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Air bagsPart report

2011 Volkswagen Jetta Air bags Problems

Complaints
37about this part
Share
6%of 607 total for the year
Median mileage
77,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 37 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta, 6% of the 607 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,000 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Passenger airbag light randomly came on because of some sort wiring issue. Headlight bulbs constantly short out. I've had to change atleast 10 bulbs in less than a year. Headlights go out and tailights... These are 2 seperate issues. But if you google it, they are both common issues. It's been an issue on my car for years, but I didn't realize I could report it.”

NHTSA complaint #11241454, filed 2019-08, 77,000 miles

“I own a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta that was diagnosed by a vw dealership to have the airbag clock spring failure that is identical to your recall campaign number: 15v483000. My airbag light remains on at all times and will not deploy if needed. The Volkswagen dealership has informed me that my VIN and that this vehicle's make and model were not covered by the recall-your campaign states otherwise, please help or advise. Volkswagan”

NHTSA complaint #10817631, filed 2016-01, 72,000 miles

“The airbag light went on with the car being in any type of accident. There was recall for this make and model and year for my car. However, the manufacturer decided that my particular car was not to be included for the recall.”

NHTSA complaint #10969286, filed 2017-03, 70,000 miles

“I started up my car and was driving from work, all of a sudden I see a bunch of my warnings light appear on the dashboard all at the same time. I was driving in alexandria city and the care was in motion when the lights appeared. The tire pressure light, traction control, ABS, and even the air bag light. 3 different system have faults is a concern to my safety. I went to a mechanic twice and then the dealership, found out that the rear ABS sensor needs to be changed to get rid of ABS and traction control. …”

NHTSA complaint #11253957, filed 2019-09, 144,424 miles

“Driving on the interstate I came to the end of some scarified pavement. When I went across the end of the scarified pavement, the right side airbags went off. The dealer inspects under the car and finds a small scratch on the trailing arm mount and says the car was bottomed. Only problem is the scratch is not on the bottom of the mount and is even above the parking brake cable which routes beneath the mount. The parking brake cable does not have any damage or scratches on it. Also, why wouldn?t the front airbags go off instead of the side? …”

NHTSA complaint #10422314, filed 2011-08, 107,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202424%
202312%
202212%
202157%
202024%
2019163%
2018619%
20172113%
201674%
2015179%
20143710%
2013316%
2012347%
2011376%
2010314%
2009354%
20082011%
20073517%
20066511%
20052610%
2004219%
20037717%
200210815%
20019715%
2000419%
1999309%
199895%
199759%
19952210%
199443%
198617%

Other parts of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta

Electrical system
186 complaints
Fuel system
166 complaints
Engine
90 complaints
Other or unknown
67 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
54 complaints
Exterior lighting
41 complaints
Brakes
28 complaints
Vehicle speed control
26 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
26 complaints
Engine cooling
25 complaints
Steering
23 complaints
Body and structure
20 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta

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