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 5 of 26

Nov 5, 2019SteeringElectrical systemVisibility & wipers

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF GLASS CRACKED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT PLACED PLASTIC OVER THE SUN ROOF TO COVER THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11278292

Nov 2, 2019BrakesCrash

ON 05/22/2019 AROUND 6 PM, MY WIFE PARKED THE CAR (VW JETTA, 2011 WAS STATIONED IN PARKING MODE), TURNED THE CAR OFF AT 309 SMITH STREET, NEWARK, NJ 07108, THEN SUDDENLY THE CAR ROLLED BACK THE DOWNHILL, CROSSED SMITH STREET TO HIT OUR NEIGHBOR CAR ON THE RIGHT SIDE, A BLACK HONDA ACCORD PARKED IN FRONT OF 310 SMITH STREET (A ONE WAY STREET). A POLICE COMPLAINT WAS NOT FILED. I SPENT ALMOST $500.0 TO PARTIALLY FIX MY NEIGHBOR CAR. WE WERE LUCKY THAT ANOTHER CAR WAS NOT DRIVING BY, NOR A PEDESTRIAN WALKING BY. WE DIDN'T THE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT, BUT FOUND IT WEAR. ALMOST 3 WEEKS BEFORE, ALSO, MY WIFE COME BACK FROM THE GROCERY STORE, SHE PARKED THE CAR, TURNED THE CAR OFF, WENT OUT AND REMOVED THE GROCERY FROM THE TRUNK, AND SUDDENLY THE CAR ROLLED BACK TO CRUSH THE GROCERY ITEMS ON THE FLOOR AND ROLLED OVER RIGHT FOOT

NHTSA ODI 11277689

Oct 31, 2019SteeringElectrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION IN THE MAIL PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. UPON CALLING NHTSA, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11277315

Oct 29, 2019Electrical systemBrakes

THERE ARE MULTIPLE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD. THE ABS, BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL, AIRBAG, AND TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT ARE ALL ON WHEN STARTING THE CAR AND STAY ON. THE TPMS LIGHT SOMETIMES SHUTS OFF BUT SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. THERE IS A SIMILAR PROBLEM ON 2006-2010 JETTAS AND THERE WAS A RECALL THAT RESOLVED A SIMILAR PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11276974

Oct 27, 2019Electrical system

THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. I CHECK THE FUSE AND CHANGE THE LOW BEAM BULBS AND STILL NOT WORKING.

NHTSA ODI 11271393

Oct 25, 2019SteeringElectrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11271074

Oct 17, 2019SteeringElectrical systemAirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, IT ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN PARK OR TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING). THE CONTACT CALLED BOZZANI VOLKSWAGEN AT 626-967-6325 (LOCATED AT 528 S CITRUS AVE, COVINA, CA 91723) AND WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ADDITIONALLY, IN 2017, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT STOPPED ABRUPTLY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND STRUCK HER CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT ALSO SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED, BUT NOT TOTALED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11269252

Sep 8, 2019AirbagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

I STARTED UP MY CAR AND WAS DRIVING FROM WORK, ALL OF A SUDDEN I SEE A BUNCH OF MY WARNINGS LIGHT APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD ALL AT THE SAME TIME. I WAS DRIVING IN ALEXANDRIA CITY AND THE CARE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE LIGHTS APPEARED. THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL, ABS, AND EVEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT. 3 DIFFERENT SYSTEM HAVE FAULTS IS A CONCERN TO MY SAFETY. I WENT TO A MECHANIC TWICE AND THEN THE DEALERSHIP, FOUND OUT THAT THE REAR ABS SENSOR NEEDS TO BE CHANGED TO GET RID OF ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL. AFTER THAT WAS PART WAS CHANGED AND THE FAULT CODE WAS CLEARED THE TRACTION CONTROL AND TIRE PRESSURE STILL REMAINED. AIR BAG LIGHT CODE WAS CLEARED TOO. AFTER A MONTH DRIVING ALL OF THOSE SAME LIGHT REAPPEARED AGAIN AFTER I STARTED UP MY CAR, I WAS STATIONARY WHEN THE LIGHTS REAPPEARED AND WAS ABOUT TO DRIVE IN CITY. THE LIGHTS DID NOT GO AWAY AFTER DRIVING. A BIG JOB NEEDS TO BE DONE IN WHICH THIS IS AN MANUFACTURER ERROR WHICH VW NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF. I'VE SPENT CLOSE TO $1100 OF PART AND LABOR AND THIS PROBLEM STILL REMAINS. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY IF THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM MIGHT CAUSED MY AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY OR TRACTION CONTROL MAY NOT ASSIST ME WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED LATE JULY AND THE SECOND OCCURRED SEPTEMBER 6.

