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2012 Volkswagen Jetta: engine stalls while driving

47 of the 500 complaints about the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta describe engine stalls while driving.

owner complaints
47
of this car's complaints
9%
typical mileage
45,000
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 330 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine stalls while driving by model year

What owners say

Filed May 2, 2025 · Electrical · NY

This is my 4th volkswagen jetta 2.5L I've own that has had the same issue with the charging system the car would just shut off while driving due to dead battery almost causing an accident this needs to be addressed 2011 to 2018

Filed Jan 6, 2020 · Engine · 161,316 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled several times. The contact took the vehicle to first team volkswagen (6900 peters creek rd, roanoke, va 24019) at least twelve times to have the fuel system repaired in order to comply with the emissions test. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 161,316.

Filed Nov 13, 2019 · Driver assistance · 65,500 miles · FL

While driving 45mph, epc and engine lights came on and car suddenly decellerated, causing traffic behind me to drive off the side of the road to avoid hitting me. Fortunately it was on a curve with enough room to avoid a multi car accident. Then my car accelerated to normal and I parked it and shut it off. When I restarted it, it quietly lost power and stalled in reverse only. A few hours later I started it and the warning lights were off and the car was towed to a shop where no error codes were showing in order for them to fix it and it seemed to be operating normal. So, I drive it home but this intermittently and suddenly reoccurs. And each time I am told that there are no error codes showing so there is nothing they can do (or like I'm imagining it in other words). It seems that after the car sits, whatever is winky, resets by itself or something...until it happens again. I am attaching a pic of the epc and engine light to prove this happens, even though they are off by the time it gets to service. Tow today took 3 hours to arrive.

Filed Aug 21, 2019 · Fuel system · 89,000 miles · AZ

Fuel line leak. This leak is not only occurring in diesel based engines. While driving the check engine light appeared as it appeared there was obvious stress on the vehicle causing the car to stall & the car struggled to maintain momentum prior to the stall. Seemed as if the car was not shifting correctly. Took the vehicle to be checked to discover there is a gas leak detected after a pressure test was performed. The vehicle has 89k miles on it.

Filed Apr 9, 2019 · Fuel system · 104,000 miles · AL

High pressure fuel pump failure at 104k miles on 2012 vw jetta tdi a fuel line was leaking, which as stated by the service manager at serra vw, appeared to be a manufacturer defect. The engine cover was rubbing the fuel line (grommet possibly) causing a leak. The fuel presumably leaks onto the serpentine belt weakening it, and causing it to fail and shred to pieces. Fuel line was replaced, as well as the serpentine belt. Car was tested and would not crank still. Service technician thought it could be the battery, though it had been replaced roughly a year and a half ago. Still, they discharged the battery, charged the battery, and tested the car, and it still would not crank. At this point it was thought the fuel filter may be an issue. Fuel filter was replaced, the car tested again, and again it would not crank. That is when the high pressure fuel pump was going to be replaced. Serra vw placed a warranty claim, which was declined, with the blame placed on the leak in the fuel line.the fuel pump is covered under the extended emissions system warranty as a result of the emissions recall due to unethical modifications of the company. I opened a customer service case, to investigate. They found no reason why the hpfp warranty would be declined. They relied on the word of the service manager, that stated a manufacturer defect causing the fuel line to leak was the cause for the fuel pump failure. At no point was there ever any indication of stalls, lack of power, or reduced power or 'missing' when the serpentine belt failed, indicating no issues with the hpfp prior to arriving at the dealership for service

Filed Mar 13, 2019 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · SC

The car stalls when idling for example at red lights, drive through, stop signs with no explanation. The car stalls and then it'll start back up no problem like nothing happened, it gives no lights or codes making the problem undetectable I have taken it to multiple mechanics who are unable to find the problem due to it not throwing codes when it happens.

