2011 Volkswagen Jetta Problems

639 owner complaints filed with the United States safety regulator · top issue: Electrical System · verdict AVOID 5/100

Source NHTSA public complaint and recall record · methodology

What breaks, by owner reports

Electrical System200
Fuel System97
Engine93
Diesel82
Fuel/Propulsion System81
Unknown Or Other66

In the owners’ words

“driving on freeway (speed around 70mph) out of nowhere i start smelling strange burning smell then about 1 minute later the car brakes lock up in the front and I loose control of car but luckily it was in light traffic and I regained control enough to get it off to the shoulder. I got out to address the issue and notice the front tires smoking alot and it was at night and the inside (rotor, brake caliper, and rim wer”NHTSA complaint, 2011 Volkswagen Jetta owner
“Because of recall, car was not engaged in park completely like it stated after I got out it rolled away down the hill and hit a tree, therefore the recall caused my accident. Yes the problem has been confirmed it is a recall. No it has not been inspected by dealer or police. Volkswagen will not engage in any further investigations they say it's my fault. There were no warning lamps.”NHTSA complaint, 2011 Volkswagen Jetta owner
“The f16 fuse in the engine bay that connects power to multiple exterior lights as well as the abs brake system melts and melts part of the fuse tray. This is the same thing that happens with the vw Tiguan in campaign am97. Look into am97 as this can ruin your abs brake system. This should be recalled and fixed. This picture is not mine but is exactly what happened.”NHTSA complaint, 2011 Volkswagen Jetta owner

Recall campaigns

ReportedComponentSummary
25/09/2019Unknown Or OtherVolkswagen 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
22/08/2019Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module SAFETYVolkswagen 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 wi
04/08/2015Air Bags:Frontal SAFETYVolkswagen 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
07/03/2014Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineThe Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and m
20/10/2014Suspension:RearVolkswagen 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
29/03/2011Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers SAFETYVOLKSWAGEN 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 S
03/10/2011Fuel System, Diesel SAFETYVOLKSWAGEN 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 SE
08/09/2011Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust SystemVOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST TIPS, PART NUMBER 1K0 071 910 U, SOLD AS ACCESSORY EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 JETTA SEDAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 18, 2010, THROUGH AUGUST 2
07/09/2011Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust SystemVOLKSWAGEN 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 IMPORTATI
23/09/2020Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder SAFETYTenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. Th

Questions owners ask

Is the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?

On the federal record it scores 5/100: 639 owner complaints (42.6 per year on the road) and 10 recall campaigns, 5 touching safety-critical systems.

What is the most common problem with the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta?

The most-reported component in NHTSA complaints is Electrical System, with 200 of 619 categorised reports.

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The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta scored 5/100 on the federal record.

Full 2011 data pagecosts, verdict, every numberAll Jetta yearswhich year to avoid Most complained-about carsthe national ranking