NHTSA ODI 11253957

Sep 5, 2019SteeringElectrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000 (STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT CALLED AUTOBARN CITY VOLKSWAGEN AT 773-794-7800 (LOCATED AT 5330 W IRVING PARK RD, CHICAGO, IL 60641) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY OFTEN PULLED OUT EVEN WHEN THE GEAR WAS IN NEUTRAL, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL DOWN FROM AN INCLINE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11253417

Sep 4, 2019BrakesAirbagsTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, BRAKE, AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE MECHANIC, HOWEVER, INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE DUE TO THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ODI 11253185

Aug 29, 2019Electrical system

MY PROBLEM BEGAN WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55MPH AND MY CAR INFORMATION CENTER AND RADIO ALL WENT BLACK WITH NO WARNING OR CAUTION BEFORE.

NHTSA ODI 11252333

Aug 26, 2019Electrical systemAirbagsVisibility & wipers

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE AIR BAG OFF WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AFTER TWO MONTHS, THE RADIO AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

NHTSA ODI 11246463

Aug 21, 2019AirbagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH AND THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES THAT REQUIRED ANY TRANSPORT BY AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED PENDING AN OFFICIAL RULING FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TOW YARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA ODI 11245452

Aug 18, 2019Electrical system

I WANT TO OPEN A FILE ABOUT MY CAR HORN STOP WORKING 2 WEEKS AGO I TRYING TO FIND THE FUSE TO CHECK OR REPLACED BUT I CAN'T FIND IT I CHECK MANY VIDEOS HOW TO FIX BUT I SAW TO MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS SITUATION IS VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING WITHOUT HORN PLEASE I LESS VOLKSWAGEN CAN PUT THE DIAGRAM THE ARE LOCATED THE FUSE FOR THE HORN

NHTSA ODI 11244725

Aug 17, 2019

KEY GETTING STUCK IN IGNITION WHILE VEHICLE IS STILL RUNNING..WILL NOT TURN OFF

NHTSA ODI 11244637

Aug 14, 2019

2011 JETTA STEREO DIED. WANT COMPENSATION IN CHECK MAILED TO ME FOR COST OF THE ORIGINAL STEREO

NHTSA ODI 11244004

Aug 14, 2019Electrical system

MY 2012 JETTA RADIO/STEREO WENT DEAD. LOTS OF OTHER 2011 JETTA STEREOS DIED TOO. BAD BATCH FOR US CONSUMERS. I WANT A COMPENSATION CHECK MAILED TO ME FOR 363.23 THE COST I HAVE TO PAY BEST BUY FOR A NEW ONE. READ THE FORUMS THOUSANDS OF OTHER JETTA OWNERS IN 2011 HAD THIS HAPPEN. THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI 11244007

Aug 12, 2019Seat beltsVisibility & wipers

1) SEATBELT INDICATOR SOUNDS WHEN DRIVES BELT IS CONNECTED AND IS THE ONLY ONE IN THE VEHICLE; NO ONE OR ITEMS ARE IN ANY OF THE OTHER SEATS (SAME ISSUE AS IN THE 2006 JETTA). 2) WIPER MOTOR FAILED - WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN FUNCTIONING. 3) HEADLINER IS SEPARATING AND DROOPING IN REAR AND OBSTRUCTING THE VIEW THROUGH THE REAR VIEW MIRROR (SAME ISSUE AS IN THE 2006 JETTA). 4) IGNITION COIL'S AND MAP SENSOR ARE CONTINUOUSLY FAILING (SAME ISSUE AS IN THE 2006 JETTA).

