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: fuel/propulsion system
52 reports, newest first. Show all
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 15, 2015
A WOMAN AND A YOUNG CHILD DEPARTED A PRESCHOOL ON A CLEAR, DRY DAY. THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET 250 FEET FROM THE PRESCHOOL WITHOUT WARNING OR ANY SIGN OF TROUBLE. THE VEHICLE HAD RUN WELL TO DATE. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED MULTIPLE TIMES TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT SHUT DOWN AGAIN WITHIN TWO SECONDS OF STARTING. A GOOD SAMARITAN PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE WAS DIESEL FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE, NECESSITATING TOTAL REPLACEMENT. THE FUEL SYSTEM IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, FOR WHICH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY APPLIES TO 120,000 MILES. THE DEALER HAD A FUEL SAMPLE TESTED FOR CONTAMINATION. RESULTS WERE ALL STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANTLY WITHIN VW SPECIFICATIONS. VOLKSWAGEN CONTENDS, HOWEVER, THAT THE FUEL SAMPLE FAILED THE TEST DUE TO ITS OWN ROUNDING ERROR AND REFUSES TO HONOR ITS EXTENDED WARRANTY.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 25, 2015
I HAVE A 2012 JETTA TDI THAT IS NOW JUST OUT OF BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY, EXCEPT THE 10YR/120K COVERAGE EXTENDED ON THE KNOWN POORLY DESIGNED HPFP (INVESTIGATED IN NHTSA ACTION PE10034). I DO A FUEL FILTER CHANGE EARLY 15K FROM THE LAST DEALER CHANGE AT 44500 MILES... AND I FIND METAL PARTICLES IN THE FUEL FILTER. THIS IS NOT NORMAL, AND INDICATION OF WEAR, AND SOURCE IS ALMOST CERTAINLY THE HPFP CAM AND ROLLER/PISTON WHICH IS LUBRICATED AND COOLED BY DIESEL FUEL RECIRCULATED TO THE FILTER VIA BYPASS, AND SOME OF THIS ENDS UP IN THE FUEL TANK, AND WORSE CAN END UP IN THE INJECTORS CAUSING INJECTOR FAILURE, EVEN POSSIBLE BURNED PISTON HEADS AND CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE. I ASSUME THE PATH FORWARD IS DOCUMENT MY FINDINGS, I DID THIS WITH HIGH RESOLUTION DIGITAL PICTURES, PRINTED FOR THE DEALER, AND A PRISTINE WHITE RAG TURNED GREY WITH METAL FILINGS, ALONG WITH THE OLD FILTER DELIVERED FOR THEIR INSPECTION (I EVEN PROVIDED THE VCDS DIAGNOSTIC PRINT OUT FOR THE VEHICLES SELF-DIAGNOSIS). SINCE I DID THE FILTER CHANGE, AND ABOUT 100 MILES AND ONE DAY LATER, THERE IS NO MORE EVIDENCE OF THESE METAL PARTICLES IN THE SYSTEM.. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT TRIED, VW WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE A PUMP REPLACEMENT.. SO I CALLED AND VW EXPLAINED THE SITUATION TO THEM, THEY DID NOT BOTHER TO RECORD NAME OR VIN, CLEARLY NOT INTERESTED IN CUSTOMER CARE. OFFICIAL VW POLICY SEEMS TO BE TO IGNORE THE METAL FILINGS AND THE CUSTOMER, THEY OFFER A BOGUS EXPLANATION THAT METAL FILINGS COULD COME FROM FILL NOZZLES, OR SOME OTHER SOURCE (UNLIKELY, I ALSO OWN A DIESEL TRUCK, AND WITH LONGER SERVICE TIME, WITH MORE FUEL USED, THERE WERE NO METAL PARTICLES AT NEARLY 30K MILES. I NOW HAVE A CAR I CANT TRUST, KNOWING THE HPFP CAN SUDDENLY FAIL WITHOUT WARNING AND LEAVE MY FAMILY STRANDED, EVEN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF IT HAPPENS IN A BUSY INTERSTATE, OR WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 10, 2015
CAR LOST ALL POWER AND WOULD NOT RESTART.I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 55MPH ON A RURAL ROAD, THANKFULLY THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC AT THE TIME THE CAR FAILED. THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AS THE ENGINE WAS LOSING POWER. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THE CAR WOULD FAIL LIKE THIS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE THE ROAD IN NEUTRAL. I SUSPECTED A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE SINCE VW HAD JUST SENT OUT A LETTER NOTIFYING ME THAT THE WARRANTY ON THAT PART HAD BEEN EXTENDED TO 120K MILES. AFTER IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY CONFIRMED IT WAS A HPFP FAILURE AND I AM WAITING TO FIND OUT IF VW WILL COVER THE REPAIR. WAS TOLD THAT THIS FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM ($8,800.00USD). I DO NOT SEE HOW VW CAN PUT A CAR ON THE ROAD WITH A PART THAT COULD POTENTIALLY FAIL AND CAUSE THIS MUCH DAMAGE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 27, 2015
