MyCarTSB

2012 Volkswagen Jetta Transmission Problems

39 owner-reported transmission complaints from NHTSA data

39
Complaints
Jan 2020Dec 2015
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (39)

highPOWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Filed: Mar 2025

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.

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NHTSA #: 11648429
highPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Mar 2024

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.

NHTSA #: 11577827
mediumPOWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Filed: Sep 2021

The car stop at the stop sign n in the traffic then push start n it worked 4times in a 2years I thought the vw made fir saving fuel. Today the car stop at highway n I almost got killed by sudden stopped. I got panicked couldn't think about anything then push the start it worked again. I Google myself, there are many same problems n reports for 2012 vw jetta. Please help me what I should do. Last year The vw dealer couldn't find anything wrong but there is some problem

NHTSA #: 11431481
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 2021

Experiences rollaway issue but VIN not currently covered under recall.

NHTSA #: 11429399
mediumPOWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS,ENGINE
Filed: Nov 2020

AS I WENT TO CHANGE GEARS INTO REVERSE I HEARD A VERY HARD THUMP, THEN INTO DRIVE AND THE THUMP GOT LOUDER AND THE WHOLE ENGINE SHIFTED FORWARD. NOW IT SOUNDS AS IF EVERYTHING ( MOTOR ) IS ABOUT TO FALL OUT THE VEHICLE .

NHTSA #: 11372721
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Oct 2020

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR NORMALLY ON THE HIGHWAY AND I PUSHED THE CLUTCH IN AND IT WENT STRAIGHT THE FLOOR THIS IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE IT WAS THE SLAVE CYLINDER A KNOW FAILURE POINT. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IO COULDN'T PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR AGAIN AND WAS IN NEUTRAL ON THE HIGHWAY. VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO FIX THIS ON THIS YEAR JETTAS.

NHTSA #: 11365662
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 2020

JUST BOUGHT THIS VECHILE USED, WITH 136K MILES. ON INITIAL DRIVE, WHICH LASTED AROUND 30 MINUTES, EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. NOW IT'S ALMOST LIKE ITS SLIPPING GEARS AND SLAMMING WHEN IT DOWN SHIFTS COMING TO A STOP. OBVIOUSLY CAME WITH NO WARRANTY, DIDN'T THINK I'D NEED TO PURCHASE THAT ON A CAR 8 YEARS OLD. BASIC ASSESSMENT, TRANSMISSION ISSUES WHILE IN MOTION AND COMING TO A STOP.

NHTSA #: 11350386
mediumPOWER TRAIN,SEAT BELTS,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jul 2020

THE THROW OUT BEARING SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AS I WAS GOING 80 MPH DOWN THE FREEWAY, TO REPLACE IT I DISCOVERED THAT THE SWAY BARS END LINKS WERE RUSTED SOLID AND THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN DONE 6 TIMES AND BROKEN EVERY TIME BUT THIS LAST TIME WITHIN A MONTH

NHTSA #: 11339434
mediumPOWER TRAIN,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2020

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AT 3 AM I JUMPED ON THE FREEWAY AND MY VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION AND STARTED SPUTTERING BACK AND FORTH I WAS ABLE TO PULL ASIDE TO GET AWAY FROM THE FREEWAY THE CAR THEN SPED UP ON ITS OWN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE PEDAL TO SEE IF I COULD SLOW IT DOWN IT THEN DROVE NORMAL ABOUT A BLOCK AWAY FROM THE FREEWAY BACK TOWARD MY HOME IT LOST POWER AGAIN WHILE DRIVING VERY SCARY I NOTICED AN EPC LIGHT GO ON AND OFF 2 TIMES WHILE DRIVING WHEN I FINALLY GOT IT HOME I TURNED THE CAR IN THE ON POSITION AND NOTICED THE EPC LIGHT STAYING ON THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME

NHTSA #: 11300251
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jan 2020

I NOTICED MY CAR HAS BEEN CUTTING OUT AND NOT HAVING POWER WHEN DRIVING DOWN A FREEWAY. ILL PUT THE PEDAL DOWN IT DIDNT MOVE. I NOTICED MY STEREO STARTED KIND OF FLASHING AS WELL. I FIGURED MAYBE IT WAS ELECTRICAL SO I STARTED LOOKING AROUND AND I OPENED UP MY TRUNK AND IT WAS 4 INCHES OF WATER WHERE MY SPARE TIRE IS. THEN I STARTED LOOKING AROUND WHERE MY PANORAMIC SUNROOF IS AND THERE'S A HUGE SPOTS OF WATER THAT'S WET. THEY DID NOT DISCLOSE THIS TO ME WHEN I PURCHASE THE CAR AND I ASKED THEM IF THERE WAS ANY PROBLEMS OF LEAKING. I THINK IT'S MESSING UP MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND MY POWER. I FELT VERY UNSAFE WHEN I WASN'T ABLE TO ACCELERATE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC.

