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)

88 of 526 complaints match · Engine · clear filters · page 1 of 4

Mar 15, 2025Transmission & drivetrainBrakesEngine

I recently bought vehicle seen there is a recall

NHTSA ODI 11648429

Jan 6, 2024SteeringTransmission & drivetrainEngine

I remember having my keys in my hand and my car was slowly reversing out the driveway. I panicked, i was stomping on my brakes for a while jerking back and it took me about 2 minutes to finally get the key back in and try to put in park again. I went to a shop the following weekend because all the jerking and jabbing to get my key back in seems to have caused my ignition switch to misfire or whatever the word he (mechanic) used, so now i cannot take my key out like a regular person, I have to flick my key a certain way out anytime i want to turn my car off.(even mechanics have a hard time taking it out. I was also given a qr code to scan and was brought the this exact recall of the situation with my car. I now have my engine light on and [XXX] gave me the fault code for my map sensor. I’m not sure if the two are related but this was following the incident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11563924

Oct 12, 2023SteeringEngine

The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagon Jetta Sportwagen. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal became inoperable and the vehicle did not accelerate. The engine and power steering had failed. The glow plug warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The contact was informed that the failure was due to the high-pressure fuel pump which sent metal shards through the fuel line. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

NHTSA ODI 11549605

Aug 3, 2023Engine

My DPF system failed after my warranty ran out, about 128,000mi. and VW charged me $3000 to replace the DPF, then two days later the Nox Catalyst failed and they wanted another $2500 out of me. I tried the regen like the manual says, and the car went in limp mode 75 miles from my house in the middle of the highway. The car is not safe to drive, and they would not tell me if replacing the Nox catalyst will fix my problem, or just reveal another multi thousand dollar problem. The car is parked for the past 6 months and is not drivable.

NHTSA ODI 11536407

Jun 13, 2023Engine

The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate properly. Additionally, the contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was shuddering. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11526835

Mar 1, 2022Engine

The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine light would remain illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle experienced hard starts and rough idling. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the spark plugs and decarbonize the engine however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic who changed the coil pack and fuel sensor but the failure was not resolved. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000.

NHTSA ODI 11454720

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

Sep 18, 2021Engine

I’ve been having problems with this car every since I purchased it from carvana Epc and check engine light keeps cutting on I went to Volkswagen for them to fix and for them to claim they fixed it august 2019 for my light to still light up… they also broke my heater coil which prevents my heat from blowing hot or warm air only

NHTSA ODI 11433442

Sep 2, 2021Transmission & drivetrainEngine

The car stop at the stop sign n in the traffic then push start n it worked 4times in a 2years I thought the vw made fir saving fuel. Today the car stop at highway n I almost got killed by sudden stopped. I got panicked couldn't think about anything then push the start it worked again. I Google myself, there are many same problems n reports for 2012 vw jetta. Please help me what I should do. Last year The vw dealer couldn't find anything wrong but there is some problem

NHTSA ODI 11431481

Aug 4, 2021Engine

The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at 15 mph, the vehicle made a clunking sound then loss motive power without warning. The crankshaft position sensor was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with code P0016 - crankshaft position sensor fault. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11427766

Jan 12, 2021Electrical systemEngineFuel system

DPF LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF AND THEN CAME ON

NHTSA ODI 11387673

Dec 16, 2020EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HER BOYFRIEND HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE AND PARKED IT IN HER DRIVEWAY; HER BOYFRIEND INFORMED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE AUTHORITIES WERE CALLED AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED ON THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO ACTIVE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. A FIRE REPORT AND POLICE REPORT WERE FILED, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. DUE TO THE FIRE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY INSURANCE TO AN INSURANCE AUTO AUCTION WHERE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED HER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE; THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000.

NHTSA ODI 11383693

Nov 2, 2020Transmission & drivetrainAirbagsEngine

AS I WENT TO CHANGE GEARS INTO REVERSE I HEARD A VERY HARD THUMP, THEN INTO DRIVE AND THE THUMP GOT LOUDER AND THE WHOLE ENGINE SHIFTED FORWARD. NOW IT SOUNDS AS IF EVERYTHING ( MOTOR ) IS ABOUT TO FALL OUT THE VEHICLE .

NHTSA ODI 11372721

Aug 9, 2020Electrical systemEngine

UNABLE TO TURN KEY TO TURN OFF IGNITION. CAR IS IN THE VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE CENTER FOR THE THREE WEEKS FOR REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI 11344135

Jul 26, 2020Electrical systemEngineFire

CAR RAN HOT FIRST TIME AIR CONDITIONING GOT HOT CAR WAS GOING ANY FASTER WITH SMOKE FROM ENGINE. NO INDICATOR AT ALL CAR WAS RUNNING HOT. DEALERSHIP STATED THE BLOCK MESS UP. ADJUSTER CAME STATED THEROMAST WHICH NOT COVER WARRANTY FOR MY CAR. WHY WAS I NEVER AWARE MY CAR HAD THESE ISSUES

NHTSA ODI 11341492

Jul 14, 2020Electrical systemEngine

OXYGEN SENSOR CODE COMES UP, THEN ALL LIGHTS COMING ON, WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THIS CAR HAD A CARFAX SHEET STATING NO PROBLEM AND REPAIRS DONE BY MICHEAL AUTOMOTIVE IN FRESNO CA. NO RECALL EVER MENTIONED, NOW A YOUNG MANS FIRST CAR , NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, ONLY PICKED UP BECAUSE CAR FAX STATED IT HAD NO PROBLEMS, NOW A SAFTY CONCERN.

