NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE.
I HAVE A 2012 JETTA TDI THAT IS NOW JUST OUT OF BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY, EXCEPT THE 10YR/120K COVERAGE EXTENDED ON THE KNOWN POORLY DESIGNED HPFP (INVESTIGATED IN NHTSA ACTION PE10034). I DO A FUEL FILTER CHANGE EARLY 15K FROM THE LAST DEALER CHANGE AT 44500 MILES... AND I FIND METAL PARTICLES IN THE FUEL FILTER. THIS IS NOT NORMAL, AND INDICATION OF WEAR, AND SOURCE IS ALMOST CERTAINLY THE HPFP CAM AND ROLLER/PISTON WHICH IS LUBRICATED AND COOLED BY DIESEL FUEL RECIRCULATED TO THE FILTER VIA BYPASS, AND SOME OF THIS ENDS UP IN THE FUEL TANK, AND WORSE CAN END UP IN THE INJECTORS CAUSING INJECTOR FAILURE, EVEN POSSIBLE BURNED PISTON HEADS AND CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE. I ASSUME THE PATH FORWARD IS DOCUMENT MY FINDINGS, I DID THIS WITH HIGH RESOLUTION DIGITAL PICTURES, PRINTED FOR THE DEALER, AND A PRISTINE WHITE RAG TURNED GREY WITH METAL FILINGS, ALONG WITH THE OLD FILTER DELIVERED FOR THEIR INSPECTION (I EVEN PROVIDED THE VCDS DIAGNOSTIC PRINT OUT FOR THE VEHICLES SELF-DIAGNOSIS). SINCE I DID THE FILTER CHANGE, AND ABOUT 100 MILES AND ONE DAY LATER, THERE IS NO MORE EVIDENCE OF THESE METAL PARTICLES IN THE SYSTEM.. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT TRIED, VW WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE A PUMP REPLACEMENT.. SO I CALLED AND VW EXPLAINED THE SITUATION TO THEM, THEY DID NOT BOTHER TO RECORD NAME OR VIN, CLEARLY NOT INTERESTED IN CUSTOMER CARE. OFFICIAL VW POLICY SEEMS TO BE TO IGNORE THE METAL FILINGS AND THE CUSTOMER, THEY OFFER A BOGUS EXPLANATION THAT METAL FILINGS COULD COME FROM FILL NOZZLES, OR SOME OTHER SOURCE (UNLIKELY, I ALSO OWN A DIESEL TRUCK, AND WITH LONGER SERVICE TIME, WITH MORE FUEL USED, THERE WERE NO METAL PARTICLES AT NEARLY 30K MILES. I NOW HAVE A CAR I CANT TRUST, KNOWING THE HPFP CAN SUDDENLY FAIL WITHOUT WARNING AND LEAVE MY FAMILY STRANDED, EVEN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF IT HAPPENS IN A BUSY INTERSTATE, OR WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EPC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND EACH TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF MULTIPLE TIMES IN ORDER TO RESET THE EPC CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
A WOMAN AND A YOUNG CHILD DEPARTED A PRESCHOOL ON A CLEAR, DRY DAY. THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET 250 FEET FROM THE PRESCHOOL WITHOUT WARNING OR ANY SIGN OF TROUBLE. THE VEHICLE HAD RUN WELL TO DATE. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED MULTIPLE TIMES TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT SHUT DOWN AGAIN WITHIN TWO SECONDS OF STARTING. A GOOD SAMARITAN PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE WAS DIESEL FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE, NECESSITATING TOTAL REPLACEMENT. THE FUEL SYSTEM IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, FOR WHICH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY APPLIES TO 120,000 MILES. THE DEALER HAD A FUEL SAMPLE TESTED FOR CONTAMINATION. RESULTS WERE ALL STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANTLY WITHIN VW SPECIFICATIONS. VOLKSWAGEN CONTENDS, HOWEVER, THAT THE FUEL SAMPLE FAILED THE TEST DUE TO ITS OWN ROUNDING ERROR AND REFUSES TO HONOR ITS EXTENDED WARRANTY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN AND SECURITY SYSTEM DID NOT FUNCTION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO LOCK THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE SPARKS PLUGS ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,868.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT SUDDENLY STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
CAR LOST ALL POWER AND WOULD NOT RESTART.I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 55MPH ON A RURAL ROAD, THANKFULLY THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC AT THE TIME THE CAR FAILED. THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AS THE ENGINE WAS LOSING POWER. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THE CAR WOULD FAIL LIKE THIS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE THE ROAD IN NEUTRAL. I SUSPECTED A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE SINCE VW HAD JUST SENT OUT A LETTER NOTIFYING ME THAT THE WARRANTY ON THAT PART HAD BEEN EXTENDED TO 120K MILES. AFTER IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY CONFIRMED IT WAS A HPFP FAILURE AND I AM WAITING TO FIND OUT IF VW WILL COVER THE REPAIR. WAS TOLD THAT THIS FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM ($8,800.00USD). I DO NOT SEE HOW VW CAN PUT A CAR ON THE ROAD WITH A PART THAT COULD POTENTIALLY FAIL AND CAUSE THIS MUCH DAMAGE.
