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
526 reports, newest first.
Engine, Jan 8, 2015
ENGINE WOULD NOT START AFTER STANDING IN COLD WEATHER X 10 DAYS. MOISTURE FROM THE INTAKE AIR CONDENSED & COLLECTED IN THE CHARGE AIR COOLER. THIS MOISTURE THEN FROZE, AND CAUSED BLOCKAGE OF THE INTAKE AIR SYSTEM. TSB ISSUED IN JUNE 2011, AMENDED SEPTEMBER 2011, RE: THIS ISSUE. VW REVISED THE CHARGE AIR COOLER DESIGN TO AVOID THE FORMATION OF MOISTURE AND FREEZING IN THE BOOST SYSTEM. PURPORTEDLY, 50,000 JETTAS ALREADY AFFECTED; LOCAL DEALER REPORTS A CAR/DAY ENTERING SHOP FOR SAME ISSUE, AND REQUIRES SAME REPAIR @ $1300. VW WILL REPAIR TDI'S UNDER WARRANTY @ VW EXPENSE; THOSE VEHICLES NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY ARE RESPONSIBILITY OF OWNER. HOWEVER, BECAUSE VW KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM, IS AWARE OF THE TSB AND ISSUED THE REVISED CHARGE AIR COOLER KIT, VW WILL NEGOTIATE WITH OWNERS WHOSE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. GIVEN THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS ISSUE WITH JETTA TDI'S, WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL? WHY IS VW NOT ASSUMING THE LIABILITY FOR ALL THESE REPAIRS, REGARDLESS OF WARRANTY STATUS? WOULD ASK NHTSA TO 1) RECALL THESE VEHICLES FOR REPAIR, AND 2) ASK VW TO ASSUME LIABILITY FOR ALL REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS KNOWN DESIGN DEFECT, & 3) ASK VW TO ASSUME ALL COSTS, INCLUDING PARTS, LABOR, TOWING, AND CAR RENTAL FOR US. *TR
Service brakes, Jan 8, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A HILL IN A PARKING GARAGE, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO RELEASE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND THE CONTACT HAD TO QUICKLY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO AVOID CRASHING INTO OTHER VEHICLES. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 7, 2015, fire
UPON RETURNING HOME ON SUNDAY 12/21 AT 3 PM, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM OUR GARAGE. WE OPENED THE GARAGE DOOR TO DISCOVERY MY CAR ON FIRE AND A GARAGE FULL OF SMOKE. WE CALLED 911 AND REQUESTED FIRE ASSISTANCE. WE THEN PROCEEDED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE USING 5 COMMERCIAL SIZE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES AND DRAGGED THE CAR FROM THE GARAGE. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY 18 HOURS. *TR
Fuel system, Diesel, Dec 26, 2014
GLOW PLUG WARNING LIGHT FLASHED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ACCOMPANIED BY A LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. *TR
Engine, Dec 13, 2014
THIS PROBLEM IS DIESEL ENGINE SPECIFIC: -ENGINE STARTS, THEN WHEN PULLING AWAY, STALLS IMMEDIATELY. -TOWED AFTER MULTIPLE RESTART ATTEMPTS FAILED DEALER FOUND WATER AND SLUDGE IN INTERCOOLER, AKA, INTERCOOLER ICING. CAR SPENT OVERNIGHT IN WARM SERVICE BAY WHILE IT THAWED OUT. VW HAS TSB FOR ISSUE BUT I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT DOESN'T FIX IT. WOW. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 4, 2014
THE HORN ON THIS VEHICLE BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE AT TIMES. WHEN IT DOES WORK, THE HORN TONE IS VERY LOW AND IS DIFFICULT TO HEAR. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. IT ALSO CONCERNS ME SINCE AN OPERATIONAL HORN IS NEEDED TO PASS THE STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP YET FOR REPAIR, BUT A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH, I HAVE CONFIRMED THIS IS FAR TOO COMMON PROBLEM ON NEWER MODEL JETTA'S. *TR
Tires, Nov 27, 2014
LOST TRACTION ON A SNOW COVERED ROAD DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED OF APROX 35 MPH. THE TIRES WOULD NOT GRIP IN THE SNOW. THE CAR SLID ABOUT 100 FEET AND CROSSED A MAJOR STATE HIGHWAY. THE TIRES ARE MADE BY PRIMEWELL PS830. THE TIRES ARE MFG IN CHINA. I'M MAKING THIS COMPLAINT . AFTER READING ON MESSAGE BOARDS ABOUT PRIMEWELL TIRES. ITS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH TRACTION WITH THE TIRES IN SNOW OR RAIN. IN A BRIEF THEY HOLD AIR SOME TIMES AND ARE ROUND. I FEEL THEY ARE A DANGER TO DRIVERS OF THE CAR AND OTHER PEOPLE ON THE HIGHWAY. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN THIS TOOK PLACE. SHE DOSE NOT DRIVE FAST ON THE COUNTY ROAD WE LIVE ON. AS THERE ARE DEER EVERY WHERE. WHEN SHE TOLD ME WHAT HAPPEN SHE SAID " I WAS GOING TO DIE WHEN THE CAR KEPT SLIDING INTO THE HIGHWAY." THERE WAS A HEAVY TRUCK THAT SHE PASSED BEHIND. IF THE TIMING WAS DIFFERENT THERE COULD OF BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS IS HER FIRST CAR THAT HAS TRACTION CONTROL. WHEN SHE SAID IT SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL. I EXPLAINED WHAT TRACTION CONTROL IS. SHE SAID MAYBE THE TIRES HAVE A HARD RUBBER COMPOUND. I STARTED MY PRIMEWELL SEARCH AFTER THAT. THERE IS SOMETHING REALLY WRONG WITH THE TIRES. *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
