2011 Volkswagen Jetta electrical system problems

Related recalls

• Recall 19V615000Aug 22, 2019679,027 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE · STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

  Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."

  Risk: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

  Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.

• Recall 11V196000Mar 29, 201171,043 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

  Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2011 jetta vehicles, manufactured from march 2010 through march 2011. These vehicles may have an electrical wiring and fuse layout where the converter box is protected by the same fuse used by the signal horn and the anti-theft alarm system. Should that fuse be blown, the converter box will be disconnected from the power supply which, in turn, will shut off applications such as the engine management system, lighting system, and wipers.

  Risk: Should this happen while the vehicle is being driven, the engine could stall, or the headlights or wipers could turn off unexpectedly, potentially leading to a crash without warning.

  Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners when sufficient quantities of repairs kits are available. Dealers will separate the wiring for the horn and the theft protection horn from the power supply of the converter box and route the wires to separate fuses to correct the condition free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during april 2011. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 17, 2026CAAirbagsDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   Suddenly the car showed the abs, cruise control, air bag , and a flashing break light on the dashboard. Took to dealership to get diagnostic and the Abs control module needs to be replaced.

   NHTSA complaint #11764869 · source
2. Filed Sep 21, 2024AZElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   Component/System Failure/Malfunction: ignition switch and starter, possibly transmission Yes, available for inspection upon request. Car has randomly stalled while in motion; ignition and starter switch have been replaced as well as microswitch panel - yet problem persists. Power steering shuts down, steering wheel becomes very difficult to turn. Have to put car in neutral, typically, and try to restart while in motion. Has happened over 100 times; replaced alternator as…

   NHTSA complaint #11615800 · source
3. Filed Jul 24, 2024VAElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the horn was inoperable while driving. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the horn was replaced several times; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the alarm system was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the failure was related to the electrical system. The vehicle was not repaired. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11604268 · source
4. Filed Jun 17, 2024ILElectrical SystemEngineSuspension

   Car was being driven and coils snapped caused, tire to pop damaging front end. Car was being driven and randomly shut off in middle of road. Driving vehicle shifting into gear lags, check engine light is on, had reader and said that valve 2 has low pressure. As a result clanking and loose noise sounds are heard when driven from drivers side.

   NHTSA complaint #11594711 · source
5. Filed May 4, 2024VAAirbagsBrakesElectrical System

   Air bag light came on showing both driver and passenger airbags off without having any collision then pulled into gas station, car was fine pumped gas and tried to start vehicle and couldn't turn key further than interior lights. Was locked in ignition. Also had all brake pads and rotors replaced 1.5 years ago, now service center says they need replaced again already. Diagnostics from VW shoe ignition switch lock cylinder malfunction needs replaced.there are recalls for the…

   NHTSA complaint #11586964 · source
6. Filed Apr 8, 2024TXElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact initially linked the failure to a defective battery and the battery was replaced; however, the failure persisted. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V196000 (Electrical System) which was then linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the…

   NHTSA complaint #11581678 · source
7. Filed Feb 13, 2024OHBody & StructureElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   Door unexpectedly does not close and latch correctly. Had to hold the car door the whole time driving. The driver door and passenger door has done it so far. This needs to look into.

   NHTSA complaint #11571769 · source
8. Filed Jul 19, 202380,000 miORElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that upon arriving to her destination, while turning the key in the ignition, the vehicle failed to turn off, with the key stuck in the ON position. After several attempts, the contact was able to turn off the vehicle by disconnecting the battery terminals. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who failed to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage…

   NHTSA complaint #11533317 · source
9. Filed Jul 4, 2023TNElectrical SystemEngine

   At various times my car will randomly stall and it's not showing any warning lights to indicate what's wrong or when it will happen.

   NHTSA complaint #11530329 · source
10. Filed Mar 3, 2023KYDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

    The power window never works the way it is suppose to, when I row my window down it MESSES with the speakers for some reason, my wipes don't work all the time and freeze easy. When driving does nor like to shift out of 1st it's got that mk shifter, it will stay in first gear unless the gas is pressed and released fast also can smell like a burnt wire or/ candle was smell. When I try to put the air on the smell becomes worse.

    NHTSA complaint #11510091 · source
11. Filed Dec 10, 2022OHElectrical SystemLighting

    Lights coming on by themselves while in park position and draining the battery. Replaced battery 3 times in the last 7 months.

    NHTSA complaint #11496902 · source
12. Filed Apr 16, 2022FLBrakesElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

    The ABS module in this vehicle has failed as the ABS, Traction Control, Airbag, and Brake lights are all on with the brake light flashing. The dealership stated a new module would be needed to have functioning anti lock brakes. In reference to case - NHTSA: 16V913, I believe the same components are the same as the power train did not change between the two vehicles. I am having the same symptoms as stated in this document but there is no recall as of yet.

    NHTSA complaint #11460999 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology