2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical617.6%
- Fuel system617.6%
- Engine411.8%
- Suspension411.8%
- Brakes411.8%
- Powertrain (other)411.8%
- Steering25.9%
- Interior & seats12.9%
- Airbags12.9%
- Seat belts12.9%
- Body & structure12.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
DPF LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF AND THEN CAME ON
PER DEALER VEHICLE HAS NON-FUNCTIONING HORN AND HIGH-BEAM HEADLIGHTS APPARENTLY DUE TO CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. IN ADDITION, WATER INSTRUCTION (OF AS YET UNKNOWN ORIGIN) HAS RUSTED BRAKE, STEERING, AND DASH COMPONENTS. TDI RECALL/REPAIR/SALE AND WAS LAST PERHAPS LAST SOLD BY AND SERVICED AT VW DEALER 08/2020.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Cp4 high pressure fuel pump will self-destruct causing little pieces of metal to go throughout the fuel system and causing thousands in repair lots of manufacturers are doing recalls to this pump but nothing for Volkswagen I have contact the dealer no help if you go online thousands of people it's complaining about the CP4 high pressure fuel pump it has a design flaw from factory and needs to be corrected
I was looking at the GMC Duramax diesel and it has the same problem as the Volkswagen Jetta TDI fuel pump failure due to American Diesel in the pump is designed for foreign diesel which is very expensive to repair can we please have some help with this where they can come out with a replacement pump that can resist American diesel
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagon Jetta Sportwagen. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal became inoperable and the vehicle did not accelerate. The engine and power steering had failed. The glow plug warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The contact was informed that the failure was due to the high-pressure fuel pump which sent metal shards through the fuel line. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
DPF LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF AND THEN CAME ON
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAD TO HAVE ALL FOUR SPRINGS REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE BROKEN. I'VE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH VW. WHY ARE THEY NOT ADDRESSING THIS? THE CAR HAD ABOUT 89 THOUSAND MILES ON IT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM REAR, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SPRINGS WERE REPLACED 4 TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF FIVE YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER NYE VOLKSWAGEN OF ROME LOCATED AT 5865 ROME-TABERG RD ROME, NY 13440, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH REAR SPRINGS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
VOLKSWAGEN KNOWS THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THEIR ABS MODULE BUT REFUSE TO CORRECT IT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. CODES: 01130 ABS OPERATION NOT A PLAUSIBLE SIGNAL. THEY NEED TO RECALL!!!
PER DEALER VEHICLE HAS NON-FUNCTIONING HORN AND HIGH-BEAM HEADLIGHTS APPARENTLY DUE TO CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. IN ADDITION, WATER INSTRUCTION (OF AS YET UNKNOWN ORIGIN) HAS RUSTED BRAKE, STEERING, AND DASH COMPONENTS. TDI RECALL/REPAIR/SALE AND WAS LAST PERHAPS LAST SOLD BY AND SERVICED AT VW DEALER 08/2020.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
I NOTICED MY CAR HAS BEEN CUTTING OUT AND NOT HAVING POWER WHEN DRIVING DOWN A FREEWAY. ILL PUT THE PEDAL DOWN IT DIDNT MOVE. I NOTICED MY STEREO STARTED KIND OF FLASHING AS WELL. I FIGURED MAYBE IT WAS ELECTRICAL SO I STARTED LOOKING AROUND AND I OPENED UP MY TRUNK AND IT WAS 4 INCHES OF WATER WHERE MY SPARE TIRE IS. THEN I STARTED LOOKING AROUND WHERE MY PANORAMIC SUNROOF IS AND THERE'S A HUGE SPOTS OF WATER THAT'S WET. THEY DID NOT DISCLOSE THIS TO ME WHEN I PURCHASE THE CAR AND I ASKED THEM IF THERE WAS ANY PROBLEMS OF LEAKING. I THINK IT'S MESSING UP MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND MY POWER. I FELT VERY UNSAFE WHEN I WASN'T ABLE TO ACCELERATE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC.
WHEN MOVING FROM STOP, TRANSMISSION TAKES A SECOND TO ENGAGE. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN TRYING TO TAKE A TURN FROM STOP, HESITATION COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS ACCIDENT. ENGAGE 1ST GEAR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagon Jetta Sportwagen. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal became inoperable and the vehicle did not accelerate. The engine and power steering had failed. The glow plug warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The contact was informed that the failure was due to the high-pressure fuel pump which sent metal shards through the fuel line. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
PER DEALER VEHICLE HAS NON-FUNCTIONING HORN AND HIGH-BEAM HEADLIGHTS APPARENTLY DUE TO CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. IN ADDITION, WATER INSTRUCTION (OF AS YET UNKNOWN ORIGIN) HAS RUSTED BRAKE, STEERING, AND DASH COMPONENTS. TDI RECALL/REPAIR/SALE AND WAS LAST PERHAPS LAST SOLD BY AND SERVICED AT VW DEALER 08/2020.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE TRUNK AJAR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE TRUNK OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TRUNK FAILED TO CLOSE PROPERLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR LATCH HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,545.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIRBAG CORROSION FOUND BY DEALER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT IS JAMMED IN THE RETRACTED POSITION. CAR WAS PARKED ON LEVEL GROUND AT HOME DRIVEWAY. CANNOT PULL OUT SEAT BELT AS THE LOCKING MECHANISM WILL NOT LET IT BE PULLED OUT. THIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT STARTED A FEW MONTHS AGO. AFTER SEVERAL TUGS ON THE BELT, OR IF THE CAR MOVED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE MECHANISM WOULD EVENTUALLY RELEASE THE BELT SO IT CAN BE USED (AS REQUIRED BY LAW). THE PROBLEM GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS UNTIL THE SEAT BELT IS NOW UNUSABLE. REPORTED TO DEALER DURING REGULAR SERVICE VISIT. DEALER INSPECTED AND NOTED THAT THE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. $233 SPECIAL ORDER PART AND $423 LABOR TO INSTALL. I BELIEVE A SEAT BELT, PARTICULARLY ON A VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY 4 TO 5 YEARS OLD, SHOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY ALL THE TIME. IT IS A REQUIRED SAFETY DEVICE THAT NEEDS TO FUNCTION PROPERLY EVERY TIME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A LEGAL LIABILITY. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA CUSTOMER CARE TO SEE IF THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE PARTS AND/OR REPAIR. THEY DECLINED AS THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I REPORTED TO VOA THAT I WOULD FILE THIS COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. I DON'T BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY $656 TO REPLACE A SEAT BELT THAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR IS SERVICED AT VW DEALER EVERY 10,000 MILES. AT 70,000 MILES THEY TELL ME MY REAR SIDE DOOR HINGES ARE RUSTED AND NEED REPLACEMENT AT MY COSTS. WHY WOULD DOOR HINGES RUST AWAY? WHEN IT DOES RAIN WHEN I OPEN THE REAR DOORS, WATER DOES POUR OUR THE BOTTOM OF DOOR.. POOR GERMAN ENGINEERING DESIGN? 2ND PROBLEM: THEY TELL ME MY EMERGENCY/PARKING BRAKE CABLE, ETC., IS RUSTED AWAY. ANOTHER ENGINEERING PROBLEM? AGAIN I'D HAVE TO PAY. 3RD PROBLEM: AT 73,000 MILES MY REAR HATCH WILL NOT OPEN. BROUGHT IT IN AND THEY SAY IT'S THE ELECTRONIC PART THAT WENT BAD. ENGINEERING? I PAID FOR REPAIR. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND IT'S ONLY 5 YEARS OLD.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .