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
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system201
  2. Engine93
  3. Fuel system, diesel82
  4. Fuel/propulsion system81
  5. Power train55
  6. Exterior lighting46
  7. Air bags39
  8. Vehicle speed control26
  9. Engine and engine cooling26
  10. Service brakes25
  11. Steering23
  12. Structure20
  13. Visibility/wiper20
  14. 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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20107
2011100
201250
201339
201479
201579
201658
201744
201835
201954
202035
202117
202217
202311
202410
20254
20261

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.

03 —Owner reports

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2026Electrical system, Air bags, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11764869

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 17, 2024Suspension, Electrical system, EngineODI 11594711

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 1, 2016Fuel system, dieselODI 10839115

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 31, 2024Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11569118

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 3, 2023Power train, Electrical system, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11510091

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 3, 2025Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakesODI 11633929
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.