NHTSA #: 11300052
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jan 2020

THE CVT TRANSMISSION IS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT NISSAN FIXED UP TO THE 2010 MODELS UP TO 120000 BUT CONTINUED TO MANUFACTURE THEM AND THE 2012 MODELS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. I AM DISAPPOINTED IN THE LACK OF RECALL DUE TO THIS ISSUE BEING SO PREVALENT ON INTERNET.

NHTSA #: 11296780
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 2019

WHEN MOVING FROM STOP, TRANSMISSION TAKES A SECOND TO ENGAGE. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN TRYING TO TAKE A TURN FROM STOP, HESITATION COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS ACCIDENT. ENGAGE 1ST GEAR.

NHTSA #: 11257767
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE AND PLACING THE GEAR IN THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL FORWARD DOWN A HILL. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BEFORE THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO A RIVER. THE VIN TOOL LOCATED A RECENT RECALL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000 (STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) THAT WAS ISSUED ON AUGUST 22, 2019. VILLAGE VOLKSWAGEN OF CHATTANOOGA (6001 INTERNATIONAL DR, CHATTANOOGA, TN 37421, (423) 855-4981) STATED THAT THEY DID NOT BELIEVE THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE REMAINED PARKED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER TO SCHEDULE A RECALL REPAIR APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT FOLLOW-UP LETTERS WOULD BE MAILED AROUND OCTOBER 22, 2019. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA #: 11256100
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND PARKED WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL AWAY. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE NEEDED TO BE ACTIVATED EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED TO PREVENT IT FROM ROLLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HALLMARK VOLKSWAGEN AT COOL SPRING (620 BAKERS BRIDGE AVE, FRANKLIN, TN) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA #: 11254665
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2019

MAP SENSOR - REPEATING FAILURE THE MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE PRESSURE (MAP) SENSOR FAILURE CAUSES EXPONENTIAL SAFETY ISSUES WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS AND/OR HIGHER SPEEDS THAT CAN RESULT IN DEATH. AFTER REPEATED REPLACEMENT AND REPAIRS, CONTINUOUS FAILURE OCCURS. STALLING, POWER AND STEERING ISSUES OCCUR AT HIGH SPEEDS AND/OR ON HIGHWAYS, PUTTING DRIVER AT RISK FOR A FATAL COLLISION. PERSONALLY, I HAVE HAD THE SENSOR REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES, INCLUDING HOSES AND PUMPS ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. SOON THEREAFTER, MAP SENSOR FAILS AND HAS CAUSED ME TO CREATE ALMOST A DOZEN COLLISIONS AT HIGH SPEEDS, PARTICULARLY ON HIGHWAYS.

NHTSA #: 11175129
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Feb 2019

VEHICLE STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DUE TO INTERCOOLER FREEZING, ON SECOND OCCASION VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START DUE TO ENGINE HYDROLOCKING FROM FROZEN INTERCOOLER THAWING OUT. VW HAS RELEASED A BULLETIN FOR THIS ISSUE BUT WILL NOT STAND BY WARRANTY ON SAID COMPONENT.

NHTSA #: 11174435
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Aug 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND THERE WERE METAL FRAGMENTS STUCK IN THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND BATTERY INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MCKINNEY VOLKSWAGEN (855-402-5098, 3600 S CENTRAL EXPY, MCKINNEY, TX 75070), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA #: 11123863
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Apr 2018

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

NHTSA #: 11090918
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Apr 2018

I PARKED AND COULD NOT REMOVE MY KEY OR TURN OFF THE ENGINE. MY CAR IS NOT SAFELY DRIVE ABLE. UNPREDICTABLE IF KEY WILL TUR ON OR WORSE STILL TURN OFF. THE FAILURE TO TURN OFF HAPPENED ON A PUBLIC STREET.

NHTSA #: 11089779
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Apr 2018

90K MILES TRANSMISSION AND TRANS AXEL WENT

NHTSA #: 11084648
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 2017

TURNING MY KEY INTO THE IGNITION IS VERY DIFFICULT. TURNING THE KEY TO TURN OFF THE CAR IS HARD ALSO. HAVE TO JIGGLE STEERING WHEEL SOMETIMES TO GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO JIGGLE THE KEY BACK AND FORTH TO GET THE KEY OUT AT ALL.

