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)

41 of 526 complaints match · Brakes · clear filters · page 1 of 2

Mar 15, 2025Transmission & drivetrainBrakesEngine

I recently bought vehicle seen there is a recall

NHTSA ODI 11648429

Nov 4, 2023Brakes

ABS module controlling the Anti-Lock brake system has failed. I am told there is a recall for earlier models of this car for the very same issue but not for 2012 model year. This is a safety issue that is very expensive to fix and primarily by the dealer requiring factory programming of a new expensive ABS module

NHTSA ODI 11553518

Mar 22, 2023Brakes

The brakes randomly engage while driving and sometimes while parking, without touching the brake pedal. After this happens and you're driving for a while, there is a burning smell, likely from the brakes being engaged while driving and not applying the brakes.

NHTSA ODI 11513169

Jan 29, 2023Brakes

The ABS module has failed and caused lights in dash to illuminate for ABS, Traction control, and airbags. Requires full replacement and reconfiguration of ABS module

NHTSA ODI 11504260

Jan 25, 2022BrakesEngineFuel system

The car it’s having severals issues such a fuel system injectors fuel ️ gas leak also breaks and battery alternador and much more this car was sold to me by a dealership looking for legal assistant that can help also it was on a accident but I don’t know when

NHTSA ODI 11448810

Jul 7, 2021Brakes

The brake vacuum pump is leaking oil. As this component is related to brakes, it is considered a safety component. The leak was confirmed by the local VW dealer and a cursory google search shows that this issue is common amongst this engine (across many models/years).

NHTSA ODI 11423750

Jun 7, 2021BrakesElectronic Stability Control (esc)

The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, when the ABS, traction control, brakes and air bags warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that she needed to pay for the diagnostic test. The VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with codes 16352, 01130 and related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 16V913000 (Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic stability control). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall however, if there was a recall later that included the VIN, the contact might be eligible for reimbursement. The failure mileage was 181,000.

NHTSA ODI 11419911

Apr 30, 2021Brakes

VOLKSWAGEN KNOWS THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THEIR ABS MODULE BUT REFUSE TO CORRECT IT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. CODES: 01130 ABS OPERATION NOT A PLAUSIBLE SIGNAL. THEY NEED TO RECALL!!!

NHTSA ODI 11414557

Dec 17, 2020SteeringElectrical systemBrakes

PER DEALER VEHICLE HAS NON-FUNCTIONING HORN AND HIGH-BEAM HEADLIGHTS APPARENTLY DUE TO CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. IN ADDITION, WATER INSTRUCTION (OF AS YET UNKNOWN ORIGIN) HAS RUSTED BRAKE, STEERING, AND DASH COMPONENTS. TDI RECALL/REPAIR/SALE AND WAS LAST PERHAPS LAST SOLD BY AND SERVICED AT VW DEALER 08/2020.

NHTSA ODI 11383930

Dec 16, 2020AirbagsSpeed controlBrakes

WHEN STARTING MY 2012 VW JETTA, THE ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON ON THE DASHBOARD ALONG WITH A LONG BEEPING SOUND. THE SOUND EVENTUALLY STOPS BUT THE LIGHTS STAY ON. VEHICLE IS TRYING TO RUN THROUGH DIAGNOSTICS UPON STARTING (VEHICLE IS STATIONARY BUT LIGHTS REMAIN ON WHILE DRIVING) WHEN THESE LIGHTS COME ON. THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE ARE FINE AND DO NOT NEED TO BE SERVICED PER MECHANIC AND VW. PERSONAL MECHANIC ALONG WITH AUTHORIZED VW SERVICE PULLED THE FOLLOWING CODES: 01130 ABS OPERATION NOT A PLAUSIBLE SIGNAL, 01317 CONTROL MODULE, 01285 CLUSTER, 01486 SYSTEM FUNCTION TEST FAILURE. VEHICLE MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 63K. ABS MODULE FAILURE HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES AND THERE ARE TBS'S AND TECHNICAL TIPS FOR TROUBLESHOOTING AS WELL AS A RECALL FOR 2009-2010 JETTA'S. PROPERLY MAINTAINED VEHICLES SHOULD NOT REQUIRE ABS MODULE REPLACEMENTS AT 63K MILES. WAS ALSO TOLD THAT BY AUTHORIZED VW SERVICE THAT THIS VEHICLE ALSO HAS A LEAKY VACUUM PUMP. TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS: $2,636 FOR REPLACEMENT OF ABS MODULE PLUS TAX AND $1,036 PLUS TAX FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE VACUUM PUMP. NEITHER OF THESE PARTS SHOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED ON THIS 2012 VW JETTA WITH 63K MILES. THIS IS ABSURD. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE PARTS BECAUSE, ESPECIALLY WITH THE ABS MODULE, THEY ARE CLEARLY DEFECTIVE. YOU WILL FIND MANY CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ABS MODULE ON THE WEB FOR THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11383833

Nov 30, 2020Brakes

WHILE IN MOTION BRAKES WERE ENGAGED TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN. BRAKES "STUCK" AT TOP OF MOTION AND WOULD NOT DEPRESS. HAD TO PUMP AND AFTER PUTTING VEHICLE IN PARK AND THEN DRIVE AGAIN THEY WOULD ENGAGE. USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP ON WAY HOME. FAILURE HAPPENS EVERY 3 STOPS OR SO.

