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: electrical system
144 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Aug 1, 2014
KEY WILL NOT TURN TO SHUT ENGINE OFF , TURN KEY FORWARD LIKE STARTING CAR , THEN RELEASE KEY SO IT SPRINGS BACK AND REMOVE KEY. DEFECT, COULD NOT SHUT CAR OFF WHILE PUMPING GAS, HAD TO WAIT TILL I WAS HOME TO LOOKUP ON INTERNET HOW TO TURN KEY OFF. *TR
Fuel system, Diesel, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 19, 2014
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 STILL A PROBLEM. AND I DO NOT KNOW IF IT IS A SAFETY DEFECT OR NOT. I WANT TO KNOW THAT BEFORE A CRASH, FIRE, OR FATALITY HAPPENS. PLEASE....IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO YOUR VEHICLE, MAKE IT KNOWN TO THIS SITE. THANKS. *TR
Electrical system, May 17, 2014
APPROACHED A RED LIGHT - WAS 2ND CAR FROM LIGHT. JUST AS I STOPPED THE LIGHT CHANGED TO GREEN AND WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS TO GO THE CAR CUT OFF. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ABOUT 5 DAYS LATER AND THEN TODAY I WAS GOING SLOWLY THROUGH A SHOPPING COMPLEX PARKING LOT AND THE ENGINE CUT OFF AGAIN. I HAD MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE A FEW DAYS AFTER THE 2ND INCIDENT AND HAD THEM CHECK IT OUT BUT WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS OK. I WAS TOLD ABOUT 8 OR 9 MOS AGO THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ECM AND THE DEALER CHECKED IT OUT AND ASSURED ME ALL WAS OK JUST LIKE THEY ASSURED ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WHEN THEY CHECKED IT OUT AFTER THE CALL STALLED OUT ON ME. *JS
Electrical system, Visibility, May 3, 2014
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 WAS NEVER GETTING CONSTANT COLD AIR. I BROUGHT IT IN AND NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP OF THE ISSUE AND EVEN POINTED OUT A WIRE THAT SEEMED TO ME TO BE A ODD BECAUSE WIRE WAS SHOWING, THEY TOLD ME DON'T WORRY WE WILL TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE. THEY DID NOT DO SO THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL, EVEN THOUGH I KNEW IT WAS NOT BECAUSE I WAS THE ONE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. IT SEEMED TO ME ONCE AGAIN THEY DID LITTLE AS THEY COULD TO ACTUALLY HELP ME AND GET THIS THEY SUPPOSEDLY DID ANOTHER MULTIPOINT INSPECTION AND DID NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT MY TIRES, SOMETHING VW KEARNY MESA SAID TO BE CUPPED AND FEATHERED, BUT YET THEY DID NOT CATCH THIS. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 20, 2014
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 SHUT THE ENGINE. I CALLED THE POLICE OFFICER AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY, BUT NONE OF THEM CAN HELP ME WITH THIS SITUATION. THE ENGINE KEPT RUNNING FOR AN HOUR AND ALMOST 40 MINUTES UNTIL I ACCIDENTALLY TURNED IT OFF. I WAS CALLING MY FRIEND AND TRIED IT AGAIN, AFTER ALMOST TWO HOURS IT STOPPED. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Apr 6, 2014
WHILE DRIVING HOME AFTER A SNOWSTORM, MY WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. BECAUSE OF IT, I COULD NOT CLEAN MY WINDSHIELD AND HAD TO KEEP PULLING OVER AND POURING WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID DOWN MY FRONT WINDOW SO THAT I COULD SEE. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS IN MAINE IN THE WINTER TIME TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN AS WE OFTEN ENCOUNTER WET/SNOWY ROADS AND YOU MUST DEPEND ON YOUR WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND FLUID SYSTEM TO WORK PROPERLY AND KEEP YOUR WINDSHIELD CLEAR. I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE VW DEALER (O CONNORS IN AUGUSTA MAINE). . THEY DETERMINED THERE WAS NO POWER COMING OUT OF THE WIPER SWITCH TO THE PUMP. FIRST THEY REPLACED THE WIPER/WASHER SWITCH WHICH DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THEN THEY HAD IT FOR ANOTHER FULL DAY AND DETERMINED THE "BODY CONTROL MODULE" WAS NOT WORKING. THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART. IT COST $1041 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE MODULE, PART # 5CO-937-087-E-Z09 CONTROL UNIT. WHEN I FINALLY PICKED IT UP I WAS TOLD THAT 5 OTHER VW OWNERS HAD THEIR CARS IN FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM THAT WEEK. ONE OWNER WAS STANDING THERE IN THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AREA AND HE TOLD ME THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO HIS 2013 JETTA. THE SHOP REP SAID THEY WERE SEEING A LOT OF THESE SINCE THE COLD WEATHER SET IN. MY CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND WAS ONLY 20 MONTHS OLD WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THERE HAS GOT TO BE A MAJOR DEFECT FOR THIS MANY NEW CARS TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN TO THEM. I WISH YOU WOULD INVESTIGATE. *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
Electrical system, Feb 4, 2014
MY VW JETTA FROM 2012 HAS ISSUES WITH THE HORN NOT WORKING PROPERLY WHEN THERE A HEAVY RAIN AND HUMIDITY. WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN THE HORN BECOMES EXTREMELY LOW OR WON'T WORK AT ALL. HAVE BEEN TO THE VW SERVICE CENTER AND GOTTEN THIS REPLACED. THE ISSUE PERSISTS. THIS IS NOT SAFE WHEN HAVING TO ALERT A DRIVER OR PEDESTRIAN. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jan 21, 2014
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 CHIP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATELY FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,281. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Nov 20, 2013
LEAVING WORK I HAD STARTED MY CAR LET THE CAR IDLE DOWN PUT IT IN DRIVE AND IT SLAMMED INTO GEAR AFTER TAKING OFF THE CAR SHIFTED INTO 3RD GEAR AND NO HIGHER AFTER NOTICING THIS I PULLED OVER PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TRIED SHIFTING THROUGH THE GEARS AND IT CONTINUED TO SLAM INTO DRIVE AND REVERSE SO I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND STARTED IT BACK UP AT THAT POINT THE MIL WAS ON AND THE SERVICE WRENCH WAS LIGHT UP. CALLED ME DEALERSHIP THEY HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP UPON THEIR DIAGNOSES THEY SAID IT COULD BE A WIRING ISSUE POSSIBLE A TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE ISSUE UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE HAD BEEN WARRANTIED PREVIOUSLY (AS I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE CAR). *TR
Electrical system, Nov 18, 2013
WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT IN A LEFT HAND TURN LANE, ALL OF THE DASH LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLASH. SHE THOUGHT IF SHE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT, IT WOULD CLEAR. SHE COULD NOT RESTART THE CAR, THE HAZARD LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN ON, THE BACK DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK , THE RADIO COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF AND IT WAS PITCH DARK. THANK GOD, A MAN WITH A FAMILY PUSHED HER CAR TO OUT OF THE LEFT HAND TURN LANE AND INTO A GAS STATION PARKING LOT ACROSS THE STREET. UPON MY HUSBAND AND MY ARRIVAL, WE COULD NOT OPEN THE TRUNK EITHER TO ALLOW THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER ACCESS TO THE TOW HOOK. WE LEASED THIS CAR DUE TO ITS SAFETY FEATURES OF OUR COLLEGE AGE DAUGHTER. HAZARD LIGHTS SHOULD WORK REGARDLESS OF WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE VEHICLE. HAD SOMEONE REARED ENDED THE VEHICLE DUE TO NO HAZARD LIGHTS, PASSENGERS IN THE BACK WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. OR IF IT HAD CAUGHT FIRE TO ONLY WAY TO EXIT WOULD BE THROUGH THE TWO FRONT DOORS. WE WERE TOLD BY THE VW DEALER THAT IT WAS A CONTROLLER THAT WENT OUT AND THAT HE HAS NEVER HEARD THIS HAPPENING BEFORE. I'M WRITING TO VW TO LET THEM KNOW THAT IF THIS IS TRUE FOR ALL VW PRODUCTS, IT IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT JEOPARDIZES EVERYONE THAT BUYS OR LEASES ONE. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 23, 2013
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
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 15, 2013
I WAS ON AN APPROXIMATELY 6 HOUR ROAD TRIP. APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES FROM MY HOME, MY 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI WAS BEING DRIVEN AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BEGAN FLASHING. VEHICLE THEN WENT INTO "LIMP MODE", SLOWING TO APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE NEXT EXIT OFF THE HIGHWAY, AND COME TO A STOP AT THE OFF RAMP STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED, AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THIS LEFT MY WIFE AND I STRANDED 100 MILES FROM HOME. VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. MECHANIC AT DEALERSHIP STATED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP "EXPLODED", SENDING METAL SHARDS THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE'S FUEL SYSTEM. DEALERSHIP STATES THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY "CONTAMINATED FUEL". A SMALL AMOUNT OF ONLINE RESEARCH REVEALED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGEN TDI ENGINES. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 11, 2013
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 DEALERSHIP WHO EVALUATED THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE MAIN FUSE HAD MELTED AND BLOWN OUT THE ENTIRE FUSE BOX AND THE ALTERNATOR CABLE HAD MELTED. THE REPAIR INVOICE INDICATES: "FOUND ALTERNATOR CABLE AT FUSE BOX MELTED, REPLACED FUSE PANEL, ALTERNATOR CABLE AND FUSE ON FRONT OF FUSE PANEL. REPLACED WIRING HARNESS. TESTED BATTERY AND CHARGING SYSTEM AND ROAD TESTED CAR. " I BELIEVE THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 9, 2012
PICKED UP THE CAR FROM THE DEALER ON 10/03/12 AT 11:00 A.M. IT WAS NEW---HAD 47 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. DROVE IT TO WORK AND THEN ARRIVED HOME AT 6:45 THAT EVENING WITH ODOMETER READING 81 MILES. AS I WAS PARKING THE CAR IN THE GARAGE I PUT IT INTO REVERSE TO BACK IT INTO THE SPOT AND THEN SWITCHED THE GEAR(THIS IS A AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) TO DRIVE TO STRAIGHTEN OUT. THE CAR CONTINUED TO MOVE BACKWARDS IN REVERSE AND IF I HAD NOT HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE I WOULD HAVE CRASHED INTO THE CONCRETE WALL OF THE GARAGE. TRIED TO PUT THE CAR BACK INTO DRIVE--THE GEAR SHIFT WAS STUCK IN REVERSE. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND OF COURSE, COULD NOT START IT AGAIN BECAUSE THE CAR WAS IN REVERSE. THE ELECTRICAL PANEL ON THE DASHBOARD CONTINUED TO READ THAT THE CAR WAS IN PARK. TOW TRUCK DRIVER ARRIVED AND HE HAD TO MANUALLY PULL THE CABLE WIRE IN THE ENGINE WHILE THE CAR WAS RUNNING TO CHANGE GEARS AND GET THE CAR TO START. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM---THE DEALER AND VOLKSWAGEN CLAIM IT HAS BEEN FIXED BY SIMPLY TIGHTENING A CLASP ON THE TRANSMISSION CABLE. WHY WAS THE CLASP LOOSE? I MAINTAIN THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. IF I HAD BEEN TRYING TO MAKE A U TURN IN TRAFFIC OR PARK ON THE STREET THE RESULT COULD HAVE BEEN HORRIFIC. . I AM PETRIFIED TO DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN AND THE DEALERSHIP AND VOLKSWAGEN WANT TO SWEEP THIS INCIDENT UNDER THE RUG. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING TO SOMEONE ELSE. THANK YOU *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 20, 2012
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) AND THEN ACCELERATES (LIGHT CHANGES TO GREEN). ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS AFTER ACCELERATION BEGINS THE ENGINE STALLS AND MUST BE RESTARTED. THE ENGINE JUST CUTS OUT DURING ACCELERATION. *TR
Electrical system, Service brakes, Aug 20, 2012, crash
HELLO, PURCHASED A VW JETTA SE ON 7/20/12 AND ALMOST 1 MONTH AFTER THE PURCHASE I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY AT APX. 50 MPH AROUND 5:30PM WHEN CAR HEADLIGHTS BLINKED AND CAR DIED (STALLED). ATTEMPTED TO RE-START A CAR WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS. SINCE VW DEALER WAS CLOSED ALREADY - CALLED A LOCAL AUTO SHOP AND THEY TOWED A CAR TO A SHOP TO FIND AN ISSUE. MECHANIC COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING OBVIOUS SO HE RE-SET A COMPUTER IN MY CAR AND HE WAS ABLE TO START IT. DROVE HOME. LATER IN THE EVENING - DROVE TO PICK-UP SOME FOOD AND ON THE WAY HOME (INSIDE A DEVELOPMENT) - WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT APX. 15-18 MPH - PRESSED BRAKES AND REALIZED I HAD NONE AND AT THE SAME TIME CAR STALLED AND SINCE IT WAS RAINING AND I WAS ALREADY SLIGHTLY TURNING LEFT - CAR SLID IN THE DIRECTION ON MY TURN AND RIGHT REAR TIRE HIT THE CURB, TIRE FALL OFF, CAR HIT A STREET SIGN AND AN ELECTRIC POOL (BOTH FELL TO THE GROUND) AND BROUGHT ME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE GRASS. POLICE WAS CONTACTED AND A CAR WAS TOWED TO A NEAREST BODY SHOP. FILING A COMPLAINT WITH VW - WILL SEE WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Back over prevention, Jun 24, 2012
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
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jan 24, 2012, fire
DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME FROM WORK FRIDAY 1/13, WEATHER WAS BELOW FREEZING CAUSING ICE BUILD UP. PARKED THE VEHICLE IN MY GARAGE ~45 DEGREES. ICE BEGAN MELT, AND WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE SATURDAY AFTERNOON IT TURNED 1/4 TURN AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. MY ASSUMPTION IS THAT THE ENGINE INHALED WATER CAUSING A HYDRO-LOCK, I CONTINUED TO TRY TO START THE VEHICLE A TOTAL 5 TIMES (IT TURNED OVER ONCE AND RAN EXTREMELY ROUGH AND DIED ONCE). THE LAST TIME TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE I SMELLED SMOKE, I POPPED THE HOOD TO FIND THE STARTER AND WIRING ON FIRE. I WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE RELATIVELY QUICKLY, CONSIDERING THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE ATTACHED TO MY HOUSE THIS COULD HAVE EXTREMELY CATASTROPHIC IF I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET THE FIRE OUT. *** THIS IS THE SECOND TIME FOR THE HARD / NO START PROBLEM, THIS ONE HOWEVER RESULTED IN THE FIRE. VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT FOLLOW THE BELOW TSB SINCE THE VEHICLE STARTED AFTER WIRING AND STARTER REPLACEMENT. ISSUE MIRRORS TSB # 21 11 06 / 2025464, WHICH INCLUDES ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OVER, "DEAD BATTERY" STARTER ACTION (DUE TO HYDRAULIC RESISTANCE IN CYLINDER), AND STARTER/ELECTRICAL FIRES (DUE TO STARTER OVERHEATING DURING ATTEMPTS TO START LOCKED ENGINE). *TR