2011 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

    fuel pump

    34 stranded, 44 unsafe, 2 broken

    80
    incidents
    Typical range: 23,500–65,000 mi

    Median 45,000 mi, based on 113 reports (0% had no usable mileage)

    • "IN RUSH-HOUR TRAFFIC IN BOSTON THE DRIVER'S FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR WHEN THE CAR STOPPED MOVING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY, THE AMBULANCE AND POLICE ARRIVED PROMPTLY AND WERE ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. THEN IT WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW…"~750 mi, complaint #870413
    • "HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE CONFIRMED BY VW DEALER. WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN CAR BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT (YELLOW COILS) LIT UP AND CAR LOST ALL POWER. MALFUNCTION LIGHT WENT OFF AND ALTERNATOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER LIGHTS CAME ON.…"~21,173 mi, complaint #940850
    • "I HAD JUST EXITED THE HIGHWAY, WHEN THE ENGINE DIED AT 35 MPH. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AFTERWARDS. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS CONTAMINATED WITH METAL SHAVINGS. THIS APPEARS TO BE ANOTHER CASE OF FAILURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WITH…"~45,000 mi, complaint #955480
    • "WAS DRIVING IN PARKING LOT WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY DIED WHILE UNDERWAY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THANKFULLY IT HAPPENED AT A RELATIVELY LOW SPEED AND WHILE NOT IN TRAFFIC AS THERE WAS LITTLE TO NO WARNING BEFORE THE ENGINE DIED COMPLETELY CAUSING LOSS OF…"~69,774 mi, complaint #1138224
    • "2011 VW JETTA DIESEL AT 70 MPH GOING UP A HILL AND WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR LOST POWER AND SPEED DROPPED MAKING IT UNSAFE TO HAVE TIME TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE CARS BEHIND ME HAD TO ALL SLOW WAY DOWN TO LET ME GET OFF THE ROAD. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART.…"~720,000 mi, complaint #971253
  2. #2

    engine stall or no start

    10 stranded, 51 unsafe

    61
    incidents
    Typical range: 11,000–75,000 mi

    Median 49,500 mi, based on 79 reports (25% had no usable mileage)

    • "SEVERAL TIMES SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE (2 WEEKS), IT HAS STALLED WHEN TAKING OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH EVERY PERSON WHO HAS DRIVEN THE CAR, EVEN VERY EXPERIENCED DRIVERS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION. LATEST INCIDENT WAS PULLING OUT FROM A SIDE STREET AND THE CAR…"~650 mi, complaint #858094
    • "DURING MID MOTION, WITH FOOT ON THE GAS, THE VEHICLE DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. NO WARNING INDICATIONS APPEARED ON THE DASH. THE SPEED OF TRAVEL WAS APPROXIMATELY 35MPH. THE CAR WAS TOWED BY AAA. SERVICE AT VW HAS YIELDED INCONCLUSIVE RESULTS. THE…"~14,580 mi, complaint #1020757
    • "2011 VW JETTA TDI FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. AS CAR SLOWED DUE TO TRAFFIC, THE COIL (GLOW PLUG?) LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN CAR CAME TO COMPLETE STOP DUE TO TRAFFIC, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STOPPED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THERE WAS NO TIME FOR ME TO MO…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1322660
    • "THE CAR RANDOMLY STALLS!!! THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE DEALER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG BECAUSE THERE ARE NO CODES. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT. TWICE THE CAR STALLED WHEN SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT AND ONCE WHEN I WAS DRIV…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1630909
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE AND BATTERY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WRAY AUTOMOTIVE VOLKSWAG…"~210,000 mi, complaint #1404351
  3. #3

    wiring harness

    2 stranded, 30 unsafe, 1 broken, 4 annoyance

    37
    incidents
    Typical range: 35,000–78,000 mi

    Median 58,000 mi, based on 60 reports (19% had no usable mileage)

    • "ISSUES BEGAN WITH FAULTY STARTER. THEN PROGRESSED TO A BATTERY OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES FROM WINDOWS MOVING IN REVERSE OF DESIRED ORDER TO HORN AND KEYS DYING. EACH TIME DEALER BRUSHED OFF ISSUE. WHEN HORN AND KEYS DIED (ALSO WITH FAULTY START BUTTON) DEALER TRIED…"~500 mi, complaint #1110368
    • "THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE INDICATING THAT A HEADLIGHT, SIDE LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND REAR LIGHT WERE OUT. I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ALL LIGHTS WERE WORKING. THE INDICATER HOWEVER KEPT COMING ON. UPON TAKING INTO THE SHOP TO CHECK…"~38,000 mi, complaint #1005319
    • "WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON UNTIL YOU GO CRANK THE CAR. THE DEALER COMPLETED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND HE SAID EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT OK....THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND MY CONCERN WOULD BE WILL IT EVENTUALLY AFFECT THE BATTERY. *TR"~58,000 mi, complaint #970757
    • "THE RIGHT HALF OF MY JETTA LOST ALL OF ITS EXTERIOR LIGHTING SUDDENLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE UNIVERSITY VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP HERE IN SEATTLE. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT FUSE SB16 AKA F16 MELTED CAUSING THE FUSE PANEL TO ALSO MELT. REPAIR INVOLVED REPLACING…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1247540
    • "ALWAYS HAD ELECTRICAL ISSUES, ALWAYS CHANGING FUSE FOR HORN, HORN "NEVER" WORKS! ISSUES WITH IGNITION, DIFFICULT TO TURN OFF, NOT CANNOT TURN ON AT ALL, KEY WON'T TURN ENOUGH, CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN, ADVISED OUT OF WARRANTY, NO RECALL FOR ISSUES I AM HAVING, VW D…"~133,000 mi, complaint #1506054
  4. #4

    key fob and immobilizer

    3 stranded, 29 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    33
    incidents
    Typical range: 34,000–99,000 mi

    Median 74,500 mi, based on 32 reports (20% had no usable mileage)

    • "2011 VOLKSWAGEN TDI WAGON DOES NOT START WITH ANY ORIGINAL KEYS BASED ON THE MESSAGE THE 'IMMOBILIZER ACTIVATED'. I AM AFRAID THIS SYSTEM COULD SHUT DOWN MY CAR IN BAD SITUATION FOR NO REASON. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. I THINK BASED ON MY RESEARCH…"~6,500 mi, complaint #867232
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000 (STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT CALLED AUTOBARN CITY VOLKSWAGEN AT [REDACTED PHONE] (LOCATED AT [REDACTED ADDRESS], CHICAGO, IL 60641…"~34,000 mi, complaint #1600216
    • "THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE; THUS PREVENTING THE ENGINE FROM BEING ABLE TO BE TURNED OFF. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE CLOSE TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY HAD TO PULL OFF A RELAY FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. UPON R…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1404735
    • "TAKATA RECALL. KEY WONT TURN IN IGNITION ON OR OFF IN CAR WAS IN PARK"~100,000 mi, complaint #1393788
    • "HAVING ISSUES WITH IGNITION SWITCH. I PARKED VEHICLE IN FRONT OF STORE LOCATION AND WHEN I RETURNED TO MY VEHICLE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND SPOKE TO A MECHANIC TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT TO SEE IF THE SWITCH HAD JUST LOCKED…"~155,000 mi, complaint #1571591
  5. #5

    infotainment head unit

    7 unsafe, 1 broken, 21 annoyance

    29
    incidents
    Typical range: 52,000–89,000 mi

    Median 75,000 mi, based on 27 reports (18% had no usable mileage)

    • "TOUCH SCREEN RADIO DIED INEXPLICABLY, WEIRD KNOCKING SOUND FROM SPEAKERS"~30,300 mi, complaint #1186119
    • "ON MY WAY TO MY LOCATION I WAS LISTENING TO MY RADIO WITHOUT ANY ISSUE. I GOT BACK IN MY CAR AND MY SCREEN IS BLACK AND RADIO IS NOT WORKING. I BOUGHT MY CAR 4 MONTHS AGO AND AM FURIOUS BECAUSE THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I HAVE READ MANY FORUMS…"~58,788 mi, complaint #1297749
    • "UPON STARTING THE CAR ON FEB 8, 2017, THE RADIO/NAV SYSTEM/BLUETOOTH SYSTEM DID NOT WORK."~69,500 mi, complaint #1355522
    • "RADIO POPPED AND WENT DEAD CAUSING A AMPERAGE DRAIN ON THE BATTERY. FUSES HAVE BEEN VERIFIED AS GOOD BUT THE RADIO WILL NOT TURN BACK ON EVEN AFTER RESETS. "~89,155 mi, complaint #1209651
    • "WHILE DRIVING, RADIO/CD/HANDS FREE TELEPHONE DIED. BLANK SCREEN, NO POWER. ALL FUSES FINE. AFTER REMOVING RADIO AND CHECKING WIRING /GROUND, AUTO STEREO REPAIR GUY SAID THAT THE RADIO UNIT IS SHOT AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED ($600 PARTS BY DEALER) OR REPAIRE…"~300,014 mi, complaint #1184897
  6. #6

    airbag system

    28 unsafe

    28
    incidents
    Typical range: 50,000–98,500 mi

    Median 71,000 mi, based on 34 reports (31% had no usable mileage)

    • "VEHICLE WAS ENTERED WITH A PASSENGER. AFTER IT WAS STARTED, AN ALERT WAS HEARD ALONG WITH A DASH BOARD WARNING INFORMING ME THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG SYSTEM. THE A/C ALSO BECAME INOPERABLE. VW DOES NOT HAVE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS READILY AVAILABLE AND WIL…"~7,650 mi, complaint #889119
    • "AIRBAG ICON COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY, DIAGNOSIS SHOWS DRIVERS AIRBAG HIGH RESISTANCE, RESETTABLE. FIX IS CLOCK SPRING REPLACEMENT. VOLKSWAGEN DEALER SAYS VIN ISN'T IN CURRENT RECALL BUT IS PROBLEM IS VIRTUALLY THE SAME ERROR AS OTHER SPORTWAGENS RECALLS AND IS…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1224743
    • "I OWN A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA THAT WAS DIAGNOSED BY A VW DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING FAILURE THAT IS IDENTICAL TO YOUR RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V483000. MY AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON AT ALL TIMES AND WILL NOT DEPLOY IF NEEDED. THE VOLKSWAGEN DEA…"~72,000 mi, complaint #1249734
    • "THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR IS NO LONGER EFFECTIVE. THIS MEANS THAT IF I WAS TO GET INTO A COLLISION, THE CAR WOULD NOT SENSE THERE IS A PASSENGER AND THE AIRBAGS ON THAT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THIS SENSOR DOES NOT WORK AT ALL, AND THERE IS…"~98,000 mi, complaint #1444851
    • "HORN DOESN'T WORK AND THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHT. A VEHICLE DECIDED TO DO A U-TURN IN FRONT OF ME WITH NO WARNING. HIT THE HORN TO FIND IT NOT FUNCTIONING. THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHT TO INDICATE THERE IS AN ISSUE. THE PART THAT FAILED IS ALSO TIED TO THE AIR…"~182,000 mi, complaint #1488152
  7. #7

    engine internal

    2 stranded, 17 unsafe

    19
    incidents
    Typical range: 28,000–80,000 mi

    Median 58,000 mi, based on 31 reports (0% had no usable mileage)

    • "FILLED UP WITH 13.455 GALLONS OF #2 ULSD DIESEL ON 01/25/12 WITH 11,363 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO FILLING THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN A 1/4 TANK OF DIESEL. ON 02/05/12 WAS TRAVELING IN VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND STARTED TO HEAR PINGING NOISES FROM…"~11,721 mi, complaint #910212
    • " I WAS DRIVING ON I91 NORTH IN SPRINGFIELD MASS THE ENGINE RUNAWAY ON ME, CAR REACHED 100 MPH FOR SOME TIME PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE RUN AT FULL SPEED UNTIL BLOWING UP THROWING A CONNECTING ROD THROUGH THE BLOCK, FINALLY I MANAGED TO PULL THE CAR ON THE…"~30,000 mi, complaint #930678
    • "ON THIS DATE (6-19-2013) MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AFTER THAT MY EPC LIGHT FOLLOWED. THEN I LOST SPEED ON MY CAR, I THEN PULLED OVER AT THE GAS STATION. I THEN NOTICED MY HORN WAS NOT WORKING. I SAT AT THE GAS STATION AFTER I TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR ABOUT 15…"~58,000 mi, complaint #1044186
    • "ENGINE/CAR AT LOW SPEEDS BEGINS SHAKING AND REVS LIGHTS FLICKER CAR WILL EVEN SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVE HUGE SAFETY CONCERN! DEALER AND MECHANICS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE THE PROBLEM OUT. REPLACED CRANKSHAFT AND TIMING VALVES ALONG WITH OIL AND FLUID…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1400059
    • "AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE, THE CAR ACTS AS IF ITS GOING TO RUN OUT OF GAS. THE CAR WILL START TO JERK AND IDLE VERY ROUGHLY IN WHICH A FEW TIMES IT HAS CUT OFF ON ME, ONCE TRYING TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY. HAD IT CHECKED OUT BY CERTIFIED VW DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS…"~105,800 mi, complaint #1390989
  8. #8

    fuel injector

    1 stranded, 18 unsafe

    19
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=20, median 7,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I'D LIKE TO ADD MY VEHICLE TO THIS INVESTIGATION #: PE11023 - AFTER READING ABOUT THIS STORY TODAY - I CHECK THE ENGINE BAY AND FOUND POOLING LIQUID ABOVE THE #1/2 INJECTORS ON MY '11 JETTA SPORTWAGEN TDI WITH ONLY 850 MILES. HTTP://FILES.ETIVITI.COM/MISC/1…"~850 mi, complaint #872569
    • "I HAVE A 2011 VW JETTA SEDAN, PURCHASED IN JANUARY OF 2011. I HAD A FUEL INJECTOR FAILURE, CAUSING DIESEL FUEL TO SPRAY WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF MY VEHICLE AND FUEL TO LEAK ONTO THE ROADWAY AS I WAS DRIVING. THERE WAS NO VEHICLE WARNING LIGHTS INDICATI…"~4,500 mi, complaint #849789
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE THE VIBRATION DAMPER ISOLATIONS INSTALLED IN THE FUEL INJECTION LINES. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS N…"~7,000 mi, complaint #889597
    • "AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 JETTA TDI SPORTSWAGON, I NOTICED A STEAM COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND DIESEL SMELL INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD THERE WAS DIESEL ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND BELTS, AND LARGE AMOUNT OF STEAM WAS COMING OUT. WHEN I TO…"~9,750 mi, complaint #937324
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE WAS TAKEN TO A…"~38,000 mi, complaint #1229275
  9. #9

    fuel tank and lines

    5 stranded, 13 unsafe

    18
    incidents
    Typical range: 18,000–60,000 mi

    Median 41,000 mi, based on 32 reports (0% had no usable mileage)

    • "THERE'S A FUEL LEAK COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE (TDI) ENGINE THAT I CAN CONFIRM, BUT I WAS UNABLE TO SEE EXACTLY FROM WHAT PART. IT'S LEAKING ABOUT A THIRD TO A HALF CUP OF FUEL PER MIN. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. WAITING FOR RESULTS. *TR"~2,470 mi, complaint #852478
    • "2011 VW JETTA TDI BEGAN TO FEEL SLUGGISH AROUND 7,200 MILES. AT 8240 GOING 35 MPH CAR DIED AND WOULD NOT START. TOLD ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDS REPLACED. *TR"~8,240 mi, complaint #883279
    • "DRIVING 55MPH CAR BEGAN LOOSING POWER CHECK ENGINE AND GLOW LIGHT INDICATOR LIGHTS CAM ON IMMEDIATELY. ONCE ARRIVED HOME WE VERIFIED THE CAR COMPUTER IT RETURNED THAT THERE WAS LOW PRESSURE IN FUEL LINE AND THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS FAILING. WE HAD CAR…"~35,465 mi, complaint #940338
    • "2011 VOLKSWAGEN TDI JETTA. CAME TO A THREE WAY LIGHT, THE LIGHT CHANGED, I HIT THE GAS AND THE CAR DIED. I WAS IN THE TURN LANE AT THE BOTTOM OF A HILL AT A BUSY INTERSECTION. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO RESTART TO NO AVAIL. NO ENGINE CODES OR ERROR MESSAGES.…"~41,900 mi, complaint #985889
    • "BROUGHT TO DEALER FOR A DPF LIGHT. DEALER DIAGNOSED WITH A CLOGGED PARTICULATE FILTER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. PICKED UP CAR DROVE ABOUT 5 MILES AND THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT CAME ON TURNED AROUND AND HEADED BACK TO DEALER CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE (ON I93 RUSH HOUR T…"~69,000 mi, complaint #1145707
  10. #10

    horn

    7 unsafe, 1 broken, 9 annoyance

    17
    incidents
    Typical range: 45,000–68,000 mi

    Median 54,000 mi, based on 31 reports (9% had no usable mileage)

    • "THE HORN ONLY WORKS SPORADICALLY, NOT SURE WHEN IT WILL OR WILL NOT FUNCTION. *TR"~36,000 mi, complaint #1129095
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING, THE HORN WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HORN ALARM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRE…"~48,000 mi, complaint #1359775
    • "I WAS DRIVING AND I TRIED TO HONK MY HORN BECAUSE A TRACTOR TRAILER WAS MERGING IN MY LANE. MY HORN WOULD NOT SOUND AND I HAD ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND THEN LATER THAT EVENING IT STARTED TO DRIZZLE AND MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE NOT WORKING. *TR"~54,000 mi, complaint #1002382
    • "IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE VEHICLE'S HORN STARTED WEAKENING OUT AND IT STOPPED WORKING. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWNED AN MK6 (2011-2015) JETTA HAD THE SAME ISSUE ACROSS THE NATION. PLEASE ENFORCE THE VW TO OPEN A RECALL FOR THIS…"~68,000 mi, complaint #1440463
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HORN WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO A FUEL STATION, TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, RESTARTED IT, BUT THE HORN WAS STILL NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE DEAL…"~95,600 mi, complaint #1444751
  11. #11

    lighting exterior

    11 unsafe, 1 broken, 5 annoyance

    17
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=18, median 90,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I PURCHASED A USED 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA IN JULY 2012 WITH APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES. 6 MONTHS LATER I NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS WAS OUT. I LOOKED UP THE REPLACEMENT BULB AND PURCHASED A H7 HALOGEN BULB FOR APPROXIMATELY $25. A FEW MORE MONTHS…"~27,000 mi, complaint #1141300
    • "HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF WHILE CAR IN MOTION AND WOULD NOT GO BACK ON. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT HAPPENING IF AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED IS DISTURBING TO THINK ABOUT."~54,000 mi, complaint #1209497
    • "DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM NOT WORKING. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED BUT THIS DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE WITH FAULTY PARTS OR ELECTRICAL."~70,000 mi, complaint #1247965
    • "PREMATURE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULB FAILURE. THE LOW BEAM H7 BULBS FAIL AFTER JUST 2 TO 3 MONTHS OF USE. I HAVE USED OEM BULBS, SYLVANIA BULBS OF EVERY LEVEL, AND THE BULBS STILL FAIL AFTER A SHORT TIME. DOING A QUICK ONLINE SEARCH WILL SHOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE T…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1568318
    • "DEFECTIVE LIGHT SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE HEADLIGHTS, DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT LOW BEAMS AND HIGH BEAMS. DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT NO LONGER WORK, LOW BEAMS ARE SO DIM THEY ARE NO LONGER EFFECTIVE."~156,000 mi, complaint #1455184
  12. #12

    other

    8 unsafe, 6 annoyance

    14
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 44,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "PALISADES VW IN NY STRIPED MY CAR OF ALL ORIGINAL PART AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THE CAR COMES WITH OLD WINTER TIRES. I HAVE TRIED TO RESOLVE THIS WITH THEM AND THEY LAUGHED IN MY FACE AND TOLD ME TO GO AND TALK TO THE PEOPLE THAT SOLD ME CAR. MY NEPHEW CHA…"~10,838 mi, complaint #946794
    • "THE FACTORY INSTALLED LIP SPOILERS THAT COME WITH 2011 JETTA OR LATER ARE ONLY ATTACHED USING GLUE. IT IS NOT SECURED WITH ANY HOOKS OR SCREWS. SO THE LIP SPOILER AT THE BACK OF MY JETTA HAS STARTED TO COME OFF. IN MY OPINION THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE SINCE T…"~25,000 mi, complaint #933369
    • "KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE."~81,000 mi, complaint #1414584
    • "HORN NOT WORKING CAN NOT FIND FUSE DIAGRAM ANYWHERE TO FIX.I DO BELIVE THAT THIS IS A SAFTEY MATTER.DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO TAKE TO VW DEALER.I'AM FAMILIAR IN CHANGING FUSES AND MECHANICHLY INCLINED.SO WHY WOULD I NEED TO TAKE IT TO DEALER.I SHOULD BE ABLE REC…"~87,000 mi, complaint #1410592
    • "KEY GETTING STUCK IN IGNITION WHILE VEHICLE IS STILL RUNNING..WILL NOT TURN OFF"~110,000 mi, complaint #1595124
  13. #13

