Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 188 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 188, in the owner's own words
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.
Component/System Failure/Malfunction: ignition switch and starter, possibly transmission Yes, available for inspection upon request. Car has randomly stalled while in motion; ignition and starter switch have been replaced as well as microswitch panel - yet problem persists. Power steering shuts down, steering wheel becomes very difficult to turn. Have to put car in neutral, typically, and try to restart while in motion. Has happened over 100 times; replaced alternator as well. Battery was replaced, brand new, yet was drained multiple times - recharged at Autozone. Vehicle was brought to Larry H. Miller Volkswagen - was advised the problem was fixed, as well as recall repairs (microswitch), paid for the service, went to leave dealership and problem immediately happened again. Complete shut off. Would stay running a little longer while in neutral or AC on. When the vehicle stalls the only light that comes on is the battery light. All other lights and systems work. Ran diagnostic codes through personal mechanic, friend, and dealership... Code states "Key/Ignition/Computer" but unsure what specifically. The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta also does not have the original key fob. May be improper programming? Continued to research all other recalls, services have been completed and yet the problem persists.
The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the horn was inoperable while driving. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the horn was replaced several times; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the alarm system was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the failure was related to the electrical system. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V196000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
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.
Air bag light came on showing both driver and passenger airbags off without having any collision then pulled into gas station, car was fine pumped gas and tried to start vehicle and couldn't turn key further than interior lights. Was locked in ignition. Also had all brake pads and rotors replaced 1.5 years ago, now service center says they need replaced again already. Diagnostics from VW shoe ignition switch lock cylinder malfunction needs replaced.there are recalls for the airbags and ignition switch cylinder and brakes for my exact year, month,make and model(11 recalls) but shows 0 recalls under vin. Vw wants to charge me $1,200 to fix what should be free under recalls.
The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact initially linked the failure to a defective battery and the battery was replaced; however, the failure persisted. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V196000 (Electrical System) which was then linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it remained. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Door unexpectedly does not close and latch correctly. Had to hold the car door the whole time driving. The driver door and passenger door has done it so far. This needs to look into.
The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that upon arriving to her destination, while turning the key in the ignition, the vehicle failed to turn off, with the key stuck in the ON position. After several attempts, the contact was able to turn off the vehicle by disconnecting the battery terminals. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who failed to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Unknowns
At various times my car will randomly stall and it's not showing any warning lights to indicate what's wrong or when it will happen.
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.
Lights coming on by themselves while in park position and draining the battery. Replaced battery 3 times in the last 7 months.
Ignition switch. Having a hard time turning car off.
The car turns off while driving and it has put me in several safety problems that I feel could an accident
The ABS module in this vehicle has failed as the ABS, Traction Control, Airbag, and Brake lights are all on with the brake light flashing. The dealership stated a new module would be needed to have functioning anti lock brakes. In reference to case - NHTSA: 16V913, I believe the same components are the same as the power train did not change between the two vehicles. I am having the same symptoms as stated in this document but there is no recall as of yet.
Car horn stopped working followed by an airbag sensor light that won't turn off. Seems like the clock spring failed prematurely?
My car would randomly stall while driving, happens both when braking and not braking. When it stalls steering wheel locks up, cannot press gas pedal, and brakes stop working almost. This is incredibly dangerous because while on a road at 50mph+ and my car suddenly stops it can cause a serious accident. The dealer has been able to reproduce it multiple times, and has said it is a common problem. The only warning light that switched on was the battery light after it had stalled. Currently at the VW dealership and was told that it was the fuel filter, was not the problem and car continued to stall more. Not only was a good part replaced but created an even more dangerous situation than before.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY AND THE FUSIBLE LINK WERE REPLACED AND THE FAILURE CEASED. ONCE THE BATTERY AND FUSIBLE LINK WERE REPLACED, THE DOORS BECAME DIFFICULT TO LOCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 142,000.
