2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN has 41 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (37% of all complaints), specifically: my lights began failing without warning. front headlight, rear tail light, license plate light, directional signals, back up lights. in total, 7 lights failed within minutes. vehicle was turned on and moving on a city street. warning lights inside the vehicle told me that lights failed when i. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.
41
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.5x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
ELECTRICAL
15 complaints- • MY LIGHTS BEGAN FAILING WITHOUT WARNING. FRONT HEADLIGHT, REAR TAIL LIGHT, LICENSE PLATE LIGHT, DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS, BACK UP LIGHTS. IN TOTAL, 7 LIGHTS FAILED WITHIN MINUTES. VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON AND MOVING ON A CITY STREET. WARNING LIGHTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE TOLD ME THAT LIGHTS FAILED WHEN I
- • RADIO (INCLUDING BLUETOOTH) SUDDENLY WENT OUT AT 39K MILES. DEALER DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT RADIO FAILED.
- • RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY (HIGH & LOW BEAM, TURN SIGNAL, DRL), RIGHT REAR TAILLIGHT, THIRD BRAKE LIGHT, LICENSE PLATE LIGHT AND LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL ALL STOPPED WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. DASH INFORMATION CENTER REPORTED ALL OF THESE LIGHTS NEED TO BE CHECKED. AFTER 1.5 HOURS OF TROUBLESHOOTI
“MY LIGHTS BEGAN FAILING WITHOUT WARNING. FRONT HEADLIGHT, REAR TAIL LIGHT, LICENSE PLATE LIGHT, DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS, BACK UP LIGHTS. IN TOTAL, 7 LIGHTS FAILED WITHIN MINUTES. VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON AND MOVING ON A CITY STREET. WARNING LIGHTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE TOLD ME THAT LIGHTS FAILED WHEN I”
— NHTSA complaint filing
LIGHTING
5 complaints- • MY LIGHTS BEGAN FAILING WITHOUT WARNING. FRONT HEADLIGHT, REAR TAIL LIGHT, LICENSE PLATE LIGHT, DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS, BACK UP LIGHTS. IN TOTAL, 7 LIGHTS FAILED WITHIN MINUTES. VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON AND MOVING ON A CITY STREET. WARNING LIGHTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE TOLD ME THAT LIGHTS FAILED WHEN I
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHTS, DIRECTIONAL TURNING SIGNAL LIGHTS, AND THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED
- • RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY (HIGH & LOW BEAM, TURN SIGNAL, DRL), RIGHT REAR TAILLIGHT, THIRD BRAKE LIGHT, LICENSE PLATE LIGHT AND LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL ALL STOPPED WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. DASH INFORMATION CENTER REPORTED ALL OF THESE LIGHTS NEED TO BE CHECKED. AFTER 1.5 HOURS OF TROUBLESHOOTI
“MY LIGHTS BEGAN FAILING WITHOUT WARNING. FRONT HEADLIGHT, REAR TAIL LIGHT, LICENSE PLATE LIGHT, DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS, BACK UP LIGHTS. IN TOTAL, 7 LIGHTS FAILED WITHIN MINUTES. VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON AND MOVING ON A CITY STREET. WARNING LIGHTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE TOLD ME THAT LIGHTS FAILED WHEN I”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ENGINE
4 complaints- • CAR STALLS INTERMITTENTLY UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS ACCELERATING DE-ACCELERATING WARMED UP, AND COLD FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED ALONG WITH FILTER AND NOW POWER RELAY HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT IT STILL STALLS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN. WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND MISFIRED. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED DIRITO BROTHERS
- • IT ALL STARTED WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. APPARENTLY THE CAR JUMPED TIMING AND THE CRANKSHAFT WENT BAD. THIS CAUSED COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE JETTA. I BELIEVE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IS NEEDED.
“CAR STALLS INTERMITTENTLY UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS ACCELERATING DE-ACCELERATING WARMED UP, AND COLD FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED ALONG WITH FILTER AND NOW POWER RELAY HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT IT STILL STALLS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
FUEL SYSTEM
4 complaints- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE GLOW PLUG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO A PARKING LOT AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (JOE HEIDT VOLKSWAGEN, 515 ROUTE 17 SOUTH, RAMSEY, NJ, 201-327-2900)
- • I HAVE BEEN GETTING HORRIBLE GAS MILAGE (250 PER TANK). THIS HAS BEEN FOR OVER A YEAR NOW OF TRYING DIFFERENT THINGS (DRIVING, FUELING, REPAIRS, ECT.).
- • At first we had to replace the intake manifold and then a month later we had to replace the catalytic converter and now it’s in the shop having the DLF filter , fuel pump , & fuel lines . All dealing with the diesel exhaust and fuel distribution. It’s leaking diesel fuel with strong odor of diesel t
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE GLOW PLUG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO A PARKING LOT AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (JOE HEIDT VOLKSWAGEN, 515 ROUTE 17 SOUTH, RAMSEY, NJ, 201-327-2900) ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
SUSPENSION
4 complaints- • REAR SPRING BROKE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. *TR
- • BOTH REAR SPRINGS BROKE WITHOUT WARNING (AT SEPARATE TIMES). THIS CLEARLY SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, AS I HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED THAT IT'S A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE. *TR
- • While changing lanes we heard a twang sound and felt an impact in the floor boards. The left rear of the car was unloaded from weight shift when the noise and impact was felt. When I was able to check the car over, I found the left rear spring was broken. The vehicle only has roughly 85k miles. I ha
“REAR SPRING BROKE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. *TR”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 41 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: MY LIGHTS BEGAN FAILING WITHOUT WARNING. FRONT HEADLIGHT, REAR TAIL LIGHT, LICENSE PLATE LIGHT, DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS, BACK UP LIGHTS. IN TOTAL, 7 LIGHTS FAILED WITHIN MINUTES. VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON AND MOVING ON A CITY STREET. WARNING LIGHTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE TOLD ME THAT LIGHTS FAILED WHEN I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐LIGHTING: MY LIGHTS BEGAN FAILING WITHOUT WARNING. FRONT HEADLIGHT, REAR TAIL LIGHT, LICENSE PLATE LIGHT, DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS, BACK UP LIGHTS. IN TOTAL, 7 LIGHTS FAILED WITHIN MINUTES. VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON AND MOVING ON A CITY STREET. WARNING LIGHTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE TOLD ME THAT LIGHTS FAILED WHEN I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: CAR STALLS INTERMITTENTLY UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS ACCELERATING DE-ACCELERATING WARMED UP, AND COLD FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED ALONG WITH FILTER AND NOW POWER RELAY HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT IT STILL STALLS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐FUEL SYSTEM: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE GLOW PLUG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO A PARKING LOT AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (JOE HEIDT VOLKSWAGEN, 515 ROUTE 17 SOUTH, RAMSEY, NJ, 201-327-2900)
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN — Year Comparison
How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 41
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 3
- Crash reports
- 1
- Injury reports
- 2
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN