NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION IN MANUAL SHIFT (TIPTRONIC) MODE, THE CAR IS SUPPOSED TO DOWNSHIFT AUTOMATICALLY AS THE CAR SLOWS DOWN. I HAVE HAD 2 INSTANCES WHEN THE CAR WOULD SLOW DOWN, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWNSHIFT (AS IT SHOULD) TO 4TH GEAR AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MULTI-FUNCTION DISPLAY INDICATES 4TH GEAR BUT WHEN I ACCELERATE TO GET THE CAR MOVING AGAIN, THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS STUCK IN NEUTRAL, I.E., THE ENGINE REVS BUT THE MOMENTUM DOES NOT INCREASE. SOLUTION: I HAVE FOUND THAT MANUALLY PUSHING THE SHIFTER LEVER DOWN TO SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR ENGAGES 3RD GEAR AND GETS THE CAR GOING AGAIN. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS SEARCHING FOR INFORMATION IN THE VEHICLES OWNERS MANUAL ABOUT THE WEIGHT LIMIT FOR THE LATCH SYSTEM USED WHEN INSTALLING A CHILD SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY INFORMATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT OF THE WEIGHT LIMIT AND STATED THAT DUE TO LEGAL REASONS THE INFORMATION WAS NOT LISTED IN THE MANUAL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
AFTER EXITING HIGHWAY, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE ENGINE TEMP. WAS NORMAL SO I DROVE STRAIGHT TO MY DEALERSHIP. WHEN I ARRIVED I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF DIESEL FUEL. THE DEALER TOOK THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AND INVESTIGATED, THEY FOUND A FUEL LEAK CAUSED BY A PINHOLE IN THE FUEL LINE AT THE #2 INJECTOR. THEY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM AND RETURNED THE CAR THE NEXT DAY. UPDATED 2/8/12 *CN
SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING - DROVE DIRECTLY TO DEALER. RESULT WAS INJECTOR LEAK. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR END BUMPER OF THE PROCEEDING VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, FLAMES EMITTED FROM THE FRONT HOOD AREA. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE WHICH THEN ENGULFED INTO MASSIVE FLAMES. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE MANUFACTURER AND INSURANCE COMPANY PLANNED TO PERFORM AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT EXPLODED. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR A MONTH AND WAS NOT SURE OF THE MILEAGE.
I HAVE A 2011 VW JETTA SEDAN, PURCHASED IN JANUARY OF 2011. I HAD A FUEL INJECTOR FAILURE, CAUSING DIESEL FUEL TO SPRAY WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF MY VEHICLE AND FUEL TO LEAK ONTO THE ROADWAY AS I WAS DRIVING. THERE WAS NO VEHICLE WARNING LIGHTS INDICATING ANY FAILURE OR LEAKAGE OTHER THAN A FUEL SMELL. WHEN I PARKED MY CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE MY HUSBAND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE AS THE VEHICLE AND I COULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE AT ANY TIME. *TR
I OWN A 2011 VW JETTA WHICH IS EQUIPPED WITH THE NEW INTELLIGENT CRASH RESPONSE SYSTEM (ICRS) WHICH WAS PUT INTO PLACE TO MAINTAIN SAFETY DURING A FRONT END COLLISION BY TURNING CAR OFF, UNLOCKING DOORS, SHUTTING OFF FUEL SUPPLY, AND DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY FROM THE ALTERNATOR. I HAVE CONFIRMED WITH THE SALES MANAGER AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP THAT THE SENSORS FOR THIS TO ENGAGE ARE LOCATED IN THE FRONT BUMPER AND THE FRONT DOORS. I WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR AT A SPEED OF 60MPH ON AN INTERSTATE AND THIS SYSTEM ENGAGED. THE RESULT OF THIS ENGAGEMENT ALSO POWERED DOWN MY STEERING AND BRAKES PROVIDING ME NO WAY TO CONTROL MY VEHICLE FROM THE REAR IMPACT. MY VEHICLE SUBSEQUENTLY EXCELERATED TO A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED AT WHICH TIME I WAS LUNGED PASSED APPROX 10 CARS OR 25 YARDS WHEN MY TIE ROD BROKEN AND LUNGED ME BACK INTO TRAFFIC AT WHICH TIME A FRONT SIDE COLLISION FINALLY BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO REST. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS SYSTEM, IT APPEARS ITS INTENTIONS ARE FOR FRONT END IMPACTS AND IS NOT SET TO ENGAGE FROM A REAR IMPACT. HAD I BEEN ABLE TO STEER OR BRAKE MY VEHICLE, THIS LOSS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SO DRAMATIC AND SERIOUS IN NATURE. *TR
