2012 Volkswagen Jetta: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 526 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 8 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
526
Complaints
8
Recalls
24
Crash reports
7
Fire reports
17
Injuries
52.1
Severity index
Severity index 52.1 - Medium. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.
Among the 129 2012 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta ranks 81 of 129 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 37% of its model-year peers. See the full 2012 ranking.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 144 | 27.4% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 111 | 21.1% |
| ENGINE | 88 | 16.7% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 52 | 9.9% |
| POWER TRAIN | 50 | 9.5% |
| STEERING | 43 | 8.2% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 41 | 7.8% |
| AIR BAGS | 35 | 6.7% |
The single most-reported system is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, cited in 144 of 526 complaints (27.4%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 26 |
| 2013 | 34 |
| 2014 | 59 |
| 2015 | 57 |
| 2016 | 67 |
| 2017 | 76 |
| 2018 | 57 |
| 2019 | 56 |
| 2020 | 41 |
| 2021 | 14 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 1 |
Complaint volume is declining, consistent with a defect that was addressed by recall or that affected early builds.
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V679000 | 25/09/2019 | 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 B |
| 19V615000 | 22/08/2019 | 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 e |
| 14E007000 | 07/03/2014 | 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 bl |
| 15V483000 | 04/08/2015 | 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 |
| 14V656000 | 20/10/2014 | 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 r |
| 11V490000 | 03/10/2011 | 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, MAN |
| 11E036000 | 08/09/2011 | 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 |
| 20E064000 | 23/09/2020 | 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 insufficien |
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.