WHILE DRIVING (SECONDARY ROADS, SUBURBS) NOTICED 'SPONGY' BRAKE FEEL AND STRANGE SOUND FROM LEFT REAR. WHEN I GOT HOME (AFTER ABOUT 15 MIN OF DRIVING), LEFT REAR DISC WAS GLOWING ORANGE/YELLOW AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE WHEEL. HAD REAR PADS REPLACED/RESET. PROBLEM RETURNED 2 WEEKS LATER. AFTER A SHORT DRIVE, NOTICED SMELL AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM LEFT REAR WHEEL. LIFTED CAR AND LEFT REAR WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. ALL OTHER WHEELS ARE FINE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OUTER CASE WHERE THE SEAT BELT LATCHED WAS CRACKED AND PREVENTED THE SEAT BELT FROM SECURING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
WHILE DRIVING THE JETTA TDI AT 35 MPH, ALL OF A SUDDEN DASH LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF AND CAR STALLED. WE WERE ABLE TO STEER CAR TO SIDE OF ROAD. THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER AND WAS TOWED TO LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP. IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH HPFP FAILURE AND THE METAL HAD CONTAMINATED MY ENTIRE SYSTEM AND NEEDED COSTLY REPAIR. FUEL WAS SENT FOR TESTING, AND WHEN VERIFIED THAT IT WAS NOT OWNER NEGLIGENCE VW REPAIRED THE CAR. THE WAIT WAS ALMOST 2 WEEKS.
REAR SEAT BELT HOUSINGS BROKEN, REAR SEAT CENTER LOCATION WHERE TWO HOUSINGS ARE CO-LOCATED. ONE OF THE TWO HOUSINGS DOES NOT LATCH THE BELT CLIP RENDERING THIS SEAT LOCATION USELESS AS THE OCCUPANT WILL NOT HAVE A WORKING SEAT BELT. USING A CALIPER THE HOUSING IN ONE AREA LOOKS TO MEASURE AT 40/1000 OF AN INCH THICK. LOOK AT ATTACHED PHOTOS FOR DAMAGE AND METHOD ON HOW DAMAGE OCCURS. WHEN THE SHORT SEAT IS DROPPED AND THE TWO SEAT BUCKLES ARE NOW LOCATED OVER UNDER THE LONGER SEAT BACK. THEY ARE EXPOSED TO A METAL BRACKET INSIDE THE LONGER SEAT BACK THAT IS VERY CLOSE TO THE SURFACE OF THE SEAT FABRIC. AS THE LONGER SEAT IS DROPPED THE METAL BRACKET LOCATED UNDER THE SURFACE OF THE FABRIC IN THE SEAT IN MY OPINION COMES IN CONTACT WITH THE BUCKLES AND HAS CAUSED THIS DAMAGE. THIS DAMAGE HAS EFFECTED THE SEAT BELTS FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT'S KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE IN THE RUN POSITION. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE ONLY BY DISCONNECTING FOUR OF THE FIVE FUEL INJECTORS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO DESTROY THE TRIM AND REMOVE AND REPLACE THE IGNITION LOCK AND SWITCH ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.
