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Volkswagen Jetta 2011–2018 problems by year and mileage
Mk6 (A6) · Typ 1B / PQ35-derived 'New Compact Sedan' (US-specific)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20262,663 complaints, 1,938 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
- 201150kmedian
- 201255kmedian
- 201360kmedian
- 201456kmedian
- 201543kmedian
- 201642k†median
- 201737k†median
- 2018—too few
The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
Close- Median failure report
- 50,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 607
- Recalls naming this year
- 7
Most reported on the 2011
- Electrical system186 reports · median 60,000 mi
- Engine90 reports · median 52,000 mi
- Fuel system, diesel82 reports · median 20,000 mi
Recall areas Other or unspecified · Electrical system — ignition · Air bags — frontal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
Close- Median failure report
- 55,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 500
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2012
- Electrical system138 reports · median 58,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise107 reports · median 64,000 mi
- Engine84 reports · median 45,000 mi
Recall areas Other or unspecified · Electrical system — ignition · Air bags — frontal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta
Close- Median failure report
- 60,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 597
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2013
- Transmission and driveline198 reports · median 74,000 mi
- Electrical system157 reports · median 55,000 mi
- Engine126 reports · median 60,000 mi
Recall areas Power train — automatic transmission · Other or unspecified · Electrical system — ignition
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2014 Volkswagen Jetta
Close- Median failure report
- 56,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 407
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2014
- Engine112 reports · median 65,000 mi
- Electrical system97 reports · median 56,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline89 reports · median 73,000 mi
Recall areas Power train — automatic transmission · Electrical system — ignition · Air bags — frontal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2015 Volkswagen Jetta
Close- Median failure report
- 43,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 197
- Recalls naming this year
- 8
Most reported on the 2015
- Electrical system49 reports · median 36,000 mi
- Engine43 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise35 reports
Recall areas Power train — automatic transmission · Other or unspecified · Electrical system — ignition
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
Close- Median failure report
- 42,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 164
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2016
- Engine44 reports
- Electrical system38 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise35 reports
Recall areas Fuel system, gasoline — fuel injection system · Electrical system — ignition · Engine and engine cooling — engine
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2017 Volkswagen Jetta
Close- Median failure report
- 37,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 160
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2017
- Electrical system33 reports
- Engine33 reports
- Fuel and propulsion system30 reports
Recall areas Fuel system, gasoline — fuel injection system · Electrical system — ignition · Equipment — other
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2018 Volkswagen Jetta
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 31
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2018
- Problems owners could not categorise8 reports
- Airbag system6 reports
- Fuel and propulsion system6 reports
Recall areas Fuel system, gasoline — fuel injection system · Electrical system — ignition
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. † Median likely runs low (complaints filed after 2020). Latest: the 2013; earliest: the 2017, and the 2013 is 4 years older (part of the gap is age). 1 of these years carries fewer than 30 reports with an odometer reading and shows no median at all, rather than one computed from a handful.
The short answer
“Is the 2011–2018 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 52,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 109,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 1,938
- Recalls
- 21
Most reported
- Electrical system26.3% of complaints · median 55,000 mi
- Engine20.1% of complaints · median 54,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline17.0% of complaints · median 62,000 mi
Documented problems
- Emissions / Engine Control2011–2015
- Fuel System2011–2015
- Cooling2014–2018
Owners filed 2,663 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011–2018 Volkswagen Jetta; the electrical system leads with 26.3% of them, and half of the 1,938 that record an odometer reading came by 52,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 24,000 to 80,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2011–2018 Volkswagen Jetta last?
