2012 Volkswagen Jetta Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 42about this part
- Share
- 8%of 500 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 51,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 42 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, 8% of the 500 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 51,500 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I took my Jetta to get an oil change and the mechanic went to move my car in the bay and could not get it turned off. I had to have it moved to a Volkswagen dealer to what I thought was a faulty ignition and Volkswagen said a bad steering lock.”
NHTSA complaint #10649315, filed 2014-10, 43,000 miles“Car was only under my possession for one year and seven months... It was leased brand new . 3/25/14-when got into the car to go to work, car would not start. Discovered it had no battery power. Horn stopped working. Previous to this, week before thermostat light was going on and off. Car was at 14,030 miles. Volkswagen roadside assistance came and brought vehicle to nearest service center which is actually where I bought the car. Service center confirmed dead battery. …”
NHTSA complaint #10584319, filed 2014-04, 14,363 miles“A while ago I felt a little difficult to get the key out at parking but usually pushed it harder in and turned the key would be out. Last year the guy working on safety check called me for emergency because he couldn't get my car turned off, he's scared to break my key. This year costco tire center called me for emergency while changing tires because of the key stuck issue. I told them to try few more times with pushing key in and wiggle it a bit. After I got back from costco, I finally couldn't bear with this problem because I couldn't get it off for about 15 minutes. …”
NHTSA complaint #11091995, filed 2018-05, 30,887 miles“On the afternoon of april 30th, 2014 while the vehicle was ideal at a stop light the vehicles power steering and A/C gave out. After inspecting the engine, it was determined the belt tensoner broke due to a faulty bolt that should've secured this part. This incident happen 6 days after taking it to a local authorized Volkswagen service dealership . As a consumer and driver I feel a formal safety investigation must take place because a part such as this snapping off endangers my life and the life of the general public. …”
NHTSA complaint #10586902, filed 2014-05, 46,206 miles“After my last visit with the A/C, I maybe thought that this dealer ship would help me out (vw el cajon) unlike (vw kearny). I had told them what has been going on with this rumbling noise that had started off faint but now is progressively gotten worse and is affecting other parts, because the noise now picks up when turning. They told me they would find it, took it out on a test drive with several mechanics and they all tried to play me and told me they could not hear anything even though the mechanic rep did hear it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10586350, filed 2014-05, 19,967 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10235284Apr 27, 2023This Document was revised. The model year chat was removed for VWP-18-11 for the Steering Wheel Clock Spring Limited Warranty Extension
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 17% |
| 2025 | 1 | 3% |
| 2024 | 2 | 4% |
| 2023 | 1 | 2% |
| 2022 | 7 | 16% |
| 2021 | 3 | 4% |
| 2020 | 4 | 7% |
| 2019 | 12 | 2% |
| 2017 | 14 | 9% |
| 2016 | 11 | 7% |
| 2015 | 15 | 8% |
| 2014 | 17 | 4% |
| 2013 | 37 | 7% |
| 2012 | 42 | 8% |
| 2011 | 23 | 4% |
| 2010 | 13 | 2% |
| 2009 | 24 | 3% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% |
| 2006 | 10 | 2% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 4 | 2% |
| 2003 | 1 | 0% |
| 2002 | 8 | 1% |
| 2001 | 5 | 1% |
| 2000 | 8 | 2% |
| 1999 | 8 | 2% |
| 1998 | 12 | 6% |
| 1997 | 2 | 4% |
| 1996 | 3 | 10% |
| 1995 | 14 | 6% |
| 1994 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 2 | 6% |
| 1987 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
138 complaintsOther or unknown
107 complaintsEngine
84 complaintsFuel system
80 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
46 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 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