How many problems does the 2011 VOLKSWAGEN Golf have?

The 2011 VOLKSWAGEN Golf currently has 110 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2011 VOLKSWAGEN Golf?

The most common problems reported for the 2011 VOLKSWAGEN Golf are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2011 VOLKSWAGEN Golf problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2011 VOLKSWAGEN Golf comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.

2011 VOLKSWAGEN Golf Problems

POWER TRAIN

16 complaints

WHILE IN MOTION AND UNDER POWER, CAR SUDDENLY LOSES DRIVE; ACTS AS IF SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. SOMETIMES A FLASHING WRENCH INDICATOR IS SEEN IN PLACE OF THE GEAR NUMBER IN THE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY. THIS IS HAPPENING INCREASINGLY OFTEN. AT LEAST ONCE PER DAY.

Sep 17, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 8,500.

Apr 09, 2012

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR (GOLF TDI) EQUIPPED WITH DSG TRANSMISSION IN MANUAL MODE IN 4TH GEAR AT ABOUT 35MPH AND I HAD TO SLOW DOWN FOR A CAR TO TURN RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. AFTER THE CAR TURNED RIGHT I CHANGED THE GEARBOX IN 2RD GEAR AND PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE CAR DIDN'T ACCELERATE (MOVE), ONLY THE ENGINE REVVED AT ABOUT 3500-4000 RPM (LIKE BEING IN NEUTRAL MODE, BASICALLY THE TRANSMISSION NOT ENGAGING THE ENGINE). I HAD TO MOVE THE GEARSHIFT SELECTOR IN DRIVE MODE (AUTOMATIC) AND THE CAR AFTER A FEW SECONDS BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF HAPPENS CROSSING FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. *TR

Apr 09, 2012

WHEN DRIVING IN MANUAL MODE, THE CAR DROPS OUT OF GEAR WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND DOES NOT RE-ENGAGE. THE DASH SHOWS THAT THE CAR IS IN 3RD, 4TH, OR 5TH GEAR, BUT WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS, IT JUST REVS UP THE ENGINE AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL. IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY. I DROPPED THE CAR OFF AT BYERS IN COLUMBUS, OHIO TODAY AFTER SHOWING THE PROBLEM TO THE SHOP MANAGER. *TR

Nov 08, 2011

SUBSEQUENT TO SLOWING DOWN DUE TO TRAFFIC, VEHICLE'S DSG TRANSMISSION AFFECTED AN UNPLANNED SHIFT TO THE NEUTRAL GEAR, NOTICED WHEN DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO INCREASE SPEED. TRANSMISSION WAS IN "MANUAL/TIPTRONIC" MODE. UPON NOTICING TRANSMISSION WAS IN NEUTRAL, DRIVER SHIFTED GEAR LEVER INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN INTO "D" MODE (NOT "MANUAL/TIPTRONIC" MODE). DRIVER REMAINED IN THE "D" MODE FOR THE REST OF THE 1.5 HOUR DRIVE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WHERE THE VEHICLE'S DSG TRANSMISSION WENT INTO AN UNPLANNED SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR. DRIVING CONDITIONS WERE THE SAME AS THE FIRST TIME; THE FIRST TIME OCCURRING, THURSDAY 10/13/2011, DRIVER WAS IN "MANUAL/TIPTRONIC" MODE, WITH VEHICLE BEING SLOWED TO UNDER 10 MPH, WHEN DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO INCREASE SPEED, AFTER MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN, THE DSG TRANSMISSION WENT INTO NEUTRAL. RPMS RIVED UP 3,000RPM, WHICH ALERTED THE DRIVER THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT IN GEAR. IN BOTH CASES, DRIVER HAD TO TURN ON FLASHERS TO INSURE THAT THERE WOULD BE NO CRASH FROM THE REAR, DUE TO VEHICLE HAVING NO FORWARD POWER. IN BOTH CASES, DRIVER SHIFTED THE GEAR SHIFTING LEVER INTO NEUTRAL, AND THEN INTO "D" (DRIVE) MODE. DRIVER DID NOT RETURN TO THE "MANUAL/TIPTRONIC" MODE FOR THE REST OF THE 1.5 HOUR DRIVE. NOTE: FIRST INCIDENT WAS ON 10/13/2011 ODI # 10432753. *TR

Nov 05, 2011

+ 11 more complaints for this component

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

14 complaints

The High-pressure Fuel pump failed during a routine drive at approximately 1500 RPMs. This caused an immediate loss of power while in traffic. Manage to limp the car to the nearest gas station in which the car finally died and would not start. Had to call for a tow truck. This immediate loss of power could have cause myself and my daughter to get into an accident. Luckily, we were not on a major highway doing 65+ MPH, which could have been a lot worse. The vehicle flashed a MIL light or flashing glow plug light at the time of the incident. The car did not show any signs of possible failure beforehand. This same issue has been recalled by Fiat-Chrysler on their Heavy-Duty Ram pickup trucks with 6.7L Cummins due to catastrophic failure of the CP4 fuel pump.

Sep 26, 2023

THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET, AND THE ENGINE STOPPED WORKING. THIS RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER DURING DRIVING. ATTEMPTS TO RE-START THE CAR WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL. NOTE: NO FAULT LIGHTS CAME ON. A NEAR MISS COLLISION OCCURRED, BUT LUCKILY NO ACCIDENT. CAR WAS PUSHED TO SIDE OF ROAD AND LEFT FOR A FEW HOURS. AFTER A FEW HOURS, THE CAR DID RE-START WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY. ON RE-STARTING, A PLUME OF GREY SMOKED CAME FROM THE TAIL PIPE THIS FAULT IS THE SECOND TIME OF OCCURRENCE AFTER THE MANUFACTURER (VW) SUPPOSEDLY CORRECTED A FAULT 202 ERROR THE LAST TIME A SIMILAR SITUATION OCCURRED. I FEEL THE CAR'S FUEL SYSTEM IS A NON-SAFE DESIGN AS A SERIOUS COLLISION NEARLY OCCURRED.

Jan 08, 2016

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT ON MY 2011 GOLF TDI. MY FAMILY AND WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. VW COVERS UP TO 120,000 MILES, MY VEHICLE HAS 122K MILES. THIS CAR IS MY DAILY DRIVER AND ALMOST LOST MY JOB DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. HPFP IS A FAULTY PUMP AND VW DENIES TO COVER THIS EXPENSE. I DO NOT HAVE $8000 TO COVER THIS EXPENSE, AND I WILL KEEP ON CONTACTING VW TO FIX IT. OTHER CARS WITH HIGHER MILEAGE HAVE BEEN COVERED, BUT NOT MINE. I AM ON OF THOUSANDS WITH THIS TDI HPFP PROBLEM. I ALWAYS USE CHEVRON DIESEL, SO THERE IS NO WAY IT CAN BE "CONTAMINATED" IT IS VW FAULTY PIECE. I HOPE SOMEONE READS THIS AND HELPS ME OUT, THANKS.

Jul 14, 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Mar 03, 2015

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND AFTER IT WAS CHECKED OUT MECHANIC STATED THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL SYSTEM WERE CONTAMINATED WITH METAL SHAVINGS. MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE COULD STALL AND NOT RESTART AT ANY TIME IF REPAIRS WERE NOT MADE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP AND RECEIVED THE SAME DIAGNOSIS. DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT NONETHELESS THAT VOLKSWAGEN WOULD REPAIR THE FUEL SYSTEM AT NO COST. VW DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN MISFUELED, LEADING TO THE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN FUELED WITH ANYTHING BUT DIESEL FUEL. *TR

Oct 28, 2014

+ 9 more complaints for this component

AIR BAGS

11 complaints

I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG DIDN'T GO OFF.

Mar 23, 2018

Crash: 1

TAKATA RECALL YEAR MAKE AND MODEL RECALLED, BUT VIN DOESN'T MATCH. SUSPECT CLERICAL ERROR WITH VIN PLEASE RECALL THIS VEHICLE TO CHECK AND/OR REPLACE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG INFLATOR. DEALER AND VW REFUSE TO EXAMINE AIRBAG INFLATORS. THEY SUGGEST CONTACTING YOU.

Nov 22, 2017

MY CAR HAS BEEN LISTED AS HAVING DEFECTED AIRBAGS ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE GOLF TDI, WHICH I HAVE, IS ALSO RECALLED FOR THE EMISSIONS SCANDAL. I PLAN ON DRIVING IT UNTIL 2018, WHEN I HAVE TO TURN IT IN. I AM GUESSING VW WILL TRY TO IGNORE THIS RECALL. *TR

Jan 20, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN APRIL. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Oct 27, 2016

TAKATA RECALL THE RECALL NOTICE WENT OUT FEBRUARY 9, 2016. STILL NO FIX AVAILABLE AND MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO PROVIDE SAFE ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION. MANUFACTURER SAYS TO KEEP DRIVING RECALLED VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY FIXES. *TR

Oct 26, 2016

+ 6 more complaints for this component

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

9 complaints

2011 GOLF TDI 2DOOR. STARTED THROWING AND ERROR CODE OF P2BA6. TOOK IT FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND THEY STATED THAT ISSUE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL AND WAS FIXED ALREADY. I CONTACTED VW DIRECTLY TO SEE HOW TO GO ABOUT THE SITUATION AND THEY STATED THE CAR WAS FIXED IN 2011 AND EVEN THOUGH I ONLY HAVE 44K MILES ON THE CAR THEY WILL STILL NOT FIX THE ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. IN CONCLUSION THE PART THAT HAD ALREADY GONE BAD AND RECALLED HAS BEEN FIXED ONCE THEY ARE REFUSING TO REPLACE THE NEW PART SINCE IT HAS BEEN REPLACED. CLEARLY SHOWS THAT THE RECALLED PART HAS NOT FIXED THE ISSUE WITH IT. *TR

May 23, 2020

STALLED WHILE TRAVELING FULL SPEED ON THE FREEWAY IN THE DESERT, GLOW PLUG LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WAS ALMOST HIT BY SEVERAL TRUCKS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COAST TO THE NEAREST OFF RAMP 1/4 MI AWAY, AT THE END OF THE OFF RAMP VEHICLE STALLED, AGAIN ALMOST HIT BY SEVERAL MORE VEHICLES. WE WERE ABLE TO PUSH THE CAR OFF MIDDLE OF THE OFFRAMP TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. DEALER STATES HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE, KNOWN ISSUE WITH MY MAKE/MODEL/YEAR OF VEHICLE. STALLING ON FREEWAY IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE. MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THIS PART AS IT WASN'T DESIGNED PROPERLY FOR US DIESEL SPECS (WAS DESIGNED FOR EUROPE.) VW NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. THIS WAS NOT AN ISSUE OF MISFUELING, I HAVE ONLY USED DIESEL FROM BRAND NAME STATIONS, YOUR CURRENT INVESTIGATION BLAMING THIS ON MISFUELING IS INCORRECT, IT IS CLEARLY A PART DEFECT. THE LATEST REDESIGNED PART FOR THE 2013 MODEL YEAR HAS HAD FAILURES AS WELL (THIRD REDESIGN OF PART.) *TR

Jun 12, 2014

LAST WEEK, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN IN MY GOLF TDI THE WAY IT HAD A YEAR AGO WHEN THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. I TOOK IT IN AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THE POSSIBILITY IT WAS A FUEL PUMP ISSUE AGAIN AFTER THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE THING BRAND NEW LAST SUMMER WAS CLOSE TO ZERO. HOWEVER, I RECEIVED A CALL THAT AFTERNOON SAYING ONCE AGAIN THE FUEL PUMP WAS HAVING PROBLEMS DUE TO "DIRTY DIESEL." LAST SUMMER AFTER THE CAR WAS REPAIRED I WAS TOLD ONLY TO GO TO SHELL AND CHEVRON. I HAVE ONLY GONE TO THE SAME CHEVRON STATION THIS ENTIRE TIME AND THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER MECHANIC THAT DIRTY DIESEL IS A RAMPANT PROBLEM IN THE PACIFIC NW AND THAT IT WAS NOT A GOOD IDEA THAT I ONLY WENT TO ONE GAS STATION AND THAT I SHOULD TRY OTHERS. I WAS ALSO TOLD, I "BARELY" DROVE THE THING AS IT ONLY HAD 5000 MILES ADDED ON IT SINCE LAST SUMMER. HE SAID DIESEL CAN GROW BACTERIA AND THAT HE WOULD PUT ADDITIVES IN MY CURRENT TANK AND THEN MY NEXT TANK I SHOULD ADD ANOTHER BOTTLE OF ADDITIVES. HOW THIS SOLVES THE PROBLEM LONG TERM I HAVE NO IDEA. SO APPARENTLY I WAS SOLD A VEHICLE WITH A FUEL PUMP THAT A) CAN NOT HANDLE THE DIESEL QUALITY IN THE ENTIRE PACIFIC NW REGION I LIVE IN AND B) MUST DRIVE AT A CERTAIN PACE/RATE TO KEEP THE FUEL PUMP CLEAN. I AM GOING TO TRY AND SELL THE VEHICLE AS SOON AS I CAN FIND A REPLACEMENT AS THIS SEEMS LIKE AN INHERENT FLAW IN THE CAR THAT WILL NEVER GO AWAY SINCE THEY CONTINUE TO REPLACE IT WITH THE SAME FAULTY FUEL PUMP. *TR

Apr 06, 2014

MY VEHICLE IS A TDI DIESEL VERSION OF THE VW 2011 GOLF. DURING MY COMMUTE HOME I WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED IN THE LEFT LANE OF SOUTHBOUND HIGHWAY 101 IN CA WHEN A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED (GLOW PLUG) AND I LOST SIGNIFICANT SPEED AND POWER. I MADE MY WAY TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND WAS ABLE TO TRAVEL IN "LIMP MODE" FOR ANOTHER MILE OR SO BEFORE THE CAR DIED. I CALLED THE NEAREST VW DEALER AND HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THAT DEALER. INITIAL FEEDBACK FROM THE DEALER IS THAT IT IS A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP) FAILURE. ROOT CAUSE AND REPAIR HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLETED AS OF TODAY, MONDAY JULY 22, 2013. *TR

Jul 22, 2013

I WAS ON A ROAD TRIP FOR VACATION WHEN MY CAR DIED. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH ONE EVENING WHEN I HEARD A LIGHT METALLIC PING AND, A FEW SECONDS LATER, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND MANY LIGHTS IN THE DASH CLUSTER CAME ON. THE CAR COASTED TO A STOP. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY AND, AFTER THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO FIND THE ROOT CAUSE, I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP. THE NEXT DAY THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE SUSPECTED PROBLEM WAS FUEL CONTAMINATION (GAS IN A DIESEL TANK), WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL PUMP TO FAIL AND METAL PARTICLES WERE FOUND IN THE FUEL PUMP/LINES. THIS CHARGE OF FUEL CONTAMINATION CAME AS QUITE A BIT OF A SURPRISE, SINCE THE LAST FUEL I?D PURCHASED WAS AT A FUEL STATION NEAR MY HOME TOWN (AND A RECEIPT CONFIRMS THAT THIS WAS A DIESEL PUMP, IN CASE THERE IS ANY DOUBT). I HAD TRAVELED OVER 600 MILES ON A SINGLE TANK. THE LIST OF PARTS REPLACED WAS NEARLY 20 PARTS LONG AND INCLUDED A DIESEL INJECTION PUMP, 4 DIESEL INJECTION LINES, FUEL RAIL, ETC. FORTUNATELY, VW COVERED THE REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY (THOUGH OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM HAVEN'T BEEN SO LUCKY). AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED AND I TRAVELED BACK TO RETRIEVE MY CAR, I BEGAN SEARCHING ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THERE WERE QUITE A FEW OTHER VW TDI OWNERS FROM 2009 ONWARD, THAT EXPERIENCED THE SAME TYPE OF ISSUE. ALL APPEARED TO BE RELATED TO FAILURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP), ALL WERE VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS, ONLY SOME WERE COVERED UNDER VW WARRANTY AND MANY WERE BLAMED ON FUEL CONTAMINATION. *TR

Mar 02, 2013

+ 4 more complaints for this component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

6 complaints

Fuse F16 (30A) in the engine fuse plate, melted instead of breaking - causing half of the cars lights to stop functioning including turn signals and brake lights. Cannot be fixed with replacing the fuse as it was never tripped but instead the whole fuse plate needs to be replaced. No warning lights preceded the event, all lights went out while driving. VW dealership requires a new plate to be put in with no explanation of what caused the melt and no guarantee that it won’t happen again. Multiple online forums suggest a similar finding, and even other models have tickets for recalls (same problem, same part) but not the 2011 Golf TDI.

Dec 05, 2022

LOST ALL LIGHTS, F16 AND F17 FUSES AND THE ENTIRE FUSE BOX WAS MELTED. FUSES WERE ARCING AND SHORTING INTERNALLY, BUT DIDN'T FAIL. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE IT SEEMS FROM RESEARCHING ONLINE, BUT THE DEALER REFUSES TO COVER THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND MAJOR FIRE SAFETY ISSUE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED.

Sep 29, 2020

I WAS RIDING AS THE PASSENGER IN MY VEHICLE. MY FOOT WAS BURNT BY AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT THAT WAS DANGLING DOWN UNDERNEATH THE GLOVE BOX. IT WAS THE BLOWER RESISTOR. THE BLOWER RESISTOR MELTED THROUGH PLASTIC, THEN THE BLOWER RESISTOR WAS HANGING BY WIRES WHEN IT BURNT MY FOOT. *CC *TR

Jun 04, 2020

Injuries: 1

DASHBOARD LAMP OUT INDICATOR AND DASH READ OUT INDICATES MULTIPLE LAMPS OUT (HEADLIGHTS, FOG, BACK UP, BRAKES ETC) AND SOMETIMES THEY ARE OUT BUT COME BACK ON LATER. VW CURRENTLY HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT (SA-97-AM) ON JETTAS AND GTI'S OF EARLIER VINTAGE THAN MY 2011. THIS BULLETIN IS FOR MELTED FUSE PLATES, MY FUSE PLATE SHOWS THE SAME MELTING AND DAMAGED FUSE. VW NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS DEFECT. THANK YOU.

Aug 29, 2015

ACCORDING TO MY VW HONOLULU SERVICE PROVIDER MY 2011 VW GOLF'S STARTER CONNECTION WIRES WERE MELTED AND EXPOSED. MY GOLF WAS PURCHASED NEW JULY 2011 ALL MAINTENANCE WAS DONE AT MY VW DEALERSHIP AND THE MILEAGE IS 40020. MY SERVICE PROVIDER CLAIMS THIS AN UNIQUE PROBLEM BUT A POTENTIAL FATAL ONE. *TR

May 01, 2014

+ 1 more complaint for this component

ENGINE

6 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED BLACK SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND OBSERVED FLAMES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPAIRED THE COIL PACK, HARNESS WIRING, AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE TWICE AFTER THE REPAIR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

Jan 31, 2019

Fire: 1

INTERCOOLER EXPERIENCED CONDENSATION CAUSING THE ENGINE TO "HYDROLOCK" RESULTING IN DESTRUCTION OF THE ENGINE. THIS IS A CONDITION THAT VW IS AWARE OF BUT FAILED TO NOTIFY IT'S CUSTOMERS OF.

Mar 08, 2017

CHECK ENGINE AND GLOW PLUG LIGHT CAME ON, THE CAR EVENTUALLY WOULD ONLY RUN AT AROUND 50% POWER. AFTER DRIVING FOR ANOTHER 20 MILES IT EVENTUALLY SHUT DOWN. VW CONDUCTED A DIAGNOSTIC AND TOLD ME THE HPFP WAS DAMAGED AND THAT DEBRIS MADE ITS WAY INTO THE ENGINE. ALSO THE PARTICULATE FILTER AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CAR HAS 130K AND HAS NEVER HAD A GASOLINE INCIDENT. I EXPECTED THE TDI TO MAKE IT A LOT LONGER THAN THIS.

Mar 14, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. MOMENTS AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT; HOWEVER, THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

Jun 08, 2015

Fire: 1

AFTER DRIVING MY 2011 GOLF TDI FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES IN THE MORNING, I WAS TRAVELING AROUND 25 MPH AND MY ENGINE SUDDENLY STUTTERED AND THEN DIED. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED AS FAR OVER AS I COULD TO LET TRAFFIC GO BY. I TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT TO NO AVAIL. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES OF SITTING IN TRAFFIC, I DECIDED TO JUST HOLD THE KEY IN THE STARTER POSITION UNTIL, AFTER ABOUT 20 SECONDS, THE ENGINE WAS STARTING TO CATCH AND THEN IT STARTED AGAIN. THE SAME DAY, IN THE EVENING, AS I WAS DRIVING HOME, I CAME ACROSS THE SAME STUTTERING ISSUE BUT I PUSHED THE CLUTCH IN AND JUST GAVE IT MORE GAS TO KEEP THE IDLE UP; THE STUTTERING THEN WENT AWAY. I TOOK IT TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER 4 DAYS LATER AND EXPLAIN THE SITUATION, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY REASON IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. *TR

Nov 15, 2014

+ 1 more complaint for this component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

6 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTER-COOLER HAD ICE INSIDE THE HOSES. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE INTER-COOLER WITH A NEW KIT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

Jan 13, 2015

WAS TOLD BY VW SERVICE THAT INTERCOOLER HAD CONDENSATION THAT FROZE AND THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. CURRENTLY MORE THAN 600 AWAITING MODIFICATIONS AND PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE FOR UP TO 6 WEEKS. TEMPORARY "FIX" APPLIED BUT PROBLEM REOCCURRED WHEN TEMPERATURE DROPPED BELOW 25 DEGREES F. DEALER NOW HAS VEHICLE DUE TO ICE REMAINING INSTEAD OF MELTING. NO TIMETABLE, NO FIX. *TT

Jan 20, 2012

UPON ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE ENGINE WOULD NOT REV ABOVE APPROXIMATELY 1500 RPM. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET THE CAR MOVING. AFTER REACHING ABOUT 10 MPH THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. FORTUNATELY, DUE TO THE TIME OF DAY THERE WAS NOT MUCH TRAFFIC AND I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET. I REPORTED THE ISSUE TO MY LOCAL VW DEALER AND INQUIRED IF THE ISSUE WAS RELATED TO VW SERVICE BULLETIN "??FROZEN CHARGE AIR COOLER"?? DATED 9/6/2011. DURING A SUBSEQUENT VISIT FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR THE DEALER TECHNICIAN EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE SERVICE BULLETIN WAS APPLICABLE AND ATTEMPTED TO ORDER THE REPAIR KIT. THE SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMED ME THAT VW AGREED THAT I WAS EXPERIENCING THE SYMPTOMS RELATED TO THE SERVICE BULLETIN, BUT THE RECOMMENDED REPAIR HAS PROVEN INEFFECTIVE AND THEY WOULD NOT INSTALL THE KIT. I WAS INFORMED THAT VW HAS, AS YET, NO PERMANANT SOLUTION AND THAT THE TEMPORARY SOLUTION IS TO ALLOW THE "??CHARGE AIR COOLER"?? TO THAW AND DRY OUT ANY REMAINING WATER. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THE SITUATION IS LIKELY REOCCUR. IF THIS ISSUE HAPPENS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC I WOULD BE LIKELY BE UNABLE TO MOVE OUT OF DANGER SAFELY. *TR

Jan 17, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY STARTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE STARTER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,100. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Jan 04, 2012

VEHICLE HAS 5800 MILES, HAS BEEN RUNNING PERFECTLY. DRIVING ON I-70 IN MARYLAND AT 70MPH, SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE STALLS AS THE GLOWPLUG WARNING LIGHT LIT. *TR

Jul 06, 2011

+ 1 more complaint for this component

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

5 complaints

I WAS DRIVING ON I15 SOUTHBOUND, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION SYMBOL APPEARED ON MY DASH BOARD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR LOST POWER AND STALLED. AFTER PAYING OVER $800.00 IN TOWING FEES TO THE NEAREST VW DEALER IN ONTARIO CALIFORNIA. THE DEALER IS ASKING IF GASOLINE WAS PUT IN THE TANK. THEY ARE SAYING THAT METAL SHARDS WERE FOUND AND GASOLINE IS THE ONLY CAUSE OF THAT MALFUNCTION. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER OF THE CAR AND I HAVE NEVER PUT GASOLINE. I ALWAYS FILL UP AT THE SAME GAS STATION DUE TO THE FACT THAT NOT ALL GAS STATION HAVE DIESEL. *TR

Jan 22, 2013

WE FILLED UP THE TANK WITH DIESEL AT GAS STATION ON THE ROAD AND THE CAR STARTED STALLING 3 DAYS LATER. IT WOULD ONLY START AFTER AN HOUR OF "REST". AFTER 3 OF THESE INCIDENTS, WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO FIND OUT THAT THE CAR HAD GASOLINE MIXED WITH DIESEL, OR "CONTAMINATED FUEL". THEY FLUSHED THE CAR AND CHANGED THE FILTERS AT A COST OF $1275, BUT WARN THAT IT MAY REQUIRE A FULL OVERHAUL! (COST ESTIMATED AT $8K). SO I ASKED, HOW I AM SUPPOSE TO KNOW WHAT'S GOOD DIESEL OR NOT? IS THERE A TEST? SOME WAY OF KNOWING? THE DEALER HAD NO SUGGESTIONS NOR GUIDANCE ON THIS REGARD. NOW WE FIND ON THE WEB FORUMS, THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE AND THAT THERE ARE MANY CASES (IN FACT THE DEALER MENTIONED A FEW WERE IN THE SHOP FOR THE SAME ISSUE) ESCALATING THIS ISSUE FROM THE RANDOM MISUSE OF GAS OR CONTAMINATED GAS. NET, THERE'S AN ISSUE WHEN YOU HAVE A CAR YOU CAN'T RELY ON BECAUSE OF THE DIESEL SUPPLIES. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AND CONCERNED THAT THIS NEW CAR WILL STALL AGAIN AND LEAVE US STRANDED. *TR

Jan 16, 2013

VEHICLE ENGINE STOPPED WHILE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. WOULD NOT RESTART. TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER SERVICE REPORTED RUST IN FUEL CANISTER. CLAIMS CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS BAD FUELED. $7200 IN PARTS AND LABOR. BASED ON SEVERAL BLOGS, I SUSPECT HPFP FAILURE WAS PART MALFUNCTION BUT VW DOES NOT ADMIT TO THIS. *TR

Nov 26, 2012

AS I WAS ENTERING THE ON RAMP TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY, UNDER NORMAL ACCELERATION, THERE WAS A HISSING SOUND AND THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY LANE WHERE MULTIPLE CARS WERE GETTING ON AND OFF THE HIGHWAY. I WAS FORCED TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE EXIT RAMP WHERE I WAITED 45 MIN FOR A TOW TRUCK TO GET US WHILE CARS FLEW PAST MY FIANCEE AND I, PUTTING OUR LIVES IN DANGER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR. TODAY, 11/26/2012, I WAS TOLD THAT THE HPFP(HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP) HAD FAILED AND WOULD BE REPLACED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I AM WAITING FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AS TO WHETHER THERE ARE ANY MORE MALFUNCTIONS OR NOT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM THAT VWOA HAS FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND IS PUTTING PEOPLES LIVES IN DANGER. *TR

Nov 26, 2012

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL INJECTION PUMP FAILED. *TR

Oct 11, 2012

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

4 complaints

Driving on interstate at 70 mph with cruise control on when car suddenly slowed and warning lights began flashing. I slowed to 60 mph and within a minute the engine shut off and was almost rear ended by a semi truck before I could get to the shoulder of the highway. Engine would not restart and I was stranded on the highway. Had to have the vehicle towed by AAA back to my home. Used my Ross-Tech VCDS scanning tool to troubleshoot and found codes: P0087 (fuel rail system pressure too low), P020 (cylinders 1-4 injection timing), P1004-P1007 (torque difference cylinders 1-4). Examined fuel filter and fuel metering valve and found metal chips and particles in both places. Based on this evidence, the high pressure fuel pump has likely failed. My safety was put at risk when the failure occurred due to the sudden loss of power and subsequent near collision with a truck. Additionally I was in danger of being hit by other vehicles as I sat on the shoulder of the highway waiting for a tow truck. My vehicle is available for inspection by the local VW dealership, but will have to be towed at my expense to be examined.

Dec 31, 2021

MY GOLF TDI SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP) CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. LUCKILY EVERY WARNING LIGHT ON MY DASH LIT UP ABOUT 30 SECONDS PRIOR TO COMPLETE FAILURE ALLOWING ME TO BEGIN TO MERGE FROM THE LEFT HAND LANE AND COAST WITH MY HAZARDS ON TO THE RIGHT LANE. FROM INITIAL SYMPTOM TO COMPLETE VEHICLE FAILURE WAS LESS THAN 1 MINUTE. SEARCHING ONLINE THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE, ONE THAT RESULTS IN UPWARDS OF AN $8000 REPAIR.

Oct 12, 2015

ON THE NIGHT OF AUGUST 5 ABOUT 8:30PM, WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH, MY CAR LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING. I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE TRAFFIC FLOW AND COAST UNTIL I COULD GET TO A SIDE ROAD AND THEN PUSHED IT INTO A PARKING LOT. I LOOKED AT THE ENGINE AND SAW THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS DAMAGED. I ALSO NOTICED FUEL SITTING ON TOP OF SURFACES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I ASKED MY SON TO VERIFY IF HE SMELLED FUEL WHICH HE DID AS I HAVE LITTLE SENSE OF SMELL. AFTER SEEING THE DAMAGED SERPENTINE BELT, I DID NOT ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE ENGINE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. AT THE DEALER, THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ATTEMPTED TO TRY TO START THE VEHICLE AND MOVE IT AND SAID IT WOULDN'T START, POSSIBLY CAUSING ADDITIONAL DAMAGE SINCE THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS SHREDDED. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION THE DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER EXPLAINED THAT THEIR LEADING THEORY IS THAT DIESEL FUEL LEAKED FROM FUEL FILTER GASKET ONTO THE SERPENTINE BELT. THEN THE SHREDDED SERPENTINE BELT TOOK OUT THE TIMING BELT AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO ROTATE OUT OF TIME CAUSING INTERNAL DAMAGE. CAR HAD BEEN MAINTAINED PER MANUFACTURER SCHEDULE BY THIS DEALER, AND THIS FAILURE OCCURRED 6K MILES AFTER MOST RECENT SERVICE. DEALER WAS UNSURE WHY THE DIESEL FUEL LEAKED, BUT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER SEEMED VIABLE PROBLEM POINTS. AFTER GETTING ENGINE PARTS REPLACED AT GREAT EXPENSE AND GETTING THE ENGINE RUNNING ON AUG 30, 2014, DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY COULDN'T DETECT A FUEL LEAK AND SAID SERPENTINE BELT CONDITION SHOWED NO CONDITION TO INDICATE FAILURE BUT FAILED ANYWAY CAUSING THE CAVALCADE OF ENGINE DAMAGE. MANY PARTS WERE REPLACED OR REMOVED AND REINSTALLED DURING THE REPAIR, SO IT IS QUESTIONABLE THAT THERE WAS NO FUEL LEAK. *TR

Sep 02, 2014

HAD DRIVEN CAR 20 MILES THAT DAY. WENT INSIDE FOR 15 MINUTES, CAME BACK. UNABLE TO START CAR. UNABLE TO ENGAGE ENGINE. LIGHTS AND SHIFTERS ALL WORKING. 5 ATTEMPTS BY 3 DIFFERENT PEOPLE OVER NEXT HOUR AND UNABLE TO START CAR. VW TOW TRUCK DRIVER UNABLE TO START CAR. NEXT MORNING VW ABLE TO START CAR. VW DEALER ATTRIBUTES PROBLEM TO WATER/ALGAE IN FUEL. LINE CLEANED AND FUEL REPLACED BY DEALER. CAR PICKED UP. CAR DRIVEN 15 MILES TOTAL AFTER PICK-UP. LEFT CAR FOR 5 MINUTES, RETURNED TO CAR BUT UNABLE TO RESTART CAR. MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS FAILED. TOW TRUCK DRIVER ABLE TO START CAR AFTER 5 MINUTES OF CONSTANTLY ENGAGING ENGINE. BEING INVESTIGATED BY VW DEALER NOW. *TR

Sep 05, 2012

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2 complaints

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT ELECTRICAL PROBLEM ONE SIDE OF VEHICLE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT DOES NOT WORK. I NOTICED PASSATS AND JETTAS HAVE HAD THIS RECALLED AND IT IS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL WIRING ISSUE. THIS IS NOT A BULB REPLACEMENT SINCE BULB HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND STILL NOT WORKING. IT IS AN ISSUE WITH THE HOOD WHEN IT CLOSES KNOCKING THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION OUT. SAME ISSUE AS THE PASSATS AND JETTAS. WHY WAS THIS NOT RECALLED FOR THE GOLF AS WELL?

Jul 28, 2016

JUST PURCHASED A VEHICLE THAT CAME WITH DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS AS A SAFETY FEATURE. THERE ARE NO DEFECTS OR FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE BUT THIS DRL FEATURE CREATES AN UNSAFE CONDITION. MY VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH THE XENON HEADLAMPS. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE AN AUTO ON HEADLIGHTS FEATURE. THE MAIN THING I'M CONCERNED WITH IS THAT YOU COULD BE DRIVING WITH JUST YOUR HEADLIGHTS ON AND THE REST OF THE LIGHTS OFF, WHICH I HAVE DONE ALREADY SEVERAL TIMES AND SEEN OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD DOING THE SAME THING AND THAT IS VERY UNSAFE. I'VE ALSO BEEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE FOR NOT HAVING MY LIGHTS ON. I THINK THAT I'M DRIVING WITH ALL MY LIGHTS ON JUST TO REALIZE THAT I'M DRIVING WITH JUST THE DRL. ON MY VEHICLE, ONCE YOU RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE, MY REGULAR LOW BEAM XENON LIGHTS AUTOMATICALLY COME ON AND IF YOU ARE DRIVING INTO THE NIGHT, YOU DON'T REALIZE THAT YOU ARE DRIVING WITH YOUR LIGHTS OFF, LIKE I MENTIONED THE NORMAL LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS COMES ON ONCE THE PARKING BRAKE IS RELEASED. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE AUTO MAKER IS TRYING TO MAKE THE VEHICLE AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE BUT IS ALSO CREATING AN UNSAFE CONDITION AT THE SAME TIME. THE AUTO MAKER REFUSE TO ALLOW THE DRL FEATURE TO BE TURNED OFF EVEN THOUGH DRL ARE NOT MANDATORY. *TR

Feb 03, 2011

STRUCTURE

2 complaints

I HAD PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE READY TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO PARK POSITION WHEN IT LUNGED FORWARD AND HIT THE CAR PARKED IN FRONT OF MINE. WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, ONES FOOT IS ONE THE BRAKES, THEREFORE I BELIEVE THAT THIS MAY HAVE BEEN A CASE OF SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION. THE OTHER CAR, NATURALLY, SUSTAINED DAMAGES, AS WELL

Jun 08, 2015

Crash: 1

I BELIEVE MY CAR (2011 VW GOLF 2-DOOR 2.5) HAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT - IMPROPER WELDING, MISSING STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS, ETC. - ON THE BODY IN THE AREA BENEATH THE REAR SEAT CUSHION. I THINK THAT THE DEFECT AFFECTS SAFETY. // I NOTICED IN MAY, 2011, THAT THE MID AND LEFT AREA OF THE REAR SEAT CUSHION MAKES CREAKING SOUND WHEN IT IS PRESSED. I COMPARED OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME MODEL (A 2011 VW GOLF 2-DOOR TDI AND A 2010 VW GOLF 4-DOOR 2.5) WITH MINE. THE OTHER VEHICLES DID NO MAKE THE CREAKING SOUND. // ON JULY 26, 2011, THE SERVICE MANGER JOHN AT THE VW DEALER IN DANVERS, MA, SHOWED ME THAT THE METAL BODY BENEATH THE SEAT CUSHION MADE THE CREAKING SOUND BY PRESSING THE AREA OF THE METAL BODY WHILE THE SEAT CUSHION WAS LIFTED UP. HOWEVER, HE DID NOT TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEM SAYING THAT THE HE DID NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. // I THINK THAT THE DEFECT ON MY CAR'S BODY IN THE AREA BENEATH THE REAR SEAT CUSHION AFFECTS VEHICLE SAFETY IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS. IN CASE OF COLLISION, MY CAR'S BODY WILL NOT PROPERLY PROTECT THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. IN CASE OF EXPLOSION OF THE FUEL TANK WHICH IS RIGHT BELOW THE AREA OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT, MY CAR'S BODY WILL NOT PROPERLY PROTECT PASSENGERS FROM THE EXPLOSION. // LASTLY, I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU ABOUT A DIFFERENT SYMPTOM THAT MIGHT BE RELATED TO THE DEFECT ON THE BODY BENEATH THE REAR SEAT CUSHION. MY CAR FREQUENTLY MAKES CREAKING AND KNOCKING SOUND FROM AROUND THE DOORS WHEN THE ROAD IS SLIGHTLY UNEVEN OR WHEN I SUDDENLY LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL. THE VW DEALER IN WELLESLEY, MA, TRIED TO FIX IT MANY TIMES BUT FAILED. PERHAPS, THE DEFECT ON THE BODY BENEATH THE REAR SEAT CUSHION MAKES MY CAR'S BODY FLEX MUCH MORE THAN IT WAS DESIGNED, AND CAUSES THE CREAKING AND KNOCKING SOUND FROM AROUND THE DOORS. *TR

Jul 28, 2011

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2 complaints

MY 2011 GOLF DIESEL WITH 31,000 MILES DIED IN RUSH HOUR ON A MAJOR STREET. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. A WEEK LATER, I GOT THE CAR BACK. THEY FOUND METALLIC DEBRIS IN THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP BORE AND WERE ADVISED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM, A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF PARTS. THEY TESTED THE DIESEL, WHICH WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. THE WARRANTY COVERED THIS APPROXIMATE $8000 COST. NOW, I HAVE A MAJOR DECISION ON KEEPING THE CAR OR BUYING ANOTHER ONE. MY SERVICE REP SAID THAT MY WARRANTY WAS FOR 1 YEAR FROM THE DATE I RECEIVED THE CAR BACK. THIS DOES NOT SEEM FAIR, IT SHOULD BE FOR ANOTHER 5 YEARS, FALLING UNDER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY, THESE ARE ALL NEW PARTS. WILL THIS HAPPEN AGAIN? I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE VW WAS SUPPOSE TO BE SUCH A RELIABLE CAR AND WOULD HATE TO GET RID OF IT, CAUSE IT IS AN EXCELLENT CAR BUT I AM NOT SURE IF IT WORTH THE RISK OF THIS MAYBE HAPPENING AGAIN AND HAVING TO DISH OUT $8000. *TR

