2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen. Newest first.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the…
Risk and remedy
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Owner complaints
27 complaints1 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system
Cp4 high pressure fuel pump will self-destruct causing little pieces of metal to go throughout the fuel system and causing thousands in repair lots of manufacturers are doing recalls to this pump but nothing for Volkswagen I have contact the dealer no help if you go online thousands of people it's complaining about the CP4 high pressure fuel pump it has a design flaw from factory and needs to be corrected
- Fuel/propulsion system
I was looking at the GMC Duramax diesel and it has the same problem as the Volkswagen Jetta TDI fuel pump failure due to American Diesel in the pump is designed for foreign diesel which is very expensive to repair can we please have some help with this where they can come out with a replacement pump that can resist American diesel
- Engine · Steering
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagon Jetta Sportwagen. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal became inoperable and the vehicle did not accelerate. The engine and power steering had failed. The glow plug warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer.…
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagon Jetta Sportwagen. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal became inoperable and the vehicle did not accelerate. The engine and power steering had failed. The glow plug warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The contact was informed that the failure was due to the high-pressure fuel pump which sent metal shards through the fuel line. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
- Fuel/propulsion system
HPFP fuel system failed while driving at speed causing car to stall on highway.
- Service brakes
Volkswagen knows they have a problem with their ABS module but refuse to correct it. This has been going on for years. Codes: 01130 ABS operation not a plausible signal. they need to recall!!!
- Suspension
I had to have all four springs replaced because they were broken. I've seen many complaints about the same problem. this IS a known problem with VW. why are they not addressing this? the car had about 89 thousand miles on it.
- Electrical system · Engine · Fuel/propulsion system
Dpf light came on and went off and then came on
- Air bags
Airbag corrosion found by dealer.
- Electrical system · Service brakes · Steering
Per dealer vehicle has non-functioning horn and high-beam headlights apparently due to clock spring failure. In addition, water instruction (of as yet unknown origin) has rusted brake, steering, and dash components. Tdi recall/repair/sale and was last perhaps last sold by and serviced at VW dealer 08/2020.
- Engine
TL* the contact owned a 2012 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that after her boyfriend had driven the vehicle and parked it in her driveway; her boyfriend informed her that the vehicle was on fire. The authorities were called and the fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the…
TL* the contact owned a 2012 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that after her boyfriend had driven the vehicle and parked it in her driveway; her boyfriend informed her that the vehicle was on fire. The authorities were called and the fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. There were no active warning lights illuminated on the vehicle prior to the failure. A fire report and police report were filed, no injuries were reported. Due to the fire, the vehicle was towed by insurance to an insurance auto auction where the vehicle had been deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed her that there were no recalls on the vehicle; they offered no further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.
- Unknown or other
2012 VW jetta wagon that was purchased new and always housed in a garage until february 2020. water leaked into car interior carpet and spare tire well. never received any notification of recall due to sunroof leaking. repair was $900 out of my pocket
- Suspension
TL* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen jetta sportwagen. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from rear, which caused the vehicle to be difficult to steer. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the rear springs were…
TL* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen jetta sportwagen. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from rear, which caused the vehicle to be difficult to steer. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the rear springs were replaced 4 times over the course of five years. The vehicle was taken to local dealer nye volkswagen of rome located at 5865 rome-taberg rd rome, ny 13440, where it was diagnosed with rear springs needing to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired as of yet. The manufacturer had been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.
- Suspension
Broken left front & left rear coil springs. I don't believe this was created by running over anything. service associate blamed it on rust due to snow, ice, debris build up. hard to believe a coil spring will rust through in 8YRS. it appears VW has had other issues with coil springs on…
Broken left front & left rear coil springs. I don't believe this was created by running over anything. service associate blamed it on rust due to snow, ice, debris build up. hard to believe a coil spring will rust through in 8YRS. it appears VW has had other issues with coil springs on vehicles. I checked with an independent mechanic & he agreed they were broken. front wheels are out of alignment & squeal when lightly pressing on brake. car can't be aligned until repair IS made. *tr
- Electrical system · Power train · Unknown or other
I noticed my car has been cutting out and not having power when driving down a freeway. Ill put the pedal down it didnt move. I noticed my stereo started kind of flashing as well. I figured maybe it was electrical so I started looking around and I opened up my trunk and it was 4 inches of water…
I noticed my car has been cutting out and not having power when driving down a freeway. Ill put the pedal down it didnt move. I noticed my stereo started kind of flashing as well. I figured maybe it was electrical so I started looking around and I opened up my trunk and it was 4 inches of water where my spare tire IS. Then I started looking around where my panoramic sunroof IS and there's a huge spots of water that's wet. They did not disclose this to me when I purchase the car and I asked them if there was any problems of leaking. I think it's messing up my electrical system and my power. I felt very unsafe when I wasn't able to accelerate in the middle of traffic.
- Power train
When moving from stop, transmission takes a second to engage. This IS dangerous because when trying to take a turn from stop, hesitation could lead to serious accident. engage 1ST gear.
- Unknown or other
The sunroof leaks on the passenger's side when it rains, causing the car to have flooding on the passenger's side front seat and back.
- Suspension
About a year ago both rear springs were broke and the dealership replaced them. about a month ago both front springs were broke and the dealership replaced them. all the replacements were done at my cost. I now have a rear right spring that has broke and will now have to have it replaced. in my…
About a year ago both rear springs were broke and the dealership replaced them. about a month ago both front springs were broke and the dealership replaced them. all the replacements were done at my cost. I now have a rear right spring that has broke and will now have to have it replaced. in my over 50 years of driving different model cars and truck, I have never had spring failures such as this. I haven't hit any major pot holes that would cause this type of damage. this must be defective springs. the last time I was at the dealership having the front springs replaced they said this IS common. it should not be common.
- Electrical system
Key gets stuck in ignition when turning off engine.
- Power train
Vehicle stalled out while driver at highway speeds due to intercooler freezing, on second occasion vehicle was unable to start due to engine hydrolocking from frozen intercooler thawing out. VW has released a bulletin for this issue but will not stand by warranty on said component.
- Fuel/propulsion system
Having difficulty with my VW jetta sportwagen 2012 with its high pressure fuel pump having contaminated the fuel system in the car with metal shards captured on the fuel metering valve. Entire fuel system needs replacement. The car IS a certfified pre-owned and only 11 months into a 2-year…
Having difficulty with my VW jetta sportwagen 2012 with its high pressure fuel pump having contaminated the fuel system in the car with metal shards captured on the fuel metering valve. Entire fuel system needs replacement. The car IS a certfified pre-owned and only 11 months into a 2-year bumper-to-bumper warranty. The dealership, regional case dispute manager, and technical dispute inquiry have all come back and reported that it IS an externally created issue from the diesel fuel I put into the tank. However, this IS a well-documented ongoing issue with VW diesel engines with their high pressure fuel pumps dating back to 2009. The fuel I put into the car was tested and came back entirely fine. And by virtue of the metal shards being found on the fuel metering valve that IS wholly indicative of the contamination being cause after the fuel has gone through the high pressure fuel pump, to the engine, and the excess IS returning back to the fuel tank via the fuel metering valve. I was told that the metal shards were only found on the mesh piece/filter on the fuel metering valve not on the fuel tank filter itself (which you would think there would be metal shards on the fuel tank filter if the diesel that I put into the car was the original issue). The car has no acceleration after approximately 40 mph, and further driving of it will just further compromise the fuel system. The problem occurs very suddenly without warning, as it did in my case, which doesn't allow for correcting before it's much too late. I'm facing an estimated $5500 repair but that IS on the low side of what has been reported by others that have faced the same situation. My car IS under warranty, this has been an ongoing issue since 2009 with VW diesel high fuel pumps, I believe they should fix under the warranty as they know this IS an internal equipment/parts failure.
