2012 Volkswagen Jetta problems
The Volkswagen Jetta is a compact car/small family car manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen since 1979. Positioned to fill a sedan niche above the firm's Golf hatchback, it has been marketed over seven generations, variously as the Atlantic, Vento, Bora, City Jetta, Jetta City, GLI, Jetta, Clasico, and Sagitar (in China).
The Jetta has been offered in two- and four-door saloon / sedan, and five-door wagon / estate versions – all as four- or five-seaters. Since the original version in 1980, the car has grown in size and power with each generation. By mid-2011, almost 10 million Jettas have been produced and sold all over the world. As of April 2014, Volkswagen marketed over 14 million, becoming its top selling model.
Nameplate etymology
Numerous sources note that the Jetta nameplate derives from the Atlantic 'jet stream' during a period when Volkswagen named its vehicles after prominent winds and currents (e.g., the Volkswagen Passat (after the German word for trade wind), Volkswagen Bora (after bora), and Volkswagen Scirocco (after sirocco).
A 2013 report by former VW advertising copywriter Bertel Schmitt, said that — after consulting VW sources including Dr. Carl Hahn, former Volkswagen of America Chief and W.P. Schmidt, former sales chief at Volkswagen — no evidence suggested Volkswagen employed a naming theme for its front-drive, water-cooled vehicles; nor was there evidence the names derived from a theme; nor that a naming system "was ever announced, either officially or confidentially."
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Common 2012 Volkswagen Jetta problems
The 2012 Volkswagen Jetta is known for several common problems that affect its automatic transmission, engine, power windows, and electrical system.
- Engine Misfire: Engine misfires in the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta are often caused by failed ignition coils or spark plugs, or even faulty spark plug wires if the vehicle has them.
- Power Window Malfunction: The power windows in the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta can fail due to a worn-out window regulator, which requires replacement.
- General Electrical Issues: The 2012 Volkswagen Jetta has reported general electrical issues, which can be difficult to diagnose and are often caused by ground wiring problems, mostly found under the battery.
These common problems with the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta can significantly impact the vehicle's performance and reliability. It is essential for owners to address these issues promptly to ensure their safety and prevent further damage to the vehicle.
Is the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta a reliable car?
The reliability is almost on par with the Japanese cars. The build quality is very solid. The Jetta I have is an SE, so it is not loaded with too many fancy features. However, you can tell that the manufacturer did not compromise on quality and ended up using cheap plastic parts and did BMW in numerous cases.
How many miles can a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta go?
How many miles can a Volkswagen Jetta last? The VW Jetta has been known to last for more than 200,000 miles when properly maintained. Most drivers put an average of 10,000 miles on their cars every year, so a car with 200,000 miles on the odometer can easily be over 20 years old.
What is a common problem in Volkswagen Jetta?
Automatic gearbox problems
It has been known for the automatic gearboxes on these cars to suffer with different problems. One of the most common problems is for the gears struggling to change, which could be caused by problems with the gear linkage. Does this video below sound anything like your problem?
What year Jetta has transmission problems?
Harsh Shifting on Automatic Transmission Jettas
Shifting problems have been a common issue in many 1990-2012 and 2016 Jettas. Drivers report that their vehicles jerk when shifting from second to third gear, as well as suffer from a slipping transmission while moving at 35-50 miles an hour.
Is the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta a reliable car?
The reliability is almost on par with the Japanese cars. The build quality is very solid. The Jetta I have is an SE, so it is not loaded with too many fancy features. However, you can tell that the manufacturer did not compromise on quality and ended up using cheap plastic parts and did BMW in numerous cases.
What is a common problem in Volkswagen Jetta?
Automatic gearbox problems
It has been known for the automatic gearboxes on these cars to suffer with different problems. One of the most common problems is for the gears struggling to change, which could be caused by problems with the gear linkage. Does this video below sound anything like your problem?
Are Jettas high maintenance?
The 2021 Jetta ranks for lowest cost of maintenance compared to other compact sedans. The 2021 Passat and Arteon have lower maintenance costs than similar midsize sedans by Toyota, Honda, or Hyundai. The 2021 Atlas Cross Sport has the lowest maintenance costs of the midsize SUV category.
