Volkswagen›Jetta Sportwagen›2011›Overview/volkswagen/jetta-sportwagen/2011/base/

2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 Jetta Sportwagen.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen is a passenger car that specifies a 4.8‑qt oil capacity and is designed for 0W‑40, 5W‑30 or 5W‑40 motor oil. In its first full year of reporting it generated 638 owner complaints, placing it between the 2010 peak of 875 and the 2014 low of 413, with the electrical system identified as the most frequent issue and 11 recalls documented. Thus, the 2011 model occupies a mid‑range position in the 2010‑2014 complaint cycle, reflecting moderate early‑year reliability concerns that have shown improvement in later years.

Model year2013 2012 2011 2010 2009

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.8 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 06A115561B. 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

Tire sizeP195-65R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	06A115561B alt 071115444
Engine air filter	07K129620 alt 1F0129620
Fuel filter	6Q0201051J alt 1K0127400K
Spark plug	101905600C
Battery	000915089BC alt 000915089F
Front wiper blades	5C7955426B alt 5C7955425B
Serpentine belt	07K145933C alt 07K145933G
Thermostat	06B121119B alt 07K121119A
Cabin air filter	1K1819669 alt 1K0819644B

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	182.3 in
Overall width	70.1 in
Overall height	57.1 in
Wheelbase	104.3 in
Curb weight	3161 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 4.8 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 Capacity	6.5-7.5
Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Engine Coolant	USE G012ABG-A1 COOLANT
Engine Oil	0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity	4.8 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · 5W-40 · API · 0W-40
Engine Oil Capacity	4.8 qt
Engine Oil	0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	11 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	17 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	6.6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18.4 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	6.6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

89 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-4-5-3
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
Spark Plug Manufacturer	VW
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.043 in

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	Models w/diesel engine, 1.15-1.25; models w/gasoline engine, 1.10-1.21. lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	3.40-4.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	540 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	48

Service checks

Pressure Test	14.5 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	20-23 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	55.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum	61.0 psi
Residual Pressure	43.5 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	51.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum	65.0 psi

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH
Torque Caliper to Bracket	22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	147 ft-lbs
Brake Application	FSIII CALIPER PR NO. 1ZM, 1ZQ
Torque Caliper to Bracket	22 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Brake Application	WITH
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.984 in / 0.394 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

6 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

6 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

22 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	37 ft. lbs.	37 ft. lbs
3	turn 90 degrees	90 degrees
4	turn 90 degrees; Do not re-use old bolts.	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	Bolts 1-12	30 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	90 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

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat bolt head washers and threads with clean engine oil

1	29.5 ft. lbs.	29.5 ft. lbs
2	44.2 ft. lbs.	44.2 ft. lbs
3	90 degrees	90 degrees
4	90 degrees	90 degrees

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

44 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

44 ft. lbs

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

44 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

44 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

29 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

29 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 37,500 mi.

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

In 2011 the Jetta Sportwagen logged 638 complaints, a decrease from 875 in 2010, but an increase in recalls to 11 from 6 the previous year, indicating a growing recall trend despite fewer complaints. The investigation count remained steady at five, while the number of traffic safety bulletins rose sharply to 1,380, suggesting heightened regulatory scrutiny. Compared with the subsequent 2013–2014 years, complaints fell further to 543 and 413 respectively, recalls dropped to 7 and 6, and investigations declined, placing 2011 in the middle of a downward arc in complaints but an upward trend in recalls. The top complaint categories for 2011—Electrical System (104), Fuel System, Diesel (55), and Fuel/Propulsion System (40)—highlight recurring electrical and fuel‑related issues, though the data do not specify root causes. With 28 crash complaints and 12 fire complaints, the 2011 model shows a moderate safety concern level relative to its peers. Overall, 2011 is a decent purchase year if you can find a vehicle with a clean recall history, but you should remain vigilant about electrical and fuel system checks.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

1380

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

638

Owner complaints

28 involved a crash · 12 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’10’11’13 ’14

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 638 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System104

Fuel System, Diesel55

Fuel/Propulsion System40

Unknown Or Other39

Engine29

Power Train28

Electrical System,Exterior Lighting19

Air Bags19

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V078000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 10/02/2016

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet… Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1380 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TT 10-18-02_2	2026-06-18	Engine	Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
TT 13-20-01_3	2026-06-18	Engine	Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
V6919012010479_17	2026-06-11	Air Bags	Inquiries
V1719012012855_81	2026-06-04	Engine	Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
VOS-26-21	2026-03-27	Engine	This 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 Sportwagen. 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.

Group 47 battery Vehicles taking 4.8 qt Engine oil filter 06A115561B Engine air filter 07K129620 Fuel filter 6Q0201051J Spark plug 101905600C

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 Jetta Sportwagen take?

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

Does the 2011 Jetta Sportwagen have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.