2012 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Jun 14, 2026PAElectrical System

   A microswitch malfunction. My car will not lock and while I am driving it there is clicking on the doors for locking and unlocking. My night lights will not shut off when I park the vehicle. There is a pinging noise when the vehicle is shut off and in park and the door is open with no lights on.

   NHTSA complaint #11744027 · source
2. Filed Jul 21, 2025131,260 miCAElectrical SystemSteering

   The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that for the past eight months, the contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition. Several warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that to start the vehicle, the contact had to plug in the two fuse boxes and connect the battery cable. The contact feared the vehicle might catch on fire. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V615000 (Electrical System, Steering). The…

   NHTSA complaint #11675172 · source
3. Filed May 2, 2025NYElectrical System

   This is my 4th volkswagen jetta 2.5L I've own that has had the same issue with the charging system the car would just shut off while driving due to dead battery almost causing an accident this needs to be addressed 2011 to 2018

   NHTSA complaint #11658596 · source
4. Filed Jun 21, 2024UTElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown

   I was driving on the road going up a hill and my fuel was just alittle low about 120 miles my car sputtered and died and didn't start back up stuck on the road with barley any gaurd rail so I'm partially in the lane and I got it looked at and my high pressure fuel pump failed and sent metal scrapes all throughout my fuel system so it's estimated around 10k to replace I got told it's because the pump barley lost fuel and it uses that to lubricate itself so somthing as simple…

   NHTSA complaint #11595644 · source
5. Filed Nov 27, 2023140,000 miTXElectrical SystemSteering

   The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V615000 (Electrical System, Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while using the key to start the vehicle, the key spun around in the ignition cylinder and failed to start the vehicle. The dealer was made…

   NHTSA complaint #11557111 · source
6. Filed Sep 29, 2023TXElectrical SystemLightingAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Horn only occasionally works when honking and/or locking car, which increases the risk of a crash since I can’t always use my horn to alert other drivers of presence. One front headlight only occasionally works (lightbulb is not the issue), which increases the risk of a crash since other drivers may not be able to see me as well & I am not able to see the road as well in the dark. Cruise control does not work at all, which increases risk of speeding and therefore increases…

   NHTSA complaint #11547246 · source
7. Filed Feb 12, 2023ILElectrical System

   The passenger side door actuator/wiring is not locking appropriately. Through the use of the key fob locking the car doesn't lock the passenger door and every time the vehicle is in motion at 10mph it tries to initiate the auto-locking but fails to lock the passenger door. This enables the passenger to open their door at any rate of speed without automatic safety protection. I have seen this be an issue with other Volkswagen Jetta cars online through car parts stores and…

   NHTSA complaint #11506811 · source
8. Filed Jan 13, 2023OHAirbagsElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic linked the failure to an electrical failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V483000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of…

   NHTSA complaint #11501646 · source
9. Filed Jan 11, 2023122,000 miIDElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he noticed a burning odor and smoke coming from the vents into the cabin of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that he pulled apart the heater and noticed that the wiring had melted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…

   NHTSA complaint #11501319 · source
10. Filed Dec 15, 2022NYElectrical System

    The locking system is hit and miss at this time. The automatic locks do not lock all the doors. Sometimes the trunk will not open, either using the fob, or the trunk release. The windows don't always work either. Child lock doors can be unlocked. I am planning on taking it in for service, however, VW charges $165 just to do a diagnostic check and cannot give me a range of what it could cost to repair. I am a senior on a budget. I have seen identical complaints on the…

    NHTSA complaint #11497549 · source
11. Filed Dec 8, 2022PAElectrical System

    Unable to remove the key from the ignition to turn the car off, constantly getting stuck with the engine on other times hard to turn to get the car started. I see multiple recalls for this for some reason my car is not amongst them. [VIN removed]

    NHTSA complaint #11496668 · source
12. Filed Jul 22, 2021155,000 miNJElectrical SystemSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while turning into the parking lot at the residence, with a foot on the brake pedal, the contact was unaware that the vehicle was still in drive and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled forward approximately 3-4 feet before the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle was stopped. The vehicle was shifted into PARK and the contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated as…

    NHTSA complaint #11426011 · 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