2011 VOLKSWAGEN GTI Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

ENGINE

16 complaints

TIMING CHAIN OR TENSIONER FAILS WITHOUT WARNING LEAVING MOTORIST IN AN UNSAFE SITUATION ESPECIALLY IF DRIVING IN METROPOLITAN TRAFFIC

Jun 05, 2019

MY 2011 GTI HAS HAD CONSTANT ISSUES SINCE JUST AFTER WARRATNY ENDING. SINCE PURCHASING A NEW 2011 GTI I HAVE HAD A WATER PUMP CHANGED TWICE, INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACED FOUR TIMES , IGNITION COILS AND DECARB SERVICE TWICE IN LESS THAN 130K MILES IS CAUSE FOR CONCERN AND SHOWS A LACK OF RELIABILITY OF PARTS AND/OR WORKMANSHIP. DURING SERVICES AT 50005 MIL - FOUND CODE FAULTS RELATING TO MANIFOLD. TECHNICIAN RESET CODES. 57711 MIL - MISFIRES OCCURRED AND RETURNED TO SERVICE. FOUND ISSUES WITH FAULTY MANIFOLD. THIS WAS 4MONTHS AFTER PREVIOUS SERVICE. MANIFOLD REPLACED. 69119 MIL - MULTIPLE FAULTS FOUND. MISFIRES. MANIFOLD REPLACED, FAULTS STILL PRESENT. FOUND INTERNAL AIR LEEK. REPLACED OIL SEPARATOR. 83991 MIL - MISFIRES ON ALL CYLINDERS. LEAK IN INTAKE MANIFOLD. REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD. REPLACED FAULTY FUEL PUMP. DECARB RECOMMENDED AND SERVICED. 102300 MIL - MULTIPLE MISFIRES. INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK. REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD, WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A LARGE CARBON BUILD AND NEED TO DECARB. REPLACED ALL FOUR INGNITTION COILS. 119406 MIL - MULTIPLE MISFIRES. REPLACED ALL FOUR IGNITION COILS. WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED A DECARB..AGAIN. 128700 MIL - MULTIPLE MISFIRES, MANIFOLD FAULTY, TOLD TO REPLACE MANIFOLD, CAMSHAFT TIMING ISSUES. HAS JUMPED TOOTH. THESE ARE ALL REPEATED AND KNOWN ISSUES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN RECTIFIED AND HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO CURRENT ISSUES AND MANY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. ALSO HAD THE SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED AT 110000 MILES AS IT CAME SHREDDED ENTERING THE FREEWAY. ALL MAJOR SERVICES WERE COMPLETED AT A VW DEALERSHIP. IT IS WORTH NOTING WE HAVE TWO 2011 GTI'S. THE OTHER VEHICLE HAD A BROKEN CAMSHAFT AT 96,000 MILES.

May 26, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HANLEES HILLTOP VOLKSWAGEN (3255 AUTO PLAZA, RICHMOND, CA 94806, (510) 283-6300) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

May 18, 2018

I PURCHASED MY CAR NEW AND ALWAYS HAD THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT AT DO THE SERVICE WORK. AT THE 100000 MILE SERVICE INTERVAL I ASKED WHAT I HAD TO DO WITH THE TIMING CHAIN AND WAS ASSURED THAT NOTHING NEEDED TO BE LOOKED AT OR REPLACED. AT APPROXIMATELY 130000 MILES I WAS TRAVELING ON I-88 AT SPEED WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST ALL POWER AND HAD TO COAST THRU 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO MAKE IT TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. I LET THE CAR COOL DOWN AND WHEN I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED 30 MINUTES LATER I NURSED IT HOME. THE NEXT DAY I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER WHERE I HAD ALL MY SERVICE WORK DONE AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD JUMPED, MOST LIKELY THE TIMING CHAIN ADJUSTER HAD FAILED, AND IT WOULD COST BETWEEN $7000 AND $10000 TO REPAIR. THIS TOOK PLACE ON SEP 20 2016. THE CAR IS STILL SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY SINCE I HAVE BEEN IN AND OUT OF WORK FOR THE LAST YEAR AND HAD TO MOVE IN THE MEANTIME.

