10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
46,004 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Volkswagen Jetta brakes problems

brakes problem

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2012 Volkswagen Jetta Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #33

Sep 152023

Jetta

  • miles

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

ABS module controlling the Anti-Lock brake system has failed. I am told there is a recall for earlier models of this car for the very same issue but not for 2012 model year. This is a safety issue that is very expensive to fix and primarily by the dealer requiring factory programming of a new expensive ABS module

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #32

Mar 222023

Jetta

  • miles
The brakes randomly engage while driving and sometimes while parking, without touching the brake pedal. After this happens and you're driving for a while, there is a burning smell, likely from the brakes being engaged while driving and not applying the brakes.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #31

Jan 012022

Jetta

  • miles
The ABS module has failed and caused lights in dash to illuminate for ABS, Traction control, and airbags. Requires full replacement and reconfiguration of ABS module

- Casselberry, FL, USA

problem #30

Jan 252022

Jetta

  • miles

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

The car it-??s having severals issues such a fuel system injectors fuel -??? gas leak also breaks and battery ??"? alternador and much more this car was sold to me by a dealership looking for legal assistant that can help also it was on a accident but I don-??t know when

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #29

Jul 012021

Jetta

  • miles
The brake vacuum pump is leaking oil. As this component is related to brakes, it is considered a safety component. The leak was confirmed by the local VW dealer and a cursory google search shows that this issue is common amongst this engine (across many models/years).

- Mapleton, UT, USA

problem #28

Dec 132020

Jetta

  • 63,000 miles
When starting my 2012 VW Jetta, the ABS light, brake light, passenger air bag light come on on the dashboard along with a long beeping sound. The sound eventually stops but the lights stay on. Vehicle is trying to run through diagnostics upon starting (vehicle is stationary but lights remain on while driving) when these lights come on. The brakes on the vehicle are fine and do not need to be serviced per mechanic and VW. Personal mechanic along with authorized VW service pulled the following codes: 01130 ABS operation not a plausible signal, 01317 control module, 01285 cluster, 01486 system function test failure. Vehicle mileage is approximately 63K. ABS module failure has been a known issue with these vehicles and there are tbs's and technical tips for troubleshooting as well as a recall for 2009-2010 Jetta's. properly maintained vehicles should not require ABS module replacements at 63K miles. Was also told that by authorized VW service that this vehicle also has a leaky vacuum pump. Total cost of repairs: $2,636 for replacement of ABS module plus tax and $1,036 plus tax for replacement of the vacuum pump. Neither of these parts should need to be replaced on this 2012 VW Jetta with 63K miles. This is absurd. There should be a recall on these parts because, especially with the ABS module, they are clearly defective. You will find many consumer complaints about the ABS module on the web for this vehicle.

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

problem #27

Nov 272020

Jetta

  • 50,000 miles

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

While in motion brakes were engaged to slow vehicle down. Brakes "stuck" at top of motion and would not depress. Had to pump and after putting vehicle in park and then drive again they would engage. Used emergency brake to stop on way home. Failure happens every 3 stops or so.

- Jacksonville Fl, FL, USA

problem #26

Jul 132020

Jetta 4-cyl Diesel

  • 75,000 miles
The throw out bearing suffered a catastrophic failure as I was going 80 mph down the freeway, to replace it I discovered that the sway bars end links were rusted solid and the brakes have been done 6 times and broken every time but this last time within a month

- Denton, TX, USA

problem #25

Jun 232020

Jetta

  • 150,000 miles
The contact's son owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that at start-up the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to ancira Volkswagen in san antonio located at 6125 bandera rd, san antonio, tx 78238, to be diagnosed. The contact's son was informed that the ABS control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 16V913000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electronic stability control) however, the vehicle model year was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

- Boerne, TX, USA

problem #24

Dec 292019

Jetta 5-cyl

  • 79,000 miles
I'm still continuing to have problems with this var 2012 Jetta Volkswagen. Up in till recently it was fixed on a recall notice that displayed vehicle right roll even if placed in part and ignition turned off !! unfortunately it happened to my son during christmas 2019. What if there was a body in from that car. This car has been a nightmare and Volkswagen usa knows it. I took it in and was addressed of new recall which relays the same savageness; it was fixed till when ?? [xxx] this caused about 1000-2000 dollars in damage after we had already fixed this bumper with Volkswagen. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Hialeah, FL, USA

problem #23

Jan 292020

Jetta

  • 70,000 miles

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

The car has under 70,000 miles. The car needs a need vacuum pump and ABS module!!!!!!! ABS module is $2,200 dollars at the dealership. How does that brake so soon on a car?

- Ridgefield, WA, USA

problem #22

Sep 012019

Jetta

  • 119,000 miles
I received a recall notice back in September 2019 for an issue involving the parking brake un-sticking and having the potential to roll away and crash. I have still not been contacted about a potential remedy and feel unsafe driving my car.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #21

Aug 152019

Jetta

  • 85,000 miles
My airbag light came on a couple months ago. I don't have the money to fix it and the closest VW dealership is about 80miles from here. I don't know if this could be a recall defect or was it something that I did. I do have a child and I don't want anything to happen. I don't go out of town as it is due to my tires losing air and the airbag light being on.

- Winslow, AZ, USA

problem #20

Sep 052019

Jetta

  • 150,000 miles
I am mysteriously losing break fluid, yet there is not a single leak in the car. It has come to my attention that I am not the only one complaining about break issues and how they suddenly do not work up to standard. I however have enough know how to at least know that they need fluid. The minute I started the car and put my foot on the break to move it, the break pedal went to the floor. In less than a week of me having put fluid in, checking the breaks, and having them bleed I needed fluid again. Yet there is no leak present in the system.

- Saylorsburg, PA, USA

problem #19

Jul 222019

Jetta

  • 117,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. Upon starting the vehicle, the brake warning indicator illuminated. As the contact proceeded to drive the vehicle, she felt that the brake pedal was "off its baseline". the contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same failures listed in NHTSA campaign number: 16V913000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electronic stability control); however, the recall pertained to vehicles made two years prior to the contact's vehicle. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that they could not offer financial assistance with the repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

- Sunrise, FL, USA

problem #18

Jun 202019

Jetta

  • 134,000 miles
ABS control unit failure

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #17

Jan 222019

Jetta

  • 62,000 miles
Brakes inop. Making hissing sound above the brake pedal. Sounds like pressure is being released from a hose. Almost impossible to apply pressure to the brake pedal. When in motion I've had to use the emergency brake to come to a stop.

- Fairview, PA, USA

problem #16

Sep 192018

Jetta

  • 60,000 miles
While driving my car on normal driving conditions, no rain, daylight hours, when coming up on a stop sign I pushed the brake pedal and it wouldn't push, the breaks didn't work, I pumped them and still the pedal wouldn't move, on the fourth of fifth pump finally the pedal would compress. This has happened approx 6-8 times over the last 4 years but yesterday it was a serious issue. I couldnt get my brakes to react and rear ended the car in front of me, and the value of my Jetta is now likely a total loss. I have periodically looked for recalls on this issue and have found only similiar complaints.

- West Linn, OR, USA

problem #15

Nov 012017

Jetta

  • miles
Airbag, brake, ABS lights are on and stays on. 3 loud beeps when turning on the car. Received recall notification but my VIN does not show recall when looked up which is also alarming. According to the VW dealer, this is a factory/ manufacturer defect (cheap parts from china and bad installation is what I told) but they cannot fix since VIN is not showing up in their system. My entire airbag system is completely shut down as well as brake system. I am in a panic!!! but dealer will not fix factory defect and is charging $1700-$2200 to fix. This is alarming as well as unfair to consumers!!! this needs to be addressed!!! people could die because of this. And this is not an understatement! correct your your recall and VIN tracking system and fix my car! thank you.

- Clearwater, FL, USA

problem #14

Mar 042017

Jetta

  • miles
While driving at any unknown moment the car will start to misfire in 1 or more cylinders (seems like usually when there is moisture in the air) but you still never know when it will happen. This causes the vehicle to suddenly go into engine power control and will sometimes cut off the steering and brakes. I've gotten caught in the middle of an intersection with no brakes and no steering. I had to use my parking brake and shut the engine off. Most of the time the steering goes out is when I'm trying to make a U turn. And most of the time the engine starts to misfire and/or shut off is when I'm trying accelerate either after being stopped at a red light or significant increase like merging on a freeway

- Alhambra, CA, USA

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