Electrical system, Nov 20, 2014
THE HORN ON THIS VEHICLE BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE AT TIMES. WHEN IT DOES WORK, THE HORN TONE IS VERY LOW AND IS DIFFICULT TO HEAR. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. IT ALSO CONCERNS ME SINCE AN OPERATIONAL HORN IS NEEDED TO PASS THE STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP YET FOR REPAIR, BUT A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH, I HAVE CONFIRMED THIS IS FAR TOO COMMON PROBLEM ON NEWER MODEL JETTA'S. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 22, 2014
I TOOK MY JETTA TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND THE MECHANIC WENT TO MOVE MY CAR IN THE BAY AND COULD NOT GET IT TURNED OFF. I HAD TO HAVE IT MOVED TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER TO WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A FAULTY IGNITION AND VOLKSWAGEN SAID A BAD STEERING LOCK. *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
Engine, Oct 16, 2014
WHILE TRAVELING AT A CONSTANT SPEED BETWEEN 10 AND 15 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK HARSHLY, AND AFTER ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS OF JERKING THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE JERKING HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES, AND HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE OVER THE PAST 10,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED TWICE NOW, ONCE AT ABOUT 68,900 MILES, AND AGAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 71,500 MILES. THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED MORE QUICKLY AND IN A PARKING GARAGE AND NEARLY RESULTED IN A COLLISION. THE JERKING HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS, INCLUDING ON THE HIGHWAY. *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
Electrical system, Oct 14, 2014
I PURCHASED A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN IN AUGUST 9, 2012. ONE WEEK LATER AFTER PURCHASE, THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING WITH NO WARNING. I CALLED HERTZ CAR SALES WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND TO NO AVAIL THE PROBLEM DID NOT GET RESOLVED. I THEN NOTICED THAT THE HORN WORKS AT TIME AND THEN DOESN'T WORK. I REALLY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO EXPLAIN WHAT A SAFETY HAZARD THE CAR CAN BE IF YOU CAN'T ALERT ANOTHER DRIVER WITH YOUR HORN. I THEN DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT VOLKSWAGEN DID A RECALL FOR THE 2011 MODEL BUT DID NOT INCLUDE THE 2012 MODEL WHICH IS OBVIOUS THAT THE SAME PROBLEM EXIST. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN AND FOUND OUT THAT MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED 2/2012. IF THE SAME PART WAS USED IN MY CAR WHICH IS SHOWING THE EXACT SAME MALFUNCTIONED PARTS THAT WERE RECALLED IN 2011. IT IS MORE THAN LIKELY THAT THE EARLIER 2012 MODELS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 2011 PROBLEM. I USED THIS CAR TO GET MYSELF AND MY SON BACK AND FORTH TO DR.'S APPOINTMENTS, SCHOOL AND OTHER DAILY ERRANDS. I CONSIDER THE CAR TO BE A HAZARD WITH THE HORN MALFUNCTIONING AND THE CAR STOPPING I THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. *TR
Tires, Oct 13, 2014
2012 JETTA WITH SEVERE CRACKING ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRES. 205/55/16. CALLED HANKOOK AND THEY RESPONDED THAT THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. VW DEALER HAS PHOTOS OF 20 CARS WITH THE SAME CONCERN, BUT TIRES ARE NOT COVERED BY VW, ONLY THROUGH TIRE MANUFACTURER. AFTER READING ALL THE OTHER HANCOOK OPTIMO 725A TIRE SEVER CRACKING, THIS IS A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM AND NEEDS INVESTIGATION. *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
Electrical system, Oct 4, 2014
WHILE PULLING INTO INTERSECTION, IGNITION QUIT. TOW TRUCK DRIVER RESTARTED VEHICLE. DEALER FOUND FAULT WITH ELECTRONIC IGNITION. REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH.
