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Volkswagen Jetta SportwagenModel year report

2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen Problems

Compared with other Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen years

Typical for this model

55/100 1.1× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with a typical complaint level and no open NHTSA investigation: 2012, 2013

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
33filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
80,000miles, 27 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
27 mpgcombined, 2.5L 5-cyl FWD · 24 city / 31 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen. The part named most often is electrical system, with 15 complaints (45% of the total), followed by exterior lighting (5) and fuel system (4). 27 of the complaints include a mileage, and 7% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 1,009 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 219 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 19 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 3 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 55 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Seats (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “While driving on the highway several messages started to appear in reference to failed lights. I lost signal lights, headlights and brake lights. Replacing the lights did not solve the problem. At the dealer they told me that the fuse box was burned out and needed replacement. This is what happened to me while driving the car on 3/24/2017.”

NHTSA complaint #10969635, filed 2017-03, 122,000 miles

Exterior lighting: “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 troubleshooting with a fluke multi-meter, I found a post on tdi forums referencing campaign 97am to check the fuse panel under the hood, position f16, 30amp fuse for melting. I checked this fuse and the fuse panel and fuse is melted. …”

NHTSA complaint #10885809, filed 2016-07, 106,230 miles

Fuel system: “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.).”

NHTSA complaint #11343980, filed 2020-08, 97,000 miles

Suspension: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #11326318, filed 2020-05, 93,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

7% of the 27 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 60,000 and 97,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–257%25–5033%50–7537%75–10015%100–1507%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (27 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 80,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

201692017201820192020202220232025
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Jetta Sportwagen · wagon FWDnot rated———4 · 12.1% risk

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Jetta SportWagen FWD2.5L 5-cyl6-speed automatic243127$2,500
Jetta SportWagen FWD2.5L 5-cyl5-speed manual233326$2,600
Jetta SportWagen FWD2.0L 4-cyl · diesel6-speed automatic293732$3,000
Jetta SportWagen FWD2.0L 4-cyl · diesel6-speed manual293932$3,000

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1,009 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 1,009 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20143477,3121—2685 · MoreFalling
20133682,2501—2638 · TypicalStable
20122770,0001—2644 · TypicalFalling
20113380,0001—2755 · TypicalFalling
201023106,2761—25—Falling
200916107,0281—25—Stable

All Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen have?

NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 15 complaints (45% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 5.

Has the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen (Jetta SportWagen, 2.5L 5-cyl) at 27 mpg combined, 24 city and 31 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen reported?

Among the 27 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,000 miles and the middle half falls between 60,000 and 97,000 miles; 7% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.