Is 2012 Jetta TSI a good car?
ON THE ROAD | RATING: 3/5. Driveability: The Jetta's 118kW 1.4 litre petrol four has an eagerness to its power delivery that belies its small capacity. There's 240Nm of torque between 1500rpm and 4000rpm - right where you need it - and that's plenty for a small sedan such as this.
2012 Volkswagen Jetta car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Volkswagen Jetta problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Engine problems
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2012 Volkswagen Jetta vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
The NHTSA has received 520 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2012 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-01
- VIN: 3VWLL7AJ5CM
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Clock spring went out and would have failed to deploy the airbags if i was in an accident. there was no notification that said it went out. NHTSA campaign number - 15V483000
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-15
- VIN: 3VWPL7AJ1CM
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: 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
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-07
- VIN: 3VWPL7AJ1CM
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: 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
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-20
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: I was driving on the road going up a hill and my fuel was just alittle low about 120 miles my car sputtered and died and didn't start back up stuck on the road with barley any gaurd rail so I'm partially in the lane and I got it looked at and my high pressure fuel pump failed and sent metal scrapes all throughout my fuel system so it's estimated around 10k to replace I got told it's because the pump barley lost fuel and it uses that to lubricate itself so somthing as simple as one of the pumps going out and this problem can occur or a slight short im just reporting because many others have had this issue with the pump and mine shouldn't have even had nothing going on at 120 miles 1/4 of a tank and I did look in my tank and confirmed I had fuel that I filled up at my local gas station in the middle of the city so it's not bad diesel I own a 2012 volkswagen jetta 2.0l tdi cjaa
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-22
- VIN: 3VWBX7AJ1CM
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: The contact's daughter owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at undisclosed speeds in the rain, an abnormal popping sound was heard. The wipers were moving slowly and became inoperable. The contact stated that after turning on the windshield wipers, the wiper blades went into the down position. The driver was able to pull over. There were no warning lights illuminated. The owner called an unknown local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-03
- VIN: 3VW3L7AJ4CM
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: A bolt holding my CV Joint backed out causing the bracket between two of the bolts to come lose. The bracket then swung as I drove a created a hole in my transmission. This caused me to lose transmission fluid and damage my transmission. My car has only been serviced at VW certified dealers so I am very disappointed with this issue
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-01
- VIN: 3VWLP7AJ3CM
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Everytime I fill with gas car will not start.i have to pump accelerator, then it will start.it starts normally on all other occasions. This has been happening for about 6 months or 5 thousand miles.
STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-02
- VIN: 3VWDX7AJ1CM
- Components: STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
- Summary: I remember having my keys in my hand and my car was slowly reversing out the driveway. I panicked, i was stomping on my brakes for a while jerking back and it took me about 2 minutes to finally get the key back in and try to put in park again. I went to a shop the following weekend because all the jerking and jabbing to get my key back in seems to have caused my ignition switch to misfire or whatever the word he (mechanic) used, so now i cannot take my key out like a regular person, I have to flick my key a certain way out anytime i want to turn my car off.(even mechanics have a hard time taking it out. I was also given a qr code to scan and was brought the this exact recall of the situation with my car. I now have my engine light on and [XXX] gave me the fault code for my map sensor. I’m not sure if the two are related but this was following the incident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-01
- VIN: 3VW2K7AJXCM
- Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V615000 (Electrical System, Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while using the key to start the vehicle, the key spun around in the ignition cylinder and failed to start the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-15
- VIN: 3VWDX7AJ8CM
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: ABS module controlling the Anti-Lock brake system has failed. I am told there is a recall for earlier models of this car for the very same issue but not for 2012 model year. This is a safety issue that is very expensive to fix and primarily by the dealer requiring factory programming of a new expensive ABS module
STEERING,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-06
- VIN: 3VWPL7AJ7CM
- Components: STEERING,ENGINE
- Summary: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-01-01
- VIN: 3VWDX7AJ8CM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: Horn only occasionally works when honking and/or locking car, which increases the risk of a crash since I can’t always use my horn to alert other drivers of presence. One front headlight only occasionally works (lightbulb is not the issue), which increases the risk of a crash since other drivers may not be able to see me as well & I am not able to see the road as well in the dark. Cruise control does not work at all, which increases risk of speeding and therefore increases risk of crash. Dealer has inspected horn/headlight issue but could not determine cause. No warning signs. Issues first appeared a couple years ago.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-12-23
