Faulty started. Per your website, Volkswagen issued a recall for certain 2019 and 2020 Jetta models with traditional ignition keys(not push-button start) due to a faulty ignition switch that can cause the electrical system to shut down and the engine to stall, increasing crash risk. This recall, identified as Recall 23V‑604 by the federal safety agency. My vehicle needs to be included in this recall.
Volkswagen Jetta key fob problems
38 of the 9,926 owner complaints about the Volkswagen Jetta describe key fob or push-button start problems, most of them for the 2009 model year.
- owner complaints
- 38
- worst model year
- 2009
- typical mileage
- 58,000
Is there a fix? There are 7 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Door locks 18Stalling 4Battery drain 2Won't start 1Transmission failure 1Steering lock-up 1Power windows 1Check engine light 1
What owners say
Component/System Failure/Malfunction: ignition switch and starter, possibly transmission Yes, available for inspection upon request. Car has randomly stalled while in motion; ignition and starter switch have been replaced as well as microswitch panel - yet problem persists. Power steering shuts down, steering wheel becomes very difficult to turn. Have to put car in neutral, typically, and try to restart while in motion. Has happened over 100 times; replaced alternator as well. Battery was replaced, brand new, yet was drained multiple times - recharged at Autozone. Vehicle was brought to Larry H. Miller Volkswagen - was advised the problem was fixed, as well as recall repairs (microswitch), paid for the service, went to leave dealership and problem immediately happened again. Complete shut off. Would stay running a little longer while in neutral or AC on. When the vehicle stalls the only light that comes on is the battery light. All other lights and systems work. Ran diagnostic codes through personal mechanic, friend, and dealership... Code states "Key/Ignition/Computer" but unsure what specifically. The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta also does not have the original key fob. May be improper programming? Continued to research all other recalls, services have been completed and yet the problem persists.
Front passenger door latch/actuator failed and door will not lock with inside door lock, key fob, or upon auto-lock activation at 10 mph. Rear passenger door is also intermittently not locking with auto-lock feature and/or key fob. Driver side is also making an abnormal sound when auto-locking.
The passenger side door actuator/wiring is not locking appropriately. Through the use of the key fob locking the car doesn't lock the passenger door and every time the vehicle is in motion at 10mph it tries to initiate the auto-locking but fails to lock the passenger door. This enables the passenger to open their door at any rate of speed without automatic safety protection. I have seen this be an issue with other Volkswagen Jetta cars online through car parts stores and online forums, but no recalls as of yet. As of right now, I have not had the vehicle inspected but will be looking to do so this week. There were no warning lights or messages that appeared. It just started two days ago and the only way I realized it was a problem is when I would stop and continue driving it would try to auto-lock when I hit 10mph. Concerns arose when I was driving my 8-month-pregnant wife around town.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that the horn failed to operate as designed. The vehicle was taken to dick hanna volkswagen (12345 e. Burnside st, portland, or 97233, (503) 822-3467) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the horn needed to be replaced. Additionally, the key fob and alarm failed to operate. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,890.
Started having electrical problems (random dashboard lights, doors, locks, windows wouldn't work, key fob battery died, etc) then I had to replace the battery. Continued electrical issues with new battery, passenger side window/door wouldn't operate or work at all. Needed master key fob to lock driver's side door but all other doors wouldn't lock with fob. Next, I am having issues with the car not starting, put another battery in it. From there random dashboard lights, dinging with drl and first few minutes of operating vehicle, and airbags lights are on. My mechanic sends me to a mechanic shop that specializes in vw. Mechanic replaces window manager and driver side door harness. Still find issues with airbags so I take my car to the dealership in st peters mo during a snow storm. Hand them all my paperwork, they go in and find that my car is being worked on and see that their are splices, connections butted, so they "fix" the airbags and send me on my way. However, I have a toddler in the backseat and she was able to open the doors while the vehicle was in motion, the windows stopped working, etc. Dealership cannot speak to other mechanic shop's work so they did the recalls needed (airbags) and replaced the harness, apparently again. I have all the receipts from the work, all the parts are in my trunk of my car, another appointment to see what the issue is. Car appears to be stuck in security mode but doesn't properly lock, not able to use child lock, and unable to protect vehicle safely with proper locking mechanism. I don't feel safe if there is an intruder or if my toddler were to try this stunt again, also concerned of the fuel issues I've been having. Replaced my gas cap in hopes I wouldn't see loss of fuel, and the car has a slight oil leak that no mechanic can seem to find. Unable to attach paperwork as the dealership has it at this time.
