2012 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN has 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (16% of all complaints), specifically: 4/5/16 4:30pm, vehicle would not shut off. brought to volkswagen dealers who diagnosed vehicle with an ignition lock cylinder housing issue. the vehicle did not stall or fail in that sense, but it is still distressing to have a fault on the ignition switch.. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ELECTRICAL

6 complaints

16%

• 4/5/16 4:30PM, VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. BROUGHT TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WHO DIAGNOSED VEHICLE WITH AN IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HOUSING ISSUE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL OR FAIL IN THAT SENSE, BUT IT IS STILL DISTRESSING TO HAVE A FAULT ON THE IGNITION SWITCH.
• 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?
• KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF ENGINE.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“4/5/16 4:30PM, VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. BROUGHT TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WHO DIAGNOSED VEHICLE WITH AN IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HOUSING ISSUE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL OR FAIL IN THAT SENSE, BUT IT IS STILL DISTRESSING TO HAVE A FAULT ON THE IGNITION SWITCH.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

6 complaints

16%

• 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-
• 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
• DPF LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF AND THEN CAME ON

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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-”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

4 complaints

11%

• 4/5/16 4:30PM, VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. BROUGHT TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WHO DIAGNOSED VEHICLE WITH AN IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HOUSING ISSUE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL OR FAIL IN THAT SENSE, BUT IT IS STILL DISTRESSING TO HAVE A FAULT ON THE IGNITION SWITCH.
• 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
• DPF LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF AND THEN CAME ON

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

4 complaints

11%

• 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 MET
• 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?
• 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 0

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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 MET”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

4 complaints

11%

• 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
• 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.
• 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 WHER

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 38 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: 4/5/16 4:30PM, VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. BROUGHT TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WHO DIAGNOSED VEHICLE WITH AN IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HOUSING ISSUE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL OR FAIL IN THAT SENSE, BUT IT IS STILL DISTRESSING TO HAVE A FAULT ON THE IGNITION SWITCH.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: 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-
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: 4/5/16 4:30PM, VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. BROUGHT TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WHO DIAGNOSED VEHICLE WITH AN IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HOUSING ISSUE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL OR FAIL IN THAT SENSE, BUT IT IS STILL DISTRESSING TO HAVE A FAULT ON THE IGNITION SWITCH.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
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 MET
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)