PALISADES VW IN NY STRIPED MY CAR OF ALL ORIGINAL PART AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THE CAR COMES WITH OLD WINTER TIRES. I HAVE TRIED TO RESOLVE THIS WITH THEM AND THEY LAUGHED IN MY FACE AND TOLD ME TO GO AND TALK TO THE PEOPLE THAT SOLD ME CAR. MY NEPHEW CHANGED MY TIRE HE SAID THAT I STILL AM GOING TO NEED A NEW ONE BECAUSE HE THOUGHT I A DONUT BUT I TOLD HIM I HAVE A FULL TIRE THAT IT WAS NOT A DONUT AND WHEN HE WAS DONE HE TOLD IT WASN'T. IT WAS A FULL TIRE BUT AGAIN I FIGURED MAYBE I WAS DID NOT PAY ATTENTION OR I REALLY DID NOT SEE A FULL TIRE. WHEN I GOT A FLAT ON OCTOBER 7TH I DID NOT WANT TO BRING MY CAR BACK TO PALISADE VW BECAUSE THEY DID NOT DO A GOOD JOB SO I WENT BACK TO WHERE I GOT MY CAR AND THEY CALLED AND ASKED IF I HAD MY TIRES CHANGED BECAUSE THE TIRES ARE NOT THE ONE THE CAR CAME WITH. I HAVE NEVER CHANGED MY TIRES AND I DID NOTICE THAT THEY WHERE DIFFERENT FROM WHEN I GOT THE CAR. NOT ONLY THAT BUT PALISADE MECHANIC STOLE MY GAS HAD A FULL TANK BOTH TIMES AND I GOT MY CAR BACK WITH LESS THEN A1/4. PLEASE PLEASE I AM BEGGING FOR HELP I AM A WAITRESS I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY FOR THIS I CAN'T EVEN AFFORD TO GET APT PLEASE HELP ME I AM BEGGING YOU. I NEED THIS CAR TO BE SAFE BECAUSE I LIVE WITH MY NIECE AND I BABY SIT HER KID IN EXCHANGE FOR ROOM AND BOARD. THESE PEOPLE SAW THE CAR SEAT AND DID NOT CARE IF I CRASHED MY CAR AND KILLED THE BABY OR ANY ONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER. AGAIN I AM BEGGING FOR YOUR HELP. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE MAKING A TURN WITH THE CLUTCH ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE STALLED MORE THAN FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AFTER PERFORMING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BECAUSE THERE WERE NO ERROR CODES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,800.
REPEATED STALLING, ROUGH RUNNING AND LOSS OF POWER ON 2011 VW JETTA SPORTWAGON TDI W/DSG AUTO TRANSMISSION. MOST FUEL PURCHASED FROM SAME BP LOCATION. ALWAYS CONFIRM DIESEL BEFORE FUELING. PROBLEM ACROSS MULTIPLE FUELINGS. RECEIPTS FOR ALL FUEL PURCHASES WITH MILEAGE RECORDED. *TR
CAR WAS HEATED UP TO OPERATING TEMPERATURE DURING A ROUTINE 15 MILE DRIVE. CAR WAS THEN SHUT OFF FOR ROUGHLY AN HOUR AND THEN BEGAN ANOTHER 15 MILE DRIVE TO THE GROCERY STORE. IT SAT IN THE SUN AT THE STORE FOR ALMOST AN HOUR BEFORE IT WAS STARTED. UPON LEAVING THE PARKING LOT OF THE STORE, THE CAR COMPLETELY STALLED WHILE IN 2ND GEAR AT APPROXIMATELY 2,400 RPMS UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION. THE CAR WOULD HAVE STOPPED IF MY WIFE WOULDN'T HAVE PUSHED THE CLUTCH IN AND HEADED FOR THE SHOULDER. UPON TURNING THE KEY ALL THE WAY AND BACK ON TO START (SEVERAL TIMES), THE ENGINE WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START. ABOUT THE FOURTH KEY CYCLE THE MOTOR FIRED AND PRODUCED A TON OF WHITE SMOKE. NO DASH LIGHTS CAME ON BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER THIS INCIDENT. CAR STALLED AND WAS ALMOST REARENDED BY A SEMI TRUCK IN A 25 MPH ZONE WHERE THERE IS BASICALLY NO SHOULDER. 2011 JETTA SPORTSWAGEN TDI, 6 SPD MANUAL TRANSMISSION WITH 11,500 MILES ON IT. HAS HAD TWO OIL CHANGES FROM THE DEALERSHIP OTHERWISE NO OTHER MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON THE CAR EXCEPT CHECKING THE TIRES AND ROTATING THEM. *TR
2011 JETTA SPORTWAGEN TDI REAR HATCH HAD A LEAK CAUSING TAILGATE TO FILL WITH WATER. BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES. 1ST TIME-REPLACED WINDOW AND SEAL 2ND TIME-REPLACED THIRD BREAK LIGHT AND GASKET 3RD TIME-SAID THERE WAS A BAD WELD AND REPLACED ENTIRE TAILGATE. THE LEAK RESULTED IN A HIGH AMOUNT OF MOISTURE BEING IN THE CAR, NOW HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. VW WILL NOT EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE ELECTRONICS, THAT GOT WET. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WOULD ACTIVATE AT ANY TIME INDEPENDENTLY AND COULD NOT BE SHUT OFF. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V196000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO SPEAK WITH THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO FURTHER REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 12/02/11*LJ UPDATED 06/13/2012 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA CC. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED HOW DIFFICULT IT WAS TO SEE THROUGH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS DISTORTED AND CAUSED HEADACHES WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT OR IN THE DAYTIME. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD EXHIBITED THE SAME DEFECT AS THE ORIGINAL WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER A SECOND TIME REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD AND THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WINDSHIELD COULD ONLY BE REPLACED ONE TIME. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE WINDSHIELD DISTORTION COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH BECAUSE OF THE IMPAIRED VISION. UPDATED 04/25/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED AS A GESTURE OF GOODWILL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE NEW WINDSHIELD IS ALSO DISTORTED, ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING TURNS. UPDATED 04/27/11
I PURCHASED A 2011 VW JETTA S SEDAN ON 1/24/2011. AT APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES, THE CAR BEGAN MAKING A WHISTLING NOISE FROM UNDER THE DASH NEARLY ALL THE TIME. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE ON 2/16/11 AND AFTER A FEW DAYS, I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS ISOLATED TO THE THERMAL EXPANSION VALVE IN THE AC SYSTEM. THIS WAS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER, THE SOUND RETURNED. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN AGAIN ON 3/29/11 AND AGAIN WAS CONTACTED A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER. THE DEALER SERVICE REP TOLD ME THAT THE VW FACTORY TECH REP LOOKED AT THE CAR AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. HIS DETERMINATION IS THAT IT IS OPERATING ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATION. I CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA AND THEY CONFIRMED THIS AS THE OUTCOME AND THAT IF I REMAIN UNSATISFIED I COULD CALL THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AUTO LINE FOR RESOLUTION, WHICH I HAVE ALSO DONE. THIS ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT CERTAINLY REPRESENTS A DESIGN FLAW THAT VW IS NOT WILLING TO RECTIFY. THE CAR WHISTLES NEARLY CONSTANTLY WHEN THE AC SYSTEM IS AT OPERATING PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CLEARCOAT SUSTAINED DAMAGE AFTER LESS THAN 48 HOURS OF EXPOSURE TO BIRD DROPPINGS. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AND THE WARRANTY SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDES THAT DAMAGE FROM COVERAGE. *TR
WITH THE SPEED CONTROL ENGAGED AND WHILE PRESSING THE DECELERATION SWITCH ON THE TURN SIGNAL ARM TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN, THE SPEED UNEXPECTEDLY INCREASES. EACH PRESS OF THE DECELERATION SWITCH NORMALLY CAUSES THE SPEED TO BE REDUCED BY 1 MILE PER HOUR. THE FIRST FEW PRESSES CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE AS IT SHOULD, BUT OCCASIONALLY ON THE THIRD OR FOURTH PRESS THE SPEED JUMPS BACK UP BY 2 OR 3 MILE PER HOUR. SOMETIMES IT CORRECTS ITSELF AND SOMETIMES IT KEEPS REPEATING THE PATTERN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND HAD TO BE PUSHED INTO A PARKING LOT. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE DID NOT RECUR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 280.
