2012 Volkswagen Jetta problems and complaints
Owners have filed 526 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The most-reported areas: Electrical System (144), Unknown Or Other (111), Engine (88).
Key takeaways
- 526 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 24 involve a crash, 7 a fire, 17 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 144 | 27% |
| Unknown Or Other | 111 | 21% |
| Engine | 88 | 17% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 52 | 10% |
| Power Train | 50 | 10% |
| Steering | 43 | 8% |
| Service Brakes | 41 | 8% |
| Air Bags | 35 | 7% |
| Fuel System | 35 | 7% |
| Diesel | 25 | 5% |
| Visibility/Wiper | 20 | 4% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 14 | 3% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Volkswagen Jetta SW FWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | 4/5 |
| 2012 Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Electrical System - filed 2026-06-14
A microswitch malfunction. My car will not lock and while I am driving it there is clicking on the doors for locking and unlocking. My night lights will not shut off when I park the vehicle. There is a pinging noise when the vehicle is shut off and in park and the door is open with no lights on.
Steering,electrical System - filed 2025-07-21
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that for the past eight months, the contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition. Several warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that to start the vehicle, the contact had to plug in the two fuse boxes and connect the battery cable. The...
Unknown Or Other - filed 2025-05-21
The ignition switch where the key is placed in the ignition and turned to start the car failed. The ignition would not turn with the key engaged inside the ignition switch. It will require a new ignition switch kit and new key in order for the car to function properly again.
Diagnose it yourself
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
More for the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.