Home · 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Hev · Complaints

What 639 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Hev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (639)Crash / fire / injury (43)Electrical system (200)Fuel system (96)Engine (93)Fuel System, Diesel (82)Transmission & drivetrain (55)Lights (46)Airbags (38)Brakes (28)Engine & cooling (26)Speed control (26)

Newest first · 639 complaints · page 15 of 26

Feb 9, 2015Engine & coolingFuel system

WAS DRIVING OUR 2011 JETTA SPORTWAGEN TDI 25 MPH AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ENGINE HEATER LIGHT WERE FLASHING. CAR WENT INTO SAFE MODE WITH VERY LITTLE THROTTLE CONTROL. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD A CATASTROPHIC FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. FOUND OTHER CAR OWNERS ONLINE HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES. IT IS BEING COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT IF THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. THIS WOULD BE A HUGE EXPENSE OVER $6,000.00 IF NOT UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10682233

Feb 7, 2015Electrical system

ON NOVEMBER 22,2014, I TURNED ON MY CAR LIKE ANY OTHER DAY AND HEADED TO GO RUN SOME ERRANDS, EVERYTHING APPEARED FINE. I HEADED TO MY FIRST ERRAND AND AFTER FINISHED I TURNED MY CAR ON AGAIN BUT MY STEREO WOULD NOT TURN ON. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON THINKING THAT THAT WAS GOING TO FIX IT BUT NOTHING, THE STEREO SIMPLY APPEARED DEAD. I HAD NEVER HAD STEREO PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THIS SO I WAS QUITE SURPRISED THAT WITHOUT A WARNING MY STEREO WOULD JUST DIE. THAT SAME DAY I CALLED THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID I COULD SIMPLY STOP BY AND THEY'D HAVE MY STEREO LOOKED AT BUT WHEN I SHOWED UP THEY SAID IT WOULD BE $140 SIMPLY TO GET IT DIAGNOSED AND THEN I'D STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS! NEEDLESS TO SAY I WALKED OUT. I COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT THEY WOULDN'T EVEN GIVE MY STEREO A COMPLIMENTARY DIAGNOSTIC! THE SAME DAY I TOOK MY CAR TO A SPECIALIST AND HAD THE FUSES CHECKED AND THE FUSES WERE FINE BUT IT APPEARS I NEEDED A COMPLETELY NEW STEREO! MY CAR IS RELATIVELY NEW TO HAVE STEREO PROBLEMS, THIS IS UNHEARD OF! I HAVE ALWAYS GIVEN MY CAR THE PROPER MAINTENANCE AND I AM QUITE UNHAPPY WITH THIS ISSUE. HAVING LOOKED AT MULTIPLE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE ONLINE I HOPE VW CAN ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM VERY SOON. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10681904

Feb 7, 2015Electrical systemFuel system

ON FEBRUARY 1, 2014 I TURNED ON MY CAR AND HEADED TO CHURCH AT ABOUT 1 IN THE AFTERNOON, EVERYTHING APPEARED FINE. AFTER CHURCH I DID THE SAME; HOWEVER, SHORTLY AFTER I HAD LEFT THE CHURCH PARKING LOT THE GLOW PLUG AND BATTERY SYMBOLS STARTED FLASHING AND SUDDENLY MY ENGINE STOPPED. OUT OF NOWHERE MY CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, THANK GOODNESS I HAD MANAGED TO STEER TO THE SIDE AND THAT THE CARS ON THE ROAD MANAGED TO GO AROUND ME BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE TURNED OUT INTO A TRAGEDY. I HAD NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MY ENGINE/BATTERY NOR DID ANY OF THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS LIGHT UP PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. I TRIED TURNING MY CAR BACK ON SEVERAL TIMES BUT IT WAS UNRESPONSIVE. THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR SOUNDED FINE BUT FOR SOME REASON THE CAR JUST WOULDN'T START BACK UP. COULD IT HAVE BEEN THE FUEL PUMP? MY CAR RUNS ON DIESEL AND I HAVE ALWAYS FUELED IT WITH THE APPROPRIATE FUEL WITHOUT ANY ISSUES SO WHAT NOW? I HAD TO PUSH MY CAR OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND CALL A TOW SERVICE TO TOW MY CAR HOME. OVER THE NEXT WEEK I DROVE A RENTAL TO WORK AND CALLED THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP AND LEFT MULTIPLE MESSAGES FOR PARTS AND SERVICE AND FOR THE PERSON IN CHARGE OF EXTENDED WARRANTY. IT'S BEEN A WEEK AND THEY HAVE NOT ANSWERED. MY CAR HAS BEEN OUT OF A WARRANTY NOW FOR A WHILE, HOWEVER I HAVE MAINTAINED IT AND GIVEN IT THE PROPER CARE SO IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE THAT A 2011 VEHICLE WOULD SIMPLY STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT A WARNING. I AM SURE THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND I WOULD LIKE FOR IT TO BE RESOLVED PROMPTLY, I AM SURE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS HAD THIS ISSUE IN THE PAST AS I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS AND THERE HAS EVEN BEEN A FEW RECALLS FOR PREVIOUS DIESEL MODELS REGARDING ISSUES SIMILAR TO MINE. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10681911

Feb 5, 2015Engine & cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE COOLANT LEVEL DECREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT FILLED THE COOLANT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

NHTSA ODI 10681464

Feb 3, 2015Electrical system

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE WIPERS TO TURN OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. ALSO, THE HORN AND THE TEMPERATURE CONTROLS FAILED TO WORK. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V196000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10680814

Jan 24, 2015Electrical system

THE RADIO MALFUNCTIONED AND THE HANDS FREE PHONE OPERATION WAS ALSO DISABLED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITHOUT THE HANDSFREE PHONE OPTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10678703

Jan 23, 2015Transmission & drivetrain

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AS THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE LOW AIR PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION INDEPENDENTLY AS THE DRIVE POSITION LIGHT FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MECH TRONIC UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V333000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10678518

Jan 22, 2015Fuel system

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE, RESULTING IN DAMAGE THAT REQUIRED REPLACING THE ENTIRE DIESEL FUEL SYSTEM. REPAIR COVERED UNDER VW WARRANTY, ESTIMATED COST (ACCORDING TO VW) HAD THIS NOT BEEN COVERED WAS $8000. THIS FAILURE WAS NOT DUE TO MIS-FUELING, HOWEVER THE FUEL TANK WAS VERY LOW. I HAVE NO REASSURANCES FROM THE MANUFACTURE THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL NOT REOCCUR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10678332

Jan 20, 2015WheelsFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OR NOT AND WHO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

NHTSA ODI 10676634

Jan 18, 2015Engine

I HAVE A 2011 VW JETTA TDI (DIESEL). AFTER LEAVING MY CAR PARKED FOR ABOUT A WEEK, IT WOULD NOT START. THE BATTERY WAS FINE, SO I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT CONDENSATE HAD BUILD UP IN MY INTERCOOLER AND AIR INTAKE LINES AND FROZEN. THE SUGGESTED REPAIR WAS TO REPLACE THE INTERCOOLER, AND ASSOCIATED PARTS, BUT I HAD THEM THAW AND DRAIN THE LINES AND TOOK MY CAR HOME. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE IF THE CONDENSATE BUILT UP IN THE LINES AND GOT INTO MY ENGINE I CAN POTENTIALLY THROW A ROD CAUSING SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE. I ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAID WHILE UNLIKELY, IT COULD POTENTIALLY HAPPEN. I'D LIKE TO KNOW THE PREVALENCE OF THIS IN THE 2011 JETTA TDI SO I CAN MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION ABOUT THE FUTURE OF MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10676287

Jan 13, 2015Lights

EXTERIOR LIGHTS KEPT GOING OUT - FIRST THE FRONT LEFT LOW BEAM AND THEN THE HIGH BEAM, THEN THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT LIGHTS, THEN REAR BRAKE LIGHTS - RIGHT, THEN LEFT. PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AS A FUSE PLATE - "FOUND 30AMP FUSE THAT CONTROLS LIGHTS THAT ARE OUT IS MELTED AND BLOWN" KNOW THIS WAS PART OF A RECALL FOR OTHER VIN #S FOR THE 2011 JETTA BUT BELIEVE THE PART WAS FLAWED/HAD A DEFECT AND VW WON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10672086

Jan 13, 2015Lights

RIGHT SIDE HEADLIGHT STOPPED WORKING. I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CHANGED THE LIGHT BULB. ONE DAY LATER, THE RIGHT SIDE HEADLIGHT STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10672239

Jan 8, 2015Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

BROUGHT TO DEALER FOR A DPF LIGHT. DEALER DIAGNOSED WITH A CLOGGED PARTICULATE FILTER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. PICKED UP CAR DROVE ABOUT 5 MILES AND THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT CAME ON TURNED AROUND AND HEADED BACK TO DEALER CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE (ON I93 RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC) SHUT CAR OFF IN VW PARKING LOT AND TECH COULD NOT GET IT TO START AGAIN. RECEIVED A CALL NEXT DAY WITH THE HPFP FAILURE NEWS AND THE FRAGMENT WENT THROUGH THE ENTIRE SYSTEM. DEALER TESTED FUEL AND CONFIRMED NO GAS IN THE 3/4 OF A TANK THAT IS IN THE CAR CURRENTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10670911

Jan 6, 2015Electrical systemEngineFuel systemFire

I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR EARLIER THAT DAY (ABOUT 40 MILES) WITH NO PROBLEMS. I GOT HOME AT ABOUT 7:30PM AND PARKED THE CAR OUTSIDE OUR HOUSE. AT ABOUT 2AM, I HEARD A BEEPING CAR HORN. I LOOKED OUTSIDE AND SAW FLAMES COMING OUT OF THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF OUR BEAUTIFUL 2011 JETTA SPORTWAGEN. I DIALED 911, THE CAR CONTINUED TO BURN UNTIL THE FIRE DEPT ARRIVED AND PUT IT OUT. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. I'M ONLY HAPPY IT WASN'T PARKED INSIDE A GARAGE WHERE THE FIRE WOULD HAVE DESTROYED OUR HOUSE AS WELL. NO WORK HAD BEEN DONE ON THE CAR RECENTLY AND NO AFTERMARKET OPTIONS WERE INSTALLED. I HAVE ONLY ONE QUESTION - WHAT COULD CAUSE A COMPLETELY COLD CAR (NOT DRIVEN IN OVER 6 HOURS) TO SUDDENLY BURST INTO FLAME?? THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI 10670446

Dec 22, 2014Lights

I PURCHASED A USED 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA IN JULY 2012 WITH APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES. 6 MONTHS LATER I NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS WAS OUT. I LOOKED UP THE REPLACEMENT BULB AND PURCHASED A H7 HALOGEN BULB FOR APPROXIMATELY $25. A FEW MORE MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD THE OTHER HEADLIGHT WENT OUT, AGAIN, I PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT BULB AT PRICE POINT OF $25. SINCE THEN I HAVE REPLACED EACH HEADLIGHT AT LEAST TWO MORE TIMES. WITH THAT SAID, I AM NOW COMING TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THERE HAS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE JETTAS HEADLIGHTS. I'VE NOTICED OTHER JETTA'S ON THE ROAD WITH HEADLIGHTS OUT AS WELL. IN MOST CARS LIGHTS LAST AT LEAST YEAR OR MORE. I RECALL IN A PREVIOUS VEHICLE I REPLACEMENT THE LIGHTS ONCE AND THAT WAS AFTER 3 MAYBE 4 YEARS, AND THESE WERE ALL DAY RUNNING LIGHTS. THE COST TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WOULD BE $149 AND THAT IS JUST TO LOOK AT THE CAR. THAT WOULD BE UNFAIR FOR ME TO PAY $149 EVERY TIME THE LIGHT GOES OUT BECAUSE OF AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10667802

Dec 21, 2014Engine

I WAS DRIVING 40 MPH AND THE CAR LOST POWER AND THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT TURN ON AND OFF THEN THE CAR TURNED OFF AND IT DIDN'T TURN BACK ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10667519

Dec 18, 2014Engine & coolingFuel System, DieselElectrical system

NOVEMBER 2014 INCIDENTS: TWO INCIDENTS OF FAILING TO START. FIRST INCIDENT: CAR FAILED TO START ONCE AND STARTED ON SECOND TRY. SECOND INCIDENT: CAR SEVERAL TIMES FAILED TO START & ENGINE MADE CLANKING NOISE. HAD CAR TOWED TO VW AGENCY. CAR STARTED AFTER UNLOADED FROM TOW TRUCK AND AGENCY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. DECEMBER 2014 INCIDENT: CAR STARTED, BUT AFTER SLOWLY DRIVING TO PARKING LOT EXIT AND BEFORE AT FULL STOP, AT ENGINE QUIT AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND BACKED DOWN A SLIGHT GRADE TO GET CAR OUT OF TRAFFIC; AFTER COMING TO A STOP THE CAR STARTED UP.