ISSUES BEGAN WITH FAULTY STARTER. THEN PROGRESSED TO A BATTERY OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES FROM WINDOWS MOVING IN REVERSE OF DESIRED ORDER TO HORN AND KEYS DYING. EACH TIME DEALER BRUSHED OFF ISSUE. WHEN HORN AND KEYS DIED (ALSO WITH FAULTY START BUTTON) DEALER TRIED TO FORCE ME TO DRIVE UNSAFE VEHICLE UNTIL THEY GOT AROUND TO FIXING THE PROBLEM. MOST OTHER TIMES THE ISSUE WAS IGNORED OR I WAS TREATED AS THOUGH I WAS MAKING UP THE PROBLEM. (THESE PROBLEMS INCLUDE RADIO STAYING ON WHEN CAR IS COMPLETELY OFF, AND AFTER MANUALLY SWITCHING IT OFF, IT THEN WILL TURN BACK ON WHILE THE CAR IS STILL OFF (EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WILL NOT START AND I HAVE TO USE THE LONG HOLD LOCK FUNCTION TO ROLL WINDOWS UP). THE CAR ALSO WILL REOPEN TRUNK UPON CLOSE, FLASH PASSENGER SEAT BELT WARNINGS WHEN THE SEAT IS EMPTY, NOT DISPLAY GEAR WHEN MOVING, NOT DISPLAY MILEAGE/FUEL LEVEL WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY LISTING MILEAGE RANGE FROM SELECTED SCREEN, ETC. PROBLEMS ARE WORSE IN EXTREME WEATHER. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE PROBLEMS FIXED MULTIPLE TIMES TO NO AVAIL. RECENTLY, I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE SERVICE LIGHT DIAGNOSED. DEALER RESET LIGHT EACH TIME WITHOUT BOTHERING TO CHECK THE SOURCE. PROBLEM PROGRESSED TO ENGINE NOT STARTING, SLUGGISH AND JERKY ACCELERATION, LURCHING STOPS, AND, MOST RECENTLY, SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A MANUFACTURER ISSUE, AND I AM PLANNING TO PURSUE ALL OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO RECTIFY. NOT ONLY HAS VOLKSWAGEN PRODUCED AN UNSAFE VEHICLE, BUT THEY ARE ALSO AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS AND MAKE A GREAT EFFORT TO AVOID DEALING WITH THEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY, THERE WAS A LOUD WIND SOUND INSIDE THE VEHICLE AS IF THE EXTERIOR WIND WAS BLOWING IN THROUGH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS. THE WINDOWS IN THE VEHICLE WERE CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE AIR WAS ENTERING THROUGH THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE THE FAILURE WAS CONSIDERED A DESIGN FLAW. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,900. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 5/9/11 *CN UPDATED 06/20/11
I HAVE EXPERIENCED DRAMATIC HESITATION WHILE, FROM SLOW SPEED, TRYING TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY ONTO A MAIN ROAD WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE DSG CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHICH GEAR IT NEEDS TO BE IN AND EITHER HESITATES OR GOES INTO WHAT SEEMS TO BE NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE HIGH REVES. THE JETTA JUST COMES TO A STAND STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AS THE COMPUTER TRIES TO DECIDE WHAT GEAR IT NEEDS TO BE IN.THE HESITATION IS PRONOUNCED ENOUGH THAT I FEAR I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF SOMEONE?S WAY IF I HAD TO. THIS IS MOST DEFINITELY A SAFETY CONCERN. I WORK IN THE BOSTON AREA AND YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET INTO FAST MOVING TRAFFIC QUICKLY. THIS HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN JANUARY OF 11. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY SAID THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. ONE OF THE SERVICE ADVISOR'S STATED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. *TR
NEW CAR MANUAL TRANSMISSION, CAR STALLS OUT AT LOW SPEEDS ON SNOW COVERED ROADS. RPM'S 1400 - 2000 CAN STOP PROBLEM IF TRACTION CONTROL IS DISABLED. I HAVE DRIVEN MANUALS FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND IT IS NOT OPERATOR ERROR IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL AND COMPUTER SYSTEM - IT DIES IN TRAFFIC AND REQUIRES THE KEY TO BE TURNED ALL THE WAY OFF AND THEN BACK ON TO GET THE CAR STARTED. TAKING THE RPM'S UP TO 2500 AVOIDS THE PROBLEM - BUT THIS WILL CERTAINLY WEAR OUT THE CLUTCH. DEALER FEELS IT IS JUST A SENSITIVE CLUTCH - I NOW HAVE 600 MILES ON THE CAR AND HAVE TO DISABLE TRACTION CONTROL TO STOP THE STALLING AT START UPS AND LOW SPEED SHIFTING.
