2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 38 complaints
38
Total Complaints
72,000mi
Median Mileage
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Top Issue
0
Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

58,652 25th Percentile
72,000 Median Mileage
85,250 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
6
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
5
SERVICE BRAKES
4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
4
ENGINE
4
SUSPENSION
4
POWER TRAIN
4
STEERING
2
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
1
SEAT BELTS
1

Severity Assessment

0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE TRUNK AJAR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE TRUNK OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TRUNK FAILED TO CLOSE PROPERLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEA..."
"4/5/16 4:30PM, VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. BROUGHT TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WHO DIAGNOSED VEHICLE WITH AN IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HOUSING ISSUE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL OR FAIL IN THAT SENSE, BUT IT IS STILL DISTRESSING TO HAVE A FAULT ON THE IGNITION SWITCH."
"4/5/16 4:30PM, VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. BROUGHT TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WHO DIAGNOSED VEHICLE WITH AN IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HOUSING ISSUE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL OR FAIL IN THAT SENSE, BUT IT IS STILL DISTRESSING TO HAVE A FAULT ON THE IGNITION SWITCH."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28