Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen Complaints

171 consumer complaints on file.

#11763740September 11, 2026
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS
at or around 6:52pm on 9/11/2026, what I assume is the seatbelt pretensioner deployed while I was driving down a smooth road. absolutely no potholes or anything of the sort, I was just regularly driving down the road and it snapped and tightened up onto my chest, started smoking inside, and injured the left side of my neck. I have a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen 2.5 SE. I don't understand what happened, but this is a clear safety concern, and this absolutely terrified me. I immediately pulled over and checked under and around the car, there was nothing.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737612May 13, 2026
SUSPENSION
Purchased my 2014 Jetta TDI SportWagen DSG used with 60k miles in 2017 from a Subaru dealership. It was purchased at auction by the dealership as reported at auction known to be an unmodified dieselgate vehicle. The dealership performed the modifications to bring it into emissions compliance and sold it to me. I noticed an occasional "boing" sound from the back and my wife wouldn't drive it, she said it was too twitchy on the highway. I just thought that was part of the Sportwagen experience. In 2026 I took it to my local garage for a [XXX] state inspection. Mechanic showed me that the front right coil spring was broken as part of the strut, and both rear coil springs were also snapped. The rear spring pieces "screwed" up into themselves and it was actually difficult to see the snapped section. I had been driving for a year on a single front left spring, the only remaining good spring. Total cost of repairs was $4500 in parts and labor (which was actually quite reasonable for the work performed). From [XXX] I purchased VW OEM "Towing" springs for the rear and new front struts and new rear shocks, plus all linkages, mounts and all bolts plus a $150 alignment. Regarding the engine, the glow plugs were replaced in 2025 and the dissimilar metals had "galled" the threads and the head had to be chased with a reamer in order to install new glow plugs to the correct torque. The faulty glow plugs were determined to be VW OEM parts from the factory. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11673116July 13, 2025
POWER TRAIN
I had lost power driving over the grapevine on Highway and then recently I had difficulty putting vehicle in gear and it would make a loud noise. Independent service center confirmed that the TCM was faulty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11640739February 4, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
My Bosch CP4 fuel pump failed causing my engine to stall while turning at a very busy/fast intersection. This can occur at speed without any warning of sudden failure, putting everyone on the road at risk. Fault code P0087 and P0191 were present, along with a flashing glow plug. Following EA No.: EA11-003 I removed the fuel metering valve and observed and documented metal shavings. The failed component is still installed on my vehicle as I will be having it serviced shortly. The fact that this same component has been recalled very recently in many domestic trucks, but not in the 600,000 VW/Audi vehicles it is installed in is concerning. EA No.: EA11-003 Date Opened: 7-Feb-2011 Date Closed: 27-Mar-2015 The date this analysis was closed was months before the Dieselgate Scandal broke, leads me to question its credibility. This repair is very expensive as a whole new fuel system needs to be installed, with the same questionable pump.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11633929January 3, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The f16 fuse in the engine bay that connects power to multiple exterior lights as well as the abs brake system melts and melts part of the fuse tray. This is the same thing that happens with the vw Tiguan in campaign am97. Look into am97 as this can ruin your abs brake system. This should be recalled and fixed. This picture is not mine but is exactly what happened.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11615445September 19, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
It seems that my vehicle's clock spring has broken. There is already a warranty issue with this part. However, my local service center cannot get my vehicle in for 5 weeks. How is it acceptable for me to drive a vehicle for 5 weeks without a working airbag and horn?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11615469September 19, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle turned off and restarted independently while the vehicle was still in motion, resulting in a momentary loss of control over the vehicle. The contact also stated that the battery was being drained quickly. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular failure. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined an electrical short was causing the battery to drain and other electrical issues. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 85,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11614705September 15, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Cp4 high pressure fuel pump will self-destruct causing little pieces of metal to go throughout the fuel system and causing thousands in repair lots of manufacturers are doing recalls to this pump but nothing for Volkswagen I have contact the dealer no help if you go online thousands of people it's complaining about the CP4 high pressure fuel pump it has a design flaw from factory and needs to be corrected
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11610280August 22, 2024
ENGINE
While driving my car, which is a manual, will stall out of nowhere. Not while changing gears, but while driving on highway. It stalls which is extremely dangerous. I read the NHTSA investigated this problem in 2010. I believe my car is part of this investigation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11607161August 7, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I was looking at the GMC Duramax diesel and it has the same problem as the Volkswagen Jetta TDI fuel pump failure due to American Diesel in the pump is designed for foreign diesel which is very expensive to repair can we please have some help with this where they can come out with a replacement pump that can resist American diesel
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11596427June 25, 2024
TIRES:SIDEWALL
