2012 Volkswagen Jetta
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 526 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 26 Jetta model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 24 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 17 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
Representative owner complaints: air bags
35 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Engine, Feb 11, 2017
"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 THE FIRST TIME I HAVEN'T HAD ANY ISSUES LIKE THIS BEFORE . I RETURNED BACK TO THE DEALER AND INFORMED THEM , THEY SAID YOU HAVE TO LEAVE IT AND WE'RE SORRY WE DIDN'T TAKE CARE OF THAT . I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO LEAVE IT THERE FOR ONE MORE DAY . NOW THEY'RE ASKING ME TO PAY FOR IT AROUND $992 ! I GOT ALL OF THE VOICEMAIL FROM THE DEALER THEY CALLED ME TO APOLOGIZE FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND ASKED ME TO COME BACK TO FIX SINCE IT CAME UP AFTER I DROPPED IT FOR THE RECALL . ALSO , I HAVE SHOWED THE QUOTE FOR THE WATER LEAKING TO MANY AUTO CARE CENTERS IN HOUSTON . THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS KIND OF CAR WITH 2.0 ENGINE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WATER PUMP AND THEY WILL NEVER GET INVOLVED WHIT THIS CAR BECAUSE TO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ENGINE AND CAR MODEL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES . MY CAR ONLY GOT 60K MILE ON IT AND NEVER BEEN INTO AND ACCIDENT IT'S BEEN LESS THAN 5 YEARS NOW SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR . I PAID 28K DOLLARS CASH FROM THE FIRST DAY JUST BECAUSE I TRUSTED IN VW. I HAVE CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA , BUT THEY DIDN'T HELP ME WITH MY CASE AND ASKED ME TO PAY FOR IT .
Air bags, Sep 21, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT FOOT, LEFT KNEE, AND LEFT ARM. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST, ARMS, AND LEFT LEG THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V483000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. ..UPDATED 05/23/17 *BF *TR
Air bags, Sep 20, 2016, crash
I WAS TURNING A BLIND 90 DEGREE CORNER ON MY PRIVATE ROAD GOING APPROX. 10-15 MILES PER HOUR WHEN I COLLIDED WITH MY ROOMMATE WHO WAS RETURNING HOME. UNFORTUNATELY WE WERE AT THE SAME PLACE AT THE SAME TIME AND COULDN'T SEE EACH OTHER. MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND WHEN THEY DID, THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG COVER (WHERE THE VW LOGO IS) ON THE CENTER STEERING COLUMN, FLAPPED OPEN AND OVER ONTO MY LEFT FOREARM LIKE A SUPER HOT BRANDING IRON. THE VW LOGO BOTH SEARED INTO AND CUT INTO MY ARM. I WILL MOST LIKELY BE SCARRED FOR LIFE. I FEEL THAT THIS METAL VW LOGO IN THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WAITING TO HAPPEN.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, May 8, 2016
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 WHERE THEY CONNECTED THE BACK LIGHTS TO OTHER MODULES IN THE CAR, SO THE SHORT REMAINS AND CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT FUSE KEEPS BLOWING EVERY TIME YOU PUT A NEW ONE IN VW IS NOT WILLING TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM AND GIVE ME A SOLUTION, THE SHORT IS NOT IN ANY OF THE LIGHTS ON THE BACK OF THE CAR, OR INSIDE THE CAR, VW IS REFUSING TO GIVE ME THE SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM FOR THAT CIRCUIT SO WE CAN TRACE THE PROBLEM, THEY INSIST ON TAKING IT TO THE DEALER WHERE IT IS GOING TO BE A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX TO TRACK DOWN THE SHORT WHERE IT IS AN ENGINEERING FLAW. ALSO THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, AND SEAT BELTS WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND START CHIMING WHILE YOU HAVE SEAT BELTS ON AND PROPERLY FASTENED, DO NOT KNOW IF SEAT BELT OR AIRBAGS ARE DEFECTIVE WHICH IS VERY UNSAFE IN MY OPINION, AND VW REFUSES TO LOOK AT MY PROBLEM WITHOUT A HEFTY DEALER CHARGE. PLEASE HELP
Air bags, Aug 6, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT SUDDENLY STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jun 29, 2015
THE VEHICLE WAS BEING BACKED OUT OF A DRIVEWAY INTO THE ROADWAY WHEN THE HORN BEGAN TO SOUND CONTINUOUSLY AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TURNED OFF COMPLETELY TO STOP THE HORN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HORN SOUNDS WHENEVER THE IGNITION IS ENGAGED SOMETIMES STOPPING ONCE THE ENGINE TURNS ON, SOMETIMES NOT. ONCE STARTED THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEABLE BUT THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, THE HORN ON THE STEERING WHEEL IS INOPERABLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS ARE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP AND DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY CLOCK SPRING THAT REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. THE INCIDENT APPEARS TO BE SIMILAR TO THAT DESCRIBED IN NHTSA INVESTIGATION PE 15-010.
Air bags, Jul 31, 2014
I WENT TO PASSENGER SIDE OF PARKED VEHICLE, OPENED DOOR, AND ADJUSTED SEAT POSITION BACKWARDS SLIGHTLY. THE NEXT MORNING I STARTED CAR AND AFTER SEVERAL MILES OF DRIVING , THE SOLID (NON-BLINKING) AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I CALLED 2 DEALERS IN AREA WHO TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN IMMEDIATELY FOR A $900 TO $1000 REPAIR. I HAD FAULT DIAGNOSED BY PROFESSIONAL AS A PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG FAULT TO THE IGNITER - SHORT TO GROUND. I WILL NOT PAY FOR THIS REPAIR WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE PART THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. MY AIRBAG SYSTEM IS NOW DEACTIVATED. *TR
Steering, Air bags, Jun 30, 2014
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 WARRANTY SO DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Mar 7, 2014
I WAS SOLD A BRAND NEW 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WITHOUT A PASSENGER AIRBAG. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WERE MULTIPLE OTHER DEFECTS WITH THE VEHICLE, AND BY DEFINITION, I WAS SOLD A LEMON. I'VE TRIED BRINGING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS TO REPAIR THE PROBLEMS, AND THEY HAVE YET TO BE ABLE TO CORRECT THE ISSUES. THE DEALERSHIP INSTALLED A NEW AIRBAG WHICH HAS MALFUNCTIONED ON MORE THAN A FEW OCCASIONS, RESULTING IN THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMING ON AND CAUSING FAULTS IN THE TERMINALS LEADING TO THE TAIL LIGHTS AND SHORTS IN THE DASHBOARD. *TR
Air bags, Sep 25, 2011
AT APPROXIMATELY 425 MILES, THE VEHICLE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS NOW MALFUNCTIONING (AIRBAG SYSTEM LIGHTS AND ERROR) OUT OF NOWHERE REQUIRING IN DEPTH DIAGNOSIS BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR