2011 Volkswagen Jetta Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 186about this part
- Share
- 31%of 607 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 186 complaints about the electrical system of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta, 31% of the 607 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My horn and front right parking light both stopped working at the same time. I noticed there is a recall for the same make/model/year as my car, but my VIN is not included. I will need to have this repaired and pay for it, however, I do hope vw and NHTSA sees this is a problem and expand the recall to include more models.”
NHTSA complaint #11124715, filed 2018-09, 75,000 miles“My radio stopped working. My warranty just ran out and then my radio goes. I do not think this is a coincidence. After reading many articles online I see that this is known issue. In today's world known issue means that we know it's a problem, but we are not going to do anything to fix it. Vw should be responsible for this fix. The vehicle was running and the radio, out of the blue stopped working.”
NHTSA complaint #11183703, filed 2019-03, 95,000 miles“My 2012 Jetta radio/stereo went dead. Lots of other 2011 Jetta stereos died too. Bad batch for us consumers. I want a compensation check mailed to me for 363.23 the cost I have to pay best buy for a new one. Read the forums thousands of other Jetta owners in 2011 had this happen. Thank you”
NHTSA complaint #11244007, filed 2019-08, 110,000 miles“While parked the ignition key failed to turn as if steering wheel lock was welded solid . I could not turn the key at all. Car could not be started after repeated attempts, and had to be towed to a repair available.as a result I had to call a neighbor to take my wife to the hospital. Parts have been ordered, but the mechanic has not received a delivery confirmation date. Steering wheel is completely immovable.”
NHTSA complaint #11230831, filed 2019-07, 75,000 miles“I was driving along when the radio made a popping noise. Now it no longer works and I've lost all abilities to use my handsfree dial or answer features on my phone. Radio now has a black screen and will not power on. The loss of handsfree phone through my radio is a major safety concern and having it was a contributing factor when I made the purchase.”
NHTSA complaint #10632381, filed 2014-09, 109,000 milesRelated recalls
- 19V615000Aug 22, 2019Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible…Covers: Volkswagen Jetta 2011–2018, Beetle 2012–2019, Beetle Convertible 2012–2019 +3 more
- 11V196000Mar 29, 2011Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2011 jetta vehicles, manufactured from march 2010 through march 2011. These vehicles may have an electrical wiring…Covers: Volkswagen Jetta 2011
Related service bulletins
- 11035772Jul 15, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the…
- 11030829Mar 6, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct…
- 11028490Jan 6, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct a…
- 11007398Aug 28, 2024Battery testing
- 10239654Jul 13, 2023Diagnostic assistance for excessive static current draw
- 10238400Jun 30, 2023This communication is a notice for software changes with the ODIS program for specific cars.
- 10239655Jun 28, 2023Battery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas Charger
- 10238308Jun 28, 2023Battery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas Charger
- 10238301Jun 27, 2023Software Version Management (SVM) instruction.
- 10238206Jun 1, 2023This communication is a notice for software changes with the ODIS program for specific cars
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 50% |
| 2025 | 3 | 9% |
| 2024 | 7 | 15% |
| 2023 | 9 | 21% |
| 2022 | 10 | 23% |
| 2021 | 13 | 19% |
| 2020 | 17 | 31% |
| 2019 | 154 | 28% |
| 2018 | 3 | 9% |
| 2017 | 33 | 21% |
| 2016 | 36 | 22% |
| 2015 | 49 | 25% |
| 2014 | 94 | 24% |
| 2013 | 148 | 29% |
| 2012 | 138 | 28% |
| 2011 | 186 | 31% |
| 2010 | 233 | 27% |
| 2009 | 107 | 12% |
| 2008 | 42 | 22% |
| 2007 | 45 | 22% |
| 2006 | 112 | 19% |
| 2005 | 48 | 19% |
| 2004 | 36 | 16% |
| 2003 | 97 | 21% |
| 2002 | 148 | 21% |
| 2001 | 117 | 18% |
| 2000 | 60 | 14% |
| 1999 | 44 | 13% |
| 1998 | 41 | 21% |
| 1997 | 17 | 31% |
| 1996 | 4 | 13% |
| 1995 | 45 | 20% |
| 1994 | 24 | 21% |
| 1993 | 2 | 12% |
| 1992 | 6 | 20% |
| 1991 | 4 | 13% |
| 1990 | 4 | 18% |
| 1988 | 1 | 5% |
| 1987 | 2 | 11% |
| 1986 | 1 | 7% |
| 1985 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
166 complaintsEngine
90 complaintsOther or unknown
67 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
54 complaintsExterior lighting
41 complaintsAir bags
37 complaintsBrakes
28 complaintsVehicle speed control
26 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
26 complaintsEngine cooling
25 complaintsSteering
23 complaintsBody 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 Oct 29, 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