2011 Volkswagen Jetta Engine Problems
Owners have filed 90 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta, 15% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 51,500 miles. The words owners use most often: “fuel pump” (19% of reports).
- 90engine complaints
- 51,500median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 35%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Fuel pump: mentioned in 17 of 90 complaints (19%)
- Glow plug: mentioned in 9 of 90 complaints (10%)
- High pressure: mentioned in 8 of 90 complaints (9%)
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 72 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 90 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 2 an injury.
Volkswagen Jetta engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Jetta | 1 | 17% | — |
| 2025 Jetta | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2024 Jetta | 11 | 24% | 17,600 |
| 2023 Jetta | 11 | 26% | 2,000 |
| 2022 Jetta | 12 | 28% | 4,500 |
| 2021 Jetta | 5 | 7% | 4,000 |
| 2020 Jetta | 12 | 22% | 14,000 |
| 2019 Jetta | 147 | 27% | 700 |
| 2018 Jetta | 2 | 6% | — |
| 2017 Jetta | 32 | 20% | 64,560 |
| 2016 Jetta | 43 | 27% | 38,000 |
| 2015 Jetta | 43 | 22% | 32,706 |
| 2014 Jetta | 108 | 28% | 64,335 |
| 2013 Jetta | 112 | 22% | 54,000 |
| 2012 Jetta | 84 | 17% | 45,000 |
| 2011 Jetta | 90 | 15% | 51,500 |
| 2010 Jetta | 117 | 14% | 65,592 |
| 2009 Jetta | 96 | 11% | 80,600 |
| 2008 Jetta | 20 | 11% | 96,000 |
| 2007 Jetta | 16 | 8% | 104,293 |
| 2006 Jetta | 39 | 7% | 123,543 |
| 2005 Jetta | 27 | 11% | 112,750 |
| 2004 Jetta | 11 | 5% | 116,500 |
| 2003 Jetta | 16 | 4% | 90,000 |
| 2002 Jetta | 7 | 1% | 93,000 |
| 2001 Jetta | 9 | 1% | 90,821 |
| 2000 Jetta | 8 | 2% | 166,500 |
| 1999 Jetta | 2 | 1% | 87,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system
Problem: 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.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the stainless steel exhaust tips as necessary free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during november 2011. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
EGR is getting stuck open / closed
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…
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine stalls intermittently while driving as listed in a recall for 2011 VW Jettas. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I was at risk of an accident when the car stalls while…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2011 Volkswagen Jettas have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 90 owner complaints about engine for the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta (15% of the 607 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta engine?
Yes: 1 safety recall list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine problems start?
The median reported mileage is 51,500 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about engine problems on the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta?
The most frequent phrase is “fuel pump”, in 17 of 90 complaints, followed by “glow plug” (9).
Other 2011 Volkswagen Jetta problems
See all 2011 Volkswagen Jetta problems or engine problems across all Jetta years.