CarComplaints.com Notes: Digging through the long list of NHTSA complaints about a sudden loss of engine power and the high pressure fuel pump failing, it's never good to come across the "my car (with a cold engine) set itself on fire in the middle of the night" complaint.

7.4

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$530
Average Mileage:
72,350 miles
Total Complaints:
29 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (16 reports)
  2. replace radio (11 reports)
  3. repalce radio (1 reports)
  4. replace satalite module (1 reports)
2011 Volkswagen Jetta accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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2011 Volkswagen Jetta Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #29

Dec 182016

Jetta SE 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I've seen so many of the same posts about this issue, it's ridiculous. Radio died out of nowhere, trapping 6 CDs inside. About $100 just to get it checked at the dealer. About $700 to actually replace the thing with a new one that's damn near guaranteed to break as well. Then Volkswagen pretends they don't know there's a problem. F*cking Germans. Never again.

- Winston R., Knoxville, TN, US

problem #28

Nov 012018

Jetta SEL 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

The radio broke again. Just dies. The original radio broke. Got a new one installed. Aftermarket at best buy. They did a great job. Not best buy's fault that no one at vw can wire a car. I wouldn't doubt it if vw broke the radio on purpose or has some sort of timer on when it should break because shortly after i started getting all this crap in the mail for a new vw jetta and just completed my payments. Also not a safety issue so no warranty coverage and vw is just shrugging their shoulders and says that the radios break all the time on 2011 jettas. Low mileage car should not have this happen. Lots of other issues but the radio is by far most frustrating.

- Adam M., Minneapolis, MN, US

problem #27

Jan 242018

Jetta SE 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles

This is my first and last VW. What a terrible first time experience as a VW owner, one problem after another.

- An N., Skokie, IL, US

problem #26

Jun 212018

Jetta Comfortline 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,671 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Just adding to the list of people who had their 2011 VW Jetta radio stop working.... I checked the fuse (after checking online for the schematic. You think they would include that in the manual) and it is good. I haven't had it looked at yet but will probably take it the dealership where I got it and hopefully get it resolved.

- Matt S., Hamilton, ON, Canada

problem #25

Aug 272018

Jetta SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

Went to the gym using my radio, turned my car on an hour or so later and the whole thing is black. No pop, nothing. Just doesn't turn on anymore. My Bluetooth still hooks up but I don't get any volume. I did some research and see this is extremely common at about 75-90k miles, which is super frustrating that it has not been recalled. I tried to reboot the system, nothing worked. Based on research, it will cost anywhere from $500-$750 to fix it.

- Greta M., Springfield, US

problem #24

Jul 012018

Jetta ES 2.48

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,874 miles

Corporate greed and propriety b.s. makes it almost impossible to fix your own vehicle. It's irritating because you can't fix anything without putting a code in. Manufacturing makes it so that you have to be certified tech to work on your own car or pay huge costs. Thank God for computer geeks and hackers.

- Valintine K., Melrose, US

problem #23

May 132018

Jetta

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was jumping my car, and before I did my radio died. Screen went black, just like others have been reporting. My phone still connected the my bluetooth, but even after my car was jumped and the battery was fine the radio was still not working. HOWEVER, unlike the other comments my radio did come on again, only to also go black again. The CD function was what was really freaking out every time it came back on. Even though i told VW that the radio was NOT completely dead because it would come back on, they told me $800 to fix because they would need to replace it. Instead I bought a Pioneer stereo ($200) on eBay and will have someone independent install it for $80.

- lexih, Los Angeles, US

problem #22

Jun 012018

Jetta SE 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,568 miles

Radio out of nowhere just stopped working. Blank screen.

- Chris L., Cobleskill, NY, US

problem #21

Jul 062017

Jetta 2.5se

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

Radio worked one day, then nothing. Still connects to bluetooth but cannot utilize that. All fuses are replaced and still nothing. Looked into a new aftermarket stereo and the integration is expensive due to the type of features VW has on the stereo and the type of bluetooth. The stereo sales person said I was better off getting an OEM stereo from U-Pull it type place over installing a new one.

- Tara J., Happy Valley, US

problem #20

Jan 182018

Jetta 2.5 SE 2.5L 5 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

Touchscreen radio went black in my sons' used 2011 Jetta on 1-18-18. Owner's manual has no fuse box diagram. Could not find anything useful (regarding diagram, repairs or such) on the VW website. Dealership was nice enough to print off fuse box list. The fuse was fine though the dealership said that year might have another fuse behind the radio. Would be $70 to check. Checking on-line, 2011 seems to be a problem year for their radio. Checked with dealership and 2012 radio will fit in same opening. Will cost $70 to install at dealership. Have ordered a used 2012 radio (instead of 2011) for $120. Decided not to pay to check fuse in back until I return with replacement in hand to install so only one $70 charge. If it turns out issue is the back fuse, looks like I will have no trouble finding someone to sell the 2012 radio!

I've had 5 Jettas since 1995 + this used one for my sons. First electrical problem in 900,000 miles.

- Dan B., Franklin, US

problem #19

Jan 012018

Jetta SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Radio was working fine, I stopped and turned off the car for about 10 minutes, turned it back on, and then radio and touchscreen were no longer working. I have an SE so it is the larger screen. Tried to "reset" by holding down the power button (saw online that this worked for others) but still not working. I have read a ton of similar complaints online about other radios, specifically from 2011 jettas, that stopped working recently. It seems dealerships have been no help and charge outrageous amounts to put in a new stereo. I can't believe that there has not been a recall on these systems. I plan to go to my dealership and tell them about my problem, but it seems like I will end up having to purchase a replacement stereo online from ebay or amazon.

- Lauren Y., Lexington, KY, US

problem #18

Nov 072017

Jetta SE 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,000 miles

Just another complaint about the radio going out after a few years of ownership. Mine happened after the battery was replaced. I started the car back up and no radio. I have checked the fuses, but won't even bother taking it to the dealership to have it looked at. I'd rather just get an after market unit to replace it with.

- Denny W., Vienna, US

problem #17

Aug 102017

Jetta TDI 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,400 miles

Seems to be a known issue that was reported to VW many times by many owners; no manufacturer recognition or solution.

- Dennis V., Marysville, WA, US

problem #16

Feb 012017

Jetta SE 2.5L 5 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,359 miles

Driving home from work, radio suddenly started popping. Not once, but continued a truly loud, loud noise even after turning the radio off!. Not only did it do it the entire 7 miles I drove home but once home it continued after I shut the car off and removed the keys!!! We had to disconnect the battery to stop it.!!!!

Since that happened nothing, radio/navigation/Bluetooth handsfree, works! I am not happy! Car was several thousand miles out of warranty and I don't have the $ to replace a $700-$800 radio only to have it happen again as I've read some people have experienced.

There is something fundamentally wrong with this picture. Volkswagen is aware of this and yet? NO RECALL. This is BS. I've read that Volkswagen doesn't have the time or energy to expend on this because they are so engrossed in the diesel fiasco. That response is not what a customer wants to, nor should be expected to hear from their automobile manufacturer. They need to make this right. My family has owned well over a dozen cars from the late 50's to current and only this Jetta has had a radio failure.

Not only has the radio failed but there is something else going on along with this. My car goes dead if I don't run it for 4 or 5 days in a row. Replaced the battery with a new one matching manufacturers recommendation. Let the car sit for 4 days and I have to get it jumpstarted. This all started when the radio quit. Have others experienced the same??

Anyway, I am sorry to say, because I love my car otherwise, that this will be the last VW product I will own. When a company that has produced a faulty product fails to take care of their consumer, it is a sign they do not want our further business. I think we owners need to start a class action suit and bring them to their knees....it would be simpler and cheaper for VW to fix the problem than have to defend and lose a law suit.

- crowders, Seattle, WA, US

problem #15

Aug 152016

Jetta SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

click to see larger images

radio stopped working

I purchased my 2011 VW Jetta, used in November of 2013. The radio died in January of 2015. My car was still under warranty, so VW replaced it with a $50 deposit. 1.5 years later (Aug 2016) the radio died AGAIN. I called VW assuming they would replace it again, even though my car was out of warranty, as there was clearly something wrong. I spoke to multiple people on multiple dates and they all said, no. So after a year of trying, I put in a brand new non-factory radio (Alpine ILX-107). The radio itself works great, but the electrical issues have continued. I will report the additional issues in my next complaint.

- Shayna S., Indianapolis, IN, US

problem #14

Jul 252017

Jetta SE 2.5L

  • Manual transmission
  • 46,000 miles

Car stereo suddenly went out a few days ago on my 2011 Jetta, in the same manner as has been reported by others. No popping sound. No noise. No warning. Screen just went dark.

Before taking it to the dealership I had been hoping it was a fuse but learning today that it was not. completely unexpected, of course, as most car repairs are. And particularly difficult, given that I'm currently out of work. The $700 its costing to replace it with a refurb unit that may encounter the same problem really hurts.

- lturnbull, Seattle, US

problem #13

Jan 152015

Jetta SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,500 miles

click to see larger images

radio stopped working

I purchased my 2011 VW Jetta, used in November of 2013. The radio died in January of 2015. My car was still under warranty, so VW replaced it with a $50 deposit. I have continued to have issues with the radio, but will file that under a separate complaint.

- Shayna S., Indianapolis, IN, US

problem #12

Jul 212017

Jetta SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

I purchased my 2011 VW Jetta, used in November of 2013. The radio died in January of 2015. My car was still under warranty, so VW replaced it with a $50 deposit. 1.5 years later (Aug 2016) the radio died for a second time. I took it back to VW and they said I would have to pay $815 to replace it. I was clearly frustrated, especially since there was no guarantee it wouldn't happen again. After a year of no radio I decided to put a non-factory (Alpine IXL-107) radio into the car. Although the radio works great, it has caused everything underneath the radio to go in and out (heated seats, AC, back window defroster, etc.). I took it back to the shop that put the radio in and they took it out, reconnected and changed some of the wiring hoping it would help. Unfortunately, it didn't. Everything keeps going in and out when I start the car. At this point, I don't know what to do! I will NEVER buy a VW again, as they clearly can't be trusted.

- Shayna S., Indianapolis, IN, US

problem #11

Jul 082017

Jetta SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,054 miles

So my radio just stopped working...I was driving down the road and it died. From what I can read online, this is a problem for 2010-2011 Jettas. It sucks because I LOVE music, and I will probably have to buy a new radio, which sucks because this will be the first car I have ever had to replace a radio.

- Joan W., Bi, US

problem #10

Jul 092017

Jetta SE 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles

The radio on our 2011 Jetta SE stopped working today. Checked all the fuses, everything there checks out - no blown fuses.

I see on here others have had this problem as well.

I have an appointment with the dealer for a diagnosis - I DO NOT plan to replace it if it is a $ 600 - $ 800 repair!

Update from Jul 13, 2017: Pad $ 139 to have it checked out at the dealership - they said the radio had gone bad. It would cost around $ 700 to repair with a new radio - I told them no thanks!

I have ordered a used radio on ebay for $ 169 - same type that was in our Jetta and plan to install it myself after watching a youtube video and saw how easy it was.

Note: I am told by a friend that works at a VW dealrership that I will need an unlock code once I give him the VIN of the car and the serial # of the Jetta, then he can look it up to see what to put into the radio so it will work.

- Phillip W., Acworth, GA, US

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