2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA Complaints and Recall Information
The 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA has 5 complaints and 11 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners frequently report issues with the vehicle rolling away despite indicating it was engaged in park, a sudden burning smell followed by brake failure, and total failure of the ABS control module without prior warning signs. Multiple reports mention accidents linked to recall-related problems.
- Rollaway incidents. Vehicles failed to engage park completely after recall repairs, causing the car to roll down a hill and collide with objects. No warning lamps were present before rollaway events.
- Brake system failure. A burning smell arose while driving followed by the front brakes locking up, glowing brake components, smoking tires, and eventual fire extinguished by the owner.
- ABS control module failure. The ABS system failed without prior warning lights. Dealership diagnostics confirmed the ABS needed full replacement and advised the vehicle was unsafe to drive.
There are 11 recalls associated with the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta affecting various systems including the exhaust, fuel, electrical, suspension, airbags, engine, and brakes. These recalls address defects that pose risks such as burns, fire, engine shutdowns, loss of braking power, and unintended vehicle rollaways.
- Exhaust tips. Recall 11E036000 affected 99,322 vehicles due to stainless steel exhaust tips that may protrude beyond factory pipes, posing burn risks on contact. Dealers will inspect and replace tips free of charge.
- Fuel system diesel. Recall 11V490000 impacted 168,275 vehicles with 2.0L TDI engines. Injector line #2 may develop cracks causing fuel leaks and fire risk. Repair involves installing improved fuel injector lines and vibration dampers.
- Electrical wiring fuses. Recall 11V196000 applies to 71,043 vehicles where a fuse shared by the converter box, horn, and alarm can cause engine stalls, headlight or wiper failure. Dealers will separate wiring to prevent this condition.
- Rear suspension. Recall 14V656000 covers 442,066 vehicles with rear trailing arms prone to fracture if previously deformed, risking loss of control. Dealers install a metal inlay on rear axles to prevent sudden failure.
- Airbags. Recall 15V483000 affects 415,825 vehicles where contamination can tear the airbag clock spring cable. Repairs include installing protective covers or replacing clock springs if airbag lights are on.
- Engine water pumps. Recall 14E007000 targets 50 vehicles with certain aftermarket water pumps that may cause timing belt failure and engine shutdown. Affected pumps will be replaced free of charge.
- Regulatory compliance. Recall 19V679000 involves 113 vehicles with modifications affecting regulatory compliance, potentially increasing crash, fire, or injury risk. Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase affected vehicles.
- Ignition and anti-theft control module. Recall 19V615000 covers 679,027 vehicles with a silicate buildup risk on shift lever switch contacts, allowing key removal without the transmission in park, leading to possible rollaway. Dealers will install additional switches and circuit boards.
- Master cylinder brakes. Recall 20E064000 impacts 38 vehicles with aftermarket master cylinders that may leak brake fluid or separate. Brake fluid leaks reduce braking ability. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged at no cost.
- Steering column anti-theft device. Recall 19V615000 (same campaign as ignition control) addresses the rollaway risk via installation of additional switches, covering the same affected vehicles.
Owners facing repeated repairs, unresolved safety defects, or recall-related issues with the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta may want to explore their rights under state lemon laws to determine possible legal remedies based on their individual circumstances.
2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA Summary
2011
Model Year
5
Total Complaints
10
Total Recalls
1906053
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
38 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
Risk: If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
679027 vehicles affected
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.
2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
113 vehicles affected
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
415825 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Risk: A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
50 vehicles affected
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
Risk: A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
442066 vehicles affected
SUSPENSION:REAR
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 1, 2010, to November 30, 2012, and 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles manufactured March 1, 2011, to July 31, 2013. The durability of the rear trailing arms may be reduced in vehicles whose rear trailing arms have been previously deformed, such as a result of a rear or side-rear impact crash.
Risk: The reduced durability of the trailing arm may result in its sudden fracture, possibly causing loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
71043 vehicles affected
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.
2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
30294 vehicles affected
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 JETTA SEDAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 18, 2010, THROUGH AUGUST 22, 2011. SOME VEHICLES HAD A STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST TIP INSTALLED AT THE PORT DURING IMPORTATION. THESE EXHAUST TIPS MAY EXTEND BEYOND THE ORIGINAL LENGTH OF THE FACTORY-INSTALLED EXHAUST PIPES. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR INADVERTENT CONTACT TO OCCUR WITH A PERSON'S LEG.
