Home · 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Hev · Complaints

What 526 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 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 (526)Crash / fire / injury (33)Electrical system (144)Engine (88)Fuel system (62)Transmission & drivetrain (50)Steering (43)Brakes (41)Airbags (35)Fuel System, Diesel (25)Visibility & wipers (24)Speed control (14)

Newest first · 526 complaints · page 15 of 22

Dec 15, 2015Lights

DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT, BOTH LOWBEAM HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS STILL WORKED AS DID THE HIGH BEAMS. I REPLACED ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS WITH A NEW BULD, AND IT STILL DID NOT WORK

NHTSA ODI 10810617

Dec 11, 2015Fuel system

I WAS DRIVING ON A COUNTY ROAD WHEN I BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THERE WAS TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. MY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND MAKE A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND AS IT COUNTINUED TO COAST. AS SOON AS I WAS ABLE TO BEGIN TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER, MY CAR COMPLETELY AND VIOLENTLY DIED. IT WOULD NOT RESTART, LEAVING ME STRANDED AND CAUSING UPCOMING TRAFFIC TO AVOID ME. THE DEALERSHIP STATES IT IS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THE ANALYSIS OF FUEL SHOWS A LUBRICITY FAILURE, WHICH THE DEALERSHIP STATED WAS DUE TO METAL SHAVINGS. IT WAS NEGATIVE FOR GASOLINE AND HAS NOT BEEN MIS-FUELED. THERE HAS BEEN MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THESE FAILURES, WHICH CAUSE THE METAL SHAVINGS TO CONTAMINATE THE FUEL SYSTEM. VW HAS EXTENDED COVERAGE TO THESE PUMPS, BUT DOES NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ONGOING FAILURES. "NOT PASSING THE LUBRICITY TEST" WHICH APPEARS TO BE CAUSED FROM THE PUMP FAILURE ITSELF, VOIDS THE EXTENDED COVERAGE, CAUSING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI 10809774

Nov 12, 2015Electrical systemCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED INTO THE CONTACT'S LANE. THE HORN MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILED TO ALERT THE OTHER PERSON. AS A RESULT, THE OTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 10789940

Nov 9, 2015Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC POWER CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN TO 35 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,890.

NHTSA ODI 10789233

Nov 9, 2015Electrical systemLights

BOTH OF THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AS I WAS DRIVING HOME ON A UNLIT HIGHWAY AT NIGHT. THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WORKED WHEN I TURNED OFF THE HEADLIGHTS, AND THE HIGH-BEAM HEADLIGHTS WORKED WHEN I TRIED USING THEM. THE NEXT MORNING I REPLACED BOTH LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND THEY STILL DO NOT WORK.

NHTSA ODI 10789318

Nov 7, 2015Seat belts

REAR SEAT BELT HOUSINGS BROKEN, REAR SEAT CENTER LOCATION WHERE TWO HOUSINGS ARE CO-LOCATED. ONE OF THE TWO HOUSINGS DOES NOT LATCH THE BELT CLIP RENDERING THIS SEAT LOCATION USELESS AS THE OCCUPANT WILL NOT HAVE A WORKING SEAT BELT. USING A CALIPER THE HOUSING IN ONE AREA LOOKS TO MEASURE AT 40/1000 OF AN INCH THICK. LOOK AT ATTACHED PHOTOS FOR DAMAGE AND METHOD ON HOW DAMAGE OCCURS. WHEN THE SHORT SEAT IS DROPPED AND THE TWO SEAT BUCKLES ARE NOW LOCATED OVER UNDER THE LONGER SEAT BACK. THEY ARE EXPOSED TO A METAL BRACKET INSIDE THE LONGER SEAT BACK THAT IS VERY CLOSE TO THE SURFACE OF THE SEAT FABRIC. AS THE LONGER SEAT IS DROPPED THE METAL BRACKET LOCATED UNDER THE SURFACE OF THE FABRIC IN THE SEAT IN MY OPINION COMES IN CONTACT WITH THE BUCKLES AND HAS CAUSED THIS DAMAGE. THIS DAMAGE HAS EFFECTED THE SEAT BELTS FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY.