I have had many issues with the key fob. It is often very difficult to lock or unlock the car unless I am within 5 feet of it and the car does not respond well to the fob signal. Additionally, on numerous occasions while the fob has been in my pocket, due to the poor design of the fob, the trunk has inadvertently opened up. Not only are these issues a nuisance, but they can be dangerous if they happen while driving or in another situation. This has happened while both being stationary and while driving.
The driver's side rear door lock does not work. It doesn't work manually or with the key fob. I am concerned about the safety of my passengers if something were to happen and they cannot exit the vehicle from the rear. Also, the inability to lock the rear door is another safety issue. I have noticed several complaints about the same problem. Does it take an actual vehicle fatality for this problem to be dealt with?
Engine on manual transmission repeatedly shuts off when coming to stop with clutch pedal fully depressed. This is similar to the auto-shutoff feature in automatic transmission, but should not happen with manual. Car must then be restarted with push button start. This is dangerous when in traffic.
Front driver side door will intermittently fail to lock and/or unlock with key fob or lock/unlock buttons in the cabin (began approx 6/20/2018 at approx 43,000 miles). Must use the key in exterior key hole to manually lock or unlock, but while key is in the ignition it is impossible to lock the door manually as there is no manual lock switch only power lock switch. Every time any door is unlocked and the driver goes from 0mph past about 10mph the car automatically tries to lock but fails. This is a safety hazard form carjacking, as there is no way to manually lock the doors from inside the cabin. At approx 46,400 miles (11/8/2018) the front passenger door experienced similar issues. It will intermittently fail to lock with key fob or lock/unlock buttons in the cabin, and the car will attempt to autolock the door after 10mph. The only way to lock the door manually is to open to door and use the emergency lock switch inside the door jam. This too is a safety hazard as there is no way to lock manually from inside the vehicle. An obd scan shows both driver and passenger door lock failures. Sometimes the locks will go weeks of time fully functional, but one or the other will eventually start failing again. This is likely due to a bad lock actuator, either a dead spot in the actuator's motor or poor soldering or connection due to poor design/manufacturing. Sometimes the driver can hear the actuator struggling sounding like a squeal from the actuator's location.
Related recalls
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Jetta and Taos vehicles. The instrument panel may fail to display warning lights or gauges. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
- Risk
- An instrument panel that does not display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the instrument panel software and replace the instrument panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 90Z5. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on March 22, 2026.
Recall number 26V185000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Jetta vehicles. The transmission ground wire may not have been properly connected during assembly, causing an open electrical circuit.
- Risk
- An open circuit may draw a higher current and increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and repair transmission ground wire as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97TC. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on March 13, 2026.
Recall number 26V138000 · Recall details
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Jetta vehicles. The instrument cluster may not provide an audible warning to let the driver know that the key is still in the ignition when the door is open. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 114, "Theft Protection."
- Risk
- Without an audible warning, the driver may be unaware that the key is left in the ignition, which can increase the risk of vehicle theft or a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the instrument cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 3, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 90W7.
Recall number 23V619000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf Sportwagen, 2019-2020 Golf GTI, and Jetta vehicles equipped with a conventional ignition switch. The ignition switch may fail, especially in high temperature environments.
- Risk
- Ignition switch failure can cause the electrical system to shut down and the engine to stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 1, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 28H7.
Recall number 23V604000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
- Risk
- Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
Recall number 19V615000 · Recall details
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles that do not have keyless entry. The instrument cluster may not provide an audible warning to let the driver know that the key is still in the ignition when the door is open. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
- Risk
- If the driver is not notified by an audible noise that the key is left in the ignition, it can increase the risk of vehicle theft or crash.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 90L3 and 90L4.
Recall number 18V824000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2011 jetta vehicles, manufactured from march 2010 through march 2011. These vehicles may have an electrical wiring and fuse layout where the converter box is protected by the same fuse used by the signal horn and the anti-theft alarm system. Should that fuse be blown, the converter box will be disconnected from the power supply which, in turn, will shut off applications such as the engine management system, lighting system, and wipers.
- Risk
- Should this happen while the vehicle is being driven, the engine could stall, or the headlights or wipers could turn off unexpectedly, potentially leading to a crash without warning.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners when sufficient quantities of repairs kits are available. Dealers will separate the wiring for the horn and the theft protection horn from the power supply of the converter box and route the wires to separate fuses to correct the condition free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during april 2011. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1‑800‑822‑8987.
Recall number 11V196000 · Recall details
Questions about the Volkswagen Jetta key fob
Which Volkswagen Jetta years have key fob or push-button start problems problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2009 (6 complaints), 2010 (6 complaints) and 2005 (4 complaints).
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