Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
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.
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.
It's the transmission when the mph needle just Bob's constantly, when sometime up to 60 mph the rps stays above the three for at least 15 sec before sometimes going down others have to push the gas pedal fast to shift gears. Constant thud sound from the motor and more condensation then should be coming from tailpipe.the odor coming from the air vents is absolutely nauseating.
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
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
I had driven the car earlier that day (about 40 miles) with no problems. I got home at about 7:30 pm and parked the car outside our house. At about 2 am, I heard a beeping car horn. I looked outside and saw flames coming out of the front drivers side of our beautiful 2011 Jetta sportwagen. I dialed 911, the car continued to burn until the fire dept arrived and put it out. The car is a total loss. I'm only happy it wasn't parked inside a garage where the fire would have destroyed our house as well. No work had been done on the car recently and no aftermarket options were installed. I have only one question - what could cause a completely cold car (not driven in over 6 hours) to suddenly burst into flame?? Thank you.
I was driving to work, which includes crossing a toll bridge daily. I was on the bridge, which is only a 2 lane bridge, when all of a sudden my diesel engine failure light began to flash. I lost acceleration and was able to pull off to the shoulder safely and turn off the car. I sat there for a few minutes contemplating if I should call aaa to get a tow to the dealer. Seeing as I was only about 5 miles from the vw dealer, I decided to see if my car will make it there. It started back up no problem and I was able to accelerate back into traffic and make it to the dealer with no further issues. I explained the problem to the service rep. And they checked in my car and I waited for them to call me with the issue. …
High pressure fuel pump failure July 2015, was driving at highway speed when glow plug indicator started flashing, pulled off highway and car stalled in highway off-ramp intersection. Pushed car out of intersection to side shoulder. Car towed to fox vw of rochester hills mi. Vw authorized warranty claim on replacement of entire fuel system. Repair was completed and car returned. Car smelled of diesel in the interior compartment. Smell did not lessen after 1 week even with windows open to air out. Returned vehicle to fox vw. Fox vw stated that there was a spill at the access to the fuel pump sending unit under the seat. The spill was cleaned up and vehicle returned. Diesel smell was less. …
Takata recall. When starting the vehicle after seating for more than an hour, it takes an excess amount of cranking before the engine fires. 10 plus seconds. One its running it usually drives without issues until you get to 5/16-1/4 tank. While driving down the highway it starts to loose power. The car feels like it is going to shut off. It looses power, gains and loose power causing it to sputter and loose control. After a few moments it is back to normal. Then proceeds to happen sporadically usually every couple miles until it gets fill it up. This happens on city roads and highway. I fill the tank up and I only get on average 10 gallons into the tank, so I know its not out of gas. I have had the fuel pump test numerous times by different mechanics. All of them said its not loosing pressure, and it primes when the drivers door opens like it should. …
Vw Jetta 2011 has been dying when idling, in park and while decelerating. It will be stopped at a stop sign or red light and just lose power. It has to then be put in park and the key must be turned to come back on. This also happens when coming to a stop. Recently, it happened coming off the highway going 45 MPH. Car had to coast and the brakes were ridden to a stop where car had to be turned back on. Dealership has allegedly replaced issues with the epc light coming on, timing belt and fell pump. The problem persists. Thousands have been spent on this issue and the car keeps dying. It currently has 115K miles on it. There is also an issue when pumping gas at a gas station. Every time the car is filled up, it will not stay the first time turning the key. …
Related recalls
Fuel system, diesel
Volkswagen is recalling certain model 2009-2012 jetta and jetta sportwagen vehicles, manufactured from May 2008 through September 2011, model year 2010-2012 Volkswagen golf vehicles, manufactured from May 2009 through September 2011, and model year 2010-2012 Audi a3 vehicles, manufactured from September 2009 through September…
Remedy: Volkswagen will install an improved fuel injector line for the number 2 cylinder on certain vehicles and will install vibration dampers on all of the injector lines.
NHTSA investigations
Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage
By letter dated October 3, 2011, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it will conduct a safety recall to address a defect in approximately 168,275 model year (MY) 2009-2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Jetta Sportwagen, Golf, and Audi A3 vehicles equipped with the 2.0L TDI Common Rail Clean Diesel engine (NHTSA Recall No.
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
The Office of Defects Investgation (ODI) opened EA11-003 on February 7, 2011, based on 160 complaints to ODI and Volkswagen involving high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and Golf and Audi A3 TDI vehicles and questions regarding fuel sample results provided by Volkswagen as part of its response to PE10-034.During EA11-003, ODI analyzed design information,…
Fuel System complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 166 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta, 27% of the model year's 607 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Volkswagen Jetta fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-490 (fuel system, diesel, Oct 3, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Volkswagen Jetta fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 42% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system 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.