NHTSA ODI 11339449

May 18, 2020Engine

GLOW PLUG LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR LOOSES POWER GOING DOWN THE ROAD. DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THAT IT IS CAUSED BY A FAULTY DPF ( COVERED UNDER WARRANTY) THAT IS NOT AVAILABLE AND RENDERS THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH CUSTOMER CARE AND THE TELL ME NOTHING IS AVAILABLE. THE ORIGINAL DATE OF SERVICE WAS NOVEMBER 15, 2019. AS OF TODAY MAY 18, 2020 I HAVE NO PARTS AVAILABLE AND CAN NO LONGER SAFELY DRIVE MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11325049

Mar 31, 2020Engine

WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE YOU PUSH THE TRANSMISSION DOWN, LEFT AND UP ALMOST LIKE YOU ARE SHIFTING INTO 1ST (ONLY DIFFERENCE IS 1ST YOU DON'T PUSH DOWN). TODAY, AND MULTIPLE TIMES PREVIOUSLY IT SEEMS TO NOT IN REVERSE, BUT ALSO NOT IN 1ST (ALMOST LIKE IT'S BETWEEN TWO GEARS). THUS IT JUST GRINDS GEARS AND STOPS MOVING, IT DOES INITALLY MOVE BACK THEN STARTS GRINDING. I WAS IN THE IN THE MIDDLE OF PULLING THEN HAD TO THROW IT INTO NEUTRAL AND TRY AGAIN TO GET INTO REVERSE FOR A SECOND TIME.

NHTSA ODI 11319868

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

Jan 6, 2020Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FIRST TEAM VOLKSWAGEN (6900 PETERS CREEK RD, ROANOKE, VA 24019) AT LEAST TWELVE TIMES TO HAVE THE FUEL SYSTEM REPAIRED IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH THE EMISSIONS TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,316.

NHTSA ODI 11297461

Jul 15, 2019EngineCrash

THE MOTOR KICKS(JERKS) REALLY BAD. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A COUPLE SHOPS AND THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER ONCE AND NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DETECT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CHANGED MANY PARTS THINKING IT WOULD FIX IT AND STILL HAPPENS. AT THIS POINT IM FRUSTRATED AND DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO THE CAR ONLY HAS 84,146 MILES. IT DOES IT WHEN DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET RANDOMLY AND IS VERY SCARY.

NHTSA ODI 11232140

Jun 27, 2019Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

OUT OF NOWHERE THE EPC LIGHT AND MIL LIGHTS CAME ON THE CAR LOST POWER AND THE ENGINE WAS RUMBLING. VERY SCARY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. IGNITION COIL AND SPARK PLUG WIRES HAS TO BE REPLACED. COST ME OVER $900. A DAY LATER, I SEE THAT THIS SAME PROBLEM WAS A RECALL ON JETTAS IN THE PAST. I AM OUT OF POCKET $900 AND WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE OF THIS. WHY HASN'T VW CORRECTED THIS PROBLEM? I WANT TO BE REIMBURSED SINCE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS EXISTED IN JETTAS FOR YEAR!

NHTSA ODI 11222950

Apr 14, 2019SteeringEngine

I AM UNABLE TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE WHEN I STOP. THE KEYS ARE STUCK IN THE ENIGEN AND THE CAR NOT TURN OFF. REALLY HEART BREAKING BECAUSE I LIKE VOLKSWAGEN BUT I THINK THIS WILL BE MY LAST.

NHTSA ODI 11196107

Feb 18, 2019EngineFuel system

JETTA WOULDN'T START, CALLED DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID GET IT TOWED IN, WE HAVE 12 OTHER JUST LIKE IT, ZERO DEGREE'S OUTSIDE, THEY TOLD ME ABOUT THE INNER COOLER TECHNICAL BULLETIN AND THEY'D TAKE OF IT, THEY SAID THEY WOULD DEFROST IT AND LOOK INSIDE THE TURBO, THEY NEVER DID LOOK INSIDE THE TURBO THEY UNHOOKED ONE TUBE AND YEAS MOISTURE LIQUID CAME OUT THEY SAID NOT ENOUGH, THAT'S NOT WHAT THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE GONNA DO, ITS NOT A COINCIDENCE THAT 12 OTHER CARS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, THEY DIDN'T TAKE CARE OF IT AND MADE ME PAY FOR A NEW STARTER, TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE THE 12+ OTHER CARS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. $84 TOWING AND $480 FOR STARTER, THEY NEED TO RECALL THE TURBO'S CAUSING THE PROBLEMS. UNACCEPTABLE

NHTSA ODI 11180833

Sep 18, 2018Engine

VEHICLE STALLS RANDOMLY WHILE IDLING AND HAS HAPPENED TWICE WILL DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, WHICH CAUSES LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CAR ALSO DRIVES ROUGH BEFORE, AND THE STALLING HAPPENS SOMETIMES 3-4 TIMES A DAY AND OTHER TIMES NOT AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI 11130187

Older →

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 →