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 30 MPH, the steering wheel locked and the vehicle started jerking with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics; however, there was no failure detected. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V615000 (Electrical System, Steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,600.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. While the vehicle was parked on an incline, it rolled backwards. The contact stopped the vehicle with the emergency brake. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact also stated that the key fell out of the ignition when the vehicle was not in park or turned off. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V615000 (electrical system, steering). The contact called bozzani Volkswagen at [phone] (located at 528 s citrus ave, covina, ca 91723) and was confirmed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, in 2017, while driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact's vehicle rear ended another vehicle that stopped abruptly. The air bags did not deploy. There was no warning indicator illuminated. A police report was filed. …
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V615000 (steering, electrical system). The contact called autobarn city Volkswagen at [phone] (located at 5330 w irving park rd, chicago, il 60641) and was informed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact stated that the ignition key often pulled out even when the gear was in neutral, which could cause the vehicle to roll down from an incline. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
My vehicle will cut off at random times while driving and steering locks up, also my alarm will make the sound to disarm the vehicle when driving I have to pull over shut down car and disarm it and start again. While at a stop light the vehicles RPM will raise and go down raise and go down until car just shuts off. I was pulling into my parking stall and car shut off and locked up I had to hit the brake and re start the car to pull in safely or it would have ran into the carport. On this date the car shut itself off in motion 2 times and it cut off with brake on at a light 3 times
Volkswagen Jetta NAR trouble code B116829 Volkswagen Jetta NAR trouble code 00778 Volkswagen Jetta NAR trouble code P1698 Car codes triggered after servicing in VW dealership.
Car horn stopped working followed by an airbag sensor light that won't turn off. Seems like the clock spring failed prematurely?
I purchased the Jetta used from carmax in nashville, tn in 2014. It began having safety issues on March 2014. Randomly, my car will just stop while driving down the road, or after accelerating from a stopped position when moving on from a stop sign or stop light. I can be driving anywhere from 15 MPH to 50 MPH, and all systems shut down. The battery light goes on, the steering locks, and the brakes lock. I always panic, put the car in neutral and have luckily managed to veer off to the side of a road and stop, shut the car off, and turn it back on again. Eurofix tried to manage the problem by replacing the crank sensor and cam shaft. But he problem came back, much worse. The second problem is now I cannot unlock my drivers side door with my magnetic key or by sticking the actual key in the lock. …
I know this sounds ridiculous but I've driven on many road trips and this has never happened until this vehicle, and it's painful. But here it is: leather-wrapped steering wheel causes calluses at a highly unusual rate on longer drives. (I have been able to drive for 12 hours on multiple occasions without issue. After driving only three and a half hours steadily, my hands hurt all over.) it's important to note that the leather isn't causing this - the stitching on the inside is far too raised up on the inside part around the entire 'wheel' of the steering wheel. It is also right behind the left and right 'handles' where you can hold the wheel, so anywhere you hold it, you basically are adversely affected. …
Traveling in the left lane on 95 n outside baltimore md at 65 MPH my vehicle's gas pedal stopped responding and the car began to lose power and lurch forward and eventually die as the yellow diesel engine indicator along with the yellow engine indicator began blinking. I was able to avoid two lanes of traffic and coast over two lanes to an off ramp before the steering wheel locked. After contacting vw roadside assistance the vehicle was towed to heritage vw located at 9215 harford road #2 parkville, md 21234 [phone]. It was after 9:00 p.m so the vehicle was left in the lot and all the paperwork was dropped in the box. The service department cited a fuel pump malfunction along with a faulty fuel gauge as the issue. This is the second time we have had to submit a report to your agency for the exact same issues (please see reference number 10417213), the agents information is listed below. …
Steering complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the steering of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta, 4% of the model year's 607 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Volkswagen Jetta steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to steering 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.