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2011 Volkswagen Jetta: steering wheel locks up

7 of the 607 complaints about the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta describe steering wheel locks up.

owner complaints
7
of this car's complaints
1%
typical mileage
75,000
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 17 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Steering wheel locks up by model year

  • 2025
    1
  • 2019
    4
  • 2017
    1
  • 2016
    1
  • 2015
    2
  • 2014
    2
  • 2013
    9
  • 2012
    4
  • 2011
    7
  • 2010
    2
  • 2009
    4
  • 2006
    1
  • 2005
    1
  • 2003
    1
  • 2000
    1
  • 1991
    1

What owners say

Filed May 9, 2022 · Steering · 126,600 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel locked and the vehicle started jerking with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics; however, there was no failure detected. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V615000 (Electrical System, Steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,600.

Filed Jun 1, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · CA

My car would randomly stall while driving, happens both when braking and not braking. When it stalls steering wheel locks up, cannot press gas pedal, and brakes stop working almost. This is incredibly dangerous because while on a road at 50mph+ and my car suddenly stops it can cause a serious accident. The dealer has been able to reproduce it multiple times, and has said it is a common problem. The only warning light that switched on was the battery light after it had stalled. Currently at the VW dealership and was told that it was the fuel filter, was not the problem and car continued to stall more. Not only was a good part replaced but created an even more dangerous situation than before.

Filed Jul 10, 2019 · Electrical · 75,000 miles · MA

While parked the ignition key failed to turn " as if steering wheel lock was welded solid". I could not turn the key at all. Car could not be started after repeated attempts, and had to be towed to a repair available.as a result I had to call a neighbor to take my wife to the hospital. Parts have been ordered, but the mechanic has not received a delivery confirmation date. Steering wheel is completely immovable.

Filed Aug 10, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 75,000 miles · CA

My vehicle will cut off at random times while driving and steering locks up, also my alarm will make the sound to disarm the vehicle when driving I have to pull over shut down car and disarm it and start again. While at a stop light the vehicles RPM will raise and go down raise and go down until car just shuts off. I was pulling into my parking stall and car shut off and locked up I had to hit the brake and re start the car to pull in safely or it would have ran into the carport. On this date the car shut itself off in motion 2 times and it cut off with brake on at a light 3 times

Filed Jan 17, 2016 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 67,000 miles · CA

Im experiencing a lot of problems with my car. First of all the lights don't always work they would turn on and off on their own until finally stopped completely. The next problem it has waiting at a stop light it looses power and shakes and stalls. Then I started experiencing the same problem while driving one time I was pulling into my driveway the car cut off and steering wheel locked thankful I was not on the freeway at the time. Then again on the freeway in rush hour traffic I was lucky enough to get over and pull off before it stalled the car putting and I was giving gas but car did not want to go it was not gaining speed it was on the verge of stalling. This is a safety issue its my only vehicle I'm afraid of it cutting off and stalling while driving and a accident occurring. The car stalling is while driving and with foot on the brake or in park. It also has a problem while in park and foot on brake the cars RPM rave on their own.

Filed Aug 14, 2015 · Brakes, Engine · 12,000 miles · TN

I purchased the jetta used from carmax in nashville, tn in 2014. It began having safety issues on march 2014. Randomly, my car will just stop while driving down the road, or after accelerating from a stopped position when moving on from a stop sign or stop light. I can be driving anywhere from 15 MPH to 50 MPH, and all systems shut down. The battery light goes on, the steering locks, and the brakes lock. I always panic, put the car in neutral and have luckily managed to veer off to the side of a road and stop, shut the car off, and turn it back on again. Eurofix tried to manage the problem by replacing the crank sensor and cam shaft. But he problem came back, much worse. The second problem is now I cannot unlock my drivers side door with my magnetic key or by sticking the actual key in the lock. I see that another recall has been announced for the 2011 jetta that is not pulling up via my VIN number, but I believe it might be my car's issue: online, ate that in march 29, 2011 (published by the federal safety agency) in which an issue with "an electrical wiring and fuse layout where the converter box is protected by the same fuse used by the signal horn and the anti-they alarm system. Should that fuse be blown,, the converter will be disconnected from the power supply which in turn will shut off applications such as the engine management system, lighting system, and wipers"......"should this happen while the vehicle is being driven, the engine could stall or the headlights or wipers could turn off unexpectedly, potentially leading to a crash without warning." please help me!!!!!!! What do I do. What will remedy this situation so I don't get killed or kill others. I't gonna happen....then my family will file a lawsuit. I need guidance and for this car to be fixed/traded out.

Filed Jul 8, 2012 · Engine, Fuel system · 18,200 miles · NY

Traveling in the left lane on 95 n outside baltimore md at 65 MPH my vehicle's gas pedal stopped responding and the car began to lose power and lurch forward and eventually die as the yellow diesel engine indicator along with the yellow engine indicator began blinking. I was able to avoid two lanes of traffic and coast over two lanes to an off ramp before the steering wheel locked. After contacting vw roadside assistance the vehicle was towed to heritage vw located at 9215 harford road #2 parkville, md 21234 (877) 398-1963. It was after 9:00 p.m so the vehicle was left in the lot and all the paperwork was dropped in the box. The service department cited a fuel pump malfunction along with a faulty fuel gauge as the issue. This is the second time we have had to submit a report to your agency for the exact same issues (please see reference number 10417213), the agents information is listed below. [xxx] [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta steering lock-up

Is steering wheel locks up a common problem on the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta?

7 of 607 owner complaints about the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta (1%) mention steering wheel locks up. The model year with the most reports is 2013.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta?

There are 0 recalls and 17 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta

Stalling 100Fuel pump 84Check engine light 50Loss of power 47Headlights 35Won't start 30Wipers 24Engine failure 17ABS 16Airbag light 14Jerking 14Fire or smoke 13Fuel leak 12Hesitation 11Door locks 10No deployment 9Won't shift 9Warning lights 9Screen failure 7Misfire 6Adaptive cruise 5Brake failure 5Power steering loss 5Tire blowout 5

All model years of the Volkswagen Jetta

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