NHTSA #: 11025365
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE ENGINE AND TIRE INFLATE SENSOR INDICATORS SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED. THE GEAR WOULD NO LONGER SHIFT UP OR DOWN. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURES OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MENER VOLKSWAGEN IN LATHAM, NY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MECHATRONICS UNIT INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY AND THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA #: 11025419
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jul 2017

5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER ONLY 80,200 MILES. UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, ACCELERATING AFTER A STOP, THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE "CLUNK" SOUND AFTER SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, AND THEN A CONTINUOUS LOUD RATTLING SOUND IN ALL THE GEARS 2ND-5TH. VEHICLE REMAINED DRIVABLE THOUGH WITH A CONTINUOUS CLATTERING SOUND IN 2ND-5TH GEARS AND WITH A SLIGHT SHUDDERING WHILE IN MOTION. VEHICLE HAD RECENTLY RECEIVED REGULAR 80,000 SERVICE. NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM EXISTED UNTIL IT WAS MANIFEST IN THIS FAILURE. VEHICLE REMAINED DRIVABLE THOUGH NORMAL SPEEDS ENOUGH TO TAKE TO DEALERSHIP APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES AWAY. DIAGNOSIS WAS A PROBLEM IN THE GEARBOX NECESSITATING A REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. GIVEN THE RELIABILITY OF MOST MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, I CONSIDER THIS FAILURE TO BE PREMATURE IN COMPARISON TO ITS EXPECTED SERVICE LIFE, AND THEREFORE MOST LIKELY DUE TO SOME DEFECT IN THE UNIT. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN FOR SERVICE TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. WILL PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION ONCE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RETURNED.

NHTSA #: 11010559
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 2016

KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE

NHTSA #: 10910873
mediumPOWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Filed: Apr 2016

THE VEHICLES ENGINE WOULD REV BY ITS SELF WITH THE PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR AND THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT DISENGAGE DURING THIS LEAVING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN.

NHTSA #: 10852866
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Dec 2015

THE CAR UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATES AND THERE SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE CLUTCH DISENGAGING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE CAR HAS 42K MILES ON IT AND THE DEALER WANTS A PER-AUTHORIZATION SIGNED OF $1600 BEFORE THEY WILL LOOK AT THE ISSUE. UNSAFE AND INSANE!

NHTSA #: 10816677
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Nov 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC POWER CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN TO 35 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,890.

NHTSA #: 10789233
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Feb 2015

SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE NEW ALMOST 3 YEARS AGO, IT HAS VERY OCCASIONALLY EXHIBITED A HESITATION DURING ACCELERATION FROM A STOP. IT IS A TDI VERSION WITH THE AUTOMATED MANUAL DSG TRANSMISSION. UP TILL NOW, IT HAS BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO INDUCE ON COMMAND, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE TWO DEALERSHIPS THAT HAVE EXAMINED IT TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. EACH TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED, IT SEEMS TO FOLLOW A VERY BRIEF ACCELERATION, AS THOUGH YOU ARE STARTING TO MOVE INTO TRAFFIC AND THEN BACK OFF THE THROTTLE FOR AN INSTANT BEFORE REAPPLYING THE THROTTLE. AS YOU STEP BACK INTO THE THROTTLE, THERE IS NO CHANGE IN ENGINE SPEED FOR ABOUT THREE SECONDS, REGARDLESS OF PEDAL POSITION - IT JUST CONTINUES TO IDLE UNTIL IT FINALLY RESPONDS NORMALLY. SINCE THIS USUALLY OCCURS WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR MERGING FROM A DRIVEWAY, THE THREE SECONDS OF DELAY DURING WHICH YOU ROLL FORWARD CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. *JS

NHTSA #: 10690205
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jan 2015

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

NHTSA #: 10679447
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Oct 2014

THE VEHICLE TENDS TO STUTTER, LURCH, OR HESITATE AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS HAS CAUSED SEVERAL DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE INTO ANOTHER LANE OR ONTO THE ROAD FROM A DRIVEWAY. THE DEALER HAS INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS NORMAL BEHAVIOR FOR THEDSG TRANSMISSION AND THERE IS NO FIX. AN INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THAT MANY OTHER DRIVERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THIS IS "NORMAL" PERFORMANCE, AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10640428
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2013

LEAVING WORK I HAD STARTED MY CAR LET THE CAR IDLE DOWN PUT IT IN DRIVE AND IT SLAMMED INTO GEAR AFTER TAKING OFF THE CAR SHIFTED INTO 3RD GEAR AND NO HIGHER AFTER NOTICING THIS I PULLED OVER PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TRIED SHIFTING THROUGH THE GEARS AND IT CONTINUED TO SLAM INTO DRIVE AND REVERSE SO I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND STARTED IT BACK UP AT THAT POINT THE MIL WAS ON AND THE SERVICE WRENCH WAS LIGHT UP. CALLED ME DEALERSHIP THEY HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP UPON THEIR DIAGNOSES THEY SAID IT COULD BE A WIRING ISSUE POSSIBLE A TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE ISSUE UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE HAD BEEN WARRANTIED PREVIOUSLY (AS I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE CAR). *TR

