10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,913 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.

2012 Volkswagen Jetta drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2012 Volkswagen Jetta Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #43

Sep 022021

Jetta

  • miles

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

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

- Sutherland, VA, USA

problem #42

Aug 112021

Jetta

  • miles
Experiences rollaway issue but VIN not currently covered under recall.

- Wilmington , NC, USA

problem #41

Jul 022021

Jetta

  • 155,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while turning into the parking lot at the residence, with a foot on the brake pedal, the contact was unaware that the vehicle was still in drive and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled forward approximately 3-4 feet before the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle was stopped. The vehicle was shifted into PARK and the contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated as designed. The contact stated that a week later while at work, the vehicle failed to start-up. The vehicle remained at the contact-€™s place of employment. The contact reached out to a representative on at the Volkswagen website and was informed that the Vin was not under recall. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V615000 (Electrical System, Steering) as a possible solution to the failure however, the Vin was not included. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

- Wrightstown, NJ, USA

problem #40

Nov 012020

Jetta

  • 176,000 miles

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

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.

- Floresville, TX, USA

problem #39

Oct 192020

Jetta

  • 115,000 miles
I was driving the car normally on the highway and I pushed the clutch in and it went straight the floor this is a problem because it was the slave cylinder a know failure point. This is dangerous because io couldn't put the car into gear again and was in neutral on the highway. Volkswagen needs to fix this on this year Jettas.

- Columbus, OH, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #38

Aug 192020

Jetta

  • 136,466 miles
Just bought this vechile used, with 136K miles. On initial drive, which lasted around 30 minutes, everything seemed fine. Now it's almost like its slipping gears and slamming when it down shifts coming to a stop. Obviously came with no warranty, didn't think I'd need to purchase that on a car 8 years old. Basic assessment, transmission issues while in motion and coming to a stop.

- Junction City, KY, USA

problem #37

Jul 132020

Jetta 4-cyl Diesel

  • 75,000 miles

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

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

- Denton, TX, USA

problem #36

Jan 192020

Jetta

  • 80,000 miles
I was on my way to work at 3 am I jumped on the freeway and my vehicle lost acceleration and started sputtering back and forth I was able to pull aside to get away from the freeway the car then sped up on its own I put my foot on the pedal to see if I could slow it down it then drove normal about a block away from the freeway back toward my home it lost power again while driving very scary I noticed an epc light go on and off 2 times while driving when I finally got it home I turned the car in the on position and noticed the epc light staying on thank you for your time

- New River, AZ, USA

problem #35

Jan 012018

Jetta

  • 85,000 miles
The cvt transmission is is a known issue that Nissan fixed up to the 2010 models up to 120000 but continued to manufacture them and the 2012 models have the same issue. I am disappointed in the lack of recall due to this issue being so prevalent on internet.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #34

Sep 142019

Jetta

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. While parking the vehicle and placing the gear in the park position, the vehicle started to roll forward down a hill. The contact had to apply the emergency brake before the vehicle rolled into a river. The VIN tool located a recent recall for NHTSA campaign number: 19V615000 (steering, electrical system) that was issued on August 22, 2019. Village Volkswagen of chattanooga (6001 international dr, chattanooga, tn 37421, (423) 855-4981) stated that they did not believe the failure was due to the recall. The vehicle remained parked and was not repaired. The manufacturer referred the contact back to the dealer to schedule a recall repair appointment. The contact was informed that follow-up letters would be mailed around October 22, 2019. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- Cleveland, TN, USA

problem #33

Sep 012019

Jetta

  • 96,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. While the vehicle was turned off and parked with the ignition key removed from the ignition switch, the vehicle would roll away. The contact indicated that the emergency brake needed to be activated every time the vehicle was parked to prevent it from rolling. The vehicle was taken to hallmark Volkswagen at cool spring (620 bakers bridge ave, franklin, tn) where it was confirmed that the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 19V615000 (power train); however, the remedy was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000.

- Antioch, TN, USA

problem #32

Feb 072019

Jetta

  • 170,000 miles
Map sensor - repeating failure the manifold absolute pressure (map) sensor failure causes exponential safety issues while driving on highways and/or higher speeds that can result in death. After repeated replacement and repairs, continuous failure occurs. Stalling, power and steering issues occur at high speeds and/or on highways, putting driver at risk for a fatal collision. Personally, I have had the sensor replaced multiple times, including hoses and pumps on three different occasions. Soon thereafter, map sensor fails and has caused me to create almost a dozen collisions at high speeds, particularly on highways.

- Cambridge, MA, USA

problem #31

Oct 162017

Jetta

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the engine seized frequently while driving and there were metal fragments stuck in the engine and transmission. In addition, the engine control module and battery indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to mckinney Volkswagen (855-402-5098, 3600 S central expy, mckinney, tx 75070), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #30

Apr 072015

Jetta

  • miles
I have just found out that there was a recall on my car on 4/7/2015 about an issue with the axles that I never got a notice to take action of what to do to fix the issue

- Sunnyvale, CA, USA

problem #29

Apr 222018

Jetta

  • 65 miles
I parked and could not remove my key or turn off the engine. My car is not safely drive able. Unpredictable if key will tur on or worse still turn off. The failure to turn off happened on a public street.

- Monona, WI, USA

problem #28

Apr 112018

Jetta

  • 91,000 miles
90K miles transmission and trans axel went

- Salem, NH, USA

problem #27

May 012016

Jetta

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving approximately 70 mph, the engine and tire inflate sensor indicators suddenly illuminated before the transmission malfunctioned. The gear would no longer shift up or down. The contact indicated that the failures occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to mener Volkswagen in latham, NY where it was diagnosed that the mechatronics unit inside the transmission was faulty and the entire transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 110,000.

- Schuylerville, NY, USA

problem #26

Sep 252017

Jetta

  • miles
Turning my key into the ignition is very difficult. Turning the key to turn off the car is hard also. Have to jiggle steering wheel sometimes to get the key out of the ignition. Sometimes I have to jiggle the key back and forth to get the key out at all.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #25

Jul 232017

Jetta

  • 80,200 miles
5-speed manual transmission failed after only 80,200 miles. Under normal driving conditions, accelerating after a stop, there was a noticeable "clunk" sound after shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, and then a continuous loud rattling sound in all the gears 2nd-5th. Vehicle remained drivable though with a continuous clattering sound in 2nd-5th gears and with a slight shuddering while in motion. Vehicle had recently received regular 80,000 service. No indication of a problem existed until it was manifest in this failure. Vehicle remained drivable though normal speeds enough to take to dealership approximately 40 miles away. Diagnosis was a problem in the gearbox necessitating a replacement of the transmission. Given the reliability of most manual transmissions, I consider this failure to be premature in comparison to its expected service life, and therefore most likely due to some defect in the unit. Vehicle is currently in for service to have the transmission replaced. Will provide documentation once the vehicle has been returned.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #24

Nov 012015

Jetta

  • 66,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving 20 mph, the vehicle accelerated forward in a jerking motion without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be serviced per a recall related to the failure; however, the failure recurred. Also, a howling sound emitted from the engine and the oil and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but the failure was not diagnosed. In addition, the contact stated that the headlights became inoperable intermittently without warning. The contact also mentioned that the front driver seat independently readjusted and the steering wheel shook violently when the vehicle was driven. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the purge valve and the steering rack failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 66,000.

- Charleston, WV, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

Not what you are looking for?