2012 Volkswagen Jetta Problems

526 owner complaints filed with the United States safety regulator · top issue: Electrical System · verdict AVOID 10/100

Source NHTSA public complaint and recall record · methodology

What breaks, by owner reports

Electrical System144
Unknown Or Other111
Engine88
Fuel/Propulsion System52
Power Train50
Steering43

In the owners’ words

“A microswitch malfunction. My car will not lock and while I am driving it there is clicking on the doors for locking and unlocking. My night lights will not shut off when I park the vehicle. There is a pinging noise when the vehicle is shut off and in park and the door is open with no lights on.”NHTSA complaint, 2012 Volkswagen Jetta owner
“The ignition switch where the key is placed in the ignition and turned to start the car failed. The ignition would not turn with the key engaged inside the ignition switch. It will require a new ignition switch kit and new key in order for the car to function properly again.”NHTSA complaint, 2012 Volkswagen Jetta owner
“This is my 4th volkswagen jetta 2.5L I've own that has had the same issue with the charging system the car would just shut off while driving due to dead battery almost causing an accident this needs to be addressed 2011 to 2018”NHTSA complaint, 2012 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
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
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
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
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
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 2012 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?

On the federal record it scores 10/100: 526 owner complaints (37.57 per year on the road) and 8 recall campaigns, 4 touching safety-critical systems.

What is the most common problem with the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta?

The most-reported component in NHTSA complaints is Electrical System, with 144 of 488 categorised reports.

Share this verdict

The 2012 Volkswagen Jetta scored 10/100 on the federal record.

Full 2012 data pagecosts, verdict, every numberAll Jetta yearswhich year to avoid Most complained-about carsthe national ranking