NHTSA #: 10553020
mediumPOWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Filed: Jun 2013

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE ON MODERATE TRAFFIC AT ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STALLED AND THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES GOT REALLY HARD. I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR BECAUSE THE BRAKES WOULDN'T WORK. MY JETTA HAS THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND IT WAS SET ON "MANUAL WITH NO CLUTCH" WHEN IT HAPPENED. THE THING IS I WASN'T EVEN TOUCHING THAT WHEN THE CAR STALLED. THAT FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AFTER I'D GOTTEN THE CAR FRESH OFF THE DEALERSHIP. I DIDN'T WANT TO ADMIT THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR BECAUSE I WAS EXCITED TO HAVE A NEW CAR. I'VE OWNED THE CAR FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW AND IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 7 OTHER TIMES. NOW I REALIZE THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN THE CAR STALLS THE STEERING WHEELS GETS VERY HARD AND IT MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL OR USE THE BRAKES. I'M NOT HAPPY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10514975
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Feb 2013

WHEN MAKING A BROKEN U-TURN IN AN ATTEMP TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE GOT STUCK IN REVERSE AND WOULD NOT SHIFT TO PARK OR DRIVE. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN REVERSE, ONCE THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO RE-START. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED IN A BUSY INTERSECTION, THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. THE TWO TRUCK DRIVER IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED THE ISSUE AS A FREQUENT ONE WITH 2012 OR 2013 VW JETTAS. HE SAID THAT THE SHIFT CABLE IN THESE VEHICLES IS UNSTABLE AND CAN BECOME LOOSE, RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF ABILITY TO SHIFT THE CAR FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AND VICE VERSA. THE TECHNICIAN AT VW SPENT 5 MINUTES PUTTING THE SHIFT CABLE BACK IN PLACE, WHICH HAS SOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR NOW. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN DEFECT WITH VW JETTAS AND I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT THE AGENCY CONTACT VW TO FIND OUT WHAT IS BEING DONE TO RECTIFY THE DEFECT. I HAVE CONTACTED VW AS WELL TO INFORM THEM OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10499637
mediumPOWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Oct 2012

VOLKS 2012 JETTA TDI. AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF APPROX 55-60 MPH, WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO COME OUT OF GEAR, ENGINE REVVED AND TACHOMETER RED-LINED, VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW, BUT OBVIOUSLY NOT LOOSE POWER AS EVIDENCED BY TACHOMETER AND HIGH RPM'S ON ENGINE. AFTER TACHOMETER RED-LINED, TACHOMETER THEN BEGAN TO DROP AND AT ABOUT 5,000 RPM, TRANSMISSION SHIFTED A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THEN OPERATION OF VEHICLE WAS BACK TO NORMAL. ODDLY, CRUISE DID NOT HAVE TO BE RESET AND SEEMED UNAWARE OF THE EVENT THAT HAD JUST OCCURRED. ENTIRE EVENT OCCURRED IN THE SPAN OF ABOUT 5 SECONDS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. SERVICE DOCUMENTATION SAYS "WE SCANNED FOR FAULTS AND HAD A SPORADIC FAULT FOR GEAR SHIFT CONTROL MODULE. PERFORMED TEST PLAN AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS. WE CLEARED FAULTS." ANOTHER SERVICE SHOWED THE ERROR CODE WITH VERBIAGE SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT OF "LOST COMMUNICATION WITH GEAR SHIFT CONTROL MODULE." DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE GEAR SHIFT CONTROL MODULE AND STATED THAT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, RETURN AND THEY WILL REPLACE. CLEARLY THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT OCCURS ON A HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH CONGESTED HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND CLEARLY COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10482472
mediumPOWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Oct 2012

NEW VOLKS JETTA 2012. PURCHASED NEW FROM VOLKS DEALERSHIP WITH APPROX. 40 MILES ON VEHICLE AT TIME OF PURCHASE. SINCE DAY ONE AND CONTINUING THROUGH TODAY WITH 12,000 MILES ON ODOMETER, TRANSMISSION LURCHES AND JERKS, EITHER SLIPPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR OR SEEMINGLY NOT ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHICH GEAR TO BE IN. USUALLY OCCURS WHILE TRYING TO MAINTAIN A CONSTANT SPEED. FOR EXAMPLE, WHILE IN SCHOOL ZONE WITH 20 MPH SPEED LIMIT, CAR WILL LURCH, JERK AND SHUDDER, SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY WITH THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED ABOVE. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP LIGHT FOR INSTANCE TWO CONDITIONS FREQUENTLY PRESENT. 1. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, TRANSMISSION IS STILL IN THE PROCESS OF DOWNSHIFTING. IN OTHER WORDS, ONCE COMPLETELY STOPPED, YOU CAN FEEL THE TRANSMISSION STILL SHIFTING DOWN THROUGH THE LAST COUPLE OF GEARS. 2. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A LIGHT, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, CAR IS NOT IN GEAR AND REQUIRES DEPRESSION OF GAS PEDDLE BEFORE CAR WILL ENGAGE IN FIRST GEAR. ALL OF THE ABOVE ARE DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. DEALER CONTINUES TO INSIST THAT TRANSMISSION IS "LEARNING" MY DRIVING HABITS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10482470
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Oct 2012

PICKED UP THE CAR FROM THE DEALER ON 10/03/12 AT 11:00 A.M. IT WAS NEW---HAD 47 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. DROVE IT TO WORK AND THEN ARRIVED HOME AT 6:45 THAT EVENING WITH ODOMETER READING 81 MILES. AS I WAS PARKING THE CAR IN THE GARAGE I PUT IT INTO REVERSE TO BACK IT INTO THE SPOT AND THEN SWITCHED THE GEAR(THIS IS A AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) TO DRIVE TO STRAIGHTEN OUT. THE CAR CONTINUED TO MOVE BACKWARDS IN REVERSE AND IF I HAD NOT HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE I WOULD HAVE CRASHED INTO THE CONCRETE WALL OF THE GARAGE. TRIED TO PUT THE CAR BACK INTO DRIVE--THE GEAR SHIFT WAS STUCK IN REVERSE. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND OF COURSE, COULD NOT START IT AGAIN BECAUSE THE CAR WAS IN REVERSE. THE ELECTRICAL PANEL ON THE DASHBOARD CONTINUED TO READ THAT THE CAR WAS IN PARK. TOW TRUCK DRIVER ARRIVED AND HE HAD TO MANUALLY PULL THE CABLE WIRE IN THE ENGINE WHILE THE CAR WAS RUNNING TO CHANGE GEARS AND GET THE CAR TO START. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM---THE DEALER AND VOLKSWAGEN CLAIM IT HAS BEEN FIXED BY SIMPLY TIGHTENING A CLASP ON THE TRANSMISSION CABLE. WHY WAS THE CLASP LOOSE? I MAINTAIN THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. IF I HAD BEEN TRYING TO MAKE A U TURN IN TRAFFIC OR PARK ON THE STREET THE RESULT COULD HAVE BEEN HORRIFIC. . I AM PETRIFIED TO DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN AND THE DEALERSHIP AND VOLKSWAGEN WANT TO SWEEP THIS INCIDENT UNDER THE RUG. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING TO SOMEONE ELSE. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA #: 10479427
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jul 2012

VEHICLE HAS VIBRATION OVER 50 MPH. IT IS FELT THROUGH OUT CAR. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO DIAGNOSE, DEALER STATES THAT ITS CHARACTERISTIC. I HAVE TESTED SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME LINEAGE AND DISAGREE. IT IS EITHER DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL OR OUTER AXLE FAILURE, HOWEVER DEALER STATES UNLESS VW AUTHORIZES, THEY WILL NOT REPAIR. VEHICLE IS WITHIN WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10467669
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: May 2012

ON 9 MARCH 2012, I BOUGHT A VW TDI JETTA SPORTSWAGEN WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. FROM THE TIME I TOOK POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION BUCKED, HESITATED, AND LUNGED. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 26 APRIL TO HAVE IT EXAMINED, BUT THEY SAID THAT IT WAS ?NORMAL? AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I TOLD THEM THAT IF THAT WAS NORMAL, I WAS SURPRISED THAT ANYONE WOULD WANT TO BUY ONE. AFTER 2 MONTHS OF THIS, I TOOK THE CAR BACK AND EXCHANGED IT FOR ONE WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I BELIEVE THE SO-CALLED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (WHICH IS REALLY A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WITH 2 CLUTCHES CONTROLLED BY A COMPUTER) IS INHERENTLY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10459695
mediumPOWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY
Filed: Feb 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER. THE VEHICLE ALSO FAILED TO ACCELERATE ON ANOTHER OCCASION.THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1500.

NHTSA #: 10449435

Other 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Issues