Nov 25, 2014

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES WERE LEAKING LARGE AMOUNTS OF FUEL. FUEL LEAKED ON TO ALTERNATOR, CAR STALLED ON HIGHWAY AND REQUIRED TOWING. *TR

Oct 24, 2013

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

2 complaints

2011 VW GOLF TDI 6-SPEED MANUAL. MY CAR WAS AT THE VW DEALERSHIP TO HAVE AN INTERCOOLER KIT INSTALLED (TSB 2025464). ON DEALER'S TEST DRIVE, CAR ABRUPTLY STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. ALL POWER LOST, CAR HAD TO BE TOWED OFF OF ROADWAY. FINALLY DIAGNOSED AS A MALFUNCTIONING HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. 03L-130-851-AX WAS THE REPLACEMENT PART NUMBER. REPAIR DESCRIPTION STATED THAT THE COMMON RAIL FUEL PRESSURE WAS TOO LOW, SO THE CAR'S ECM WOULD NOT ALLOW INJECTION - EVEN IN A LIMP-HOME MODE. THIS LEFT THE ONE-YEAR-OLD CAR WITH UNDER 14,000 MILES DEAD ON THE ROADWAY. *TR

Mar 16, 2012

2011 GOLF TDI AUTOMATIC (DSG) TRANSMISSION. COLD START, STALLED WHILE PULLING ONTO MAIN ROAD, NO ACCIDENT ONLY BECAUSE ONCOMING TRAFFIC STOPPED. *TR

Aug 24, 2011

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2 complaints

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR LOST POWER AND THE DIESEL ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY FUEL INJECTOR HAD FAILED,SHOOTING METAL SHAVING THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM. VOLKSWAGEN REPLACED THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM. *TR

Dec 28, 2011

2011 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF TDI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HPFP INVESTIGATION *TGW

Mar 03, 2011

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

The wire from the alternator to the underhood fuse block is not thick enough to handle the current from the stock alternator. This causes the wire to get too hot melting the fuse block at the 30 amp fuse causing headlight issues.

May 26, 2022

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

1 complaint

Electrical Short caused catastrophic fire in engine compartment, suspected issue is a water leak due to faulty manufacturing. Leak was noted by Volkswagen repair facility and was to be inspected and repaired within 30 days

May 11, 2022

Fire: 1

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

TAKATA RECALL MY CAR HAS HAD A WEIRD SHUTTERING IN ANY GEAR WHEN COASTING AT A REGULAR SPEED. I TOOK IT TO ONE DEALER AND THEY SAID NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT YOU BASICALLY JUST DON'T KNOW HOW TO SHIFT. TWO WEEKS LATER I NOTICED A SOFT MUFFLED HUSH SOUND THAT REMINDED ME OF A ROCK IN A TIRE. WHEN LOOKING UNDERNEATH THE CAR WE NOTICED DARK LIQUID COATING THE BOTTOM COVER. WE TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT DEALER AND AFTER HOISTING IT UP THEY CALLED US AND SAID THAT THE FLYWHEEL HAD SPRUNG LOOSE DUE TO FAULTY TORQUE AND A SPRING SPRUNG INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING A HOLE AND RUPTURING IT. THEY ALSO MENTIONED THAT THIS SAME PART HAD BEEN REPLACED BACK IN 2014 BUT WE WERE UNAWARE . OUR THOUGHT IS THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE AND WHOMEVER REPLACED IT THE FIRST TIME DID NOT DO IT PROPERLY BECAUSE NO ONE AND NOTHING SHOULD BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND TORQUE THE BOLTS AT THE PROPER PRESSURE. HOWEVER I BELIEVE IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE OVERALL MECHANICS OF THE FLYWHEEL AND TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH COMBINATION. THERE IS SOMETHING FAULTY AND HAS CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN. THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT LESS THAN A YEAR AGO.

Jun 04, 2019

AIR BAGS,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. WITHIN LESS THAN TWO MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE HORN FAILED TO WORK. THE DEALER (ANTHONY CARVONI VOLKSWAGEN, 12 MERIDEN PL, MELVILLEE, NY, 516-848-7315) DIAGNOSED THAT THE HORN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND STATED THAT IT WAS NOT RELATED TO THE AIR BAG BEING ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED TO THE HORN. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE HORN AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN OF WHAT AIR BAG RECALL REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Oct 17, 2018

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 complaint

LIGHTING CHECK ENGINE . I COULDN'T PASS INSPECTION ON MY VW DUE TO: CODE P0106. MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE/BAROMETRIC. PRESSURE CTRL. RANGE/PERFORMANCE

Sep 11, 2017

STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

THE 2011 VW GOLF TDI SHUT OFF WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED.

Nov 14, 2015

SUSPENSION

1 complaint

THERE IS A VERY AUDIBLE "CLUNKING" SOUND THAT COMES FROM THE FRONT UNDERBODY OF THE VEHICLE. IT MOSTLY OCCURS WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS AT LOWER SPEEDS (1-25MPH) OR WHEN THERE IS A CHANGE IN ELEVATION (A BUMP).

Oct 03, 2015

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

WHILE EXITING THE OFF RAMP OF THE HIGHWAY AT 1100 AT NIGHT THE CAR DIED AND I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS TRAFFIC BEHIND ME WAS LOCKING UP THEIR BRAKES AND SWERVING TO AVOID A COLLISION. AFTER AN EXPENSIVE TOW AND FINALLY GETTING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAD EXPLODED IN THE TANK SENDING METAL INTO THE WHOLE FUEL SYSTEM. I AM TOLD THE REPAIR BILL WILL COST AROUND $6500 TO FIX. THIS CAR HAS 54000 MILES AND I HAD RECEIVED A LETTER FROM VW STATING MY HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY A MONTH PRIOR HOWEVER VW WILL NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VW DEALER TOLD ME THEY DID A FUEL SAMPLE TEST AND THE FUEL DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH LUBRICATION IN IT WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL PUMP TO FAIL. AS I HAVE RESEARCHED VW HAS HAD MORE THAN 3500 REPORTED CASES OF THESE FUEL PUMP FAILURES AND REFUSES TO STAND BEHIND THE BOSCH PRODUCTS THEY USE. I ALSO TALKED WITH THE SERVICE STATION WHERE I PURCHASED THE FUEL TO LET THEM KNOW THE PUMP FAILURE IS BEING BLAMED ON LACK OF LUBRICATION IN THEIR FUEL AND THEY HAVE NOT HAD ONE OTHER COMPLAINT OF FUEL ISSUES REPORTED. ON A SIDE NOT I FILLED MY DODGE DIESEL TRUCK WITH THE SAME PUMP AND FUEL AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS. TO ME THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT VW IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR AND IF THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THESE FUEL PUMPS IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED BECAUSE A KNOWN BAD PART THAT IS NOT GETTING REPLACED.

