2011 Volkswagen Jetta Brake Problems

28 owners have reported brakes problems with the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta to NHTSA — 5% of all 607 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 85,000 miles. That ranks #11 of 31 Jetta model years for brake complaints (a typical year has 22). No brake recall has been issued for this model year.

28complaints
85ktypical miles
0related recalls
1crashes
1fires
0injuries

Which parts fail

  • Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
    1
  • Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › ABS warning light
    1
  • Antilock › ABS warning light
    1

Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    424%
  • 25k–50k
    212%
  • 50k–75k
    16%
  • 75k–100k
    847%
  • 100k–150k
    212%
  • 150k+
    00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Volkswagen Jetta owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

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.

Jul 2025 · fire

The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed but the brakes locked up causing the vehicle to spin 180 degrees. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with Antilock Brake System (ABS) control module failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000. Consumer would like to remove the complaint.

88,000 miles · Dec 2021

The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated and remained illuminated. Additionally, the brake light had continued to flash. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle spun out after lightly depressing the brake pedal. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 85,000. Consumer would like to withdrawal the complaint.

Antilock › ABS warning light · 85,000 miles · Dec 2021

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. …

Jul 2025

Air bag light came on showing both driver and passenger airbags off without having any collision then pulled into gas station, car was fine pumped gas and tried to start vehicle and couldn't turn key further than interior lights. Was locked in ignition. Also had all brake pads and rotors replaced 1.5 years ago, now service center says they need replaced again already. Diagnostics from VW shoe ignition switch lock cylinder malfunction needs replaced.there are recalls for the airbags and ignition switch cylinder and brakes for my exact year, month,make and model(11 recalls) but shows 0 recalls under vin. Vw wants to charge me $1,200 to fix what should be free under recalls.

Apr 2024

The ABS module in this vehicle has failed as the ABS, Traction Control, Airbag, and Brake lights are all on with the brake light flashing. The dealership stated a new module would be needed to have functioning anti lock brakes. In reference to case - NHTSA: 16V913, I believe the same components are the same as the power train did not change between the two vehicles. I am having the same symptoms as stated in this document but there is no recall as of yet.

Mar 2019

I started up my car and was driving from work, all of a sudden I see a bunch of my warnings light appear on the dashboard all at the same time. I was driving in alexandria city and the care was in motion when the lights appeared. The tire pressure light, traction control, ABS, and even the air bag light. 3 different system have faults is a concern to my safety. I went to a mechanic twice and then the dealership, found out that the rear ABS sensor needs to be changed to get rid of ABS and traction control. After that was part was changed and the fault code was cleared the traction control and tire pressure still remained. Air bag light code was cleared too. After a month driving all of those same light reappeared again after I started up my car, I was stationary when the lights reappeared and was about to drive in city. The lights did not go away after driving. …

144,000 miles · Sep 2019

Vehicle stalls intermittently since purchase, commonly when exiting a freeway to a stop or during rush hour(stop/go)traffic. Before stalling, vehicle will jerk, rough idle, and delay acceleration. Stalling May occur at a stop after high speed, however stalling has also occurred during driving after a high speed to low speed departure. When vehicle stalls during driving, both the wheel and brakes lock up commonly. It takes putting it in neutral while rolling and attempting to start several times before ignition kicks in. This has been dangerous as the only braking would be a gradual emergency brake pull and there is no additional steering, thankfully I have had straightaways the times it has happened, however I have been forced to go through red lights with my hazards on, laying on the horn. Vw has attempted repair 5 times for same issue with no resolve. …

91,000 miles · Sep 2017

On 05/22/2019 around 6 pm, my wife parked the car (vw Jetta, 2011 was stationed in parking mode), turned the car off at 309 smith street, newark, nj 07108, then suddenly the car rolled back the downhill, crossed smith street to hit our neighbor car on the right side, a black Honda accord parked in front of 310 smith street (a one way street). A police complaint was not filed. I spent almost $500.0 to partially fix my neighbor car. We were lucky that another car was not driving by, nor a pedestrian walking by. We didn't the cause of the incident, but found it wear. Almost 3 weeks before, also, my wife come back from the grocery store, she parked the car, turned the car off, went out and removed the grocery from the trunk, and suddenly the car rolled back to crush the grocery items on the floor and rolled over right foot

May 2019 · crash

My tired was punctured and the tire pressure indicator light did not come on at all. The seatbelts never retract after taking them off they just hang there. Sometimes when I lock the doors the alarm does not sound off indicating the alarm is set, also my horn works when it wants to but never when it should, for instance there was a car coming up the street the wrong way and my car failed to create sound from the horn for me to alert the other driver. My car could be in motion or stationary none of the above works, my brakes have went out a few times while I was in motion in the middle of the highway as well. These issues have been happening way before the date I listed below but I just thought these were normal issues I need to get fixed on my own but who knew it was a recall issue all along.

75,000 miles · Dec 2020

Brake complaints in other Jetta years

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’262322113145775122121430442320555283722181923151307261211132
Brake complaints per model year, Volkswagen Jetta.

Frequently asked questions

How common are brake problems on the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta?

NHTSA has 28 complaints about the brakes of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta, 5% of the model year's 607 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › control unit/module (1 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2011 Volkswagen Jetta brake problems?

No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.

At what mileage do 2011 Volkswagen Jetta brake problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.