Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Volkswagen Jetta owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the splash guard detached from the vehicle and damaged the radiator. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to his destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
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 driving on the road and on the highway. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, the Ontario Volkswagen dealership has been able to see the car intermittently stalling while being serviced. I took the car to the Volkswagen dealership and asked them to contact corporate for a solution to the problem. They replaced 2 sensors and the problem still persists. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning lights or messages appear prior to engine stalling.
This Jetta Sportwagen TDI is one of the "diesel gate" vehicles that was supposedly fixed. However, post fix, the vehicle has been at the dealership for repairs more than it has been on the road for various emissions related issues revolving around the exhaust gas recirculation system and diesel particulate filter. Vehicle is washed regularly, including scrubbing of the chaise pipe ends with heavy duty soot cleaning solution. vehicle takes less than a week to collect enough soot on the tailpipe to cause transference to finger when whipped. This is an indication that an excessive amount of soot is not being properly recirculated by the exhaust gas recirculating system to be rebut in the diesel particulate filter. This also indicates that the "fix" for the cheating emissions system is not doing its job and vehicle is likely emitting particulate and NOX at levels far above legal limits.
Unknown , The vehicle is a slap shift and I can't put it in sport mode as well when driving I've been in just regular automatic it will shift slow but hard when it's in slap shift it it shifts Hard and when it is in sport mode it will shift fast and hard it's like a jerk it has a very rough idol and sometimes the windshield wiper's will work sometimes they won't and my cruise control does not work and I put my code reader on it and it says $7E8 and $7E9 along with not being able to complete smog test, and it acted like it wanted to die when I was in drive through it has well over half tank gas. Also it seems to be sucking more gas and my miles are going really fait's going really fast like they're not matching what I'm actually driving.
My car would randomly stall while driving, happens both when braking and not braking. When it stalls steering wheel locks up, cannot press gas pedal, and brakes stop working almost. This is incredibly dangerous because while on a road at 50mph+ and my car suddenly stops it can cause a serious accident. The dealer has been able to reproduce it multiple times, and has said it is a common problem. The only warning light that switched on was the battery light after it had stalled. Currently at the VW dealership and was told that it was the fuel filter, was not the problem and car continued to stall more. Not only was a good part replaced but created an even more dangerous situation than before.
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 sounds are heard when driven from drivers side.
Car randomly stalls while driving and shuts off without warning in the middle of the road. Immediately is able to turn back on without issues. Took to mechanic and they couldn't find any issues and said the car had zero error codes. This has happened multiple times while driving low speeds, usually when driving stop and go with street lights
This engine or transmission is acting odd it boggs down for no reason and I know for a fact there should be a recall from the wiring harness back in 2011. I accidentally clicked it was fixed when I pushed the wrong button and it wouldnt let me undue it. Stalls white smoke out the tail pipes in gusts. Foul smell in vents
I recently bought a 2011 volkswagen jetta tdi last owner wasn't aware of recalls, car started throwing white smoke, my local service mecanics NORTHWEST EXPRESS AUTO CARE let me know that the problem is a recall on emission need to fix but dealer don't want to do it
2011 vw Jetta tdi failed while driving on highway. As car slowed due to traffic, the coil (glow plug?) light came on. When car came to complete stop due to traffic, engine light came on and the car stopped and would not restart. There was no time for me to move to the side of the highway due to traffic congestion so I was stranded in the middle of the freeway. Waiting for ca highway patrol for help, traffic cleared and I was subsequently hit by a car moving at freeway speeds and sustained injuries (ribs, back and neck injuries, and concussion) online, there are numerous reports of other vw cars that experienced the exact same issue (coil/glow plug light, then engine failure). This happened to me on a freeway and the rear-end collision I was subjected to due to car failure could have been fatal. …
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
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.
Remedy: 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.
Engine complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 115 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta, 19% of the model year's 607 complaints. The component named most often is engine › diesel (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Volkswagen Jetta engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-466 (exhaust system, Sep 7, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Volkswagen Jetta engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 3 fires and 4 injuries to engine & cooling 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.