Jan 23, 2018

I TRIED TO START MY CAR, WHICH WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY; THE BATTERY WAS WORKING FINE, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. I HAD IT TOWED TO A VW MECHANIC THE NEXT MORNING, 11/9/17. THE VW MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT MY TIMING TENSIONER CHAIN HAD BROKE CAUSING MY PISTONS TO CRASH INTO ONE ANOTHER, CAUSING MY ENGINE TO NOT WORK AND NEED A TOTAL REBUILD. MY CAR HAD GIVEN NO WARNING, NO ENGINE LIGHTS, NOTHING TO ALLUDE TO AN IMPENDING CATASTROPHIC ISSUE INVOLVING MY ENGINE. MY CAR ONLY HAS 59,000 MILES ON IT, PREMATURE FOR THIS ISSUE - ESPECIALLY WITH NO WARNING. THIS ISSUE IS NOT PROTECTED BY WARRANTY.

Nov 22, 2017

+ 11 more complaints for this component

POWER TRAIN

14 complaints

The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

May 24, 2022

CAR HAS 67000 MILES, DRIVING HOME ON A ~300 MILE TRIP, RECEIVED A WARNING THAT OIL WAS LOW. DROVE 8-10 MILES TO THE CLOSEST GAS STATION TO CHECK. OIL WAS LEAKING RAPIDLY. PUT IN MORE TO GET TO MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED REAR MAIN WAS LEAKING, WAS UNWILLING TO DO REPAIRS. DROVE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WILLING TO DO REPAIRS, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE REAR MAIN SEAL/PCV VALVE HAD FAILED. THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN AND COMMON ISSUE IN 2.0 TSI ENGINES ACROSS VW AND AUDI.

Jun 04, 2019

ROUGH UP AND DOWN SHIFTS WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION. I COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST 4-5 YEARS TO VW DEALERSHIPS CLAIMING THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING HORRIBLE CLUNKING AND CLANKING SOUNDS IN LOWER GEARS, AND WOULD HAVE ROUGHER THAN USUAL SHIFTS NORMALLY IN REVERSE TO DRIVE, AND SECOND GEAR TO FIRST GEAR, OR FIRST GEAR TO NEUTRAL. THEY ALL BUT IGNORED IT AND BLAMED IT ON BEING THE "NATURE OF THE CAR" AND TO "GET USED TO IT". THIS POSES AN ISSUE THOUGH AS THE TRANSMISSION IS SOMETIMES SLOW OR HESITANT TO GIVE POWER OR IT'LL CUT POWER UNEXPECTEDLY... SO FROM A STOP SOME POWER IS PRESENT, BUT CAN CUT OUT FOR A SECOND OR TWO... LEAVING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS IN A DANGEROUS POSITION. IT ALSO LURCHES FORWARD FROM A COLD START WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. IF SOMEONE DID NOT HAVE THEIR BRAKES FULLY APPLIED, THEY COULD EASILY HIT SOMEONE OR SOMEONE'S PROPERTY FROM THIS TRAIT. NOW THAT THE CAR IS WELL OUT OF THE 5 YEAR POWERTRAIN WARRANTY, VW TECHS ONLY NOW RECOGNIZE A PROBLEM WITH THE DSG MECHATRONICS UNIT, THE SAME PART THAT HAS AN OPEN RECALL FOR 10YR/100K ON PREVIOUS MODELS OF THE GTI (2006-2010), AND ALSO REPORTED PROBLEMS ON NEWER MODELS AS WELL (2014+). VW REFUSES TO EXTEND ANY COVERAGE TO THE MK6 GENERATION, AND WANT A TOTAL OF $2400 TO REPLACE THE FAULTY MECHATRONICS UNIT. ONCE AGAIN, VW REFUSES TO LEARN FROM THEIR MISTAKES AND USES FAULTY PARTS ON NEWER CARS AND WHEN THEY TOO BEGIN TO SHOW ISSUES, THEY TURN THEIR BACK ON THEIR CUSTOMERS. VW MIGHT AS WELL ADD MECHATRONICS REPLACEMENT ON DSG EQUIPPED VEHICLES AS PART OF THEIR REGULAR MAINTENANCE. I HAVE LOST ALL FAITH IN THIS CAR BRAND.

