CarModelProblems.com

2011 Volkswagen Jetta Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 2.6× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
606Complaints
10Recalls
27Crashes
9Fires
15Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Electrical System (28.7% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Electrical System complaints here are 2.6× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Electrical System174 · 28.7%RecalledRecall 19V615000 · Recall 11V196000
Engine90 · 14.9%RecalledRecall 14E007000 · Recall 11E036000 · Recall 11V466000
Fuel System, Diesel82 · 13.5%RecalledRecall 11V490000
Fuel/propulsion System77 · 12.7%RecalledRecall 11V490000
Power Train46 · 7.6%not available
Exterior Lighting39 · 6.4%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM174 · 28.7%
ENGINE90 · 14.9%
Unspecified / other64 · 10.6%
POWER TRAIN46 · 7.6%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING39 · 6.4%
AIR BAGS34 · 5.6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL26 · 4.3%
SERVICE BRAKES24 · 4%

Percentages are the share of the 606 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 10 campaigns

Unknown Or Other

NHTSA campaign 19V679000 · 2019 · reported 09/25/2019

If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:ignition:anti-theft:control Module

NHTSA campaign 19V615000 · 2019 · reported 08/22/2019

Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal

NHTSA campaign 15V483000 · 2015 · reported 08/04/2015

A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

NHTSA campaign 14E007000 · 2014 · reported 03/07/2014

A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:rear

NHTSA campaign 14V656000 · 2014 · reported 10/20/2014

The reduced durability of the trailing arm may result in its sudden fracture, possibly causing loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

NHTSA campaign 11V196000 · 2011 · reported 03/29/2011

SHOULD THIS HAPPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, THE ENGINE COULD STALL, OR THE HEADLIGHTS OR WIPERS COULD TURN OFF UNEXPECTEDLY, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Diesel

NHTSA campaign 11V490000 · 2011 · reported 10/03/2011

DUE TO THE RESONANCE CONDITION, INJECTOR LINE NUMBER 2 COULD DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE. LEAKING FUEL IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY LEAD TO A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System

NHTSA campaign 11E036000 · 2011 · reported 09/08/2011

IF THE TAILPIPE EXTENSION IS HOT DURING INADVERTENT CONTACT, A BURN COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System

NHTSA campaign 11V466000 · 2011 · reported 09/07/2011

IF THE TAILPIPE EXTENSION IS HOT DURING INADVERTENT CONTACT, A BURN COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

NHTSA campaign 20E064000 · 2020 · reported 09/23/2020

If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“COMING BACK FROM THE MALL, I TURNED ON MY CAR AND A FEW SECONDS LATER THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND "IMMOBLIZER ACTIVE" MESSAGE APPEARED. RESTARTED…”NHTSA complaint 10456790 — filed 04/29/2012 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN INCREASE…”NHTSA complaint 10444853 — filed 01/23/2012 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“THE VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER ACTIVATES, PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM BEING STARTED AND LEAVING DRIVER STRANDED.”NHTSA complaint 10444719 — filed 01/21/2012 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

1242011666120131191142015705220174684201943282021251720231952025

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta?

Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 174 of 606 NHTSA complaints (28.7%), followed by engine (90), fuel system, diesel (82), fuel/propulsion system (77). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta have?

606 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 27 involved a crash, 9 involved a fire, and 15 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta have any recalls?

Yes — 10 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V679000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.