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)

82 of 639 complaints match · Fuel System, Diesel · clear filters · page 2 of 4

Jul 24, 2013Fuel System, DieselSpeed control

I WAS PASSING A SEMI AND NEEDED TO ACCELERATE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF CAR TO MY REAR...DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND NO RESPONSE. TWO DAYS LATER EXPERIENCED SIMILAR EVENT AT LOW SPEED (30 MPH). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10531571

Jul 9, 2013Fuel System, DieselFuel system

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH AND A "SERVICE ENGINE NOW" INDICATOR LIT. AT THIS TIME, THE CAR ENTERED LIMP MODE AND POWER WAS GREATLY REDUCED. I DECIDED TO DRIVE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALER TO DROP IT OFF. OVER THE NEXT FEW MINUTES THE CAR PRODUCED LESS AND LESS POWER (A FEELING AKIN TO RUNNING OUT OF GAS, BUT THERE WAS STILL 1/2 TANK OF DIESEL IN THE CAR) UNTIL IT DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. NO OTHER WARNINGS, NO OTHER DRIVABILITY CUES, JUST A DEAD CAR ON THE FREEWAY UNABLE TO BE STARTED OR MOVED. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS/POSSIBLY FATAL HAD I NOT BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO FORCE MY WAY TO THE SHOULDER BEFORE THE CAR COMPLETELY GAVE OUT. SO TO SUM UP - ONE OWNER (PURCHASED NEW) DIESEL JETTA; CAR MAINTAINED BY DEALER AT APPROPRIATE INTERVALS. FUELED AT PRETTY MUCH THE SAME THREE STATIONS FOR MUCH OF ITS LIFE, NEVER HAD A NON-DIESEL PUMP ANYWHERE NEAR IT; DRIVING PERFECTLY ONE MINUTE, FIVE MINUTES LATER, A DEAD CAR. IT HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALER TODAY, FROM THE SYMPTOMS IT SOUNDS LIKE THE NOTORIOUS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP) HAS CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10523939

Jul 9, 2013Fuel System, DieselEngine

THE FUEL PUMP IN MY CAR'S 2.0 TDI DIESEL ENGINE BROKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10524023

Jun 1, 2013Fuel System, DieselEngine

I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND THE POWER DROPPED TO ALMOST NOTHING. BEFORE I COULD GET TO A SAFE STOPPING POINT, THE ENGINE DIED. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY DIAGNOSED IT WITH A FAILED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP(HPFP). IF IT HAD BEEN OUT OF WARRANTY, IT WOULD HAVE COST $6000 TO REPAIR. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF A 4 LANE EXPRESSWAY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10514639

Apr 25, 2013Fuel System, Diesel

WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. BEFORE IT COULD BE PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO SAFETY, THE ENGINE DIED COMPLETELY. THE PASSENGERS HAD TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND PUSH IT ACROSS THE ROAD AND INTO A PARKING LOT. THE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT WAS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. PROPER MAINTENANCE AND FUELING OF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RIGOROUSLY FOLLOWED ON THIS VEHICLE. THE OWNER IS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND DIESEL ENGINE ENTHUSIAST. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10509518

Mar 29, 2013Fuel System, Diesel

2011 VW JETTA DIESEL AT 70 MPH GOING UP A HILL AND WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR LOST POWER AND SPEED DROPPED MAKING IT UNSAFE TO HAVE TIME TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE CARS BEHIND ME HAD TO ALL SLOW WAY DOWN TO LET ME GET OFF THE ROAD. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. MY MECHANIC COULD NOT START IT AND SAID IT WAS A FUEL PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT FIX IT. VW REPORTED THE CAR STARTED FOR THEM AND THEY RAN OFF AND FOUND FAULT FOR LOW FUEL PRESSURE BUT NO REASON FOR THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10505007

Feb 11, 2013Fuel System, DieselTransmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO, MY ENGINE BEGAN TO GIVE A CLEAR SENSE OF THE CAR SHUDDERING OR ROCKING BACK AND FORTH. WHILE SOMETIMES THE FEELING WOULD OCCUR EVEN WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE TIME THIS OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT CONSISTENT LOW SPEEDS. IN ALMOST ALL CASES, I WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAINTAIN A CONSISTENT SPEED AROUND EITHER 13PMH OR 30 MPH. EVENTUALLY, I FOUND THE ROCKING MOTION VERY EASY TO REPRODUCE. I'D SET THE CAR TO 30 MPH VIA CRUISE CONTROL AND DRIVE DOWN A STRAIGHT ROAD WITH VERY SLIGHT UPWARD AND DOWNWARD SLOPES. WHILE IT HAPPENS EVEN ON FLAT GROUND, I FOUND THAT A SLIGHT DECLINE IS MOST LIKELY TO REPRODUCE THE FEELING. MY BEST GUESS IS THAT THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT THE WAY THE FUEL SUPPLY SYSTEM/TRANSMISSION IS TRYING TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT DIESEL NEEDS TO BE SUPPLIED TO THE ENGINE. THE FUEL SUPPLY SYSTEM SEEMS TO ALMOST CUT OUT BECAUSE GIVING DIESEL WOULD PRODUCE A SPEED TOO HIGH, AND THEN IT COMES BACK ON SUDDENLY, BECAUSE GIVING IT NO DIESEL WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO SLOW TOO MUCH. WHILE SOMETIMES THIS IS SIMPLY A NUISANCE, I HAVE HAD ON MANY OCCASIONS FELT THAT IT WAS A GENUINE SAFETY HAZARD SINCE I COULDN'T PREDICT HOW THE ENGINE WOULD REACT. THIS IN COMBINATION WITH OVERLY STRONG ENGINE BREAK WHEN LETTING OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR AND DELAYED ACCELERATION WHEN STEPPING ON THE PEDDLE THAT CAN CAUSE INCONSISTENCIES AND SAFETY HAZARDS WHEN MANEUVERING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. I'VE MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM EVERY SINGLE TIME I'VE TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR IT'S REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. THE VEHICLE HAS A DIESEL DSG ENGINE, AND AS I'VE BEEN TOLD BY SERVICE TECHNICIANS AND REPRESENTATIVES, SOME OF THE THINGS LIKE STRONG ENGINE BREAKING ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS TYPE OF ENGINE. HOWEVER, THE CAR'S ROCKING MOTION CERTAINLY GOES BEYOND ANYTHING THAT COULD REALISTICALLY BE CONSIDERED NORMAL AND SAFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10497827

Dec 29, 2012Fuel System, DieselFuel system

I HAD JUST EXITED THE HIGHWAY, WHEN THE ENGINE DIED AT 35 MPH. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AFTERWARDS. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS CONTAMINATED WITH METAL SHAVINGS. THIS APPEARS TO BE ANOTHER CASE OF FAILURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WITH THE 2.0 TDI ENGINE. ONLY DIESEL FUEL HAS *EVER* BEEN USED IN THE VEHICLE. AS PER VW'S TSB, THE DEALER TESTED THE FUEL AND INDICATED THAT IT WAS OK. VW COVERED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM UNDER WARRANTY. OTHERWISE, THIS WOULD HAVE COST APPROXIMATELY $10K. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10490428

Dec 11, 2012Fuel System, DieselFuel system

TDI DIESEL JETTA WITH 30,000 MILES BY ORIGINAL OWNER WAS BEING DRIVEN 35 MPH CITY SECONDARY STREETS, VEHICLE ABRUPTLY LOST POWER. COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD. POLICE WERE CALLED, THEY ASCERTAINED THAT LOCATION WAS SAFE ENOUGH UNTIL TOW. TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER SAID FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO DEALER A FEW DAYS BEFORE FOR 30,000 MILE SERVICE. DIESEL FUEL ALMOST ALWAYS PURCHASED AT SAME 3 YR OLD BUSY STATION, AND CAR WAS RUNNING ON SAME TANK OF FUEL AS WHEN IT WAS SERVICED. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF PROBLEMS, NO HESITATION, NO LOSS OF POWER, NO WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE TOTAL SHUTDOWN OF ENGINE. ON A FREEWAY, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10487981

Nov 7, 2012Fuel System, DieselFuel system

JETTA TDI HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP & FUEL LINE BLOW-OUT; STALLING OF ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10483623

Oct 16, 2012Fuel System, DieselTransmission & drivetrainFuel system

CAR ENGINE STOPPED SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING. DRIFTED TO SIDE OF ROAD; CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD TO PAY $250 FOR TOW TO DEALER. SERVICE PERSON CALLED TO SAY THERE WAS METAL IN MY FUEL SYSTEM/TANK, BUT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG. HE ALSO ACCUSED ME OF PUTTING THE WRONG GAS IN MY CAR. I INFORMED SERVICE PERSON THAT IT TOOK 5 SECONDS ON THE INTERNET TO LEARN ABOUT THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION INTO THE MANY HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SYSTEM FAILURES THAT CAUSE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING. INTERESTINGLY, HE CALLED BACK 2 HOURS LATER AND ACKNOWLEDGED THAT FUEL SYSTEM AND POWERTRAIN AND OTHER STUFF NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CAR. I COULD HAVE BEEN GOING 65 ON THE FREEWAY WITH A SMALL CHILD OR OTHER PEOPLE IN THE CAR, ALL OF WHOM COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED WHEN CAR SUDDENLY LOOSES ALL POWER AND MOMENTUM. MANY ONLINE COMPLAINT REPORTS ARE FOR SECOND FAILURES, AFTER REPAIR. I DO NOT TRUST THE SERVICE DEPT. OF ANY VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AND HAVE NO CONFIDENCE THAT THE PROBLEM IS ELIMINATED. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10480735

Oct 6, 2012Fuel System, DieselFuel system

2011 JETTA TDI DIESEL - SECOND OCCURRENCE OF ENGINE STALL DUE TO HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP) FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AT 40 PLUS MILES PER HOUR. CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS CAR HAS BEEN TOWED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE DESIGN WHICH RESULTS IN THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP FAILING SENDING DEBRIS THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM. NHTSA SAYS IN CONCLUDING STATEMENTS DATED 12/21/12 THAT (NHTSA RECALL NO. 11V-490) 'THE ACTION TAKEN BY VOLKSWAGEN IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THE DEFECT REMAINS AND IS POTENTIALLY A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES AS THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLS WHILE IN MOTION. AS THIS IS THE SECOND REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL SYSTEM THE DEFECT REMAINS A PROBLEM AND THE CONSUMER IS EXPOSED TO NOT ONLY SAFETY ISSUES BUT HIGH COSTS IN REPAIR AT $10,000+ IF THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE TREND IS CONTINUING WITH 2012 TDIS AS WELL. PLEASE FORCE VW TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AS I NOW HAVE AN UNSAFE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10478879

Sep 24, 2012Fuel System, Diesel

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE CONFIRMED BY VW DEALER. WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN CAR BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT (YELLOW COILS) LIT UP AND CAR LOST ALL POWER. MALFUNCTION LIGHT WENT OFF AND ALTERNATOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER LIGHTS CAME ON. CAR COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AND WAS TAKEN DIRECTLY TO DEALER ON FLATBED. REPAIRS ARE UNDERWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10476847

Sep 19, 2012Engine & coolingFuel System, Diesel

DRIVING 55MPH CAR BEGAN LOOSING POWER CHECK ENGINE AND GLOW LIGHT INDICATOR LIGHTS CAM ON IMMEDIATELY. ONCE ARRIVED HOME WE VERIFIED THE CAR COMPUTER IT RETURNED THAT THERE WAS LOW PRESSURE IN FUEL LINE AND THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS FAILING. WE HAD CAR TOWED TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP. AFTER 4 DAYS DEALER STATED FUEL HAD TRACES OF GASOLINE, THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE I HAVE NEVER PUT GAS IN MY DIESEL CAR. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN MAKING PHONE CALLS AND THE FUEL COMPANIES WHERE FUEL PURCHASED FOR LAST 5 FUELINGS WHERE REQUESTED. LAST PURCHASE FROM SHEETZ HAGERSTOWN I NOTIFIED THEM WHAT DEALERSHIP WAS PROPOSING THE CORPORATE OFFICE IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP 'SHARRETTS' AND REQUESTED PROOF OF THEIR BLAME. ONCE I HAVE MADE CONTACT TO SHEETZ AND SHELL THEY INTURN CALL DEALERSHIP THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS METAL SHAVINGS NOTED IN ADDITION TO THE FUELRAIL SYSTEM FAILURE. ON THIRD CALL TODAY THEY WERE NOT SURE IT WAS COVERED AND A FUEL TEST WAS BEING SENT OUT FOR OFFICIAL TESTING TO DETERMINE THE PRESENCE OF GASOLINE CONTAMINATION. AFTER I THREATENED A LAWYER THEY STATE WILL CALL CORPORATE FOR DIRECTION AND HAVE REP REVIEW. VW HAS CONTINUOUSLY LIED TO MANY OWNERS THAT THE DIESEL WAS CONTAMINATED WHEN IN FACT IT IS NOT, THIS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED MY CAR IS ONLY 1 YEAR OLD PURCHASED NEW WITH ONLY 4 MILES ON IT I HAVE MADE ALL THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE CHECKS AND HAD 3 RECALLS FIXED WITHIN 7 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. I DEMAND AN INVESTIGATION AND AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THESE DIESEL MOTORS THIS IS NOT FAIR TO THE CONSUMER. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10476504

Sep 13, 2012Fuel System, Diesel

I WAS DOING MY 20K SERVICE (DIESEL FUEL FILTER). WHEN I OPENED THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING I FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN, AND ON TOP OF THE FUEL FILTER CARTRIDGE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED RIGHT TO A VW DEALERSHIP KNOWING THAT THERE IS A MAJOR ISSUE, AND ONGOING INVESTIGATION WITH THE NHTSA ON HPFP FAILURES. VW AGREED THAT THEY SAW METAL IN THE FUEL AND ON THE FILTER, AND PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT THIS WAS "NOT ABNORMAL". THAT EVERY TDI CAR THEY SERVICE HAS METAL BITS IN THE FILTER. I AM A ASE MASTER TECH IN A HIGH VOLUME LOCAL REPAIR SHOP THAT DEALS IN A VERY HIGH VOLUME OF DIESEL REPAIR SERVICE. METAL IN FUEL IS NOT NORMAL. THERE IS ONLY ONE PLACE FOR THE METAL TO COME FROM, AND THAT IS THE HPFP. VW PUT A NEW FILTER IN THE CAR AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. I GUESS I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE CAR TO STOP DEAD IN TRAFFIC AND NOT RESTART TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10475253

Sep 3, 2012Fuel System, Diesel

AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 JETTA TDI SPORTSWAGON, I NOTICED A STEAM COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND DIESEL SMELL INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD THERE WAS DIESEL ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND BELTS, AND LARGE AMOUNT OF STEAM WAS COMING OUT. WHEN I TOOK OF THE ENGINE COVER AND STARTED THE CAR I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE 2ND CYLINDER INJECTOR PIPE. I DO NOT HAVE WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE, BUT THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE FIXED AND PAID BY VW. THERE IS SMELL IN THE VEHICLE, FOAM IS SOAKED WITH DIESEL, AND BELTS MIGHT HAVE LESS LIFE IN THEM. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE SO THIS WOULD BE FIXED AT NO COST TO ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10473615

Aug 29, 2012Fuel System, Diesel

I WAS APPROACHING A HIGHWAY INTERSECTION, AND THE VEHICLE'S GLOW-PLUG LIGHT CAME ON. THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN, AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP JUST SHORT OF THE INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN. AAA TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP VIA FLATBED. THE DEALERSHIP INITIALLY THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS WATER IN THE FUEL, BUT AFTER FLUSHING THE FUEL SYSTEM, THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT START. AT THAT POINT, THEY TOOK APART THE FUEL PUMP, AND DISCOVERED THAT THE PUMP HAD FAILED INTERNALLY, AND PUT METAL SHAVINGS INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM. REPAIR QUOTE WAS APPROXIMATELY $10,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10472935

Aug 15, 2012Fuel System, Diesel

WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING, AS DID THE DPF LIGHT AND THE PRE-HEAT COIL LIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY AND INTO A DRIVEWAY BEFORE IT QUIT. WOULD NOT START AGAIN. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY. WAS INFORMED THAT THE HPFP FAILED, AND THAT THE PUMP AND FUEL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. SERVICE DIRECTOR INDICATED THAT THE REPAIR BILL WOULD BE $10-11,000. VW IS COVERING THE COST OF THE REPAIR. AM GRATEFUL THAT I HAD DROPPED MY WIFE AND YOUNG DAUGHTER OFF AT HOME, AND THAT I WAS NOT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN THIS OCCURRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10470715

Jul 8, 2012SteeringFuel System, DieselEngineFuel system

TRAVELING IN THE LEFT LANE ON 95 N OUTSIDE BALTIMORE MD AT 65 MPH MY VEHICLE'S GAS PEDAL STOPPED RESPONDING AND THE CAR BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND LURCH FORWARD AND EVENTUALLY DIE AS THE YELLOW DIESEL ENGINE INDICATOR ALONG WITH THE YELLOW ENGINE INDICATOR BEGAN BLINKING. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC AND COAST OVER TWO LANES TO AN OFF RAMP BEFORE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. AFTER CONTACTING VW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HERITAGE VW LOCATED AT 9215 HARFORD ROAD #2 PARKVILLE, MD 21234 (877) 398-1963. IT WAS AFTER 9:00 P.M SO THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT IN THE LOT AND ALL THE PAPERWORK WAS DROPPED IN THE BOX. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CITED A FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTION ALONG WITH A FAULTY FUEL GAUGE AS THE ISSUE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WE HAVE HAD TO SUBMIT A REPORT TO YOUR AGENCY FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUES (PLEASE SEE REFERENCE NUMBER 10417213), THE AGENTS INFORMATION IS LISTED BELOW. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10464627

Mar 16, 2012Fuel System, Diesel

FILLED UP WITH 13.455 GALLONS OF #2 ULSD DIESEL ON 01/25/12 WITH 11,363 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO FILLING THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN A 1/4 TANK OF DIESEL. ON 02/05/12 WAS TRAVELING IN VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND STARTED TO HEAR PINGING NOISES FROM THE ENGINE BAY. SLOWED TO A STOP WHERE THE ENGINE DIED AND REFUSED TO START. THE VEHICLE HAD 11,721 MILES ON IT, 358 MILES (90% WHICH WERE HIGHWAY MILES) SINCE THE PREVIOUS FUELING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL VW DEALER WHERE I WAS TOLD THE TANK WAS DRY AND HPFP HAD FAILED AS A RESULT. CONTESTED THE FACT THAT THE TANK WAS DRY GIVEN THE FACT THE VEHICLE HAD SLIGHTLY LESS THAN 1/4 TANK PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE THAT IT HAD RUN DRY GIVEN THE FACT THAT THE TANK HAD BEEN FILLED TO THE TOP AT THE PRIOR FILLING AND THAT I HAD NOT DRIVEN ENOUGH DISTANCE TO HAVE USED UP THE FUEL. VW TECH CONFIRMED THAT THE GAS GAUGE WAS OPERATIONAL AND CORRECT. VW DEALER REPLACED HPFP UNDER WARRANTY BUT WOULD NOT LISTEN TO ME WITH REGARDS TO RUNNING THE TANK DRY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10451962

