2012 Volkswagen Jetta: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Aug 3, 2023 · Engine · OH

My DPF system failed after my warranty ran out, about 128,000mi. and VW charged me $3000 to replace the DPF, then two days later the Nox Catalyst failed and they wanted another $2500 out of me. I tried the regen like the manual says, and the car went in limp mode 75 miles from my house in the middle of the highway. The car is not safe to drive, and they would not tell me if replacing the Nox catalyst will fix my problem, or just reveal another multi thousand dollar problem. The car is parked for the past 6 months and is not drivable.

Filed Jul 18, 2019 · 90,110 miles · KS

I have a "2012 vw jetta se 2.5l auto pzev" that at around 90,110 miles experienced a shift lever failure on 07/17/2019 at around 4:50 pm cst. The physical locking mechanism of the shift lever failed, and it was possible to accidentally shift into different selections while the vehicle was moving. I luckily didn't shift into reverse by accident, just the sport mode (this mode previously required the holding down of the shift lever button). After the failure of the locking mechanism, the electronic controls also no longer pick up shifting requests (eg. Shifting from "neutral" to "drive" using the lever would still show the car as in neutral). However, the vehicle still does shift using a very specific method of moving the gear shift lever all the way to the "reverse" position, and then moving it all the way to the "sport" position. When this is performed, I am able to then shift into "drive" then "neutral, and then eventually "reverse". I am not able to shift into "park" at all, and I have to use to yellow shift override tab in order to shift into any other gears (eg. "neutral" or "drive"). The key is actually stuck in the car as a result of being unable to shift into park, so I've had it sitting overnight with the key in the vehicle as well. Feel free to contact me if photos or videos are needed. I can also provide and elaborate on more information if needed.

Filed Jul 12, 2019 · Acceleration · 80,000 miles · NY

I've noticed that my check engine light comes on and off, it's the map sensor. It has been replaced several times and everything has been fully cleaned, check engine light still comes on. My car also seems to go into limp mode while driving. I'll make a turn, and all of a sudden the car will not want to move at all, ill switch it to triptronic and it doesn't want to down shift or up shift. I have to pull over on the side of the road. Turn the car off then back on. This has been an on going problem with both of these thing for the last several months. I've also noticed that this is a common problem with jettas my year. It's extremely dangerous. I can be in the city on a highway, anywheres and it'll randomly not want to go anywheres, the rpms will go completely up and still not move. I know from other, that there is an update for the ecu computer on the car, for the map sensor and to I guess he'll with the limp mode issue. I also know that when I hard brake, it'll go into limp mode. It's extremely scary.

Filed Apr 13, 2016 · Fuel system · 53,000 miles · AZ

On an afternoon in early february 2016, my 2012 vw jetta tdi went into 'limp' mode after starting it and driving for less than two minutes out of my workplace parking lot. I was barely able to get it to the side of the road and stop, when it died completely and would not start again. The glow plug dash light came on. I had it towed to the dealer the next day and they diagnosed that the high pressure fuel pump (hpfp) had failed, blowing ,metal shards throughout the entire fuel system. They performed a diesel fuel test, which 'passed', so all repairs were covered under warranty. The car had 53,000 miles on it at that point. Parts alone would have cost nearly $4000, and I was not shown what the labor costs would have been! I then discovered that this is a 'known' issue but not under recall, only an extended warranty period. Having the complete loss of power that limp mode resulted in, and being stranded for hours waiting for a tow, made me reconsider my purchase decision for this vehicle. I am very glad I was not on the freeway, as the failure could have been deadly in that driving environment. With the current diesel emissions scandal ongoing, I am 'stuck' with this vehicle, unless I want to take a drastic hit on private resale value; no one will take it in trade. This is a very dangerous problem that needs better resolution.

Filed May 29, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 42,000 miles · IN

Accelerating up from a stop sign vehicle would not shift. Pushed on accelerator and vehicle lost all power and went into limp mode. Could have resulted in accident if I had been merging on a very busy highway. Had vehicle towed to dealership and they found a engine code but are unable to duplicate and want to return vehicle back to me without resolving defect.

Filed Apr 15, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 37,000 miles · TN

I was on an approximately 6 hour road trip. Approximately 100 miles from my home, my 2012 volkswagen jetta tdi was being driven at approximately 70 MPH on the highway. The glow plug light on the instrument cluster began flashing. Vehicle then went into "limp mode", slowing to approximately 45 MPH on the highway. I was able to make it to the next exit off the highway, and come to a stop at the off ramp stop sign. The vehicle then stalled, and would not restart. This left my wife and I stranded 100 miles from home. Vehicle was towed back to the dealership, where the vehicle was purchased. Mechanic at dealership stated the high pressure fuel pump "exploded", sending metal shards throughout the vehicle's fuel system. Dealership states this may be caused by "contaminated fuel". A small amount of online research revealed this is a common problem with volkswagen tdi engines.

Filed Feb 22, 2013 · Transmission · 3,645 miles · GA

When making a broken u-turn in an attemp to enter a parking space, the vehicle got stuck in reverse and would not shift to park or drive. Because the vehicle was stuck in reverse, once the car was shut off, it was impossible to re-start. If this had happened in a busy intersection, the results could have been fatal. The two truck driver immediately recognized the issue as a frequent one with 2012 or 2013 vw jettas. He said that the shift cable in these vehicles is unstable and can become loose, resulting in a complete loss of ability to shift the car from reverse to drive and vice versa. The technician at vw spent 5 minutes putting the shift cable back in place, which has solved the problem for now. This appears to be a design defect with vw jettas and I would recommend that the agency contact vw to find out what is being done to rectify the defect. I have contacted vw as well to inform them of this safety issue.

Filed Nov 23, 2011 · Fuel system · 6,500 miles · CT

My wife was driving our 2012 jetta tdi and it went into limp mode on the highway, losing nearly all power. We took it to the dealer and the problem had gone away. It occurred again the next day and we took it in again. They ended up replacing the high pressure fuel pump. My fuel pump did not fail catastrophically as others have, but it still failed. This is a systemic issue with common rail vw diesels and is something that I feel should be investigated further and a recall should be issued. I was lucky that my particular pump did not fail catastrophically and just supplied low fuel pressure and that I'm still under warranty, but complete loss of power at highway speeds seems to be a safety concern and vw should definitely issue a recall for this part.