WHILE DRIVING THE JETTA TDI AT 35 MPH, ALL OF A SUDDEN DASH LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF AND CAR STALLED. WE WERE ABLE TO STEER CAR TO SIDE OF ROAD. THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER AND WAS TOWED TO LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP. IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH HPFP FAILURE AND THE METAL HAD CONTAMINATED MY ENTIRE SYSTEM AND NEEDED COSTLY REPAIR. FUEL WAS SENT FOR TESTING, AND WHEN VERIFIED THAT IT WAS NOT OWNER NEGLIGENCE VW REPAIRED THE CAR. THE WAIT WAS ALMOST 2 WEEKS.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 11, 2015
THE CAR IS A 2012 JETTA SPORTWAGON TDI. IT HAS RECEIVED ALL APPROPRIATE SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE, AND ONLY DIESEL FUEL HAS BEEN USED IN THE CAR. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1/2 TANK OF DIESEL LEFT WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. WHILE DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, THE GLOW PLUG WARNING LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH. APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS LATER THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, AND WITHIN TWO MINUTES DIED COMPLETELY. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE CURB AND PARK, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. AN INSPECTION BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOUND METAL SHAVINGS THROUGHOUT THE FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, AND DIAGNOSED A BLOWN HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH VW TDI ENGINES.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 8, 2015
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WHILE DRIVING TO DEALER FOR SERVICE THE CAR ENGINE FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON FREEWAY. CAR HAD NO PROPULSION AND CAME TO A ROLLING STOP. UNABLE TO RESTART CAR. TOWED TO VW DEALER AND THEY SAID VW TDI FUEL PUMPS HAVE HAD ISSUES AND COULD FAIL. LUCKILY NOBODY WAS INJURED BUT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS AS ENGINE SHUT DOWN IMMEDIATELY AND FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE ON FREEWAY. I WAS VERY SHAKEN BY THE INCIDENT AND WAS UNABLE TO MOVE ALL THE WAY TO SIDE OF FREEWAY. STILL DO NOT HAVE CAR BACK AND VW DEALER INDICATED IT WOULD BE A LARGE REPAIR
Fuel/propulsion system, May 27, 2015
VEHICLE ENGINE (JETTA 2.0 TDI) ABRUPTLY STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED; AND HAD DISINTEGRATED IN A FASHION THAT THE DEBRIS HAD CONTAMINATED THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM. FUEL TANK, LINES AND INJECTION SYSTEM WERE CLEANED, FUEL PUMP AND FILTERS WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAS STILL EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT STALLING PROBLEMS EVER SINCE THIS WARRANTY REPAIR, AND THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO RESOLVE AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN (AND CURRENTLY REMAINS) AT THE DEALER FOR 33 OF THE PAST 40 DAYS.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 14, 2015
DURING FEBRUARY, THE 2012 VW TDI JETTA SPORTWAGEN WITH 59,7000 MILES STALLED TWICE WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE. ON THE THIRD START THE VEHICLE STARTED BUT THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE TO MORE THAN 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE LIMPED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO FOUND METAL FLAKES IN THE FUEL FILTER AND STATED THAT THE IN-TANK FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. THE IN-TANK FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AND THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS APPARENTLY CLEARED OF METAL. AT 63,000 MILES, THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. I GOT THE VEHICLE TO AN EXIT, STOPPED IT, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED. THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT WAS NO LONGER FLASHING AND THE CAR WAS DRIVABLE ALTHOUGH IT WAS LACKING SOME ACCELERATION AND THERE WAS A MOAN/WHINE NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. GOT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND LEARNED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAS FAILED AND THAT THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS NO MIS-FUELING ISSUE, AND DIESEL RECEIPTS ARE KEPT AT FILL UP.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 17, 2015
2012 VOLKSWAGEN SPORTWAGEN TDI. WHEN TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY 4/11/15 GLOW PLUG LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING, WE NOTICED AN IMMEDIATELY SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF POWER. AT THIS MOMENT WE WERE TRAVELING ON A TWO LANE FREEWAY THAT HAPPENED TO HAVE ONE LANE BLOCKED. VEHICLES IMMEDIATELY BEGAN STACKING UP BEHIND US. AFTER PULLING OFF THE FREEWAY ATTEMPTED TO STOP AND RESTART THE ENGINE, WE HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME RESTARTING THE MOTOR. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, HOWEVER HAD A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN POWER, SAFETY WAS A CONCERN AND WAS VERY WORRIED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. BECAUSE OF THIS WE PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY AND CONTINUED TO LIMP TOWARDS THE DEALERSHIP ON LOCAL ROADS. THERE WAS SO MUCH REDUCTION IN POWER THAN DRIVING UP A SMALL HILL ALMOST BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. DEALERSHIP ACCUSED US OF FUELING THE VEHICLE WITH GAS INSTEAD OF DIESEL, GAS STATION WAS ABLE TO PRODUCE A RECEIPT SHOWING THAT WE HAD FILLED THE VEHICLE WITH DIESEL. HOWEVER, VW IS COVERING THE REPAIR, AND VEHICLE IS READY TO BE PICKED UP 4/16/15. DID NOT FEEL THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILURE HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH MISFUELING, AND WHILE VW IS COVERING THE REPAIR, IT APPEARS THAT THIS ISSUE IS A WELL DOCUMENTED FAILURE WITH VW. WE DO FEEL THAT OUR SAFETY COULD HAVE BEEN COMPROMISED WITH THIS FAILURE. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 14, 2015
WAS DRIVING 40 AND WAS HEADING DOWN A HILL AND WAS COMING TO A STOP WHEN MY 2012 VW JETTA SPORTSWAGEN POWER FLICKERED, COIL LIGHT (GLOW LIGHT) CAME ON, IT MADE A LOUD NOISE AND DIED. I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE IT, COULD OF BEEN A BAD SITUATION. THANKFULLY VW DEALERSHIP SERVICE GAVE ME A NUMBER TO A LOCAL TOWING COMPANY. I WAS QUICKLY TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. IT SOUNDS LIKE SO MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. WAITING TO HEAR OFFICIAL DIAGNOSTICS. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 7, 2015
WHILE DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY AT SPEED OF 20 MPH DUE TO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, I SMELLED DIESEL FUEL THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER AND THE PEDAL WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL COMPLETELY AFTER, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE MIL (MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP) AND BATTERY DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THE CAR WOULD NOT START OVER AND WAS TOWED OUT OF THE HIGHWAY. I NOTICED THERE WAS A DIESEL FUEL LEAK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AND DIAGNOSIS WERE MADE RESULTING IN FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 21, 2014
CAR CEASED TO CONTINUE ACCELERATION WHILE IN MOTION. DEALER ASSESSMENT CONCLUDED PARTICULATES IN DIESEL FUEL LINE CAUSED FAILURE TO FUEL PUMP AND RELATED COMPONENTS. DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT ADVISED THAT PARTICULATES LIKELY ORIGINATED FROM DIESEL FUEL STORAGE TANKS AT GAS STATION. VEHICLE WAS STILL COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S 50K POWER TRAIN WARRANTY AND FUEL PUMP AND RELATED PARTS WERE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 18, 2014