- Fuel system, diesel · Power train
TL* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen jetta sportwagen. The contact noticed that the transmission was hesitant as if the vehicle would stall when needing to change gears. In addition, the gears were slow to change over. The dealer (hansel volkswagen, 2951 corby ave, santa rosa, ca 95407, (707)…
TL* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen jetta sportwagen. The contact noticed that the transmission was hesitant as if the vehicle would stall when needing to change gears. In addition, the gears were slow to change over. The dealer (hansel volkswagen, 2951 corby ave, santa rosa, ca 95407, (707) 501-5977) provided a manufacturer solution of modifying the diesel system, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer more than twice, but could not diagnose or replicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified that their solution impacted the transmission, but they provided no remedy. The contact was awaiting a follow-up response from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was not available. *Tt contact states that vehicle was apart of the volkswagen diesel modification program required due to emission fraud. After the required modification the transmission misperformed six times when accelerating into freeway traffic or when down-shifting up hill. *Tt
- Electrical system · Service brakes · Structure › Body
Car IS serviced at VW dealer every 10,000 miles. At 70,000 miles they tell me my rear side door hinges are rusted and need replacement at my costs. Why would door hinges rust away? When it does rain when I open the rear doors, water does pour our the bottom of door.. Poor german engineering design?…
Car IS serviced at VW dealer every 10,000 miles. At 70,000 miles they tell me my rear side door hinges are rusted and need replacement at my costs. Why would door hinges rust away? When it does rain when I open the rear doors, water does pour our the bottom of door.. Poor german engineering design? 2ND problem: they tell me my emergency/parking brake cable, etc., IS rusted away. Another engineering problem? Again I'D have to pay. 3RD problem: at 73,000 miles my rear hatch will not open. Brought it in and they say it's the electronic part that went bad. Engineering? I paid for repair. I bought the car new and it's only 5 years old.
- Unknown or other
My 2012 jetta sportswagen tdi IS having water freezing in the intercooler causing it to not start or even smoke when started. I had a 14 without this issue my dad has am 04 passat tdi no issue. I did research and on many websites it mentions 10-13 having this issue. The dealership told me there's…
My 2012 jetta sportswagen tdi IS having water freezing in the intercooler causing it to not start or even smoke when started. I had a 14 without this issue my dad has am 04 passat tdi no issue. I did research and on many websites it mentions 10-13 having this issue. The dealership told me there's an after marker part that fixes the freezing issue. This part will cost over 700 dollars. Why was this not recalled when it's happening to many years and the dealership has seen it multiple times.
- Seat belts
Right rear seat belt IS jammed in the retracted position. car was parked on level ground at home driveway. cannot pull out seat belt as the locking mechanism will not let it be pulled out. this was a problem that started a few months ago. after several tugs on the belt, or if the car moved out…
Right rear seat belt IS jammed in the retracted position. car was parked on level ground at home driveway. cannot pull out seat belt as the locking mechanism will not let it be pulled out. this was a problem that started a few months ago. after several tugs on the belt, or if the car moved out of the driveway, the mechanism would eventually release the belt so it can be used (as required by law). the problem got progressively worse over the past several months until the seat belt IS now unusable. reported to dealer during regular service visit. dealer inspected and noted that the seat belt needed to be replaced. $233 special order part and $423 labor to install. I believe a seat belt, particularly on a vehicle that IS only 4 to 5 years old, should function properly all the time. it IS a required safety device that needs to function properly every time. this IS a safety issue and a legal liability. I contacted volkswagen of america customer care to see if they would pay for the parts and/or repair. they declined as the vehicle IS out of warranty. I reported to voa that I would file this complaint with nhtsa. I don't believe I should have to pay $656 to replace a seat belt that should never have failed.