Nov 29, 2017

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME SUDDENLY CAME ON. ENGINE HAD A HARD TIME STARTING. THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE ROUGHNESS TO THE MOTOR WHILE RUNNING. BROUGHT IT TO THE MECHANIC THE FOLLOWING DAY AND FOUND MANY CODES WERE UP. DIAGNOSIS IS BROKEN TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. RESULTING IN AN. ENGINE FAILURE . MECHANIC SAID IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED AND WILL NEED A NEW ENGINE. ODOMETER IS ONLY 76K

Sep 08, 2017

(DSG AUTOMATIC) HARSH SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, AND FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. HESITATION FROM A STOP TO GO. CAR FEELS LIKE IT SHUDDERS OR JERKS FROM A STOP TO GO, AND WHEN BRAKING TO A STOP. DEALER STATES IT'S A FAULTY MECHATRONICS UNIT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SAME ISSUES THAT PLAGUED THE LAST GENERATION OF VEHICLES, AND VW WAS FORCED TO ISSUE A RECALL DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. DEALER TRIED TO GET VW TO COVER COST OF REPAIR, BUT THEY REFUSED. DEALER WANTS $2500 TO REPAIR. VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 47,346 MILES. CURRENTLY DISCUSSING LEGAL ACTION WITH AN ATTORNEY. *TR

Jul 15, 2017

+ 9 more complaints for this component

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

4 complaints

My horn had stopped working and I brought it to the dealership to get it diagnosed. They identified it as a clockspring issue, and with the knowledge that VW has an active recall for the clockspring, I was hoping that I could get the clockspring replaced under the warranty. However, VW of America refuses to replace the clockspring under the warranty as my airbag light isn't on. I am frustrated because my horn issue is clearly due to the clockspring, and now I do not have a working horn and have to pay out of pocket to fix it. Also, there are no available parts for the clockspring, so even if I wanted to fix it I have to wait for months.

Jul 15, 2022

WHEN THE KEY HAS BEEN INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION CYLINDER, THE KEY WILL NOT TURN ALL THE WAY TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE. IT WILL STOP IN THE ACCESSORY SETTING AND NOT GO FURTHER. THE KEY CAN BE TAKEN OUT AGAIN BUT SAME ISSUE CONTINUES IF YOU TRY AGAIN. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON MY VEHICLE IS FULLY ENGAGED IN PARK AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT LOCKED. THE CAR WILL NOT TURN ON AND WILL FORCE ME TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER THAT SEEMS TO BE DAMAGED. ALL ACCESSORIES POWER ON JUST FINE WHEN THE ACCESSORY SETTING IS ENGAGED SO THAT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THE IGNITION SWITCH IS FINE BUT THE CYLINDER IS DAMAGED. REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART REQUIRES THE REMOVAL OF THE STEERING WHEEL, AIRBAG, STEERING COLUMN ARMS AND OTHER ELECTRONICS SO I AM TAKING IT TO A MECHANIC IN FEAR THAT THIS IS TOO ADVANCED A PROJECT FOR HOME REPAIR. THIS ISSUE WAS FIRST DOCUMENTED ON OCTOBER 5TH 2019 AND HAS NEVER GIVEN ANY ISSUES IN THE PAST.

Oct 06, 2019

THIS IS MY THIRD VOLKSWAGEN GTI IN THREE YEARS, AND FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THE 6 YEARS I'VE OWNED THIS CAR, THE HEADLINER HAS DETACHED AND FALLEN DOWN ONTO PASSENGER. THREE TIMES IF YOU COUNT THE SUNROOF VISOR SHADE CLOTH. THIS HAPPENED ON BOTH PREVIOUSLY OWNED VW MODELS AS WELL. VOLKSWAGEN IS INCAPABLE OF MAKING A QUALITY CLOTH LINER FOR THE DOORS, ROOF, AND OTHER COMPONENTS COVERED BY THEIR FABRICS/UPHOLSTERY. VW CLAIMS THIS IS TYPICAL WEAR AND TEAR AND NOT A FAULT OF THEIR COMPONENTS, BUT THEN WHY DOES IT OCCUR EVERY THREE YEARS ON EVERY SINGLE MODEL THEY PRODUCE?

Nov 29, 2017

THIS IS MY THIRD VOLKSWAGEN MODEL, PARTICULARLY GOLF GTI MODEL IN TEN YEARS, AND FOR THE THIRD TIME, LIKE CLOCKWORK, THE AIR CON HAS DIED BEFORE 48K MILES ON THE ODOMETER. ALL SIGNS POINT TO A FAULTY SENSOR ON THE COMPRESSOR THAT DIES, AND TYPICALLY SHRAPNELS THE COMPRESSOR, DRY, AND OTHER CRITICAL AIR CON SYSTEMS, CAUSING ZERO COLD AIR TO BLOW. VW HAS A RECALL OR AN OPEN TSB FOR THIS FAULTY SENSOR AND THE PARTS AFFECTED BY IT ON PREVIOUS MODELS AFTER SEVERAL COMPLAINTS, BUT REFUSES TO EXTEND ANY COMPENSATION OR ASSISTANCE FOR THE FACELIFTED MK6 GENERATION. VW IS CHEAPENING OUT AND USING THE SAME EXACT PARTS AS BEFORE, AND HOPING TO SLIDE UNDER THE RADAR TO AVOID HAVING TO SHELL OUT COSTS TO FIX AND REPAIR FOR THE NEWER GENERATIONS. THIS IS ABSURD. VW SHOULD BE ASHAMED FOR PUTTING SUCH A FLAWED COMBINATION OF INEPT SYSTEMS TOGETHER AND CALL IT "THE PEOPLE'S CAR". WHAT A JOKE.

Nov 29, 2017

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 complaints

I bought the car and a couple days later the dash started lighting up with a bunch of codes about exterior lights so we checked them all fine I went to the auto part store and they said that the vehichle I have has a known issue with the fuses burning so we pull the fuse and sure enough it melted and we replaced fuse drove a week longer and the fuse box caught fire so I took and had a new fuse box installed and it again is burning fuses. Flashing all kinds of code error lights on dash and the sunroof opens and closes by its self . I looked at other VIN OF SAME CAR SAME YEARS and they are recalled for this problem but my VIN is not for some reason

Mar 20, 2022

Fire: 1

The horn works on some trips and not on others. I've brought it to the dealership near me and been told that it needs to be broken for them to be able to diagnose it. I hear a clicking sound from the steering wheel when i've needed to press the horn and it doesn't work. However, even if your horn doesn't work on the last trip you had, it sounds fine when you click the key fob lock button. No lights come on anywhere to notify me that horn won't work today, only remembering to try it out in the driveway when I go out

Jan 24, 2022

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT I HAD SEVERAL LIGHTS QUIT WORKING SIMULTANEOUSLY. A BULB WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH AND MESSAGES FOR RIGHT FRONT LOW BEAM, RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL, LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL,LEFT REAR BRAKE, RIGHT FRONT HIGH BEAM, RIGHT FRONT FOG LIGHT, LEFT FRONT SIDE, RIGHT REAR SIDE, AND LICENSE PLATE BULBS ALL APPEARED IN THE INFORMATION SCREEN. I CHECKED OUTSIDE THE CAR AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS THAT I GOT MESSAGES ABOUT WERE INOPERATIVE. AS THERE WAS NO CHANCE THAT ALL OF THESE BULBS FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY, I DID SOME RESEARCH TO DETERMINE WHAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THIS. NUMEROUS INTERNET SEARCHES FOR THESE SYMPTOMS SEEMED TO INDICATE THAT A FUSE IN THE UNDER HOOD FUSE PANEL COULD BE TO BLAME FOR THIS. I CHECKED THE F16 FUSE AND FOUND IT BURNED ON ONE SIDE OF THE FUSE. THE FUSE PANEL WAS ALSO SLIGHTLY MELTED WHERE THIS HALF OF THE FUSE WAS INSERTED. PICTURES ARE ATTACHED. MY LOCAL VW DEALER SAID THE FUSE PANEL WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH, THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON THE 09-11 TIGUAN (CODE: 97Z9) AND A SERVICE ACTION ON THE 09-10 JETTA AND 09 GTI (CODE: 97AM) FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE I AM EXPERIENCING. BOTH THE DEALER AND VW USA SAY THAT I AM 100% RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST BECAUSE MY MODEL AND VIN AREN'T COVERED UNDER ANY CAMPAIGNS.

Sep 12, 2018

THE FUSE BOX MELTED. THIS WAS CAUSED BY A TERMINAL OR A FUSE OVER HEATING. THIS CAUSED AN OUTAGE FOR ALL THE RIGHT-SIDE LAMPS OF THE VEHICLE AND SOME LAMPS ON THE LEFT-SIDE. THE LAMP ERROR WAS REPORTED BY THE VEHICLES MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAY. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE IN THE MORNING AND EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE AFTER STARTING UP THE VEHICLE AT NOON. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE OVER AND OVER TRYING TO CLEAR THE ERROR. THE BULBS IN QUESTION APPEARED TO BE FINE. I DROVE THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT OVER TO THE VW DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. LATER, THE DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THE FUSE BOX HAD MELTED AFTER I RESEARCHED AND DISCOVERED SIMILAR OCCURRENCES WITH OTHER VW MODELS. THE COST OF REPAIR WAS $377.

Mar 23, 2018

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

2 complaints

The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that he lost the function of the steering wheel, horn, controls, and air bag. The air bag warning indicator light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and it was diagnosed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the parts required were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.

Aug 10, 2022

There are many cases of clock spring failure in my model as well as many others. The problem here is that this failure has caused my to lose the use of all my steering wheel controls, horn and airbag and shifters. VW has obliged about the problem and is willing to repair it under warranty. The problem is, is that there are no parts available for the repair. I have no choice but to drive a car with many safety issues. Someone needs to look into allowing aftermarket parts to be used by dealer or expedite the manufacturer. This is putting many people in danger on the road, I am sure it's not only me. Thank You

Jan 24, 2022

STEERING

2 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE FOR THE STEERING LOCK COLUMN FLASHED. PUGI VOLKSWAGEN (2020 OGDEN AVE, DOWNERS GROVE, IL 60515, (630) 964-9500) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CLEARED THE CODE, BUT DID NOT PROVIDE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER DID NOT VERIFY IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Jul 26, 2019

LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN TRYING TO CHANGE FROM ONE LANE TO ANOTHER.TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY FOUND THE SAME ISSUE. THEY REPLACED: 1K1-423-055-MX STEERING AND CORE RETURN, 1K0-498-970-A REPAIR SET, 1K1-971-111-AJ STEERING RACK WIRING HARNESS THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE. *TR

Apr 24, 2014

AIR BAGS

1 complaint

PUT MY KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND RECIEVED, "ERROR: AIRBAG" NOW MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND I DIDNT DO ANYTHING TO MY ELECTRICAL OR AIRBAG SYSTEM.

Nov 05, 2020

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

ONGOING ENGINE MISFIRE ISSUES. AFTER 3 VISITS TO DEALERSHIP AND REPLACEMENT OF COILS, FUSES, RELAYS, ETC, ROOT CAUSE DETERMINED TO BE A SHORT BETWEEN THE AFTER RUN COOLANT PUMP WHICH CAUSES A VOLTAGE DRAW AND CONFUSES THE ECM. AFTER TALKING WITH VW TECHNICIAN, I LEARNED THAT THIS SAME EXACT PART ON AUDI VEHICLES IS UNDER A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE SHORTING ISSUE THAT MY PUMP IS HAVING BECAUSE THE SHORT CAN CAUSE FIRES. HOWEVER, THE VW PART IS NOT UNDER RECALL. MY FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN PUT IN GRAVE DANGER BECAUSE THIS PART IS IN MY CAR AND HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. IN ADDITION, EVEN THOUGH THE PART HAS FAILED, VW WILL NOT COMPENSATE ME FOR THE REPAIR, SO I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY $500 OUT OF POCKET TO FIX A SAFETY HAZARD IN MY VEHICLE. FOR REFERENCE, AUDI RECALL NUMBER IS 18V229000.