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THREE LANES AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00 PM THROUGH LIGHT RAIN THE GLOW PLUG INDICATOR ON THE DASH BEGAN TO FLASH. THEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. I PULLED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE WHERE THE CAR LOST ALL ENGINE POWER AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THIS ALL OCCURRED WITHIN 20-25 SECONDS AND WE WERE LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT TO EMERGENCY LANE. WE HAVE SINCE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A VW DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM WHICH WAS UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP PROBLEM MOST FELLOW VW OWNER RECOMMENDED THAT I FILE A COMPLAINT. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 16, 2014
2012 VW JETTA SPORTWAGEN TDI HAD HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HPFP CATASTROPHIC FAILURE ON THE HIGHWAY. WAS ABLE TO COAST WITHOUT POWER TO AN OFF RAMP. 1 WEEK OF REPAIRS BUT THE NEAR COLLISION ISSUE IS AMAZING. *TR
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 7, 2014
I DROVE THE CAR TO WORK WIN I GET OUT OF WORK START THE CAR PUT IN REVERSE AND THE CAR STALED OUT CANT STAR TOWED TO THE DEALER I WHOSE TOLD AT THAT TIME CAR HAVE FUEL CONTAMINATION NO WARRANTY . TOWED IT HOME MY HUSBAND CHECK CAR FOUND FUEL FILTER SUM METAL RUST CHANGE FILTER CLEAN LINE AND FILTER HOUSING AND ALL PARTS CONNECTED TO FUELING CAR START FINE FOR A 3 MONTHS SAME HA PIN DID SAME NOW CAR STALED AS I WHOSE DRIVING WITH NO START TOW HOME AN WE ARE IN CONTACT WITH VW TO SEE WERE THIS GOING. CULPRIT IS HPFP. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 27, 2014
FUEL TANK FILLER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. DEFECT IN LOCKING AND RELEASE MECHANISM. *TR
Fuel system, Diesel, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 8, 2014
MY CAR IS A 2012 VW JETTA TDI, CLEAN DIESEL. I WAS DRIVING FROM SAN DIEGO CA TO LAS VEGAS NV. IT WAS OVER 100 DEGREES. I WAS TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 15 NORTH ABOUT 70 MILES PER HOUR. 80 MILES FROM LAS VEGAS, GLOW LIGHT INDICATOR CAME ON, CAR LOST POWER. I PULLED OVER AND CAR STALLED, WOULD NOT RESTART. CALLED VW, TOLD THEM ABOUT THE GLOW LIGHT INDICATOR. THEY AGREED TO TOW THE CAR TO LV. WE SAT ON THE ROAD SIDE FOR MORE THAN 4 HOURS IN 100+ DEGREE HEAT. VW REPAIRED THE CAR IN 6 DAYS, NO COST TO ME EXCEPT RENTAL CAR. CAUSE WAS DESCRIBED AS 'METAL SHAVINGS IN FUEL SYSTEM' LATER REFERRED TO AS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. VW REPLACED THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM (INJECTORS, LINES, FILTER, FUEL PUMP ETC). HOWEVER AT THIS TIME I DO NOT KNOW IF THE SAME TYPE OF HPFP WAS USED OR A NEWLY REDESIGNED ONE. I AM TRYING TO CLARIFY THAT. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW OF SOME TYPE. IT CAN NOT BE CAUSED BY BAD FUEL. THE FUEL FILTER WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ANY METAL SHAVINGS. ANY METAL IN THE FUEL DOWNSTREAM OF THE FUEL FILTER HAD TO COME FROM THE CAR ITSELF. NOT ONLY THAT, HAVING FOLLOWED THE RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR MY CAR, MY FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED AT 20K MILES. HTTP://PICS.TDICLUB.COM/DATA/516/2012_JETTA.PDF SIMILAR COMPLAINT (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA11003) DOES NOT SEEM TO COVER 2012 MODELS SO I AM FILING THIS ONE INSTEAD. *TR
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 29, 2014
