2011 Volkswagen Jetta

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2011 Volkswagen Jetta
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Volkswagen Jetta Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2011 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 1 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1986 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 19 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1991: 31 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1992 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 117 complaints 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 31 complaints 1997: 54 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1998 1999: 349 complaints 2000: 439 complaints 2001: 668 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2003: 455 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2004 2005: 248 complaints 2006: 580 complaints 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2009: 888 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2010 2011: 606 complaints 2011 2012: 499 complaints 2013: 515 complaints 2014: 386 complaints 2015: 193 complaints 2016: 160 complaints 2016 2017: 158 complaints 2018: 30 complaints 2019: 537 complaints 2020: 51 complaints 2021: 65 complaints 2022: 41 complaints 2022 2023: 41 complaints 2024: 36 complaints 2025: 21 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026
2011: 606 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19820
19830
19841
198513
198614
198718
198819
198928
199022
199131
199230
199317
1994117
1995220
199631
199754
1998192
1999349
2000439
2001668
2002702
2003455
2004231
2005248
2006580
2007201
2008188
2009888
2010852
2011606
2012499
2013515
2014386
2015193
2016160
2017158
201830
2019537
202051
202165
202241
202341
202436
202521
20263

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 29%

29% of complaints: electrical system — 174 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20180906

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, 20130221

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, 20110331

ENGINE 15%

15% of complaints: engine — 90 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20121015

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 14%

14% of complaints: fuel system, diesel — 82 distinct reports on file.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 13%

13% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 77 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 46 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

2011 — complaint volume: 606
I 20110207 — EA (closed 20150327)

High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure

R 20110421 — electrical system

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 I

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 CONVER

Campaign 11V196000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20110802 — PE (closed 20111202)

Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage

R 20111115 — fuel system, diesel

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 FROM

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 O

Campaign 11V490000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20111130 — engine and engine cooling

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 P

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 1-800-822

Campaign 11V466000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20111130 — engine and engine cooling

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, 20

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 1-800-822

Campaign 11E036000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140501 — engine and engine cooling

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.

Campaign 14E007000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20150324 — PE (closed 20150928)

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

R 20150407 — suspension

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.

Campaign 14V656000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160115 — air bags

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.

Campaign 15V483000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20171113 — RQ (closed 20180504)

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

I 20180418 — EA (open)

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

R 20191106 — unknown or other

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.

Campaign 19V679000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20191119 — electrical system, steering

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.

Campaign 19V615000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20201030 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 20E064000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2011 Volkswagen Jetta — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (174 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (90 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, diesel issues (82 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 11V196000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V490000 (fuel system, diesel) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V466000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11E036000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14E007000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V656000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V483000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V679000 (unknown or other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V615000 (electrical system, steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20E064000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2018 ▲ 1992 ▲ 1991

WORST YEARS

■ 2009 ■ 2010 ■ 2002

See all years ranked →

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 29% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta have?

10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.