10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
57,876 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Volkswagen Jetta Owner Comments (Page 1 of 7)

problem #129

Nov 012023

Jetta

  • 140,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V615000 (Electrical System, Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while using the key to start the vehicle, the key spun around in the ignition cylinder and failed to start the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #128

Jan 012020

Jetta

  • miles
Horn only occasionally works when honking and/or locking car, which increases the risk of a crash since I can-??t always use my horn to alert other drivers of presence. One front headlight only occasionally works (lightbulb is not the issue), which increases the risk of a crash since other drivers may not be able to see me as well & I am not able to see the road as well in the dark. Cruise control does not work at all, which increases risk of speeding and therefore increases risk of crash. Dealer has inspected horn/headlight issue but could not determine cause. No warning signs. Issues first appeared a couple years ago.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #127

Feb 102023

Jetta

  • miles
The passenger side door actuator/wiring is not locking appropriately. Through the use of the key fob locking the car doesn't lock the passenger door and every time the vehicle is in motion at 10mph it tries to initiate the auto-locking but fails to lock the passenger door. This enables the passenger to open their door at any rate of speed without automatic safety protection. I have seen this be an issue with other Volkswagen Jetta cars online through car parts stores and online forums, but no recalls as of yet. As of right now, I have not had the vehicle inspected but will be looking to do so this week. There were no warning lights or messages that appeared. It just started two days ago and the only way I realized it was a problem is when I would stop and continue driving it would try to auto-lock when I hit 10mph. Concerns arose when I was driving my 8-month-pregnant wife around town.

- Bloomington, IL, USA

problem #126

Dec 232022

Jetta

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic linked the failure to an electrical failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V483000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #125

Jan 102023

Jetta

  • 122,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he noticed a burning odor and smoke coming from the vents into the cabin of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that he pulled apart the heater and noticed that the wiring had melted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, the contact was only able to leave a voicemail. The call was not returned. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

- Coeur D Alene, ID, USA

problem #124

Nov 012022

Jetta

  • miles
The locking system is hit and miss at this time. The automatic locks do not lock all the doors. Sometimes the trunk will not open, either using the fob, or the trunk release. The windows don't always work either. Child lock doors can be unlocked. I am planning on taking it in for service, however, VW charges $165 just to do a diagnostic check and cannot give me a range of what it could cost to repair. I am a senior on a budget. I have seen identical complaints on the internet for this vehicle and cannot understand why there hasn't been a recall. If I spend the money to get this repaired and then there's a recall, do I get my money back from VW?

- Huntington, NY, USA

problem #123

Dec 082022

Jetta

  • miles

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

Unable to remove the key from the ignition to turn the car off, constantly getting stuck with the engine on other times hard to turn to get the car started. I see multiple recalls for this for some reason my car is not amongst them. 3VWDP7AJ1CM302229

- Lackawaxen , PA, USA

problem #122

Jul 022021

Jetta

  • 155,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while turning into the parking lot at the residence, with a foot on the brake pedal, the contact was unaware that the vehicle was still in drive and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled forward approximately 3-4 feet before the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle was stopped. The vehicle was shifted into PARK and the contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated as designed. The contact stated that a week later while at work, the vehicle failed to start-up. The vehicle remained at the contact-??s place of employment. The contact reached out to a representative on at the Volkswagen website and was informed that the Vin was not under recall. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V615000 (Electrical System, Steering) as a possible solution to the failure however, the Vin was not included. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

- Wrightstown, NJ, USA

problem #121

Apr 052021

Jetta

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition key ceased in the ignition switch and the vehicle failed to start immediately. Also, while driving the steering wheel locked and failed to turn. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000

- Panama City, FL, USA

problem #120

Mar 122021

Jetta

  • 176,000 miles
I was unable to turn the car off. The key were stuck in the ignition in the on position and would not come out or go to the off position. I was at my destination when I tried to turn the car off.

- Brentwood, CA, USA

problem #119

Oct 052020

Jetta

  • 64,000 miles

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

Miscommunication from computer to ABS system causing the ABS to engage when braking normally driving up to an intersection causing vehicle to not stop while pressing the brake.

- Vero Beach, FL, USA

problem #118

Jun 012019

Jetta

  • 0 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V615000 (electrical system, steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called to Volkswagen of olympia ( 2107 cooper point rd sw, olympia, wa 98502; (360) 515-3349) where it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Olympia, WA, USA

problem #117

Aug 162020

Jetta

  • 75,000 miles
Key gets stuck in ignition and vehicle keeps running. Takes several minutes before the key is able to be removed with additional pressure and tapping on the key and ignition. Seems to be a common complaint and a recall or campaign should be issued by

- Oconomowoc, WI, USA

problem #116

Jul 212020

Jetta

  • 87,000 miles
Unable to turn key to turn off ignition. Car is in the Volkswagen service center for the three weeks for repair.

- Lexington, MA, USA

problem #115

Jul 292020

Jetta

  • miles
The key gets stuck in the ignition. The car won't turn off and keeps running. I looked it up and found several VW Jetta's with the same problem. It should be recalled by VW. It is a safety concern and seems to be common. I ordered the part on line and was told of a national shortage., the car is stuck in the driveway.

- Naperville, IL, USA

problem #114

Jun 272020

Jetta

  • 92,234 miles
Car ran hot first time air conditioning got hot car was going any faster with smoke from engine. No indicator at all car was running hot. Dealership stated the block mess up. Adjuster came stated theromast which not cover warranty for my car. Why was I never aware my car had these issues

- Baker, LA, USA

problem #113

Apr 252020

Jetta 4-cyl Diesel

  • 134,771 miles
Oxygen sensor code comes up, then all lights coming on, when vehicle is in motion. This car had a carfax sheet stating no problem and repairs done by micheal automotive in fresno ca. No recall ever mentioned, now a young mans first car, nothing but problems, only picked up because car fax stated it had no problems, now a safty concern.

- Selma, CA, USA

problem #112

Jun 242020

Jetta 5-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
Key ignition failure. Key gets stuck in ignition when turning off engine. Vehicle wont turn off and key wont come out of ignition.

- Folsom, CA, USA

problem #111

Jun 272020

Jetta 5-cyl

  • 119,500 miles
The ignition won't turn off, can't shut it down. I was able to turnit off by applying pressure on the key and tapping the end of the key with pliers. I found this solution on the internet from other Jetta owners. Volkswagen knows about this common issue and refuses to do a recall on the ignition switch which costs hundreds of dollar to owners.

- Lebanon, PA, USA

problem #110

Mar 012017

Jetta 5-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
The airbag light will come on and off intermittently while driving. Airbag sensors are malfunctioning.

- Austin, TX, USA

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