MYRModel Year Report

2012 Volkswagen Jetta

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2012 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
500
Recalls
8

Campaigns on file for 2012

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

28% 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 2012: 500 complaints 2012 500 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 2012: 500 complaints 2012 500 2013: 517 complaints 2014: 386 complaints 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 2010 2011: 607 complaints 2012: 500 complaints 2012 500 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

2012: 500 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

28% · 142 reports

Most commonly citing horn and fuel gauge.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Hello, purchased a vw Jetta se on 7/20/12 and almost 1 month after the purchase I was driving on a local highway at apx. 50 MPH around 5:30PM when car headlights blinked and car died (Stalled). Attempted to re-start a car without any success.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-08-20

Also filed under Service brakes

Drove the vehicle home from work Friday 1/13, weather was below freezing causing ice build up. Parked the vehicle in my garage ~45 degrees.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-01-24

Also filed under Engine and engine cooling

Horn only occasionally works when honking and/or locking car, which increases the risk of a crash since I can’t always use my horn to alert other drivers of presence.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-29

Also filed under Exterior lighting and vehicle speed control

Engine

17% · 84 reports
CRASHFIRE

Fuel/propulsion system

9% · 47 reports
INJURY

Power train

9% · 46 reports
INJURY

Steering

8% · 42 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

On the day the issue occurred, I went to work as usual. When I finished work and tried to leave, my vehicle wouldn't start. I had the vehicle towed to a repair shop to determine what was wrong.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-10-02

Also filed under Wheels

Safety timeline

8 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. I
    2011-02-07Engineering analysisClosed 2015-03-27 High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
  2. I
    2011-08-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-12-02 Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage
  3. 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 →

  4. 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 →

  5. ▮
    2012Complaint volume 500 complaints filed for this model year.
  6. 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 →

  7. I
    2015-03-24Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-09-28 Air Bag Clockspring Failure
  8. 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 →

  9. 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 →

  10. I
    2017-11-13Recall queryClosed 2018-05-04 Air Bag Clockspring Failure
  11. I
    2018-04-18Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Clockspring Failure
  12. 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 →

  13. 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 →

  14. 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

2012 Volkswagen Jetta — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 142 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 84 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel/propulsion system: 47 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 11V490000 · Fuel system, diesel
  • 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 2012 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta have?
8 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.