SO PREVALENT ON INTERNET."~85,000 mi, complaint #1633963
  39. #39

    brake booster

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP ON AN INCLINE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THERE WAS A TWO SECOND DELAYED RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC HILL START ASSISTANCE FEATURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUM…"~9,000 mi, complaint #1181911
  40. #40

    glass and windshield

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT WARRANT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN EXPLAINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE RESULT OF A ROCK STRIKING THE GLASS. THE MANUFACTURER…"~12,000 mi, complaint #957052
    • "I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THIS AFTERNOON GOING 70 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN, MY MOTHER AND I HEARD A LOUD BOOM, IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. GLASS FROM THE SUNROOF SUDDENLY COVERED US, THE FRONT SEATING AREA AND THE BACK SEAT. WE WERE THE ONLY CAR IN THE HIGHW…"~70,249 mi, complaint #1032581
  41. #41

    mirror

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The passenger mirror on my car was fine while I was driving to work and then when I went to change lanes I looked over in the mirror was black and had melted from it being a heated mirror I’m guessing but then I can’t see anything out of the mirror so it is a…"complaint #1873810
    • "I PURCHASED A NEW VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI IN 2012. I AM UNABLE TO ADJUST THE LEFT OUTSIDE MIRROR SO THAT IT DOES NOT HAVE A BLIND SPOT. THAT BLIND SPOT ALLOWS A CAR SLOWLY PASSING IN THE LEFT LANE TO BE OUT OF VIEW OF THE INSIDE MIRROR BUT NOT YET IN VIEW OF T…"complaint #921136
  42. #42

    parking brake

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND PARKED WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL AWAY. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE NEEDED TO BE ACTIVATED EVERY TIME THE…"~96,000 mi, complaint #1601898
    • "I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE BACK IN SEPTEMBER 2019 FOR AN ISSUE INVOLVING THE PARKING BRAKE UN-STICKING AND HAVING THE POTENTIAL TO ROLL AWAY AND CRASH. I HAVE STILL NOT BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT A POTENTIAL REMEDY AND FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING MY CAR."~119,000 mi, complaint #1627538
  43. #43

    power steering hydraulic

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING SO BADLY THAT FLUID MUST BE ADDED BEFORE DRIVING CAR."~35,000 mi, complaint #1355257
    • "ON THE AFTERNOON OF APRIL 30TH, 2014 WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDEAL AT A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLES POWER STEERING AND A/C GAVE OUT. AFTER INSPECTING THE ENGINE, IT WAS DETERMINED THE BELT TENSONER BROKE DUE TO A FAULTY BOLT THAT SHOULD'VE SECURED THIS PART. THIS IN…"~46,206 mi, complaint #1062759
  44. #44

    steering electric assist

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I TOOK MY JETTA TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND THE MECHANIC WENT TO MOVE MY CAR IN THE BAY AND COULD NOT GET IT TURNED OFF. I HAD TO HAVE IT MOVED TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER TO WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A FAULTY IGNITION AND VOLKSWAGEN SAID A BAD STEERING LOCK. *TR"~43,000 mi, complaint #1122594
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE AND PLACING THE GEAR IN THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL FORWARD DOWN A HILL. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BEFORE THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO A RIVER. THE VIN TOO…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1603780
  45. #45

    suspension arms and bushings

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I PURCHASED MY CAR 1 YEAR AGO HAS APPROXIMATELY 27K ON IT NOW BOUGHT IT WITH 1000 MILES ON IT AFTER A MONTH AFTER PURCHASING MY VEHICLE I STARTED IN SOME WOBBLING RUMBLING NOISES COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT OF MY CAR I TOOK UP A DRIVE WITH THE TECHNICIAN THE TE…"~2,000 mi, complaint #1048435
  46. #46

    unintended acceleration

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "THE CAR UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATES AND THERE SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE CLUTCH DISENGAGING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE CAR HAS 42K MILES ON IT AND THE DEALER WANTS A PER-AUTHORIZATION SIGNED OF $1600 BEFORE THEY WILL LOOK AT THE ISSUE. UNSAFE AND INSANE…"~42,000 mi, complaint #1248453
    • "THE VEHICLES ENGINE WOULD REV BY ITS SELF WITH THE PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR AND THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT DISENGAGE DURING THIS LEAVING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN."~43,000 mi, complaint #1272132
  47. #47

    cruise control conventional

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "WHEN I BOUGHT MY 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, I COMPLAINED ABOUT MY CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING AND IF I PLUG TWO CHARGERS UP IT BLOW OUT AND I HAVE TO REPLACE THE A FEW"complaint #1542731
  48. #48

    engine mounts

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "AS I WENT TO CHANGE GEARS INTO REVERSE I HEARD A VERY HARD THUMP, THEN INTO DRIVE AND THE THUMP GOT LOUDER AND THE WHOLE ENGINE SHIFTED FORWARD. NOW IT SOUNDS AS IF EVERYTHING ( MOTOR ) IS ABOUT TO FALL OUT THE VEHICLE ."~176,000 mi, complaint #1703863
  49. #49

    engine oil consumption

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE FIRST THING I NOTICED AFTER DRIVING THE CAR WAS THE SMELL OF BURNING OIL OCCASIONALLY, THEN UPON OPENING THE HOOD AND REMOVING THE ENGINE COVER THERE WAS MINOR OIL SEEPAGE FROM THE VALVE COVER. THE CAR ITSELF IS 2012 JETTA GLI AND ONLY HAS ABOUT 27,500 MIL…"~27,000 mi, complaint #1348086
  50. #50

    evap system

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "It first started around May 2021. The first symptom was gas or exhaust fumes in my cabin of the vehicle. Apart believed to be a fact it was the canister purge solenoid so I changed it out myself twice. The symptoms did not seem to go away so I decided to take…"complaint #1765573
  51. #51

    exhaust system

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RODE ROUGHLY AND HESITATED TO THE POINT THAT IT COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. VOLKSWAGEN OF MARIETTA (1860 COBB PKWY SE, MARIETTA, GA 30060, [REDACTED PHONE]) PREVIOUSLY DIAGNOSED THAT TH…"~81,300 mi, complaint #1507928
  52. #52

    heater core and blower

    1 broken

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "HEATER CORE NEEDS REPLACING AT 60,000 MILES"complaint #1421405
  53. #53

    interior trim

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "HEADLINER COMING LOOSE AND OBSTRUCTING DRIVERS VIEW"~82,000 mi, complaint #1593154
  54. #54

    seat mechanism

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED TWICE. FIRST INCIDENT WAS WHEN I ENCOUNTERED A HERD OF DEER ON A RURAL ROAD. I WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 55 MPH AND HAD TO SUDDENLY BRAKE AND DE-ACCELERATE TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE FOLDING BACK SEATS FLOPPED DOWN IN THE DE-A…"~38,000 mi, complaint #1044125
  55. #55

    software or update

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "CPSC:I1340048A. 2012 VOLKSWAGEN. CONSUMER STATED THAT VW MADE A SOFTWARE CHANGE TO THE CAR WHICH CAUSED IT TO RACE DANGEROUSLY WHEN THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED OR PUT IN FIRST GEAR. *LN"complaint #975363
  56. #56

    stability and traction control

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHILE DRIVING 45MPH, EPC AND ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON AND CAR SUDDENLY DECELLERATED, CAUSING TRAFFIC BEHIND ME TO DRIVE OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO AVOID HITTING ME. FORTUNATELY IT WAS ON A CURVE WITH ENOUGH ROOM TO AVOID A MULTI CAR ACCIDENT. THEN MY CAR ACCELE…"~65,500 mi, complaint #1620671
  57. #57

    trunk or liftgate

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "AFTER OPENING THE TRUNK ON DRIVE WAY, THE TRUNK LID FELL FREELY AND HIT MY WIFE'S FOREHEAD (VERY CLOSE TO HER EYES)."~37,000 mi, complaint #1259578
  58. #58

    wheel bearing

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "JUST HAD BEEN A LITTLE OVER 2 MONTHS, BEFORE I STARTED TO HEAR AND NOTICE A UNUSUAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF MY CAR. I STARTED TO HEAR A CONSTANT RUMBLING, GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. DIDN'T THINK OF IT MUCH AT THE MOMENT, BUT NOTIFIED THE…"~9,058 mi, complaint #1061874
  59. #59

    wheel or rim

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "20K SERVICE HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON MY CAR, AGAIN I NOTIFIED VW THAT THE NOISE IS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE AND THAT I CAN NO LONGER STAND IT. I ALSO NOTIFIED THEM OF NEWER ISSUES THAT HAVE NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE STARTING TO HAPPEN, BUT THEY TOLD ME LETS FIX TH…"~19,176 mi, complaint #1061880

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for VOLKSWAGEN JETTA directly.