Filed Feb 8, 2019 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 170,000 miles · MA · 1 injury

Map sensor - repeating failure the manifold absolute pressure (map) sensor failure causes exponential safety issues while driving on highways and/or higher speeds that can result in death. After repeated replacement and repairs, continuous failure occurs. Stalling, power and steering issues occur at high speeds and/or on highways, putting driver at risk for a fatal collision. Personally, I have had the sensor replaced multiple times, including hoses and pumps on three different occasions. Soon thereafter, map sensor fails and has caused me to create almost a dozen collisions at high speeds, particularly on highways.

Filed Sep 18, 2018 · Engine · MN

Vehicle stalls randomly while idling and has happened twice will driving at low speeds, which causes loss of power steering. The car also drives rough before, and the stalling happens sometimes 3-4 times a day and other times not at all.

Filed May 23, 2018 · Fuel system · 102,000 miles · CA

While driving vehicle in parking lot, car sounded strange. As car moving through parking lot car completely stalled. Turned hazards on. Turned car off and attempted to restart car. Car would not restart and windows would not function. After a few minutes a nice gentleman offered to push car to safe location. Put car in neutral and steered as nice gentleman pushed car. Car lost all power steering at this time. Contacted nearest vw dealership, vw valencia. Vw valencia stated shop and dealership would be shutting down and could not help me, directed me to nearest vw 14 miles away. Pregnant and with a 2 year old in the car decided it would not be safe to venture out of my town. Called aaa. Aaa towed me to german hi tech inc. German hi tech inc determined fuel pump was to blame. Researched vw fuel pump recalls. Found recalls on passat and cc models. Contacted vw to determine if recall is extended to jetta tdi. Vw employee told me not at this time. Determined best course of action to have work completed in town if no guarantee of recall. Did file a complaint with vw.

Filed May 15, 2018 · Engine, Fuel system · 45,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen jetta. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. Jim ellis volkswagen (5901 peachtree blvd, atlanta, ga 30341) diagnosed that the fuel sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the fuel sensor was replaced again; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer for hard and soft diagnostic tests; however, the failure could not be replicated. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was 45,000.

Filed Feb 7, 2018 · Driver assistance · 60,000 miles · IL

My cosine and I have a 2012 and a 2013 vw. Jetta that has and had the same problems. His first. P0011 code. The symptoms check engine light, the engine has a hard start condition, reduction in fuel mileage, the engine runs rough, hesitate, or stall. P0011 code definition camshaft position 'a' - timing over-advanced or system performance (bank 1) at first car or cars did not give warning or light on , then while on the street they started shaking. Wen at stop lights they stalled, hard time restarting, up on change of light it reacts slow to get up to regular speed, sluggish,knocking, my cousin toke the 2013 jetta to a vw. Dealer and got charged around $3,000 .I'm looking for another option., or recall.

Filed Sep 9, 2017 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 87,000 miles · IL

Car would not start in the mornings, then it would after sitting awhile. After a couple of weeks before scheduled maintenance, car wouldn't start. Got it to start again, but drove less than a mile and it stall on a busy bridge. Car started up again and then driver could not get it into 4th gear. Coasted in third gear, but when reaching a stoplight, the car stalled yet again. This time car needed to be towed. While starting the car's headlights were flickering and had problems getting enough gas to the necessary components. Dealer once again could not come up with issue...claiming that fuel pump pressure was in range. However, the car's problem can easily be bad pressure since it occurred every time in the morning while the car sat for more than 8 hours. Whether the dealer could do the necessary comparison test for this issue is questionable since it must have been sitting in the garage. The car is currently at another repair shop. We have no documentation at this point. Will provide when available.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta stalling

Is engine stalls while driving a common problem on the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta?

47 of 500 owner complaints about the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta (9%) mention engine stalls while driving. The model year with the most reports is 2010.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta?

There are 0 recalls and 330 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta

Fuel pump 43Check engine light 32Loss of power 28Won't start 20Wipers 19Airbag light 17Headlights 14Fire or smoke 12ABS 11Door locks 8Hesitation 8Won't shift 8Adaptive cruise 7No deployment 6Grinding brakes 6Engine failure 6Jerking 6Misfire 6Brake failure 5Fuel leak 5Power steering loss 5

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