Aug 21, 2015

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

1 complaint

2011 VW GOLF TDI (DIESEL ENGINE). AFTER DRIVING FROM RAINY WEATHER INTO FREEZING AND SNOW CONDITIONS, THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS IN A 50 DEG. GARAGE. WHEN THE CAR WAS NEXT STARTED, IT WOULD STRUGGLE TO START AND STALL OUT. I HAVE READ OF SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE VOLKSWAGEN GOLF TDI ENGINES AND KNOW ABOUT CONDENSATION IN THE INTERCOOLER FREEZING, THEN THAWING, CAUSING WATER TO BUILD UP IN THE INTERCOOLER PIPING. I REMOVED THE INTERCOOLER TO ENGINE INTAKE PIPE AND DRAINED ABOUT A CUP OF WATER AND INTERCOOLER. IF THIS WATER WAS DRAWN INTO THE ENGINE, IT COULD HAVE DESTROYED THE ENGINE. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUE ON SEVERAL VOLKSWAGEN FORUMS. MY VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY AND DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR ANY VOLKSWAGEN FACTORY UPDATES WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT COST TO ME. *TR

Feb 12, 2015

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT 15 MPH AROUND A PARKING LOT AT A BODY SHOP. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS OR COMPUTER WARNING SYSTEM IDENTIFIED ANY PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED COMPLETELY, TURNING OFF POWER STEERING, ABS BRAKES, SHIFTING TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL, AND PREVENTING WINDOWS FROM OPENING. STRUGGLED TO BRING CAR TO A STOP WHILE TURNING. CAR ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING DURING THE ENTIRE EVENT. TURNED OFF IGNITION. RESTARTED CAR, NO PROBLEM INDICATORS OR WARNINGS SHOWN. CAR WAS DRIVEN TO DEALER WHO COULD NOT IDENTIFY PROBLEM. SECOND DEALER STATED ALTERNATOR PROBLEM, BUT CAR NEVER WARNED OF ANY ELECTRICAL OR ALTERNATOR PROBLEM. AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR AS FAILURE OF VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD LIKELY LEAD TO DEATH IF DRIVING ON FREEWAY. VW DEALERSHIPS WERE USELESS AND CONTRADICTORY AND VW OF AMERICA NOT HELPFUL IN EVEN ACKNOWLEDGING THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE PROBLEM. CAR IS INHERENTLY UNSAFE TO OPERATE, THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER SYSTEM WILL NOT WARN OF DANGEROUS CONDITIONS WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED, AND CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM MAY OCCUR AT ANY TIME WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF WARNING WHATSOEVER. *TR

Jan 14, 2015

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

WHEN DRIVING CAR AND ACCELERATING, THE ENGINE SIMPLY STOPPED. THE DASH-BOARD LIGHTS WERE ON, BUT THE ENGINE LOST POWER. ATTEMPTS TO RE-START THE CAR WERE NOT IMMEDIATELY SUCCESSFUL. IN TWO OF THE THREE CASES, THE ENGINE DID RE-START. HOWEVER, THE E-STARTS OCCURRED OVER 4 HOURS AFTER THE INITIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. IN ONE OF THE THREE CASES, THE CAR COULD NOT BE RE-STARTED. IN THIS LAST CASE, THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND AS OF TODAY (10 NOVEMBER), THE DEALER HAS NOT DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. A NEAR MISS ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN ONE OF THE CASES. AFTER THE ENGINE STOPPED, ANOTHER CAR NEARLY REAR-ENDED MY DISABLED CAR. THE OTHER CAR SKIDDED AND SERVED OUT OF THE WAY OF MY DISABLED CAR. *TR

Nov 10, 2014

STEERING,FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 75 MPH IN THE FAST LANE OF AN INTERSTATE FREEWAY MY 2011 VW GOLF TDI SHUT OFF. WITHOUT WARNING, THE GLOW PLUG LAMP BEGAN FLASHING AND CHECK ENGINE NOTE CAME ON THE DASH. AT THE SAME TIME THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND BEGAN RUNNING VERY ROUGH. WHILE NEGOTIATING TRAFFIC IN AN ATTEMPT TO PULL OVER (QUITE DANGEROUS WITHOUT POWER AND TRACTOR TRAILERS NOW PASSING MY SLOWING CAR) THE CAR SHUT OFF TAKING THE POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING WITH IT. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET OFF THE HIGHWAY DUE TO THE WIDE SHOULDER IN THAT AREA BUT THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN ANOTHER STORY HAD THIS HAPPENED IN AN AREA WITH NO SHOULDER OR SAFE PULL OFF. MY CAR HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED AT SERVICE INTERVALS AND FUELED FROM NAME BRAND, HIGH VOLUME FILLING STATIONS. VWS OWN TESTS OF MY CAR INDICATED NO FAULT OF MY OWN AND NOTHING AMISS IN THE FUEL BUT RATHER CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF A HIGH PRESSURE PUMP WHICH DISPLACED METAL INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THIS SORT OF FAILURE IS COMMON ENOUGH (NOTED IN A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH) AND FLAT OUT DANGEROUS WHEN IT OCCURS AT SPEED SINCE THE CAR GAVE NO INDICATIONS THAT IT WAS GOING TO SHUT OFF AT SPEED (AND FAIL TO RESTART WITHOUT BEING TOWED TO THE DEALER). WORSE YET, VW IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE WITH THE TDI DIESELS BUT HAS STOPPED SHORT OF ISSUING A RECALL TO INSTALL NEW PARTS THAT WILL NOT FAIL SO SOON AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAR WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY (CAR HAS ONLY 38,000 MILES) HOWEVER THEY REPLACED THE PARTS WITH THE SAME FAILURE PRONE PARTS. WEB ANECDOTES FROM OTHERS WITH SIMILAR FAILURES HAVE NOTED THAT IT HAPPENS IN HOTTER AREAS (90-100 DEGREE TEMPS). THIS WAS MY EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A LONG DRIVE IN 100 DEGREE TEMPS. *TR

Aug 05, 2014

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE

1 complaint

I WAS ENTERING AN INTERSECTION AT 10MPH AND HALFWAY INTO THE INTERSECTION, MY CAR STALLED AND STOPPED. IT SLOWLY BUMPED THE CAR IN MY REAR. NO INJURY OR DAMAGE NOTED. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT AND DROP IT TO THE NEAREST PARKING LOT. THIS IS A VW GOLF TDI 2011! *TR

Sep 14, 2013

Crash: 1

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

ENGINE LIGHT COMING AND GOING, LURCHING INTERMITTENTLY UPON ACCELERATION. TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER 3 TIMES SINCE MARCH 2013 AFTER IT STARTED HAPPENING IN FEB 2013. TODAY RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE SERVICE DEPT AT THE DEALER CLAIMING THERE IS SEDIMENT THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM DUE TO DIRTY DIESEL WHICH THE FILTERS CAN NOT CATCH. HE STATED THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. TOLD ME TO CALL MY INSURANCE AGENT TO GET HIM INVOLVED DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE CAR IS UNDER A 7 YEAR WARRANTY AND THIS APPARENTLY HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER TDI HPFPS AND IS NOT DUE TO THE ISSUE OF THE QUALITY OF DIESEL FUEL. *TR

Jun 21, 2013

STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 70 MILES STOPPED FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. RESTARTED CAR DROVE 1/2 MILE TO THE FREEWAY MADE THE TURN ON TO THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND CAME TO A STOP. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET IT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND ON TO THE SHOULDER. DEALER SAYS IT IS CONTAMINATED FUEL AND THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. *TR

Nov 03, 2012

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 complaint

DURING REGULAR SLOW TRAFFIC DRIVING CONDITIONS MY 2011 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF TDI DISPLAYED THE "ENGINE CONTROL MALFUNCTION" LIGHT ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL. I QUICKLY PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. AFTER WAITING SEVERAL MINUTES I STARTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND THE LIGHT TURNED OFF. AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING, THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND I NOTICED AN EXTREME LOSS OF POWER. I PULLED OVER AGAIN WITHIN A FEW MINUTES AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THIS TIME I WAITED ALMOST 15 MINUTES BEFORE TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND IT WOULD NOT START. I THOUGHT I WAS OUT OF DIESEL AS THE LOW FUEL LIGHT HAD ALSO JUST COME ON SO I CALLED SOMEONE TO BRING ME 5 GALLONS OF DIESEL THINKING MAYBE I WAS OUT. AFTER REFUELING, THE VEHICLE STILL WOULDN'T START SO I HAD IT TOWED TO THE CLOSEST VW DEALER. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND I AM CURRENTLY WAITING FOR IT TO BE REPAIRED. THIS HAPPEND ON A SATURDAY AND IT IS NOW 4 DAYS LATER. *TR

