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.
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Dec 17, 2020
PER DEALER VEHICLE HAS NON-FUNCTIONING HORN AND HIGH-BEAM HEADLIGHTS APPARENTLY DUE TO CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. IN ADDITION, WATER INSTRUCTION (OF AS YET UNKNOWN ORIGIN) HAS RUSTED BRAKE, STEERING, AND DASH COMPONENTS. TDI RECALL/REPAIR/SALE AND WAS LAST PERHAPS LAST SOLD BY AND SERVICED AT VW DEALER 08/2020.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Dec 16, 2020
WHEN STARTING MY 2012 VW JETTA, THE ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON ON THE DASHBOARD ALONG WITH A LONG BEEPING SOUND. THE SOUND EVENTUALLY STOPS BUT THE LIGHTS STAY ON. VEHICLE IS TRYING TO RUN THROUGH DIAGNOSTICS UPON STARTING (VEHICLE IS STATIONARY BUT LIGHTS REMAIN ON WHILE DRIVING) WHEN THESE LIGHTS COME ON. THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE ARE FINE AND DO NOT NEED TO BE SERVICED PER MECHANIC AND VW. PERSONAL MECHANIC ALONG WITH AUTHORIZED VW SERVICE PULLED THE FOLLOWING CODES: 01130 ABS OPERATION NOT A PLAUSIBLE SIGNAL, 01317 CONTROL MODULE, 01285 CLUSTER, 01486 SYSTEM FUNCTION TEST FAILURE. VEHICLE MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 63K. ABS MODULE FAILURE HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES AND THERE ARE TBS'S AND TECHNICAL TIPS FOR TROUBLESHOOTING AS WELL AS A RECALL FOR 2009-2010 JETTA'S. PROPERLY MAINTAINED VEHICLES SHOULD NOT REQUIRE ABS MODULE REPLACEMENTS AT 63K MILES. WAS ALSO TOLD THAT BY AUTHORIZED VW SERVICE THAT THIS VEHICLE ALSO HAS A LEAKY VACUUM PUMP. TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS: $2,636 FOR REPLACEMENT OF ABS MODULE PLUS TAX AND $1,036 PLUS TAX FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE VACUUM PUMP. NEITHER OF THESE PARTS SHOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED ON THIS 2012 VW JETTA WITH 63K MILES. THIS IS ABSURD. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE PARTS BECAUSE, ESPECIALLY WITH THE ABS MODULE, THEY ARE CLEARLY DEFECTIVE. YOU WILL FIND MANY CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ABS MODULE ON THE WEB FOR THIS VEHICLE.
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.
Service brakes, Nov 30, 2020
WHILE IN MOTION BRAKES WERE ENGAGED TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN. BRAKES "STUCK" AT TOP OF MOTION AND WOULD NOT DEPRESS. HAD TO PUMP AND AFTER PUTTING VEHICLE IN PARK AND THEN DRIVE AGAIN THEY WOULD ENGAGE. USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP ON WAY HOME. FAILURE HAPPENS EVERY 3 STOPS OR SO.
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 .
Other or unspecified, Nov 2, 2020
2012 VW JETTA WAGON THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW AND ALWAYS HOUSED IN A GARAGE UNTIL FEBRUARY 2020. WATER LEAKED INTO CAR INTERIOR CARPET AND SPARE TIRE WELL. NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION OF RECALL DUE TO SUNROOF LEAKING. REPAIR WAS $900 OUT OF MY POCKET
Visibility/wiper, Oct 30, 2020
WHEN THE WEATHER GETS COLD AROUND 35 DEGREES AND LOWER, THE WIPERS STOP WORKING. THEY ARE NOT STUCK TO WINDSHIELD. VERY DANGEROUS AND HAPPENS RANDOMLY ON IN THE WINTER.
Electrical system, Oct 24, 2020
MISCOMMUNICATION FROM COMPUTER TO ABS SYSTEM CAUSING THE ABS TO ENGAGE WHEN BRAKING NORMALLY DRIVING UP TO AN INTERSECTION CAUSING VEHICLE TO NOT STOP WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE.