NHTSA ODI 10667095

Dec 17, 2014Fuel system

WHILE DRIVING, THE HPFP PUMP FAILED. THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT CAME ON, STARTED TO BLINK, THE CAR WENT INTO FAIL SAFE MODE, AND THEN DIED. ALL TOOK PLACE WITHIN 6 MINUTES ON A HIGHWAY. CAR TAKEN TO DEALER AND CONFIRMED THAT THE HPFP FAILED AND SENT METAL DEBRIS INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM WHICH CONTAMINATED ALL OTHER FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS (PUMPS, LINES, FILTERS, HOUSINGS, INJECTORS, ETC.) VW CUSTOMER CARE PROVIDED EXCELLENT SUPPORT DURING REPAIRS WHICH REQUIRED REPLACING ALL COMPONENTS IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THIS IS BEING REPORTED FOR TRACKING PURPOSES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10666995

Dec 16, 2014Visibility & wipers

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONTAL WINDSHIELD WIPERS SEIZED AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10664548

Dec 12, 2014Electrical systemLights

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT DIAGNOSED THAT A FUSE MELTED AND DAMAGED THE FUSE BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V569000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ODI 10663757

Dec 11, 2014Fuel System, Diesel

WAS DRIVING IN PARKING LOT WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY DIED WHILE UNDERWAY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THANKFULLY IT HAPPENED AT A RELATIVELY LOW SPEED AND WHILE NOT IN TRAFFIC AS THERE WAS LITTLE TO NO WARNING BEFORE THE ENGINE DIED COMPLETELY CAUSING LOSS OF POWER, STEERING, BRAKING ETC. AFTER TOWING VEHICLE TO VOLKSWAGEN OF SOUTH CHARLOTTE, THEY INDICATED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED RESULTING IN METAL PARTICLES FROM THE PUMP BEING SENT THROUGH ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM. DEALER INDICATED CAUSE WAS BAD FUEL, HOWEVER, I ALSO HAVE A DIESEL TRUCK THAT I FILL UP AT THE SAME STATION ALL THE TIME AND HAVE NEVER HAD ISSUE WITH IT. WHILE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY BY VW, AFTER RESEARCHING THIS, IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS HAPPENING FREQUENTLY ENOUGH THAT IT IS LIKELY A DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10663550

Dec 11, 2014Lights

HEADLIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS AND LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS ALL WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH A TODDLER IN THE CAR. NUMEROUS WARNINGS FLASHED ON THE CAR. TRACKED DOWN THE PROBLEM TO A MELTED FUSE CONNECTION ON THE FUSE PLATE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, NEXT TO THE BATTERY. THE FUSE (F16) WAS ALSO MELTED. I REPLACED THE FUSE AND EVERYTHING IS NOW WORKING, BUT SINCE THE PLATE IS STILL MELTED, I'M CONCERNED THE ISSUE WILL REOCCUR. I CALLED VW AND APPARENTLY THERE IS A SERVICE ACTION (97AM) TO FIX THIS EXACT ISSUE FOR JETTA SEDANS AND GTIS BUT NOT JETTA SPORTWAGENS. SINCE I'M HAVING THE SAME ISSUE, I BELIEVE THAT THIS SERVICE ACTION SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO 2011 JETTA SPORTWAGENS AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10663629

Dec 8, 2014Body & structure

STANDING WATER IN THE WHEEL WELLS TRACED TO SUNROOF DRAINAGE HOSES NOT ATTACHED TO DRAINS BECAUSE THE CLIPS MEANT TO HOLD THE HOSE IN PLACE MALFUNCTIONED AND ALLOWED THE HOSE TO "BACK OUT" OF PLACE. THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY APPARENT AS CAR IS USUALLY KEPT GARAGED. BODY SHOP, INTERNET DISCUSSIONS AND DEALERSHIP HAVE ALL REPORTED THEY BELIEVE THIS IS DUE TO A VW DESIGN FLAW. THIS IS NOT A RESULT OF CONSUMER NEGLECT, MILEAGE OR AGE OF CAR. THE CARPETING AND SOUND-DAMPENING UNDER PAD ARE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO MOLD AND MILDEW CONCERNS. TO REPAIR, THE HOSES WILL BE RECLAMPED INTO PLACE. TOTAL REPAIR COST ~$1700. VW WILL COVER PARTS CITING "PART FAILURE," BUT DECLINES TO COVER LABOR COSTS. PURCHASE OF "PLATINUM" LEVEL EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH NEW CAR WILL COVER ONLY 1/3 THE LABOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10662889

