142 of the 692 complaints about the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta are about the electrical system — 21% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 60,000 miles.
142
Complaints
7
Crashes
4
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 #11744027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that for the past eight months, the contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition. Several warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that to start the vehicle, the contact had to plug in the two fuse boxes and connect the battery cable. The contact feared the vehicle might catch on fire. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V615000 (Electrical System, Steering). The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that pre-existing repairs needed to be performed before the recall repair could be performed. The contact stated that the dealer had not provided an official repair estimate, however the total repair cost was provided. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The manufacturer confirmed that the pre-existing repairs needed to be performed prior to the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 131,260. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11675172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 #11658596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
Seller sold vehicle without a working horn and hasn’t fixed it
NHTSA complaint #11648430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:FUEL GAUGE
I was driving on the road going up a hill and my fuel was just alittle low about 120 miles my car sputtered and died and didn't start back up stuck on the road with barley any gaurd rail so I'm partially in the lane and I got it looked at and my high pressure fuel pump failed and sent metal scrapes all throughout my fuel system so it's estimated around 10k to replace I got told it's because the pump barley lost fuel and it uses that to lubricate itself so somthing as simple as one of the pumps going out and this problem can occur or a slight short im just reporting because many others have had this issue with the pump and mine shouldn't have even had nothing going on at 120 miles 1/4 of a tank and I did look in my tank and confirmed I had fuel that I filled up at my local gas station in the middle of the city so it's not bad diesel I own a 2012 volkswagen jetta 2.0l tdi cjaa
NHTSA complaint #11595644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V615000 (Electrical System, Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while using the key to start the vehicle, the key spun around in the ignition cylinder and failed to start the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11557111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Horn only occasionally works when honking and/or locking car, which increases the risk of a crash since I can’t always use my horn to alert other drivers of presence. One front headlight only occasionally works (lightbulb is not the issue), which increases the risk of a crash since other drivers may not be able to see me as well & I am not able to see the road as well in the dark. Cruise control does not work at all, which increases risk of speeding and therefore increases risk of crash. Dealer has inspected horn/headlight issue but could not determine cause. No warning signs. Issues first appeared a couple years ago.
NHTSA complaint #11547246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The passenger side door actuator/wiring is not locking appropriately. Through the use of the key fob locking the car doesn't lock the passenger door and every time the vehicle is in motion at 10mph it tries to initiate the auto-locking but fails to lock the passenger door. This enables the passenger to open their door at any rate of speed without automatic safety protection. I have seen this be an issue with other Volkswagen Jetta cars online through car parts stores and online forums, but no recalls as of yet. As of right now, I have not had the vehicle inspected but will be looking to do so this week. There were no warning lights or messages that appeared. It just started two days ago and the only way I realized it was a problem is when I would stop and continue driving it would try to auto-lock when I hit 10mph. Concerns arose when I was driving my 8-month-pregnant wife around town.
NHTSA complaint #11506811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic linked the failure to an electrical failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V483000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11501646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he noticed a burning odor and smoke coming from the vents into the cabin of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that he pulled apart the heater and noticed that the wiring had melted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, the contact was only able to leave a voicemail. The call was not returned. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
NHTSA complaint #11501319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The locking system is hit and miss at this time. The automatic locks do not lock all the doors. Sometimes the trunk will not open, either using the fob, or the trunk release. The windows don't always work either. Child lock doors can be unlocked. I am planning on taking it in for service, however, VW charges $165 just to do a diagnostic check and cannot give me a range of what it could cost to repair. I am a senior on a budget. I have seen identical complaints on the internet for this vehicle and cannot understand why there hasn't been a recall. If I spend the money to get this repaired and then there's a recall, do I get my money back from VW?
NHTSA complaint #11497549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Unable to remove the key from the ignition to turn the car off, constantly getting stuck with the engine on other times hard to turn to get the car started. I see multiple recalls for this for some reason my car is not amongst them. 3VWDP7AJ1CM302229
NHTSA complaint #11496668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while turning into the parking lot at the residence, with a foot on the brake pedal, the contact was unaware that the vehicle was still in drive and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled forward approximately 3-4 feet before the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle was stopped. The vehicle was shifted into PARK and the contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated as designed. The contact stated that a week later while at work, the vehicle failed to start-up. The vehicle remained at the contact’s place of employment. The contact reached out to a representative on at the Volkswagen website and was informed that the Vin was not under recall. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V615000 (Electrical System, Steering) as a possible solution to the failure however, the Vin was not included. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.
NHTSA complaint #11426011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION KEY CEASED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START IMMEDIATELY. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND FAILED TO TURN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT YET NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000
NHTSA complaint #11416329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF. THE KEY WERE STUCK IN THE IGNITION IN THE ON POSITION AND WOULD NOT COME OUT OR GO TO THE OFF POSITION. I WAS AT MY DESTINATION WHEN I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR OFF.
NHTSA complaint #11402772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MISCOMMUNICATION FROM COMPUTER TO ABS SYSTEM CAUSING THE ABS TO ENGAGE WHEN BRAKING NORMALLY DRIVING UP TO AN INTERSECTION CAUSING VEHICLE TO NOT STOP WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE.
NHTSA complaint #11366237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED TO VOLKSWAGEN OF OLYMPIA ( 2107 COOPER POINT RD SW, OLYMPIA, WA 98502; (360) 515-3349) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #11351459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND VEHICLE KEEPS RUNNING. TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE THE KEY IS ABLE TO BE REMOVED WITH ADDITIONAL PRESSURE AND TAPPING ON THE KEY AND IGNITION. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT AND A RECALL OR CAMPAIGN SHOULD BE ISSUED BY VW
NHTSA complaint #11351241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
UNABLE TO TURN KEY TO TURN OFF IGNITION. CAR IS IN THE VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE CENTER FOR THE THREE WEEKS FOR REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #11344135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE CAR WON'T TURN OFF AND KEEPS RUNNING. I LOOKED IT UP AND FOUND SEVERAL VW JETTA'S WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED BY VW. IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND SEEMS TO BE COMMON. I ORDERED THE PART ON LINE AND WAS TOLD OF A NATIONAL SHORTAGE., THE CAR IS STUCK IN THE DRIVEWAY.
NHTSA complaint #11342140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR RAN HOT FIRST TIME AIR CONDITIONING GOT HOT CAR WAS GOING ANY FASTER WITH SMOKE FROM ENGINE. NO INDICATOR AT ALL CAR WAS RUNNING HOT. DEALERSHIP STATED THE BLOCK MESS UP. ADJUSTER CAME STATED THEROMAST WHICH NOT COVER WARRANTY FOR MY CAR. WHY WAS I NEVER AWARE MY CAR HAD THESE ISSUES
NHTSA complaint #11341492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
OXYGEN SENSOR CODE COMES UP, THEN ALL LIGHTS COMING ON, WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THIS CAR HAD A CARFAX SHEET STATING NO PROBLEM AND REPAIRS DONE BY MICHEAL AUTOMOTIVE IN FRESNO CA. NO RECALL EVER MENTIONED, NOW A YOUNG MANS FIRST CAR , NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, ONLY PICKED UP BECAUSE CAR FAX STATED IT HAD NO PROBLEMS, NOW A SAFTY CONCERN.
NHTSA complaint #11339449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE IGNITION WON'T TURN OFF, CAN'T SHUT IT DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO TURNIT OFF BY APPLYING PRESSURE ON THE KEY AND TAPPING THE END OF THE KEY WITH PLIERS. I FOUND THIS SOLUTION ON THE INTERNET FROM OTHER JETTA OWNERS. VOLKSWAGEN KNOWS ABOUT THIS COMMON ISSUE AND REFUSES TO DO A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH COSTS HUNDREDS OF DOLLAR TO OWNERS.
NHTSA complaint #11331236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
KEY IGNITION FAILURE. KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF ENGINE. VEHICLE WONT TURN OFF AND KEY WONT COME OUT OF IGNITION.
NHTSA complaint #11331254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. AIRBAG SENSORS ARE MALFUNCTIONING.
NHTSA complaint #11328618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I'M STILL CONTINUING TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VAR 2012 JETTA VOLKSWAGEN. UP IN TILL RECENTLY IT WAS FIXED ON A RECALL NOTICE THAT DISPLAYED VEHICLE RIGHT ROLL EVEN IF PLACED IN PART AND IGNITION TURNED OFF !! UNFORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED TO MY SON DURING CHRISTMAS 2019. WHAT IF THERE WAS A BODY IN FROM THAT CAR. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE AND VOLKSWAGEN USA KNOWS IT. I TOOK IT IN AND WAS ADDRESSED OF NEW RECALL WHICH RELAYS THE SAME SAVAGENESS; IT WAS FIXED TILL WHEN ?? [XXX] THIS CAUSED ABOUT 1000-2000 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE AFTER WE HAD ALREADY FIXED THIS BUMPER WITH VOLKSWAGEN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11308656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HEAD LIGHTS ARE ON WHEN TEMPERATURE IS COLD. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME AND KILLING THE BATTERY. I BELIEVE THE ISSUE WITH LIGHT SWITCH BECAUSE WHEN I UNPLUG IT AT NIGHT FROM THE CAR AND RE-PLUG THE LIGHT SWITCH IN THE MORNING, IT ALL WORKS WITHOUT ANY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11287898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY ON AN INCLINE SUBURBAN CITY STREET. THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION AFTER DRIVING AND PLACING GEAR IN THE PARK POSITION. I WAS ABLE TO REMOVE IT AFTER I PUT THE VEHICLE IN THE NEUTRAL GEAR POSITION. HOWEVER, THIS PRESENTED A HAZARD AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD AND SIDE SWIPED A STATIONARY VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #11283166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
UNABLE TO TURN VEHICLE ENGINE OFF. IGNITION SWITCH IS STUCK IN THE RUN POSITION AND WILL NOT TURN TO OFF POSITION WITHOUT BREAKING KEY OFF IN THE IGNITION. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND REPAIR COST OVER 700.00 WHICH MAY ONLY WORK FOR A YEAR OR 2. THEN WOULD START HAVING THE SAME ISSUE ONCE AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #11278143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000(ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING). THE CONTACT HAD NOT NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER OF THE RECALL NOTICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11276976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.