Model year guide

2012 Volkswagen Jetta

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1,101 on record.

2012 Volkswagen Jetta — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 Volkswagen Jetta at a glance

Safety recalls8
Owner complaints526
Combined28 mpg
Typical price$9,778

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2012 Volkswagen Jetta recalls 8

Unknown Or Other NHTSA Campaign #19V679000 · 25/09/2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation…

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.

Electrical System:ignition:anti-theft:control Module NHTSA Campaign #19V615000 · 22/08/2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmis…

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine NHTSA Campaign #14E007000 · 07/03/2014

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use i…

Fix: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

Air Bags:frontal NHTSA Campaign #15V483000 · 04/08/2015

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear th…

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs wi…

Suspension:rear NHTSA Campaign #14V656000 · 20/10/2014

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 1, 2010, to November 30, 2012, and 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles manufactured March 1, 2011, to July 31, 2013. The durability of the rear trailing arms may be reduced in vehicles whose rear trailing arms have been previously deformed, such as a result of a rear or side-rear impact crash.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a sheet metal inlay on the rear axle trailing arms designed to prevent a sudden loss of control in the event of trailing arm sudden fracture, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1…

Fuel System, Diesel NHTSA Campaign #11V490000 · 03/10/2011

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2009-2012 JETTA AND JETTA SPORTWAGEN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 AUDI A3 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L TDI COMMON RAIL DIESEL ENGINE/CLEAN DIESEL ENGINE. THE…

Fix: VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED FUEL INJECTOR LINE FOR THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER ON CERTAIN VEHICLES AND WILL INSTALL VIBRATION DAMPERS ON ALL OF THE INJECTOR LINES. VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS TO HAVE THE VEHICLES REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING …

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System NHTSA Campaign #11E036000 · 08/09/2011

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST TIPS, PART NUMBER 1K0 071 910 U, SOLD AS ACCESSORY EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 JETTA SEDAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 18, 2010, THROUGH AUGUST 22, 2011. THESE EXHAUST TIPS MAY EXTEND BEYOND THE ORIGINAL LENGTH OF THE FACTORY-INSTALLED EXHAUST PIPES. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR INADVERTENT CONTACT TO OCCUR WITH A PERSON'S LEG.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST TIPS AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder NHTSA Campaign #20E064000 · 23/09/2020

Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.

Fix: Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2012 Volkswagen Jetta common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 526 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

2012 Volkswagen Jetta safety ratings

Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta SW FWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2012 Volkswagen Jetta MPG & running costs

Combined28 mpg
City25 mpg
Highway34 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,506

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta worth?

Low
$7,400
Typical price
$9,778
High
$12,500

From 1,098 comparable 2012 Volkswagen Jetta listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,530
Depreciation (5 yrs)$5,650
Total$18,180
Per mile$0.24

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($9,778) with the same model 5 model-years older ($4,129), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2012 Volkswagen Jetta trims & engines on record

Trims
SE PZEV · Base · S · SE · TDI · SEL PZEV · Jetta, S · SEL · SEL, TDI · GLI
Engines
2.5L 5-cyl 170 hp · 2.0L 4-cyl 115 hp · 2.0L 4-cyl 140 hp · 2.0L 4-cyl 200 hp

2012 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles on record

Other Volkswagen Jetta model years

2012 Volkswagen Jetta — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls for the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta?

Based on 526 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, steering, power train.

What is the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta crash-test ratings of rollover 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta at about 28 mpg combined (25 city / 34 highway).

How much is a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta worth?

Comparable 2012 Volkswagen Jetta listings run roughly $7,400–$12,500, typically around $9,778 (from 1,098 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.