RoadVitals

2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
27
Latest Sep 15, 2024
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

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.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DPF LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF AND THEN CAME ON

NHTSA ID 11387673 · filed Jan 12, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID 11383930 · filed Dec 17, 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.

6
reports

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

NHTSA ID 11614705 · filed Sep 15, 2024

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

NHTSA ID 11607161 · filed Aug 7, 2024

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.

4
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11549605 · filed Oct 12, 2023

DPF LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF AND THEN CAME ON

NHTSA ID 11387673 · filed Jan 12, 2021

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.

4
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11397193 · filed Feb 21, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID 11348620 · filed Aug 11, 2020

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.

4
reports

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!!!

NHTSA ID 11414557 · filed Apr 30, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID 11383930 · filed Dec 17, 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.

4
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11300052 · filed Jan 17, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID 11257767 · filed Sep 24, 2019

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.

2
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11549605 · filed Oct 12, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID 11383930 · filed Dec 17, 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.

1
report

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.

NHTSA ID 10852071 · filed Mar 28, 2016

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

AIRBAG CORROSION FOUND BY DEALER.

NHTSA ID 11384613 · filed Dec 22, 2020

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.

1
report

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.

NHTSA ID 10934125 · filed Dec 9, 2016

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.

1
report

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.

NHTSA ID 11002551 · filed Jun 30, 2017

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

Data on this page last refreshed .