general problems of the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta - part 1

87 problems related to electrical system have been reported for the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta based on all problems reported for the 2012 Jetta.

1 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/15/2025

The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that for the past eight months, the contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition. Several warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that to start the vehicle, the contact had to plug in the two fuse boxes and connect the battery cable. The contact feared the vehicle might catch on fire. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v615000 (electrical system, steering). The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that pre-existing repairs needed to be performed before the recall repair could be performed. The contact stated that the dealer had not provided an official repair estimate, however the total repair cost was provided. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The manufacturer confirmed that the pre-existing repairs needed to be performed prior to the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 131,260. Parts distribution disconnect.

2 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/01/2025

This is my 4th Volkswagen Jetta 2. 5l I've own that has had the same issue with the charging system the car would just shut off while driving due to dead battery almost causing an accident this needs to be addressed 2011 to 2018.

3 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/10/2023

The passenger side door actuator/wiring is not locking appropriately. Through the use of the key fob locking the car doesn't lock the passenger door and every time the vehicle is in motion at 10mph it tries to initiate the auto-locking but fails to lock the passenger door. This enables the passenger to open their door at any rate of speed without automatic safety protection. I have seen this be an issue with other Volkswagen Jetta cars online through car parts stores and online forums, but no recalls as of yet. As of right now, I have not had the vehicle inspected but will be looking to do so this week. There were no warning lights or messages that appeared. It just started two days ago and the only way I realized it was a problem is when I would stop and continue driving it would try to auto-lock when I hit 10mph. Concerns arose when I was driving my 8-month-pregnant wife around town.

4 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 01/10/2023

The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta tdi. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he noticed a burning odor and smoke coming from the vents in the cabin. No warning lights was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that he pulled apart the heater and noticed that the wiring had melted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, the contact was only able to leave a voicemail but no returned call back. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

5 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/23/2022

The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic linked the failure to an electrical failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 15v483000 (air bags) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

6 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/08/2022

Unable to remove the key from the ignition to turn the car off, constantly getting stuck with the engine on other times hard to turn to get the car started. I see multiple recalls for this for some reason my car is not amongst them. 3vwdp7aj1cm302229.

7 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 11/01/2022

The locking system is hit and miss at this time. The automatic locks do not lock all the doors. Sometimes the trunk will not open, either using the fob, or the trunk release. The windows don't always work either. Child lock doors can be unlocked. I am planning on taking it in for service, however, vw charges $165 just to do a diagnostic check and cannot give me a range of what it could cost to repair. I am a senior on a budget. I have seen identical complaints on the internet for this vehicle and cannot understand why there hasn't been a recall. If I spend the money to get this repaired and then there's a recall, do I get my money back from vw?.

8 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/12/2021

I was unable to turn the car off. The key were stuck in the ignition in the on position and would not come out or go to the off position. I was at my destination when I tried to turn the car off.

9 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 11/27/2020

While in motion brakes were engaged to slow vehicle down. Brakes "stuck" at top of motion and would not depress. Had to pump and after putting vehicle in park and then drive again they would engage. Used emergency brake to stop on way home. Failure happens every 3 stops or so.

10 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/05/2020

Miscommunication from computer to abs system causing the abs to engage when braking normally driving up to an intersection causing vehicle to not stop while pressing the brake.

11 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/16/2020

Key gets stuck in ignition and vehicle keeps running. Takes several minutes before the key is able to be removed with additional pressure and tapping on the key and ignition. Seems to be a common complaint and a recall or campaign should be issued by vw.

12 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/29/2020

The key gets stuck in the ignition. The car won't turn off and keeps running. I looked it up and found several vw Jetta's with the same problem. It should be recalled by vw. It is a safety concern and seems to be common. I ordered the part on line and was told of a national shortage. , the car is stuck in the driveway.

13 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/21/2020

Unable to turn key to turn off ignition. Car is in the Volkswagen service center for the three weeks for repair.

14 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/27/2020

Car ran hot first time air conditioning got hot car was going any faster with smoke from engine. No indicator at all car was running hot. Dealership stated the block mess up. Adjuster came stated theromast which not cover warranty for my car. Why was I never aware my car had these issues.

15 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 01/01/2020

Horn only occasionally works when honking and/or locking car, which increases the risk of a crash since I can’t always use my horn to alert other drivers of presence. One front headlight only occasionally works (lightbulb is not the issue), which increases the risk of a crash since other drivers may not be able to see me as well & I am not able to see the road as well in the dark. Cruise control does not work at all, which increases risk of speeding and therefore increases risk of crash. Dealer has inspected horn/headlight issue but could not determine cause. No warning signs. Issues first appeared a couple years ago.