- VIN: 3VWLL7AJ4CM
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: My DPF system failed after my warranty ran out, about 128,000mi. and VW charged me $3000 to replace the DPF, then two days later the Nox Catalyst failed and they wanted another $2500 out of me. I tried the regen like the manual says, and the car went in limp mode 75 miles from my house in the middle of the highway. The car is not safe to drive, and they would not tell me if replacing the Nox catalyst will fix my problem, or just reveal another multi thousand dollar problem. The car is parked for the past 6 months and is not drivable.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-06-01
- VIN: 3VWLL7AJ5CM
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Cannot turn engine off. Key gets stuck in ignition when turning off the engine. Dealer confirmed it's an on-going and common issue. Replacement parts also fail. Only way to turn car off was to pull the fuel pump fuse.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-06-07
- VIN: 3VW2K7AJ9CM
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate properly. Additionally, the contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was shuddering. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-05
- VIN: 3VWDP7AJ7CM
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Key stuck in ignition, can't turn off
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-22
- VIN: 3VW1K7AJ1CM
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: The brakes randomly engage while driving and sometimes while parking, without touching the brake pedal. After this happens and you're driving for a while, there is a burning smell, likely from the brakes being engaged while driving and not applying the brakes.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-02-15
- VIN: 3VWLX7AJ1CM
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The passenger mirror on my car was fine while I was driving to work and then when I went to change lanes I looked over in the mirror was black and had melted from it being a heated mirror I’m guessing but then I can’t see anything out of the mirror so it is a major safety issue but the mirror had melted and turned black thank you
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-02-10
- VIN: 3VWDP7AJ1CM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The passenger side door actuator/wiring is not locking appropriately. Through the use of the key fob locking the car doesn't lock the passenger door and every time the vehicle is in motion at 10mph it tries to initiate the auto-locking but fails to lock the passenger door. This enables the passenger to open their door at any rate of speed without automatic safety protection. I have seen this be an issue with other Volkswagen Jetta cars online through car parts stores and online forums, but no recalls as of yet. As of right now, I have not had the vehicle inspected but will be looking to do so this week. There were no warning lights or messages that appeared. It just started two days ago and the only way I realized it was a problem is when I would stop and continue driving it would try to auto-lock when I hit 10mph. Concerns arose when I was driving my 8-month-pregnant wife around town.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-01-01
- VIN: 3VW2K7AJ2CM
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: The ABS module has failed and caused lights in dash to illuminate for ABS, Traction control, and airbags. Requires full replacement and reconfiguration of ABS module
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-01-09
- VIN: 3VWLL7AJ9CM
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated he smelled a strong odor of carbon dioxide inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test however, no failure was found. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the vehicle did not have a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tank. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 100,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-12-23
- VIN: 3VWDX7AJ5CM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic linked the failure to an electrical failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V483000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-01-10
- VIN: 3VW3L7AJ9CM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he noticed a burning odor and smoke coming from the vents into the cabin of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that he pulled apart the heater and noticed that the wiring had melted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, the contact was only able to leave a voicemail. The call was not returned. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-11-01
- VIN: 3VWDP7AJ5CM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The locking system is hit and miss at this time. The automatic locks do not lock all the doors. Sometimes the trunk will not open, either using the fob, or the trunk release. The windows don't always work either. Child lock doors can be unlocked. I am planning on taking it in for service, however, VW charges $165 just to do a diagnostic check and cannot give me a range of what it could cost to repair. I am a senior on a budget. I have seen identical complaints on the internet for this vehicle and cannot understand why there hasn't been a recall. If I spend the money to get this repaired and then there's a recall, do I get my money back from VW?
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-12-08
- VIN: 3VWDP7AJ1CM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Unable to remove the key from the ignition to turn the car off, constantly getting stuck with the engine on other times hard to turn to get the car started. I see multiple recalls for this for some reason my car is not amongst them. 3VWDP7AJ1CM302229
2012 Volkswagen Jetta recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 8 recalls for different components of the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta.
- Manufacturer: Tenneco Automotive
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
- Summary: Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
- Consequence: If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
- Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
- Summary: 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."
- Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
- Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: SUSPENSION:REAR
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: The reduced durability of the trailing arm may result in its sudden fracture, possibly causing loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a sheet metal inlay on the rear axle trailing arms designed to prevent a sudden loss of control in the event of trailing arm sudden fracture, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
- Manufacturer: The Gates Corporation
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
- Summary: The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
- Consequence: A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
- Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: DUE TO THE RESONANCE CONDITION, INJECTOR LINE NUMBER 2 COULD DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE. LEAKING FUEL IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
- Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED FUEL INJECTOR LINE FOR THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER ON CERTAIN VEHICLES AND WILL INSTALL VIBRATION DAMPERS ON ALL OF THE INJECTOR LINES. VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS TO HAVE THE VEHICLES REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
- Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
- Summary: 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. THESE EXHAUST TIPS MAY EXTEND BEYOND THE ORIGINAL LENGTH OF THE FACTORY-INSTALLED EXHAUST PIPES. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR INADVERTENT CONTACT TO OCCUR WITH A PERSON'S LEG.
- Consequence: IF THE TAILPIPE EXTENSION IS HOT DURING INADVERTENT CONTACT, A BURN COULD OCCUR.
- Remedy: 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.
Negative 2012 Volkswagen Jetta car reviews
Positive 2012 Volkswagen Jetta car reviews
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This car is amazing! It's the most reasonably priced car in its fuel mileage range that doesn't feel like a toy. Although the interior isn't flashy, it's still comfortable and practical. I've put 12,000 miles on it and have no complaints. Last weekend, I got my first 50MPG trip and in mixed driving, I get 38 on the low side and can always depend on 44 to 45 MPG highway driving with cruise control on 65 or 70 from Fresno to Los Angeles and back. The DSG transmission takes a while to get used to, but once you do, it's a great car. Plus, it has lots of torque and a huge backseat!
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Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share my experience with my TDI Jetta 4 door with premium. After test driving several other cars, including the BMW 328i, I found that this car's ride is almost as good as the BMW's, but for 15-20k less! Plus, the cost to insure, maintain, and fuel up with premium is significantly less than with the BMW. I've had my car for 5 months now and have just broken 6,000 miles. On a recent trip from the Bay Area to San Diego, I averaged an impressive 44.3 mpg on less than one tank of diesel. And the best part? I didn't detect any diesel smell! The car handles great and has plenty of power. In fact, I had trouble keeping it under 80 on I-5. Thanks for listening to my story!
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My husband and I bought this car for its great gas mileage, and the Jetta has definitely delivered. I drive 100 miles a day on the highway for work, as well as running errands, and I only need to fill up once a week (which costs around $50 per tank). The car is not only comfortable, but also very responsive when driving. As someone who spends a lot of time on the road, I really appreciate the Bluetooth hands-free system that syncs with my phone.
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I bought this Jetta TDI in late 2011 and it has been a great experience so far! The car is both fun and fast, with a great sound system and a sporty look. I even threw some black wheels on there and now it feels like I'm driving a sports car. What's more, the car held up pretty well in a horrible wreck I was in back in October 2011. I was able to drive it home, while the other driver had to be towed and her car was totaled. Overall, I find this car to be safe, reliable, well-built, and fun to drive. Plus, I get about 35-40 MPG, which is great for my wallet and the environment!
