MYRModel Year Report

2011 Volkswagen Jetta

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2011 Volkswagen Jetta
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
607
Recalls
10

Campaigns on file for 2011

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

32% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 19 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 32 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 120 complaints 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 173 complaints 1996 1997: 141 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1999: 349 complaints 2000: 439 complaints 2001: 668 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2002 2003: 456 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2005: 248 complaints 2006: 580 complaints 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2009: 888 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2011: 607 complaints 2011 607 2012: 500 complaints 2013: 517 complaints 2014: 386 complaints 2015: 194 complaints 2016: 161 complaints 2017: 159 complaints 2018: 31 complaints 2019: 549 complaints 2020: 53 complaints 2020 2021: 69 complaints 2022: 43 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2024: 44 complaints 2025: 29 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 19 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 32 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 17 complaints 1993 1994: 120 complaints 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 173 complaints 1996 1997: 141 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1999: 349 complaints 1999 2000: 439 complaints 2001: 668 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2002 2003: 456 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2005: 248 complaints 2005 2006: 580 complaints 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2008 2009: 888 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2011: 607 complaints 2011 607 2012: 500 complaints 2013: 517 complaints 2014: 386 complaints 2014 2015: 194 complaints 2016: 161 complaints 2017: 159 complaints 2017 2018: 31 complaints 2019: 549 complaints 2020: 53 complaints 2020 2021: 69 complaints 2022: 43 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2023 2024: 44 complaints 2025: 29 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1986 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 19 complaints 1988 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 32 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1992 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 120 complaints 1994 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 173 complaints 1996 1997: 141 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1998 1999: 349 complaints 2000: 439 complaints 2000 2001: 668 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2002 2003: 456 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2004 2005: 248 complaints 2006: 580 complaints 2006 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2008 2009: 888 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2011: 607 complaints 2011 607 2012: 500 complaints 2013: 517 complaints 2014: 386 complaints 2014 2015: 194 complaints 2016: 161 complaints 2016 2017: 159 complaints 2018: 31 complaints 2018 2019: 549 complaints 2020: 53 complaints 2020 2021: 69 complaints 2022: 43 complaints 2022 2023: 43 complaints 2024: 44 complaints 2024 2025: 29 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026

2011: 607 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19820
19830
19841
198513
198614
198718
198819
198928
199022
199132
199230
199317
1994120
1995220
1996173
1997141
1998192
1999349
2000439
2001668
2002702
2003456
2004231
2005248
2006580
2007201
2008188
2009888
2010852
2011607
2012500
2013517
2014386
2015194
2016161
2017159
201831
2019549
202053
202169
202243
202343
202444
202529
20266

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

32% · 194 reports

Most commonly citing horn and fuses and circuit breakers.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My horn and front right parking light both stopped working at the same time. I noticed there is a recall for the same make/model/year as my car, but my VIN is not included.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-09-06

Also filed under Exterior lighting

While driving to an early morning appointment, I notice a burning smell within 5 minutes of starting the car. I soon saw smoke coming from the upper right corner of the dashboard. I immediately pulled over and turned off the car.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-02-21

I own a 2011 vw Jetta which is equipped with the new intelligent crash response system (Icrs) which was put into place to maintain safety during a front end collision by turning car off, unlocking doors, shutting off fuel supply, and disconnecting...

NHTSA ODI report, 2011-03-31

Engine

15% · 90 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated the exhaust tip was extended beyond the original length of the factory-installed exhaust pipes. As a result, the exhaust pipes burned a child's legs on three different occasions.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-15

Fuel system, diesel

14% · 82 reports

Fuel/propulsion system

13% · 77 reports
FIRE

Power train

9% · 54 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

10 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2011Complaint volume 607 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2011-02-07Engineering analysisClosed 2015-03-27 High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
  3. R
    2011-04-21Electrical system11V196000 Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2011 Jetta vehicles, manufactured from March 2010 through March 2011. These vehicles may have an electrical wiring and fuse layout where the converter box…

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners when sufficient quantities of repairs kits are available. Dealers will separate the wiring for the horn and the theft protection horn from the power supply of the…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2011-08-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-12-02 Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage
  5. R
    2011-11-15Fuel system, diesel11V490000 Volkswagen is recalling certain model 2009-2012 Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen vehicles, manufactured from May 2008 through September 2011, model year 2010-2012 Volkswagen golf vehicles, manufactured…

    Remedy: Volkswagen will install an improved fuel injector line for the number 2 cylinder on certain vehicles and will install vibration dampers on all of the injector lines. Volkswagen and Audi will notify…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2011-11-30Engine and engine cooling11V466000 Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Jetta sedan vehicles manufactured from March 18, 2010, through August 22, 2011. Some vehicles had a stainless steel exhaust tip installed at the…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the stainless steel exhaust tips as necessary free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during November 2011. Owners may contact Volkswagen at…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2011-11-30Engine and engine cooling11E036000 Volkswagen is recalling certain stainless steel exhaust tips, part number 1K0 071 910 u, sold as accessory equipment for use on model year 2011-2012 Jetta sedan vehicles manufactured from March 18…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the stainless steel exhaust tips as necessary free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during November 2011. Owners may contact Volkswagen at…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2014-05-01Engine and engine cooling14E007000 The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013...

    Remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2015-03-24Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-09-28 Air Bag Clockspring Failure
  10. R
    2015-04-07Suspension14V656000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 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.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a sheet metal inlay on the rear axle trailing arms designed to prevent a sudden loss of control in the event of trailing arm sudden fracture, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2015.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2016-01-15Air bags15V483000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. I
    2017-11-13Recall queryClosed 2018-05-04 Air Bag Clockspring Failure
  13. I
    2018-04-18Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Clockspring Failure
  14. R
    2019-11-06Unknown or other19V679000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. R
    2019-11-19Electrical system, steering19V615000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. R
    2020-10-30Service brakes, hydraulic20E064000 Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles.

    Remedy: Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2011 Volkswagen Jetta — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 194 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 90 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel system, diesel: 82 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 11V196000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 11V490000 · Fuel system, diesel
  • Recall 11V466000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 11E036000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 14E007000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 14V656000 · Suspension
  • Recall 15V483000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V679000 · Unknown or other
  • Recall 19V615000 · Electrical system, steering
  • Recall 20E064000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.