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2012 Volkswagen Jetta Problems & Owner Complaints

526 NHTSA owner complaints
24 crash 7 fire 17 injury

Age-normalised, this year draws ~35.1 complaints per year on the road — ranking 3 of 13 Volkswagen Jetta years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

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What owners report

Electrical System is the most-reported problem area on the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, cited in 144 of 526 filed complaints (27%).

Engine is next (88 complaints, 17%), followed by Fuel/Propulsion System (52), Power Train (50), Steering (43).

Across all complaints, 24 report a crash, 7 report a fire, 17 report injuries.

The most safety-critical cluster is Air Bags: 9 crash, 11 injury report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 526.

Electrical System 144 7 crash 4 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”
NHTSA complaint #11341492, 2020 · fire

“THE FIRST TIME MY RADIO CAUGHT ON FIRE, IT WAS THE SUMMER OF 2014. MY CAR WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT WHILE I WAS AT WORK. WHEN I ENTERED THE CAR TO DRIVE HOME, I TURNED STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS A EXTREMELY LOUD SOUND, MUCH LIKE AN EXPLOSION. THE MIDDLE DASH WHERE THE RADIO IS LOCATED BEGAN POURING SMOKE. AFTER THE INCIDENT, I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, WHO "FIXED" THE PROBLEM (THEY REPLACED THE STOCK RADIO FOR ANOTHER VW STOCK RADIO). SPRING OF 2015, THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED. MY CAR WAS PARKED AT WORK, I STARTED THE CAR AND THE RADIO BEGAN POURING SMOKE. I AGAIN, HAD THE ISSU…”
NHTSA complaint #10761778, 2014 · 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”
NHTSA complaint #10670597, 2014 · fire

Unknown Or Other 111 2 crash 1 fire 4 injury

“2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMERS REQUESTS RECALL NOTICES FOR VEHICLE. *SMD BOTH OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE WERE INJURED. *JB”
NHTSA complaint #10725025, 2014 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE 78 WEST BOUND FREEWAY, IT SOUNDED LIKE A LOUD EXPLOSION. I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED AND SHATTERED. IT JUST BLEW UP WITH NO EXPLANATION, NOTHING HIT IT.”
NHTSA complaint #11316756, 2020 · 2 injury(ies)

“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”
NHTSA complaint #11341492, 2020 · fire

Engine 88 1 crash 4 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…”
NHTSA complaint #11383693, 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”
NHTSA complaint #11341492, 2020 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR EMITTING FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY REPAIR CENTER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10816968, 2015 · fire

Fuel/Propulsion System 52 1 injury

“MAP SENSOR - REPEATING FAILURE THE MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE PRESSURE (MAP) SENSOR FAILURE CAUSES EXPONENTIAL SAFETY ISSUES WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS AND/OR HIGHER SPEEDS THAT CAN RESULT IN DEATH. AFTER REPEATED REPLACEMENT AND REPAIRS, CONTINUOUS FAILURE OCCURS. STALLING, POWER AND STEERING ISSUES OCCUR AT HIGH SPEEDS AND/OR ON HIGHWAYS, PUTTING DRIVER AT RISK FOR A FATAL COLLISION. PERSONALLY, I HAVE HAD THE SENSOR REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES, INCLUDING HOSES AND PUMPS ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. SOON THEREAFTER, MAP SENSOR FAILS AND HAS CAUSED ME TO CREATE ALMOST A DOZEN COLLISIONS AT HIGH SPEED…”
NHTSA complaint #11175129, 2019 · 1 injury(ies)

“Cp4 high pressure fuel pump will self-destruct causing little pieces of metal to go throughout the fuel system and causing thousands in repair lots of manufacturers are doing recalls to this pump but nothing for Volkswagen I have contact the dealer no help if you go online thousands of people it's complaining about the CP4 high pressure fuel pump it has a design flaw from factory and needs to be corrected”
NHTSA complaint #11614705, 2024

“I was looking at the GMC Duramax diesel and it has the same problem as the Volkswagen Jetta TDI fuel pump failure due to American Diesel in the pump is designed for foreign diesel which is very expensive to repair can we please have some help with this where they can come out with a replacement pump that can resist American diesel”
NHTSA complaint #11607161, 2024

Power Train 50 1 injury

“MAP SENSOR - REPEATING FAILURE THE MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE PRESSURE (MAP) SENSOR FAILURE CAUSES EXPONENTIAL SAFETY ISSUES WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS AND/OR HIGHER SPEEDS THAT CAN RESULT IN DEATH. AFTER REPEATED REPLACEMENT AND REPAIRS, CONTINUOUS FAILURE OCCURS. STALLING, POWER AND STEERING ISSUES OCCUR AT HIGH SPEEDS AND/OR ON HIGHWAYS, PUTTING DRIVER AT RISK FOR A FATAL COLLISION. PERSONALLY, I HAVE HAD THE SENSOR REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES, INCLUDING HOSES AND PUMPS ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. SOON THEREAFTER, MAP SENSOR FAILS AND HAS CAUSED ME TO CREATE ALMOST A DOZEN COLLISIONS AT HIGH SPEED…”
NHTSA complaint #11175129, 2019 · 1 injury(ies)

“I recently bought vehicle seen there is a recall”
NHTSA complaint #11648429, 2025

“A bolt holding my CV Joint backed out causing the bracket between two of the bolts to come lose. The bracket then swung as I drove a created a hole in my transmission. This caused me to lose transmission fluid and damage my transmission. My car has only been serviced at VW certified dealers so I am very disappointed with this issue”
NHTSA complaint #11577827, 2024

Steering 43 5 crash 2 injury

“TAKATA RECALL, ABS BRAKE LITE ON IN THE DASH. RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE ON STEERING COLUMN LOCK HOUSING”
NHTSA complaint #11091248, 2016 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REMAIN IN POSITION AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE MOVED TO THE OPPOSITE POSITION WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE LEFT AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE DIVIDER. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE CRASH SCENE AND WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREV…”
NHTSA complaint #10850384, 2016 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE OFF THE ENGINE. (IT WAS STATIONARY I.E. IN PARK)”
NHTSA complaint #10906843, 2016 · crash

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Service Brakes 41 6 crash 1 fire

“2012 JETTA WAGON - WHILE DRIVING ON A RECENTLY PAVED HIGHWAY (EG. SEEMINGLY PRISTINE ASPHALT), MY WIFE AND I NOTED A STRANGE VIBRATION SENSATION IN OUR CAR. THERE WAS NO DRAG, VEERED STEERING, ABNORMAL HANDLING, OR WARNING ON THE DASH. WE HAD ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN AT THE UPCOMING INTERSECTION THE LIGHT CHANGED TO RED. IT WAS A NORMAL BRAKING/STOP MANEUVER. ON STOPPING, NO UNUSUAL BRAKING SENSATION, AGAIN NO ABNORMAL PULL. WE NOTICED SMOKE COMING ALONG THE DRIVERS SIDE WHILE STOPPED. THERE WAS A FAINT SMELL OF HOT METAL AS WELL. MY WIFE STATED "I HOPE THAT'S NOT US".…”
NHTSA complaint #10761968, 2015 · fire

“I'M STILL CONTINUING TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VAR 2012 JETTA VOLKSWAGEN. UP IN TILL RECENTLY IT WAS FIXED ON A RECALL NOTICE THAT DISPLAYED VEHICLE RIGHT ROLL EVEN IF PLACED IN PART AND IGNITION TURNED OFF !! UNFORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED TO MY SON DURING CHRISTMAS 2019. WHAT IF THERE WAS A BODY IN FROM THAT CAR. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE AND VOLKSWAGEN USA KNOWS IT. I TOOK IT IN AND WAS ADDRESSED OF NEW RECALL WHICH RELAYS THE SAME SAVAGENESS; IT WAS FIXED TILL WHEN ?? [XXX] THIS CAUSED ABOUT 1000-2000 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE AFTER WE HAD ALREADY FIXED THIS BUMPER WITH VOLKSWAGEN. INFORMATION…”
NHTSA complaint #11308656, 2019 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, NO RAIN, DAYLIGHT HOURS, WHEN COMING UP ON A STOP SIGN I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WOULDN'T PUSH, THE BREAKS DIDN'T WORK, I PUMPED THEM AND STILL THE PEDAL WOULDN'T MOVE, ON THE FOURTH OF FIFTH PUMP FINALLY THE PEDAL WOULD COMPRESS. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROX 6-8 TIMES OVER THE LAST 4 YEARS BUT YESTERDAY IT WAS A SERIOUS ISSUE. I COULDNT GET MY BRAKES TO REACT AND REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME , AND THE VALUE OF MY JETTA IS NOW LIKELY A TOTAL LOSS. I HAVE PERIODICALLY LOOKED FOR RECALLS ON THIS ISSUE AND HAVE FOUND ONLY SIMILIAR COMPL…”
NHTSA complaint #11130484, 2018 · crash

