VehicleVerdict

2011 Volkswagen Jetta engine problems

The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta has 115 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 13% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

115

Engine complaints

13%

Share of year

3

Crash-involved

3

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Jetta engine complaints by model year189 complaints1985: 2 complaints1987: 3 complaints1989: 2 complaints1990: 9 complaints1991: 5 complaints1992: 6 complaints1994: 24 complaints1995: 31 complaints1996: 21 complaints1997: 18 complaints1998: 17 complaints1999: 87 complaints2000: 145 complaints2001: 123 complaints2002: 114 complaints2003: 61 complaints2004: 50 complaints2005: 69 complaints2006: 94 complaints2007: 25 complaints2008: 27 complaints2009: 169 complaints2010: 189 complaints2011: 115 complaints2012: 92 complaints2013: 116 complaints2014: 114 complaints2015: 46 complaints2016: 44 complaints2017: 33 complaints2018: 2 complaints2019: 146 complaints2020: 12 complaints2021: 5 complaints2022: 11 complaints2023: 11 complaints2024: 11 complaints2025: 1 complaints
Jetta engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

14E007000EngineMarch 7, 2014 · 50 units

Defect

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 in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

Consequence

A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

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.

11E036000EngineSeptember 8, 2011 · 99,322 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THE TAILPIPE EXTENSION IS HOT DURING INADVERTENT CONTACT, A BURN COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

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.

11V466000EngineSeptember 7, 2011 · 30,294 units

Defect

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 JETTA SEDAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 18, 2010, THROUGH AUGUST 22, 2011. SOME VEHICLES HAD A STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST TIP INSTALLED AT THE PORT DURING IMPORTATION. 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.

Consequence

IF THE TAILPIPE EXTENSION IS HOT DURING INADVERTENT CONTACT, A BURN COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

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.

What owners report

“WHILE IN CAR WAS DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MIN AT LEAST AND NOTICED CAR WAS SMOKING. PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND POPPED THE HOOD TO CHECK WHY IT WAS SMOKING AND NOTICED VEHICLE WAS UNDER FIRE. CAR WAS PARKED PRIOR FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 16, 2019 · fire

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta have?

NHTSA has 115 complaints about the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta engine — 13% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta engine?

Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the engine: 11E036000, 11V466000, 14E007000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.