Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Electrical System (28.7% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Electrical System complaints here are 2.6× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 174 · 28.7% | Recalled | Recall 19V615000 · Recall 11V196000 |
| Engine | 90 · 14.9% | Recalled | Recall 14E007000 · Recall 11E036000 · Recall 11V466000 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 82 · 13.5% | Recalled | Recall 11V490000 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 77 · 12.7% | Recalled | Recall 11V490000 |
| Power Train | 46 · 7.6% | No official action | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 39 · 6.4% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 606 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 19V679000 · 2019 · reported 09/25/2019
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 19V615000 · 2019 · reported 08/22/2019
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 15V483000 · 2015 · reported 08/04/2015
A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14E007000 · 2014 · reported 03/07/2014
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14V656000 · 2014 · reported 10/20/2014
The reduced durability of the trailing arm may result in its sudden fracture, possibly causing loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 11V196000 · 2011 · reported 03/29/2011
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 11V490000 · 2011 · reported 10/03/2011
DUE TO THE RESONANCE CONDITION, INJECTOR LINE NUMBER 2 COULD DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE. LEAKING FUEL IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY LEAD TO A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 11E036000 · 2011 · reported 09/08/2011
IF THE TAILPIPE EXTENSION IS HOT DURING INADVERTENT CONTACT, A BURN COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 11V466000 · 2011 · reported 09/07/2011
IF THE TAILPIPE EXTENSION IS HOT DURING INADVERTENT CONTACT, A BURN COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 20E064000 · 2020 · reported 09/23/2020
If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“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…”NHTSA complaint 10456790 — filed 04/29/2012 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“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…”NHTSA complaint 10444853 — filed 01/23/2012 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“THE VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER ACTIVATES, PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM BEING STARTED AND LEAVING DRIVER STRANDED.”NHTSA complaint 10444719 — filed 01/21/2012 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 174 of 606 NHTSA complaints (28.7%), followed by engine (90), fuel system, diesel (82), fuel/propulsion system (77). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
606 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 27 involved a crash, 9 involved a fire, and 15 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 10 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V679000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
4 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