On the 2011–2018 Volkswagen Jetta, half of the 1,938 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 52,000 miles and 90% by 109,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
37 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 2 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Jetta reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Volkswagen Jetta 2011–2018 · 1,938 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
5,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 210 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 2 complaints (0.1%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 4,000
- 25%
- 24,000
- Median
- 52,000
- 75%
- 80,000
- 90%
- 109,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 210 | 10.8% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 77 | 4.0% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 71 | 3.7% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 65 | 3.4% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 68 | 3.5% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 58 | 3.0% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 71 | 3.7% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 106 | 5.5% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 91 | 4.7% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 87 | 4.5% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 99 | 5.1% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 82 | 4.2% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 116 | 6.0% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 90 | 4.6% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 85 | 4.4% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 65 | 3.4% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 67 | 3.5% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 59 | 3.0% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 61 | 3.1% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 40 | 2.1% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 51 | 2.6% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 28 | 1.4% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 39 | 2.0% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 19 | 1.0% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 29 | 1.5% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 18 | 0.9% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 25 | 1.3% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 7 | 0.4% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 12 | 0.6% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 5 | 0.3% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 10 | 0.5% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 9 | 0.5% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 2 | 0.1% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Jetta problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Volkswagen Jetta 2011–2018
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Brakes163 reportsmedian 38,000middle half 9,000–73,000
- Engine534 reportsmedian 54,000middle half 22,000–80,000
- Fuel and propulsion system285 reportsmedian 54,000middle half 33,000–82,000
- Electrical system701 reportsmedian 55,000middle half 32,000–80,000
- Airbag system194 reportsmedian 56,000middle half 30,000–80,000
- Problems owners could not categorise444 reportsmedian 60,000middle half 40,000–83,000
- Transmission and driveline453 reportsmedian 62,000middle half 21,000–92,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 701 | 26.3% | 55,000 | 32,000–80,000 |
| Engine | 534 | 20.1% | 54,000 | 22,000–80,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 453 | 17.0% | 62,000 | 21,000–92,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 444 | 16.7% | 60,000 | 40,000–83,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 285 | 10.7% | 54,000 | 33,000–82,000 |
| Airbag system | 194 | 7.3% | 56,000 | 30,000–80,000 |
| Brakes | 163 | 6.1% | 38,000 | 9,000–73,000 |
| Steering | 162 | 6.1% | 52,000 | 23,000–78,000 |
| Fuel system, diesel | 116 | 4.4% | 21,000 | 8,000–45,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 108 | 4.1% | 60,000 | 39,000–77,000 |
Known problems with the 2011–2018 Jetta
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).
Before you buy a 2011–2018 Jetta: the 3-minute check
Generated from 1,938 mileage-tagged complaints, 21 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 21 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check emissions / engine control on 2011–2015 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check fuel system on 2011–2015 cars.
- Check cooling on 2014–2018 cars.
- Years differ here: from 31 to 607 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Jetta problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi56% below | At 90k mi81% below | At 120k mi93% below | At 150k mi98% below | At 200k mi100% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 32,000–80,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 22,000–80,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 21,000–92,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 40,000–83,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 33,000–82,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 30,000–80,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 9,000–73,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Volkswagen Jetta 2011–2018 · 1,938 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 56% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 81% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 93% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 98% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 100% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2011–2018 Volkswagen Jetta recalls (21)
NHTSA records 21 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the fuel system (3), the transmission and driveline (3), equipment (3) (why one area can repeat).
Oct 2020 · 2016–2018 · Fuel System, GasolineA fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
The defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Jetta vehicles. The fuel rail bolts may become loose over time, allowing fuel to leak.
What can happen. A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rail bolts and, as necessary, the fuel rail. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at…
Dec 2019 · 2013–2015 · Power TrainA decrease in transmission oil pressure can cause the clutch to fail to engage, resulting in a sudden loss of…
The defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Jetta Hybrid vehicles equipped with a DQ200 7-Speed DSG Automatic Transmission. Hairline cracks can develop within the transmission electronic gearbox (mechatronic unit), causing an…
What can happen. A decrease in transmission oil pressure can cause the clutch to fail to engage, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a repair kit and, as necessary, replace affected parts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2021. Owners may…
Sep 2019 · 2011–2013, 2015 · Other or unspecifiedIf the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
The free fix. 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…
Aug 2019 · 2011–2018 · Electrical SystemRemoving the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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…
May 2017 · 2017 · EquipmentThe mismatched VINs make the vehicle noncompliant with regulatory requirements.
The defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Jetta vehicles. The affected vehicles have Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) markings on the body that do not match the VIN plate near the windshield. As such, these vehicles fail to…
What can happen. The mismatched VINs make the vehicle noncompliant with regulatory requirements.
The free fix. Volkswagen has notified owners and has replaced the vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number…
Mar 2017 · 2017 · EquipmentOverloading the vehicle may affect vehicle handling or result in tire damage, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Jetta vehicles. The affected vehicles have incorrect information on the tire information label, possibly causing the operator to overload the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to…
What can happen. Overloading the vehicle may affect vehicle handling or result in tire damage, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers install a corrected tire information label, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at…
Mar 2017 · 2017 · EquipmentOverloading the vehicle may affect vehicle handling or result in tire damage, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Beetle and Jetta GLI vehicles. The affected vehicles have incorrect information on the tire information label, possibly causing the operator to overload the vehicle. As such, these…
What can happen. Overloading the vehicle may affect vehicle handling or result in tire damage, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected tire information label, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at…
Feb 2017 · 2017 · Engine and Engine CoolingIf the engine seizes, the wheels may suddenly lock up, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the…
The defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Jetta vehicles equipped with a 1.4L engine. These vehicles have an engine that may seize due to an improper casting of the block.
What can happen. If the engine seizes, the wheels may suddenly lock up, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Volkswagen will either buy back the vehicle or replace the engine block, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's…
Jun 2016 · 2016 · Fuel System, GasolineA fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
The defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jetta vehicles manufactured October 31, 2015, to January 21, 2016, 2016 Passat vehicles, equipped with 1.8T engines manufactured November 13, 2015, to December 9, 2015, and…
What can happen. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
The free fix. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cylinder heads, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer…
Oct 2015 · 2015–2016 · Engine and Engine CoolingIf the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to…
The defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off…
What can happen. If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this…
Oct 2015 · 2015 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash, if the front passenger seat occupant is incorrectly classified or non-detected, the…
The defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured September 8, 2014, to November 28, 2014, Golf vehicles manufactured April 2, 2014, to December 3, 2014, and E-Golf vehicles manufactured July 26…
What can happen. In the event of a crash, if the front passenger seat occupant is incorrectly classified or non-detected, the passenger frontal air bag may deploy improperly or not at all, increasing the risk of…
The free fix. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PODS control module, free of charge. The recall began on November 20, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at…
Aug 2015 · 2011–2014 · Air BagsA loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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…
Jan 2015 · 2014–2015 · Fuel System, GasolineA fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
The defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to November 24, 2014, 2014-2015 Passat vehicles manufactured April 7, 2014, to November 18, 2014, 2015 Golf and GTI vehicles…
What can happen. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
The free fix. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at…
Dec 2014 · 2015 · Exterior LightingInsufficient headlight output may increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured July 11, 2014, to November 13, 2014. Due to incorrect software within the headlight control module, the low beam headlights may turn off when high…
What can happen. Insufficient headlight output may increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the headlight control module software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer…
Oct 2014 · 2015 · SeatsUnexpected movement of the driver's seatback may distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Jetta and Passat vehicles manufactured September 23, 2014, to October 9, 2014, and equipped with manual front seatback recliners. In the affected vehicles, the…
What can happen. Unexpected movement of the driver's seatback may distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the assembly of the seatback recliner retaining bracket, correcting it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners…
Oct 2014 · 2011–2013 · SuspensionThe reduced durability of the trailing arm may result in its sudden fracture, possibly causing loss of…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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…
Apr 2014 · 2014 · Power TrainThe leaking transmission fluid could contact a hot surface and result in a vehicle fire.
The defect. Volkswagen of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, and Passat vehicles equipped with a 1.8T engine and torque converter automatic transmission. In the affected vehicles, the O-ring seals between…
What can happen. The leaking transmission fluid could contact a hot surface and result in a vehicle fire.
The free fix. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the O-ring seals in the transmission oil cooler, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on April 16, 2014. Owners may contact…
Nov 2013 · 2013–2014 · Power TrainThis sudden loss of power while driving increases the risk of a crash.
The defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Jetta Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 2012 through October 2013 and equipped with a DQ-200 direct-shift gearbox. Due to gearbox fluid additives, the control module…
What can happen. This sudden loss of power while driving increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the gearbox oil with a non-corrosive version, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2013. Owners may contact Volkswagen at…
Oct 2011 · 2011–2012 · Fuel System, DieselDue to the resonance condition, injector line number 2 could develop small cracks which could lead to fuel…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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…
Sep 2011 · 2011 · Engine and Engine CoolingIf the tailpipe extension is hot during inadvertent contact, a burn could occur.
The defect. Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Jetta sedan vehicles manufactured from march 18, 2010, through august 22, 2011. Some vehicles had a stainless steel exhaust tip installed at the port during importation. These exhaust tips may extend beyond…
What can happen. If the tailpipe extension is hot during inadvertent contact, a burn could occur.
The free fix. 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…
Mar 2011 · 2011 · Electrical SystemShould this happen while the vehicle is being driven, the engine could stall, or the headlights or wipers…
The defect. Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2011 Jetta vehicles, manufactured from march 2010 through march 2011. These vehicles may have an electrical wiring and fuse layout where the converter box is protected by the same fuse used by the signal horn and the…
What can happen. Should this happen while the vehicle is being driven, the engine could stall, or the headlights or wipers could turn off unexpectedly, potentially leading to a crash without warning.
The free fix. Volkswagen will notify owners when sufficient quantities of repairs kits are available. Dealers will separate the wiring for the horn and the theft protection horn from the power supply of the…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 2,663 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 132 (5.0%)
- Fires
- 29
- Injury reports
- 72
- Fatality reports
- 1
Jetta problems by model year
The 2011 drew the most complaints of this generation, 607, most of them about the electrical system, and the 2018 the fewest, 31. A typical year drew about 302.
That makes the 2011 stand out at roughly 2.0 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 607 | 497 | 50,000 | Electrical system (186) | 7 |
| 2012 | 500 | 410 | 55,000 | Electrical system (138) | 5 |
| 2013 | 597 | 415 | 60,000 | Transmission and driveline (198) | 6 |
| 2014 | 407 | 293 | 56,000 | Engine (112) | 6 |
| 2015 | 197 | 127 | 43,000 | Electrical system (49) | 8 |
| 2016 | 164 | 95 | 42,000† | Engine (44) | 4 |
| 2017 | 160 | 94 | 37,000† | Electrical system (33) | 6 |
| 2018 | 31 | 7 | under 30 reports | Problems owners could not categorise (8) | 2 |
What Jetta owners reported
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the vehicle jerked abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with low pressure in the transmission and the mechanic associated the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V866000…
2014 · 97,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle decelerated and nearly caused a crash on the freeway. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, restarted, and the vehicle operated as intended.…
2013 · 152,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the heater and the defroster were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the heater core was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, where it was determined that the…
2014 · 100,000 miles · Engine and its cooling system
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the infotainment system touch screen failed to operate as an intended. No warning light was illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted, and the vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact…
2017 · 40,000 miles · Electrical system
Built from 1,938 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Jetta generations
- Jetta 1993–1998 112 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system
- Jetta 1999–2004 1,681 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system
- Jetta 2005–2010 2,660 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
- Jetta 2019–2025 318 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system