Air Bags 35 9 crash 11 injury

“I WAS INJURED IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN MY 2012 VW JETTA WHERE THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED BUT WERE NOT. PEOPLE INCLUDING POLICE AND INSURANCE COMPANIES WERE SURPRISED MY AIR BAGS DID NOT FUNCTION. LOOKING FURTHER INTO THE INCIDENT I FOUND OUT VIA INTERNET THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2016 FOR THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED (OF THE RECALL OR PROBLEM) AS THE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE WHO PURCHASED THIS NEW FROM A VW DEALER. THIS OCCURRED ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY CAR WAS COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP FOR BACKED UP TRAFFIC GOING UNDER 10MPH. I WAS REAR ENDED BY A VEHICLE GOING AT LEAST 35 M…”
NHTSA complaint #11203035, 2018 · crash · 5 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT FOOT, LEFT KNEE, AND LEFT ARM. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST, ARMS, AND LEFT LEG THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V483000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. ..UPDATED 05/23/17 *BF *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10908543, 2016 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE AFTER IT STOPPED ABRUPTLY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOWING FACILITY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11078638, 2018 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Fuel System 35

“I was driving on the road going up a hill and my fuel was just alittle low about 120 miles my car sputtered and died and didn't start back up stuck on the road with barley any gaurd rail so I'm partially in the lane and I got it looked at and my high pressure fuel pump failed and sent metal scrapes all throughout my fuel system so it's estimated around 10k to replace I got told it's because the pump barley lost fuel and it uses that to lubricate itself so somthing as simple as one of the pumps going out and this problem can occur or a slight short im just reporting because many others have had…”
NHTSA complaint #11595644, 2024

“The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated he smelled a strong odor of carbon dioxide inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test however, no failure was found. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the vehicle did not have a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tank. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 100,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11502209, 2023

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS HESITANT AS IF THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHEN NEEDING TO CHANGE GEARS. IN ADDITION, THE GEARS WERE SLOW TO CHANGE OVER. THE DEALER (HANSEL VOLKSWAGEN, 2951 CORBY AVE, SANTA ROSA, CA 95407, (707) 501-5977) PROVIDED A MANUFACTURER SOLUTION OF MODIFYING THE DIESEL SYSTEM, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER MORE THAN TWICE, BUT COULD NOT DIAGNOSE OR REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED THAT THEIR SOLUTION IMPACTED THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THEY PROVIDED N…”
NHTSA complaint #11088720, 2017

Visibility/Wiper 20

“The contact's daughter owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at undisclosed speeds in the rain, an abnormal popping sound was heard. The wipers were moving slowly and became inoperable. The contact stated that after turning on the windshield wipers, the wiper blades went into the down position. The driver was able to pull over. There were no warning lights illuminated. The owner called an unknown local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #11590410, 2024

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11372462, 2020

“WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE AND THE TEMPERATURE GOES BELOW 20 DEGREES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WARMS UP THE WIPERS START WORKING AGAIN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT IS RAINING OR SNOWING AN I AM UNABLE TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD!”
NHTSA complaint #11182615, 2019

Suspension 14

“Front driver strut coil spring snapped while driving.”
NHTSA complaint #11465875, 2022

“I HAD TO HAVE ALL FOUR SPRINGS REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE BROKEN. I'VE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH VW. WHY ARE THEY NOT ADDRESSING THIS? THE CAR HAD ABOUT 89 THOUSAND MILES ON IT.”
NHTSA complaint #11397193, 2020

