2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 15%of 33 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 83,558miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen, 15% of the 33 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 83,558 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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“The f16 fuse in the engine bay that connects power to multiple exterior lights as well as the abs brake system melts and melts part of the fuse tray. This is the same thing that happens with the vw Tiguan in campaign am97. Look into am97 as this can ruin your abs brake system. This should be recalled and fixed. This picture is not mine but is exactly what happened.”
NHTSA complaint #11633929, filed 2025-01“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. The contact was informed that the fuse panel in the engine compartment was melted which caused the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 59,351.”
NHTSA complaint #10871199, filed 2016-05, 59,351 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10210225Apr 7, 2022Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation. Update model year applicability to include 2022.
- 10188562Mar 2, 2021Exterior lighting moisture in lens updated to exclude LED lighting.
Exterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen
15 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology