2011 Volkswagen Jetta
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 640 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 26 Jetta model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 28 involved a crash and 12 involved a fire. 16 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderSep 23, 2020
Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.
Campaign 20E064000 on NHTSA.gov
Other or unspecifiedSep 25, 2019
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.
Campaign 19V679000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, ignition, anti-theft, control moduleAug 22, 2019
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
Campaign 19V615000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalAug 4, 2015
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. 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 to the driver's frontal air bag.
A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 15V483000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearOct 20, 2014
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 1, 2010, to November 30, 2012, and 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles manufactured March 1, 2011, to July 31, 2013. The durability of the rear trailing arms may be reduced in vehicles whose rear trailing arms have been previously deformed, such as a result of a rear or side-rear impact crash.
The reduced durability of the trailing arm may result in its sudden fracture, possibly causing loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a sheet metal inlay on the rear axle trailing arms designed to prevent a sudden loss of control in the event of trailing arm sudden fracture, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Campaign 14V656000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 7, 2014
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
Campaign 14E007000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, dieselOct 3, 2011
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2009-2012 JETTA AND JETTA SPORTWAGEN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 AUDI A3 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L TDI COMMON RAIL DIESEL ENGINE/CLEAN DIESEL ENGINE. THE FUEL INJECTION PULSES COULD COINCIDE WITH THE NATURAL FREQUENCY OF THE INJECTOR LINE #2, IN SPECIFIC LOAD AND RPM CONDITIONS. THIS RESONANCE CREATES ADDITIONAL STRESS IN THE FUEL LINE.
DUE TO THE RESONANCE CONDITION, INJECTOR LINE NUMBER 2 COULD DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE. LEAKING FUEL IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED FUEL INJECTOR LINE FOR THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER ON CERTAIN VEHICLES AND WILL INSTALL VIBRATION DAMPERS ON ALL OF THE INJECTOR LINES. VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS TO HAVE THE VEHICLES REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 11V490000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, exhaust systemSep 8, 2011
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST TIPS, PART NUMBER 1K0 071 910 U, SOLD AS ACCESSORY EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 JETTA SEDAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 18, 2010, THROUGH AUGUST 22, 2011. THESE EXHAUST TIPS MAY EXTEND BEYOND THE ORIGINAL LENGTH OF THE FACTORY-INSTALLED EXHAUST PIPES. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR INADVERTENT CONTACT TO OCCUR WITH A PERSON'S LEG.
IF THE TAILPIPE EXTENSION IS HOT DURING INADVERTENT CONTACT, A BURN COULD OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST TIPS AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 11E036000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, exhaust systemSep 7, 2011
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 JETTA SEDAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 18, 2010, THROUGH AUGUST 22, 2011. SOME VEHICLES HAD A STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST TIP INSTALLED AT THE PORT DURING IMPORTATION. THESE EXHAUST TIPS MAY EXTEND BEYOND THE ORIGINAL LENGTH OF THE FACTORY-INSTALLED EXHAUST PIPES. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR INADVERTENT CONTACT TO OCCUR WITH A PERSON'S LEG.
IF THE TAILPIPE EXTENSION IS HOT DURING INADVERTENT CONTACT, A BURN COULD OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST TIPS AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 11V466000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiring, fuses and circuit breakersMar 29, 2011
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 JETTA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 2010 THROUGH MARCH 2011. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN ELECTRICAL WIRING AND FUSE LAYOUT WHERE THE CONVERTER BOX IS PROTECTED BY THE SAME FUSE USED BY THE SIGNAL HORN AND THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM SYSTEM. SHOULD THAT FUSE BE BLOWN, THE CONVERTER BOX WILL BE DISCONNECTED FROM THE POWER SUPPLY WHICH, IN TURN, WILL SHUT OFF APPLICATIONS SUCH AS THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, LIGHTING SYSTEM, AND WIPERS.