WHILE DRIVING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD RANDOMLY CREEP UP THE WINDSHIELD AND WHEN THE WIPERS GOT ALL THE WAY TO SERVICE MODE, ALL THE DOORS WOULD UNLOCK. THE RADIO WOULD FADE IN AND OUT AND THE WHEN ADJUSTING THE SOUND ON THE RADIO LOUD CRACKING, POPPING AND STATIC SHOULD WOULD COME FROM THE RADIO SPEAKERS. *TR
FROM TIME TO TIME, WHEN DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE (ENTERING HIGHWAY VIA ON RAMP, CLIMBING MODERATE HILL OR GRADE, PASSING SLOWER VEHICLE) THERE IS INITIALLY NO ACCELERATION, THEN A SUDDEN SURGE OF POWER CAUSING AN UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION.
WHILE ACCELERATING NORMALLY FROM A STOP SIGN IN SPORT MODE (SPORT MODE FOR RESPONSIVENESS, NOT A DRAG RACE), THE CAR JERKED WHILE SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. IT WAS A HALF SECOND HESITATION BUT NOTICEABLY LOST POWER AND RECOVERED BUT NOTICEABLE ENOUGH FOR ME TO REPORT IT. *TR
MY VW HAS HAD PROBLEMS SINCE A WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT IT. WHILE GOING 1500 RPM'S AROUND 15-25 MPH MY CAR CHUGS AND STALLS. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO VW 4 TIMES, AND A PERSONAL MECHANIC. EACH TIME VW SAID THERE WAS A EITHER A COMPUTER ISSUE AND THAT THEY HAVE FIXED IT OR SAID THERE WAS NO ISSUE. THEY COMPLETELY RESET MY CARS COMPUTER BACK TO FACTORY SETTINGS DUE TO THEM SAYING THAT MY CAR LEARNED MY DRIVING STYLE. THIS DIDN'T HELP. YEARS LATER I AM STILL HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN IN A FEW CAR ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE STALLING/CHUGGING PROBLEM. I HAVE AN INFANT AND CAN'T HAVE MY FAMILY CAR CAUSING SUCH PROBLEMS. *JS
2011 VW DIESEL JETTA SIX SPEED MANUAL. THE COMPUTER IS PROGRAMMED TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AT ABOUT 750 RPM THIS NUMBER APPEARS TO BE ARBITRARY OR POSSIBLY PICKED FOR SOME FUEL ECONOMY TRADEOFF. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS CAUSES SOME VERY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS IN TRAFFIC. NORMALLY A DIESEL CAN BE BROUGHT DOWN TO NEARLY ZERO AND STILL POWER UP AND OUT OF A STOP. GAS ENGINES ARE NOT SO GOOD AT THIS BUT TO SOME EXTENT THIS IS AN ENGINE CONDITION THAT SHOULD BE ANTICIPATED AND SUCCESSFULLY RECOVERED FROM. VW HAS TAKEN THE OTHER ROAD. IF ONE DOES NOT REV THE ENGINE EXCESSIVELY, EVEN ON VERY SLIGHT INCLINES, THE COMPUTER LETS YOU GET ABOUT TEN FEET INTO THE INTERSECTION AND TURNS THE ENGINE OFF. THE GUY BEHIND YOU HAS TO SLAM ON HIS BREAKS IF HE IS LOOKING (YOUR BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OFF BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT USING THEM TO STOP.) OR IF HE IS LOOKING AT HIS LEFT TURN LANE, HIS PHONE OR WHATEVER, POW. OR YOU GET HALF INTO AN INTERSECTION CROSSING FROM THE STOP SIGN AND GET DROPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD UNTIL YOU CAN GO THROUGH THE EVOLUTION OF EVENTS ALLOWING A RESTART. RESTART EVOLUTION ALSO CONTRIBUTES TO THE DANGER AS IT TAKES SO LONG. I HAVE DRIVEN MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS EXCLUSIVELY FOR 40 LICENSED DRIVING YEARS AND A FEW YEARS PRIOR TO THAT ON THE FARM. ONE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DRIVE WITH ONE'S HEEL ON THE TOP OF THE GAS PEDAL, BUT OVER-REVVING THE ENGINE IS THE ONLY WAY TO SAFELY START OUT FROM A STOP SIGN. THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE GOTTEN PAST THE ENGINEERS. UNLESS OF COURSE THEY ARE NOT GUYS WHO ENJOY DRIVING. EVEN THE DEALER'S MASTER MECHANICS ARE PUZZLED THAT THEY STALL IT EVERY TIME THEY TRY TO DRIVE IT. *TR
VEHICLE WAS ENTERED WITH A PASSENGER. AFTER IT WAS STARTED, AN ALERT WAS HEARD ALONG WITH A DASH BOARD WARNING INFORMING ME THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG SYSTEM. THE A/C ALSO BECAME INOPERABLE. VW DOES NOT HAVE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS READILY AVAILABLE AND WILL HAVE THE VEHICLE FOR SOME TIME. *TR
