2012 Volkswagen Jetta Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 80about this part
- Share
- 16%of 500 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 37,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 80 complaints about the fuel system of the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, 16% of the 500 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 37,000 miles. 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.
“The engine shut off while traveling at 65mph on the highway. The high pressure fuel pump failed, causing the shutdown. Volkswagen of america had already issued an extension on the warranty for the high pressure fuel pump, but I'm beyond the mileage of the extension. I was fortunate to be in a rural area without a lot of traffic, but this could have been a major accident if I had been in traffic or even just in the left lane.”
NHTSA complaint #11197016, filed 2019-04, 159,000 miles“I purchased my car 1 year ago has approximately 27k on it now bought it with 1000 miles on it after a month after purchasing my vehicle I started in some wobbling rumbling noises coming from the left front of my car I took up a drive with the technician the technician heard the sound they had my car for four days didn't even give me a loaner and I missed school because so. …”
NHTSA complaint #10574001, filed 2014-03, 2,000 miles“The turbo on my 2012 Jetta sportwagon has failed at 89,000 miles and vw would not fix it. It cost me $3000 to fix. The particulate filter was dirtied as a result of the failure and vw will not replace it. It will cost me $2000 to fix it. I want full value for the car plus my $3000 back to fix the turbo. The turbo failed five months after vw completed the mandatory service software update required to get an approved smog check.”
NHTSA complaint #10873016, filed 2016-06, 89,000 miles“Was driving 40 and was heading down a hill and was coming to a stop when my 2012 vw Jetta sportswagen power flickered, coil light (glow light) came on, it made a loud noise and died. I was unable to move it, could of been a bad situation. Thankfully vw dealership service gave me a number to a local towing company. I was quickly towed to dealership. It sounds like so many others have had this problem. Waiting to hear official diagnostics.”
NHTSA complaint #10694231, filed 2015-03, 50,000 miles“While driving the Jetta tdi at 35 MPH, all of a sudden dash lights flashed on and off and car stalled. We were able to steer car to side of road. The car would not turn over and was towed to local vw dealership. It was diagnosed with hpfp failure and the metal had contaminated my entire system and needed costly repair. Fuel was sent for testing, and when verified that it was not owner negligence vw repaired the car. The wait was almost 2 weeks.”
NHTSA complaint #10743583, filed 2015-07, 54,000 milesRelated recalls
- 11V490000Oct 3, 2011Volkswagen is recalling certain model 2009-2012 jetta and jetta sportwagen vehicles, manufactured from may 2008 through september 2011, model year 2010-2012…Covers: Volkswagen Jetta 2009–2012, Golf 2010–2012, Audi A3 2010–2012
Related service bulletins
- 10238298Jun 15, 2023Gasoline fuel additive
- 10224854Sep 28, 2022Evaluate TDI vehicle for repurchase prior to repairs
- 10214745Jun 23, 2022Gasoline quality check. Update to model and model year applicability.
- 10214485Jun 15, 2022Gasoline quality.
- 10206951Jan 24, 2022Customer states MIL-on with P0087 P053F in the ECM Customer states rattle noise from the underbody heat shields Customer states noise from front suspension Customer states blower…
- 10198230Jun 22, 2021Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
- 10198166Jun 21, 2021VW approved gasoline fuel additive, update to include additional models and model year applicability.
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 13% |
| 2024 | 4 | 9% |
| 2023 | 3 | 7% |
| 2022 | 3 | 7% |
| 2021 | 11 | 15% |
| 2020 | 5 | 9% |
| 2019 | 29 | 5% |
| 2018 | 9 | 28% |
| 2017 | 42 | 26% |
| 2016 | 35 | 22% |
| 2015 | 20 | 10% |
| 2014 | 42 | 11% |
| 2013 | 43 | 8% |
| 2012 | 80 | 16% |
| 2011 | 166 | 27% |
| 2010 | 303 | 36% |
| 2009 | 307 | 35% |
| 2008 | 10 | 5% |
| 2007 | 8 | 4% |
| 2006 | 23 | 4% |
| 2005 | 21 | 8% |
| 2004 | 37 | 16% |
| 2003 | 17 | 4% |
| 2002 | 22 | 3% |
| 2001 | 28 | 4% |
| 2000 | 22 | 5% |
| 1999 | 13 | 4% |
| 1998 | 10 | 5% |
| 1997 | 4 | 7% |
| 1995 | 11 | 5% |
| 1994 | 7 | 6% |
| 1992 | 2 | 7% |
| 1991 | 1 | 3% |
| 1990 | 2 | 9% |
| 1989 | 4 | 14% |
| 1988 | 1 | 5% |
| 1987 | 2 | 11% |
| 1986 | 5 | 36% |
Other parts of the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
138 complaintsOther or unknown
107 complaintsEngine
84 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 complaintsSuspension
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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