NHTSA ODI 10789000

Oct 29, 2015

THE HORN FAILED TWICE IN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP (LATE 2012) AND A THIRD TIME A LITTLE AFTER THREE YEARS. THE FIRST TIME, THE HORN SYSTEM WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY WITH A PART FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP. ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER, IT WENT OUT. THE SECOND TIME THE HORN RELAY WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY USING NEW PARTS. THIS HORN FIX WORKED FOR 2013-LATE 2015. THIS THIRD TIME MOST LIKELY WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL (AND LESS THAN A MONTH OUT OF WARRANTY). IN ALL INSTANCES, THE HORN BEGINS TO PRODUCE A MUTED/WEAK HONKING SOUND MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN LOCKING THE VEHICLE. THIS WILL HAPPEN FOR ABOUT A MONTH OR SO BEFORE IT FINALLY GOES OUT. PRESSING THE KEY (LOCKING & EMERGENCY ALERT BUTTON) OR THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL CONFIRMS THAT THE HORN IS INOPERABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10786966

Oct 21, 2015Electrical system

VEHICLE HAS 38,000 MILES, WE'RE THE ORIGINAL OWNER, HORN BECAME INTERMITTENT, THEN STOPPED WORKING. WE TOOK IT TO THE VW DEALER IN BRANDON, FL. THEY SAID THERE'S A RECALL ABOUT TO BE ANNOUNCED IN NOVEMBER THAT WILL COVER THE HORN, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR AN AIRBAG EARNING LIGHT. WE'RE LEFT WITH MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD WITH NOT HAVING A HORN. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WOULD COST OVER $2000.00 TO FIX, THEY WON'T HAVE THE PARTS UNTIL THE RECALL IS SENT. THIS CAN'T BE RIGHT AND FEEL WE'RE BEING PUT AT RISK WHILE THEY FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

NHTSA ODI 10785037

Oct 11, 2015Electrical system

2012 JETTA TDI. HORN INTERMITTENT AND ABOUT THE SAME TIME MY MOON ROOF STOPPED WORKING. AS A MILITARY MEMBER STATIONED NEAR SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA, I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND SOMEONE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME EVEN THOUGH I WAS A LOW SPEED I STILL HAD TO SMASH ON THE BRAKES CAUSING THE ANTI-SKID SYSTEM TO WORK. AS SOON AS THEY PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME I WAS PRESSING THE HORN AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY DEFECT WITH MANY PEOPLE HAVING ISSUES WITH FAULTY HORNS/WIRING, ESPECIALLY FOR A CAR WITH LESS THAN 50K MILES ON IT. (CONVENIENTLY OUT OF WARRANTY). I AM AWARE OF THE RECALL ON THE HORN FOR THE 2011 MODELS, OBVIOUSLY THEY DIDN'T RESOLVE THE PROBLEM WHEN BUILDING THE 2012 MODEL. IN SEOUL I FEEL THE NEED TO USE MY HORN DAILY AS THERE ARE OVER 150 ACCIDENTS A DAY JUST IN THE SEOUL AREA. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY VW.

NHTSA ODI 10781290

Oct 9, 2015Electrical system

THE KEY LOCKS IN THE IGNITION WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING AND IN PARK, WILL NOT DISENGAGE TO TURN THE CAR OFF (STEERING WHEEL NOT LOCKED). I WAS UNABLE TO TURN MY CAR OFF. THIS FIRST OCCURRED WHILE I WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT (NO DANGER). AFTER THE DEALERSHIP FORCED THE KEY, I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER ON A HIGHWAY FOR A FLAT TIRE AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF. I COULD NOT CHANGE THE TIRE SAFELY AND COULD NOT GET THE CAR TOWED AS I COULD NOT TURN THE ENGINE OFF. I HAD TO SIT AT THE SIDE OF A HIGHWAY UNTIL MY CAR STALLED FROM RUNNING OUT OF GAS, UNTIL I COULD SAFELY HAVE THE CAR TOWED. NO LOCKSMITH WAS ABLE TO CORRECT THE IGNITION LOCK, AS IT IS AN ELECTRONIC LOCK IN THE KEY HOUSING. I SEE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS LISTED WITH NHTSA REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE WITH VW CARS, AND MANY SPECIFICALLY FOR JETTAS, AND 2012 JETTAS.

NHTSA ODI 10781121

Sep 27, 2015Brakes

WHILE DRIVING (SECONDARY ROADS, SUBURBS) NOTICED 'SPONGY' BRAKE FEEL AND STRANGE SOUND FROM LEFT REAR. WHEN I GOT HOME (AFTER ABOUT 15 MIN OF DRIVING), LEFT REAR DISC WAS GLOWING ORANGE/YELLOW AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE WHEEL. HAD REAR PADS REPLACED/RESET. PROBLEM RETURNED 2 WEEKS LATER. AFTER A SHORT DRIVE, NOTICED SMELL AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM LEFT REAR WHEEL. LIFTED CAR AND LEFT REAR WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. ALL OTHER WHEELS ARE FINE.