1 RECENTLY PURCHASED A (2011) VW JETTA AT "CHAPMAN VOLKSWAGEN" IN TUCSON, ARIZONA.IT SEEMED TO RUN WELL THE FIRST DAY I DROVE IT,BUT ON THE SECOND DAY OF PURCHASE I MADE U-TURN TO PROCEED ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND IT MYSTERIOUSLY DECELERATED. I PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AS I WAS GOING ONTO THE ON-RAMP AND NOTICED THAT THE LOW FUEL LIGHT WAS LIT. WHAT STUCK ME AS BEING MOST PECULIAR WAS THAT THE REGULAR FUEL GAUGE WAS READING NEARLY HALF FULL. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL AND THE GAUGE RETURNED TO NORMAL FUNCTIONING, BUT IT LEFT ME WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS WONDERING IF OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES HAD SIMILAR ISSUES AND IF THEY WERE RESOLVED. THE REPRESENTATIVES AT THE DEALERSHIP ARE NOT RETURNING MY CALLS AND HAVE OFFERED NO EXPLANATION FOR THE INCIDENT. *TR
I BOUGHT A NEW VW JETTA 2011, ON 11/11/10 NEXT DAY I FELT A PROBLEM WHEN BRAKING. THE DEALER SAID THE BRAKE DRUMS WERE DAMAGE, IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT. NOW I FEEL UNSAFE AND DISAPPOINTED DRIVING IT. *TR
MY 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN TDI HAD IT'S FUEL PUMP FAIL LEAVING MY WIFE AND CHILD STRANDED. THE CAR WAS STARTED AND SUDDENLY LOST POWER ON THE ROADWAY. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. PUMP FAILURE WAS CATASTROPHIC SENDING METAL SHARDS THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM (TANK, FUEL LINES, FILTERS, ETC.) THIS HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED BY MANY OTHERS WITH THIS ENGINE (BACK TO 2009). AS OF YET THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL BY VW. VW IS CURRENTLY TESTING MY FUEL AND HAS ORDERED PARTS FOR REPAIR. THE REPLACEMENT PART WILL BE THE SAME PART # AS THE ONE THAT FAILED. MOST PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN WHILE OUT ON THE ROAD, ESSENTIALLY STRANDING THEM IN A DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT. I LOVE MY CAR, BUT I WANT IT TO BE SAFE. *TR
TWICE THE CAR GOES INTO REVERSE IN ALL SIX GEARS. IT HAPPENS WHEN I TRY TO COME OUT OF A FULL STOP. IT HAPPENS ON FLAT GROUND. THE FIRST TIME IT SEEMED TO FIX ITSELF AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF MY FIDDLING, BUT I CAN'T SEE WHAT I DID TO MAKE IT WORK. I HAD STOPPED QUITE A FEW TIMES BETWEEN ONE TIME AND ANOTHER AND IT WORKED PERFECTLY WELL. THE TIME BETWEEN THE FIRST INCIDENT AND THE SECOND WAS 13 DAYS. *TR
18 DAYS AND 400 ODOMETER MILES AFTER PURCHASING MY 2011 JETTA SPORTWAGEN TDI, THE 'GLOWLIGHT' WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE 'GLOWLIGHT' BEGAN TO BLINK, THEN THE 'CATALYTIC' WARNING LIGHT ALSO BEGAN BLINKING. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP THE SAME DAY. AFTER (REMOTE) DIAGNOSTIC ASSISTANCE FROM THE MANUFACTURER, DEALER REPORTED THAT THE 'CRANK SENSOR' NEEDED REPLACING. AFTER 2 DAYS, THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS NOT THE 'CRANK SENSOR' AFTER ALL. DAYS LATER, A MANUFACTURER'S REP INSPECTED THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP AND DETERMINED THAT AN ONBOARD COMPUTER WAS THE PROBLEM, AND THAT ONE WOULD ARRIVE FROM GERMANY IN 10 TO 14 DAYS. DEALER LATER REVISED THAT TIME ESTIMATE TO 35 DAYS. IF DEALER'S ESTIMATE IS CORRECT, MY NEW CAR WILL HAVE BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR WELL OVER 40 DAYS. NOTE: U.S. DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION DATABASE SHOWS AT LEAST 3 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR 2010 JETTA TDI'S. SEE ODI ID # 10359939, 10359434, 10353544. SO WHY HASN'T VOLKSWAGEN CORRECTED THIS KNOWN PROBLEM? *TR
