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.

7.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$560
Average Mileage:
73,250 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
  2. cracked ignition coil that would intermittently overheat (3 reports)
  3. replace valve gasket, sparks plugs (1 reports)
2011 Volkswagen Jetta engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Volkswagen Jetta Owner Comments

problem #8

Aug 242018

Jetta SE 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,500 miles

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

When I park my car, my rpm goes up and down without giving it gas and it stalls out. Sometimes while I'm driving, it just dies out. Sometimes the check engine light comes on and it gives me a p0011 code, which is the variable timing solenoid. I bought a new one and did an oil change and it still does it. If anyone knows the solution besides selling the car, please comment.

- mr_locx, Las Vegas, US

problem #7

Mar 132018

Jetta SEL 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

I will be driving and suddenly my car just shuts off and the battery light comes on. I just had my battery replaced so that is not the issue.

- cortland, Gold River, US

problem #6

Feb 182014

Jetta SE 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,710 miles

Engine light came on after car stalled. Towed car to the mechanic. Advised that the spark plugs in cylinder 3 and 4 were covered in oil. Replaced valve cover gasket and two new spark plugs corrected the issue. Same situation occurred again at 150,000km on a different cylinder.

- carguru, Mirabel, Quebec, canada

problem #5

Dec 122016

Jetta 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

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

Same issue as last time. Car loses power and EPC light comes on. I just had my coils replaced in 2015 and now since my car is no longer under warranty it'll cost me 500 to fix.

- Roxanne D., Houston, TX, US

problem #4

Jan 202015

Jetta 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,740 miles

My car shuddered and stopped speeding up while I was on the Freeway. I lost power and had to exit as fast as possible.

- Roxanne D., Houston, TX, US

problem #3

Jan 062016

Jetta S 2.0L

  • Manual transmission
  • 55,000 miles

Randomly won't start. Drive the car for while, shut it off and it won't start. Wait 20 minutes... it starts. The other day it stalled, luckily started back up after a few minutes. Drove it once for 10 minutes Saturday, let it sit about 10 minutes and it wouldn't start. Tried again a few hours later... it started.

Very irritating. Happens few times a week to once in a while.

Update from Oct 14, 2016: After nearly getting into a car crash a few times on the interstate and pulling out into traffic because of the vehicle just losing power and dying the engine light came on.

Dropped it at the dealer only to have them tell me the catalytic converter needed to be replaced (under warranty).

They told me it wouldn't cause the sudden stalling nature I had been seeing. They kept the car for a week and finally after 5 days the tech had it stall on him while on the interstate.

Cracked ignition coil.

Car has 62K miles on it.

I hope this isn't a recurring problem seeing they wanted $480.

- Bill H., Scottsdale, AZ, US

problem #2

Sep 142015

Jetta TDI

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles

I am German and usually like German cars. Drove for 25+ years Mercedes, switched in 2009 to VW. Bought a 2008 Passat Wagon new. Had problems early on with Oil sensor coming on. Went to dealer, got it fixed under warranty. The the oil pump went bad at 38000 and dealer said no more warranty. He said it would cost up to $6,000. Got the part online and had my mechanic fix for $1900 parts and labor.

Then I got hit from the back and car was totaled. Could not buy a new Passat from dealer, so I bought a 2011 Jetta TDI with 32000.

Now I have 76000 and the car stops running. Fuel starvation. Took it to dealer, he could not find anything beside a glow plug being out. Changed the glow plug. Nothing changed The car at times seems to be getting slower and slower until it stops. Will not start for 10 minutes and then it starts again. Took out the fuel pump and cleaned it. It looked ok. Fuel is being pumped to the engine. Not sure what the problem is. Have to bring it to the dealer.

- M G., Durham, NC, US

problem #1

Jun 252015

Jetta Sportwagen Tdi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

After having the computer replaced due to water getting inside when the sunroof got clogged with leaves, I got the car back and after driving 7 miles, the catalytic converter light went on but it still drove fine. I called the dealer and he said it was okay to keep driving it for now but to bring it in. A few days later, just as I was planning to bring it in, it died while I was driving.

Over the course of a 6 mile drive, it conked out 4-5 times. First it conked out when I was stopped at a light; then at another stop; then while I was on the highway and then at another stop. Each time it started again without a problem and all the lights in panel flashed on. Right now the car is with the dealer, who said his service tech saw the same thing when he drove it. He said it may be that the car cannot hold a charge. I forget the exact term but will update this when I get it. I have an extended warranty, which may cover it but this sounds bad. I am fortunate that I didn't get rear ended while it died on the highway.

- Wendy R., Rye, NY, US

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