    tire failure

    14 unsafe

    14
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=17, median 50,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I WAS DRIVING ON THE SAN MATEO BRIDGE AT APPROX 65 MPH, WHILE ON THE BRIDGE MY TPM ALARM CAME ON THEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BACKEND OF THE CAR STARTED TO SWERVE. I PULLED OVER ASAP AND AS I CAME TO A STOP THE TREAD PORTION OF MY REAR TIRE CAME BOUNCING PAST ME…"~1,300 mi, complaint #861843
    • "TRAVELLING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS ON INTERSTATE 95 MY TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON SIGNALING LOW TIRE PRESSURE. I IMMEDIATELY REDUCED SPEED AND MOVED OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE TO MONITOR ANY CHANGE IN PRESSURE OR CONTROL. THE LIGHT STAYED ON FOR APPROX. 3 MILES…"~11,000 mi, complaint #872828
    • "I HAVE A 2011 VW JETTA WITH HANKOOK OPTIMO TIRES AND NOTICED TODAY AFTER FILLING UP THE TIRES WITH AIR THAT THE SIDEWALLS ON THE TIRES WERE COMING APART. *TR"~35,000 mi, complaint #944713
    • "DRIVING ON FREEWAY. TPMS LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN CHECKED, ALL THREE TIRES WHICH WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT (HANKOOK OPTIMO) HAD FAILED INSIDE SIDEWALLS. THESE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED. ACCORDING TO YOUR WEBSITE, THERE HAD BEEN A HANKOOK TIRE RECALL IN 2010 AND VOL…"~59,980 mi, complaint #1110464
    • "SIMILAR TO OTHER REPORTS HERE, EXTREME INNER SIDEWALL CRACKING; NO INDICATION FROM OUTSIDE; APPROXIMATELY 1/2 OF USABLE TREAD REMAINING. THIS AFFECTED ALL 4 TIRES AND WAS INSPECTED AT VW DEALER. HANKOOK COMMUNICATION OCCURRED WITH DETERMINATION OF TREAD SEPARA…"~82,000 mi, complaint #1231085
  14. #14

    transmission automatic

    13 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    14
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=15, median 30,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS EXTREME HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM SLOW SPEED SUCH AS MERGING WITH TRAFFIC. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL AND FINDS NO FAULT WITH THE POWER TRAIN. WHEN ACCELERATING THE CAR WILL VITALLY STALL WITH ZERO FORWARD MOVEMENT, THEN IT W…"~2,054 mi, complaint #872977
    • "TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO REVERSE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO REVERSE UNCONTROLLABLY AND CRASHED INTO A SMALL PATIO BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP.…"~4,000 mi, complaint #870051
    • "UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION TO TURN OFF CAR ; CAR IN "PARK""~30,000 mi, complaint #1590986
    • "WHEN COMING TO A STOP AS VEHICLE IS SHIFTING DOWN, IT LUNGES FORWARD AND YOU FEEL A HARD KNOCK COMING FROM TRANSMISSION. INTERMITTENT ISSUE. SAFETY CONCERN AS IT OCCURS AS YOU ARE SLOWING DOWN. WHEN RESEARCHING ONLINE NOTICED OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMI…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1303315
    • "TRANSMISSION KICKED INTO NEUTRAL WHILE CRUISING ON HIGHWAY. HAD TO PULL OVER AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND RESTART THE CAR BEFORE IT WOULD ALLOW ME TO SHIFT BACK INTO DRIVE. THE FAULT RECURRED A FEW MILES LATER AND HAS RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN. T…"~102,400 mi, complaint #1134982
  15. #15

    wiper and washer

    6 unsafe, 3 broken, 4 annoyance

    13
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=16, median 89,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONTAL WINDSHIELD WIPERS SEIZED AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WA…"~42,000 mi, complaint #1139526
    • "WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT FUNCTIONING WHEN VEHICLE IS IN 18 DEGREE AND BELOW TEMPERATURES FOR A FEW HOURS. WIPERS WORK FINE ONCE VEHICLE IS HEATED UP IN GARAGE OR OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES RISE ABOVE 18 DEGREES. REPLACEMENT WIPER MOTOR ASSEMBLY WAS DIAGNOSED AND REQUIR…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1439350
    • "WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY IN THE COLD WEATHER... BUT AS SOON AS IT WARMS UP OR THE VEHICLE IS PULLED INTO A GARAGE... WIPERS BEGIN TO WORK AS NORMAL. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLES HORN IS ALSO DOING THE SAME THING. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO OCCUR W…"~76,300 mi, complaint #1250228
    • "STOPPED WORKING. WIPER MOTOR MALFUNCTION. BLADES STOPPED MID SWIPE, SITTING ON THE WINDSHIELD."~90,000 mi, complaint #1644767
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HORN FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V196000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1310521
  16. #16

    abs module

    11 unsafe

    11
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=19, median 88,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "THE ABS, AIR BAG, AND TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR WARNING INDICATOR ON DASH ALL LIT UP AND WOULDN'T GOES AWAY EVEN AFTER ENGINE WAS SHUTOFF. THIS CAR A VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WAS RECENTLY BOUGHT LAST MONTH. *TR"~2,000 mi, complaint #857751
    • "AT 46,800 MILES THE ABS CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED. WHEN STARTING UP THE CAR, NUMEROUS WARNING LIGHTS INCLUDING (ABS, TRACTION, AIR BAG, AND BRAKE) ILLUMINATE. THESE LIGHTS REMAIN ON WITH ENGINE RUNNING AND VEHICLE IN MOTION. THERE ARE SEVERAL PAST AND CURRENT…"~46,800 mi, complaint #1587729
    • "The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated and remained illuminated. Additionally, the brake light had continued to flash. While driving approximately 3…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1788890
    • "The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed but the brakes locked up causing the vehicle to spin 180 degrees. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagno…"~88,000 mi, complaint #1783534
    • "I STARTED UP MY CAR AND WAS DRIVING FROM WORK, ALL OF A SUDDEN I SEE A BUNCH OF MY WARNINGS LIGHT APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD ALL AT THE SAME TIME. I WAS DRIVING IN ALEXANDRIA CITY AND THE CARE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE LIGHTS APPEARED. THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT, TRACT…"~144,424 mi, complaint #1600860
  17. #17

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    10 unsafe

    10
    incidents
    Typical range: 2,000–92,500 mi

    Median 33,000 mi, based on 27 reports (7% had no usable mileage)

    • "2011 VW JETTA SPORTWAGEN TDI SURGING AT TIMES AND SPUTTERING. ONLY 1000 MILES AND HAVE HAD FOR 2 WEEKS. THE CONTROLLABILITY AT THAT SURGING MOMENT SEEMS OFF AND IF IT'S DOING THAT WHILE I NEED TO AVOID SOMETHING OR SOMEONE IT COULD BE DANGEROUS. ALSO SURGING…"~750 mi, complaint #866190
    • "I AM HAVING WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE A SERIOUS, BUT INTERMITTENT, SAFETY PROBLEM WITH MY 2011 JETTA SPORTWAGON TDI. THERE IS ALSO WHAT MAY BE A RELATED ISSUE WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING AT LOW SPEED. OCCASIONALLY WHEN I ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE AWAY FRO…"~2,000 mi, complaint #918026
    • "ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26TH I WAS DRIVING MY WIFE IN OUR 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI DIESEL FROM OUR VACATION PROPERTY IN SALYER, CALIFORNIA (TRINITY COUNTY) TO OUR HOME IN ARCATA, CALIFORNIA (HUMBOLDT COUNTY), A DISTANCE OF 45 MILES ALONG ROUTE 299. [REDACTED ADD…"~19,800 mi, complaint #951673
    • "I WAS PASSING A SEMI AND NEEDED TO ACCELERATE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF CAR TO MY REAR...DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND NO RESPONSE. TWO DAYS LATER EXPERIENCED SIMILAR EVENT AT LOW SPEED (30 MPH). *TR"~37,000 mi, complaint #996443
    • "AFTER DRIVING FOR 1 HOUR OR MORE ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE THE POWER TO ACCELERATE WHEN DRIVING AT SLOWER SPEEDS AND LOSES CONTROL OF THE SPEED. AFTER DRIVING 3 HOURS OR MORE, THE CAR WILL DO THE SAME WHILE STILL ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR IS NOT ABLE…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1669111
  18. #18