Dec 2, 2014Fuel system

WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON A 2 LANE ROAD WHEN IT BUCKED AS IF IT HAD A CYLINDER GO DEAD FOR JUST A SECOND. NOTE: THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN THIS IS OR DOES HAPPEN. IT JUST DOES IT.... BUT IT WAS HIT AN MISS. I LOOKED AT THE DASH PANNEL AND SEEN THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT FLASHING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND THE MESSAGE CENTER SERVICE ENGINE NOW. I WAS 40 MILES FROM THE CLOSEST VW DEALER. SO, I HEADED TO THE CLOSEST AUTO PARTS SHOP TO SEE THE CODES IT HAD PRODUCED. P1007, P0088 AND P0087 ARE THE ONES I REMEMBERED. THE CAR WAS RUNNING BUT OBVIOUSLY NOT GOOD. IT LACKED ANY POWER,COULD BARELY PULL ITSELF UP A HILL UNLESS YOU DOWN SHIFTED. IT FINALLY DIED AT A INTERSECTION AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I GOT MY TRUCK AND TRAILER AND TOWED IT TO THE DEALER WHO STATED IT HAD SUFFERED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP CATISTROPHIC FAILURE.... WHEN THEY CALLED THEY STATED IT WAS GOOD AND BAD NEWS. BAD NEWS IT WAS GOING TO BE 2-3 WEEKS IN THE SHOP. GOOD NEWS IS, THERE IS SO MUCH DAMAGE (6500.00) WORTH THAT VW IS PAYING FOR ALL THE REPAIRS PLUS I HAVE A LOANER CAR. THE WHOLE FUEL SYSTEMS HAS TO BE REPLACED. 1 IN TANK FUEL PUMP AND PRE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND THE PRIMARY HPFP THE ONE THAT SELF IMPLODED THE INJECTORS, AND ALL THE FUEL LINES AND FILTERS. REASON IS THE METAL PARTS THAT FLOATED THRU THE SYSTEM COULD BLOCK ANY PART OF THE FUEL SYSTEM OR BE HUNG UP AND IF SO, COULD RETURN TO THE FUEL TANK AND BE PUMPED BACK IN. WITH SUCH CLOSE TOLERANCES ANY THING COULD INTURN RE-DESTROY THE SYSTEM SO TOTAL REPLACEMENT IS REQUIRED. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IN 35 YEARS I WAS LEFT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THANKS VW CORPORATION FOR OWNING UP TO THIS ISSUE AND COMPLETING THE REPAIRS. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10661504

Nov 28, 2014Transmission & drivetrainEngine

THIS CAR STALLS OUT AS IT SLOWS DOWN. IT DOES NOT CHANGE TO A LOWER GEAR IN TIME WHEN DECELERATING AND STALLS OUT. IT WILL NOT STALL OUT EVERY TIME I SLOW DOWN. I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL STALL. IT'S VERY RANDOM AND I HAVE STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS AND ANY SITUATION SLOWING DOWN. I BROUGHT THIS CAR BACK TO THE DEAL TWICE AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I PLEADED WITH THEM THAT THE CAR IS DANGEROUS BUT THEY SENT ME PACKING. I AM WRITING THIS BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT THEM TO RESELL THIS CAR TO SOMEONE, THE CAR STALLS OUT AND THEY GET INJURED. FOR FOUR YEAR, I HAVE HAD TO DRIVE THIS CAR USING EITHER THE MANUAL SHIFT, OR PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL WHEN SLOWING DOWN. I AM RETURNING THE CAR TODAY. PLEASE DON'T LET THEM RESELL THIS CAR. ALSO, SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 6TH GEAR. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT STAY UP. I WILL ROLL IT UP AND IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY ROOM DOWN LIKE SOMETHING IS OBSTRUCTING IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10661181

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Working with the data? Download all 639 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Hev verdict →