Mar 28, 2012

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

GOLF STALLED WHILE DRIVING ONLY FILLED WITH CORRECT FUEL DIESEL ONLY SHELL, ARCO, CHEVRON HAVE GAS RECEIPTS TO SHOW THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP FAILED. PART NUMBERS ARE FOR REFERENCE ONLY, PLEASE CONSULT ETKA BY VIN FOR MOST CURRENT INFORMATION. PLEASE REPLACE THE FOLLOWING: 03L 130 755A (HIGH PRESSURE PUMP), 03L 130 321 (LINE), 03L 130 301 (LINE), 03L 130 301R (LINE), 03L 130 301B (LINE) , 03L 130 301C (LINE), 03L 130 089 (RAIL), 5N0 130 307J (LINE), 1K0 127 400F (FILTER COMPLETE), 03L 130 235S (RETURN LINE), 03L 130 277A (INJECTORS QTY 4), 1K0 201 060 GP (TANK), 5N0 906 129B (AUX PUMP), 1K0 919 050 J (IN TANK PUMP), 059-13 0-216-C (PLATE QTY 4), WHT-000-884 (SEAL QTY 4), 03L 201 360G (FUEL LINE), 1K0 130 307BJ (FUEL HOSE), 1K0 130 307BG (FUEL LINE), 1K0 130 295AB (FUEL LINE), 1K0 200 059BH (FUEL LINE), 1K0 201 293D (SUPPLY LINE), 1K0 201 294C (RETURN LINE). ANY LINE THAT IS NOT REPLACED IN THIS PROCEDURE MUST BE THOROUGHLY CLEANED. IF YOU CANNOT ADEQUATELY CLEAN THE LINE/FITTING, PLEASE REPLACE IT ALSO. PLEASE FOLLOW ELSA WEB'S PROCEDURE FOR PRIMING THE FUEL SYSTEM. BE SURE NOT TO SWAP THE CONNECTIONS IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. IT IS VERY EASY TO SWAP A FUEL FEED LINE FOR A FUEL RETURN LINE. THE CONNECTIONS AT THE FUEL TANK, BULKHEAD, FUEL FILTER, AND HIGH PRESSURE PUMP CAN BE SWITCHED. IF YOU HEAR A HUMMING NOISE FROM THE AUX FUEL PUMP, IT IS LIKELY THAT A FUEL LINE WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. IF THE GF TEST PLA N DOES NOT SHOW UP, GO INTO VSD, ENGINE ELECTRONICS, BASIC SETTINGS, 35 AND RUN THIS TEST 3 TIMES. A VWOA REPRESENTATIVE WILL BE CONTACTING THE DEALER WITHIN 48 HOURS TO DETERMINE IF A FUEL SAMPLE IS NECESSARY. UNTIL THEN, DO NOT DRAIN THE FUEL IN THE VEHICLE UNTIL CONFIRMATION IS RECEIVED. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A CALL WITHIN THE 48 HOURS PLEASE CONTINUE WITH REPAIRS AND A FUEL SAMPLE WILL NOT BE NECESSARY. *TR

Jan 26, 2012

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

I STARTED MY CAR ON 12/10/2011, DURING WHICH IT WAS AROUND 28 DEGREES. A FEW SECONDS LATER, THE CAR STALLED. AFTER STARTING IT A SECOND TIME, I DROVE THE CAR TO BETWEEN 3-5 MPH, AT WHICH TIME IT STALLED AGAIN. ON THE THIRD TRY, I WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING, BUT THE ENGINE RAN ROUGH FOR THE FIRST FEW MINUTES. ON JANUARY 4 FOLLOWING ANOTHER BOUT OF COLD WEATHER, THE CAR'S ENGINE REFUSED TO START EVEN AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY ATTEMPTED TO START IT. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT STARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALERSHIP IS CURRENTLY LOOKING INTO THE ISSUE. THEY BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THE INTERCOOLER PIPES FREEZING DURING COLD TEMPERATURES. WHEN IT THAWS, WATER ENTERS THE ENGINE AND HYDROLOCKS IT, PREVENTING IT FROM STARTING OR STALLING THE ENGINE IF IT IS ALREADY RUNNING. THIS ISSUE POSES SEVERAL SAFETY RISKS, ESPECIALLY IF THE CAR STALLS IN THE MIDST OF HIGH-SPEED TRAFFIC. *TT

Jan 19, 2012

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

ENGINE RPM SURGES/SPIKES 500-800 RPM'S FROM IDLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SLOWLY ACCELERATE FROM A STOP OR NEAR STOP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS SURGE/SPIKE OCCURS PRIMARILY WHEN ON SLIGHT UPHILL GRADES OR INCLINES AND AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKES AND GENTLY APPLYING THROTTLE PRESSURE. THIS SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN THE HILL ASSIST SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED. EXAMPLES: SURGE/SPIKE OCCURS WHEN ON A SLIGHT GRADE OR INCLINE FROM A STOP OR NEAR STOP SUCH AS PULLING UP A DRIVEWAY, TRYING TO INCH FORWARD IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC, OR WHEN ACCELERATING NORMALLY FROM A STOP. IT IS AS THOUGH YOU PUMPED THE THROTTLE FOR A SECOND THEN RELEASED IT. IF THE VEHICLE IS ON A VERY STEEP UPGRADE INCLINE IT IS NOT AS NOTICEABLE AS THE BRAKES ARE NOT IMMEDIATELY DISENGAGED WHEN THE SURGE/SPIKE OCCURS DUE TO THE HILL ASSIST SYSTEM ENGAGING THE BRAKES. IF THE VEHICLE IS ON A DOWN GRADE DECLINE OR LEVEL ROAD THE ENGINE RPM USUALLY ACCELERATES AND OPERATES NORMALLY. THE VW AUTHORIZED SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS CONFIRMED THIS TO BE NOT NORMAL. THEY HAVE BEEN CLAIMING TO INVESTIGATE THE RPM SURGE/SPIKE WITH NO SOLUTION AFTER SEVERAL SERVICE APPOINTMENTS IN THE PAST YEAR AND OVER 15,000 MILES. *KB

Oct 10, 2011

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2011 VW GTI IS OFF, IT SHOWS I'M GOING FASTER THAN MY ACTUAL SPEED. *KB

Aug 02, 2011

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

ENGINE STALLED WHILE MOVING ON THE LEFT-HAND TURN LANE. BATTERY AND ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE CAR HAD POWER BUT IT COULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE VW DEALER. DIAGNOSIS: BURNED FUEL PUMP FUSE (BLUE 15A). FUSE REPLACED AND THE CAR IS RUNNING.

Jun 19, 2011

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

MY BRAND NEW 2011 VW GOLF TDI MANUAL CAR STALLS AT LAUNCH MUCH TOO EASILY. I HAVE DRIVEN MANUAL TRANSMISSION CARS FOR 40 YEARS AND HAVE FOUND IT MUCH WORSE THAN THE MAZDA MIATA WHICH WAS POOR. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL OF THIS MODEL, AS CONFIRMED BY MY TEST DRIVE, MAGAZINE REVIEWS, AND THE SALESPERSON. IT MAY BE DO TO THE "HILL CLIMBING" FEATURE WHICH LOCKS THE BRAKES UPON STOPPING SO THAT YOU HAVE TO OVERCOME THE BRAKES TO MOVE. I AM SCARED A CAR WILL HIT ME FROM BEHIND. *TR

Jun 14, 2011

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

SUNROOF ON 2011 VOLKSWAGEN TDI EXPLODED DURING MORNING COMMUTE AT 65MPH. FOREIGN OBJECT IMPACT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE THE CAUSE. OUTSIDE TEMP WAS ~29F, NO VEHICLES IN CLOSE PROXIMITY, NO OVERPASSES. CONTINUED DRIVING AS PROBLEM WAS APPARENT, BUT NOT GETTING WORSE AFTER THE INITIAL BOOM! AND SHOWER OF GLASS SHARDS. IMAGES AVAILABLE, TOOK WITH MY CELL PHONE AFTER ARRIVING AT MY WORKPLACE. DEALER IS COVERING UNDER WARRANTY, INCLUDING PROVISION OF A RENTAL CAR. *LN

Jan 23, 2011

2011 VOLKSWAGEN Golf Problems & Complaints

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