This complaint is for the 2011 VW Jetta sportwagon tdi. There is a manufacture defect that caused the fuse box under the hood to melt. This caused most of the lights on the exterior to fail, which included the headlights, taillights, brake-lights, ect. There were recalls on similar models, but not this specific car. There needs to be a recall on this car to prevent potential injuries.

- Houston, TX, USA

While attempting to accelerate car sputtered, and hesitated while losing power. Regained power briefly then sputtered, lost power and engine cut off completely. Started engine after letting sit for a few minutes drove home ok. Happened again a week later and took it to dealership. Dealer diagnosed it as faulty ignition coil and arcing.

- Berea, OH, USA

My car has had 3 stalls within 3 months. I took it to the dealer they replaced the throttle assembly. Since then I was pulling out of a parking spot and put the car in drive and the car stalled. I took it to the dealer and they said they couldn't find anything wrong with the vehicle.

- Edison, NJ, USA

2011 Jetta has a recall (11V196000) for electrical/fuse wiring. We have encountered the problem that the recall is 4.we have no alarm horn "chirp" or horn. We called the dealer and they said that the recall did not include the tdi model yet we are having the problem the recall is 4.

- Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA

This car has had multiple ignition coil problems causing a misfire and a rough rumbling engine. The ability to accelerate is greatly reduce leaving you vulnerable to car accidents in certain situations like pulling out at an intersection. This is the second incident within a year of ignition coils failing. Now at 42,000 miles it is not covered under warranty. The first incident was extremely troubling not being able to maintain a constant speed with a line of traffic behind me and no where to pull over. This is a severe safety issue and should be addressed by VW.

- Worcester, MA, USA

All of a sudden, I would turn on my car and most of the exterior lights would not work, including headlights, high beams, brake lights, blinkers, and daytime running lights. It was dangerous to suddenly drive without lights when it was nighttime or changing lanes without working blinkers to alert other drivers. I took the car in to get it checked out and apparently this is a common issue in recent VW cars, that the fuse box is melting the fuses. I read more about it online and some people described problems with other key processes failing like power steering. I can't believe VW hasn't made a recall on this because it happens to so many of their cars and requires an expensive part replacement. Also this problem seems to happen to others in the 10000 miles beyond the warranty of a car in 36000 miles. That is being unfair and dishonest to customers.

- Los Angeles , CA, USA

On this date (6-19-2013) my engine light came on, after that my epc light followed. Then I lost speed on my car, I then pulled over at the gas station. I then noticed my horn was not working. I sat at the gas station after I turned the car off for about 15 minutes. Tried to start the car up again, then it started back up and I drove home, but the engine light was still on. I didn't think much of it at that point, a week later I had the oil changed. Approximately two months later (which was in August) I had the same problem. So I called Volkswagen of America and explained to the cs rep my issue. They advised me to take my car to the dealership; which I did. The gentle that assisted me brought out a lab top computer and reset what ever it was he reset on the car and the engine light went off and the car drove fine. Then he told me that I needed a full turn up and that it would cost me $700, because my warranty would not cover the turn up on the car. In any case, my VW Jetta drive fine for about four days, I horn still didn't work. About two weeks into September of 2013, I was on my way to work and the car would not start for an whole hour. In the mist of my dilemma, late for work; I had vv of America on the phone telling the rep, corey what was happening with the car. He advised me to take the car to the dealership as well. Which I made an appointment to the dealership, they also told me that the car needed a turn up as well. But they were charging me a ridiculous amount of money for the turn up. I got a full turn up on the car and now my car shakes uncontrollably, the epc light stays on. It's only driving 40 mph as we speak. I had a professional to check the engine and from what their diagnosis, two dead cylinders (po codes P0351 and P0353) and a bad computer. I am getting no financial assistance from Volkswagen of America, per corey cs rep from vv of America.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

My windshield washer fluid sensor came on, and it does not turn off. I did some reading online, and this seems to be a systemic issue. Most of the complaints were from people who used rainx washer fluid. Apparently it caused corrosion too quickly. Now, I don't want to use my washer fluid as often, so that I can make sure that I don't run out when I need it. My visibility during driving is affected by this.

- Orange, MA, USA

I was driving and I tried to honk my horn because a tractor trailer was merging in my lane. My horn would not sound and I had encountered this problem before and then later that evening it started to drizzle and my windshield wipers were not working.

- Loganville , GA, USA

Occasionally, the rear door on passenger side wont open even though I unlock the door with remote key. I have found in the VW consumer forum that this is not only my car's issue, but many VW Jetta owners are having the same issue. I always should get inside from other door and open the applicable from inside. This is happening too often so it is being common for me to open the door for my kid who usually sits in the back. If there is any accident and whether policeman or fireman should open the door from outside, this problem can cause severe delay on rescue the passenger who sits in the back, usually children because the door is not being opened by anyhow from outside. I think VW should recall this problem.

- Farmington, MI, USA

When the car is parked the interior and exterior lights come on until you go crank the car. The dealer completed a diagnostic test and he said everything checked out ok....this is not normal and my concern would be will it eventually affect the battery.

- Hampton, GA, USA

While driving to an early morning appointment, I notice a burning smell within 5 minutes of starting the car. I soon saw smoke coming from the upper right corner of the dashboard. I immediately pulled over and turned off the car. At that point I saw a flame appearing at the front end of the driver's side rocker panel. Plastic at the base of the rocker panel had melted and I could see electrical wires. I tried to stamp out the fire, but it was growing rapidly and I was unsuccessful. I got out of the car. Within seconds, the flames were several feet high. I closed the door and called 911. The flames eventually extinguished themselves in the closed cabin. The firefighters arrived and opened the drivers door. Most of the dashboard on the drivers side, and the headliner were melted. There was a lot of exposed bare wire visible. The temperature at the time was 34 degrees F, and this was the first trip of the day. The driver's side seat heater was turned on high, the headlights were on, and the radio was on. No other operator controlled electrical functions were on. There had been no previous electrical incidents with this car, nor were there any aftermarket electrical items installed on the car. The weather was dry. This Jetta is a tdi model (diesel).

- Darien, GA, USA

The car turned over and then turned itself off. The immobilizer activated and the car refused to start. The car was towed to the dealership and I'm not sure what was done to fix it. The yesterday, September 29, 2012, we were 5 miles from the house at a park and the same issue happened again. This time, because we were without a phone, we walked home and got it towed. Although there were no bodily injuries, this is as much a safety issue as anything else.

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

Coming back from the mall, I turned on my car and a few seconds later the engine shut down and "immoblizer active" message appeared. Restarted car again, engine shut down and the same message appeared again. I tried it a couple of times more and then called VW roadside assistance to get my car towed to my dealer, which luckily, is near by the mall I was at. Once at the dealer (got there at 4:30pm, and they close at 5 on saturdays), the technician had time to look at my car. He came back 15 minutes later and was surprised of what he found. The diagnostic machine could not read the engine control module. He said that pretty much according to the test, the ECM/ECU did not exist! I have had the car for about 8 months (brand new) and only aprox. 9500 miles driven so far. They will check the car in detail on the following Monday. Will wait for results.

- Cypress, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta tdi. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and upon exiting the vehicle, there was an increase in the engine rpms. The vehicle also would not shut off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they stated that the push to stop button failed. A switch clip on the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000. Updated 05/31/12

- Jasper, GA, USA

The vehicle immobilizer activates, preventing the vehicle from being started and leaving driver stranded.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

Attempted to start 2011 Jetta tdi with 11000 miles after it had been sitting in a parking lot for 9 hours. Temperature 45F outside. Vehicle started perfectly and then died seconds later. Attempted to start vehicle again, but would not turn over. Had a lot of trouble getting it to start and when it did it was running very rough and then would die immediately. Finally able to start vehicle and keep it running after approximately 30 minutes. Was able to drive 30+ miles home - started fine after. This is the second occurrence. This first occurred approximately 1 month ago with 8000 miles on vehicle. Outside temperature was in mid forties. Car would not start at all - kept turning over, but would not start. Glow plug light flashed intermittently. After waiting approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour the car started up fine without hesitation. Vehicle was at dealer 2 days prior to second incident, but they could not find anything. Vehicle will be returning to dealer asap.

- West Bridgewater, MA, USA

This is a re-occurrence of the complaint 10425920 that was submitted by me on 17 September and is listed on this site. It has happened again. Symptomatically it is the same. While trying to gain access to the vehicle the key fob wouldn't open the doors. After gaining entry to the vehicle all locks are inoperative and the fuse is blown. The initial issue was worked on by my local VW dealer but due to the odd nature of the issue VW tech was consulted. The system fuse will only blow if I try to gain entry to the car with the key fobs. If a new fuse is installed and the sensors on the actual door handles are used the fuse will not blow. The dealer had the car for a week and VW was indecisive about what to do. VW advised the dealership to jump out the fuse and return the vehicle to me (and they did!) until they could figure out the way ahead. I was asked to return the vehicle to the dealer a few weeks later and a complete replacement central locking control unit was installed. I am returning the car to the dealer for another attempt at solving the problem. I am quite sure that VW shouldn't be advising dealerships to jump out fuses and return vehicles to customers for use. Beyond the technical issue VW techlines behavior is alarming and it would be worth asking to see the dialog files for my issue. I will advise regarding the outcome of this next visit.

- Springvale, ME, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the horn would activate at any time independently and could not be shut off. The dealer was contacted and the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 11V196000 (electrical system: Fuses and circuit breakers), but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified and referred the contact to speak with the dealer. There were no further repairs. The failure mileage was 800 and the current mileage was 11,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 12/02/11 updated 06/13/2012

- Yorktown, VA, USA

Automatic door locks fail to work. Manual entry must be gained to vehicle and doors opened on all doors other than drivers by pulling on inside handles. Unable to access trunk without grabbing long hanled stick and accessing trunk emergency opening latch through back seat arm rest trunk opening. While investigating for a possible blow fuse it was noted that VW fails to provide a fuse map/diagram for these cars in the owners manual and on the back of both the underhood and in car fuse panels. VW explains this away in the owners manual on page 324 as a decision they made due to the " constant ongoing development of the car" beyond the issue with the locks I believe that failing to provide the owner of the vehicle with the fuse maps could have poetential ramifications as an owner may be unable to solve a simple technical fault on their vehicle thus hazarding themselves and others. Inspection and changing of fuses is owner level maintanence/troubleshooting and Volkswagen should be made to provide that information to owners. If you web search VW fuse diagram or map you will see hundreds of complaints. Thanks for your time.

- Springvale, ME, USA