800 of the
13,865 complaints filed about the Volkswagen Jetta
are about the other systems —
6% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2012.
The electronic dashboard does not display critical information like speed, engine RPM, engine warning lights, etc. The electronic dashboard stopped working and remains a black screen with no information about vehicle speed and other important infomation available to the driver. VW has a technical bulletin on this issue. This is a major safety hazard and should be upgraded to a recall. I am afraid to drive the car without knowing the vehicle speed or other missing information normally displayed on the dashboard.
NHTSA complaint #11754584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2025 Jetta Sport completely loses acceleration on straightaways and during turns, creating an intersection collision hazard. Severe drivability and safety hazard. It drops power during turns, which exposes me to oncoming traffic. Also when I press the gas, the car does not want to go.
NHTSA complaint #11753749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On XXX around 4:15PM, i was driving my 2024 volkswagen Jetta at approximately 65 mph onXXX in [XXX] under normal weather conditions. Without warning there was a loud explosion resembling a gunshot. The panoramic sunroof glass spontaneously shattered and exploded, showering the inside of myself and my car with glass fragments. There was no leading vehicle, overpass, or evidence of road debris or rock failure. The sudden explosion caused immediate driver distraction and created a severe safety hazard. There was no crash, thankfully, and no injury other than minor scratches and earaches due to the sound. Unknown if hearing problems were caused at this point. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11748727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Volkswagen corporate deployed a mandatory over-the-air (OTA) software update to the MIB3 infotainment system. The update failed mid-installation, entirely bricking the J794 information module. This failure completely disabled vital driver information systems, including the digital dash compass, all audio alerts, and driver notification tones while the vehicle is in motion. This represents an immediate, manufacturer-initiated distraction and safety hazard that disables cabin instrumentation.
NHTSA complaint #11747680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I bought car back in June or July 2024. Since then Ive had issues with vehicle. Bad breaks, bad wheel bearings that were replaced & car just never drove smooth. Since buying car & driving it around for months I have felt a jerk/pull when in drive mode from 0mi when stepping on gas. The Engine has completely shutt off at random at a light when in drive mode & Ive had to put in parking & restart engine while making a right hand turn & while pulling into a parking lot. I notified dealer & taken in but told nothing was found & they didnt seem to see the safety issue at hand or care. It has done this a few times since Ive had it. Very scary, thankfully no accident YET! The lane assist warning light randomly comes/came on before this happened. Dash read, error stop/start engine when it shutt off. It happened so fast I was unable to take a pic. I was able to take a picture of dash reading; please manually start engine in Drive mode at time of last inccident June 22, 2026. This issue seems to get worse the more I drive it.
NHTSA complaint #11745939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The SOS Module failed three times and was replaced three times under warranty. The failure mode is a battery that cannot be ordered due to manufacturer issues. The failed module limits crash reporting. I have attached the three work orders for this vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11736502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was leaving my house to head to work. When I turned on the highway. The car randomly stopped accelerating. No warning or anything just stopped going. Pulled over to the side and shut it off for five mins. Turned it back on by the car won’t move at all. Not forward not back. Call a tow truck and took it to a shop. There I was told there was a recall on the mechatronic system of these cars and someone didn’t take this one into be fixed. Call VW to inquire about the recall. They said they can’t help! What. That’s crazy! I didn’t even put 50miles on this car. Spent my whole savings to finally have a car! Instead of riding my bike to work and have a good car. For me to be out almost $7000
NHTSA complaint #11732453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The control unit for the Emergency SOS button and car microphone has failed and needed replacement multiple times in my car. My Volkswagen dealership has replaced the unit several times, and each time it fails after replacement. My safety is put at risk because I am unable to use the Emergency SOS function if necessary. The problem has been confirmed by my Volkswagen dealer several times, each time the issue was repaired. After the part fails, a warning light and message appears stating that there is an issue with the Emergency SOS system.
NHTSA complaint #11731172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I took this car in a year ago and they replaced the steering wheel because I kept getting a "travel assist" error. Not only is this problem back but has a very load chime every other min that is very distracting while driving. I have taken the car back to the dealer and they state they dont see the problem. yet it seems many VW owners are having this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11730829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PROLONGED RECALL BELOW 4 CARS BEEN IN RECALL SINCE LATE FEBURARY. NEED FIX ASAP!!!! 3VW5X7BU4SM073489 3VW5X7BU3SM088081 3VW5X7BU4SM064677 3VW5X7BU1SM088872
NHTSA complaint #11729976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle experienced a complete loss of communication with the ABS control module, resulting in multiple warning lights and loss of ABS and related safety systems. The failure is consistent with Volkswagen Recall 45F2, which describes internal ground and solder failures in the ABS module. Prior to total failure, the vehicle exhibited intermittent warning lights and an ABS fault code (01130 – Implausible Signal) in 2021 but was told the car was not under recall by dealer. After the condition progressed, the module became non-communicative and no longer generated fault codes. This is consistent with internal failure preventing communication. The failure affects braking-related safety systems, including ABS and stability control, and creates a potential safety risk, particularly during emergency braking or low-traction conditions. The condition has been confirmed by both a Volkswagen dealership and an independent Volkswagen/Audi specialist. A dealership diagnosis in 2025 once again confirmed that the ABS pump and module had no communication and required full replacement. Independent electrical testing verified that all external wiring, power, and ground inputs were functioning properly, indicating the failure is internal to the ABS module. Despite this, the manufacturer denied recall repair based on the absence of diagnostic fault codes. However, the lack of communication prevents the module from generating fault codes, creating a situation where complete failure does not qualify for recall repair. The failed ABS module is still installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request.
