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 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. …
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.
The car stop at the stop sign n in the traffic then push start n it worked 4times in a 2years I thought the vw made fir saving fuel. Today the car stop at highway n I almost got killed by sudden stopped. I got panicked couldn't think about anything then push the start it worked again. I Google myself, there are many same problems n reports for 2012 vw jetta. Please help me what I should do. Last year The vw dealer couldn't find anything wrong but there is some problem
A bolt holding my CV Joint backed out causing the bracket between two of the bolts to come lose. The bracket then swung as I drove a created a hole in my transmission. This caused me to lose transmission fluid and damage my transmission. My car has only been serviced at VW certified dealers so I am very disappointed with this issue
There is a serious design flaw in the rear axle of this vehicle whereby road debris can strike the axle causing it to bend. I think the design flaw is two-fold. 1. The axle is placed in such a manner that it is totally unprotected from road debris. 2. The metal of the axle and trailing arms is not hardened to a strong enough degree to withstand debris strikes and subsequent stress. Driving at highway speeds, I ran over a 4-6" piece of two by four or possibly angle iron (not sure which). The object was kicked up by the front cowling. The object made multiple impact strikes under the car from front to back as evidenced by the markings left on the aluminum covered insulation that covers the undercarriage, ultimately striking the rear axle, causing it to bend. The bend in the axle is front-to-back. This is not from backing over any object (see campaign 14V656000). …
5-speed manual transmission failed after only 80,200 miles. Under normal driving conditions, accelerating after a stop, there was a noticeable "clunk" sound after shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, and then a continuous loud rattling sound in all the gears 2nd-5th. Vehicle remained drivable though with a continuous clattering sound in 2nd-5th gears and with a slight shuddering while in motion. Vehicle had recently received regular 80,000 service. No indication of a problem existed until it was manifest in this failure. Vehicle remained drivable though normal speeds enough to take to dealership approximately 40 miles away. Diagnosis was a problem in the gearbox necessitating a replacement of the transmission. …
Since purchasing this vehicle new almost 3 years ago, it has very occasionally exhibited a hesitation during acceleration from a stop. It is a tdi version with the automated manual dsg transmission. Up till now, it has been impossible to induce on command, making it very difficult for the two dealerships that have examined it to identify the problem. Each time this has occurred, it seems to follow a very brief acceleration, as though you are starting to move into traffic and then back off the throttle for an instant before reapplying the throttle. As you step back into the throttle, there is no change in engine speed for about three seconds, regardless of pedal position - it just continues to idle until it finally responds normally. …
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. While parking the vehicle and placing the gear in the park position, the vehicle started to roll forward down a hill. The contact had to apply the emergency brake before the vehicle rolled into a river. The VIN tool located a recent recall for NHTSA campaign number: 19V615000 (steering, electrical system) that was issued on August 22, 2019. Village Volkswagen of chattanooga (6001 international dr, chattanooga, tn 37421, [phone]) stated that they did not believe the failure was due to the recall. The vehicle remained parked and was not repaired. The manufacturer referred the contact back to the dealer to schedule a recall repair appointment. The contact was informed that follow-up letters would be mailed around October 22, 2019. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the engine and tire inflate sensor indicators suddenly illuminated before the transmission malfunctioned. The gear would no longer shift up or down. The contact indicated that the failures occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to mener Volkswagen in latham, ny where it was diagnosed that the mechatronics unit inside the transmission was faulty and the entire transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Transmission complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, 9% of the model year's 500 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Volkswagen Jetta transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 42,000 miles, and 34% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.