YearToAvoid

2011 Volkswagen Jetta Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 40 brake complaints for the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta, 7% of its 607 total complaints for the year. There is no related brake recall on file. Median mileage at failure was 66,773 miles, and the data include 1 crash and 1 fire.

Brakes complaints
40
7% of 607
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
66,773 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the car rolling backward after being parked and shifted out of gear, suggesting the parking function failed to hold the vehicle.
  • Some describe a burning smell followed by the front brakes locking up at highway speed, with smoke coming from the front tires.
  • Several report the master cylinder leaking brake fluid internally into the vacuum chamber, traced to a rough sealing surface inside the cylinder.
  • Owners describe the ABS module failing, which was followed by the brakes locking up during a subsequent stop after replacement.
  • Some report a burning smell and an overheating rear wheel traced to a sticking brake caliper.
  • One owner reports the front brake caliper rubbing and locking after hitting a pothole while exiting a highway.

When 2011 Volkswagen Jetta brake complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 15, 2010, latest Jul 30, 2025.

2011 Volkswagen Jetta brakes complaints: complaints filed per month3Nov 2010Oct 2012Feb 2015Jul 2016Jun 2018Jul 2019Dec 2020Jul 2025
40 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2010 to Jul 2025; peak Jul 2019 (3).

Brakes recalls for the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by Jetta model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201062 (7%)
  2. 201140 (7%)
  3. 201245 (9%)
  4. 201329 (6%)
  5. 201428 (7%)
  6. 201520 (10%)
  7. 201627 (17%)
  8. 201720 (13%)
  9. 20181 (3%)
  10. 201934 (6%)
  11. 20207 (13%)
  12. 202126 (38%)
  13. 202212 (28%)
  14. 202311 (26%)
  15. 202411 (26%)
  16. 20251 (4%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are brake complaints on the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA lists 40 brake complaints for the 2011 Jetta, which is 7% of all 607 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a brake recall for the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta?
No. The data show no related recalls listed for the brake system on the 2011 Jetta.
At what mileage do brake problems tend to show up on the 2011 Jetta?
The median mileage at failure among brake complaints is 66,773 miles.
Have brake issues on the 2011 Jetta caused crashes or fires?
NHTSA records show 1 crash and 1 fire among the brake complaints for the 2011 Jetta, with 0 injuries reported.
How does the 2011 Jetta compare to other years for brake complaints?
The 2011 Jetta's 7% share of brake complaints is similar to 2010 and 2012–2014, and lower than the 2021 model year's 38% share.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.