    control module

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

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

    • "COMING BACK FROM THE MALL, I TURNED ON MY CAR AND A FEW SECONDS LATER THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND "IMMOBLIZER ACTIVE" MESSAGE APPEARED. RESTARTED CAR AGAIN, ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND THE SAME MESSAGE APPEARED AGAIN. I TRIED IT A COUPLE OF TIMES MORE AND THEN CALLED VW…"~9,500 mi, complaint #916505
    • "MAP SENSORE (MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE PRESSURE SENSOR) HAS REPEATEDLY WENT BAD EVEN A DAY AFTER CHANGING IT. I HAD REPLACED THE SENSOR IN FEBRUARY THEN AGAIN IN MARCH AND AGAIN IN MARCH A DAY OR 2 THEN AGAIN IN JULY AFTER JUST REPLACING IT. IT HAS NO HOSE LEAKS OR A…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1324547
    • "THE DIAGNOSTICS MECHANISM FOR LATE MODEL VOLKSWAGEN IS VIA THE RADIO, THIS IS THE ONLY WAY THE DEALER OR MECHANIC CAN DIAGNOSE ANY ISSUES WITH THESE VEHICLES IS VIA THE RADIO. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT I COULD NOT BUY A 3RD PARTY RADIO, BECAUSE THEY CAN'T…"~99,000 mi, complaint #1553738
    • "THERE ARE MULTIPLE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD. THE ABS, BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL, AIRBAG, AND TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT ARE ALL ON WHEN STARTING THE CAR AND STAY ON. THE TPMS LIGHT SOMETIMES SHUTS OFF BUT SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. THERE IS A SIMILAR PROBLEM ON 2006-2010 JET…"~121,000 mi, complaint #1616634
    • "MY PROBLEM BEGAN WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55MPH AND MY CAR INFORMATION CENTER AND RADIO ALL WENT BLACK WITH NO WARNING OR CAUTION BEFORE."~130,000 mi, complaint #1598700
  19. #19

    door latch and hinge

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

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

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR IT WOULD NOT LATCH. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DOOR HAD TO BE TIED SO THAT IT WOULD NOT OPEN DURING OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAK…"~10,800 mi, complaint #946593
    • "OCCASIONALLY, THE REAR DOOR ON PASSENGER SIDE WONT OPEN EVEN THOUGH I UNLOCK THE DOOR WITH REMOTE KEY. I HAVE FOUND IN THE VW CONSUMER FORUM THAT THIS IS NOT ONLY MY CAR'S ISSUE, BUT MANY VW JETTA OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I ALWAYS SHOULD GET INSIDE F…"~30,000 mi, complaint #997399
    • "LEFT SIDE DOOR LATCH MALFUNCTION: UNABLE TO OPEN DOOR FROM LEFT REAR EVEN WHEN CHILD PROTECTION IS DISABLED. COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN NEEDING TO EXIT VEHICLE. FAULTY DOOR LATCH ISSUES ARE WELL KNOWN TO OCCUR. THE LATCH ON THIS VEHICLE HAS MALFUNCTIONED F…"~38,500 mi, complaint #1638691
    • "THE LATCH ON THE DRIVER SIDE HAS BECOME LOOSE. AS I WAS DRIVING OVER SPEED BUMPS, I NOTICED THE DOOR WOULD RATTLE HARD. I PULLED TO THE SIDE AND NOTICED THE LATCH ATTACHED TO THE CAR WAS LOOSE. I TIGHTENED UP THE SCREWS AND THE DOOR WAS ABLE TO CLOSE TIGHTL…"~45,000 mi, complaint #1111776
    • "INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). SUBJECT:2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA [XXX] NON-COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS STANDARD NO. 206 DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS - PASSENGER CARS REQUEST FOR DOOR LATCH R…"~101,000 mi, complaint #1378560
  20. #20

    power windows and locks

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 60,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS FAIL TO WORK. MANUAL ENTRY MUST BE GAINED TO VEHICLE AND DOORS OPENED ON ALL DOORS OTHER THAN DRIVERS BY PULLING ON INSIDE HANDLES. UNABLE TO ACCESS TRUNK WITHOUT GRABBING LONG HANLED STICK AND ACCESSING TRUNK EMERGENCY OPENING LATCH THROU…"~24,301 mi, complaint #880519
    • "THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE WE WERE STOPPED. I WAS TRYING TO GET MY 3 YEAR OLD OUT OF THE CAR WHEN THE DOOR WOULDN'T UNLOCK. BECAUSE WE HAVE CHILDREN, WE ALSO USE THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS TO PREVENT THE DOOR FROM OPENING FROM THE INSIDE. THE LOCKS HARE REPEATED…"~42,800 mi, complaint #975489
    • "WITHIN THREE TO FOUR DAYS I'VE HAD TWO DOOR WINDOWS BLOW OUT WHILE DRIVING. NOTHING HIT THE WINDOWS. ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE OTHER TIME I WAS DRIVING ONTO THE INTERSTATE RAMP GOING APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES/HOUR. THIS IS BAFFLING!"~50,000 mi, complaint #1410490
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE DOOR LOCKS ON THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOCK AND UNLOCK INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMA…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1172247
    • "THE DOOR LOCKS AT 15 TO 20 MILES AN HOUR LOCK AND UNLOCK THEMSELVES...THE RADIO WHICH ACCORDING TO THE VW DEALERSHIP HAS TO BE REPLACE BECAUSE IF I REPLACE WITH AN AFTER MARKET THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON IT....THEY CLAIM THE RADIO HAS TO…"~128,000 mi, complaint #1629104
  21. #21

    brake hydraulics

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

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

    • "I PURCHASED A NEW VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2011, IT HAS 3700 MILES ON BOARD, DURING MY TRIP TO WORK (MY SPEED WAS ABOUT 35M/H) BEFORE THE INTERSECTION I TRIED TO BRAKE ON RED LIGHT, AND MY BRAKES DID NOT WORK, THEY JUST STOPPED WORKING, I PRESSED BRAKE PEDAL 3 TIMES T…"~3,750 mi, complaint #884105
    • "BRAKE LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE. BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE DEALER AND THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING INTO THE VACUUM CHAMBER. NO LEAKS ON THE GROUND AS THE LEAK WAS CONTAINED IN THE VACUUM CHAMBER - I WAS SLOWLY RUNNING OUT OF BRAKE FLUID. TH…"~31,000 mi, complaint #940130
    • "I WAS RETURNING HOME. STOPPED AT A LOCAL STORE AND WHEN I RETURNED TO THE CAR AND STARTED IT I HAD A LOT OF LIGHTS ON THE DASH FLASHING. I TRIED TO BACK AWAY FROM THE PARKING SPOT AND WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE THE ENGINE WOULD DIE. I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUI…"~69,057 mi, complaint #1549662
    • "THE REAR DRUM BRAKES FAILED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION CAUSING LOSS OF BREAK PRESSURE WHICH ON ONE OCCASION ALMOST RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION. BOTH TIMES THE REAR DRUM BREAK FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED BY A VOLKSWAGEN CERTIFIED MECHANIC. ON ONE OCCASION BOTH…"~92,814 mi, complaint #1480553
  22. #22

    engine cooling

    1 stranded, 5 unsafe

    6
    incidents

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

    • "The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the splash guard detached from the vehicle and damaged the radiator. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1863459
    • "WHILE DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA, THE JETTA TDI ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND THE ENGINE STARTED LUGGING. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THIS IS DUE TO A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THE INTERCOOLER HOSE THAT TRAPS CONDENSATION IN THE SYSTEM. WHEN THE CONDENSATION FREEZES…"~66,000 mi, complaint #1130378
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE COOLANT LEVEL DECREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT FILLED THE COOLANT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE…"~87,000 mi, complaint #1154620
  23. #23

