2011 Volkswagen Jetta Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 4%of 607 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 3,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta, 4% of the 607 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 3,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, 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.
“Our 2011 Volkswagen Jetta tdi developed an engine oil leak. When we took it to the dealer the service manager refused to let us drive it due to the possibility of an engine fire. Per the service manger the oil leak was causing an atomization of the engine oil that could have reached heated parts of the engine or exhaust and caused an oil fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10418163, filed 2011-08, 2,500 miles“During short drive home, the glow plug light started flashing, the car then went into limp mode. When I got home, 2 miles later, the car died and would not start. I hauled the car to the vw dealer and they said my hpfp failed. Vw is going to fix it under warranty, I produced the last 4 fuel fill ups showing no gas had been put in the car. This was a 2011 Jetta tdi, manufacture date unknown, but car was purchased in january.”
NHTSA complaint #10426833, filed 2011-09, 27,000 miles“My new 2011 vw Jetta sportswagen decelerated suddenly while driving at 65 MPH on the highway. The engine lost most of its power and the car could only go at about 30 MPH. The car regained all its power after the engine was shut off. I consider this a critical safety issue with the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10368811, filed 2010-11, 1,200 miles“18 days and 400 odometer miles after purchasing my 2011 Jetta sportwagen tdi, the 'glowlight' warning light came on while driving. The following day, the 'glowlight' began to blink, then the 'catalytic' warning light also began blinking. Car was taken to dealership the same day. After (remote) diagnostic assistance from the manufacturer, dealer reported that the 'crank sensor' needed replacing. After 2 days, the dealer informed me that it was not the 'crank sensor' after all. …”
NHTSA complaint #10362604, filed 2010-10, 400 miles“I was in the drive thru of mc donalds then came a terrible rattle from under the car, 10 seconds later the car turned off. Turned it back on and glow plug light was flashing parked the car immediately. Turned it back on and had little to no power then came to a halt, tried to turn it back on and would not start. Had it towed to vw there looking at it I'm waiting on a response. This is not supposed to happen this early. I always had it serviced at the dealer. On time. Help us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! From the other complaints my stress has hit a limit. If it costs 10k to fix. …”
NHTSA complaint #10588348, filed 2014-05, 57,750 milesRelated recalls
- 11V466000Sep 7, 2011Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 jetta sedan vehicles manufactured from march 18, 2010, through august 22, 2011. Some vehicles had a…Covers: Volkswagen Jetta 2011
Related service bulletins
- 10251639Mar 7, 2024Frozen Charge Air Cooler, Engine no start updated to include Parts ordering notification.
- 10250798Feb 22, 2024VW Engine oil quality standards
- 10245607Nov 22, 2023VW Engine oil quality standards
- 10241177Aug 21, 2023Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
- 10239653Jul 10, 2023Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- 10238307Jun 20, 2023Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards, updated to include model year 2024.
- 10238306Jun 20, 2023Engine Oil Consumption Measurement Instruction and Work sheet.
- 10238300Jun 15, 2023Gasoline quality information in regards to gasoline engine performance.
- 10238297Jun 15, 2023Diagnostic Aid for engine misfire.
- 10237427May 30, 2023Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 2% |
| 2019 | 2 | 0% |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2014 | 6 | 2% |
| 2013 | 4 | 1% |
| 2012 | 8 | 2% |
| 2011 | 25 | 4% |
| 2010 | 71 | 8% |
| 2009 | 72 | 8% |
| 2008 | 7 | 4% |
| 2007 | 9 | 4% |
| 2006 | 54 | 9% |
| 2005 | 41 | 17% |
| 2004 | 37 | 16% |
| 2003 | 45 | 10% |
| 2002 | 104 | 15% |
| 2001 | 109 | 16% |
| 2000 | 121 | 28% |
| 1999 | 78 | 22% |
| 1998 | 15 | 8% |
| 1997 | 11 | 20% |
| 1996 | 1 | 3% |
| 1995 | 26 | 12% |
| 1994 | 20 | 17% |
| 1992 | 6 | 20% |
| 1991 | 5 | 16% |
| 1990 | 7 | 32% |
| 1989 | 2 | 7% |
| 1987 | 3 | 17% |
| 1985 | 2 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
186 complaintsFuel system
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 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 27, 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