NHTSA ODI 10777930

Sep 23, 2015SteeringEngine

ENGINE RUNS ROUGH, SPUTTERS AND STALLS RANDOMLY. WHEN STALLS, SOME LIGHTS FLASH AND STATES SERVICE NEEDED. DEALERSHIP DIDN'T FIND ANY FAULTS. IF STALLS ON HIGHWAY THIS CAN BE LIFE THREATENING. STEERING WHEEL PULLS HARD TO THE LEFT EVEN WITH CAR PROPERLY ALIGNED AND TIRES AIR PRESSURE READING ACCURATELY FULL. JUST HAD CAR SERVICED AGAIN NO FAULTS FOUND. IGNITION ISSUE WITH CAR NOT SHUTTING OFF. 20 MINUTES AFTER PARKING AND TRYING TO TURN CAR OFF WITH NO PREVAIL. HAD CAR SERVICED AND WAS GIFTED A FREE REPAIR SINCE MY 2012 JETTA HAS ONLY 22,000 MILES ON IT. IGNITION REPLACED BUT OTHER ISSUES STILL EXIST. PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR SERVICING THIS VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE ALL THESE ISSUES CAME ABOUT CONVIENTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD ENDED.

NHTSA ODI 10775482

Sep 22, 2015Suspension

THE REAR TRAILING ARMS OF JETTA AND BEETLE OF VW IS A DESIGN FLAW. (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V656000) CHINA AQSIQ (GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OF QUALITY SUPERVISION, INSPECTION AND QUARANTINE OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA) CONDUCTED A YEARLONG SURVEY TEST, THE EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS HAVE BEEN OUT : THE REAR TRAILING ARMS OF JETTA AND BEETLE OF VW IS A DESIGN FLAW?THE RECALL OF USA?2011-2013 JETTA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED MARCH 1, 2010, TO NOVEMBER 30, 2012, AND 2012-2013 BEETLE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED MARCH 1, 2011, TO JULY 31, 2013. ?. THE MAIN CONCLUSIONS OF AQSIQ OF CHINA ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. THE REAR TRAILING ARMS OF THE RECALL OF JETTA AND BEETLE OF VW CAUSED A DEFICIT. JUST WHEN ENCOUNTERING OBSTACLES IN REVERSING THE PROCESS, IT WILL CAUSE THE REAR TRAILING ARMS DEFORMED. 2. THE METHOD OF THE RECALL THAT INSTALLING A SHEET METAL CAN?T ELIMINATE DEFECTS. THE INSTALLATION OF A SHEET METAL ONLY ENHANCES THE RESISTANCE TO DEFORMATION OF THE REAR TRAILING ARMS, BUT WHEN THE MORPH TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, THERE IS STILL THE RISK OF BREAKAGE AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER BREAKING, THE SHEET METAL DOES NOT NECESSARILY ALERT OF NOISE. IN THE CASE OF VEHICLES OF MORE THAN 40KM / H, WHEN THE REAR TRAILING ARMS FRACTURE, THE SHEET METAL WILL ALSO BREAK, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT BE CONTROLLED. WE FEAR FOR OUR SAFETY, AND WE NEED NHTSA?S HELP! THANK YOU! THE TECHNICAL REPORTS OF CHINA AQSIQ ABOUT THE JETTA AND BEETLE: HTTP://WWW.DPAC.GOV.CN/XWDT/GZDT/201509/T20150911_57436.HTML CHINA AQSIQ TEST VIDEOS BELOW: HTTP://WWW.DPAC.GOV.CN/VIDEO_XINSUTENG/. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10767582

Sep 15, 2015Fuel system

A WOMAN AND A YOUNG CHILD DEPARTED A PRESCHOOL ON A CLEAR, DRY DAY. THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET 250 FEET FROM THE PRESCHOOL WITHOUT WARNING OR ANY SIGN OF TROUBLE. THE VEHICLE HAD RUN WELL TO DATE. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED MULTIPLE TIMES TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT SHUT DOWN AGAIN WITHIN TWO SECONDS OF STARTING. A GOOD SAMARITAN PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE WAS DIESEL FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE, NECESSITATING TOTAL REPLACEMENT. THE FUEL SYSTEM IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, FOR WHICH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY APPLIES TO 120,000 MILES. THE DEALER HAD A FUEL SAMPLE TESTED FOR CONTAMINATION. RESULTS WERE ALL STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANTLY WITHIN VW SPECIFICATIONS. VOLKSWAGEN CONTENDS, HOWEVER, THAT THE FUEL SAMPLE FAILED THE TEST DUE TO ITS OWN ROUNDING ERROR AND REFUSES TO HONOR ITS EXTENDED WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI 10763852

Sep 8, 2015

MY IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HAS FAILED ON MY 2012 VW JETTA. LONG STORY SHORT, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH "TURNING THE WHEEL TO UNLOCK IT". IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE VOLKSWAGENS. I FELT UNSAFE BECAUSE IF I EVER HAD TO SHUT MY CAR DOWN IN AN EMERGENCY, SOMETIMES IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE. SO I GO TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ANOTHER ISSUE, AND NOW THEY WON'T FIX MY CAR UNTIL I GET THIS IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FIXED. IT COSTS $650 AND I HAVE TO WAIT 7-10 DAYS TO GET THE PART FLOWN IN FROM GERMANY. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY NO QUESTIONS ASKED, I DON'T FEEL SAFE BEING IN THE CAR IF I CAN'T TURN IT OFF.

NHTSA ODI 10762143

Sep 7, 2015BrakesFire

2012 JETTA WAGON - WHILE DRIVING ON A RECENTLY PAVED HIGHWAY (EG. SEEMINGLY PRISTINE ASPHALT), MY WIFE AND I NOTED A STRANGE VIBRATION SENSATION IN OUR CAR. THERE WAS NO DRAG, VEERED STEERING, ABNORMAL HANDLING, OR WARNING ON THE DASH. WE HAD ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN AT THE UPCOMING INTERSECTION THE LIGHT CHANGED TO RED. IT WAS A NORMAL BRAKING/STOP MANEUVER. ON STOPPING, NO UNUSUAL BRAKING SENSATION, AGAIN NO ABNORMAL PULL. WE NOTICED SMOKE COMING ALONG THE DRIVERS SIDE WHILE STOPPED. THERE WAS A FAINT SMELL OF HOT METAL AS WELL. MY WIFE STATED "I HOPE THAT'S NOT US". SEVERAL CARS HONKED AND FLASHED LIGHTS TO GET OUR ATTENTION AND ON ROLLING THE DRIVERS WINDOW DOWN, A DRIVER ADJACENT YELLED "YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE". I QUICKLY EXITED THE DRIVERS SIDE AND NOTED A SMALL FLAME AT THE DRIVERS REAR BRAKE. BY SIMPLY BLOWING, IT WENT OUT. THE ROTOR WAS GLOWING RED/ORANGE. EXTREME HEAT WAS COMING FROM THIS. NO OTHER BRAKE WAS INVOLVED. I VERIFIED THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED AT THE TIME. WE HAD TRAVELED PERHAPS 2 MILES PRIOR TO THIS OCCURRENCE. ONCE COOLED, I SLOWLY DROVE TO A NEARBY CLINIC PARKING LOT AND LEFT THE CAR. THIS CAR HAS HAD ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE IN A TIMELY MANNER. IT HAS NOT BEEN CRASHED. RECENT WORK INCLUDED DEALER BRAKE FLUID CHANGE AT 47,918 MILES. *TR ## VIN PASSED ## VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2012 TDI SPORTWAGEN ##

NHTSA ODI 10761968

Sep 5, 2015Electrical systemFire

THE FIRST TIME MY RADIO CAUGHT ON FIRE, IT WAS THE SUMMER OF 2014. MY CAR WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT WHILE I WAS AT WORK. WHEN I ENTERED THE CAR TO DRIVE HOME, I TURNED STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS A EXTREMELY LOUD SOUND, MUCH LIKE AN EXPLOSION. THE MIDDLE DASH WHERE THE RADIO IS LOCATED BEGAN POURING SMOKE. AFTER THE INCIDENT, I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, WHO "FIXED" THE PROBLEM (THEY REPLACED THE STOCK RADIO FOR ANOTHER VW STOCK RADIO). SPRING OF 2015, THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED. MY CAR WAS PARKED AT WORK, I STARTED THE CAR AND THE RADIO BEGAN POURING SMOKE. I AGAIN, HAD THE ISSUE "FIXED" BY THE DEALERSHIP. AUGUST 2015, AGAIN THIS HAPPENED AND SEPTEMBER 2015 AGAIN. WHEN I INSISTED THAT VW MUST FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE UNDERLYING ISSUE, THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM AFTER THE AUGUST 2015 INCIDENT. WITH THIS INCIDENT NOT ONLY DID THE RADIO BURN OUT, MY BATTERY WAS DRAINED OUT. THE EXPLANATION I WAS GIVEN WAS THAT THE POWER LINE TO THE RADIO WAS NOT SHUTTING OFF, THEREFORE THE RADIO WAS OVERHEATING AND THE BATTERY WAS BEING DRAINED. WITH THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT, I RECEIVED MY CAR BACK ON A MONDAY AND THE RADIO AGAIN CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED OUT ON THE FRIDAY OF THAT SAME WEEK.

NHTSA ODI 10761778

Aug 25, 2015Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EPC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND EACH TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF MULTIPLE TIMES IN ORDER TO RESET THE EPC CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ODI 10759175

Aug 25, 2015EngineFuel system

I HAVE A 2012 JETTA TDI THAT IS NOW JUST OUT OF BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY, EXCEPT THE 10YR/120K COVERAGE EXTENDED ON THE KNOWN POORLY DESIGNED HPFP (INVESTIGATED IN NHTSA ACTION PE10034). I DO A FUEL FILTER CHANGE EARLY 15K FROM THE LAST DEALER CHANGE AT 44500 MILES... AND I FIND METAL PARTICLES IN THE FUEL FILTER. THIS IS NOT NORMAL, AND INDICATION OF WEAR, AND SOURCE IS ALMOST CERTAINLY THE HPFP CAM AND ROLLER/PISTON WHICH IS LUBRICATED AND COOLED BY DIESEL FUEL RECIRCULATED TO THE FILTER VIA BYPASS, AND SOME OF THIS ENDS UP IN THE FUEL TANK, AND WORSE CAN END UP IN THE INJECTORS CAUSING INJECTOR FAILURE, EVEN POSSIBLE BURNED PISTON HEADS AND CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE. I ASSUME THE PATH FORWARD IS DOCUMENT MY FINDINGS, I DID THIS WITH HIGH RESOLUTION DIGITAL PICTURES, PRINTED FOR THE DEALER, AND A PRISTINE WHITE RAG TURNED GREY WITH METAL FILINGS, ALONG WITH THE OLD FILTER DELIVERED FOR THEIR INSPECTION (I EVEN PROVIDED THE VCDS DIAGNOSTIC PRINT OUT FOR THE VEHICLES SELF-DIAGNOSIS). SINCE I DID THE FILTER CHANGE, AND ABOUT 100 MILES AND ONE DAY LATER, THERE IS NO MORE EVIDENCE OF THESE METAL PARTICLES IN THE SYSTEM.. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT TRIED, VW WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE A PUMP REPLACEMENT.. SO I CALLED AND VW EXPLAINED THE SITUATION TO THEM, THEY DID NOT BOTHER TO RECORD NAME OR VIN, CLEARLY NOT INTERESTED IN CUSTOMER CARE. OFFICIAL VW POLICY SEEMS TO BE TO IGNORE THE METAL FILINGS AND THE CUSTOMER, THEY OFFER A BOGUS EXPLANATION THAT METAL FILINGS COULD COME FROM FILL NOZZLES, OR SOME OTHER SOURCE (UNLIKELY, I ALSO OWN A DIESEL TRUCK, AND WITH LONGER SERVICE TIME, WITH MORE FUEL USED, THERE WERE NO METAL PARTICLES AT NEARLY 30K MILES. I NOW HAVE A CAR I CANT TRUST, KNOWING THE HPFP CAN SUDDENLY FAIL WITHOUT WARNING AND LEAVE MY FAMILY STRANDED, EVEN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF IT HAPPENS IN A BUSY INTERSTATE, OR WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI 10759334

Aug 10, 2015EngineFuel system

CAR LOST ALL POWER AND WOULD NOT RESTART.I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 55MPH ON A RURAL ROAD, THANKFULLY THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC AT THE TIME THE CAR FAILED. THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AS THE ENGINE WAS LOSING POWER. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THE CAR WOULD FAIL LIKE THIS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE THE ROAD IN NEUTRAL. I SUSPECTED A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE SINCE VW HAD JUST SENT OUT A LETTER NOTIFYING ME THAT THE WARRANTY ON THAT PART HAD BEEN EXTENDED TO 120K MILES. AFTER IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY CONFIRMED IT WAS A HPFP FAILURE AND I AM WAITING TO FIND OUT IF VW WILL COVER THE REPAIR. WAS TOLD THAT THIS FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM ($8,800.00USD). I DO NOT SEE HOW VW CAN PUT A CAR ON THE ROAD WITH A PART THAT COULD POTENTIALLY FAIL AND CAUSE THIS MUCH DAMAGE.

NHTSA ODI 10747451

Aug 6, 2015AirbagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT SUDDENLY STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 10746758

Aug 4, 2015Body & structure

COULD NOT OPEN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR DUE TO FROZEN ICE INSIDE THE HINGED SPACE BETWEEN DOOR AND FENDER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORTHTOWN VOLKSWAGEN IN BUFFALO AND THEY REFUSED TO HONOR ANY WARRANTY SOLUTION. THERE WAS A BULLETIN ON THIS EXACT ISSUE. DEALER RESPONSE WAS THAT THE BULLETIN WAS FOR VEHICLES UP TO 2009 AND THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN RECTIFIED SO 2012 DID NOT QUALIFY! OBVIOUSLY THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RECTIFIED. IN OPENING THE DOOR WITH FORCE, THE DOOR SHEET METAL WAS WAS BENT IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER AND NEEDED BODYWORK TOTALING $1,000.

NHTSA ODI 10746228

Aug 1, 2015SteeringSpeed control

I PURCHASED MY 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA APPROX OCTOBER 31, 2011. WITHIN THE FIRST 3-4 MONTHS THE CAR COMPUTER SYSTEM LOCKED UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING. (I WAS UNABLE TO PUT DOWN THE WINDOWS, THE A/C STOP WORKING, ENGINE LIGHTS LID UP ON THE DASHBOARD) SO I DROVE IT STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY IMMEDIATELY APOLOGIZED AND KEPT THE CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. IN 2013 THE STEERING LOCK WENT BAD WHILE DRIVING AND WE COULDN'T TURN THE CAR OFF. THIS HAPPENED AT 6:45PM AFTER THE DEALERSHIP CLOSED. SO THE CAR CONTINUED RUNNING IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE FROM 6:45PM TO 7:30AM WHEN THE DEALERSHIP OPENED. I EXPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP HOW FRUSTRATING, PHYSICALLY, AND MENTALLY DRAINING THAT NIGHT WAS. WE COULDN'T PARK THE CAR IN A GARAGE AND RISK THE GASES GETTING INTO THE HOME SO WE LEFT IT IN FRONT THE HOUSE AND HAD TO STAY UP ALL NIGHT AND WATCH IT SO NO ONE WOULD STEAL IT. THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A BAD STEERING COLUMN. THE CAR SOMETIMES ACCELERATE FAST ON ITS ON WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL. NOW CURRENTLY THE STERLING LOCK IS GONE BAD ON THE CAR AGAIN. I HAVE CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN AND THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THIS PART/ISSUE THIS YEAR AND THEY TOLD ME THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. A STEERING COLUMN GOING BAD IN A CAR EVERY YEAR IS NOT NORMAL. MY PROBLEM IS PAYING FOR THIS FAULTY, DEFECTIVE DANGEROUS CAR. I HAVE INVOICE AND REPAIR INVOICE ON THIS CAR DATING BACK TO THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF OWNING IT. VOLKSWAGEN IS ON A MAJOR COVERUP TO AVOID A MASSIVE RECALL OF SEVERAL OF THE VEHICLES THEY KNOWINGLY ARE PUTTING DRIVERS AT RISK.

NHTSA ODI 10745512

Jul 28, 2015Seat belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OUTER CASE WHERE THE SEAT BELT LATCHED WAS CRACKED AND PREVENTED THE SEAT BELT FROM SECURING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ODI 10744305

Jul 27, 2015Fuel system

WHILE DRIVING THE JETTA TDI AT 35 MPH, ALL OF A SUDDEN DASH LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF AND CAR STALLED. WE WERE ABLE TO STEER CAR TO SIDE OF ROAD. THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER AND WAS TOWED TO LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP. IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH HPFP FAILURE AND THE METAL HAD CONTAMINATED MY ENTIRE SYSTEM AND NEEDED COSTLY REPAIR. FUEL WAS SENT FOR TESTING, AND WHEN VERIFIED THAT IT WAS NOT OWNER NEGLIGENCE VW REPAIRED THE CAR. THE WAIT WAS ALMOST 2 WEEKS.

NHTSA ODI 10743583

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