2012 Volkswagen Jetta: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Sep 29, 2023 · Acceleration, Electrical · TX

Horn only occasionally works when honking and/or locking car, which increases the risk of a crash since I can’t always use my horn to alert other drivers of presence. One front headlight only occasionally works (lightbulb is not the issue), which increases the risk of a crash since other drivers may not be able to see me as well & I am not able to see the road as well in the dark. Cruise control does not work at all, which increases risk of speeding and therefore increases risk of crash. Dealer has inspected horn/headlight issue but could not determine cause. No warning signs. Issues first appeared a couple years ago.

Filed Dec 9, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · NC

Head lights are on when temperature is cold. It happens every time and killing the battery. I believe the issue with light switch because when I unplug it at night from the car and re-plug the light switch in the morning, it all works without any issue.

Filed Sep 13, 2019 · Lights · 87,000 miles · CA

Headlights are constantly failing while driving. !st time in feb 2019 both lights failed at the same time while driving at night on the highway. Replaced both bulbs. Sept 09, 2019 left bulb failed while driving at night on the highway. Again replaced both bulbs. Left bulb failed again sept 12, 2019 while driving at night on the highway. Research shows many other vw jetta owners are having the same issue.

Filed Feb 3, 2018 · Lights · 70,000 miles · IA

Low beam headlights go out every two months. Each bulb fails independently within a week of each other. The dealership has checked wiring, voltage, and fixtures but found no problems. This creates a safety issues without having any headlights.

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.

Filed Apr 4, 2017 · Electrical, Lights · 95,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that the horn would not sound and the headlamps would not illuminate. The failures occurred without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed, but the headlamps were replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

Filed Mar 13, 2017 · Lights · 47,000 miles · CA

Low beam headlight bulbs fail frequently. I purchased the car approx. 1 year ago and have had to replace each lowbeam bulb twice already. They have failed one at a time, so I have not lost both while driving.

Filed Oct 15, 2016 · Electrical, Lights · 51,000 miles · WV

Purchased 2012 vw jetta new at local vw dealership. Currently has approx 51,000 miles on it. At around 29,000 miles ignition switch would not shut off while I was shopping-took to dealershipi and was told it was fixed- had just stuck. Less than a month later same thing happened. Dealership had the car for weeks-(this time they did provide loaner car). Most recent- prior to ignition problem currently occurring I had to have wiper motor replaced at my cost $600.00 plus dollars. I sat in waiting area of dealership that clearly stated we provide loaner car or shuttle service at time of your appt. Neither available on that day. I addressed this issue with service manager who was off that day. Received apologetic e-mail. Have had to replace headlight bulb and needs replaced again. Could this be an electrical issue? Is this car even safe to drive my grandchildren in? I am not feelin comfortable with it. Presently as I am writing this my car has been running for 18 hours. Ignition stuck friday eve- service dept not open on sat. When I called friday eve basically I was told "get it over here somehow and we will take a look". Presently weighing my options-needless to say I am extremely disappointed with the purchase of my first new vw. Previously had owned two used vw golf. Note: first time I was fortunately close to vw garage which is a 40 minute drive from my house-fortunate again this time that it's sitting in my driveway running until I can figure out a plan. Loved my vw-past tense. After going online I see other people have had this very experience with ignition. Seems it is going to be expensive. Very disappointed! My dealership is vw clarksburg, wv. Former star motor-1‑304‑623‑7827. Shane leblond - "service manager"

Filed Oct 6, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 66,000 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen jetta. While driving 20 MPH, the vehicle accelerated forward in a jerking motion without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be serviced per a recall related to the failure; however, the failure recurred. Also, a howling sound emitted from the engine and the oil and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but the failure was not diagnosed. In addition, the contact stated that the headlights became inoperable intermittently without warning. The contact also mentioned that the front driver seat independently readjusted and the steering wheel shook violently when the vehicle was driven. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the purge valve and the steering rack failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 66,000.

Filed Sep 7, 2016 · 27,000 miles · OH

The turn signal lever broke under normal use conditions - failed to reset from "on" position with signal operational / unable to turn off signal - headlight high/low-beam function also disabled. Apparent internal part failure or breakage of plastic components.

Filed Mar 17, 2016 · Lights · 65,000 miles · RI

My headlights keep burning out. I replaced them 4 times in the last two months! There is nothing wrong with the bulb harnesses. There was a point where both headlights burned out at the same time and I had no lights! I did research on this matter to find many jetta owners are having the same issue these bulbs are not cheap to keep replacing them every couple of months, and the safety issue has to be considered here. I was parked thank god o noticed no lights before o drove. If where I lived was lit up I never would have noticed both my bulbs were burnt out!

Filed Dec 15, 2015 · Lights · 77,456 miles · MT

Driving home at night, both lowbeam headlights stopped working. The daytime running lamps still worked as did the high beams. I replaced one of the headlights with a new buld, and it still did not work