Nov 16, 2018

STRUCTURE

1 complaint

HEADLINER FALLING DOWN, CUT TO SHORT, GLUE FAILING, SHRANK. WHITISH POWDER COMING FROM OPENING.

Sep 02, 2018

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

'TAKATA RECALL' ON THE HORN, IT STOPPED WORKING, CHECKED THE HORN, AND FUSES AND WASNT THAT. 'TAKATA RECALL' ON THE FRONT LIGHTS, CHECKED THE BULBS AND IT WASNT THAT, MOST LIKELY IS THE WIRING

Apr 25, 2018

SEAT BELTS

1 complaint

SEAT BELT ROLLER FAILURE. CAME HOME FROM RUNNING A FEW ERRANDS, CAR HAS ABOUT 43K MILES ON IT, AND I NOTICED THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT FULLY. I TRIED TO PULL IT AND GET IT TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY, BUT IT WOULDN'T BUDGE IN OR OUT. AFTER A FEW TRIES, I MANAGED TO GET IT TO RELEASE FULLY, BUT IT STILL WILL NOT RETRACT FULLY. SEEMS LIKE REPLACEMENT OF THE ROLLER IS NEEDED TO REPAIR.

Apr 08, 2017

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

CAR BUCKED AND SHUT OFF MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DROVING VEHICLE. WAS DETERMINED IT WAS DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP.

Apr 07, 2016

SUSPENSION,ENGINE

1 complaint

I'VE HAD QUITE A FEW PARTS ON THIS CAR REPLACED. 2 DEFECTIVE WATER PUMPS, 2 DEFECTIVE CLUTCHES, 1 FLYWHEEL, 1 TURBO OIL LINE, DOOR SEALS AND VARIOUS ELECTRONIC SWITCHES. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY SITTING IN THE DEALERSHIP DUE A BLOWN UPPER TIMING BELT COVER GASKET, A LOWER TIMING BELT COVER GASKET AND A SUSPECTED FAULTY OIL PAN GASKET AS WELL. ALL 3 SEALS SEEM TO HAVE SUDDENLY FAILED AT THE SAME TIME AND YET VW DOES NOT WANT TO REPLACE THESE UNDER THE FACTORY POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. THE OTHER REASON MY CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP IS FOR "STRETCHED" SUB-FRAME BOLTS. ACCORDING TO VW IT IS PERFECTLY NORMAL FOR THE BOLTS WHICH HOLD THE SUB-FRAME TO THE CAR FOR THESE BOLTS TO STRETCH WITH TIME AND CAUSE THE SUBFRAME TO SHIFT AROUND. THERE ARE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE CC, PASSAT AND VARIOUS AUDI MODELS TO HAVE THESE BOLTS REPLACED WHEN A CUSTOMER COMPLAINS AND YET GTI, GOLF AND JETTA DO NOT HAVE TSB AND THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE 400$ TO REPLACE THESE BOLTS... AGAIN ITEM NOT UNDER WARRANTY.

Jan 10, 2016

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

INTERMITTENT, PARTIAL OR FULL LOSS OF OF EXTERIOR LIGHTING. WARNING LAMP INSIDE DID PROVIDE THE NAMES OF MULTIPLE, RANDOM LIGHTS THAT HAD FAILED, SOMETIMES ACCURATE, OTHER TIMES INACCURATE. LIGHTS WOULD FAIL AT RANDOM WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. FUSE F16 OVERHEATED AND MELTED THE FUSE BOX EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V569000, AND VW SAFETY RECALL 97Z9. VOLKSWAGEN ASSURED ME THE PARTS ARE NOT RELATED AND THAT THE TIGUAN RECALL DOES NOT AFFECT MY MODEL, BUT COME ON.

