FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO LOCK AND/OR UNLOCK WITH KEY FOB OR LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTONS IN THE CABIN (BEGAN APPROX 6/20/2018 AT APPROX 43,000 MILES). MUST USE THE KEY IN EXTERIOR KEY HOLE TO MANUALLY LOCK OR UNLOCK, BUT WHILE KEY IS IN THE IGNITION IT IS…

12/31/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11164303.0

2012 Jetta · engine Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR EMITTING FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS…

12/30/2015 · NHTSA ODI #10816968.0

2012 Jetta · powertrain

THE CAR UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATES AND THERE SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE CLUTCH DISENGAGING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE CAR HAS 42K MILES ON IT AND THE DEALER WANTS A PER-AUTHORIZATION SIGNED OF $1600 BEFORE THEY WILL LOOK AT THE ISSUE. UNSAFE AND INSANE!

12/29/2015 · NHTSA ODI #10816677.0

2012 Jetta · electrical

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HORN FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE…

12/27/2016 · NHTSA ODI #10937697.0

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Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 11E036000 08/09/2011

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST TIPS, PART NUMBER 1K0 071 910 U, SOLD AS ACCESSORY EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 JETTA SEDAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 18, 2010, THROUGH AUGUST 22, 2011

IF THE TAILPIPE EXTENSION IS HOT DURING INADVERTENT CONTACT, A BURN COULD OCCUR.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST TIPS AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Common questions

Is the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 525 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 120 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Volkswagen Jetta has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 525 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 10 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with volkswagen. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.