WITH NO PRIOR INDICATION, THE ENGINE GLOW PLUG LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WITHIN FEW MINUTES, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR STARTED TO LOOSE POWER. ENGINE NOISE PITCH CHANGED, AND WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR OF THE MAIN FREEWAY AND BARELY MADE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. AS SOON AS WE MADE IT TO THE DEALER PARKING LOT, THE ENGINE CUT OFF. DIAGNOSTIC OF THE CAR SHOWED THAT THE CAR SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC HPFP FAILURE WHICH CAUSED DEBRIS CONTAMINATION THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM. 4 DAYS LATER, THE ENGINE HAD ITS HPFP, FUEL LINES, INJECTORS, AND AUXILIARY PUMP REPLACED. FUEL TANK WAS FLUSHED AND CLEANED OUT FROM DEBRIS. COST UNDER WARRANTY WAS $5500. THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY'VE HAD 50 CARS EXHIBITING SIMILAR CONDITIONS. CAUSE OF THE FAILURE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION BY VW. AS OWNERS, WE HAVE NO CLUES WHAT TO DO OR WHEN THIS WILL RE-OCCUR AGAIN WHICH DOES NOT GIVE ME ANT SENSE OF CONFIDENCE. I ALWAYS FILL AT THE SAME CHEVRON STATION SO IT IS NOT THE QUALITY OF THE DIESEL. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 28, 2014
33,600 MILES WITH NO PROBLEMS AT ALL ON VW TDI SPORTWAGEN. LOS ANGELES TO LAKE HAVASU, AZ FRIDAY, AFTERNOON JULY 11, 2014, 300 MILES IN 110 DEGREE WEATHER. PARKED FOR 2 HOURS, DROVE TO MARKET. GLOW PLUG LIGHT CAME ON, ENGINE STUMBLED, DIED, NO RESTART. WALKED TO 2ND HOME. NEXT DAY - NO START, CALLED VW, TOWED 150 MILES TO LAS VEGAS, RENTED CAR IN AZ FOR WEEKEND AND DRIVE BACK TO LA. LV VW DEALER SAYS "OUT OF FUEL". REPLY "IMPOSSIBLE, ONLY DROVE 300 MILES". ON MONDAY, DEALER CALLS TO SAY IT MAY TAKE A WEEK, IT IS THE FUEL PUMP AND HE IS WORKING ON GETTING COVERAGE FOR WORK FROM VW. REPLY "STILL UNDER WARRANTY, WHY WOULDN'T VW COVER". NO ANSWER. ON WEDNESDAY CALLS TO SAY HAVE TO ORDER PARTS, METAL PARTICLES IN THE FUEL SYSTEM, MAY BE LONGER.(FINAL COUNT 11 DAYS FROM FAILURE TO REPAIR). WITH ADDITIONAL DAYS ON RENTAL, OUT OF STATE DROP OF FEE, HOTEL ROOM, ETC. ABOUT $800 IN OUTLAY (NOT COUNTING TIME TO TRAVEL TO LAS VEGAS TO PICK UP CAR AND BACK TO LA). *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN UNUSUAL NOISE AND VIBRATION EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V490000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 21, 2014
I PURCHASED MY CAR 1 YEAR AGO HAS APPROXIMATELY 27K ON IT NOW BOUGHT IT WITH 1000 MILES ON IT AFTER A MONTH AFTER PURCHASING MY VEHICLE I STARTED IN SOME WOBBLING RUMBLING NOISES COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT OF MY CAR I TOOK UP A DRIVE WITH THE TECHNICIAN THE TECHNICIAN HEARD THE SOUND THEY HAD MY CAR FOR FOUR DAYS DIDN'T EVEN GIVE ME A LOANER AND I MISSED SCHOOL BECAUSE SO. AFTER 4 DAYS THEY CAME UP WITH NO CONCLUSION HE TOLD ME TO BRING IT BACK WHEN IT GETS WORSE I BROUGHT MY CAR BACK SEVERAL TIMES AND AFTER EVERYTHING LOOK FOR THE FIFTH TIME THEY TOLD ME THAT MY TIRES ARE FEATHERING I WAS WONDERING WHY THEY TELL ME THAT NOW I'M NOT AFTER THE FIRST TWO TIMES. I THEN TOOK IT TO THE TIRE DEALERSHIP AND SEVERAL OTHER SECOND PARTY DEALERSHIPS WHEN THEY TOLD ME MY TIRES ARE FINE ALONG WITH ONE OF THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIPS. I AM NOW HAVING PERFORMANCE ISSUES WITH MY EXCELERATOR HESITATED IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S GURGLING AND SEEMING TO HAVE TROUBLES ACCELERATING NOW. MY MILES PER GALLON HAS DROPPED FROM 42 TO 38. I AM HERE IN A WHOOOING NOISE WHEN I'M RETURNING THE WHEEL ALL THE WAY RIGHT AND REVERSING AND IT'S COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE LEFT FRONT SIDE WHERE THE ORIGINAL NOISE WAS, VW TOLD ME IT'S NORMAL. I'M ALSO HEARING THE SAME ISSUES MUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE'S WITH THIS CAR WITH ACCELERATING I'M HEARING WEIRD CRANKING NOISE THROUGH THE AC VENT WHICH IS A NORMAL AT HIGH RPM'S. JUST RECENTLY I HAD A PUT MY FOOT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FOUR WITH MY BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR AND I DON'T KNOW WHY. I'M ALSO HEARING THE SAME ISSUES LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE WITH MY WINDOWS IT'S REALLY NOT LOUD AND NOISY AFTER ABOUT 50 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP IS YET TO COME UP WITH CLEAR ANSWER TO MY ISSUES THEY JUST TOLD ME TO BUY TIRES AND THEY WEREN'T EVEN SURE IF THE NEW TIRES WOULD FIX THE ISSUE OR NOT. THEY ALSO TELL ME I WON'T BE COVERED IN THE FUTURE IF SOMETHING HAPPENS. VW NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATE. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 10, 2013
