Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
2012 Volkswagen Jetta — Known Issues & Recalls
Complaints from Jan 2020 to Dec 2018
The most reported issue is unknown or other problems (78 complaints). 24 complaints involved crashes. 7 involved fires.
Open Safety Recalls (8)
NHTSA Campaign: 19V679000
Component: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
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 recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.
NHTSA Campaign: 19V615000
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
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 handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
Risk: 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.
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 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
NHTSA Campaign: 14E007000
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
The 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 manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
Risk: A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
NHTSA Campaign: 15V483000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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 contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Risk: 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.
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 spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
NHTSA Campaign: 14V656000
Component: SUSPENSION:REAR
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 trailing arms may be reduced in vehicles whose rear trailing arms have been previously deformed, such as a result of a rear or side-rear impact crash.
Risk: 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.
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, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
NHTSA Campaign: 11V490000
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
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 AUDI A3 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L TDI COMMON RAIL DIESEL ENGINE/CLEAN DIESEL ENGINE. THE FUEL INJECTION PULSES COULD COINCIDE WITH THE NATURAL FREQUENCY OF THE INJECTOR LINE #2, IN SPECIFIC LOAD AND RPM CONDITIONS. THIS RESONANCE CREATES ADDITIONAL STRESS IN THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: 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.
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 OWNERS TO HAVE THE VEHICLES REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
NHTSA Campaign: 11E036000
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
VOLKSWAGEN 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 22, 2011. THESE EXHAUST TIPS MAY EXTEND BEYOND THE ORIGINAL LENGTH OF THE FACTORY-INSTALLED EXHAUST PIPES. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR INADVERTENT CONTACT TO OCCUR WITH A PERSON'S LEG.
Risk: IF THE TAILPIPE EXTENSION IS HOT DURING INADVERTENT CONTACT, A BURN COULD OCCUR.
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 1-800-822-8987.
NHTSA Campaign: 20E064000
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
Tenneco 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. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
Risk: If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.
Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 525)
Fuel/propulsion System →3 issues
Your fuel pump (CP4 high pressure pump) may fail and break apart, sending metal fragments throughout your fuel system and causing thousands of dollars in damage. This is a known design flaw affecting many vehicles, and while other manufacturers have issued recalls, Volkswagen has not addressed this issue for your Jetta. The repair will likely require replacing the fuel pump and potentially cleaning or replacing fuel injectors and other fuel system components.
Parts you may need:
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Your Jetta's diesel fuel pump may fail prematurely when using standard American diesel fuel, as the pump was designed for foreign diesel fuel specifications. The repair is expensive, and you're requesting Volkswagen develop a replacement pump that can handle American diesel. Fixing this issue would likely require replacing the fuel pump with a diesel-compatible unit.
Parts you may need:
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Every time you fill up your gas tank, your car won't start right away—you have to pump the accelerator pedal several times before the engine catches. This only happens after refueling; the car starts normally at all other times. This issue has been occurring for about 6 months.
Parts you may need:
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Electrical System →2 issues
Your car's charging system may fail while driving, causing the engine to shut off suddenly due to a dead battery. This has happened repeatedly across multiple Jettas of the same model year and engine size, creating a serious safety risk. The issue typically requires diagnosis and replacement of the alternator or related charging system components.
Parts you may need:
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Your car's horn doesn't work, and the seller hasn't repaired it yet. This is a safety concern since you need a functioning horn to alert other drivers. The repair will likely involve diagnosing whether the horn itself is faulty, the wiring is damaged, or the horn relay needs replacement.
Parts you may need:
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Engine →2 issues
Your car's diesel particulate filter (DPF) failed at 128,000 miles, costing $3,000 to replace. Shortly after, the NOx catalyst also failed, requiring another $2,500 repair. When you tried the regeneration procedure from the manual, your car went into limp mode on the highway 75 miles from home, making it unsafe to drive. The car has been parked and undrivable for 6 months because the dealer couldn't confirm if replacing the NOx catalyst would fully resolve the issue or if additional expensive problems would emerge.
Parts you may need:
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Your car may not accelerate properly when you press the gas pedal, and you might notice the engine shuddering when starting up. The check engine warning light is on. A mechanic wasn't able to diagnose or fix the problem. This issue started around 40,000 miles.
Parts you may need:
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Steering,electrical System →2 issues
Your car's ignition key won't come out, and multiple warning lights are staying on. You've had to manually reconnect fuse boxes and the battery cable to start the vehicle, which raises concerns about electrical safety. The dealer says pre-existing repairs must be completed before they can perform the recall work, and the manufacturer hasn't offered assistance despite being aware of the problem. This likely involves repairing or replacing faulty electrical connections and ignition switch components.
Parts you may need:
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Your car was part of a safety recall, but the manufacturer hasn't made the repair parts available yet, even though a significant amount of time has passed. You experienced a problem where your ignition key spun freely in the cylinder without starting the engine. The dealer confirmed that the necessary parts aren't in stock, so your vehicle hasn't been repaired yet. The repair will likely involve replacing the ignition cylinder and related electrical components.
Parts you may need:
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Unknown Or Other →2 issues
Your ignition switch stopped working, so you can't turn the key to start the engine. The key gets stuck in the ignition and won't turn. You'll need to replace the ignition switch and possibly get new keys made to get your car running again.
Parts you may need:
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Your engine won't turn off when you try to shut it down, and the key gets stuck in the ignition. The dealer confirmed this is a known recurring issue that sometimes happens even after replacement parts are installed. You may need to pull the fuel pump fuse to stop the engine if the normal ignition switch method fails. The fix will likely involve replacing the ignition switch assembly or related electrical components.
Parts you may need:
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Air Bags →1 issue
Your car's clock spring component failed, which controls airbag deployment. If you had been in an accident, the airbags may not have deployed to protect you. There was no warning light or message to alert you to this problem.
Parts you may need:
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Unknown Or Other,fuel System, Diesel,electrical System →1 issue
Your car stalled and wouldn't restart while driving uphill with about 1/4 tank of fuel remaining. A mechanic diagnosed a failed high-pressure fuel pump that scattered metal debris throughout your fuel system. The pump may have failed because it relies on fuel for lubrication, and running low on fuel can cause premature failure. Fixing this requires replacing the fuel pump and likely flushing or replacing fuel system components contaminated by the metal debris.
Parts you may need:
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Steering,engine →1 issue
While driving at 35 mph, your accelerator pedal stopped working and the engine lost power. Your power steering also failed, and the glow plug warning light came on. The dealer found that your high-pressure fuel pump had failed and sent metal debris through the fuel system. The fuel pump will need to be replaced and the fuel lines flushed or replaced to remove any metal shards.
Parts you may need:
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Power Train,service Brakes,engine →1 issue
You recently purchased this vehicle and discovered there is an open recall affecting the powertrain, service brakes, and engine. You should contact your Volkswagen dealer immediately to have the recall repairs completed at no cost to you.
Parts you may need:
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Power Train →1 issue
A bolt on your CV joint (the part that connects your wheels to the transmission) came loose and caused a bracket to swing freely while driving. This bracket then struck and punctured your transmission, causing transmission fluid to leak out and damaging the transmission itself. The repair will likely involve replacing the CV joint bolt, bracket, and transmission fluid, and possibly the transmission itself if the damage is severe.
Parts you may need:
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Steering,power Train,engine →1 issue
Your car unexpectedly reversed on its own while parked in your driveway. After you panicked and repeatedly jammed the brakes and forced the key, your ignition switch became damaged and now requires a specific twisting motion to remove the key. Following this incident, your check engine light came on with a fault code for the MAP (manifold absolute pressure) sensor. The ignition switch repair and sensor issue may need to be addressed by a technician.
Parts you may need:
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Service Brakes →1 issue
Your car's ABS (anti-lock braking system) module has failed, which means your anti-lock brakes won't work properly. While Volkswagen has issued a recall for this same problem on earlier model years, your 2012 model year isn't included in that recall. Fixing this requires replacing the ABS module and reprogramming it at a dealer, which is expensive.
Parts you may need:
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Electrical System,exterior Lighting,vehicle Speed Control →1 issue
Your horn only works intermittently when honking or locking the car, making it harder to alert other drivers. One front headlight also works intermittently even though the bulb is fine, reducing visibility at night for both you and other drivers. Additionally, your cruise control doesn't work at all. The dealer inspected the horn and headlight issues but couldn't find the cause. All three problems started a couple years ago and have persisted.
Parts you may need:
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Visibility/wiper →1 issue
While driving in the rain, your daughter heard a popping sound and the windshield wipers started moving slowly before stopping working completely. When she turned on the wipers, the blades moved down into the rest position and wouldn't operate normally. She was able to safely pull over, and no warning lights appeared on the dashboard. Fixing this will likely involve inspecting the wiper motor, linkage mechanism, and electrical connections to identify what caused the failure.
Parts you may need:
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