VolkswagenJetta Sedan/GLI2012Overview/volkswagen/jetta-sedan-gli/2012/base/

2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan/GLI

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Jetta Sedan/GLI.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan and GLI are passenger cars whose engine maintenance requires a 6.3-quart oil capacity utilizing 0W-40, 5W-30, or 5W-40 viscosity grades. Despite these straightforward mechanical parameters, this model year occupies a highly problematic position in the vehicle's reliability history. Researchers must weigh a substantial record of 526 total owner complaints and nine recalls, heavily concentrated in the electrical system, which means thorough diagnostic scrutiny of the car's electronics is paramount when evaluating this specific year.

Model year2012201020092008

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.3 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40OEM · verified
Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 540 CCA battery, OE oil filter 06J115403Q. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 540 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire size195-65R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter06J115403Q alt 06A115561B
Engine air filter1K0129620L alt 1F0129620
Fuel filter1K0201051K alt 6Q0201051J
Spark plug101905600C alt 06H905601A
Battery000915089BC alt 000915089F
Front wiper blades5C7955426B alt 1Q1998002
Serpentine belt07K145933C alt 07K145933G
Thermostat06B121119B alt 07K121119A
Cabin air filter1K1819669 alt 1K0819644B

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length182.3 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height57.1 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight3161 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.3 qt of 0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-4-5-3. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.5-7.5
Brake FluidDOT 4
Engine CoolantUSE G012ABG-A1 COOLANT
Engine Oil0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity6.3 qt
Engine Oil0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity6.3 qt
Engine Oil0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs11 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6.6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-4-5-3
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)720 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)80 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)830 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)730 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant CapacityModels w/diesel engine, 1.15-1.25; models w/gasoline engine, 1.10-1.21. lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.40-4.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance540 cca
Optional BCI Group Number48

Service checks

Pressure Test14.5 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief20-23 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum58.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum101.0 psi
Residual Pressure43.5 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum55.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum61.0 psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH
Torque Caliper to Bracket22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle147 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Brake ApplicationWITH
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.984 in / 0.866 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.984 in / 0.866 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.866 in / 0.748 in / 0.314 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 906 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
390 degrees.90 degrees
4Front bolts6 ft. lbs
590 degrees.; Do not re-use old bolts.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
390 degrees.90 degrees
4Front bolts6 ft. lbs
590 degrees.; Do not re-use old bolts.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
237 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
3turn 90 degrees90 degrees
4turn 90 degrees; Do not re-use old bolts.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
129.5 ft. lbs.29.5 ft. lbs
2turn 90 degrees90 degrees
3turn 90 degrees; Starting at center and working outward, tighten all fasteners alternately and evenly.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
1Tighten in sequence shown 30 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
2turn 90 degrees90 degrees
3turn 90
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
1Bolts 1-1230 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees; Bolts 13; 7.3 ft. lbs.; Use new bolts. Do not lube bolts. A 2-3 mm bead of a suitable sealer must be placed on the block at the timing chain area front and back sides. Install head gasket and apply sealer on top of head gasket at the timing chain area rear only.90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9044 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9044 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12 ft. lbs., step 2: 72 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
14 ft. lbs., step 2: 9 ft. lbs., step 3: 12 ft. lbs., step 4: 184 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
129 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9029 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 9,300 mi; spark plugs every 37,500 mi; coolant every 9,300 mi. The big-interval services (every 9,300 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 9,300 miBattery (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 10,000 miHeadlamp Washer Nozzle (inspect) · Headlamp Washer System (inspect fluid level) · Windshield Washer System (inspect)
Every 19,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Timing Belt (inspect)
Every 20,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Diesel Particulate Filter (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Suspension Shock or Strut (inspect)
Every 37,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 40,000 miEngine Assembly (leak inspection) · Instrument Cluster Warning Indicator (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect fluid level) · Sunroof Assembly (inspect) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace) · Underbody (inspect)
At 56,000 miTiming Belt (inspect)
Every 56,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean)
Every 60,000 miAir Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan/GLI top in one area — the electrical system, 79 of 526 reports (15%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the electrical system are also the target of recall 19V-615 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming it was actually performed. 24 of the reports describe a crash and 7 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the electrical system pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

9
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1537
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
5
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
526
Owner complaints
24 involved a crash · 7 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 526 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System79
Unknown Or Other78
Fuel/Propulsion System35
Engine34
Power Train22
Service Brakes22
Air Bags21
Visibility/Wiper15

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 8 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V679000Unknown Or OtherReported 25/09/2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015… Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298…

19V615000Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control ModuleReported 22/08/2019

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1537 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TT 10-18-02_22026-06-18EngineLubricating engine components before reassembly.
TT 13-20-01_32026-06-18EngineInstruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
V6919012010479_172026-06-11Air BagsInquiries
V1719012012855_812026-06-04EngineVolkswagen Engine Oil Standards
VOS-26-212026-03-27EngineThis is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Jetta Sedan/GLI. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Jetta Sedan/GLI take?

6.3 qt of 0W-40, 5W-30 OR 5W-40 MEETING VW SPECIFICATION 502.00, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Jetta Sedan/GLI have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.