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2012 Volkswagen Jetta steering problems

42 complaints (8% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 53,000. 5 crashes reported.

owner complaints
42
of this car's complaints
8%
typical mileage
53,000
crashes
5
recalls
0

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Volkswagen Jetta steering problems in other years

19911995200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta steering

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Power steering loss 5

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2012 Volkswagen Jetta owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 2, 2026 · Steering, Wheels · OH

On the day the issue occurred, I went to work as usual. When I finished work and tried to leave, my vehicle wouldn't start. I had the vehicle towed to a repair shop to determine what was wrong. After inspecting the vehicle, I was informed that the issue could only be properly repaired by a dealership. My vehicle has now been at the dealership for approximately one month, and I have been without my car for this entire period. This has created a significant inconvenience and has made it difficult for me to get to work, handle my daily responsibilities, and maintain my normal routine.

Filed Jul 21, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · 131,260 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that for the past eight months, the contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition. Several warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that to start the vehicle, the contact had to plug in the two fuse boxes and connect the battery cable. The contact feared the vehicle might catch on fire. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V615000 (Electrical System, Steering). The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that pre-existing repairs needed to be performed before the recall repair could be performed. The contact stated that the dealer had not provided an official repair estimate, however the total repair cost was provided. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The manufacturer confirmed that the pre-existing repairs needed to be performed prior to the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 131,260. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Jan 6, 2024 · Engine, Steering · TX

I remember having my keys in my hand and my car was slowly reversing out the driveway. I panicked, i was stomping on my brakes for a while jerking back and it took me about 2 minutes to finally get the key back in and try to put in park again. I went to a shop the following weekend because all the jerking and jabbing to get my key back in seems to have caused my ignition switch to misfire or whatever the word he (mechanic) used, so now i cannot take my key out like a regular person, I have to flick my key a certain way out anytime i want to turn my car off.(even mechanics have a hard time taking it out. I was also given a qr code to scan and was brought the this exact recall of the situation with my car. I now have my engine light on and [XXX] gave me the fault code for my map sensor. I’m not sure if the two are related but this was following the incident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 27, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · 140,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V615000 (Electrical System, Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while using the key to start the vehicle, the key spun around in the ignition cylinder and failed to start the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Jul 22, 2021 · Electrical, Steering · 155,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while turning into the parking lot at the residence, with a foot on the brake pedal, the contact was unaware that the vehicle was still in drive and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled forward approximately 3-4 feet before the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle was stopped. The vehicle was shifted into PARK and the contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated as designed. The contact stated that a week later while at work, the vehicle failed to start-up. The vehicle remained at the contact’s place of employment. The contact reached out to a representative on at the Volkswagen website and was informed that the Vin was not under recall. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V615000 (Electrical System, Steering) as a possible solution to the failure however, the Vin was not included. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

Filed May 12, 2021 · Electrical, Steering · 125,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition key ceased in the ignition switch and the vehicle failed to start immediately. Also, while driving the steering wheel locked and failed to turn. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000

Filed Aug 26, 2020 · Electrical, Steering · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen jetta. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v615000 (electrical system, steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called to volkswagen of olympia ( 2107 cooper point rd sw, olympia, wa 98502; (360) 515-3349) where it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Oct 29, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen jetta. The contact received a recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v615000(electrical system, steering). The contact had not notified the dealer and manufacturer of the recall notice. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Aug 29, 2019 · Steering · NC

Key doesn't come out of ignition when turning the engine off

Filed May 27, 2019 · Steering · 72,000 miles · IL

Key gets stuck in the on position. Have to wiggle steering wheel and key to turn off

Questions about the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta steering

Does the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta have steering problems?

Owners have filed 42 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, 8% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2012 Volkswagen Jetta steering problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 53,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta steering?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Volkswagen Jetta have bad steering?

The Volkswagen Jetta model years with the most steering complaints are 2012 (42 complaints), 2013 (37 complaints) and 2009 (24 complaints).

Other 2012 Volkswagen Jetta problems

Electrical 138Engine 91Fuel system 80Transmission 46Brakes 37Airbags 34Visibility 24Acceleration 14Lights 13Driver assistance 11Suspension 10Wheels 10Seat belts 9Tires 9Body 7Locks 2Seats 2

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