NHTSA complaint #11729349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was on the highway when it sounded like an explosion happened in my car. My sunroof shattered without any debris hitting it. It was 55 degrees, so no extreme temperatures, sunny, I was not behind a truck or under a bridge or around any construction. I wasn't able to pull over for at least a mile or two until I reached an exit. When I parked and examined the window it looked like the glass was angled upwards as if the issue came from within the car and there were large shards as well as tiny one. They seemed to break into rectangular like pieces. My ears were ringing a bit from the sound that was made by the break.
NHTSA complaint #11726197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Car was great for first 100000 miles. Then it was not. While driving in heavy traffic on a three lane highway, car lost power, ability to accelerate and went into limp mode. EPC code went on. Very dangerous. Took it to several mechanics, VW dealerships, could find nothing wrong. Issue has happened over 100x since, but I am unable to afford another vehicle and pray over car continually to keep me and others on road safe. Few times car would suddenly shudder like engine was quitting. Canceled medical trip to city when this happened 50 miles from home. Have had to cancel work as well one day when this happened. Recently bought a FIXD sensor and it diagnosed issues with faulty gas cap and purge valve. Replaced both. That issue seems to have resolved. Car has been burning oil like crazy. Sometimes 1L after driving 150 miles. Fuel efficiency is terrible. Even running 91 grade fuel hasn't helped. In cold weather, around -30, sometimes driver door won't close. Literally have to drive with one hand holding steering wheel and one hand on door. Scary. Newest issue this week. While driving highway speed, low oil light flashed momentarily. Then speedometer and rpm gages quit. Then entire instrument cluster went black. Was almost at work, so prayed and got there safely. After work, instrument cluster worked, but car started and stalled immediately. Mechanic code reader pulls up nothing. My FIXD reader says it's a upstream oxygen sensor. Looking at youtube videos, the issue it describes sounds like this may have been what contributed to those EPC codes for last few years. Borrowing a vehicle from family - car is stranded at work. This is my first and likely last VW.
NHTSA complaint #11711696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am experiencing multiple safety-related issues with the driver's side door latch/lock assembly on my Volkswagen vehicle. These problems are isolated to the driver's door and appear linked to a known defect involving water intrusion and freezing. Symptoms include: In cold mornings (around 7:30 AM), the driver's door latch frequently freezes shut, likely due to moisture ingress that freezes in sub-freezing conditions—preventing opening from the exterior and sometimes the interior handle. This aligns with Volkswagen TSB 57-18-01, which addresses moisture-related freezing of front door latches. I must enter through the passenger door. While driving, the vehicle triggers "door open" chimes and warnings. The door is latched, but the door is not locked while driving. Which causes wind to catch on the door. If I am able to get the door open from the interior handle, the door will not latch closed. The driver's door fails to lock securely while using the hand exterior sensor or the lock button on the car keys. The other doors lock, but leaves the driver's door unlocked, with no audible unlock confirmation. The selective unlock feature is also inoperative, as the interior unlock button on the driver's panel does not function. After shifting into Drive or Reverse, the door fails to relatch properly if opened and closed. These issues create serious safety risks: Potential for the door to open unexpectedly while driving, risking loss of vehicle control or occupant ejection. Delayed emergency egress in accidents or fires if the latch remains stuck. Driver distraction from persistent false door-ajar alerts, which could mask critical warnings. Compromised vehicle security due to unreliable locking. Given the documented nature of this problem in TSB 57-18-01, this should be a recalled issue as it's a direct impact on door security and vehicle safety.
NHTSA complaint #11711464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle Information •Make / Model / Year: 2015 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T SE •VIN: [XXX] Recall Information (if known) •Camshaft recall: 23R1 (2016) •ECM software update: 24DR (2020) Description of Problem: My 2015 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T SE experiences loss of power while driving, where the engine RPM increases but the vehicle does not accelerate properly, especially when driving uphill. This creates an unsafe driving condition. The vehicle previously received recall repairs for the camshaft (23R1) and ECM software (24DR). Despite these recall repairs being completed, the same symptoms persist, indicating the recall may not have fully resolved the defect. I reported this issue to Volkswagen Customer CARE under case number [XXX], but the concern remains unresolved. I am filing this complaint to document that this is an ongoing safety concern, post-recall, that has not been resolved by Volkswagen. I request NHTSA to review this unresolved post-recall safety issue and ensure Volkswagen investigates whether the original recall repairs fully corrected the defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11711278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While I was driving on the highway, the EPC light came on and the car began to lose power. It went into "limp" mode and lost all oil. I had it diagnosed at VW Carlock North Nashville. They told me the "exhaust camshaft cover bolts backed themselves out causing oil to get into timing belt and make belt swell causing it to lose tension and sheer timing belt, must replace timing belt, timing belt tensioner, timing belt idle pulley, exhaust camshaft cover bolts." This is barely out of warranty and the car has 46,000 miles. Why would the camshaft cover bolts simply come out? This is extremely dangerous, and the cost to repair it will exceed $3000. I am beyond frustrated.
NHTSA complaint #11708243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.