YearToAvoid

2012 Volkswagen Jetta Steering Problems

NHTSA lists 41 steering complaints for the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, 8% of all complaints filed for the year, with 5 crashes and 2 injuries. Median mileage at failure was 51,500. No steering-specific recall is listed for this model year in the provided data.

Steering complaints
41
8% of 499
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
51,500 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical steering symptoms owners report

  • Steering wheel or column locks up or seizes while driving, in some cases while turning at highway speed, leading to loss of control.
  • Ignition key or ignition switch sticks in the steering column and will not turn off, sometimes while the vehicle is still in gear or moving.
  • Steering column lock and ignition switch failures reported alongside Takata airbag recall notices and illuminated ABS or airbag warning lights.
  • Clock spring inside the steering wheel fails, triggering the airbag warning light and disabling horn and steering wheel switch functions.
  • Rumbling or grinding noise from the front of the vehicle that intensifies when turning, described as worsening over repeated dealer visits.
  • Loss of power steering assist occurring together with a broken engine belt tensioner while the vehicle was idling.

When 2012 Volkswagen Jetta steering complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 21, 2014, latest Jul 21, 2025.

2012 Volkswagen Jetta steering complaints: complaints filed per month4Jan 2014Aug 2014Mar 2016Mar 2017Oct 2017Dec 2018Oct 2019Nov 2023
41 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2014 to Jul 2025; peak May 2014 (4).

Steering recalls for the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Steering complaints by Jetta model year

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

  1. 201013 (2%)
  2. 201123 (4%)
  3. 201241 (8%)
  4. 201337 (7%)
  5. 201417 (4%)
  6. 201515 (8%)
  7. 201611 (7%)
  8. 201714 (9%)
  9. 20180 (0%)
  10. 201912 (2%)
  11. 20203 (6%)
  12. 20213 (4%)
  13. 20227 (16%)
  14. 20231 (2%)
  15. 20242 (5%)
  16. 20251 (4%)

Frequently asked questions

How many steering complaints does the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta have?
NHTSA lists 41 steering complaints for the 2012 Jetta, which is 8% of the 499 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a steering recall for the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta?
The data provided lists no related recalls for the steering component on the 2012 Jetta.
At what mileage do steering problems usually appear on the 2012 Jetta?
The median mileage at failure among reported steering complaints is 51,500 miles.
Have steering problems on the 2012 Jetta caused crashes or injuries?
NHTSA complaint data tied to steering issues on the 2012 Jetta includes 5 crashes and 2 injuries, with no fires reported.
How does the 2012 Jetta compare to other Jetta years for steering complaints?
The 2012 Jetta's 41 steering complaints and 8% share are higher than the 2010 (13 complaints, 2%) and 2011 (23 complaints, 4%) model years, based on the data provided.

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.