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)

93 of 639 complaints match · Engine · clear filters · page 3 of 4

Aug 20, 2015EngineFuel system

MANUAL TRANSMISSION TDI SPORTWAGEN. DRIVING 30 MPH IN 4TH GEAR. FLASHING GLOW PLUG WARNING LIGHT WENT ON. VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SPEED. ATTEMPTED TO DOWNSHIFT. ENGINE IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF AND RPM WENT IMMEDIATELY TO 0. LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH SPEED TO BRING VEHICLE TO CURB. VEHICLE STOPPED AT INTERSECTION AND HAD TO BE TOWED. DEALER DIAGNOSED AS HPFP FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 10749946

Aug 14, 2015SteeringBrakesEngine

I PURCHASED THE JETTA USED FROM CARMAX IN NASHVILLE, TN IN 2014. IT BEGAN HAVING SAFETY ISSUES ON MARCH 2014. RANDOMLY, MY CAR WILL JUST STOP WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, OR AFTER ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION WHEN MOVING ON FROM A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT. I CAN BE DRIVING ANYWHERE FROM 15 MPH TO 50 MPH, AND ALL SYSTEMS SHUT DOWN. THE BATTERY LIGHT GOES ON, THE STEERING LOCKS, AND THE BRAKES LOCK. I ALWAYS PANIC, PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND HAVE LUCKILY MANAGED TO VEER OFF TO THE SIDE OF A ROAD AND STOP, SHUT THE CAR OFF, AND TURN IT BACK ON AGAIN. EUROFIX TRIED TO MANAGE THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE CRANK SENSOR AND CAM SHAFT. BUT HE PROBLEM CAME BACK, MUCH WORSE. THE SECOND PROBLEM IS NOW I CANNOT UNLOCK MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WITH MY MAGNETIC KEY OR BY STICKING THE ACTUAL KEY IN THE LOCK. I SEE THAT ANOTHER RECALL HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2011 JETTA THAT IS NOT PULLING UP VIA MY VIN NUMBER, BUT I BELIEVE IT MIGHT BE MY CAR'S ISSUE: ONLINE, ATE THAT IN MARCH 29, 2011 (PUBLISHED BY NHTSA) IN WHICH AN ISSUE WITH "AN ELECTRICAL WIRING AND FUSE LAYOUT WHERE THE CONVERTER BOX IS PROTECTED BY THE SAME FUSE USED BY THE SIGNAL HORN AND THE ANTI-THEY ALARM SYSTEM. SHOULD THAT FUSE BE BLOWN,, THE CONVERTER WILL BE DISCONNECTED FROM THE POWER SUPPLY WHICH IN TURN WILL SHUT OFF APPLICATIONS SUCH AS THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, LIGHTING SYSTEM, AND WIPERS"......"SHOULD THIS HAPPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, THE ENGINE COULD STALL OR THE HEADLIGHTS OR WIPERS COULD TURN OFF UNEXPECTEDLY, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING." PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!! WHAT DO I DO. WHAT WILL REMEDY THIS SITUATION SO I DON'T GET KILLED OR KILL OTHERS. I'T GONNA HAPPEN....THEN MY FAMILY WILL FILE A LAWSUIT. I NEED GUIDANCE AND FOR THIS CAR TO BE FIXED/TRADED OUT.

NHTSA ODI 10748809

Jul 15, 2015EngineFuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE NUMBER TWO AND THREE FUEL INJECTORS WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ODI 10734299

Jul 10, 2015Speed controlEngineFuel system

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, WHICH INCLUDES CROSSING A TOLL BRIDGE DAILY. I WAS ON THE BRIDGE, WHICH IS ONLY A 2 LANE BRIDGE, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY DIESEL ENGINE FAILURE LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH. I LOST ACCELERATION AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SHOULDER SAFELY AND TURN OFF THE CAR. I SAT THERE FOR A FEW MINUTES CONTEMPLATING IF I SHOULD CALL AAA TO GET A TOW TO THE DEALER. SEEING AS I WAS ONLY ABOUT 5 MILES FROM THE VW DEALER, I DECIDED TO SEE IF MY CAR WILL MAKE IT THERE. IT STARTED BACK UP NO PROBLEM AND I WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE BACK INTO TRAFFIC AND MAKE IT TO THE DEALER WITH NO FURTHER ISSUES. I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM TO THE SERVICE REP. AND THEY CHECKED IN MY CAR AND I WAITED FOR THEM TO CALL ME WITH THE ISSUE. LATER IN THE DAY, I RECEIVED THE CALL FROM THE SERVICE REP., AND HE INFORMED ME THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED, AND THEY WILL HAVE TO REBUILD THE FUEL SYSTEM, AS THERE WERE METAL PARTICLES FOUND IN THE GAS AND GAS LINES. HE SAID THIS SOMETIMES HAPPENS WHEN A CUSTOMER MAY USE BIODIESEL FUEL OR A LOWER GRADE OF DIESEL. HE ALSO SAID THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO SEND THE GAS SAMPLES OFF TO VW LAB TO REVIEW IN ORDER FOR THE REPAIRS TO BE APPROVED SINCE I HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I AM SHOCKED THAT THIS OCCURED, SEEING AS MY CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND LESS THAN 50K MILES ON IT. THANKFULLY, THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT AND NO ONE WAS HURT.

NHTSA ODI 10733330

Jul 6, 2015Engine

MY CAR STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY AS I WAS DRIVING. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH MY EPC LIGHT. THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO BREAKDOWN ON THE INTERSTATE. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF THEN TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT WAS FINE. I DROVE A LITTLE WAYS DOWN THE ROAD AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED, SO I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED L HAD A BAD IGNITION COIL WITH THE CODES 351,300,301,304,130. THEY REPLACED THE PART AND ALMOST EXACTLY A YEAR LATER 7/6/2015 I'M HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 10732174

Jun 26, 2015Electrical systemSpeed controlEngine

THE CAR LOSES POWER, STALLS THEN IT DIES. AT TIMES IT SPEEDS UP, AND STALLS DIES WITHOUT WARNING. LOSES ALL POWER, FOUND RECALL IN REFERENCE TO THIS ISSUE. VIN# MATCHES SERIES, MATCHES DATE, AND PLACE WHERE THE CAR WAS MADE, EXCEPT FOR THE LAST FEW DIGITS. RECALL 11V19600, AND VW WILL NOT REPLACE HARNESS TO ELECTRCIAL FUSE AND CIRCUIT BREAKER. I NEED TO HELP TO GET THIS RESOLVED. I HAVE BEEN BATTLING THE DEALER AND VW OF AMERICA SINCE 03/20/2015 UNTIL TODAY 06/26/2015

NHTSA ODI 10730605

Jun 22, 2015Electrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ODI 10726571

Mar 29, 2015Electrical systemSpeed controlEngineFuel system

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 55MPH, STARTED SWITCHING LANES AND STEPPED ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE. THE CAR SPUTTERED AND THE ENGINE VIBRATED. THE CAR FELT LIKE I WAS GOING TO STALL DRIVING IN THE HIGH-SPEED LANE. THE YELLOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND EPC LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. SWERVING BACK INTO THE LOWER SPEED LANE I COULDN'T EVEN KEEP THE CAR AT 55MPH. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE HIGHWAY TO SEE IF I COULD MAKE SENSE OF IT. AFTER TURNING OFF THE CAR AND THEN BACK ON, THE LIGHTS WENT OFF AND THE CAR WAS FINE. I TOOK IT TOO THE MECHANIC AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG AFTER $85.00 DIAGNOSTIC. THE CAR RAN FINE FOR 2 DAYS UNTIL THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AGAIN. THIS OCCURRED ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY ABOUT EVERY 1-2 DAYS FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS. THREE TRIPS TO THE MECHANIC WITHIN THOSE 2 WEEKS AND WITH EACH VISIT THERE WAS A COMPUTER CONNECTED TO THE CAR AND A FULL SYSTEMS DIAGNOSTIC REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. IT BECAME DANGEROUS FOR ME TO DRIVE THE CAR AND EVEN MORE SO TO DRIVE IT ON THE HIGHWAY. AFTER THE SECOND WEEK THE LIGHTS FINALLY CAME ON AND STAYED ON AND THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE ENGINE MISFIRING IN 2 OF THE CYLINDERS. THE MECHANIC CHANGED WITH THE IGNITION COIL ON 12/15.2014. THE ENGINE RAN COMPLETELY FINE WITHOUT ANY ISSUES UNTIL LAST WEEK, 3/19/2015. AT 3 MONTHS AND ONLY 28,000 MILES ON THE CAR THE SAME PROBLEM STARTED TO REOCCUR WHILE GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM 40-45MPH. IT STARTED JUST AS IT DID BEFORE INTERMITTENTLY AND ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER THE ENGINE AND EPC LIGHTS WERE ON PERMANENTLY AGAIN. AFTER THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME COMPONENT WE CHANGED THE SAME PART AGAIN. I AM EXPECTING TO BE CHANGING IT AGAIN IN 3 MORE MONTHS, IF I STILL HAVE THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10702450

Feb 25, 2015Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

MY VW HAS HAD PROBLEMS SINCE A WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT IT. WHILE GOING 1500 RPM'S AROUND 15-25 MPH MY CAR CHUGS AND STALLS. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO VW 4 TIMES, AND A PERSONAL MECHANIC. EACH TIME VW SAID THERE WAS A EITHER A COMPUTER ISSUE AND THAT THEY HAVE FIXED IT OR SAID THERE WAS NO ISSUE. THEY COMPLETELY RESET MY CARS COMPUTER BACK TO FACTORY SETTINGS DUE TO THEM SAYING THAT MY CAR LEARNED MY DRIVING STYLE. THIS DIDN'T HELP. YEARS LATER I AM STILL HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN IN A FEW CAR ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE STALLING/CHUGGING PROBLEM. I HAVE AN INFANT AND CAN'T HAVE MY FAMILY CAR CAUSING SUCH PROBLEMS. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10690618

Feb 10, 2015Engine

TRAVELING ALONG AT HIGHWAY SPEED. CAR SPUTTERED AND DIED. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND BE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. APPARENTLY THERE IS A WELL-KNOWN DESIGN FLAW IN THE INTERCOOLER INTAKE PIPE ON ALL VOLKSWAGEN TDI (DIESEL) ENGINES SINCE 2009 THAT CAUSES MOISTURE TO DEVELOP IN THE INTERCOOLER INTAKE PIPE DURING COLD WEATHER. IF ENOUGH MOISTURE COLLECTS IN THIS PIPE, IT WILL GET CHANNELED TO THE ENGINE AND BE FED INTO THE CYLINDERS, CAUSING THE CAR TO SPUTTER AND STALL EXACTLY AS MINE DID - OR TO SIMPLY NOT START ON COLD DAYS. OTHER SIDE EFFECTS OF THIS, ARE SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE. VW IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, AND HAS ISSUED A TSB ABOUT IT. "TSB# 21 11 06 / 2025464 FROZEN AIR CHARGE COOLER" AND THERE IS A REPAIR PART THEY HAVE ALREADY DESIGNED - # COLD WEATHER IC KIT 1K0-198-803-B... HOWEVER, THE PART IS ONLY MADE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST AND AT OWNER EXPENSE IF OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE; THIS IS HUGE SAFETY HAZARD AND A DESIGN FLAW THAT VW NEEDS TO CORRECT FOR ALL OWNERS. THIS SITUATION ALSO, APPARENTLY DOES NOT THROW ANY CODES TO THE VEHICLE COMPUTER, AS THERE ARE NO SENSORS OF ANY TYPE IN THIS INTERCOOLER PIPE. THE ONLY WAY TO DETERMINE THAT THIS IS THE CAUSE, IT TO PUT THE VEHICLE UP, AND REMOVE ONE END OF THIS HOSE AND SEE IF WATER OR 'SLUDGE' DRAINS OUT OF IT, AND THIS PIPE WOULD PROBABLY BE DESTROYED IN ANY FRONT-END COLLISION, AS IT'S FAR FORWARD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE IS A TON OF INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. HERE IS A LINK TO JUST ONE OF THE ARTICLES I FOUND AFTER THIS HAPPENED TO ME. HTTP://FORUMS.THECARLOUNGE.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?5574701-TDI-INTERCOOLER-ISSUE-DESIGN-FLAW. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10682400

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 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 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

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

Nov 13, 2014Engine

WHILE DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA, THE JETTA TDI ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND THE ENGINE STARTED LUGGING. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THIS IS DUE TO A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THE INTERCOOLER HOSE THAT TRAPS CONDENSATION IN THE SYSTEM. WHEN THE CONDENSATION FREEZES, THE ENGINE IS DEPRIVED OF AIR. ACCORDING TO THE FORUM POST BELOW, THIS ISSUE IS VERY WIDESPREAD AND CAN SOMETIMES CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE FROM HYDROLOCK. IF THE CAR IS MOVING AT HIGH SPEEDS WHEN THIS HAPPENS, IT CAN BE DANGEROUS. VW IS CHARGING CUSTOMERS WHO ARE OUT OF WARRANTY OVER $1,000 TO FIX A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED TO PROTECT CUSTOMERS FROM THIS PROBLEM. FORUM DESCRIBING THE WIDESPREAD NATURE OF THIS ISSUE; HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?5574701-TDI-INTERCOOLER-ISSUE-DESIGN-FLAW. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10654820

Oct 6, 2014EngineFuel system

PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW IN 2011. VW FIXED THE FUEL EXHAUST PORTS. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTICULATE FILTER AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO WARNED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD SERIOUS ISSUES. I HAD ONE YEAR LEFT TO PAY THIS CAR OFF, IT HAD 90K MILES ON IT AND I HAD TO TURN IT IN. HOW CAN THEY GET AWAY WITH SELLING A BRAND NEW CAR FOR $28K TO HAVE IT CRAP OUT WITH NO REPERCUSSIONS LIKE THIS? *TR

NHTSA ODI 10641821

Sep 23, 2014Engine

DRIVING VEHICLE ON SOUTH BOUND I-5 GOING 60MPH RIGHT OUTSIDE OF THE TACOMA DOME IN FAR LEFT LANE WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED FLASHING ENGINE LIGHT AND ENGINE DIED AT THE SAME TIME. I HAD MULTIPLE VEHICLES SCREECHING TO A STOP RIGHT ON I-5 AND HONKING AT ME, ALMOST HITTING ME, BARELY MISSING ME. I ALMOST DIED. NO SHOULDER TO GET OFF ON. ENGINE LIGHT THEN WENT OFF. I SAT IN MY CAR FOR SEVERAL MINUTES CRYING, SHAKING AND THEN TRIED STARTING CAR AGAIN. CAR BARELY STARTED, ABLE TO GET OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT CAR WAS SHAKING AND JUMPING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. LARSON'S VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING ME $480 AND SAYS THIS HAPPENED DUE TO "FAILURE IN IGNITION COIL PACK A" I ALMOST DIED, WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THIS? *TR

NHTSA ODI 10638430

Sep 17, 2014Electrical systemEngine

ISSUES BEGAN WITH FAULTY STARTER. THEN PROGRESSED TO A BATTERY OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES FROM WINDOWS MOVING IN REVERSE OF DESIRED ORDER TO HORN AND KEYS DYING. EACH TIME DEALER BRUSHED OFF ISSUE. WHEN HORN AND KEYS DIED (ALSO WITH FAULTY START BUTTON) DEALER TRIED TO FORCE ME TO DRIVE UNSAFE VEHICLE UNTIL THEY GOT AROUND TO FIXING THE PROBLEM. MOST OTHER TIMES THE ISSUE WAS IGNORED OR I WAS TREATED AS THOUGH I WAS MAKING UP THE PROBLEM. (THESE PROBLEMS INCLUDE RADIO STAYING ON WHEN CAR IS COMPLETELY OFF, AND AFTER MANUALLY SWITCHING IT OFF, IT THEN WILL TURN BACK ON WHILE THE CAR IS STILL OFF (EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WILL NOT START AND I HAVE TO USE THE LONG HOLD LOCK FUNCTION TO ROLL WINDOWS UP). THE CAR ALSO WILL REOPEN TRUNK UPON CLOSE, FLASH PASSENGER SEAT BELT WARNINGS WHEN THE SEAT IS EMPTY, NOT DISPLAY GEAR WHEN MOVING, NOT DISPLAY MILEAGE/FUEL LEVEL WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY LISTING MILEAGE RANGE FROM SELECTED SCREEN, ETC. PROBLEMS ARE WORSE IN EXTREME WEATHER. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE PROBLEMS FIXED MULTIPLE TIMES TO NO AVAIL. RECENTLY, I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE SERVICE LIGHT DIAGNOSED. DEALER RESET LIGHT EACH TIME WITHOUT BOTHERING TO CHECK THE SOURCE. PROBLEM PROGRESSED TO ENGINE NOT STARTING, SLUGGISH AND JERKY ACCELERATION, LURCHING STOPS, AND, MOST RECENTLY, SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A MANUFACTURER ISSUE, AND I AM PLANNING TO PURSUE ALL OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO RECTIFY. NOT ONLY HAS VOLKSWAGEN PRODUCED AN UNSAFE VEHICLE, BUT THEY ARE ALSO AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS AND MAKE A GREAT EFFORT TO AVOID DEALING WITH THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10633825

Aug 26, 2014Fuel System, DieselSpeed controlEngine

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE NEW WE EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE STUTTERING WHEN DRIVING AND AT TIMES SHUTTING OFF COMPLETELY AS IF IT STALLED (THE VEHICLE IS AN AUTOMATIC WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION). WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE VW DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE TECH COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND SENT US ON OUR WAY AND TOLD US TO COMEBACK IF IT KEPT OCCURRING. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AGAIN AND THEY SAID THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE FOUND AND ONCE AGAIN SENT US AWAY AND TOLD US TO COME BACK IF THE PROBLEM KEPT OCCURRING. THE VEHICLE IS NOW STUTTERING AND STALLING MUCH MORE OFTEN AND THE WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT. I CALLED THE VW HQ THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN AND HAVE THE TECH LOOK AT IT WHICH HAS COST ME $112 IN WHICH THEY ONCE AGAIN FOUND NOTHING AND RECOMMENDED I LET THE CAR WARM UP PRIOR TO DRIVING. IT IS CURRENTLY SUMMER AND THE LOW TEMPERATURES ARE AROUND 70 AND THE HIGHS ARE 85+. IN ADDITION THIS IS A MODERN VEHICLE AND HAD I KNOW I WAS GOING TO NEED TO LET IT WARM UP I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IT. THIS ISN?T THE 50?S. MY WIFE AND I NOW FEEL THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE FACT IT STALLS OUT AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES. IF VW DOES NOT FIX THIS ISSUE I WILL BE TRADING IT IN DUE TO THEIR DISREGARD FOR SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10628324

Aug 9, 2014Fuel System, DieselEngine

WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR LOST POWER. WE WERE ON A RURAL ROAD SO WE COULD PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY, IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A FREEWAY WE COULD HAVE BEEN IN DANGER OF BEING REAR ENDED. ONCE STOPPED THE CARE WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD TO BE TOWED TO VW DEALER. THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10621160

Aug 9, 2014Fuel System, DieselEngine

I WAS OPERATING THE CAR ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN REDUCTION IN POWER AND THE DASH DISPLAYED A FLASHING GLOW PLUG LIGHT AND SOLID CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF. THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THE CAUSE WAS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE (HPFP); IT TOTALLY CAME APART AND DISTRIBUTED METAL THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM. INJECTOR PUMP (DIESEL), INJECTORS, INJECTOR LINES, PRIMARY FUEL LINES, AND PRIMARY FUEL PUMP. THE CAR ONLY HAS 54,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10621174

Jun 24, 2014Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE CAR SPUTTERED, AND HESITATED WHILE LOSING POWER. REGAINED POWER BRIEFLY THEN SPUTTERED, LOST POWER AND ENGINE CUT OFF COMPLETELY. STARTED ENGINE AFTER LETTING SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES DROVE HOME OK. HAPPENED AGAIN A WEEK LATER AND TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP. DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS FAULTY IGNITION COIL AND ARCING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10605613

Apr 25, 2014Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

MY CAR HAS HAD 3 STALLS WITHIN 3 MONTHS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY. SINCE THEN I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND THE CAR STALLED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10584888

Apr 25, 2014Fuel System, DieselEngine

WENT TO PASS A VEHICLE AND I FELT A SURGE THEN A SIREN SOUND STARTED COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF ENGINE. WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP IT WAS A VACUUM ISSUE AND IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. WHEN I GOT TO DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A BLOWN TURBO. WONDERING IF THIS IS TIED TO THE INCIDENT I HAD WITH THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILING AROUND 100K. TOO MANY MAJOR CATASTROPHIC ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. I'VE BEEN QUOTED 15,000 FOR REPAIRS ON A CAR I'M STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON AND ONLY COST 28K TO BEGIN WITH. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10585006

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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 →