IGNITION LOCK/SWITCH STUCK IN "ON" POSITION. UNABLE TO TURN OFF ENGINE OR REMOVE KEY. SAFETY AND SECURITY RISK BEING UNABLE TO SECURE VEHICLE OR TURN OFF ENGINE.
THE VEHICLE WAS BEING BACKED OUT OF A DRIVEWAY INTO THE ROADWAY WHEN THE HORN BEGAN TO SOUND CONTINUOUSLY AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TURNED OFF COMPLETELY TO STOP THE HORN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HORN SOUNDS WHENEVER THE IGNITION IS ENGAGED SOMETIMES STOPPING ONCE THE ENGINE TURNS ON, SOMETIMES NOT. ONCE STARTED THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEABLE BUT THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, THE HORN ON THE STEERING WHEEL IS INOPERABLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS ARE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP AND DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY CLOCK SPRING THAT REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. THE INCIDENT APPEARS TO BE SIMILAR TO THAT DESCRIBED IN NHTSA INVESTIGATION PE 15-010.
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.
THE CAR IS A 2012 JETTA SPORTWAGON TDI. IT HAS RECEIVED ALL APPROPRIATE SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE, AND ONLY DIESEL FUEL HAS BEEN USED IN THE CAR. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1/2 TANK OF DIESEL LEFT WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. WHILE DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, THE GLOW PLUG WARNING LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH. APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS LATER THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, AND WITHIN TWO MINUTES DIED COMPLETELY. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE CURB AND PARK, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. AN INSPECTION BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOUND METAL SHAVINGS THROUGHOUT THE FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, AND DIAGNOSED A BLOWN HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH VW TDI ENGINES.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WHILE DRIVING TO DEALER FOR SERVICE THE CAR ENGINE FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON FREEWAY. CAR HAD NO PROPULSION AND CAME TO A ROLLING STOP. UNABLE TO RESTART CAR. TOWED TO VW DEALER AND THEY SAID VW TDI FUEL PUMPS HAVE HAD ISSUES AND COULD FAIL. LUCKILY NOBODY WAS INJURED BUT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS AS ENGINE SHUT DOWN IMMEDIATELY AND FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE ON FREEWAY. I WAS VERY SHAKEN BY THE INCIDENT AND WAS UNABLE TO MOVE ALL THE WAY TO SIDE OF FREEWAY. STILL DO NOT HAVE CAR BACK AND VW DEALER INDICATED IT WOULD BE A LARGE REPAIR
AT THE TIME OF A ROUTINE TIRE ROTATION, IT WAS NOTICED THE INSIDE OF 3 TIRES WERE SPLIT. ONE OF THESE SPLITS WAS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH THAT THE TIRE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED NOT DRIVING FURTHER. THE TREAD ON THE TIRES AND OUTSIDE SURFACE WAS STILL IN GOOD CONDITION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THERE WAS ALMOST HALF THE REGULAR TREAD LEFT. IT SEEMS UNUSUAL TO HAVE SPLITS ON THREE TIRES AT ONCE IN THE SAME LOCATION ON WHAT OTHERWISE WOULD STILL BE GOOD TIRES. THIS CAR HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY UNUSUAL ACCIDENTS OR INCIDENTS WHICH WOULD HAVE HAD A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON TIRE WEAR. THESE ARE THE ORIGINAL TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE CAR.