I BOT W/ ONLY 40,000 MILES APPROX. I DRIVE ALOT. ITS ABOUT 70,000 NOW. ONE TIRE SENSOR IS OUT AND THE PERSON AT FRIRESTONE SAID THEYLL GO OUT AGAIN AND ITS HARD TO KNOW WHICH TIRE IT IS. THE ELE TRICAL IS A MESS. I FINALLY TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC. IT IS DEFNITELY ELECTRICAL. THIS CAR IS NOT A GOOD VALUE AS EVERYTHING BREAKS ON IT AND I DONT SPEED AND ADD ADDITIVES AND B\'BABY" IT. I'M 62. IT HAS TO LAST. BUT IT IS NOT. I SEE THERES RECALLS FOR IT CONCERNING ELEECTRICAL, YET THE DEALER SAYS NO NEVER HA DA RECALL. THE NIGHT HALF MY LIGHTS WENT OUT WAS AFTER THANKSGIVING AS I WAS TRAVELING THE GRAPEVINE IN CAL. I WAS LUCKY NOT TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT
MY TIRED WAS PUNCTURED AND THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT DID NOT COME ON AT ALL. THE SEATBELTS NEVER RETRACT AFTER TAKING THEM OFF THEY JUST HANG THERE. SOMETIMES WHEN I LOCK THE DOORS THE ALARM DOES NOT SOUND OFF INDICATING THE ALARM IS SET, ALSO MY HORN WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO BUT NEVER WHEN IT SHOULD, FOR INSTANCE THERE WAS A CAR COMING UP THE STREET THE WRONG WAY AND MY CAR FAILED TO CREATE SOUND FROM THE HORN FOR ME TO ALERT THE OTHER DRIVER. MY CAR COULD BE IN MOTION OR STATIONARY NONE OF THE ABOVE WORKS, MY BRAKES HAVE WENT OUT A FEW TIMES WHILE I WAS IN MOTION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AS WELL. THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN HAPPENING WAY BEFORE THE DATE I LISTED BELOW BUT I JUST THOUGHT THESE WERE NORMAL ISSUES I NEED TO GET FIXED ON MY OWN BUT WHO KNEW IT WAS A RECALL ISSUE ALL ALONG.
WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED BLINKING THEN STOPPED BLINKING AND IS NOW ON ALONG WITH THE EPC CODE. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME IN 2 YEARS MY VEHICLE HAS DONE THIS SO I KNOW ITS THE IGNITION COILS CAUSING A MISFIRE. MY VEHICLE NOW SHAKES WHEN IM STOPPED AND HAS A TICKING SOUND AT RED LIGHTS, THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED 3 TIMES IN 2 YEARS IS WAY TO MANY TIMES FOR MY IGNITION COILS TO BE REPLACED.
2 MONTHS AGO KEY GOT STUCK IN IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE KEY WILL NOT T URN TO OFF POSITION AND CAR KEEPS RUNNING. IT HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES THEN YESTERDAY IT HAPPENED 5 TIMES. CAR HAD TO BE STALLED MANUALLY IN ORDER FOR IT TO STOP RUNNING. THE KEY WOULD THEN COME OUT OF IGNITION. THIS IS BECOMING A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. AM TAKING TO DEALER TO GET FIXED HOPEFULLY
HORN DOESN'T WORK ON THE STEERING WHEEL. AIR BAG LIGHT FREQUENTLY FAILS TO INITIALLY ILLUMINATE WHEN FIRST STARTING THE CAR. CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. ONE WOULD BELIEVE THERE IS A CLOCK SPRING ISSUE. HOW MY SPECIFIC JETTA WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL OF CLOCK SPRINGS IS CONCERNING.
IGNITION/KEY WILL NOT TURN BACKWARDS TO TURN THE CAR OFF. IT ACTS AS IF IT IS JAMMED OR STUCK. I'VE HAD TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE RUNNING FOR 15-30 MINS WITH SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TURN IT OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS.
FIRST FEW TIMES MY KEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION WITH THE CAR ON AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF FOR A LONG TIME. NOW I CAN PUT THE KEY IN BUT WONT LET ME TURN IT ON. MY CONCERN IS IF MY CAR FINALLY TURNS ON AND THE KEYS GETS STUCK AGAIN AND CANT TURN OFF MY VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM STARTED SO I LOOKED UP MY RECALLS AND GOT ONE RECALL DONE THIS MONTH ON THE MICRO SWITCH THEN MY CAR WAS OK FOR A FEW DAY AND JUST STARTED MESSING UP AGAIN. NOW MY CAR WILL NOT TURN ON AT ALL. *TR
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.
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