NHTSA ODI 11377144

Jul 14, 2020Transmission & drivetrainSeat beltsBrakes

THE THROW OUT BEARING SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AS I WAS GOING 80 MPH DOWN THE FREEWAY, TO REPLACE IT I DISCOVERED THAT THE SWAY BARS END LINKS WERE RUSTED SOLID AND THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN DONE 6 TIMES AND BROKEN EVERY TIME BUT THIS LAST TIME WITHIN A MONTH

NHTSA ODI 11339434

Jun 30, 2020Electronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT START-UP THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANCIRA VOLKSWAGEN IN SAN ANTONIO LOCATED AT 6125 BANDERA RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78238, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT'S SON WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V913000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

NHTSA ODI 11331727

Feb 12, 2020Electrical systemBrakesCrash

I'M STILL CONTINUING TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VAR 2012 JETTA VOLKSWAGEN. UP IN TILL RECENTLY IT WAS FIXED ON A RECALL NOTICE THAT DISPLAYED VEHICLE RIGHT ROLL EVEN IF PLACED IN PART AND IGNITION TURNED OFF !! UNFORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED TO MY SON DURING CHRISTMAS 2019. WHAT IF THERE WAS A BODY IN FROM THAT CAR. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE AND VOLKSWAGEN USA KNOWS IT. I TOOK IT IN AND WAS ADDRESSED OF NEW RECALL WHICH RELAYS THE SAME SAVAGENESS; IT WAS FIXED TILL WHEN ?? [XXX] THIS CAUSED ABOUT 1000-2000 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE AFTER WE HAD ALREADY FIXED THIS BUMPER WITH VOLKSWAGEN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 11308656

Feb 1, 2020BrakesEngine

THE CAR HAS UNDER 70,000 MILES. THE CAR NEEDS A NEED VACUUM PUMP AND ABS MODULE!!!!!!! ABS MODULE IS $2,200 DOLLARS AT THE DEALERSHIP. HOW DOES THAT BRAKE SO SOON ON A CAR?

NHTSA ODI 11306444

Dec 10, 2019Brakes

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE BACK IN SEPTEMBER 2019 FOR AN ISSUE INVOLVING THE PARKING BRAKE UN-STICKING AND HAVING THE POTENTIAL TO ROLL AWAY AND CRASH. I HAVE STILL NOT BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT A POTENTIAL REMEDY AND FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11288104

Oct 29, 2019AirbagsWheelsBrakes

MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON A COUPLE MONTHS AGO. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT AND THE CLOSEST VW DEALERSHIP IS ABOUT 80MILES FROM HERE. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS COULD BE A RECALL DEFECT OR WAS IT SOMETHING THAT I DID. I DO HAVE A CHILD AND I DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO HAPPEN. I DON'T GO OUT OF TOWN AS IT IS DUE TO MY TIRES LOSING AIR AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEING ON.

NHTSA ODI 11276924

Sep 6, 2019Brakes

I AM MYSTERIOUSLY LOSING BREAK FLUID, YET THERE IS NOT A SINGLE LEAK IN THE CAR. IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE COMPLAINING ABOUT BREAK ISSUES AND HOW THEY SUDDENLY DO NOT WORK UP TO STANDARD. I HOWEVER HAVE ENOUGH KNOW HOW TO AT LEAST KNOW THAT THEY NEED FLUID. THE MINUTE I STARTED THE CAR AND PUT MY FOOT ON THE BREAK TO MOVE IT, THE BREAK PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. IN LESS THAN A WEEK OF ME HAVING PUT FLUID IN, CHECKING THE BREAKS, AND HAVING THEM BLEED I NEEDED FLUID AGAIN. YET THERE IS NO LEAK PRESENT IN THE SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI 11253649

Aug 20, 2019Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AS THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, SHE FELT THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS "OFF ITS BASELINE". THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURES LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V913000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE RECALL PERTAINED TO VEHICLES MADE TWO YEARS PRIOR TO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT OFFER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000.

