2012 Volkswagen Jetta Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 499 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta overview page.
What owners report
“AFTER A NEW ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN IN THE SAME GENERAL AREA OF THE ISSUE WITH MY CAR THAT HAD BEEN HAPPENING PRETTY MUCH SINCE PURCHASING…”NHTSA complaint 10586353 — filed 05/03/2014
“LEAVING WORK I HAD STARTED MY CAR LET THE CAR IDLE DOWN PUT IT IN DRIVE AND IT SLAMMED INTO GEAR AFTER TAKING OFF THE…”NHTSA complaint 10553020 — filed 11/20/2013
“THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND DESTROYED THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM OF THE CAR.”NHTSA complaint 10550258 — filed 10/30/2013
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta: 46 of 499 complaints on file (9.2%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta have in total?
499 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 24 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, 17 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.