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    5 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    6
    incidents

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

    • "WE BOUGHT A NEW CAR ONE MONTH AGO. OUR TWO PRIORITIES WERE:SAFETY AND ENOUGH ROOM FOR OUR BABY. ONE DAY I TOOK THE CAR TO GO WITH MY BABY TO THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE. I CHECKED THE BASE OF THE CAR SEAT AND I NOTICED THAT IT WAS LOOSE. I AM NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO PULL…"~500 mi, complaint #877690
    • "THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT HAS STARTED UNRAVELING SIGNIFICANTLY ALONG ONE EDGE, WITH THE THREADS SEPARATING; THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW AND HAS ABOUT 40,000 MILES ON IT. *TR"~40,000 mi, complaint #1030502
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANU…"~45,000 mi, complaint #1191973
    • "1) SEATBELT INDICATOR SOUNDS WHEN DRIVES BELT IS CONNECTED AND IS THE ONLY ONE IN THE VEHICLE; NO ONE OR ITEMS ARE IN ANY OF THE OTHER SEATS (SAME ISSUE AS IN THE 2006 JETTA). 2) WIPER MOTOR FAILED - WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN FUNCTIONING. 3) HEADLINER…"~56,275 mi, complaint #1593288
    • "DRIVER SEAT BELT LATCH FAILURE. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT CANNOT BE ENGAGED IN THE LATCH, SOMETHING BROKE INSIDE THE LATCH MECHANISM. THE SEAT BELT IS NOT FUNCTIONAL!! *JS"~59,500 mi, complaint #1083440
  24. #24

    transmission cvt

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 5,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I HAVE EXPERIENCED DRAMATIC HESITATION WHILE, FROM SLOW SPEED, TRYING TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY ONTO A MAIN ROAD WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE DSG CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHICH GEAR IT NEEDS TO BE IN AND EITHER HESITATES OR GOES INTO WHAT SEEMS TO BE NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE HIGH…"~600 mi, complaint #917087
    • "WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION IN MANUAL SHIFT (TIPTRONIC) MODE, THE CAR IS SUPPOSED TO DOWNSHIFT AUTOMATICALLY AS THE CAR SLOWS DOWN. I HAVE HAD 2 INSTANCES WHEN THE CAR WOULD SLOW DOWN, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWNSHIFT (AS IT SHOULD) TO 4…"~970 mi, complaint #850979
    • "AT STEADY THROTTLE ANGLE OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL, SLOW SPEEDS PULLING OUT ON TO MAIN ROAD WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC. DSG CAN NOT SELECT THE PROPER GEAR AND HESITATES SO BADLY THAT WE WERE ALMOST T- BONED IN THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE JETTA BY ON COMING TRAFFIC. I GUESS ABO…"~1,500 mi, complaint #909633
    • "SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE NEW WE EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE STUTTERING WHEN DRIVING AND AT TIMES SHUTTING OFF COMPLETELY AS IF IT STALLED (THE VEHICLE IS AN AUTOMATIC WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION). WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE VW DEALERSHIP UNDE…"~15,000 mi, complaint #1102341
    • "TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER DAUGHTER WHO OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO OPERATE WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAG…"~118,000 mi, complaint #1726603
  25. #25

    transmission manual clutch

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "TWICE THE CAR GOES INTO REVERSE IN ALL SIX GEARS. IT HAPPENS WHEN I TRY TO COME OUT OF A FULL STOP. IT HAPPENS ON FLAT GROUND. THE FIRST TIME IT SEEMED TO FIX ITSELF AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF MY FIDDLING, BUT I CAN'T SEE WHAT I DID TO MAKE IT WORK. I HAD S…"~900 mi, complaint #823739
    • "DANGEROUS AND HARROWING CLUTCH/FLYWHEEL FAILURE (NEAR-NEW 2011 JETTA WITH 39,000 MILES) WITHOUT WARNING AT 55 MPH WHEN I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL TO DOWNSHIFT FROM 5TH GEAR WHILE BRAKING, STALLING MY CAR IN TRAFFIC AT SPEED. I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR TO THE S…"~39,543 mi, complaint #966605
    • "I PARKED ON A DRIVEWAY WITH A 15 DEGREE PITCH. I FOLLOWED THE SAME PROCEDURE EACH TIME I PARK, WAITING 1 MINUTE IN IDLE, TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL, WITH MY FOOT DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER SHUTDOWN I ENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE AND PLACED THE TRANSMISSION…"~42,000 mi, complaint #1266828
    • "2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI - TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE ON 07/05/2012 AND THE DEALER STATES THAT I HAVE A MALFUNCTIONING CLUTCH (COULD BE A THROW OUT BEARING, PRESSURE PLATE OR MULTIPLE CLUTCH COMPONENTS) NONE OF WHICH HAS BEEN 100% DIAGNOSED UNTIL THEY PULL THE TR…"~44,500 mi, complaint #926410
  26. #26

    ac compressor and refrigerant

    1 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    4
    incidents

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

    • "I PURCHASED A 2011 VW JETTA S SEDAN ON 1/24/2011. AT APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES, THE CAR BEGAN MAKING A WHISTLING NOISE FROM UNDER THE DASH NEARLY ALL THE TIME. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE ON 2/16/11 AND AFTER A FEW DAYS, I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS ISOLATED…"~1,704 mi, complaint #852652
    • "VERY MUSTY SMELL IN VEHICLE WHEN THE A/C IS RUNNING."~55,000 mi, complaint #1111958
  27. #27

    battery and charging

    1 stranded, 3 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "TRAVELING 30 MPH. BATTERY LIGHT LUMINATED AND ENGINE STALLED. PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED ENGINE AND IT STARTED FINE BATTERY LIGHT TURNED OFF. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED A RELAY. ONE WEEK LATER DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 75MPH ENGINE STALLED AGAIN IN…"~3,500 mi, complaint #865215
    • "BESIDES THE PROBLEM I HAVE REPORTED ABOUT THE CAR SPUTTERING LOOSING POWER AND EVEN STALLING ONCE ITS ON 1/4 TANK. NOW I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ALTERNATOR CHARGING THE BATTERY. I REPLACE THE MUTLI FUSE, AND THE ALTERNATOR. ITS STILL NOT CHARGING. I HAD TH…"~112,000 mi, complaint #1491092
  28. #28

    brake pads and rotors

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

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

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A POTHOLE AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE BRAKE CALIPER WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE WHEEL AND LOCKED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHI…"~59,000 mi, complaint #1191968
  29. #29

    emissions aftertreatment

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

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

    • "EMISSION ISSUES, NEEDS TO REPLACE EGR FILTER ASSEMBLY AND DPF ASSEMBLY FOR A 4 YEAR OLD CAR. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES AND GOES."~95,000 mi, complaint #1233678
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DPF FILTER FAI…"~108,000 mi, complaint #1226926
  30. #30

