NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
21 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Apr 2, 2026
Service BrakesCrashInjury
I tried to stop my car and the brake pedal went completely to the floor and did not stop at all. There were no warning lights on, I keep my brakes and car well maintained. My car hit the rear of another car because the brakes failed to engage when I pushed the pedal down. My car which is the vw jetta was totaled in the accident.…
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I tried to stop my car and the brake pedal went completely to the floor and did not stop at all. There were no warning lights on, I keep my brakes and car well maintained. My car hit the rear of another car because the brakes failed to engage when I pushed the pedal down. My car which is the vw jetta was totaled in the accident. My insurance company GEICO has the car sitting at copart and it should be able to be inspected. I know the 2015-2016 vw Jetta had a recall for brake failure due to brake vacuum pump.But my 2016 doesn’t have any recalls on it. The police officer inspected the brakes at the scene.
NHTSA ODI #11728910
Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2023
Service Brakes
Emergency brake handle button came off, rendering the emergency brake not functional.
NHTSA ODI #11530050
88,887 miles · Apr 2, 2021
Service Brakes
IN APRIL 1 2021 I WAS DRIVING FROM HOME TO MY JOB IN DCH TUSTIN ACURA DELAR IS 10 MIN DRIVE WHEN I TAKE THE EXIT OF FREEWAY I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE CAR DON'T BRAKE , THE PEDAL GO ALL WAY DOWN AND THE CAR DON'T STOP , A TECHNICIAN SAID THAT IS A PROBLEM WHIT THE MASTER CYLINDER . WHAT CAN I DO NOW?.
NHTSA ODI #11406055
62,140 miles · Oct 14, 2019
Air BagsService BrakesCrashInjury
MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A MVA IN WHICH SHE SLAMMED ON HER BRAKES AND THE BRAKES LOCKED ON HER. SHE HIT THE REAR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. SHE WAS GOING ROUGHLY 25-30 MPH. SHE WAS ROUGHLY 30-40 FEET AWAY FROM THE OTHER VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. HER AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH CONSIDERING THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE DONE TO…
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MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A MVA IN WHICH SHE SLAMMED ON HER BRAKES AND THE BRAKES LOCKED ON HER. SHE HIT THE REAR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. SHE WAS GOING ROUGHLY 25-30 MPH. SHE WAS ROUGHLY 30-40 FEET AWAY FROM THE OTHER VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. HER AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH CONSIDERING THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE DONE TO HER CAR IS ROUGHLY $6500. I RESEARCHED BOTH ISSUES AND IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE VW JETTA.
NHTSA ODI #11268347
34,100 miles · Oct 4, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes
I JUST BOUGHT MY JETTA A WEEK AGO AND AS I DRIVING I'M NOTICING THE CAR TAKES AT LEAST A GOOD 5 SECONDS TO ACCELERATE AND WHEN IT DOES ACCELERATE IT TAKES OFF ALSO WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES THEY DON'T WORK I DON'T BELIEVE A CAR WITH 34,000 MILES SHOULD BE HAVING THESE UNSAFE PROBLEMS I'M ALMOST SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR
NHTSA ODI #11266051
55,765 miles · Aug 9, 2019
Service BrakesCrash
"BRAKE FAILURE" SON WAS DRIVING VEHICLE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM STARTED TO GO HE SLOWLY FOLLOWED. HE WAS GOING ABOUT 10-15MPH, AND THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HIM SLAMMED ON BRAKES SUDDENLY. WHEN CAUSED HIM TO HAVE TO BRAKE. WHEN HE HIT THE BRAKES HE HEARD A BOOM ( SOUNDED LIKE A TIN CAN CRUSHING) AND THE C…
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"BRAKE FAILURE" SON WAS DRIVING VEHICLE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM STARTED TO GO HE SLOWLY FOLLOWED. HE WAS GOING ABOUT 10-15MPH, AND THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HIM SLAMMED ON BRAKES SUDDENLY. WHEN CAUSED HIM TO HAVE TO BRAKE. WHEN HE HIT THE BRAKES HE HEARD A BOOM ( SOUNDED LIKE A TIN CAN CRUSHING) AND THE CONTINUED TO SLIDE INTO THE TOYOTA TACOMA IN FRONT OF HIM. THE JETTA IS A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA ODI #11242906
78,000 miles · Jun 12, 2019
EngineService Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GUNTHER VOLKSWAGEN OF COCONUT CREEK (4300 FL-7, COCONUT CREEK, FL 33073) FOR A SOFTWARE UPDATE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V705000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SERVICE BRAKES HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE OIL CONSUMPTION …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GUNTHER VOLKSWAGEN OF COCONUT CREEK (4300 FL-7, COCONUT CREEK, FL 33073) FOR A SOFTWARE UPDATE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V705000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SERVICE BRAKES HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE OIL CONSUMPTION ON THE VEHICLE WAS HIGH AND METAL SHAVINGS WERE FOUND INSIDE THE OIL RESERVOIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE METAL SHAVINGS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT AFTER THE SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS PERFORMED THE "ECM" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
NHTSA ODI #11219429
3,000 miles · Jan 9, 2019
Service Brakes
THE VIN NUMBER FOR MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL TO UPDATE THE SOFTWARE THAT AFFECTS THE BRAKE BOOSTER. SINCE ABOUT 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR IT STARTED TO TRIGGER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.
NHTSA ODI #11166111
60,500 miles · Nov 14, 2018
Service BrakesCrash
TODAY (NOV14, 2018) WHEN I BRAKED TO AVOID RUNNING INTO A BRAKING CAR IN FRONT OF ME, THE CAR DIDN'T SEEM TO REDUCE SPEED AT ALL. IT RESULTED IN A CRASH THAT DEPLOYED 5 AIR BAGS OF MY CAR. THE SAME CAR HAD A SIMILAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH BRAKE DIDN'T WORK ON MARCH 7, 2018.
NHTSA ODI #11151631
38,000 miles · Oct 16, 2018
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HEARD A LOUD BOOM SOUND. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED IT A TOTAL LOSS. THE DRIVER WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HEARD A LOUD BOOM SOUND. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED IT A TOTAL LOSS. THE DRIVER WAS SLIGHTLY INJURED ALONG WITH THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE, BUT NEITHER MOTORIST RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS KEPT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY FROM JULY TO OCTOBER 2018 BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT LOCATE THE VEHICLE IN THE SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST UNTIL THEY HEARD FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
NHTSA ODI #11140601
Official recalls
4Oct 21, 2020
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Jetta vehicles. The fuel rail bolts may become loose over time, allowing fuel to leak.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rail bolts and, as necessary, the fuel rail. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24Gi.
Aug 22, 2019
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL Module
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."
Consequence: 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.
Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
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."
Consequence: 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.
Jun 6, 2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jetta vehicles manufactured October 31, 2015, to January 21, 2016, 2016 Passat vehicles, equipped with 1.8T engines manufactured November 13, 2015, to December 9, 2015, and 2016 Golf vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to November 11, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the fuel rail may detach from the cylinder head and result in a fuel leak.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cylinder heads, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 15F7.
Oct 26, 2015
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Consequence: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Consequence: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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