CarComplaints.com Notes: Digging through the long list of NHTSA complaints about a sudden loss of engine power and the high pressure fuel pump failing, it's never good to come across the "my car (with a cold engine) set itself on fire in the middle of the night" complaint.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,182 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Volkswagen Jetta fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2011 Volkswagen Jetta Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #76

Jan 012022

Jetta

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

It's the transmission when the mph needle just Bob's constantly, when sometime up to 60 mph the rps stays above the three for at least 15 sec before sometimes going down others have to push the gas pedal fast to shift gears. Constant thud sound from the motor and more condensation then should be coming from tailpipe.the odor coming from the air vents is absolutely nauseating.

- Ashland, KY, USA

problem #75

May 052022

Jetta

  • miles
The car turns off while driving and it has put me in several safety problems that I feel could an accident

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #74

Aug 122021

Jetta

  • miles
Car randomly stalls while driving and shuts off without warning in the middle of the road. Immediately is able to turn back on without issues. Took to mechanic and they couldn't find any issues and said the car had zero error codes. This has happened multiple times while driving low speeds, usually when driving stop and go with street lights

- San Diego , CA, USA

problem #73

May 132021

Jetta

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car would randomly stall while driving, happens both when braking and not braking. When it stalls steering wheel locks up, cannot press gas pedal, and brakes stop working almost. This is incredibly dangerous because while on a road at 50mph+ and my car suddenly stops it can cause a serious accident. The dealer has been able to reproduce it multiple times, and has said it is a common problem. The only warning light that switched on was the battery light after it had stalled. Currently at the VW dealership and was told that it was the fuel filter, was not the problem and car continued to stall more. Not only was a good part replaced but created an even more dangerous situation than before.

- Camarillo , CA, USA

problem #72

May 252021

Jetta

  • miles
This Jetta Sportwagen TDI is one of the "diesel gate" vehicles that was supposedly fixed. However, post fix, the vehicle has been at the dealership for repairs more than it has been on the road for various emissions related issues revolving around the exhaust gas recirculation system and diesel particulate filter. Vehicle is washed regularly, including scrubbing of the chaise pipe ends with heavy duty soot cleaning solution. vehicle takes less than a week to collect enough soot on the tailpipe to cause transference to finger when whipped. This is an indication that an excessive amount of soot is not being properly recirculated by the exhaust gas recirculating system to be rebut in the diesel particulate filter. This also indicates that the "fix" for the cheating emissions system is not doing its job and vehicle is likely emitting particulate and NOX at levels far above legal limits.

- Little Chute, WI, USA

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problem #71

May 012020

Jetta

  • 100,000 miles
After driving for 1 hour or more on the highway, the car does not have the power to accelerate when driving at slower speeds and loses control of the speed. After driving 3 hours or more, the car will do the same while still on the highway. The car is not able to maintain speed in heavy traffic and becomes immediately dangerous.

- Winter Park, FL, USA

problem #70

Apr 222020

Jetta 4-cyl Diesel

  • 174,820 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving this VW Jetta tdi 2011 on the 605 freeway South in long beach when the yellow glow plug light started linking. Car lost power. Would not accelerate, I rolled out of the freeway to an exit. After this engine stopped. Car would not start anymore.I called VW care to start a claim because this car belongs to the diesel gate scandal. To my bad luck, I found out a few weeks after I bought this car, 12/17/2019, that they had many repairs made and also that the fuel pump will go bad and the repair cost thousands of dollars. The lady of VW care, (800)822-8987 told me that my warranty for the fuel pump expired at 174,620. She asked me whats the current mileage. That is 174,847. So she said my car is not covered any more. I still asked her to put in a claim. She gave me the following claim number:[xxx]. I just feel very suspicious after they hid so much information before during the scandal for my car to die exactly a few hundred miles after this warranty expires. There are thousands of these cars out there. Can someone investigate because why will my car die exactly a few miles after the warranty expire. Have they played with the computers to do another similar thing? I hope not. What I hope is that in good faith VW repairs my car at VW of garden grove here in California. That is where I made an appointment to take the car Monday April 27, 2020. I have just had this car for 4 months. :( to look up my cars warranty under the diesel gate: Https://www.vwdieselinfo.com/ input my VIN number: [xxx] notice that they add 48,000 miles to the last service fix made to the car. It was 126,618 miles. That adds to 174,618 now the car is at 174,847 you can also visit: vwcourtsettlement.com/ information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Torrance, CA, USA

problem #69

Feb 192020

Jetta

  • 78,000 miles
Twice the car just stalls. On the road or in a intersection. Car was in motion, on street, and just killed, motor shut off! checking several forums there has been multiple reports of diesels prior to 2013 where the high pressure fuel pump goes out. Luckly I did not get hit by another car.

- Freeport, IL, USA

problem #68

Dec 012019

Jetta

  • 75,000 miles
The car randomly stalls!!! this has happened several times and the dealer says nothing is wrong because there are no codes. This is so dangerous and I do not feel safe driving it. Twice the car stalled when sitting at a stop light and once when I was driving on the city street. It will restart after I let it sit. It also stutters/jumps and de excellerates.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #67

Nov 012019

Jetta

  • 200 miles
I have a 2011 Jetta SE 2.5L auto pzev and when I turned on the car outside from my house, the check engine light turned on with no reason. I passed the scanner and threw the code P0106. The car would drive well, but when I release the brake and press gas, the car wouldn't react right away, it would accelerate slowly and kick-in I second gear. Then the gears indicator (prnd123) disappears. I changed the map sensor and works good for 3 or 4 day. After this the problem returns. I saw a technical bulletin from Volkswagen company and this bulletin says that the car needs an update programming. I called to my concessionary and they says that I must to pay, first for the diagnosis, and second for this update. I have been investigating about this trouble and too many owners of Volkswagen vehicles presents this fault, including usa and Mexico. I guess that Volkswagen must correct this problem with no charge. Attached the technical bulletin 2034012 from Volkswagen.

- San Ysidro, CA, USA

problem #66

Jul 262019

Jetta

  • 115,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #65

Oct 172018

Jetta

  • 1 miles
When driving car the engine will stall and lock up the power steering. It may happen 3-4 times within in 3 mile distance. It has been taken to two different auto repair shops one of which deals only with german motors. The problem cannot be diagnosed. After replacing the fuel pump and crank shaft sensor the problem still exists. This is so dangerous to drive as you don't know when it will happen. Please help with suggestions as the mechanics aren't able to diagnose the problem. Thank you

- Keizer, OR, USA

problem #64

Jul 162018

Jetta

  • 112,000 miles
Besides the problem I have reported about the car sputtering loosing power and even stalling once its on 1/4 tank. Now I am having problems with the alternator charging the battery. I replace the mutli fuse, and the alternator. Its still not charging. I had the old alternator tested and it works. After doing some research trying to figure out what else it could be, many other people are experiencing the same issues. Electrical problems are very dangerous and would like to get this resolved.

- Cannon Falls, MN, USA

problem #63

Jun 192018

Jetta

  • 110,000 miles
Takata recall. When starting the vehicle after seating for more than an hour, it takes an excess amount of cranking before the engine fires. 10 plus seconds. One its running it usually drives without issues until you get to 5/16-1/4 tank. While driving down the highway it starts to loose power. The car feels like it is going to shut off. It looses power, gains and loose power causing it to sputter and loose control. After a few moments it is back to normal. Then proceeds to happen sporadically usually every couple miles until it gets fill it up. This happens on city roads and highway. I fill the tank up and I only get on average 10 gallons into the tank, so I know its not out of gas. I have had the fuel pump test numerous times by different mechanics. All of them said its not loosing pressure, and it primes when the drivers door opens like it should. After reading online I have noticed many Jetta owners are having the same problems and can not seem to get it fixed. This is very concerning cause it can cut power at any moment and is very dangerous. This has been happen since I bought the car about a month ago and continues to happen if it falls below the 5/16 a tank. This is a problem that has effected many Jetta owners and prevents a risk to them and other cars on the road. This is a manufacturing problem and needs to be corrected. Thank you.

- Cannon Falls, MN, USA

problem #62

Jul 282016

Jetta

  • 40,000 miles
While driving the car to work last Thursday (07/28/16) the car stalled and rolled to a stop. I had it towed to my mechanic and he indicated that the fuel pump and possibly the injectors need to be replaced. The car had just under 1/4 tank of diesel fuel at the time. There were no error lights or other indication of failure. The vehicle is still at the mechanic, he indicated that the parts are $900 and labor will be additional. Depending on what he finds as he does the repair. He indicated that the injectors may be damaged which would add an additional $1000 for parts plus labor. I didn't take the car to VW because I don't trust them. The ac failed last month and they wanted $1900 for the repair, I brought it to my mechanic and had it repaired for $800. They billed me $200 to tell me the ac was bad. The car currently has 40,000 mile on it. I don't have the repair invoices at this time. Up to the time of the ac failure all work has been completed by VW.

- North Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #61

Apr 202016

Jetta

  • 121,000 miles
Driving on the highway and the glow plug indicator light starts flashing with a lose of power. The vehicle stalls but luckily while exiting freeway. The Jetta was towed to dealer where it was determined hpfp failure and the whole fuel system needs to be replaced. The car was not fixed ($6000) as it was past the warranty by 1000 miles.

- Alpine, CA, USA

problem #60

Dec 232015

Jetta

  • 77,000 miles
High pressure fuel pump failed containated the fuel system with metal particles well I was on vacation on five lane freeway just South of pasadena highway 5 fall left lane just stopped running almost accident trying to cross four lanes with no power.

- Rio Dell, CA, USA

problem #59

Jul 162015

Jetta

  • 72,000 miles
High pressure fuel pump failure July 2015, was driving at highway speed when glow plug indicator started flashing, pulled off highway and car stalled in highway off-ramp intersection. Pushed car out of intersection to side shoulder. Car towed to fox VW of rochester hills mi. VW authorized warranty claim on replacement of entire fuel system. Repair was completed and car returned. Car smelled of diesel in the interior compartment. Smell did not lessen after 1 week even with windows open to air out. Returned vehicle to fox VW. Fox VW stated that there was a spill at the access to the fuel pump sending unit under the seat. The spill was cleaned up and vehicle returned. Diesel smell was less. Fast forward 3 months to November 2015, returned car for extended warranty service for glow plug replacement at purchasing dealer in Pennsylvania (three rivers VW), dealer service technicians discovered and documented multiple fuel system leaks with incorrectly installed components. Fuel was present on top of engine, high pressure fuel pump housing and fuel filter housing. Traveled in this car with newborn daughter and 4yo son multiple times with long road trips in the time from the fuel smell complaint to three rivers VW finding the leaking fuel. Three rivers VW repaired vehicle with authorization from VW America.

- Bloomfield Hills, MI, USA

problem #58

Dec 142015

Jetta

  • 143,000 miles
2011 Jetta diesel complete failure of high pressure fuel pump without warning at 50 mph ascending a large bridge in vehicle what has had scrupulous periodic maintainance. Occurring at rush hour on a 4 lane high traffic river bridge (295 Delaware memorial bridge) a very dangerous time and place due to collision possibilities. My research so far is that this is a common problem with the company covering it up to 120 thousand miles. No notice has every been received of this propensity or of the, what seems to be "secret" warranty extension.

- Alloway, NJ, USA

problem #57

Nov 112015

Jetta

  • 35,000 miles
While driving straight on a city highway, the car stalled, and would not restart. This happened in moderate traffic, but we were able to coast out of the road and into a parking lot. The dealer where we bought the car analyzed the fuel system, and ruled that out. He found a bad fuse related to the fuel pump, and claims at this time that it is probably an electrical issue. At this time, the exact cause remains unknown. This is the third time that we've had the same problem, though the previous two times the dealers claimed that it was a fuel system issue.

- Greenville, NC, USA

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