THIS IS AN ADDENDUM TO COMPLAINT ODI# 10362604 AND REFERENCES 6 ADDITIONAL "GLOWPLUG" WARNING LIGHT ODI COMPLAINTS FILED FOR THE 2009 MODEL YEAR. (THE 3 REFERENCES IN THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT WERE ONLY FOR THE 2010 MODEL YEAR.). THIS BRINGS THE TOTAL TO 9 OTHER VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN TDI INCIDENTS THAT ARE SIMILAR OR IDENTICAL TO MY OWN. BASED ON THESE MULTIPLE REPORTS, THERE CAN BE NO QUESTION BUT THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS HAZARDOUS AND COSTLY DEFECT FOR AT LEAST 3 YEARS. ADDITIONAL ODI COMPLAINT NUMBERS: 10356900, 10355519, 10354353, 10315932, 10297692, 10295191. *TR
2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN TDI. CONSUMER STATES THAT ENGINE STALLS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED STALLING OCCURRED 18 DAYS AFTER TAKING POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. *JB
MY NEW 2011 VW JETTA SPORTSWAGEN DECELERATED SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE LOST MOST OF ITS POWER AND THE CAR COULD ONLY GO AT ABOUT 30 MPH. THE CAR REGAINED ALL ITS POWER AFTER THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF. I CONSIDER THIS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE CAR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, BUT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE IMMEDIATELY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND WAS TOLD THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,276. UPDATED 10/18/11*LJ UPDATED 3/27/12
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE NEW WE EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE STUTTERING WHEN DRIVING AND AT TIMES SHUTTING OFF COMPLETELY AS IF IT STALLED (THE VEHICLE IS AN AUTOMATIC WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION). WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE VW DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE TECH COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND SENT US ON OUR WAY AND TOLD US TO COMEBACK IF IT KEPT OCCURRING. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AGAIN AND THEY SAID THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE FOUND AND ONCE AGAIN SENT US AWAY AND TOLD US TO COME BACK IF THE PROBLEM KEPT OCCURRING. THE VEHICLE IS NOW STUTTERING AND STALLING MUCH MORE OFTEN AND THE WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT. I CALLED THE VW HQ THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN AND HAVE THE TECH LOOK AT IT WHICH HAS COST ME $112 IN WHICH THEY ONCE AGAIN FOUND NOTHING AND RECOMMENDED I LET THE CAR WARM UP PRIOR TO DRIVING. IT IS CURRENTLY SUMMER AND THE LOW TEMPERATURES ARE AROUND 70 AND THE HIGHS ARE 85+. IN ADDITION THIS IS A MODERN VEHICLE AND HAD I KNOW I WAS GOING TO NEED TO LET IT WARM UP I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IT. THIS ISN?T THE 50?S. MY WIFE AND I NOW FEEL THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE FACT IT STALLS OUT AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES. IF VW DOES NOT FIX THIS ISSUE I WILL BE TRADING IT IN DUE TO THEIR DISREGARD FOR SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. *TR
THE CAR TURNED OVER AND THEN TURNED ITSELF OFF. THE IMMOBILIZER ACTIVATED AND THE CAR REFUSED TO START. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I'M NOT SURE WHAT WAS DONE TO FIX IT. THE YESTERDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2012, WE WERE 5 MILES FROM THE HOUSE AT A PARK AND THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME, BECAUSE WE WERE WITHOUT A PHONE, WE WALKED HOME AND GOT IT TOWED. ALTHOUGH THERE WERE NO BODILY INJURIES, THIS IS AS MUCH A SAFETY ISSUE AS ANYTHING ELSE. *TR