Problems · NHTSA complaints
2011 Volkswagen Jetta problems
Owners filed 640 complaints about the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta with NHTSA between Oct 2010 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (201).
Complaints
640
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
28
Reported by owners
Fires
12
Reported by owners
Injuries
16
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system201
- Engine93
- Fuel system, diesel82
- Fuel/propulsion system81
- Power train55
- Exterior lighting46
- Air bags39
- Vehicle speed control26
- Engine and engine cooling26
- Service brakes25
- Steering23
- Structure20
- Visibility/wiper20
- Electronic stability control (esc)15
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
7
100
50
39
79
79
58
44
35
54
35
17
17
11
10
4
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 100 |
| 2012 | 50 |
| 2013 | 39 |
| 2014 | 79 |
| 2015 | 79 |
| 2016 | 58 |
| 2017 | 44 |
| 2018 | 35 |
| 2019 | 54 |
| 2020 | 35 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2022 | 17 |
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
201 reports7 crashes6 fires2 related recalls
“Suddenly the car showed the abs, cruise control, air bag , and a flashing break light on the dashboard. Took to dealership to get diagnostic and the Abs control module needs to be replaced.”
Engine
93 reports2 crashes2 fires
“Car was being driven and coils snapped caused, tire to pop damaging front end. Car was being driven and randomly shut off in middle of road. Driving vehicle shifting into gear lags, check engine light is on, had reader and said that valve 2 has low pressure. As a result clanking and loose noise sounds are heard when driven from drivers side.”
Fuel system, diesel
82 reports1 related recall
“THE CAR IS A 2011 VW JETTA SW TDI. ON SEPT 7, 2015, WHILE DRIVING ON THE AUTOBAHN, THE CAR'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ACTIVATED AND THE CAR ABRUPTLY LOST POWER. I COASTED TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND IT WOULD NOT RESTART. IT WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW DEALER. WE HAD TO RENT A VEHICLE FOR ALMOST TWO WEEKS. VW SAID THE FUEL PUMP WAS DESTROYED DUE TO TAINTED DIESEL FUEL. REPORTS INDICATED THAT METAL SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN FUEL SAMPLES. VW REPLACED THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM AT A COST OF EIGHT THOUSAND EUROS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE ESSO STATION & HEADQUARTERS. ESSO HAS INDICATED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPORTS OF TAINTED DIESEL FUEL AT THE STATION. I AM BEING SHUFFLED BETWEEN THE ESSO STATION & THE VW DEALERSHIP. IT IS OBVIOUS WHO THE RESPONSIBLE PARTY IS. VW NEEDS TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND DEMONSTRATE CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. *TR”
Fuel/propulsion system
81 reports1 fire
“I recently bought a 2011 volkswagen jetta tdi last owner wasn't aware of recalls, car started throwing white smoke, my local service mecanics NORTHWEST EXPRESS AUTO CARE let me know that the problem is a recall on emission need to fix but dealer don't want to do it”
Power train
55 reports5 crashes
“The power window never works the way it is suppose to, when I row my window down it MESSES with the speakers for some reason, my wipes don't work all the time and freeze easy. When driving does nor like to shift out of 1st it's got that mk shifter, it will stay in first gear unless the gas is pressed and released fast also can smell like a burnt wire or/ candle was smell. When I try to put the air on the smell becomes worse.”
Exterior lighting
46 reports1 crash2 fires
“The f16 fuse in the engine bay that connects power to multiple exterior lights as well as the abs brake system melts and melts part of the fuse tray. This is the same thing that happens with the vw Tiguan in campaign am97. Look into am97 as this can ruin your abs brake system. This should be recalled and fixed. This picture is not mine but is exactly what happened.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.