Traction Control complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 2% | 2,000 miles |
| 2019 | 5 | 1% | 6,000 miles |
| 2017 | 5 | 3% | 37,000 miles |
| 2016 | 4 | 2% | 23,000 miles |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% | 64,000 miles |
| 2014 | 10 | 3% | 60,000 miles |
| 2013 | 7 | 1% | 74,000 miles |
| 2012 | 10 | 2% | 89,000 miles |
| 2011 | 17 | 3% | 67,000 miles |
| 2010 | 21 | 2% | 104,000 miles |
| 2009 | 94 | 11% | 102,000 miles |
| 2008 | 5 | 3% | 31,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% | 48,000 miles |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% | 110,000 miles |
| 2005 | 3 | 1% | 155,000 miles |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% | 79,000 miles |
| 2003 | 2 | 0% | 150,000 miles |
| 2001 | 3 | 0% | 36,000 miles |
| 2000 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 1999 | 1 | 0% | 160,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (electronic stability control and traction control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I suspect that my 2019 vw Jetta computer system/car was hacked/driven remotely on 12/3/2019 that caused an accident (photos attached) that LED to my car being a total loss. I sustained injuries and was taken by ambulance to the local er from the accident. This case is still involved in court proceedings as of today. I was driving home and my car speed accelerated without me being on the gas and my breaks were not working. Without turning the steering wheel I drove off to the right hitting a parked car. The police report indicated that after impact with parked car #1, I rolled back 55 feet and hit another parked car on the opposite side of the street. I did not think any of this was possible until I was reading about car hacking and cars being driven remotely. …
The same day I drove the vehicle off the dealer's lot, it shut-off on me three times; once on the new jersey turnpike and twice at a stop light. The first time at the stop light, I was waiting for the light to turn green. The second was coming to a stop. Further, I was unaware the vehicle had shut-off until I took my foot of the brake and placed it on the accelerator. It shut-off a fourth time the following weekend while in the middle of a four way intersection. Each time, the info center in the dashboard stated, "place the gear shift in park and manually start the vehicle."
I have a 2017vw Jetta which suddenly 'locks' as I am driving. My car suddenly starts reducing speed and the breaks become stiff. I see several lights flash on the dashboard, such as the epc light, tire warning lights, and motor light. After the matter, if I want to start the vehicle again, the break and shift stick become stiff and I can't start the ignition. I recall this happening to me one year after buying the vehicle but all I did was turn off the car and the lights went away. I was able to drive my car without that happening for a year or so and it happened again. Same thing, I would have to pull over, turn the vehicle off and wait for about 20-30 min for the vehicle to start. Yesterday this happened to me while driving to work. I was driving about 70mph on the freeway and I noticed my steering wheel became stiff and my car started reducing speed on its own. …
A random notice appears on the dash display, "driver assistance button is disabled". Then windshield wipers randomly activate, door locks click locked and unlocked, and cruise control disables all while driving. High beams no longer function and occasionally all electric display, radio sound, and lights go black while driving. You must pull over, shut off the car, and wait approximately 5 minutes before restarting to recover to normal. Volkswagen service claims nothing is wrong with the car because it doesn't show up on the diagnostic report.
I am a vw fan and I am having serious issues with regards to my vw Jetta 2016 1.4. Ever since my 1st service I advised the service department that my breaks are making a noise and every time they say it was fine. There is a knocking sound coming from the front left side when it is switched on and stays on and gets worse as you drive. When I purchase the car that sound was not present. Again I was told that there was nothing wrong with it, it is that way was mean to sound that way and that was normal. I then did some research and spoke to various people that have knowledge on vw as well as a previous service manager who told me that is an issue that they are trying to no face it. I was not please to their respond the car has 2,780 miles on it and 6 months since I drove it out of the lot I ask that someone do really need to address this. …
I bought my car certified preowned from a vw dealership in June with 20,000 miles. Within a month of purchase, accessory lights began illuminating randomly and then switching back off. It is always the same set of lights- ABS, tire pressure, airbag, traction/anti-skid, and steering wheel light all come on at the same time. Now they come on every time I drive and never turn off. I don't notice a difference in the driving, but the lights are worrisome. I also have another issue where occasionally when I accelerate the car fails to "pick up" or accelerate for like 5 seconds, and then it catches and the car continues to run smoothly from then on... But I'm unsure if they're related.
Issues with my 2014 vw Jetta started March 2018. My car had a rough idle that would physically impact the car causing the car to jerk. When decreasing speeds my car would jerk. My car has stalled multiple times while in motion and while coming to a complete stop. I have had issues with my engine MIL light and battery light when my car stalled and completely lost power. Upon the first occurrence, I brought my vehicle to the dealership and they informed me I had to get my spark plugs changed, cam sensor replaced, and an induction service. After completion of this work, my car continued to have the same symptoms. After returning to the car dealership they then determined that my timing chain, tensioner, and bridge needed to be replaced. After this repair was completed my oil light came and I took my car back in for an oil change. …
My car has had many problems and has not been able to be fixed through the dealership. All problems occurred after 50,000 miles. The engine seems to run and start hard. The car would not accelerate when driving. It would rev up but no motion until something eventually switched into gear, while in motion on streets and highway. It will act like this for awhile without triggering a code. I would bring it to the dealership and would be told it was nothing. Eventually it will trigger the epc code, but the code will disappear the next time the car is turned on. About 4 days after that the engine light comes on. Volkswagen dealership has "fixed" this issue once before stating that it was a manufacture defect. …
Related recalls (1)
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Sedan, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GTI, Rabbit and Audi A3 vehicles, and 2010 Volkswagen Golf A6 vehicles.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control module software to improve the module's self-testing abilities. Any module that fails the new diagnostic test will be replaced.
Frequently asked questions
Which Volkswagen Jetta years have traction control problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2009 (94), 2010 (21), 2011 (17), 2012 (10) and 2014 (10) model years. Traction Control complaints make up 11% of all complaints for the 2009.
Is there a recall for Volkswagen Jetta traction control problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 16V-913 (electronic stability control (esc), Dec 20, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Volkswagen Jetta traction control problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles; 23% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic (asc) (1 mentions).
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.