2012 Volkswagen Jetta Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 2%of 500 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 17,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, 2% of the 500 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 17,000 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.
“The car had been driven all day with no problems. We parked for almost two hours and when starting the engine, it sounded loud, like a typical diesel (ours had always been very quiet). Drove out of the parking lot and merged onto the freeway. The yellow glow plug light started to flash (engine control malfunction) and the car engine died. We had to perform an emergency maneuver to pull over to the right hand lane and were able to coast into a parking lot. The car was towed to a vw dealer. We are on vacation and 1,500 miles from home. …”
NHTSA complaint #10587130, filed 2014-05, 25,350 miles“Drove the vehicle home from work friday 1/13, weather was below freezing causing ice build up. Parked the vehicle in my garage ~45 degrees. Ice began melt, and when trying to start the vehicle saturday afternoon it turned 1/4 turn and the engine stopped. My assumption is that the engine inhaled water causing a hydro-lock, I continued to try to start the vehicle a total 5 times (it turned over once and ran extremely rough and died once). The last time trying to start the vehicle I smelled smoke, I popped the hood to find the starter and wiring on fire. …”
NHTSA complaint #10445020, filed 2012-01, 17,000 miles“Coolant came then went off after shutting off car turning back then 3days later engine light came on while driving pulled over turnt car off turned on after 5 mins engine light cut off. 2 days later engine light came back on.”
NHTSA complaint #10936831, filed 2016-12, 89,934 miles“2012 Jetta tdi manual, the first occurrence happened after traveling on a downhill grade when I came to a complete stop at the stoplight the car started to shutter and acted like it was going to stall. This exact incident happened several times a month for no rhyme or reason. The car has now started to do the same thing more frequently and will now stall out. It used to be on cold starts and would happen within the first 10 miles of driving. It now does it anytime you are driving. …”
NHTSA complaint #10442730, filed 2012-01, 1,000 miles“Upon entering an on-ramp and also accelerating around a turn, experienced no response to depression of gas pedal. Basically car had serious lag before taking off. Worried about safety issue when trying to get out of someone's way. Very unpredictable in occurrence and do not want to have a wreck. Also experienced stuttering around 30 MPH as if vehicle did not know which gear to get into. This happens frequently and creates a physical shutter of vehicle felt by driver and passengers.”
NHTSA complaint #10440575, filed 2011-12, 1,000 milesRelated 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 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
138 complaintsOther or unknown
107 complaintsEngine
84 complaintsFuel system
80 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
46 complaintsSteering
42 complaintsBrakes
37 complaintsAir bags
34 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
24 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsExterior lighting
13 complaintsElectronic stability control
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 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