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: engine
95 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Mar 15, 2025
I recently bought vehicle seen there is a recall
Steering, Power train, Engine, Jan 6, 2024
I remember having my keys in my hand and my car was slowly reversing out the driveway. I panicked, i was stomping on my brakes for a while jerking back and it took me about 2 minutes to finally get the key back in and try to put in park again. I went to a shop the following weekend because all the jerking and jabbing to get my key back in seems to have caused my ignition switch to misfire or whatever the word he (mechanic) used, so now i cannot take my key out like a regular person, I have to flick my key a certain way out anytime i want to turn my car off.(even mechanics have a hard time taking it out. I was also given a qr code to scan and was brought the this exact recall of the situation with my car. I now have my engine light on and [XXX] gave me the fault code for my map sensor. I’m not sure if the two are related but this was following the incident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Steering, Engine, Oct 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagon Jetta Sportwagen. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal became inoperable and the vehicle did not accelerate. The engine and power steering had failed. The glow plug warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The contact was informed that the failure was due to the high-pressure fuel pump which sent metal shards through the fuel line. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
Engine, Aug 3, 2023
My DPF system failed after my warranty ran out, about 128,000mi. and VW charged me $3000 to replace the DPF, then two days later the Nox Catalyst failed and they wanted another $2500 out of me. I tried the regen like the manual says, and the car went in limp mode 75 miles from my house in the middle of the highway. The car is not safe to drive, and they would not tell me if replacing the Nox catalyst will fix my problem, or just reveal another multi thousand dollar problem. The car is parked for the past 6 months and is not drivable.
Engine, Jun 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate properly. Additionally, the contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was shuddering. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Engine, Mar 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine light would remain illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle experienced hard starts and rough idling. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the spark plugs and decarbonize the engine however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic who changed the coil pack and fuel sensor but the failure was not resolved. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000.
Service brakes, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 25, 2022
The car it’s having severals issues such a fuel system injectors fuel ️ gas leak also breaks and battery alternador and much more this car was sold to me by a dealership looking for legal assistant that can help also it was on a accident but I don’t know when
Engine, Sep 18, 2021
I’ve been having problems with this car every since I purchased it from carvana Epc and check engine light keeps cutting on I went to Volkswagen for them to fix and for them to claim they fixed it august 2019 for my light to still light up… they also broke my heater coil which prevents my heat from blowing hot or warm air only
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 2, 2021
The car stop at the stop sign n in the traffic then push start n it worked 4times in a 2years I thought the vw made fir saving fuel. Today the car stop at highway n I almost got killed by sudden stopped. I got panicked couldn't think about anything then push the start it worked again. I Google myself, there are many same problems n reports for 2012 vw jetta. Please help me what I should do. Last year The vw dealer couldn't find anything wrong but there is some problem
Engine, Aug 4, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at 15 mph, the vehicle made a clunking sound then loss motive power without warning. The crankshaft position sensor was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with code P0016 - crankshaft position sensor fault. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 12, 2021
DPF LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF AND THEN CAME ON
Engine, Dec 16, 2020, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HER BOYFRIEND HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE AND PARKED IT IN HER DRIVEWAY; HER BOYFRIEND INFORMED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE AUTHORITIES WERE CALLED AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED ON THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO ACTIVE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. A FIRE REPORT AND POLICE REPORT WERE FILED, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. DUE TO THE FIRE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY INSURANCE TO AN INSURANCE AUTO AUCTION WHERE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED HER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE; THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000.
Power train, Air bags, Engine, Nov 2, 2020
AS I WENT TO CHANGE GEARS INTO REVERSE I HEARD A VERY HARD THUMP, THEN INTO DRIVE AND THE THUMP GOT LOUDER AND THE WHOLE ENGINE SHIFTED FORWARD. NOW IT SOUNDS AS IF EVERYTHING ( MOTOR ) IS ABOUT TO FALL OUT THE VEHICLE .
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 9, 2020
UNABLE TO TURN KEY TO TURN OFF IGNITION. CAR IS IN THE VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE CENTER FOR THE THREE WEEKS FOR REPAIR.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 26, 2020, fire
CAR RAN HOT FIRST TIME AIR CONDITIONING GOT HOT CAR WAS GOING ANY FASTER WITH SMOKE FROM ENGINE. NO INDICATOR AT ALL CAR WAS RUNNING HOT. DEALERSHIP STATED THE BLOCK MESS UP. ADJUSTER CAME STATED THEROMAST WHICH NOT COVER WARRANTY FOR MY CAR. WHY WAS I NEVER AWARE MY CAR HAD THESE ISSUES
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 14, 2020
OXYGEN SENSOR CODE COMES UP, THEN ALL LIGHTS COMING ON, WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THIS CAR HAD A CARFAX SHEET STATING NO PROBLEM AND REPAIRS DONE BY MICHEAL AUTOMOTIVE IN FRESNO CA. NO RECALL EVER MENTIONED, NOW A YOUNG MANS FIRST CAR , NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, ONLY PICKED UP BECAUSE CAR FAX STATED IT HAD NO PROBLEMS, NOW A SAFTY CONCERN.
Engine, May 18, 2020
GLOW PLUG LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR LOOSES POWER GOING DOWN THE ROAD. DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THAT IT IS CAUSED BY A FAULTY DPF ( COVERED UNDER WARRANTY) THAT IS NOT AVAILABLE AND RENDERS THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH CUSTOMER CARE AND THE TELL ME NOTHING IS AVAILABLE. THE ORIGINAL DATE OF SERVICE WAS NOVEMBER 15, 2019. AS OF TODAY MAY 18, 2020 I HAVE NO PARTS AVAILABLE AND CAN NO LONGER SAFELY DRIVE MY CAR. *TR
Engine, Mar 31, 2020
WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE YOU PUSH THE TRANSMISSION DOWN, LEFT AND UP ALMOST LIKE YOU ARE SHIFTING INTO 1ST (ONLY DIFFERENCE IS 1ST YOU DON'T PUSH DOWN). TODAY, AND MULTIPLE TIMES PREVIOUSLY IT SEEMS TO NOT IN REVERSE, BUT ALSO NOT IN 1ST (ALMOST LIKE IT'S BETWEEN TWO GEARS). THUS IT JUST GRINDS GEARS AND STOPS MOVING, IT DOES INITALLY MOVE BACK THEN STARTS GRINDING. I WAS IN THE IN THE MIDDLE OF PULLING THEN HAD TO THROW IT INTO NEUTRAL AND TRY AGAIN TO GET INTO REVERSE FOR A SECOND TIME.
Service brakes, Engine, Feb 1, 2020
THE CAR HAS UNDER 70,000 MILES. THE CAR NEEDS A NEED VACUUM PUMP AND ABS MODULE!!!!!!! ABS MODULE IS $2,200 DOLLARS AT THE DEALERSHIP. HOW DOES THAT BRAKE SO SOON ON A CAR?
Engine, Jan 6, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FIRST TEAM VOLKSWAGEN (6900 PETERS CREEK RD, ROANOKE, VA 24019) AT LEAST TWELVE TIMES TO HAVE THE FUEL SYSTEM REPAIRED IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH THE EMISSIONS TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,316.
Engine, Jul 15, 2019, crash
THE MOTOR KICKS(JERKS) REALLY BAD. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A COUPLE SHOPS AND THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER ONCE AND NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DETECT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CHANGED MANY PARTS THINKING IT WOULD FIX IT AND STILL HAPPENS. AT THIS POINT IM FRUSTRATED AND DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO THE CAR ONLY HAS 84,146 MILES. IT DOES IT WHEN DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET RANDOMLY AND IS VERY SCARY.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jun 27, 2019
OUT OF NOWHERE THE EPC LIGHT AND MIL LIGHTS CAME ON THE CAR LOST POWER AND THE ENGINE WAS RUMBLING. VERY SCARY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. IGNITION COIL AND SPARK PLUG WIRES HAS TO BE REPLACED. COST ME OVER $900. A DAY LATER, I SEE THAT THIS SAME PROBLEM WAS A RECALL ON JETTAS IN THE PAST. I AM OUT OF POCKET $900 AND WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE OF THIS. WHY HASN'T VW CORRECTED THIS PROBLEM? I WANT TO BE REIMBURSED SINCE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS EXISTED IN JETTAS FOR YEAR!
Steering, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 14, 2019
I AM UNABLE TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE WHEN I STOP. THE KEYS ARE STUCK IN THE ENIGEN AND THE CAR NOT TURN OFF. REALLY HEART BREAKING BECAUSE I LIKE VOLKSWAGEN BUT I THINK THIS WILL BE MY LAST.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 18, 2019
JETTA WOULDN'T START, CALLED DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID GET IT TOWED IN, WE HAVE 12 OTHER JUST LIKE IT, ZERO DEGREE'S OUTSIDE, THEY TOLD ME ABOUT THE INNER COOLER TECHNICAL BULLETIN AND THEY'D TAKE OF IT, THEY SAID THEY WOULD DEFROST IT AND LOOK INSIDE THE TURBO, THEY NEVER DID LOOK INSIDE THE TURBO THEY UNHOOKED ONE TUBE AND YEAS MOISTURE LIQUID CAME OUT THEY SAID NOT ENOUGH, THAT'S NOT WHAT THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE GONNA DO, ITS NOT A COINCIDENCE THAT 12 OTHER CARS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, THEY DIDN'T TAKE CARE OF IT AND MADE ME PAY FOR A NEW STARTER, TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE THE 12+ OTHER CARS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. $84 TOWING AND $480 FOR STARTER, THEY NEED TO RECALL THE TURBO'S CAUSING THE PROBLEMS. UNACCEPTABLE
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 19, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RODE ROUGHLY AND HESITATED TO THE POINT THAT IT COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. VOLKSWAGEN OF MARIETTA (1860 COBB PKWY SE, MARIETTA, GA 30060, (770) 955-6565) PREVIOUSLY DIAGNOSED THAT THE DIESEL PARTICULATE AIR FILTER FAILED AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,300.