SHOULD THIS HAPPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, THE ENGINE COULD STALL, OR THE HEADLIGHTS OR WIPERS COULD TURN OFF UNEXPECTEDLY, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS WHEN SUFFICIENT QUANTITIES OF REPAIRS KITS ARE AVAILABLE. DEALERS WILL SEPARATE THE WIRING FOR THE HORN AND THE THEFT PROTECTION HORN FROM THE POWER SUPPLY OF THE CONVERTER BOX AND ROUTE THE WIRES TO SEPARATE FUSES TO CORRECT THE CONDITION FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 11V196000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: diesel
82 reports, newest first. Show all
Fuel system, Diesel, Apr 20, 2011
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
Fuel system, Diesel, Apr 19, 2011
REPEATED STALLING, ROUGH RUNNING AND LOSS OF POWER ON 2011 VW JETTA SPORTWAGON TDI W/DSG AUTO TRANSMISSION. MOST FUEL PURCHASED FROM SAME BP LOCATION. ALWAYS CONFIRM DIESEL BEFORE FUELING. PROBLEM ACROSS MULTIPLE FUELINGS. RECEIPTS FOR ALL FUEL PURCHASES WITH MILEAGE RECORDED. *TR
Fuel system, Diesel, Electrical system, Apr 19, 2011
ON FRIDAY, APRIL 15TH AT APPROX 10:30PM I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 VW JETTA TDI (WITH LESS THAN 1800 MILES ON IT) ON THE HIGHWAY APPROX 2 1/2 HOURS FROM HOME AND IT STALLED. I COASTED OFF TO THE SHOULDER AND WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. AFTER NEARLY 2 HOURS THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED THAT VW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SENT AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WHICH WAS ABOUT 60 MILES AWAY FROM THE BREAKDOWN POINT. I HAD TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN A HOTEL IN A STRANGE AREA. ON MONDAY, APRIL 18TH THE DEALERSHIP STATED AN OUTSTANDING ELECTRICAL RECALL WAS THE PROBLEM. THEY CHANGED A WIRE HARNESS AND SOME FUSES AND THE CAR WAS READY FOR PICK UP. I DROVE 100 MILES TO RETRIEVE MY CAR ON APRIL 18TH. TODAY ON APRIL 19TH AFTER SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN AND WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP IN MY HOME TOWN. STILL WAITING FOR WAITING FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THEY ONLY HAVE 1 VW TECHNICIAN AND HE IS ON VACATION THROUGH FRIDAY APRIL 22ND. *TR
Fuel system, Diesel, Apr 2, 2011
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 INDICATING ANY FAILURE OR LEAKAGE OTHER THAN A FUEL SMELL. WHEN I PARKED MY CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE MY HUSBAND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE AS THE VEHICLE AND I COULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE AT ANY TIME. *TR
Fuel system, Diesel, Mar 7, 2011
CAR WAS HEATED UP TO OPERATING TEMPERATURE DURING A ROUTINE 15 MILE DRIVE. CAR WAS THEN SHUT OFF FOR ROUGHLY AN HOUR AND THEN BEGAN ANOTHER 15 MILE DRIVE TO THE GROCERY STORE. IT SAT IN THE SUN AT THE STORE FOR ALMOST AN HOUR BEFORE IT WAS STARTED. UPON LEAVING THE PARKING LOT OF THE STORE, THE CAR COMPLETELY STALLED WHILE IN 2ND GEAR AT APPROXIMATELY 2,400 RPMS UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION. THE CAR WOULD HAVE STOPPED IF MY WIFE WOULDN'T HAVE PUSHED THE CLUTCH IN AND HEADED FOR THE SHOULDER. UPON TURNING THE KEY ALL THE WAY AND BACK ON TO START (SEVERAL TIMES), THE ENGINE WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START. ABOUT THE FOURTH KEY CYCLE THE MOTOR FIRED AND PRODUCED A TON OF WHITE SMOKE. NO DASH LIGHTS CAME ON BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER THIS INCIDENT. CAR STALLED AND WAS ALMOST REARENDED BY A SEMI TRUCK IN A 25 MPH ZONE WHERE THERE IS BASICALLY NO SHOULDER. 2011 JETTA SPORTSWAGEN TDI, 6 SPD MANUAL TRANSMISSION WITH 11,500 MILES ON IT. HAS HAD TWO OIL CHANGES FROM THE DEALERSHIP OTHERWISE NO OTHER MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON THE CAR EXCEPT CHECKING THE TIRES AND ROTATING THEM. *TR