“BROKEN LEFT FRONT & LEFT REAR COIL SPRINGS. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS WAS CREATED BY RUNNING OVER ANYTHING. SERVICE ASSOCIATE BLAMED IT ON RUST DUE TO SNOW, ICE, DEBRIS BUILD UP. HARD TO BELIEVE A COIL SPRING WILL RUST THROUGH IN 8YRS. IT APPEARS VW HAS HAD OTHER ISSUES WITH COIL SPRINGS ON VEHICLES. I CHECKED WITH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC & HE AGREED THEY WERE BROKEN. FRONT WHEELS ARE OUT OF ALIGNMENT & SQUEAL WHEN LIGHTLY PRESSING ON BRAKE. CAR CAN'T BE ALIGNED UNTIL REPAIR IS MADE. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #11330836, 2020

Vehicle Speed Control 14

“Horn only occasionally works when honking and/or locking car, which increases the risk of a crash since I can’t always use my horn to alert other drivers of presence. One front headlight only occasionally works (lightbulb is not the issue), which increases the risk of a crash since other drivers may not be able to see me as well & I am not able to see the road as well in the dark. Cruise control does not work at all, which increases risk of speeding and therefore increases risk of crash. Dealer has inspected horn/headlight issue but could not determine cause. No warning signs. Issues first app…”
NHTSA complaint #11547246, 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 SYSTE…”
NHTSA complaint #11383833, 2020

“I'VE NOTICED THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF, IT'S THE MAP SENSOR. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND EVERYTHING HAS BEEN FULLY CLEANED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL COMES ON. MY CAR ALSO SEEMS TO GO INTO LIMP MODE WHILE DRIVING. I'LL MAKE A TURN, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WILL NOT WANT TO MOVE AT ALL, ILL SWITCH IT TO TRIPTRONIC AND IT DOESN'T WANT TO DOWN SHIFT OR UP SHIFT. I HAVE TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TURN THE CAR OFF THEN BACK ON. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH BOTH OF THESE THING FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. I'VE ALSO NOTICED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PRO…”
NHTSA complaint #11231510, 2019

Exterior Lighting 13

“Horn only occasionally works when honking and/or locking car, which increases the risk of a crash since I can’t always use my horn to alert other drivers of presence. One front headlight only occasionally works (lightbulb is not the issue), which increases the risk of a crash since other drivers may not be able to see me as well & I am not able to see the road as well in the dark. Cruise control does not work at all, which increases risk of speeding and therefore increases risk of crash. Dealer has inspected horn/headlight issue but could not determine cause. No warning signs. Issues first app…”
NHTSA complaint #11547246, 2020

“HEAD LIGHTS ARE ON WHEN TEMPERATURE IS COLD. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME AND KILLING THE BATTERY. I BELIEVE THE ISSUE WITH LIGHT SWITCH BECAUSE WHEN I UNPLUG IT AT NIGHT FROM THE CAR AND RE-PLUG THE LIGHT SWITCH IN THE MORNING, IT ALL WORKS WITHOUT ANY ISSUE.”
NHTSA complaint #11287898, 2019

“HEADLIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY FAILING WHILE DRIVING. !ST TIME IN FEB 2019 BOTH LIGHTS FAILED AT THE SAME TIME WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY. REPLACED BOTH BULBS. SEPT 09, 2019 LEFT BULB FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY. AGAIN REPLACED BOTH BULBS. LEFT BULB FAILED AGAIN SEPT 12, 2019 WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY. RESEARCH SHOWS MANY OTHER VW JETTA OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.”
NHTSA complaint #11255338, 2019

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 10 2 crash 2 injury

“TAKATA RECALL, ABS BRAKE LITE ON IN THE DASH. RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE ON STEERING COLUMN LOCK HOUSING”
NHTSA complaint #11091248, 2016 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“MAP SENSOR - REPEATING FAILURE THE MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE PRESSURE (MAP) SENSOR FAILURE CAUSES EXPONENTIAL SAFETY ISSUES WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS AND/OR HIGHER SPEEDS THAT CAN RESULT IN DEATH. AFTER REPEATED REPLACEMENT AND REPAIRS, CONTINUOUS FAILURE OCCURS. STALLING, POWER AND STEERING ISSUES OCCUR AT HIGH SPEEDS AND/OR ON HIGHWAYS, PUTTING DRIVER AT RISK FOR A FATAL COLLISION. PERSONALLY, I HAVE HAD THE SENSOR REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES, INCLUDING HOSES AND PUMPS ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. SOON THEREAFTER, MAP SENSOR FAILS AND HAS CAUSED ME TO CREATE ALMOST A DOZEN COLLISIONS AT HIGH SPEED…”
NHTSA complaint #11175129, 2019 · 1 injury(ies)

“CAR WAS ONLY UNDER MY POSSESSION FOR ONE YEAR AND SEVEN MONTHS... IT WAS LEASED BRAND NEW . 3/25/14-WHEN GOT INTO THE CAR TO GO TO WORK, CAR WOULD NOT START. DISCOVERED IT HAD NO BATTERY POWER. HORN STOPPED WORKING. PREVIOUS TO THIS, WEEK BEFORE THERMOSTAT LIGHT WAS GOING ON AND OFF. CAR WAS AT 14,030 MILES. VOLKSWAGEN ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CAME AND BROUGHT VEHICLE TO NEAREST SERVICE CENTER WHICH IS ACTUALLY WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR. SERVICE CENTER CONFIRMED DEAD BATTERY. THE DEALERSHIP INCLUDING THE PERSON WHO SOLD ME THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO CHARGE ME $240 FOR IT AND CONSIDERED IT "WEAR A…”
NHTSA complaint #10584319, 2014 · crash

Seat Belts 10

“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”
NHTSA complaint #11339434, 2020

“RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT IS JAMMED IN THE RETRACTED POSITION. CAR WAS PARKED ON LEVEL GROUND AT HOME DRIVEWAY. CANNOT PULL OUT SEAT BELT AS THE LOCKING MECHANISM WILL NOT LET IT BE PULLED OUT. THIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT STARTED A FEW MONTHS AGO. AFTER SEVERAL TUGS ON THE BELT, OR IF THE CAR MOVED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE MECHANISM WOULD EVENTUALLY RELEASE THE BELT SO IT CAN BE USED (AS REQUIRED BY LAW). THE PROBLEM GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS UNTIL THE SEAT BELT IS NOW UNUSABLE. REPORTED TO DEALER DURING REGULAR SERVICE VISIT. DEALER INSPECTED AND NOTED THAT THE SEAT B…”
NHTSA complaint #10934125, 2016

“CAR'S FUSE # 6 KEEPS BLOWING WHICH CONTROLS THE BACK LIGHTS THAT TURNS ON AT NIGHT, WHEN FUSE BLOWS LIGHTS ON BACK GO OUT AND CARS BEHIND YOU CAN'T SEE YOU AND MAY CAUSE A COLLISION WHERE SERIOUS INJURY AND DEATH MAY RESULT. I THINK THIS AN ENGINEERING FLAW WHERE THEY CONNECTED THE BACK LIGHTS TO OTHER MODULES IN THE CAR, SO THE SHORT REMAINS AND CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT FUSE KEEPS BLOWING EVERY TIME YOU PUT A NEW ONE IN VW IS NOT WILLING TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM AND GIVE ME A SOLUTION, THE SHORT IS NOT IN ANY OF THE LIGHTS ON THE BACK OF THE CAR, OR INSIDE THE CAR, VW IS REFUSING TO GI…”
NHTSA complaint #10863781, 2016

Tires 9

“THIS VEHICLE CAME FROM THE MANUFACTURER WITH DUNLOP SP SPORT 01 A TIRES (225/40R18) (AUGUST 2012 PURCHASE). WITHIN NINE MONTHS (8800 MILES) TWO TIRES DEVELOPED SIDEWALL BUBBLES. AFTER CONTACTING DUNLOP, THEY REPLACED TWO TIRES ST NO CHARGE. AT THAT TIME, THE GOODYEAR/DUNLOP RETAIL STORE SLOWED ME TO PURCHASE A TIRE WARRANTY ON ALL FOUR TIRES. OVER THE PAST SIX YEARS AND 80,000 MILES, I HAVE REPLACED FOURTEEN (14) OF THESE TIRES UNDER THE WARRANTY AND HAVE HAD TO PURCHASE A WARRANTY WITH EACH REPLACEMENT TIRE. THESE TIRES ARE THE ONLY TIRES I HAVE EVER OWNED IN ALMOST 40 YRS OF DRIVING THA…”
NHTSA complaint #11129527, 2018

“TIRE HAD CATASTROPHIC FAILURE ON SIDE WALL. 4TH TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED WITH SPECIFIC TIRES "DUNLOP SP SPORT 01 AS". *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10703537, 2015

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK TIRES, TIRE LINE: OPTIMO H725A, TIRE SIZE: P205/55/R16 AND DOT NUMBER: 1GRPDYH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WALL WAS SEPARATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,500.”
NHTSA complaint #10690445, 2015

Wheels 9

“MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON A COUPLE MONTHS AGO. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT AND THE CLOSEST VW DEALERSHIP IS ABOUT 80MILES FROM HERE. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS COULD BE A RECALL DEFECT OR WAS IT SOMETHING THAT I DID. I DO HAVE A CHILD AND I DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO HAPPEN. I DON'T GO OUT OF TOWN AS IT IS DUE TO MY TIRES LOSING AIR AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEING ON.”
NHTSA complaint #11276924, 2019

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE HIT A BUMP ON THE ROAD AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND AVOIDED HITTING THE SIDE OF THE BRIDGE. THE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE RIM. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE RIM DISINTEGRATED AND EXHIBITED FRACTURES IN TWO LOCATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION FOR FURTHER INSPECTION HOWEVER; THE CONTACT INSURANCE COMPANY ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOTAL AND WOULD BE MOVED TO A DIFFEREN…”
NHTSA complaint #11023442, 2017

“THIS IS REGARDS TO THE TOYO TIRES ON MY CAR WHICH ARE DEFECTIVE AND THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT AGREE WITH THAT. THE BEADING OF THE TIRE ARE WEEK AND THERE IS BUBBLE ON THE TIRE. ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AB SUDDENLY THE TIRE EXPLODED AND ALL THE BEADING IS CUT BUT NOT EVEN A SINGLE SCRATCH ON THE RIM OR THE CAR. I AM HOPING THIS WOULD BE ADDRESSED AND SAVE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE.”
NHTSA complaint #10889070, 2016

Engine And Engine Cooling 8 1 fire

“DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME FROM WORK FRIDAY 1/13, WEATHER WAS BELOW FREEZING CAUSING ICE BUILD UP. PARKED THE VEHICLE IN MY GARAGE ~45 DEGREES. ICE BEGAN MELT, AND WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE SATURDAY AFTERNOON IT TURNED 1/4 TURN AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. MY ASSUMPTION IS THAT THE ENGINE INHALED WATER CAUSING A HYDRO-LOCK, I CONTINUED TO TRY TO START THE VEHICLE A TOTAL 5 TIMES (IT TURNED OVER ONCE AND RAN EXTREMELY ROUGH AND DIED ONCE). THE LAST TIME TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE I SMELLED SMOKE, I POPPED THE HOOD TO FIND THE STARTER AND WIRING ON FIRE. I WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE REL…”
NHTSA complaint #10445020, 2012 · fire

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11141424, 2018

“COOLANT CAME THEN WENT OFF AFTER SHUTTING OFF CAR TURNING BACK THEN 3DAYS LATER ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING PULLED OVER TURNT CAR OFF TURNED ON AFTER 5 MINS ENGINE LIGHT CUT OFF. 2 DAYS LATER ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10936831, 2016

Structure 8 1 crash

“CAR WAS ONLY UNDER MY POSSESSION FOR ONE YEAR AND SEVEN MONTHS... IT WAS LEASED BRAND NEW . 3/25/14-WHEN GOT INTO THE CAR TO GO TO WORK, CAR WOULD NOT START. DISCOVERED IT HAD NO BATTERY POWER. HORN STOPPED WORKING. PREVIOUS TO THIS, WEEK BEFORE THERMOSTAT LIGHT WAS GOING ON AND OFF. CAR WAS AT 14,030 MILES. VOLKSWAGEN ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CAME AND BROUGHT VEHICLE TO NEAREST SERVICE CENTER WHICH IS ACTUALLY WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR. SERVICE CENTER CONFIRMED DEAD BATTERY. THE DEALERSHIP INCLUDING THE PERSON WHO SOLD ME THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO CHARGE ME $240 FOR IT AND CONSIDERED IT "WEAR A…”
NHTSA complaint #10584319, 2014 · crash

“FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO LOCK AND/OR UNLOCK WITH KEY FOB OR LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTONS IN THE CABIN (BEGAN APPROX 6/20/2018 AT APPROX 43,000 MILES). MUST USE THE KEY IN EXTERIOR KEY HOLE TO MANUALLY LOCK OR UNLOCK, BUT WHILE KEY IS IN THE IGNITION IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO LOCK THE DOOR MANUALLY AS THERE IS NO MANUAL LOCK SWITCH ONLY POWER LOCK SWITCH. EVERY TIME ANY DOOR IS UNLOCKED AND THE DRIVER GOES FROM 0MPH PAST ABOUT 10MPH THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY TRIES TO LOCK BUT FAILS. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD FORM CARJACKING, AS THERE IS NO WAY TO MANUALLY LOCK THE DOORS FROM INSIDE THE CAB…”
NHTSA complaint #11164303, 2018

“DOOR LATCH FAILED MID-DRIVE AND MY DOOR FLEW WIDE OPEN MID-TURN. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. IF THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, I WOULDN'T BOTHER POSTING THIS. BUT IF YOU USE A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH, THIS IS AN ISSUE VOLKSWAGEN WIDE. NOT ISOLATED TO THE JETTAS, NOT EVEN LIMITED TO MK6S.”
NHTSA complaint #11144953, 2018

Visibility 4

“I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THIS AFTERNOON GOING 70 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN, MY MOTHER AND I HEARD A LOUD BOOM, IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. GLASS FROM THE SUNROOF SUDDENLY COVERED US, THE FRONT SEATING AREA AND THE BACK SEAT. WE WERE THE ONLY CAR IN THE HIGHWAY, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY EXTERNAL OBJECT BEING THROWN AT MY VEHICLE AND THE SUNROOF GLASS S PUSHED UP, INDICATING THAT THE EXPLOSION HAPPENED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. I'VE READ OF SEVERAL INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING AND FEEL THIS IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD. LUCKY, I DIDN'T LOSE CONTROL AND WE WERE JUST SHAKEN UP, BUT THIS ISSUE NEEDS…”
NHTSA complaint #10560141, 2014

“I HAD TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO A NEW VW IN EL CAJON, WHERE I HAD A NEW ISSUES POP UP WITH MY A/C. MY A/C WAS NOT BLOWING AS COLD AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. WHEN DRIVING I WOULD NOTICE MY A/C GO FROM COLD TO WARM A LOT. IT WOULD RANDOMLY DO IT ALL THROUGHOUT THE DAY, I WAS NEVER GETTING CONSTANT COLD AIR. I BROUGHT IT IN AND NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP OF THE ISSUE AND EVEN POINTED OUT A WIRE THAT SEEMED TO ME TO BE A ODD BECAUSE WIRE WAS SHOWING, THEY TOLD ME DON'T WORRY WE WILL TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE. THEY DID NOT DO SO THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL,…”
NHTSA complaint #10586349, 2013

“I PURCHASED A NEW VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI IN 2012. I AM UNABLE TO ADJUST THE LEFT OUTSIDE MIRROR SO THAT IT DOES NOT HAVE A BLIND SPOT. THAT BLIND SPOT ALLOWS A CAR SLOWLY PASSING IN THE LEFT LANE TO BE OUT OF VIEW OF THE INSIDE MIRROR BUT NOT YET IN VIEW OF THE LEFT OUTSIDE MIRROR! THE PILLAR SEPARATING THE TWO DOORS ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS LOCATED SO THAT A DRIVER CANNOT SEE A CAR IN THE DESCRIBED BLIND SPOT. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10460343, 2012

Latches/Locks/Linkages 3

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOORS DID NOT LOCK WHEN THE ALARM WAS ACTIVATED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTOBAHN MOTORCAR GROUP (3000 WHITE SETTLEMENT ROAD, FORT WORTH, TX 76107, 817-336-0885) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LATCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED, BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.”
NHTSA complaint #11121619, 2018

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LATCH FAILED AND THE DOOR COULD NOT BE CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DORSCHEL VOLKSWAGEN (3817 W HENRIETTA RD, ROCHESTER, NY 14623, (800) 768-6026) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ORDER FOR THE DOOR LATCH TO BE REPLACED, THE DOOR PANEL NEEDED TO BE DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, TWO YEARS LATER, THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR FAILED TO CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WH…”
NHTSA complaint #11222049, 2017

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE TRUNK AJAR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE TRUNK OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TRUNK FAILED TO CLOSE PROPERLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR LATCH HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,545.”
NHTSA complaint #10852071, 2016

Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2

“FOR THIS YEAR OF JETTA THE DOORS LOCK AROUND 10 MILES AN HOUR. MINE DOES NOT LOCK. THE DOORS WILL KEEP ATTEMPTING TO LOCK WITH NO SUCCESS. IF YOU GO ON A LONG TRIP AND SLOW DOWN TO THE 10 MPH RANGE THEY WILL TRY TO LOCK AGAIN. THE DOOR ALSO DOES NOT LOCK WHEN YOU PUSH BUTTON. YOU MUST KEEP PRESSING IT UNTIL IT FINALLY LOCKS. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10682366, 2014

“ON THE AFTERNOON OF APRIL 30TH, 2014 WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDEAL AT A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLES POWER STEERING AND A/C GAVE OUT. AFTER INSPECTING THE ENGINE, IT WAS DETERMINED THE BELT TENSONER BROKE DUE TO A FAULTY BOLT THAT SHOULD'VE SECURED THIS PART. THIS INCIDENT HAPPEN 6 DAYS AFTER TAKING IT TO A LOCAL AUTHORIZED VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE DEALERSHIP . AS A CONSUMER AND DRIVER I FEEL A FORMAL SAFETY INVESTIGATION MUST TAKE PLACE BECAUSE A PART SUCH AS THIS SNAPPING OFF ENDANGERS MY LIFE AND THE LIFE OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THIS SHOULD BECOME A MAJOR CONCERN BECAUSE VOLKSWAGEN NEGLIGENCE TO DET…”
NHTSA complaint #10586902, 2014

Seats 2

“AIRBAG, BRAKE, ABS LIGHTS ARE ON AND STAYS ON. 3 LOUD BEEPS WHEN TURNING ON THE CAR. RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION BUT MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW RECALL WHEN LOOKED UP WHICH IS ALSO ALARMING. ACCORDING TO THE VW DEALER, THIS IS A FACTORY/ MANUFACTURER DEFECT (CHEAP PARTS FROM CHINA AND BAD INSTALLATION IS WHAT I TOLD) BUT THEY CANNOT FIX SINCE VIN IS NOT SHOWING UP IN THEIR SYSTEM. MY ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AS WELL AS BRAKE SYSTEM. I AM IN A PANIC!!! BUT DEALER WILL NOT FIX FACTORY DEFECT AND IS CHARGING $1700-$2200 TO FIX. THIS IS ALARMING AS WELL AS UNFAIR TO CONSUMERS!!! THIS…”
NHTSA complaint #11052803, 2017

“THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED TWICE. FIRST INCIDENT WAS WHEN I ENCOUNTERED A HERD OF DEER ON A RURAL ROAD. I WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 55 MPH AND HAD TO SUDDENLY BRAKE AND DE-ACCELERATE TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE FOLDING BACK SEATS FLOPPED DOWN IN THE DE-ACCELERATION. SIMILARLY THE SAME MANEUVER OCCURRED ON AN URBAN FREEWAY. I HAD TO DE-ACCELERATE TO AVOID A COLLISION AT 65 MPH AND THE SAME EVENT OCCURRED. IF THERE WERE PASSENGERS OR A HEAVY LOAD IN THE REAR AREA BEHIND THE BACK SEATS, THEY COULD HAVE BEEN THROWN AGAINST THE FRONT SEATS OR AN OBJECT FROM THE REAR COULD HAVE FLOWN FORWARD A…”
NHTSA complaint #10568025, 2014

Back Over Prevention 1

“REVERSE LIGHTS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE ARE NOT WORKING WITH 580 MILES ON THE CAR AND AFTER 1 MONTH OF OWNERSHIP. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10462868, 2012

How we read this (methodology)

How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta draws about 35.1 complaints per year on the road, ranking 3 of 13 among the Volkswagen Jetta model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.

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