Power train, Oct 21, 2020
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR NORMALLY ON THE HIGHWAY AND I PUSHED THE CLUTCH IN AND IT WENT STRAIGHT THE FLOOR THIS IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE IT WAS THE SLAVE CYLINDER A KNOW FAILURE POINT. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IO COULDN'T PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR AGAIN AND WAS IN NEUTRAL ON THE HIGHWAY. VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO FIX THIS ON THIS YEAR JETTAS.
Other or unspecified, Aug 31, 2020
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND I CANNOT TURN OFF THE ENGINE.
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 26, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED TO VOLKSWAGEN OF OLYMPIA ( 2107 COOPER POINT RD SW, OLYMPIA, WA 98502; (360) 515-3349) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 25, 2020
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND VEHICLE KEEPS RUNNING. TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE THE KEY IS ABLE TO BE REMOVED WITH ADDITIONAL PRESSURE AND TAPPING ON THE KEY AND IGNITION. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT AND A RECALL OR CAMPAIGN SHOULD BE ISSUED BY VW
Other or unspecified, Aug 24, 2020
KEY KEEPS GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION. IT IS UNABLE TO TURN OFF THE CAR.
Other or unspecified, Aug 20, 2020
IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER STICKS WHEN TURNING OFF AND ON. THE STICKING CAUSED KEY TO BRAKE WHICH DAMAGED THE IGNITION AND THE TUMBLERS INSIDE.
Power train, Aug 20, 2020
JUST BOUGHT THIS VECHILE USED, WITH 136K MILES. ON INITIAL DRIVE, WHICH LASTED AROUND 30 MINUTES, EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. NOW IT'S ALMOST LIKE ITS SLIPPING GEARS AND SLAMMING WHEN IT DOWN SHIFTS COMING TO A STOP. OBVIOUSLY CAME WITH NO WARRANTY, DIDN'T THINK I'D NEED TO PURCHASE THAT ON A CAR 8 YEARS OLD. BASIC ASSESSMENT, TRANSMISSION ISSUES WHILE IN MOTION AND COMING TO A STOP.
Suspension, Aug 11, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM REAR, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SPRINGS WERE REPLACED 4 TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF FIVE YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER NYE VOLKSWAGEN OF ROME LOCATED AT 5865 ROME-TABERG RD ROME, NY 13440, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH REAR SPRINGS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000.
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.
Other or unspecified, Aug 1, 2020
I HAVE A RECALL FOR THE 37M2-MICRO SWITCH. I AM CONCERNED, THE VW DEALERSHIP DOES NOT HAVE ANY DAYS TO LET ME SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. I NEED HELP PLEASE, I HOPE IT'S SAFE TO DRIVE.
Electrical system, Jul 29, 2020
THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE CAR WON'T TURN OFF AND KEEPS RUNNING. I LOOKED IT UP AND FOUND SEVERAL VW JETTA'S WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED BY VW. IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND SEEMS TO BE COMMON. I ORDERED THE PART ON LINE AND WAS TOLD OF A NATIONAL SHORTAGE., THE CAR IS STUCK IN THE DRIVEWAY.
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
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jul 16, 2020
THE KEY IS GETTING STUCK AND CAN NOT BE REMOVED. CAN NOT TURN VEHICLE ON OR OFF BECAUSE THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY ON A CITY STREET. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS CONTINUALLY ON.
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.
Power train, Seat belts, Service brakes, Jul 14, 2020
THE THROW OUT BEARING SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AS I WAS GOING 80 MPH DOWN THE FREEWAY, TO REPLACE IT I DISCOVERED THAT THE SWAY BARS END LINKS WERE RUSTED SOLID AND THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN DONE 6 TIMES AND BROKEN EVERY TIME BUT THIS LAST TIME WITHIN A MONTH
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 5, 2020
GAS CAP PROBLEM WARING LIGHT ON DO TO GAS CAP AND GAS LEAKING FEUMS WHEN GAS TANK IS FULL CAN SMELL GAS WHILE DRIVING
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 30, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT START-UP THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANCIRA VOLKSWAGEN IN SAN ANTONIO LOCATED AT 6125 BANDERA RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78238, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT'S SON WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V913000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.