Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Volkswagen Jetta owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that for the past eight months, the contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition. Several warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that to start the vehicle, the contact had to plug in the two fuse boxes and connect the battery cable. The contact feared the vehicle might catch on fire. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V615000 (Electrical System, Steering). The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that pre-existing repairs needed to be performed before the recall repair could be performed. The contact stated that the dealer had not provided an official repair estimate, however the total repair cost was provided. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while turning into the parking lot at the residence, with a foot on the brake pedal, the contact was unaware that the vehicle was still in drive and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled forward approximately 3-4 feet before the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle was stopped. The vehicle was shifted into PARK and the contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated as designed. The contact stated that a week later while at work, the vehicle failed to start-up. The vehicle remained at the contact's place of employment. The contact reached out to a representative on at the Volkswagen website and was informed that the Vin was not under recall. …
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V615000 (Electrical System, Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while using the key to start the vehicle, the key spun around in the ignition cylinder and failed to start the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
I remember having my keys in my hand and my car was slowly reversing out the driveway. I panicked, i was stomping on my brakes for a while jerking back and it took me about 2 minutes to finally get the key back in and try to put in park again. I went to a shop the following weekend because all the jerking and jabbing to get my key back in seems to have caused my ignition switch to misfire or whatever the word he (mechanic) used, so now i cannot take my key out like a regular person, I have to flick my key a certain way out anytime i want to turn my car off.(even mechanics have a hard time taking it out. I was also given a qr code to scan and was brought the this exact recall of the situation with my car. I now have my engine light on and [redacted] gave me the fault code for my map sensor. I'm not sure if the two are related but this was following the incident.
On the day the issue occurred, I went to work as usual. When I finished work and tried to leave, my vehicle wouldn't start. I had the vehicle towed to a repair shop to determine what was wrong. After inspecting the vehicle, I was informed that the issue could only be properly repaired by a dealership. My vehicle has now been at the dealership for approximately one month, and I have been without my car for this entire period. This has created a significant inconvenience and has made it difficult for me to get to work, handle my daily responsibilities, and maintain my normal routine.
Airbag light continues to stay on. I had an accident back in 2014 and the airbag never deployed. The steering column ignition switch locked and my key was stuck with the car still running on in a station place. I was trying to park the car and my ignition switch locked and would not moved and kept the key locked in it. I kept trying to move the jiggle the wheel and turn the key but it cause the key to break off in the ignition switch. I had to pair to get the ignition switch replaced and the key replaced. Also after that the horn stop working and I was told it was because the clock spring had to be replaced. I paid again to had the clock spring replaced however the horn now is going in an out. The horn will sound off one day and then for a couple of days it will not work. This happen only 2 weeks after getting the clock spring fixed. Also the horn is not loud it barely makes a noise. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle failed to remain in position and the rear of the vehicle moved to the opposite position when the steering wheel was turned. The contact veered to the left and the steering wheel seized. As a result, the contact crashed into a concrete divider. The air bags deployed. The contact sustained neck and shoulder injuries that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed from the crash scene and was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V656000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 53,000.
A while ago I felt a little difficult to get the key out at parking but usually pushed it harder in and turned the key would be out. Last year the guy working on safety check called me for emergency because he couldn't get my car turned off, he's scared to break my key. This year costco tire center called me for emergency while changing tires because of the key stuck issue. I told them to try few more times with pushing key in and wiggle it a bit. After I got back from costco, I finally couldn't bear with this problem because I couldn't get it off for about 15 minutes. I searched internet and next day and I learn this as common issue. I am reluctant but be prepared to bring car to vw dealer for repair. Luckily the day before I was going to bring car to vw, read a letter from vw which I was almost going to throw away as a promotion letter. …
I was having troubles turning my car off in December 2015. The key was stuck in the on position and no matter what I did, I couldn't remove it. Called the dealership, and was told to bring my car in immediately. They replaced the steering column lock housing. Everything was going great. I spent over $700 between parts and labor, but my car was fixed. Fast forward to April of 2018, I receive a letter from Volkswagen stating that the part I had replaced was being recalled and they were extending the warranty to 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Now, it's May of 2018, and my car will not turn off again. It's not been 10 years (my car is a 2012), but I have 149,000 miles on it, so they will not replace the lock housing. They will however, look over my documentation from 2015 to "possibly" reimburse me. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving 20 MPH, the vehicle accelerated forward in a jerking motion without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be serviced per a recall related to the failure; however, the failure recurred. Also, a howling sound emitted from the engine and the oil and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but the failure was not diagnosed. In addition, the contact stated that the headlights became inoperable intermittently without warning. The contact also mentioned that the front driver seat independently readjusted and the steering wheel shook violently when the vehicle was driven. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the purge valve and the steering rack failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. …
Steering complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, 8% of the model year's 500 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Volkswagen Jetta steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, though it has 5 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 2012 Volkswagen Jetta steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 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.