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)

38 of 639 complaints match · Airbags · clear filters · page 1 of 2

May 4, 2024Electrical systemAirbagsBrakes

Air bag light came on showing both driver and passenger airbags off without having any collision then pulled into gas station, car was fine pumped gas and tried to start vehicle and couldn't turn key further than interior lights. Was locked in ignition. Also had all brake pads and rotors replaced 1.5 years ago, now service center says they need replaced again already. Diagnostics from VW shoe ignition switch lock cylinder malfunction needs replaced.there are recalls for the airbags and ignition switch cylinder and brakes for my exact year, month,make and model(11 recalls) but shows 0 recalls under vin. Vw wants to charge me $1,200 to fix what should be free under recalls.

NHTSA ODI 11586964

Jan 17, 2024SteeringAirbags

Volkswagen Jetta NAR trouble code B116829 Volkswagen Jetta NAR trouble code 00778 Volkswagen Jetta NAR trouble code P1698 Car codes triggered after servicing in VW dealership.

NHTSA ODI 11566114

Jul 10, 2023SteeringElectrical systemAirbagsCrash1 injury

Unknowns

NHTSA ODI 11531243

Jun 20, 2023Airbags

Volkswagen Jettas between 2011-2014 received a recall for the clockspring issue that occurs. I just learned that I am experiencing the same issue and my car is the same year and make. Both the airbag light is on and the horn does not work properly which is a major safety risk. VW said they will not cover the repair however this is a serious safety issue which has clearly been a problem.

NHTSA ODI 11527943

Dec 1, 2022AirbagsCrash1 injury

On February 2, 2017, My car was stop in an intersection. A car coming in my direction swerved into my lane and hit me head on. The air bag was deployed, it exploded so violently that both of my hands were severly injured. There was a fracture in my right wrist. There was a laceration to the base of the thumb and my thumb finger almost fell off and required several stiches for my forefinger to be attached. The bones in my right arm was shattered into pieces and it required major surgery. My left arm requires a total of 4 surgeries. I have to undergo an eighteen (18) months of Physical Therapy for both my left and right hand. There was so much pain in my left arm and the doctor had to perfom an operation called "Proximal row carpectomy (PRC)". Proximal row carpectomy (PRC) is a motion-preserving treatment for the degenerated wrist. Three (3) very important bones in Proximal row carpectomy (PRC)surgery was removed. This surgery is done to alleviate (reduced) the pain in my arm. I was still lucky, fortunate that the car hit me in front. If my car was hit from behind, my upper body especially my head will be thrown forward and the explosion of the air bag would explode in my face and the xplosion could have killed me or break my neck. The exlposion of the air bag was very similar to the beirut explosion that was caused by ammonium nitrate which was sometimes used in the defected airbag. Very explosive. The air bag was supposed to protect me but in this case it caused tremedous damage to my both my left and right arm. After more than 5 years both of my hands have not fully recovered. It still hurts lifting some heavy object which I could easily lifted before the accident. I trully believe that the airbag is my car has a problem and it could be a Takata air bag that also need to be recalled. My neighbor’s teenage daughter is also driving the same year and model of my car and it always worry me to think what if the air bag is defected.

NHTSA ODI 11495712

Sep 28, 2022Airbags

I have a clockspring issue in my 2011 Jetta, which was associated with the Volkswagen recall in 2015. I called VW of America and was told that my VIN was not one of the cars part of that recall, and they would not be able to assist me in fixing this issue. With this problem occurring and being associated with a recent recall, I feel as if Volkswagen should help me in fixing my vehicle as it is a safety issue.

NHTSA ODI 11486984

Nov 21, 2021SteeringElectrical systemAirbags

Car horn stopped working followed by an airbag sensor light that won't turn off. Seems like the clock spring failed prematurely?

NHTSA ODI 11441172

Oct 11, 2021Airbags

Extended warranty expired 6 months before the event. HOWEVEr, I read it as a recall (it was actually warranty) so I took it in BEFORE the warranty expired, there wasn’t a problem with it then so they could not fix it since again it was warranty and not recall. The problem being my horn stopped working. Took it to Volkswagen- they said it was clock spring. Clock spring could also short out my airbags along with other SAFETY issues. Not only am I at extreme risk so are others around me. Obviously it was a problem with others if they extended the warranty. A VW specialist dealing with recall and warranty told me the extension of warranty is different because a recall would mean there’s a safety issue. HOW IS A HORN AND AIR BAG NOT A SAFETY ISSUE?!?! unsure of the exact date I noticed however, it was after extension of warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11436335

Nov 4, 2020Airbags

MY PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WENT OFF ON THE DASHBOARD AND MY HORN NO LONGER WORKS. THIS ALL HAPPENED IN THE SAME MONTH.

NHTSA ODI 11372986

Feb 18, 2020Electrical systemAirbags

OVER A PERIOD OF TIME WITH READJUSTING THE DRIVER'S SEAT, IT HAS DISCONNECTED OR COMPROMISED THE AIRBAG WIRING REQUIRING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO CONFIRM AS WELL AS REMOVING THE ENTIRE SEAT TO CLEAR THE AIRBAG LIGHT. WITHOUT DOING SO THEY MAY NOT PROPERLY DISENGAGE.

NHTSA ODI 11309945

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 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 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 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 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

Jul 10, 2019Electrical systemAirbagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)

"TAKATA RECALL" IM HAVING ISSUES WITH THE LIGHTS ON DASH WHEN I PRESS ON BREAK THE OIL LAMP COMES ON. THEN THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS LIGHTS COME ON. THE FRONT RIGHT HEADLIGHT WORKS HALF THE TIME AND THE SAME WITH BREAKS THE LIGHTS COME ON WHEN THE WANT TO. THESE ARE THE ONLY ISSUES IM HAVING SO FAR EXCEPT THE AC DONT WORK AND ALWAYS GOES OUT!

NHTSA ODI 11230727

Sep 8, 2018AirbagsSeat beltsSeats

PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF EVEN WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. IF SOMEONE DOES NOT HAVE THE SEATBELT FASTENED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE BELL AND LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON.

NHTSA ODI 11128291

Jun 14, 2018BrakesAirbagsTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG AND TRACTION CONTROL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. GUNTER VOLKSWAGEN IN FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33317 WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11101860

Feb 2, 2018Airbags

THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR IS NO LONGER EFFECTIVE. THIS MEANS THAT IF I WAS TO GET INTO A COLLISION, THE CAR WOULD NOT SENSE THERE IS A PASSENGER AND THE AIRBAGS ON THAT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THIS SENSOR DOES NOT WORK AT ALL, AND THERE IS AN AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IN THE DASH.

NHTSA ODI 11066582

Oct 9, 2017Airbags

AIRBAG LIGHT ON, VW MECHANIC DIAGNOSED STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING FAILURE, AND INDICATED THE AIRBAGS MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN THE LIGHT APPEARED AND THE PROBLEM PERSIST, VW DEALERS ACKNOWLEDGE ISSUE BUT WONT FIX AS THIS VIN'S PARTS WEREN'T COVERED BY THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11032548

Mar 29, 2017Airbags

THE AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON WITH THE CAR BEING IN ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT. THERE WAS RECALL FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL AND YEAR FOR MY CAR. HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER DECIDED THAT MY PARTICULAR CAR WAS NOT TO BE INCLUDED FOR THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 10969286

Mar 24, 2017AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH, SHOULDER, BACK, AND LEFT KNEE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

NHTSA ODI 10968423

Dec 6, 2016Transmission & drivetrainAirbagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IT ROLLED BACK DOWN A HILL AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS NOT IN THE IGNITION AND THERE WERE NO OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATED 02/15/2017*CT UPDATED 7/16/18*JB *TR

NHTSA ODI 10930289

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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 →