Fuel system, Diesel, Feb 8, 2011
2011 VW DIESEL JETTA SIX SPEED MANUAL. THE COMPUTER IS PROGRAMMED TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AT ABOUT 750 RPM THIS NUMBER APPEARS TO BE ARBITRARY OR POSSIBLY PICKED FOR SOME FUEL ECONOMY TRADEOFF. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS CAUSES SOME VERY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS IN TRAFFIC. NORMALLY A DIESEL CAN BE BROUGHT DOWN TO NEARLY ZERO AND STILL POWER UP AND OUT OF A STOP. GAS ENGINES ARE NOT SO GOOD AT THIS BUT TO SOME EXTENT THIS IS AN ENGINE CONDITION THAT SHOULD BE ANTICIPATED AND SUCCESSFULLY RECOVERED FROM. VW HAS TAKEN THE OTHER ROAD. IF ONE DOES NOT REV THE ENGINE EXCESSIVELY, EVEN ON VERY SLIGHT INCLINES, THE COMPUTER LETS YOU GET ABOUT TEN FEET INTO THE INTERSECTION AND TURNS THE ENGINE OFF. THE GUY BEHIND YOU HAS TO SLAM ON HIS BREAKS IF HE IS LOOKING (YOUR BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OFF BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT USING THEM TO STOP.) OR IF HE IS LOOKING AT HIS LEFT TURN LANE, HIS PHONE OR WHATEVER, POW. OR YOU GET HALF INTO AN INTERSECTION CROSSING FROM THE STOP SIGN AND GET DROPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD UNTIL YOU CAN GO THROUGH THE EVOLUTION OF EVENTS ALLOWING A RESTART. RESTART EVOLUTION ALSO CONTRIBUTES TO THE DANGER AS IT TAKES SO LONG. I HAVE DRIVEN MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS EXCLUSIVELY FOR 40 LICENSED DRIVING YEARS AND A FEW YEARS PRIOR TO THAT ON THE FARM. ONE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DRIVE WITH ONE'S HEEL ON THE TOP OF THE GAS PEDAL, BUT OVER-REVVING THE ENGINE IS THE ONLY WAY TO SAFELY START OUT FROM A STOP SIGN. THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE GOTTEN PAST THE ENGINEERS. UNLESS OF COURSE THEY ARE NOT GUYS WHO ENJOY DRIVING. EVEN THE DEALER'S MASTER MECHANICS ARE PUZZLED THAT THEY STALL IT EVERY TIME THEY TRY TO DRIVE IT. *TR
Fuel system, Diesel, Nov 15, 2010
MY 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN TDI HAD IT'S FUEL PUMP FAIL LEAVING MY WIFE AND CHILD STRANDED. THE CAR WAS STARTED AND SUDDENLY LOST POWER ON THE ROADWAY. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. PUMP FAILURE WAS CATASTROPHIC SENDING METAL SHARDS THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM (TANK, FUEL LINES, FILTERS, ETC.) THIS HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED BY MANY OTHERS WITH THIS ENGINE (BACK TO 2009). AS OF YET THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL BY VW. VW IS CURRENTLY TESTING MY FUEL AND HAS ORDERED PARTS FOR REPAIR. THE REPLACEMENT PART WILL BE THE SAME PART # AS THE ONE THAT FAILED. MOST PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN WHILE OUT ON THE ROAD, ESSENTIALLY STRANDING THEM IN A DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT. I LOVE MY CAR, BUT I WANT IT TO BE SAFE. *TR