Vehicle Data Hub

2012 Volkswagen Jetta engine problems

Owners reported engine problems in 92 complaints for the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, 13% of the complaints on file. It is the 2nd most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
92 13% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
44,000 miles 76 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
1 and 4
Injuries and deaths
0 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Engine complaints by mileage, 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 44,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 21 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 13 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 14 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 13 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 10 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 0 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 3 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 0 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 2 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 0 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 44,000 miles
Based on 76 complaints that include mileage. 63% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles21
20k to 40k miles13
40k to 60k miles14
60k to 80k miles13
80k to 100k miles10
100k to 120k miles0
120k to 140k miles3
140k to 160k miles0
160k to 180k miles2
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles0

What the data shows

Of the 76 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 44,000 miles, and 63% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 1 crash, 4 fires.

What owners wrote

Drove the vehicle home from work friday 1/13, weather was below freezing causing ice build up. Parked the vehicle in my garage ~45 degrees. Ice began melt, and when trying to start the vehicle saturday afternoon it turned 1/4 turn and the engine stopped. My assumption is that the engine inhaled water causing a hydro-lock, I continued to try to start the vehicle a total 5 times (it turned over once and ran extremely rough and died once).

Reported at 17,000 miles, January 2012 Fire

The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at 15 mph, the vehicle made a clunking sound then loss motive power without warning. The crankshaft position sensor was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with code P0016 - crankshaft position sensor fault. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer.

Reported at 130,000 miles, August 2021

Other problems reported for the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta

Engine problems in other years

Engine problems across all Volkswagen models