    exhaust system

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

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

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT WAS REMOVING AN ITEM FROM THE TRUNK WHEN SHE WAS BURNED ON THE CALF OF HER LEFT LEG BY THE MUFFLER. THE CONTACT STATED THE MUFFLER WAS EXTENDED OUTWARD TOO FAR CAUSING HER T…"~1,000 mi, complaint #869534
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THE EXHAUST TIP WAS EXTENDED BEYOND THE ORIGINAL LENGTH OF THE FACTORY-INSTALLED EXHAUST PIPES. AS A RESULT, THE EXHAUST PIPES BURNED A CHILD'S LEGS ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS…"~38,000 mi, complaint #944636
    • "AT HOME WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OFF AND STATIONARY, UPON REMOVAL OF THE REAR BENCH SEAT, I DISCOVERED SEVERE BURN MARKS UNDER THE SEAT. AS WELL AS SOME COINS THAT HAVE BEEN CEMENTED IN PLACE BY MELTED PLASTIC. THE BURNED AREA APPEARS TO BE RIGHT ABOVE THE EXHAUS…"~149,500 mi, complaint #1624393
  31. #31

    suspension struts shocks

    3 unsafe, 1 broken

    4
    incidents

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

    • "FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING SNAPPED WHILE TURNING AND BACKING UP FROM DRIVEWAY. MILEAGE IS $73K. TO REPLACE THE SPRING AT THE VW-CERTIFIED DEALER WAS $1100."~72,500 mi, complaint #1552331
    • "I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE ROAD AND WAS HEARING A ABNORMAL CREEKING SOUND. IT PERSISTED FOR A FEW DAYS AND WENT AWAY. AFTER A FEW WEEKS THE SOUND CAME BACK, BUT THIS TIME MUCH LOUDER. I WAS DRIVING BACK TO MY APPARTMENT AND I HEARD SOME METAL CLINKING AND THEN…"~134,000 mi, complaint #1642874
  32. #32

    instrument cluster

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

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

    • "AT 500 MILES EXACTLY, I HEARD A SINGLE CLICK WHILE DRIVING. A QUICK SCAN OF THE INSTRUMENTS SHOWED THAT THE ODOMETER READ 500 MILES AND WAS NOT INCREASING, OF COURSE THE TRIP ODOMETER AND FUEL CONSUMPTION DISPLAYS ALSO FAILED WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM THE ODOMETE…"~500 mi, complaint #867953
    • "DASHBOARD LIGHTS FOUND IN THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER WILL TURN ON AND OFF RANDOMLY WHEN THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF. THIS MAKES READING THE DASHBOARD DIFFICULT. DEALER NOTICED THE PROBLEM RIGHT AWAY AND ORDERED A REPLACEMENT DASHBOARD FROM VW. IT'S B…"~700 mi, complaint #862063
    • "WHEN SHIFTING GEARS FROM PARK TO ANY OTHER GEAR AFTER TURNING THE CAR ON,, THE LIGHTS PROJECTING WHICH GEAR THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN DO NOT LIGHT UP, AND A WRENCH APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD, BUT THE INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD IS ALSO GONE"~101,000 mi, complaint #1487650
  33. #33

    starter

    1 stranded, 2 unsafe

    3
    incidents

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

    • "ONCE THE CAR IS STARTED AND ENGINE IS RUNNING, IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO TURN THE KEY OFF AND STOP THE ENGINE. ON SATURDAY IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WHEN WE WISHED TO PARK THE VEHICLE. WE HAD TO STALL THE ENGINE…"~62,000 mi, complaint #1400072
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. STONE MOUNTAIN VOLKSWAGEN ([REDACTED ADDRESS], SNELLVILLE, GA 30078,…"~66,000 mi, complaint #1489712
    • "IGNITION SWITCH IS STUCK, CANNOT TURN THE IGNITION ON."~178,000 mi, complaint #1657414
  34. #34

    steering rack mechanical

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

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

    • "I KNOW THIS SOUNDS RIDICULOUS BUT I'VE DRIVEN ON MANY ROAD TRIPS AND THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED UNTIL THIS VEHICLE, AND IT'S PAINFUL. BUT HERE IT IS: LEATHER-WRAPPED STEERING WHEEL CAUSES CALLUSES AT A HIGHLY UNUSUAL RATE ON LONGER DRIVES. (I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DR…"~10,100 mi, complaint #876357
    • "STEERING PULLED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT, COULD NOT GET THE CAR STRAIGHT AND WENT INTO THE CURB. ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP DURING THE INCIDENT. *TR"~21,000 mi, complaint #886603
    • "REAR LEFT TIE ROD FRACTURED RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AT [REDACTED ADDRESS] 152."~62,000 mi, complaint #1300387
  35. #35

    engine oil consumption

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

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

    • "OUR 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI DEVELOPED AN ENGINE OIL LEAK. WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE SERVICE MANAGER REFUSED TO LET US DRIVE IT DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ENGINE FIRE. PER THE SERVICE MANGER THE OIL LEAK WAS CAUSING AN ATOMIZATION OF THE ENGINE OI…"~2,500 mi, complaint #872708
    • "WHEN DRIVING THE LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF 4 OR 5 TIMES THEN IS PERFECTLY FINE THE REST OF THE TRIP. IT HAPPENS IN COLD AND HOT WEATHER. WHEN THE LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON, IT'S ALWAYS WHEN I LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR TO COME TO A STOP.…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1395385
  36. #36

    glass and windshield

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

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

    • "WE WERE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 93 APPROX 5 MILES SOUTH OF EXIT 11 IN HOOKSETT, NH NORTHBOUND. THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE LIKE A GUNSHOT. I SWERVED INTO THE LEFT LANE AND BY THE TIME I GOT THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL MY WIFE AND I WERE COVERED IN GLASS AND…"~12,000 mi, complaint #966398
  37. #37

    steering column

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

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

    • "IN THE PROCESS OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE ALONG WITH ALL SYSTEMS IN THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WITH NO WARNING. THERE WAS NO ELECTRICAL POWER WHATSOEVER IN THE CAR AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT ANYTHING IN THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1194446
    • "VEHICLE STATIONARY, IGNITION LOCKED/CYLINDER LOCK MALFUNCTION WHILE CAR ON, NOT ABLE TO TURN CAR OFF. WHEEL LOCKED WHILE CAR ON. THIS OCCURRED TWICE BEFORE."~100,000 mi, complaint #1382003
  38. #38

    steering electric assist

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

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

    • "WHILE PARKED THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO TURN " AS IF STEERING WHEEL LOCK WAS WELDED SOLID". I COULD NOT TURN THE KEY AT ALL. CAR COULD NOT BE STARTED AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS, AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR AVAILABLE.AS A RESULT I HAD TO CALL A NEIGHBOR TO TAK…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1582794
    • "The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel locked and the vehicle started jerking with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics;…"~126,600 mi, complaint #1811589
  39. #39

    sunroof

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

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

    • "STANDING WATER IN THE WHEEL WELLS TRACED TO SUNROOF DRAINAGE HOSES NOT ATTACHED TO DRAINS BECAUSE THE CLIPS MEANT TO HOLD THE HOSE IN PLACE MALFUNCTIONED AND ALLOWED THE HOSE TO "BACK OUT" OF PLACE. THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY APPARENT AS CAR IS USUALLY…"~57,500 mi, complaint #1137234
  40. #40

    suspension arms and bushings

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

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

    • "I HAD AN ACCIDENT WETE CARE VERIED HARD LEFT AND HAD ACCIDENT. INSURANCE AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES BLAMED ME FOR INCIDENT. CAR FRONT END WAD COMPLETELY REBUILT AND WITHIN ONE YEAR I HAVE A LOWER CONTROL ARM THAT HAS BROKEN DUE TO MANUFACTURE DEFECT. MOLD OF ST…"~38,000 mi, complaint #1214097
    • "BROKEN TRAILING ARM AFTER 3 DAYS OF PURCHASE FROM DEALERSHIP DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX IT RECALL FOR MY CAR REAR TRAILING ARM I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR STARTED JUMPING IT SEEMED LIKE, LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE THEN I COULD NO LONGER DRIVE IT. TOWED CAR TO…"~67,000 mi, complaint #1547421
  41. #41

    unintended acceleration

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

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

    • "FROM TIME TO TIME, WHEN DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE (ENTERING HIGHWAY VIA ON RAMP, CLIMBING MODERATE HILL OR GRADE, PASSING SLOWER VEHICLE) THERE IS INITIALLY NO ACCELERATION, THEN A SUDDEN SURGE OF POWER CAUSING AN UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION."~950 mi, complaint #841700
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND APPROACHED A TRAFFIC STOP TO MAKE A TURN. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES TO A COMPLETE STOP AND WHEN THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATES TO 70…"~11,000 mi, complaint #941219
  42. #42

    brake booster

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

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

    • "WHEN I PURCHASE THIS CAR 2 DAYS AFTER I PURCHASE THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON FLASHING THE CAR IDLES TOO HIGH WHAT COULD BE WRONG WITH IT"complaint #1586095
  43. #43

    catalytic converter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

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

    • "PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW IN 2011. VW FIXED THE FUEL EXHAUST PORTS. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTICULATE FILTER AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO WARNED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD SERIOUS ISSUES. I HAD ONE YEAR LEFT…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1117581
  44. #44

    cruise control conventional

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

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

    • "WITH THE SPEED CONTROL ENGAGED AND WHILE PRESSING THE DECELERATION SWITCH ON THE TURN SIGNAL ARM TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN, THE SPEED UNEXPECTEDLY INCREASES. EACH PRESS OF THE DECELERATION SWITCH NORMALLY CAUSES THE SPEED TO BE REDUCED BY 1 MILE PER HOUR. TH…"~6,000 mi, complaint #856281
  45. #45

    driveshaft axle cv

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

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

    • "Was driving about 25-30mph when we heard a pop sound and the car started to become very hard to control. Everytime I would press the brakes the car would become even harder to control. I tried to turn into a driveway to see what happened and the car jerked and…"complaint #1845016
  46. #46

    engine turbo supercharger

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

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

    • "WENT TO PASS A VEHICLE AND I FELT A SURGE THEN A SIREN SOUND STARTED COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF ENGINE. WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP IT WAS A VACUUM ISSUE AND IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. WHEN I GOT TO DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A BLOWN TURBO. WONDERING IF THIS…"~127,754 mi, complaint #1059980
  47. #47

    evap system

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

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

    • "LETTER TO ADMINISTRATOR FROM REGARDING A PROBLEM WITH HIS 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SEL. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED 13 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT R…"complaint #897159
  48. #48

    fluid leak unspecified

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

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

    • "2011 JETTA SPORTWAGEN TDI REAR HATCH HAD A LEAK CAUSING TAILGATE TO FILL WITH WATER. BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES. 1ST TIME-REPLACED WINDOW AND SEAL 2ND TIME-REPLACED THIRD BREAK LIGHT AND GASKET 3RD TIME-SAID THERE WAS A BAD WELD AND REPLACED ENTIRE…"complaint #849723
  49. #49

    mirror

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

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

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY, THERE WAS A LOUD WIND SOUND INSIDE THE VEHICLE AS IF THE EXTERIOR WIND WAS BLOWING IN THROUGH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS. THE WINDOWS IN THE VEH…"~2,900 mi, complaint #851676
  50. #50

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

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

    • "WIND NOISE COMING FROM DRIVER SIDE DOOR."~117,400 mi, complaint #1527195
  51. #51

    paint and clearcoat

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

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

    • "MY CLEAR COAT BEGAN PEELING LAST YEAR, I MADE THE MISTAKE OF WAITING TO DISCUSS IT WITH VOLKSWAGEN UNTIL THIS YEAR, NOW THEY ARE SAYING MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED WHICH WE HAD BOUGHT THE 6 YEAR PLAN AND THAT THE CLEAR COAT IS NOT THEIR ISSUE ANYMORE PLUS A SPOT O…"complaint #1112846
  52. #52

    parking brake

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

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

    • "ON 05/22/2019 AROUND 6 PM, MY WIFE PARKED THE CAR (VW JETTA, 2011 WAS STATIONED IN PARKING MODE), TURNED THE CAR OFF AT [REDACTED ADDRESS], NEWARK, NJ 07108, THEN SUDDENLY THE CAR ROLLED BACK THE DOWNHILL, CROSSED SMITH STREET TO HIT OUR NEIGHBOR CAR ON THE RI…"complaint #1617652
  53. #53

    software or update

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

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

    • "I HAVE A 2011 JETTA SE 2.5L AUTO PZEV AND WHEN I TURNED ON THE CAR OUTSIDE FROM MY HOUSE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON WITH NO REASON. I PASSED THE SCANNER AND THREW THE CODE P0106. THE CAR WOULD DRIVE WELL, BUT WHEN I RELEASE THE BRAKE AND PRESS GAS, TH…"complaint #1627446
  54. #54

    stability and traction control

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

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

    • "NEW CAR MANUAL TRANSMISSION, CAR STALLS OUT AT LOW SPEEDS ON SNOW COVERED ROADS. RPM'S 1400 - 2000 CAN STOP PROBLEM IF TRACTION CONTROL IS DISABLED. I HAVE DRIVEN MANUALS FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND IT IS NOT OPERATOR ERROR IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRACTION CONTRO…"complaint #840791
  55. #55

    throttle and pedal

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

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

  56. #56

    timing belt or chain

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

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

    • "MY VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2011 SEEMS TO HAVE MISFIRE. IT HAS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. THE CAR SHAKES WHEN SLOW DOWN AND/OR AT STOPS. VW CERTIFIED MECHANIC TRIED CHANGING THE PLUGS, AND CLEANING THE VALVES BUT NOTHING HELPED. HE ALSO TIED SHAFT CRANK SENSOR THAT DID…"~94,580 mi, complaint #1500621
  57. #57

    torque converter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

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

    • "I'LL TURN MY CAR OFF AND WAIT FOR THE RPM'S TO GO BELOW 1,000 SOMETIMES I'LL SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND MY CAR WILL KICK AND THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON. I HAVE GONE TO GET THE ERROR CHECKED BY MULTIPLE COMPUTERS; THE SAME ERROR READS AS TORCH CONVERTER CIRCUI…"complaint #1571133
  58. #58

    tpms

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

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

    • "I BOT W/ ONLY 40,[REDACTED ADDRESS] ALOT. ITS ABOUT 70,000 NOW. ONE TIRE SENSOR IS OUT AND THE PERSON AT FRIRESTONE SAID THEYLL GO OUT AGAIN AND ITS HARD TO KNOW WHICH TIRE IT IS. THE ELE TRICAL IS A MESS. I FINALLY TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC. IT IS DEFNITELY E…"complaint #1712329
  59. #59

    wheel bearing

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

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

    • "THE TURANZA EL400 02 TIRES CAME STANDARD ON MY NEW 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE TIRES HAVE A VIBRATION AT 40-40 MPH. DEALER SAYS IT IS THE TIRES. THE VIBRATION GETS BETTER WITH DRIVING, BUT NEVER COMPLETELY GOES AWAY. VIBRATION IS AT ITS WORST AFTER THE CAR HAS…"complaint #863585
  60. #60

    wheel or rim

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

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

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OR NOT AND WHO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR…"~51,000 mi, complaint #1149422

NHTSA investigations

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