2012 Volkswagen Jetta: windshield wiper failure

Filed May 23, 2024 · Visibility · TX

The contact's daughter owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at undisclosed speeds in the rain, an abnormal popping sound was heard. The wipers were moving slowly and became inoperable. The contact stated that after turning on the windshield wipers, the wiper blades went into the down position. The driver was able to pull over. There were no warning lights illuminated. The owner called an unknown local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Oct 30, 2020 · Visibility · 68,000 miles · NJ

When the weather gets cold around 35 degrees and lower, the wipers stop working. They are not stuck to windshield. Very dangerous and happens randomly on in the winter.

Filed Jan 20, 2020 · Visibility · 36,000 miles · MN

Ongoing issue: in cold weather, the wiper blades will not work. Generally anytime below freezing temperatures. In a few instances, if I turn the wipers on and off, on and off, they will begin to work. But that is quite infrequent. In the winter months. The biggest problem while driving is the wet salt will cloud the windshield and need to be cleaned. The wiper fluid will squirt out, and stay splashed where it landed on the windshield. The wiper blades will not engage. Only a click-click. I then need to pull over and wash the melted salt and squeegee the wiper fluid off of the windshield at the gas station. And then pray the window stays clean for the remaining portion of my drive to work. Or pull over again and clean the windshield by hand. Vw dealer had quoted $400 to "look at replacing the motor" but would not guarantee that will solve the issue. I have had this vehicle for almost 4 years and the problem has been here since I owned the car. I have not invested any money into a repair, as vw dealer does not seem to know what the problem is.

Filed Feb 26, 2019 · Visibility · 69,000 miles · OH

When it is cold outside and the temperature goes below 20 degrees the windshield wipers stop working. When the temperature warms up the wipers start working again. This is very dangerous when it is raining or snowing an I am unable to clear the windshield!

Filed Feb 21, 2019 · Electrical, Visibility · 70,000 miles · IN

The horn which is attached to auto security system stopped working initially when coming in contact with heavy snow fall after moving to indiana from florida after the summer weather arrived it worked for a short time ass soon as the weather and rainfall changed the horn no longer worked, the water dispenser/washer for the wipers stopped working will no longer dispense anything. My vehicle was in use when the issues were noticed, it is driven daily and within a short amount of time it became noticeable that the weather was causing possible a shortage so that the horn or water dispenser refused to cooperate

Filed Dec 17, 2018 · Visibility · 80,000 miles · VA

Windshield wipers will not turn on when temperatures reach below 30 degrees. Happens at initial start up. A real safety issue. When temperatures are above 30 degrees this doesn't happen.

Filed Nov 30, 2018 · Electrical, Visibility · 65,000 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen jetta. While the vehicle was stationary and while driving various speeds, the horn became inoperative in cold climates. In addition, the windshield wipers failed. Furthermore, the ignition key became stuck in the ignition on several occasions. An independent repaired the ignition. A dealer was not made aware of the failures. The manufacturer was made aware of the ignition failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Filed Feb 21, 2018 · Visibility · OR

I have been having problems with my windshield wipers not working when it is cold.I have called the local vw dealer and was told that they haven't heard of this problem and want over a 100.00 to test for it.I have found that this problem has happened a lot to other owners. I have been stranded with this problem. After it warms up they will work.

Filed Jan 18, 2018 · Visibility · 52,000 miles · NY

My windshield wipers would not move. Temperature was approximately 15 degrees fahrenheit. Fuse was not broken. Motor fine. When it warmed up, the wipers began to work again. My vehicle was stationary initially, but even as I drove for 30 minutes, the wipers would not work.

Filed Jan 10, 2018 · Visibility · NV

I live in an area that had over 100 days without rain. The day it finally rained I tried to turn on windshield wipers and they no longer worked. Auto tech states the motor burned out. Upon researching online I noticed this was a common occurrence with this vehicle.

Filed Jan 5, 2018 · Visibility · 94,000 miles · NJ

Windshield wipers do not function in low temperatures. I own a 2012 vw jetta. I first noticed this during the first snowfall we had. I cleared the vehicle of all snow and made sure that the wipers were not frozen to the windscreen. Getting back in the vehicle I went to turn the wipers on and they did not move. The relay inside of the car can be heard clicking, but the wipers do not move. I was forced to drive with extremely low visibility as I was not able to clear the incoming snow off of my windscreen. When I arrived safely back home I moved the car to a garage in order to see if I could figure out the issue. Upon being turned off and standing in the garage the wipers began to work again when I turned the vechile over. The same thing has now happened 3 times. Two of these instances occurring without any snowfall, just low temperatures. The relay can be heard clicking but the wipers do not move. The fuses are all in their proper position and are not blown. There are a large amount of complaints online about other people experiencing the same issues of inoperable windshield wipers. This is a severe safety concern as having good visibility is one of the most crucial factors in preventing accidents. The wipers usually seem to become operational again once the vehicle is warmed in the sun or if the ambient temperature rises about 30 or so degrees fahrenheit.

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"