2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO KEY STUCK IN THE IGNITION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. A MECHANIC UN-PLUGGED A WIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. *JB
CANNOT SHUT ENGINE OFF. CANNOT REMOVE IGNITION KEY. *TR
2012 VOLKSWAGEN SPORTWAGEN TDI. WHEN TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY 4/11/15 GLOW PLUG LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING, WE NOTICED AN IMMEDIATELY SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF POWER. AT THIS MOMENT WE WERE TRAVELING ON A TWO LANE FREEWAY THAT HAPPENED TO HAVE ONE LANE BLOCKED. VEHICLES IMMEDIATELY BEGAN STACKING UP BEHIND US. AFTER PULLING OFF THE FREEWAY ATTEMPTED TO STOP AND RESTART THE ENGINE, WE HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME RESTARTING THE MOTOR. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, HOWEVER HAD A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN POWER, SAFETY WAS A CONCERN AND WAS VERY WORRIED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. BECAUSE OF THIS WE PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY AND CONTINUED TO LIMP TOWARDS THE DEALERSHIP ON LOCAL ROADS. THERE WAS SO MUCH REDUCTION IN POWER THAN DRIVING UP A SMALL HILL ALMOST BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. DEALERSHIP ACCUSED US OF FUELING THE VEHICLE WITH GAS INSTEAD OF DIESEL, GAS STATION WAS ABLE TO PRODUCE A RECEIPT SHOWING THAT WE HAD FILLED THE VEHICLE WITH DIESEL. HOWEVER, VW IS COVERING THE REPAIR, AND VEHICLE IS READY TO BE PICKED UP 4/16/15. DID NOT FEEL THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILURE HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH MISFUELING, AND WHILE VW IS COVERING THE REPAIR, IT APPEARS THAT THIS ISSUE IS A WELL DOCUMENTED FAILURE WITH VW. WE DO FEEL THAT OUR SAFETY COULD HAVE BEEN COMPROMISED WITH THIS FAILURE. *TR
I HAVE JUST FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR ON 4/7/2015 ABOUT AN ISSUE WITH THE AXLES THAT I NEVER GOT A NOTICE TO TAKE ACTION OF WHAT TO DO TO FIX THE ISSUE
TIRE HAD CATASTROPHIC FAILURE ON SIDE WALL. 4TH TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED WITH SPECIFIC TIRES "DUNLOP SP SPORT 01 AS". *TR
WAS DRIVING 40 AND WAS HEADING DOWN A HILL AND WAS COMING TO A STOP WHEN MY 2012 VW JETTA SPORTSWAGEN POWER FLICKERED, COIL LIGHT (GLOW LIGHT) CAME ON, IT MADE A LOUD NOISE AND DIED. I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE IT, COULD OF BEEN A BAD SITUATION. THANKFULLY VW DEALERSHIP SERVICE GAVE ME A NUMBER TO A LOCAL TOWING COMPANY. I WAS QUICKLY TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. IT SOUNDS LIKE SO MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. WAITING TO HEAR OFFICIAL DIAGNOSTICS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED INTO THE CONTACT'S LANE. THE HORN MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILED TO ALERT THE OTHER PERSON. AS A RESULT, THE OTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
WHILE DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY AT SPEED OF 20 MPH DUE TO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, I SMELLED DIESEL FUEL THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER AND THE PEDAL WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL COMPLETELY AFTER, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE MIL (MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP) AND BATTERY DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THE CAR WOULD NOT START OVER AND WAS TOWED OUT OF THE HIGHWAY. I NOTICED THERE WAS A DIESEL FUEL LEAK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AND DIAGNOSIS WERE MADE RESULTING IN FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT. *TR
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.
DURING FEBRUARY, THE 2012 VW TDI JETTA SPORTWAGEN WITH 59,7000 MILES STALLED TWICE WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE. ON THE THIRD START THE VEHICLE STARTED BUT THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE TO MORE THAN 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE LIMPED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO FOUND METAL FLAKES IN THE FUEL FILTER AND STATED THAT THE IN-TANK FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. THE IN-TANK FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AND THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS APPARENTLY CLEARED OF METAL. AT 63,000 MILES, THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. I GOT THE VEHICLE TO AN EXIT, STOPPED IT, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED. THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT WAS NO LONGER FLASHING AND THE CAR WAS DRIVABLE ALTHOUGH IT WAS LACKING SOME ACCELERATION AND THERE WAS A MOAN/WHINE NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. GOT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND LEARNED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAS FAILED AND THAT THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS NO MIS-FUELING ISSUE, AND DIESEL RECEIPTS ARE KEPT AT FILL UP.
LEFT REAR CALIPER IS SEIZING, WONT LET GO OF CALIPER. MECHANIC SAYS THE CALIPER HAS RUSTED SHUT AFTER ONLY 45,000 MILES AND HE SEES THEM ALL THE TIME ON VW VEHICLES. *TR
SAME PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE09035 AND NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER:09V333000 CAR IS CURRENTLY AT VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AWAITING A REPLACEMENT MEGATRONICS UNIT TO REPLACE ORIGINAL UNIT. VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *TR
WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS COLD, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON OUR 2012 VW JETTA REFUSE TO ACTIVATE CAUSING A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE DRIVING AND THE TEMPERATURE DROPS. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WARMS BACK UP, THE WIPERS START WORKING AGAIN. I'VE CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA AND DESPITE THE # OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, THEY REFUSE TO HELP ME OUT. *TR
TRIED TO START VEHICLE STARTED ONCE THEN STALLED IMMEDIATELY. TRIED A SECOND AND THIRD TIME VEHICLE WOULD JUST CLICK. LET CAR SIT 14 HOURS VEHICLE CLICKED ONCE THEN STARTED AND RAN ROUGH WITH WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF EXHAUST. READ UP ON HARD STARTS AND FOUND OUT ABOUT INTERCOOLER FREEZING. PULLED TUBING OFF AND FOUND APPROX. 2-3 OZ OF CLEAR WATER AND 4-5 OZ OF GREEN SLUDGE IN THE INTERCOOLER PIPING. NUMEROUS INSTANCES OF THIS HAVE OCCURRED EVEN ON THE HIGHWAY SOME OF THESE HAVE RESULTED IN A CONDITION CALLED HYDROLOCK RESULTING IN BENT CONNECTING RODS. THIS HAS ALSO OCCURRED IN VEHICLES BEING DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THIS WILL CAUSE A RAPID LOSS OF ENGINE POWER POSSIBLY CAUSING A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS FORUMS NOTING THIS IN 2009-2012 MODELS AND POSSIBLY 13-14 MODELS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A HILL IN A PARKING GARAGE, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO RELEASE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND THE CONTACT HAD TO QUICKLY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO AVOID CRASHING INTO OTHER VEHICLES. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
ENGINE WOULD NOT START AFTER STANDING IN COLD WEATHER X 10 DAYS. MOISTURE FROM THE INTAKE AIR CONDENSED & COLLECTED IN THE CHARGE AIR COOLER. THIS MOISTURE THEN FROZE, AND CAUSED BLOCKAGE OF THE INTAKE AIR SYSTEM. TSB ISSUED IN JUNE 2011, AMENDED SEPTEMBER 2011, RE: THIS ISSUE. VW REVISED THE CHARGE AIR COOLER DESIGN TO AVOID THE FORMATION OF MOISTURE AND FREEZING IN THE BOOST SYSTEM. PURPORTEDLY, 50,000 JETTAS ALREADY AFFECTED; LOCAL DEALER REPORTS A CAR/DAY ENTERING SHOP FOR SAME ISSUE, AND REQUIRES SAME REPAIR @ $1300. VW WILL REPAIR TDI'S UNDER WARRANTY @ VW EXPENSE; THOSE VEHICLES NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY ARE RESPONSIBILITY OF OWNER. HOWEVER, BECAUSE VW KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM, IS AWARE OF THE TSB AND ISSUED THE REVISED CHARGE AIR COOLER KIT, VW WILL NEGOTIATE WITH OWNERS WHOSE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. GIVEN THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS ISSUE WITH JETTA TDI'S, WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL? WHY IS VW NOT ASSUMING THE LIABILITY FOR ALL THESE REPAIRS, REGARDLESS OF WARRANTY STATUS? WOULD ASK NHTSA TO 1) RECALL THESE VEHICLES FOR REPAIR, AND 2) ASK VW TO ASSUME LIABILITY FOR ALL REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS KNOWN DESIGN DEFECT, & 3) ASK VW TO ASSUME ALL COSTS, INCLUDING PARTS, LABOR, TOWING, AND CAR RENTAL FOR US. *TR
THE CAR, A 2012 VW JETTA SE, FAILED TO RESPOND TO THE REVERSE GEAR ON 1/5/2015 AND BEHAVED AS IF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS STILL ENGAGED. THE REAR TIRES WOULD NOT MOVE AND THE REVERSE MANEUVER FAILED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CALLED AND THEY RECOMMENDED TOWING TO THEIR FACILITY. THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED ON 1/9/2015 AND TO DATE THERE HAS BEEN NO RESOLUTION.