16 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/29/2019

I'm still continuing to have problems with this var 2012 Jetta Volkswagen. Up in till recently it was fixed on a recall notice that displayed vehicle right roll even if placed in part and ignition turned off !! unfortunately it happened to my son during christmas 2019. What if there was a body in from that car. This car has been a nightmare and Volkswagen USA knows it. I took it in and was addressed of new recall which relays the same savageness; it was fixed till when ?? 3vwdx7aj8cm409049 this caused about 1000-2000 dollars in damage after we had already fixed this bumper with Volkswagen.

17 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/05/2019

Head lights are on when temperature is cold. It happens every time and killing the battery. I believe the issue with light switch because when I unplug it at night from the car and re-plug the light switch in the morning, it all works without any issue.

18 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/15/2019

Tl- the contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact received a recall notice under NHTSA campaign number:19v615000(electrical system, steering). The contact had not notified the dealer and manufacturer of the recall notice. A failure had not occurred on the vehicle. The VIN tool confirmed that the parts are not available. Jo.

19 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/10/2019

Key gets stuck in ignition when turning off the engine. P.

20 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/01/2019

Tl- the contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the recall notice for NHTSA recall campaign 19v615000(electrical system) was received. After contacting the local dealer heritage Volkswagen parkville(9215 harford rd, parville, MD) the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle had not experience the failure. The contact was informed that the parts were not yet availability VIN tool confirms parts not available. Jft.

21 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/09/2019

Key keeps getting stuck in the cars ignition while the vehicle is on. Can not turn all way back to shut it off. It has gotten to the point where I have just not use the car, afraid will not be able to turn it off.

22 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/01/2019

Tl- the contact owns 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v615000 (electrical system, steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called to Volkswagen of olympia ( 2107 cooper point rd sw, olympia, wa 98502; (360) 515-3349) where it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Dp.

23 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/12/2019

The car stalls when idling for example at red lights, drive through, stop signs with no explanation. The car stalls and then it'll start back up no problem like nothing happened, it gives no lights or codes making the problem undetectable I have taken it to multiple mechanics who are unable to find the problem due to it not throwing codes when it happens.

24 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/31/2018

Key gets stuck in the ignition when turning off the engine.

25 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/03/2018

Key gets stuck in ignition when turning off the engine.

26 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/23/2018

The key becomes difficult to remove or stuck in the steering column. This was identified on my 2012 vw Jetta in 2015 at 81k miles and recommended to be replaced by a vw dealership. At the time, I was unable afford the replacement cost. This has happen throughout my time owning the car (typically in the warmer months). I experience the issue where the key became stuck yesterday. When I got home yesterday I received a letter from vw stating that this is a known-issue and that they are extending the warranty coverage to 10 years or 100km miles to cover this issue. My car has 130k miles on it now and I just spoke with vw and highlighted that a vw dealership identified the issue in September 2015 (81k miles) when the car would have been covered under this extended warranty. They told me because I chose not to pay for the repair then, there was nothing they could do now. This is extremely frustrating. Vw did not just decide this month that this was an issue and should pay for these repairs as the extended warranty doesn't do enough as many cars are probably well beyond it.

27 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 01/01/2018

Key is stuck in ignition when car is parked, car will not turn off.

28 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/25/2017

Key stuck in ignition. After arriving home and parking after a normal drive, I was unable to turn key to off position with engine running. Had to stall engine with clutch to stop it. After 10 minutes of jiggling, tapping, twisting with no result, I found that holding the key in the start position and allowing it to snap back would free it up. This behavior continued without exception for two days until I could get it to the dealer. Diagnosis "ignition lock housing internally binding". They removed and replaced Volkswagen part # c6-905-841 "steerlock" and the problem was resolved. This seems to be a very common problem with a variety of vw vehicles, with hundreds of reports in online forums.

29 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/22/2017

Key gets stuck in ignition and I cannot turn off the engine.

30 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/18/2017

Key gets stuck in ignition when turning off the engine.

31 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/01/2017

The key will not come out of the ignition. We have tried everything possible and vw said this is a known issue but wont recall and have to pay 1000+ to fix. What if something happened with myself or kids in the car and needed to get the keys out!.

32 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/01/2017

Key gets stuck in ignition and I cannot turn off the engine.

33 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/31/2017

Tl- the contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated the key would get jammed in the vehicle which resulted in the vehicle being unable to be shifted into the off position. The failure occurred without warning. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted regarding the companies customer satisfaction campaign however no further assistance was offered due to the mileage being over the stipulation. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000. Kh.

34 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/29/2017

Key gets stuck in ignition when turning off the engine. The key won't move or turn off the engine no matter what I do, and I am not able to turn the car off!! I tried for over an hour and finally had to drive to dealer - they weren't able to get the key to turn off the engine either and had to pop the hood and pull wires.

35 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/26/2017

When my car is on, I cannot turn the key in the ignition to turn the car off. I was told this is an extremely common problem in Jettas. The car is just under 5 years old, less than 80,000 miles on it. I've learned that vw knows about the problems, but won't recall to fix the problems that happen in so many Jettas. It is no coincidence, and vw should be responsible.



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