Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Was driving about 25-30mph when we heard a pop sound and the car started to become very hard to control. Everytime I would press the brakes the car would become even harder to control. I tried to turn into a driveway to see what happened and the car jerked and caused us to go into a deep ditch. The front passenger tire hit a concrete water drain and the car stopped abruptly. Impact caused the rim to completely break in half and also snapped the front axel in half. The tow truck driver informed us that the drivers rear axle trailing arm was broke in half and he had never seen anything like that before. That night we learned of the recall for that exact part. Over the weekend I've had a chance to go out and look a little better under the rear of the car and it appears to have the steel inlay piece that was supposed to fix the recalled part. …
The power window never works the way it is suppose to, when I row my window down it MESSES with the speakers for some reason, my wipes don't work all the time and freeze easy. When driving does nor like to shift out of 1st it's got that mk shifter, it will stay in first gear unless the gas is pressed and released fast also can smell like a burnt wire or/ candle was smell. When I try to put the air on the smell becomes worse.
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
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. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. While the vehicle was stationary, it rolled back down a hill and crashed into a tree. The contact stated that the key was not in the ignition and there were no occupants in the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,000. Updated 02/15/2017 updated 7/16/18
I parked on a driveway with a 15 degree pitch. I followed the same procedure each time I park, waiting 1 minute in idle, transmission to neutral, with my foot depressed on the brake pedal. After shutdown I engaged the parking brake and placed the transmission in 1st gear. I exited the vehicle for 10 to 15 minutes preparing the car for waxing. I left the area for about 15 minutes and returned to find the car had rolled down the driveway, crashed through a fence, down a hill, and into trees. (the parking brake was engaged but transmission was in neutral) I performed tests and determined that randomly, gear shifter appeared to be in 1st gear but when I released the parking brake the shifter returned to the neutral position and car started rolling back. I contacted vw customer service and reported this. A vw service manager asked me to replicate conditions of incident. …
I have a 2011 Jetta se 2.5l auto pzev and when I turned on the car outside from my house, the check engine light turned on with no reason. I passed the scanner and threw the code p0106. The car would drive well, but when I release the brake and press gas, the car wouldn't react right away, it would accelerate slowly and kick-in I second gear. Then the gears indicator (prnd123) disappears. I changed the map sensor and works good for 3 or 4 day. After this the problem returns. I saw a technical bulletin from Volkswagen company and this bulletin says that the car needs an update programming. I called to my concessionary and they says that I must to pay, first for the diagnosis, and second for this update. I have been investigating about this trouble and too many owners of Volkswagen vehicles presents this fault, including USA and Mexico. …
Tl contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta tdi. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate as the traction control and the low air pressure warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle shifted into the neutral position independently as the drive position light flashed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician stated that the vehicle was functioning as designed. The failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the mech tronic unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V333000 (power train). The failure mileage was 105,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact rented a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the gear shifter independently shifted from park into reverse while driving. The vehicle then began to reverse uncontrollably and crashed into a small patio but the vehicle did not stop. The contact then jumped from the driver side window and sustained injury. A relative then jumped into the vehicle while still in motion to maintain control of the vehicle. The relative was able to stop the vehicle while on a residential patio. The contact was hospitalized and a police report was filed. The contact did not notify the dealer. The manufacturer was awaiting a response from the contact regarding the crash. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 4,000.
Transmission complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 54 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta, 9% of the model year's 607 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Volkswagen Jetta transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 19,000 miles, and 54% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.