GLOW PLUG WARNING LIGHT FLASHED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ACCOMPANIED BY A LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. *TR
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
THIS PROBLEM IS DIESEL ENGINE SPECIFIC: -ENGINE STARTS, THEN WHEN PULLING AWAY, STALLS IMMEDIATELY. -TOWED AFTER MULTIPLE RESTART ATTEMPTS FAILED DEALER FOUND WATER AND SLUDGE IN INTERCOOLER, AKA, INTERCOOLER ICING. CAR SPENT OVERNIGHT IN WARM SERVICE BAY WHILE IT THAWED OUT. VW HAS TSB FOR ISSUE BUT I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT DOESN'T FIX IT. WOW. *TR
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE IGNITION WILL NOT TURN OFF. THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE ON POSITION AND CAN NOT BE REMOVED. ON ONE OCCASION IT TOOK OVER 7 MINUTES TO REMOVE THE KEY. THIS MAY NOT SEEM LIKE A LONG TIME, BUT SIT IN YOUR CAR AFTER PARKING THEN TIME 7 MINUTES AND YOU'LL SEE HOW FRUSTRATING THIS IS!
LOST TRACTION ON A SNOW COVERED ROAD DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED OF APROX 35 MPH. THE TIRES WOULD NOT GRIP IN THE SNOW. THE CAR SLID ABOUT 100 FEET AND CROSSED A MAJOR STATE HIGHWAY. THE TIRES ARE MADE BY PRIMEWELL PS830. THE TIRES ARE MFG IN CHINA. I'M MAKING THIS COMPLAINT . AFTER READING ON MESSAGE BOARDS ABOUT PRIMEWELL TIRES. ITS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH TRACTION WITH THE TIRES IN SNOW OR RAIN. IN A BRIEF THEY HOLD AIR SOME TIMES AND ARE ROUND. I FEEL THEY ARE A DANGER TO DRIVERS OF THE CAR AND OTHER PEOPLE ON THE HIGHWAY. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN THIS TOOK PLACE. SHE DOSE NOT DRIVE FAST ON THE COUNTY ROAD WE LIVE ON. AS THERE ARE DEER EVERY WHERE. WHEN SHE TOLD ME WHAT HAPPEN SHE SAID " I WAS GOING TO DIE WHEN THE CAR KEPT SLIDING INTO THE HIGHWAY." THERE WAS A HEAVY TRUCK THAT SHE PASSED BEHIND. IF THE TIMING WAS DIFFERENT THERE COULD OF BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS IS HER FIRST CAR THAT HAS TRACTION CONTROL. WHEN SHE SAID IT SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL. I EXPLAINED WHAT TRACTION CONTROL IS. SHE SAID MAYBE THE TIRES HAVE A HARD RUBBER COMPOUND. I STARTED MY PRIMEWELL SEARCH AFTER THAT. THERE IS SOMETHING REALLY WRONG WITH THE TIRES. *TR
THE HORN ON THIS VEHICLE BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE AT TIMES. WHEN IT DOES WORK, THE HORN TONE IS VERY LOW AND IS DIFFICULT TO HEAR. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. IT ALSO CONCERNS ME SINCE AN OPERATIONAL HORN IS NEEDED TO PASS THE STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP YET FOR REPAIR, BUT A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH, I HAVE CONFIRMED THIS IS FAR TOO COMMON PROBLEM ON NEWER MODEL JETTA'S. *TR
CAR CEASED TO CONTINUE ACCELERATION WHILE IN MOTION. DEALER ASSESSMENT CONCLUDED PARTICULATES IN DIESEL FUEL LINE CAUSED FAILURE TO FUEL PUMP AND RELATED COMPONENTS. DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT ADVISED THAT PARTICULATES LIKELY ORIGINATED FROM DIESEL FUEL STORAGE TANKS AT GAS STATION. VEHICLE WAS STILL COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S 50K POWER TRAIN WARRANTY AND FUEL PUMP AND RELATED PARTS WERE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE. *TR
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
I TOOK MY JETTA TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND THE MECHANIC WENT TO MOVE MY CAR IN THE BAY AND COULD NOT GET IT TURNED OFF. I HAD TO HAVE IT MOVED TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER TO WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A FAULTY IGNITION AND VOLKSWAGEN SAID A BAD STEERING LOCK. *TR
2012 JETTA WITH SEVERE CRACKING ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRES. 205/55/16. CALLED HANKOOK AND THEY RESPONDED THAT THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. VW DEALER HAS PHOTOS OF 20 CARS WITH THE SAME CONCERN, BUT TIRES ARE NOT COVERED BY VW, ONLY THROUGH TIRE MANUFACTURER. AFTER READING ALL THE OTHER HANCOOK OPTIMO 725A TIRE SEVER CRACKING, THIS IS A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM AND NEEDS INVESTIGATION. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THREE LANES AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00 PM THROUGH LIGHT RAIN THE GLOW PLUG INDICATOR ON THE DASH BEGAN TO FLASH. THEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. I PULLED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE WHERE THE CAR LOST ALL ENGINE POWER AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THIS ALL OCCURRED WITHIN 20-25 SECONDS AND WE WERE LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT TO EMERGENCY LANE. WE HAVE SINCE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A VW DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM WHICH WAS UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP PROBLEM MOST FELLOW VW OWNER RECOMMENDED THAT I FILE A COMPLAINT. *TR
DRIVER SIDE BULB KEEPS BURNING OUT. WAS REPLACED BY DEALER WITH OEM PARTS, BUT IT KEEPS BURNING OUT EVERY MONTH. THE DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHT ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOES NOT WORK. THEY KEEP REPLACING IT AND IT KEEPS BURNING OUT. I SEE MANY OTHER JETTA'S LIKE MINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE ROAD.
WHILE PULLING INTO INTERSECTION, IGNITION QUIT. TOW TRUCK DRIVER RESTARTED VEHICLE. DEALER FOUND FAULT WITH ELECTRONIC IGNITION. REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH.
WHILE TRAVELING AT A CONSTANT SPEED BETWEEN 10 AND 15 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK HARSHLY, AND AFTER ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS OF JERKING THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE JERKING HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES, AND HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE OVER THE PAST 10,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED TWICE NOW, ONCE AT ABOUT 68,900 MILES, AND AGAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 71,500 MILES. THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED MORE QUICKLY AND IN A PARKING GARAGE AND NEARLY RESULTED IN A COLLISION. THE JERKING HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS, INCLUDING ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
MY CAR IS A 2012 VW JETTA TDI, CLEAN DIESEL. I WAS DRIVING FROM SAN DIEGO CA TO LAS VEGAS NV. IT WAS OVER 100 DEGREES. I WAS TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 15 NORTH ABOUT 70 MILES PER HOUR. 80 MILES FROM LAS VEGAS, GLOW LIGHT INDICATOR CAME ON, CAR LOST POWER. I PULLED OVER AND CAR STALLED, WOULD NOT RESTART. CALLED VW, TOLD THEM ABOUT THE GLOW LIGHT INDICATOR. THEY AGREED TO TOW THE CAR TO LV. WE SAT ON THE ROAD SIDE FOR MORE THAN 4 HOURS IN 100+ DEGREE HEAT. VW REPAIRED THE CAR IN 6 DAYS, NO COST TO ME EXCEPT RENTAL CAR. CAUSE WAS DESCRIBED AS 'METAL SHAVINGS IN FUEL SYSTEM' LATER REFERRED TO AS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. VW REPLACED THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM (INJECTORS, LINES, FILTER, FUEL PUMP ETC). HOWEVER AT THIS TIME I DO NOT KNOW IF THE SAME TYPE OF HPFP WAS USED OR A NEWLY REDESIGNED ONE. I AM TRYING TO CLARIFY THAT. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW OF SOME TYPE. IT CAN NOT BE CAUSED BY BAD FUEL. THE FUEL FILTER WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ANY METAL SHAVINGS. ANY METAL IN THE FUEL DOWNSTREAM OF THE FUEL FILTER HAD TO COME FROM THE CAR ITSELF. NOT ONLY THAT, HAVING FOLLOWED THE RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR MY CAR, MY FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED AT 20K MILES. HTTP://PICS.TDICLUB.COM/DATA/516/2012_JETTA.PDF SIMILAR COMPLAINT (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA11003) DOES NOT SEEM TO COVER 2012 MODELS SO I AM FILING THIS ONE INSTEAD. *TR