The contact owned a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta TDI equipped with four Continental Tires: Tire Line: Extreme Contact DW6 Plus; Tire Size: 245/45/R19, and DOT Numbers: N/A. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH and traveling around a curve, the passenger side rear tire tread separated, he lost control of the vehicle, and he crashed into a guardrail. The contact sustained injuries to his back, but medical attention was not provided. The side curtain air bags were deployed. There was no reported fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The contact stated that the failure was similar to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21T001000 (Tires). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000. The tire mileage was 5,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11590030May 21, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES
ABS module in 2010 VW Jetta wagon malfunctioned. Warning lights in dash were lit for ABS, Brake, and airbag on 5/18/24. Towed to local auto shop by AAA on 5/20/24. Verified by local auto shop as faulty ABS module on 5/21/24. Prior year VW Jetta wagon (2009) already has recall for this issue. Car is not safe to drive due to brake issue and will not pass state inspection. This VIN / make / model of VW should be added to existing VW ABS recall. I have not towed vehicle back to house and do not have the auto shop report yet.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11580702April 2, 2024
AIR BAGS
The rear right passenger airbag sensor went faulty, was hoping Volkswagen could replace it since it is a safety system.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11566975January 22, 2024
POWER TRAIN
While driving the vehicle, suddenly and without warning it downshifted, went into limp mode and became stuck in second gear. Fortunately, I was driving on a secondary road with little traffic. Had I been on a major road or highway, its likely I would have been rear ended resulting in injury/death. I have taken vehicle to dealership where it has been confirmed it is the DSG transmission caused by a faulty Mechatronics unit. I am being told the entire transmission needs to be replaced. Had VW recalled and fixed the problem earlier, I would not need a new transmission now. VW is refusing to pay for cost to replace it. After speaking with VW service representatives and mechanics, it is well known by VW this could happen. There have been recalls in other countries - Australia, Singapore, Japan, China, etc. to replace faulty unit/transmission because it caused deaths. VW only did an extended warranty for cars in the USA. My vehicle is beyond that warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11561116December 20, 2023
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact continued driving to his destination however, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 30 MPH. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had become a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where a diagnostic test was performed; however, the results had not been shared with the contact. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and became aware of a failure of the high-pressure fuel pump. The contact related the failure to the high-pressure fuel pump. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11555385November 16, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, POWER TRAIN
Walked out to the garage where the vehicle had been shut off for a number of minutes to conduct another day’s personal investigation (can’t leave it outside when it rains unfortunately - moonroof leaks). This time: exterior lights on & found the interior lights in what looked to be an odd cycling. Video can be provided, no pictures taken. The price for honesty? Dealers: $500. I can live with that, someone should at some point, do the right thing by others & disclose its problems. The car is a LEMON & by all other standards-has no reason to be. I’m done filing reports, 3 in 30 days & I’m done driving the vehicle after 101 days of personal research. Behind the wheel of this VIN which additionally is covered till 2028 & has also failed previously (Nov ‘22 clock spring) is too much of a safety concern; & the cost to repair exceeds the worth of the car. Value in a sense is relative, and I don’t have much to say about that subject. Additional findings and details can be provided. Also, toxins & emissions are a concern.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11554680November 11, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, STEERING
Random unwanted braking action during driving and dangerous steering force to the right side.I had to use both hands and force to keep car on the road on the interstate. No fault codes found VW Dealership could not find any Problem.They replaced the ABS Modem to a cost of $2669 but the problem remains.The brakes lock up when just backing up on my driveway too.I have read on the VW forums that a lot of people are having the same problems on 2009, 2012,2013 Jetta.I am afraid to take the car on the road and especially on the interstate again!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11554262November 8, 2023
ENGINE
The Service Act/Recall for the glow plug was NOT reported to Experian by Volkswagen when it was repaired on 12-11-2014 AND it was incorrectly installed by the VW Dealership in Tulsa who serviced it. It was not disclosed to me and we paid over $1400 this year for an "incorrect" glow-plug, same exact part number. Please update the NHTSA ID # 11553299 to include the Glow Plug. The vehicle is now showing the previously recalled codes for the VW Recalls pertaining to 23U3 and 24CV and 4 more codes since we last spoke. We were sold the vehicle without being disclosed the recall repair on our Experian report. Further, the vehicle is getting worse each day. The vehicle is a lemon & VW will not address the safety of it. They do NOT care about the lives of those who are their customers, something needs to change.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11553299November 2, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an auto parts store that used a handheld scanner and determined that the vehicle needed to be taken to a dealer due to engine failure. The contact stated that the engine failure was intermittent at first but had become recurring and at various speeds. Additionally, the vehicle started to have electrical issues and a failure with the catalytic converter. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that cylinder #1 glow plug, and several relays needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired; however, the check engine warning light returned. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the failures were related to Service Campaign Numbers: 24CV and 23U3 Emissions Modifications (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact was advised that the vehicle was no longer covered under warranty. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11552529October 29, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle’s electrical system shuts off as I am driving. This happened at night , almost caused a crash.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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