Worst 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Electrical Faults
Engine Problems
Fuel System
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 131 | 6 | 4 | 69,066 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 84 | 1 | 3 | 50,515 mi | |
| Fuel System | 47 | — | — | 54,861 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 46 | — | — | 55,349 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 41 | 5 | — | 57,978 mi | |
| Brakes | 34 | 6 | 1 | 60,725 mi | |
| Airbags | 33 | 9 | — | 70,553 mi | |
| Diesel Fuel System | 23 | — | — | 32,771 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 20 | — | — | 48,388 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 14 | — | — | 40,293 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 12 | — | — | 70,606 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 10 | 2 | — | 98,486 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 10 | — | — | 37,545 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 9 | — | — | 17,388 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 9 | — | — | 37,889 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 9 | — | — | 36,893 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 9 | — | — | 46,745 mi | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 8 | 1 | — | 67,629 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 6 | — | 1 | 24,381 mi | |
| Body Structure | 6 | 1 | — | 59,210 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Clockspring/Spiral Cassette | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention:Warnings:External/Pedestrian Alert | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Fuel Gauge | 1 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,705,306 vehicles.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 1, 2010, to November 30, 2012, and 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles manufactured March 1, 2011, to July 31, 2013. The durability of the rear trailing arms may be reduced in vehicles whose rear trailing arms have been previously deformed, such as a result of a rear or side-rear impact crash.
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2009-2012 JETTA AND JETTA SPORTWAGEN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 AUDI A3 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L TDI COMMON RAIL DIESEL ENGINE/CLEAN DIESEL ENGINE. THE FUEL INJECTION PULSES COULD COINCIDE WITH THE NATURAL FREQUENCY OF THE INJECTOR LINE #2, IN SPECIFIC LOAD AND RPM CONDITIONS. THIS RESONANCE CREATES ADDITIONAL STRESS IN THE FUEL LINE.
Other Volkswagen Jetta Years
2012 Volkswagen Jetta — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
What are common problems with the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta?
How safe is the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta?
Does the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Volkswagen Jetta reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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