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Volkswagen Jetta 2011–2018
Mk6 (A6) · Typ 1B / PQ35-derived 'New Compact Sedan' (US-specific)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20263,683 complaints, 2,619 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 21,033 and 78,500 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 2 complaints (0.1%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 3,300
- 25%
- 21,033
- Median
- 50,100
- 75%
- 78,500
- 90%
- 105,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 302 | 11.5% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 105 | 4.0% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 97 | 3.7% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 105 | 4.0% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 95 | 3.6% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 80 | 3.1% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 92 | 3.5% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 147 | 5.6% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 119 | 4.5% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 121 | 4.6% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 137 | 5.2% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 104 | 4.0% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 157 | 6.0% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 121 | 4.6% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 112 | 4.3% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 91 | 3.5% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 84 | 3.2% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 77 | 2.9% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 92 | 3.5% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 40 | 1.5% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 74 | 2.8% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 28 | 1.1% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 47 | 1.8% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 20 | 0.8% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 36 | 1.4% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 18 | 0.7% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 30 | 1.1% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 9 | 0.3% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 16 | 0.6% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 7 | 0.3% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 15 | 0.6% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 7 | 0.3% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 10 | 0.4% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 5 | 0.2% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 8 | 0.3% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 3 | 0.1% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 3 | 0.1% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 200,000+ | 2 | 0.1% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 3,683 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011–2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2,619 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 21,033 and 78,500 miles. The median is 50,100 miles.
The most-reported areas are the electrical system (19.0% of complaints, typically around 55,000 miles), the engine (14.0% of complaints, typically around 52,000 miles), problems owners could not categorise (11.9% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles).
19 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Electrical system55,000median 55,000 miles, middle half 34,000 to 81,000
- Engine52,000median 52,000 miles, middle half 22,000 to 78,000
- Problems owners could not categorise60,000median 60,000 miles, middle half 40,000 to 83,000
- Transmission and driveline52,000median 52,000 miles, middle half 16,000 to 85,000
- Fuel and propulsion system52,000median 52,500 miles, middle half 32,000 to 80,000
- Airbag system56,000median 55,767 miles, middle half 30,000 to 80,000
- Steering51,000median 51,400 miles, middle half 23,000 to 78,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 700 | 19.0% | 55,000 | 34,000–81,000 |
| Engine | 514 | 14.0% | 52,000 | 22,000–78,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 440 | 11.9% | 60,000 | 40,000–83,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 378 | 10.3% | 52,000 | 16,000–85,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 277 | 7.5% | 52,000 | 32,000–80,000 |
| Airbag system | 189 | 5.1% | 56,000 | 30,000–80,000 |
| Steering | 158 | 4.3% | 51,000 | 23,000–78,000 |
| Brakes | 153 | 4.2% | 38,000 | 9,500–75,000 |
| Fuel system, diesel | 116 | 3.1% | 21,000 | 8,000–45,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 108 | 2.9% | 60,000 | 39,000–77,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 50,100 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The electrical system accounts for 19.0% of complaints (700 reports, 526 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 55,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 34,000 and 81,393 miles.
The engine accounts for 14.0% of complaints (514 reports, 372 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 52,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 22,000 and 78,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 11.9% of complaints (440 reports, 273 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 60,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 39,562 and 83,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 10.3% of complaints (378 reports, 246 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 52,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 16,000 and 85,000 miles.
The fuel and propulsion system accounts for 7.5% of complaints (277 reports, 198 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 52,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 32,000 and 80,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 5.1% of complaints (189 reports, 116 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 55,767 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 29,700 and 80,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2011 model year drew the most — 880 complaints — while 2018 drew the fewest at 38. The median year sits at 418.
That makes 2011 an outlier: roughly 2.1 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 19 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the fuel system (3), equipment (3), the engine and its cooling system (3). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 3,683 complaints filed against this generation, 200 reported a crash; 46 reported a fire; 137 reported an injury; 1 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 5.4% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 21,033 and 78,500 miles, with a median of 50,100. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the electrical system and the engine are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The engine in particular shows a median failure mileage of 52,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Emissions / Engine Control 2011–2015
2.0L TDI defeat device: engine control software detected emissions testing and reduced NOx output only during the test. EPA and CARB notices led to a buyback and modification program covering EA189 TDI vehicles.
Fuel System 2011–2015
Common Rail TDI high-pressure fuel pump failure contaminating the fuel system with metal.
Cooling 2014–2018
EA888 Gen3 1.8T water pump and thermostat housing failures (plastic housing cracks and leaks).
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 880 | 709 |
| 2012 | 692 | 569 |
| 2013 | 739 | 482 |
| 2014 | 552 | 382 |
| 2015 | 284 | 180 |
| 2016 | 249 | 141 |
| 2017 | 249 | 146 |
| 2018 | 38 | 10 |
Recalls (19)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 20V648000 | 2021-03-31 | Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail |
| 19V615000 | 2019-11-19 | Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:control Module |
| 19V679000 | 2019-11-06 | Other or unspecified |
| 17V352000 | 2017-07-06 | Equipment:other:labels |
| 17V136000 | 2017-03-30 | Equipment:other:labels |
| 17V137000 | 2017-03-20 | Equipment:other:labels |
| 17V070000 | 2017-02-16 | Engine and Engine Cooling:engine |
| 16V403000 | 2016-09-16 | Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail |
| 15V705000 | 2016-03-09 | Engine and Engine Cooling:engine |
| 15V483000 | 2016-01-15 | Air Bags:frontal |
| 15V627000 | 2015-11-20 | Air Bags:frontal:sensor/Control Module-Inactive |
| 14V656000 | 2015-04-07 | Suspension:rear |
| 15V028000 | 2015-02-09 | Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail |
| 14V790000 | 2015-01-22 | Exterior Lighting:headlights |
| 14V670000 | 2014-11-19 | Seats |
| 14V182000 | 2014-04-16 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit and Lines |
| 11V466000 | 2011-11-30 | Engine and Engine Cooling:exhaust System |
| 11V490000 | 2011-11-15 | Fuel System, Diesel |
| 11V196000 | 2011-04-21 | Electrical System:wiring:fuses and Circuit Breakers |
What owners reported
When driving car the engine will stall and lock up the power steering. It may happen 3-4 times within in 3 mile distance. It has been taken to two different auto repair shops one of which deals only with german motors. The problem cannot be diagnosed. After replacing the fuel pump and crank shaft sensor the problem…
2011 · Fuel and propulsion system
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated there are times when the accelerator pedal was engaged, but the vehicle does not accelerate immediately. The failure occurred intermittently. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer three times and was told the failure could not be duplicated. The…
2011 · 10 miles · Throttle and speed control
2011 Jetta sportwagen tdi rear hatch had a leak causing tailgate to fill with water. Brought back to the dealer three times. 1St time-replaced window and seal 2nd time-replaced third break light and gasket 3rd time-said there was a bad weld and replaced entire tailgate. The leak resulted in a high amount of…
2011 · 15 miles · Body structure
This 2011 vw sportwagen tdi (diesel)would easily stall in first gear. Since the first test drive we were told at the dealership, this manual transmission takes getting used to. I have a friend who owns a 2011 golf tdi with a similar issue. However, even though i became more accustomed to driving it, i would still…
2011 · 20 miles · Transmission and driveline
Built from 2,619 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page