Power train, Engine, Oct 1, 2014
THE VEHICLE TENDS TO STUTTER, LURCH, OR HESITATE AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS HAS CAUSED SEVERAL DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE INTO ANOTHER LANE OR ONTO THE ROAD FROM A DRIVEWAY. THE DEALER HAS INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS NORMAL BEHAVIOR FOR THEDSG TRANSMISSION AND THERE IS NO FIX. AN INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THAT MANY OTHER DRIVERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THIS IS "NORMAL" PERFORMANCE, AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT IT. *TR
Service brakes, Sep 30, 2014
I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT HEADED UP HILL. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I RELEASED THE BRAKES & CLUTCH WHILE PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL. MUCH TO MY SURPRISE THIS KILLED THE ENGINE. (I HAVE DRIVEN STICKS SHIFTS FOR 50 YEARS.) THE CAR STOPPED ABRUPTLY. THE CAR BEHIND ME HAVING SEEN MY BRAKE LIGHTS GO OFF AND MY CAR BEGIN TO MOVE HAD TO SLAM ON HIS BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ME. HIS HONKING AND RUDE GESTURES WERE NOT NECESSARY, BUT UNDERSTANDABLE. WE WERE PROBABLY BOTH CURSING, I KNOW I WAS. COMPLAINING TO THE DEALER I WAS AMAZED TO LEARN IT WAS SUPPOSED TO DO THIS! IN ADDITION, SINCE THE THEN I HAVE FIGURED OUT THAT IF ONE SETS THE HANDBRAKE TO SOON THE ELECTRONICS WILL EVENTUALLY RELEASE THE HYDRAULIC PRESSURE AND THE PARKING BRAKE WHICH HAD BEEN PULLED TO THE FULL EXTENT OF ITS TRAVEL NOW HAS SEVERAL MORE CLICKS LEFT TO GO AND IS NOT FULLY SET. WE LEARNED THIS WHEN THE UNOCCUPIED CAR ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY INTO A TREE ACROSS THE STREET. WE WERE NOT PLEASED. (VW OF AMERICA, HOWEVER, WAS NOT CONCERNED.) TO REALLY KEEP US GUESSING THIS "FEATURE" DOES NOT CONSISTENTLY ACTIVATE - THERE IS A RANGE OF DEGREES OF SLOPE WHERE IT MAY OR MAY NOT COME INTO PLAY. HAVING IT NOT HOLD WHEN ONE EXPECTS IT TO HAS CAUSED MINOR DAMAGE AND SEVERAL MORE CLOSE CALLS. VWOA WILL NOT ALLOW DEALERS TO DEACTIVATE. TRYING TO REPLACE THE CAR WITH SOMETHING MORE DRIVABLE I HAVE LEARNED THIS HAS BECOME A WIDESPREAD CURSE ON MANY NEWER VEHICLES, EVEN THOSE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THIS IDEA IS NOT ONLY WRONG IT IS WRONG-HEADED. HOW IN GOD'S NAME CAN A DELIBERATE BRAKE MALFUNCTION BE PALMED OFF AS A "SAFETY FEATURE". AND IF THERE ARE PEOPLE SO INCOMPETENT AS TO NEED OR WANT THIS, WHY MUST THE REST OF US BE PLAGUED WITH IT. LIKE MOST ANSWERS TO ANY QUESTION NO ONE HAS ASKED IT IS WRONG. IT IS WRONG AND DANGEROUS. AND IN CASE YOU HADN'T NOTICED, ANNOYING. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 27, 2014
FUEL TANK FILLER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. DEFECT IN LOCKING AND RELEASE MECHANISM. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 18, 2014
I OWN A 2012, JETTA, TDI. THE DEALER HAD TO CHANGE THE HORN. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME THAT THEY CHANGE SO MANY OF THESE DEFECTIVE HORNS THAT THEY STOCK THEM. AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IT MAKES ME WONDER NOW IF THERE OTHER LIFE-THREATENING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE THEY HAVEN'T BOTHERED TO FIX. I SEE COUNTLESS VW'S WITH TAILLIGHTS OUT AS I PATROL. I CAN'T BELIEVE VW IS PUTTING THEIR CUSTOMERS IN DANGER WITH A KNOWN COMMON PROBLEMS. *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
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 19, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.