Risk: IF THE TAILPIPE EXTENSION IS HOT DURING INADVERTENT CONTACT, A BURN COULD OCCUR.
2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
168275 vehicles affected
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2009-2012 JETTA AND JETTA SPORTWAGEN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 AUDI A3 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L TDI COMMON RAIL DIESEL ENGINE/CLEAN DIESEL ENGINE. THE FUEL INJECTION PULSES COULD COINCIDE WITH THE NATURAL FREQUENCY OF THE INJECTOR LINE #2, IN SPECIFIC LOAD AND RPM CONDITIONS. THIS RESONANCE CREATES ADDITIONAL STRESS IN THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: DUE TO THE RESONANCE CONDITION, INJECTOR LINE NUMBER 2 COULD DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE. LEAKING FUEL IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
99322 vehicles affected
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST TIPS, PART NUMBER 1K0 071 910 U, SOLD AS ACCESSORY EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 JETTA SEDAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 18, 2010, THROUGH AUGUST 22, 2011. THESE EXHAUST TIPS MAY EXTEND BEYOND THE ORIGINAL LENGTH OF THE FACTORY-INSTALLED EXHAUST PIPES. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR INADVERTENT CONTACT TO OCCUR WITH A PERSON'S LEG.
Risk: IF THE TAILPIPE EXTENSION IS HOT DURING INADVERTENT CONTACT, A BURN COULD OCCUR.
Complaints
2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
ID: 2115046SERVICE BRAKES
ABS Control Module total failure No warnings appeared prior to the total failure of the ABS Control Module to indicate that the car needed servicing. ABS would have failed in an emergency braking according to the dealership. Just driving the car without knowing the ABS had issues put my family at risk. After the lights appeared I took it to the dealership who performed the diagnostics and determined that the ABS needed total replacement and advised that the car was not safe to drive. Lights appeared after the failure. There were no brake issues' warning lights prior to the failure. For at least 8 years I've complained that my brakes screeched and for years I was told that my brakes were fine. I've had diagnostics done on the car and not once were issues found with the ABS system. To realize that my car has no warning indicator for a major safety feature such as the brakes until that ABS components' total failure is horrifying. Yet when my tires need air a light appears. There were previous ABS recalls on other Volkwagen Jetta models/years that my car VIN was not part of.
2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
ID: 2109953SERVICE BRAKES
driving on freeway (speed around 70mph) out of nowhere i start smelling strange burning smell then about 1 minute later the car brakes lock up in the front and I loose control of car but luckily it was in light traffic and I regained control enough to get it off to the shoulder. I got out to address the issue and notice the front tires smoking alot and it was at night and the inside (rotor, brake caliper, and rim were glowing bright red and the heat was melting the tire". Then I notice a flame and grabbed a bottle water and applied the tire and extinguish it. I sat there for a good 30 minutes to let everything cool down and the car would not move. "THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFTEY RECALL" AND IF IT'S NOT IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED A.S.A.P PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITH VOLKSWAGON! AND HAVE THIS SERIOUS SAFTEY ISSUE CORRECTED thank you.
2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
ID: 2085745UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Because of recall, car was not engaged in park completely like it stated after I got out it rolled away down the hill and hit a tree, therefore the recall caused my accident. Yes the problem has been confirmed it is a recall. No it has not been inspected by dealer or police. Volkswagen will not engage in any further investigations they say it's my fault. There were no warning lamps.
2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
ID: 2085744VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Because of recall, car was not engaged in park completely like it stated after I got out it rolled away down the hill and hit a tree, therefore the recall caused my accident. Yes the problem has been confirmed it is a recall. No it has not been inspected by dealer or police. Volkswagen will not engage in any further investigations they say it's my fault. There were no warning lamps.
2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
ID: 2085743STRUCTURE:BODY
Because of recall, car was not engaged in park completely like it stated after I got out it rolled away down the hill and hit a tree, therefore the recall caused my accident. Yes the problem has been confirmed it is a recall. No it has not been inspected by dealer or police. Volkswagen will not engage in any further investigations they say it's my fault. There were no warning lamps.