NHTSA ODI 11243293

Aug 6, 2019Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE ALTERNATOR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED BRIEFLY. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A FAILURE REGARDING THE SECONDARY AIR PUMP SENSORY. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A WARRANTY EXTENSION. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

NHTSA ODI 11242071

Aug 4, 2019Engine

KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING ENGINE OFF

NHTSA ODI 11241613

Aug 4, 2019Engine

UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION TO TURN OFF CAR ; CAR IN "PARK"

NHTSA ODI 11241628

Aug 3, 2019LightsAirbags

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT RANDOMLY CAME ON BECAUSE OF SOME SORT WIRING ISSUE. HEADLIGHT BULBS CONSTANTLY SHORT OUT. I'VE HAD TO CHANGE ATLEAST 10 BULBS IN LESS THAN A YEAR. HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AND TAILIGHTS... THESE ARE 2 SEPERATE ISSUES. BUT IF YOU GOOGLE IT, THEY ARE BOTH COMMON ISSUES. IT'S BEEN AN ISSUE ON MY CAR FOR YEARS, BUT I DIDN'T REALIZE I COULD REPORT IT.

NHTSA ODI 11241454

Jul 26, 2019Speed controlFuel system

VW JETTA 2011 HAS BEEN DYING WHEN IDLING, IN PARK AND WHILE DECELERATING. IT WILL BE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT AND JUST LOSE POWER. IT HAS TO THEN BE PUT IN PARK AND THE KEY MUST BE TURNED TO COME BACK ON. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN COMING TO A STOP. RECENTLY, IT HAPPENED COMING OFF THE HIGHWAY GOING 45 MPH. CAR HAD TO COAST AND THE BRAKES WERE RIDDEN TO A STOP WHERE CAR HAD TO BE TURNED BACK ON. DEALERSHIP HAS ALLEGEDLY REPLACED ISSUES WITH THE EPC LIGHT COMING ON, TIMING BELT AND FELL PUMP. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THOUSANDS HAVE BEEN SPENT ON THIS ISSUE AND THE CAR KEEPS DYING. IT CURRENTLY HAS 115K MILES ON IT. THERE IS ALSO AN ISSUE WHEN PUMPING GAS AT A GAS STATION. EVERY TIME THE CAR IS FILLED UP, IT WILL NOT STAY THE FIRST TIME TURNING THE KEY. THE GAS PEDAL MUST BE PRESSED A NUMBER OF TIME FOR THE ENGINE TO TURN OVER AND THEN THE GAS PEDAL MUST BE PUMPED TO KEEP THE ENGINE ON. RANDOMLY DYING ON THE HIGHWAY, ON CITY STREETS AND IN INTERSECTION IS VERY DANGEROUS AND WILL RESULT IN DAMAGE TO CARS, INJURIES AND DEATHS.

NHTSA ODI 11235164

Jul 24, 2019Electronic Stability Control (esc)

AT 46,800 MILES THE ABS CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED. WHEN STARTING UP THE CAR, NUMEROUS WARNING LIGHTS INCLUDING (ABS, TRACTION, AIR BAG, AND BRAKE) ILLUMINATE. THESE LIGHTS REMAIN ON WITH ENGINE RUNNING AND VEHICLE IN MOTION. THERE ARE SEVERAL PAST AND CURRENT CLASS ACTION SUITES FOR THIS EXPENSIVE VOLKSWAGEN $3500 REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI 11234479

Jul 18, 2019AirbagsBrakes

WHEN I PURCHASE THIS CAR 2 DAYS AFTER I PURCHASE THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON FLASHING THE CAR IDLES TOO HIGH WHAT COULD BE WRONG WITH IT

NHTSA ODI 11233242

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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 →