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Body and structurePart report

2012 Volkswagen Jetta Body and structure Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
1%of 500 total for the year
Median mileage
43,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the body and structure of the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, 1% of the 500 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 43,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.

“Door latch failed mid-drive and my door flew wide open mid-turn. Major safety issue. If this was an isolated incident, I wouldn't bother posting this. But if you use a quick google search, this is an issue Volkswagen wide. Not isolated to the jettas, not even limited to mk6s.”

NHTSA complaint #11144953, filed 2018-11, 112,000 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

“I was driving north on interstate highway 55 in memphis, tennessee, (around 9:15am ct on june 26, 2013) towards riverside drive (downtown memphis) when all of the sudden I heard a loud boom/crash sound on the roof of my Volkswagen Jetta (2012, which I owned for 1 week!) and glass shattered and fell all over me and the inside of my car. I was not under an overpass or behind any trucks or cars, so I was completely terrified and did not know what happened. I was crying and shaking and pulled off the highway to s parkway and called 911 to file a report. …”

NHTSA complaint #10521897, filed 2013-06, 15,900 miles

“Front driver side door will intermittently fail to lock and/or unlock with key fob or lock/unlock buttons in the cabin (began approx 6/20/2018 at approx 43,000 miles). Must use the key in exterior key hole to manually lock or unlock, but while key is in the ignition it is impossible to lock the door manually as there is no manual lock switch only power lock switch. Every time any door is unlocked and the driver goes from 0mph past about 10mph the car automatically tries to lock but fails. …”

NHTSA complaint #11164303, filed 2018-12, 43,000 miles

“42g8 recall 2015 also in feb 2018 total loss of power when vehicle is a a complete stop as well as slowed to no acceleration once vehicle is slowed or stopped.”

NHTSA complaint #11074088, filed 2018-02, 120,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Body and structure: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202513%
202312%
202212%
202024%
2019234%
201732%
201642%
201553%
201472%
2013153%
201271%
2011203%
2010192%
2009162%
200842%
2007115%
2006234%
2005125%
200483%
2003112%
2002193%
2001436%
2000205%
1999257%
1998147%
1997713%
199613%
1995105%
199487%
199316%
199126%
198914%
1988316%
198716%
1986321%
198518%

Other parts of the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta

Electrical system
138 complaints
Other or unknown
107 complaints
Engine
84 complaints
Fuel system
80 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
46 complaints
Steering
42 complaints
Brakes
37 complaints
Air bags
34 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
24 complaints
Vehicle speed control
14 complaints
Exterior lighting
13 complaints
Electronic 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 28, 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