NHTSA ODI 11245210

Jun 25, 2019Brakes

ABS CONTROL UNIT FAILURE

NHTSA ODI 11222588

Jan 22, 2019Brakes

BRAKES INOP. MAKING HISSING SOUND ABOVE THE BRAKE PEDAL. SOUNDS LIKE PRESSURE IS BEING RELEASED FROM A HOSE. ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN IN MOTION I'VE HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO COME TO A STOP.

NHTSA ODI 11171401

Sep 20, 2018BrakesCrash

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, NO RAIN, DAYLIGHT HOURS, WHEN COMING UP ON A STOP SIGN I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WOULDN'T PUSH, THE BREAKS DIDN'T WORK, I PUMPED THEM AND STILL THE PEDAL WOULDN'T MOVE, ON THE FOURTH OF FIFTH PUMP FINALLY THE PEDAL WOULD COMPRESS. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROX 6-8 TIMES OVER THE LAST 4 YEARS BUT YESTERDAY IT WAS A SERIOUS ISSUE. I COULDNT GET MY BRAKES TO REACT AND REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME , AND THE VALUE OF MY JETTA IS NOW LIKELY A TOTAL LOSS. I HAVE PERIODICALLY LOOKED FOR RECALLS ON THIS ISSUE AND HAVE FOUND ONLY SIMILIAR COMPLAINTS.

NHTSA ODI 11130484

Dec 6, 2017AirbagsSeatsBrakes

AIRBAG, BRAKE, ABS LIGHTS ARE ON AND STAYS ON. 3 LOUD BEEPS WHEN TURNING ON THE CAR. RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION BUT MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW RECALL WHEN LOOKED UP WHICH IS ALSO ALARMING. ACCORDING TO THE VW DEALER, THIS IS A FACTORY/ MANUFACTURER DEFECT (CHEAP PARTS FROM CHINA AND BAD INSTALLATION IS WHAT I TOLD) BUT THEY CANNOT FIX SINCE VIN IS NOT SHOWING UP IN THEIR SYSTEM. MY ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AS WELL AS BRAKE SYSTEM. I AM IN A PANIC!!! BUT DEALER WILL NOT FIX FACTORY DEFECT AND IS CHARGING $1700-$2200 TO FIX. THIS IS ALARMING AS WELL AS UNFAIR TO CONSUMERS!!! THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED!!! PEOPLE COULD DIE BECAUSE OF THIS. AND THIS IS NOT AN UNDERSTATEMENT! CORRECT YOUR YOUR RECALL AND VIN TRACKING SYSTEM AND FIX MY CAR! THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI 11052803

Jun 30, 2017Electrical systemBody & structureBrakes

CAR IS SERVICED AT VW DEALER EVERY 10,000 MILES. AT 70,000 MILES THEY TELL ME MY REAR SIDE DOOR HINGES ARE RUSTED AND NEED REPLACEMENT AT MY COSTS. WHY WOULD DOOR HINGES RUST AWAY? WHEN IT DOES RAIN WHEN I OPEN THE REAR DOORS, WATER DOES POUR OUR THE BOTTOM OF DOOR.. POOR GERMAN ENGINEERING DESIGN? 2ND PROBLEM: THEY TELL ME MY EMERGENCY/PARKING BRAKE CABLE, ETC., IS RUSTED AWAY. ANOTHER ENGINEERING PROBLEM? AGAIN I'D HAVE TO PAY. 3RD PROBLEM: AT 73,000 MILES MY REAR HATCH WILL NOT OPEN. BROUGHT IT IN AND THEY SAY IT'S THE ELECTRONIC PART THAT WENT BAD. ENGINEERING? I PAID FOR REPAIR. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND IT'S ONLY 5 YEARS OLD.

NHTSA ODI 11002551

Mar 4, 2017SteeringBrakesEngine

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY UNKNOWN MOMENT THE CAR WILL START TO MISFIRE IN 1 OR MORE CYLINDERS (SEEMS LIKE USUALLY WHEN THERE IS MOISTURE IN THE AIR) BUT YOU STILL NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY GO INTO ENGINE POWER CONTROL AND WILL SOMETIMES CUT OFF THE STEERING AND BRAKES. I'VE GOTTEN CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WITH NO BRAKES AND NO STEERING. I HAD TO USE MY PARKING BRAKE AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. MOST OF THE TIME THE STEERING GOES OUT IS WHEN I'M TRYING TO MAKE A U TURN. AND MOST OF THE TIME THE ENGINE STARTS TO MISFIRE AND/OR SHUT OFF IS WHEN I'M TRYING ACCELERATE EITHER AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT OR SIGNIFICANT INCREASE LIKE MERGING ON A FREEWAY

NHTSA ODI 10958614

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Working with the data? Download all 526 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 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Hev verdict →