Feb 16, 2012Fuel System, Diesel

I WAS OPERATING THE CAR ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR LOST ALL POWER IN TRAFFIC. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT A SERIOUS INCIDENT OCCURRING. I WAS A BIT SHAKEN AS THE CAR JUST TOTALLY FAILED IN TRAFFIC. THE CAUSE ACCORDING TO THE DEALER IS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE INJECTOR PUMP (DIESEL). DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE INJECTOR PUMP, INJECTORS, INJECTOR LINES, PRIMARY FUEL LINES, PRIMARY FUEL PUMP, AND THE FUEL TANK ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE INJECTOR PUMP TOTALLY CAME APART AND DISTRIBUTED METAL THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM. THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 21K ON IT. DEALER ADMITTED THAT THE INJECTOR PUMPS ARE OF QUESTIONABLE QUALITY AND THERE IS A HISTORY OF FAILURE DUE TO INFERIOR PARTS IN THE PUMPS. DEALER SAID THAT THE NEW PUMP IS UPGRADED AND AFTER THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM IS REPLACED THE CAR WILL BE TROUBLE FREE. DEALER ALSO NOTED THAT THE FUEL PUMPS ARE DESIGNED TO OPERATE ON EUROPEAN DIESEL WHICH CONTAINS SULFUR FOR LUBRICITY. US DIESEL WHICH HAS LOW SULFUR IS DESTROYING THE PUMPS. SEEMS AS THOUGH A TOTAL RECALL SHOULD BE ORDERED TO REMOVE THESE BAD INJECTOR PUMPS. DEALER STATED THE TOTAL COST OF THE WORK IN EXCESS OF 10K WHICH WILL BE PAID BY VW AT NO COST TO ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10448129

Nov 26, 2011Fuel System, Diesel

REFERENCE: NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA11003 - PLEASE ADD US TO ONGOING INVESTIGATION OUR 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN TDI ONLY 4 MONTHS OLD WITH 3500 MILES - FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE AROUND A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE A BLINKING GLOW PLUG LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE (NO POWER) ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS. (FWIW - A BABY + PREGNANT WIFE DRIVING). ABLE TO REPRODUCE AFTERWARDS - PRESSING A HARD THROTTLE/ACCELERATING WOULD DISABLE THE VEHICLE INTO LIMP MODE. REPORT CAME BACK THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM - HPFP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A BRAND NEW VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE A FAILURE LIKE THIS FROM JUST FILLING UP THE TANK THE PREVIOUS DAY. WE HAVE KEPT ALL RECEIPTS, LOGGED MILES AND HAD THE STATE DEPT SHUT DOWN THE STATION AND PULL A FULL LAB REPORT ON THE FUEL. EVERYTHING CHECK OUT OK BY THE STATE STANDARDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10437307

Nov 9, 2011Fuel System, Diesel

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE THE VIBRATION DAMPER ISOLATIONS INSTALLED IN THE FUEL INJECTION LINES. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V490000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

NHTSA ODI 10434970

Nov 7, 2011Fuel System, Diesel

I WAS TRAVELING ON A PA INTERSTATE WHEN A WARNING LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING ON MY DASHBOARD. I IMMEDIATELY LOST ACCELERATION IN MY VEHICLE, AND WHEN I PULLED OFF TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD DIESEL FUEL WAS RUNNING FROM BENEATH MY VEHICLE OFF TO THE SHOULD OF THE ROAD. I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE NEAREST EXIT AND HAD TO WAIT FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE POLICE AND A TOWING COMPANY. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT ANYTHING WAS GOING WRONG UNTIL IT HAPPENED. THE EVENTS ALL HAPPENED WITHIN 20 SECONDS OF EACH OTHER, WITH NO OTHER WARNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10434780

Oct 27, 2011Fuel System, Diesel

NOTE: TDI (DIESEL) ENGINE, HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP) FAILURE. DRIVER WAS DRIVING 75 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION (FLASHING COIL) LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CAR STALLED. CAR COASTED TO A STOP, BUT WOULD NOT RESTART. CALLED MANUFACTURER ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY PROMPTLY SENT A FLATBED TOW TRUCK TO TRANSPORT VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WAS METAL DEBRIS IN DIESEL FUEL FILTER AND IN HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP) AND THAT THE HPFP HAD FAILED DESTRUCTIVELY DISTRIBUTING METAL DEBRIS THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM. ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM (TANK TO INJECTORS) WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BY MANUFACTURER. UPDATED 11/07/11 *BF

NHTSA ODI 10432978

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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 →