- Service brakes
TL* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen jetta sportwagen. While driving approximately 30 mph, the brakes made a grinding noise and an odor when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear passenger side caliper failed and was rubbing…
TL* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen jetta sportwagen. While driving approximately 30 mph, the brakes made a grinding noise and an odor when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear passenger side caliper failed and was rubbing metal to metal. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Air Bag Clockspring Failure
In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of…
In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 Model Year (MY) CC, Passat, Eos, Golf, GTI, Tiguan, Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen models.Contamination of the clockspring can cause the ribbon cable to tear resulting in loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag and any steering wheel mounted controls.The loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag will result in illumination of the air bag warning light and will prevent operation of the front driver air bag in a crash of sufficient severity requiring a commanded deployment.In November 2017, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ17-009) after the agency received 90 complaints alleging failure of the clockspring in the subject models.Several of the complaints allege failure of the clockspring after receiving the recall remedy.The majority of the complaints allege the same failure mode without being included in the original recall, 15V-483.In its March 2018 response to ODI's Information Request under the Recall Query, Volkswagen provided approximately 700 consumer complaints and field reports on the recalled vehicles.These reports allege clockspring failure similar to the NHTSA reports described above.To date, NHTSA has received approximately 154 allegations of clockspring failure since the recall has launched.The total of 852 reports shown in the table above eliminates 6 duplicative reports received by ODI and the manufacturer.An Engineering Analysis has been opened to further evaluate the scope and effectiveness of the remedy associated with 15V-483 and perform a thorough review of the design changes implemented by Volkswagen and its suppliers to address this issue.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI identification numbers: 11080741, 11079877, 11079805, 11079124, 11076709, 11076645, 11076297, 11076249, 11076133, 11075756, 11075726, 11075358, 11075259, 11075055, 11074920, 11074565, 11073090, 11072745, 11072457, 11072089, 11071933, 11071880, 11071630, 11071592, 11067396, 11067061, 11066738, 11066601, 11066511, 11065909, 11065871, 11065262, 11064701, 11064564, 11064544, 11064531, 11063961, 11063501, 11063095, 11062772, 11062464, 11062353, 11062344, 11061463, 11061310, 11061311, 11060735, 11058154, 11057519, 11057477, 11057341, 11056793, 11056243, 11056063, 11055639, 11054279, 11052812, 11052678, 11052384, 11052228, 11051336, 11051155, 11051074, 11048803, 11047037, 11044226, 11043653, 11039142, 11033893, 11033330, 11032548, 11025475, 11025356, 11024647, 11023423, 11020570, 11020312, 11019415, 11019067, 11015441, 11015431, 11014595, 11014016, 11013709, 11013415, 11012596, 11011753, 11006668, 11006521, 11006307, 11006181, 11005301, 11003865, 11001780, 11001783, 11001334, 10994184, 10993360, 10993524, 10992490, 10985926, 10983678, 10981220, 10980831, 10980941, 10980549, 10979418, 10971152, 10967344, 10967155, 10959968, 10958624, 10957279, 10956488, 10949129, 10947562, 10945122, 10936498, 10936543, 10933950, 10927311, 10925421, 10924034, 10915612, 10915569, 10911171, 10902066, 10898733, 10896537, 10896510, 10895526, 10893938, 10891686, 10864967, 10863742, 10861984, 10851242, 10822505, 10821562, 10818403, 10795068, 10794402, 10788738, 10787804, 10782544, 10780725, 10780145, 10779145, 10776477, 10775448, 10763492, 10763423, 10763289, 10762670, 10760644, 10758777, 10749901, 10748922
- Air Bag Clockspring Failure
In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of…
In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 Model Year (MY) CC, Passat, Eos, Golf, GTI, Tiguan, Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen models.Contamination of the clockspring can cause the ribbon cable to tear resulting in loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag and any steering wheel mounted controls.The loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag will result in illumination of the air bag warning light and will prevent operation of the front driver air bag in a crash of sufficient severity requiring a commanded deployment.In November 2017, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ17-009) after the agency received 90 complaints alleging failure of the clockspring in the subject models.Several of the complaints allege failure of the clockspring after receiving the recall remedy.The majority of the complaints allege the same failure mode without being included in the original recall, 15V-483.In its March 2018 response to ODI's Information Request under the Recall Query, Volkswagen provided approximately 700 consumer complaints and field reports on the recalled vehicles.These reports allege clockspring failure similar to the NHTSA reports described above.To date, NHTSA has received approximately 154 allegations of clockspring failure since the recall has launched.The total of 852 reports shown in the table above eliminates 6 duplicative reports received by ODI and the manufacturer.This Recall Query has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA18-003) to further evaluate the scope and effectiveness of the remedy associated with 15V-483 and perform a review of the design changes implemented by Volkswagen and its suppliers to address this issue.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI identification numbers: 11080741, 11079877, 11079805, 11079124, 11076709, 11076645, 11076297, 11076249, 11076133, 11075756, 11075726, 11075358, 11075259, 11075055, 11074920, 11074565, 11073090, 11072745, 11072457, 11072089, 11071933, 11071880, 11071630, 11071592, 11067396, 11067061, 11066738, 11066601, 11066511, 11065909, 11065871, 11065262, 11064701, 11064564, 11064544, 11064531, 11063961, 11063501, 11063095, 11062772, 11062464, 11062353, 11062344, 11061463, 11061310, 11061311, 11060735, 11058154, 11057519, 11057477, 11057341, 11056793, 11056243, 11056063, 11055639, 11054279, 11052812, 11052678, 11052384, 11052228, 11051336, 11051155, 11051074, 11048803, 11047037, 11044226, 11043653, 11039142, 11033893, 11033330, 11032548, 11025475, 11025356, 11024647, 11023423, 11020570, 11020312, 11019415, 11019067, 11015441, 11015431, 11014595, 11014016, 11013709, 11013415, 11012596, 11011753, 11006668, 11006521, 11006307, 11006181, 11005301, 11003865, 11001780, 11001783, 11001334, 10994184, 10993360, 10993524, 10992490, 10985926, 10983678, 10981220, 10980831, 10980941, 10980549, 10979418, 10971152, 10967344, 10967155, 10959968, 10958624, 10957279, 10956488, 10949129, 10947562, 10945122, 10936498, 10936543, 10933950, 10927311, 10925421, 10924034, 10915612, 10915569, 10911171, 10902066, 10898733, 10896537, 10896510, 10895526, 10893938, 10891686, 10864967, 10863742, 10861984, 10851242, 10822505, 10821562, 10818403, 10795068, 10794402, 10788738, 10787804, 10782544, 10780725, 10780145, 10779145, 10776477, 10775448, 10763492, 10763423, 10763289, 107626
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 11010024Lack of paint under roof
- 11010022Engine Oil Standards
- 11010021Additional reporting
- 11010011Vehicle Concerns Before Recall Repair Available
- 11008861Fluid requirements
- 11008860Manual transmission noise diagnosing
- 11008858A list of engine oil that meet Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
- 11008857How to perform the engine oil consumption measurement
- 11008856Checking Engine Oil and correctly reading dip stick
- 11008853How to manage software versions using VW diagnostic Tool
- 11008852Recommended Gasoline Quality
- 11008851Engine Misfire Diagnostic Aid
- 11008850Fuel additive to help with misfire faults
- 11008846Wind & Water Leak Checking
- 11007398Battery testing
- 11007393Engine Oil Standards
- 11005825Engine oil quality standards
- 11005820Engine Assembly Tip
- 11005819Engine Replacement Tip
- 11002875Engine oil quality standards
- 11001508Engine oil quality standards
- 10253491Secondary Air Pressure Sensor Limited Warranty Extension
- 10253483Engine Exhaust Flap Limited Warranty Extension
- 10253262VW Engine oil quality standards
- 10253216Keyless Entry Inoperative after Access / Start (KESSY) Module Replacement
- 10253215Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10253214Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10253213Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10253207Washer Level Sensor
- 10253205Wiper Blade Inspection for Proper Warranty Coding
- 10253204Customer States Windshield Wipers Streak or Smear
- 10253203Wiper Blade Inspection for Proper Warranty Coding
- 10253197Update Programming RCD-510 Radio (Premium 8)
- 10253177Satellite Radio Overview
- 10252942Damage to Data Link Connector (DLC) from Aftermarket Devices (Cannot Communicate with Vehicle OBD System)
- 10252941Washer Level Sensor
- 10252937Vehicles equipped with Immobilizer 4 (Download) ? Adapting Keys after Vehicle Lock Set Replacement
- 10252935Equipped With KESSY ? Key Adaptation Tip
- 10252922Washer Level Sensor
- 10252921Windshield Washer
Every Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.