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I still love this car! It's going strong and I would definitely recommend it. Changing to V rated tires was the best thing I ever did - it's tough but has even better handling and less road noise. I'm starting year 2 and still love the car, and would buy it again without hesitation. They asked me to update this review, and guess what? I still love it! It's one of the best purchases I've ever made. I still have no idea what the back seat is like, but in my case, it's perfectly clean. The trunk size is awesome. I wish it had a temp gauge, but the only maintenance I've done to date is two oil changes and the rear brakes. I average about 34 mpg (mixed driving, highway/city) and fill it once a week with Shell 93. Depending on how many accidents RI has that week on 95, I might see the 1/2 mark. I have to say, I would have liked the car to have come with fog lights, but you can get them added. It's by no means a negative, just with all the other bells and whistles this car has. In the end, I still love it and would without thought do it again. I highly, highly recommend this car! I have the manual and there are still times when I get bogged down because there is no way to turn off the ETC in this model, so it thinks on a fast takeoff, you are slipping. It's just something to get used to and adjust my driving habits. I love the manual - it's smooth and precise. However, the road noise can be loud, but I'm not sure if it's the wrong tires. I miss a water gauge - everything is an idiot light. The interior looks very nice, but it is plastic. Just saying, my sitting position puts the passenger B pillar in my line of sight for left-hand turns...Otherwise, this car is excellent! It has everything you need except for a navigation system, but you can easily connect your iPhone via Bluetooth and have the instructions come through the stereo speakers. I highly recommend this car - no questions or second thoughts. Just make sure to get the SE or above version. I love this car more and more every day! A few things to note: 1) This is a VW, but where on earth is the alarm horn located? It stopped chirping and I can't find a manual that tells me where it is to fix it. 2) Make sure to get V-rated tires - this car was made to move, so get the tires that can keep up. 3) I have over 100K miles on it now and it still moves and looks like it's new! 4) The tune-up is at 80K, just a heads up. I've been asked many times what year my car is and if I would get it again or recommend it. The answer is yes, I have a 2012 and I love it. I'm not sure why Edmunds thinks it needs to be updated every year, but this will be my last update. I love the car and without hesitation, I would get it again and recommend it.
Other years of Volkswagen Jetta
Are you having problems with your 2012 Volkswagen Jetta?
Clifford Kemmer 2024-10-13
It's really disappointing to hear about the intercooler problem on your VW. It's understandable that you feel frustrated, especially since it seems like a design flaw that many others have experienced as well. It's unfortunate that VW is not covering it under warranty. Thank you for sharing your experience and warning others to stay away.
Abe King 2024-08-13
This is a great car! I recently switched from a Honda Pilot to a Jetta. I know some people complain about acceleration, but most compacts are slow and have CVT transmission anyway, so it won't matter which compact you choose, they're all slow. However, I really like the interior and trunk space. The only downside is that the gas mileage is the same as my Pilot, which is a bit disappointing. Overall, this car is perfect for everyday commuting and getting around.
Dalton Stracke 2024-08-12
52k miles. Although the interior is cheap, the car has a nice look. However, it doesn't feel or sound as solid as my German built '13 TDI Golf. The ventilation controls feel frail, but so far there have been no mechanical problems. Although there is a fear of the fuel pump issue, we generally like the car. However, we wouldn't buy it again. The MPG's are the same as my traded '08 Civic 5sp, so there is no advantage using pricy diesel or paying VW service rates. The particulate filter is not very efficient and burning raw fuel without contributing to forward motion hurts efficiency. I am also concerned about the $12/qt oil. VW owns the arbitrary spec and charges for access to it. Truthfully, I wish I could have my Red '01 Jetta again. It had better materials, better MPG's, was simpler, and had better ride and handling qualities.
Prince Hessel 2024-07-13
Although I was new to VW, I was relatively impressed by the Jetta. However, I really wanted the GLI but was not ready to pay $30,000 for a small sedan. Unfortunately, the car started to have some issues within just 2 months. All door panels were rattling, suspension was squeaking, and the engine became sluggish. Despite a few trips to the dealer, the issues persisted even after almost a year. The engine is still not responsive, and the MPG is getting worse. It seems that VW quality has slipped a lot from what I can gather, and the dealer is less than willing to help fix the problems. Unless you are getting a GLI, I would not recommend wasting your money on this car.
Mallory Swaniawski 2024-07-12
I have mixed feelings about the Jetta TDI/Premium. On one hand, I absolutely love the styling, and the fuel economy is unbeatable for an ICE. Additionally, the low end torque makes it zippy and fun to drive. However, VW has left a lot to be desired by leaving the DSG unrefined, not polishing out creaks and rattles, and cheaping out in areas like the MFD and the touch screen software. It feels like the car was well designed in Germany, but then dressed down by a bureaucrat on a computer and exported to America. Despite these issues, the styling, fuel economy, and options are still far better than the Civic and the Elantra. Whether it's worth the extra $3000 on the sticker is up for debate, but I would say it's a solid buy as a used or preowned car.