AS I ACCELERATE TO MERGE ONTO THE FREEWAY, I SUDDENLY REALIZED THAT I DIDN'T HAVE ANY POWER TO SPEAK OF, WHICH WAS QUITE ALARMING. THIS HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. I WAS ABLE TO GAIN ENOUGH SPEED TO GET ON THE FREEWAY, BUT I INSTANTLY TURNED ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS REALIZING THAT I COULD NOT GAIN ENOUGH SPEED TO KEEP UP WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, MY GLOW PLUG LIGHT CAME ON, AND I DROVE MY CAR 1 MILE TO THE NEAREST OFF RAMP. WHEN I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND I DROVE 1 MILE TO MY SCHEDULED DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT. I PARKED MY JETTA WITH PLANS TO ADDRESS THE MATTER AFTER MY APPOINTMENT. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR, IT WOULD NOT START, AND I CALLED AAA TO TOW MY CAR TO THE NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP. AS I MENTIONED, THIS HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE, AND I WAS IN ABSOLUTE SHOCK BECAUSE I LOVE MY CLEAN DIESEL, AND I HAVE ENCOURAGED 4 OTHER FRIENDS TO BUY THE EXACT SAME MODEL!!! AFTER LEAVING THE CAR AT THE VW DEALERSHIP, I BEGAN TO DO SOME RESEARCH ONLINE ABOUT THE ISSUES PEOPLE ARE HAVING WITH THE BOSCH HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMPS IN THE VW CLEAN DIESELS. HONESTLY, THIS HAS DEEPLY CHANGED HOW I FEEL ABOUT MY CAR, AND WORRIES ME GREATLY! IT IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS TO HAVE A CAR COMPLETELY LOSE POWER! :( FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, VW IS "SUGGESTING" THAT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE PUT GAS IN THEIR DIESEL ENGINES. MY HUSBAND HAS HAD A JETTA DIESEL WAGON FOR 12 YEARS AND HAS OVER 200, 000 MILES ON IT, SO WE ARE WELL VERSED IN THE USE OF DIESEL. WE HAVE NEVER PUT GASOLINE IN OUR DIESEL CARS!!! WE ARE INCREDIBLY DISAPPOINTED IN THE WAY VW IS HANDLING THIS ISSUE. TO SUGGEST THAT HUNDREDS OF LOYAL, DEVOTED DIESEL FANS THAT HAVE PURCHASED THEIR CARS ARE AT FAULT IS AN ENORMOUS MISTAKE, AS IS SUGGESTING THAT CONSUMERS ARE NOT BUYING "QUALITY DIESEL." TAKE THAT UP WITH THE REFINERIES AND GAS STATIONS, VOLKSWAGEN, NOT YOUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS. *TR
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
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 1, 2013
DRIVING AT 45 MPH CITY HIGHWAY SPEED, IN TRAFFIC, & STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. LIGHT TURNED GREEN, ACCELERATED, CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER & WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. TURNED ONTO A SIDE STREET, TURNED OFF ENGINE & LOOKED UP THE WARNING LIGHT IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. "ENGINE PRE-HEAT" WARNING, SOLID, NOT FLASHING. RESTARTED CAR, LIGHT WAS OUT, RESUMED NORMAL TRAVEL ON HIGHWAY, BUT LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. BOTH SOLID. CONTACTED DEALER & WAS TOLD TO BRING IN THE CAR. DURING TRIP TO DEALER GLOW PLUG LIGHT RESUMED FLASHING & CAR LOST POWER ON HILLS. TECH REMOVED FUEL FILTER, FOUND METAL FILINGS, SAID HPFP HAD FAILED & FILLED FUEL SYSTEM WITH METAL PARTICLES. REPAIRS ESTIMATED @ >$7,000. DEALER ORIGINALLY SAID REPAIRS WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THEN 2 DAYS LATER SAID THEY WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. NO POSSIBILITY OF GASOLINE CONTAMINATION. PURCHASED CAR EXPRESSLY TO FUEL IT WITH 100% VEGETABLE OIL BASED BIODIESEL. DEALER KNEW INTENT & SOLD THE CAR FOR THIS EXPRESS PURPOSE. STILL WORKING WITH DEALER & VW TO RESOLVE WARRANTY ISSUES. *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