Dec 15, 2015

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

1 complaint

CAME OUTSIDE TO A FAILED WATER PUMP. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VARIOUS VOLKSWAGENS. MANY SHOP TECHS ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THIS ISSUE. IT IS UNSAFE FOR THE DRIVER AND OTHER CARS. THERE IS A CHANCE THE PUMP COULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING OR A PERSON MAY NOT NOTICE THE COOLANT ON THE GROUND. THAT CAN LEAD TO THE CAR OVERHEATING AND CAUSING EXPENSIVE DAMAGE. YOU COULD ALSO BE LEFT STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ANY INSTANCE WHEN A PERSON OR CAR ARE LEFT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IS A ROAD AND HEALTH RISK. ALSO WHEN THESE PUMPS FAIL THEY OFTEN LEAK COOLANT. THE COOLANT IS NOT SAFE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. WHEN THE PUMPS DO GET REPLACED THE ISSUE OFTEN COMES BACK REPEATEDLY. THIS IS PARTLY DUE TO THE POOR DESIGN OF THE SYSTEM. A REVISION OF THE WATERPUMP SHOULD BE MADE. ALSO AN EXTENSION ON THE WARRANTY OF SAID PART SHOULD BE MADE FOR OWNERS. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. FOR PERSONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS. *TR

Nov 09, 2014

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

ENGINE WILL STALL AND DIE WITHIN 5-20 SECONDS AFTER STARTING. HAPPENS ON A WARM ENGINE AFTER IT SITS FOR 45-60 MINUTES. HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, EACH AFTER ENGINE HAS REACHED OPERATING TEMPERATURE. THIS IS POTENTIALLY A DEADLY PROBLEM IF THE CAR DIES ON A STREET, AS IT WON'T STEER OR HAVE PROPULSION! HAD IT SEEN AT VW DEALER: THEY SUSPECT IT IS THE "IN-TANK FUEL PUMP" BUT THIS PART IS NOT COVERED UNDER DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY? I CALLED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT THEY SAID THEY CAN'T HELP ON THIS $834 REPAIR. I'M PERPLEXED HOW A FUEL PUMP GOES BAD ON A 2011 WITH ONLY 45K MILES, AND THAT A VITAL COMPONENT THAT WILL MAKE THE CAR STALL & DIE IS NOT COVERED UNDER DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM IF IT DIES SUDDENLY AND CARS FOLLOWING CANNOT SWERVE AROUND. VERY DISAPPOINTED. THIS WILL BE MY LAST VW, EVER. IF YOU OWN A VW WITH 2.0 TSI YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS. *TR

Nov 05, 2014

SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

I WAS DRIVING NO A DOWNHILL INCLINE PICKING UP SPEED BUT NO MORE THAN 40 MPH. I HAD MY DAUGHTER IN THE BACK OF MY CAR, AND REALIZED THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING THE WAY THEY SHOULD. I HAVE A STANDARD SHIFT CAR AND DOWNSHIFTED QUICKLY FROM 6TH GEAR TO 3RD GEAR AND HAD TO PUT MY WHOLE WEIGHT ON THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR AND KEPT MY HAND ON THE E-BRAKE AS MY LAST RESORT. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT THE EXPERIENCE WAS NOT A GOOD ONE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THE TECH STATED IT WAS THE BRAKEBOOSTER AND A PIN WITHIN THE PUMP THAT CAME LOOSE. I ASKED HIM IF IT WAS A USER ERROR, HE SAID NO, BUT HAD REPLACED THE "BRAKE BOOSTER" WITH A BRAND NEW ONE. IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT SOMETHING LIKE THIS I FEEL SHOULD NOT FAIL AT 34K MILES, ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE VALUABLE PASSENGERS SITTING IN THE CAR. *TR

Mar 08, 2014

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, CONDENSATION COVERED ALL OF THE WINDOWS PREVENTING HIM FROM SEEING THE ROADWAY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED FIVE TIMES AND EACH TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER CONTACTED THE TECHNICAL SUPPORT DEPARTMENT, WHO INSTRUCTED THEM TO TEST A SIMILAR VEHICLE. THE TEST WAS PERFORMED AND THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED ON THE SECOND VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

Jan 09, 2013

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4.7/5.0

66 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2011 VOLKSWAGEN GTI have?

The 2011 VOLKSWAGEN GTI currently has 54 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 GTI?

The most common problems reported for the 2011 VOLKSWAGEN GTI 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 GTI problem data come from?

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