2011 Volkswagen Golf Complaint Log

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 11/21/16 *BF

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A LOANER VEHICLE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TAKATA RECALL HELLO NHTSA, I AM WRITING TO EXPRESS A CONCERN THAT I HAVE REGARDING MY 2011 VW GOLF TDI. MY CONCERN IS THAT VEHICLES AFFECTED BY BOTH THE TAKATA RECALL AND THE VW "CLEAN DIESEL" TDI EMISSIONS SCANDAL WILL NOT BE GIVEN EQUAL PRIORITY BY VW THROUGHOUT THE AIRBAG RECALL AND REPLACEMENT PROCESS. SPECIFICALLY, I WORRY THAT THE IMPENDING BUY-BACK OF OLDER TDI DIESEL MODELS LIKE MINE WILL CAUSE VW TO GIVE THOSE AIRBAG REPLACEMENTS A MUCH LOWER PRIORITY IN COMPARISON TO OTHER VEHICLES THAT REQUIRE A REPLACEMENT. FOR EXAMPLE, STRICTLY FROM A FINANCIAL STANDPOINT FOR VW, IT IS IN THEIR BEST INTEREST TO WAIT AS LONG AS POSSIBLE BEFORE COMMISSIONING THE AIRBAG REPLACEMENT OF MY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE TRUE BECAUSE THE TDI BUY-BACK WOULD NEGATE THE AIRBAG REPLACEMENT ENTIRELY, AS THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER BE LEGAL TO OPERATE IN THE US. FURTHERMORE, IF THE TDI BUY-BACK VEHICLES ARE RESOLD IN OTHER COUNTRIES WITH LESSER SAFETY STANDARDS, VW MAY CONCLUDE THAT IT IS MORE BENEFICIAL FOR THEM FINANCIALLY TO LEAVE THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS IN PLACE, SINCE NO LEGISLATION WOULD BE PREVENTING IT. I HAVE EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS DIRECTLY WITH VW, BUT THEY ARE UNWILLING TO SHARE ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THE TIMING OF REPLACEMENT PARTS OR TO WHICH ORDER OF MODELS THE REPLACEMENTS WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY ARE ALSO UNWILLING TO PRESENT ANY OTHER POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR ME. I DO REALIZE THAT SOME OF MY CONCERNS ARE SPECULATIVE IN NATURE. HOWEVER, GIVEN VW'S UNTRUSTWORTHINESS ACTIONS OF LATE, AND THAT THIS DIRECTLY IMPACTS MY FAMILY'S SAFETY, I FEEL THAT I AM JUSTIFIED IN EXPRESSING THESE CONCERNS TO A SAFETY-ORIENTED AGENCY SUCH AS THE NHTSA. I THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE -- NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF, BUT FOR THE OTHER NEARLY 500,000 VEHICLES/FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THE COMBINATION OF THESE TWO ISSUES. BEST REGARDS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

YESTERDAY I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM VW SAYING MY CAR WAS SUBJECT TO A RECALL FOR A TAKATA AIRBAG ISSUE. THE LETTER SAID PARTS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE TO MAKE REPAIRS AND TO DO NOTHING AT THIS TIME. MY NEIGHBOR HAS A HONDA CRV THAT WAS ALSO AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. THEY WERE PROVIDED WITH A RENTAL CAR AND TOLD NOT TO MOVE THE HONDA UNTIL NOTIFIED TO DO SO. AS I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM, WHY AM I BEING INSTRUCTED TO CONTINUE DRIVING MY CAR WHEN MY NEIGHBOR WAS TOLD NOT TO MOVE THEIRS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE? THE LETTER LISTS "NHTSA 16V078".

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.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/07/16*LJ *TR

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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).

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?

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

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

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

WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AND ACCELERATING, THE ENGINE STOPPED. THERE WAS A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER; HOWEVER, AFTER ENGINE LOST POWER, THE DASH-BOARD LIGHTS WERE ON. THE CAR WOULD NOT RE-START IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ENGINE STOPPING. THIS SCENARIO OCCURRED THREE TIMES. IN TWO OF THE THREE SITUATIONS, THE CAR DID RE-START LATER IN THE DAY (APPROXIMATELY 3 HOURS AFTER THE INITIAL FAILURE). IN ONE OF THE THREE SITUATIONS, THE CAR COULD NOT BE RE-STARTED AND REQUIRED TOWING TO THE CAR DEALER. IN ONE OF THE THREE SITUATIONS, A NEAR MISS ACCIDENT OCCURRED. A SECOND CAR NEARLY REAR ENDED MY CAR AFTER THE ENGINE STOPPED WORKING. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, BUT IT WAS A CLOSE CALL. THE SECOND CAR SKIDDED AND SWERVED AROUND MY CAR. *TR

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

AS AN ADDENDUM TO MY PREVIOUS EMAIL COMPLAINT #. THE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE IS 62000 NOT 101000 (KM) ALSO I WAS DRIVING AT 110KM WHICH I BELIEVE IS 68 MILES PER HOUR. I WAS CONFUSED GIVING YOU 65 MILES BUT TOTAL VEHICLE MILEAGE IN KM. I HOPE THIS IS CLEAR AND MANY THANKS. *TR

HELLO-FIRSTLY I AM CANADIAN WITH A VEHICLE PURCHASED "BRAND NEW" FROM ERIE PA. ON THURS SEPT 4/14 AT 6:30PM TRAVELING HOME FROM WORK MY VEHICLE LOST MAJORITY OF POWER (DROPPED TO BARELY MOVING) AND THEN COMPLETE POWER APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE FROM WHEN THE PROBLEM HAPPENED-THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS BLINKING RAPIDLY-THE CAR WAS STRUGGLING-BUCKLING-KICKING BACK AT THE ATTEMPTS TO MOVE. I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN A BUSY STRETCH OF HIGHWAY AND WAS NARROWLY MISSED BY SEVERAL CARS AND A TRANSPORT TRUCK. I WAS DEAD IN THE WATER AND COULD NOT EXIT MY VEHICLE. I DID NOT KNOW WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE AS THERE WAS NO ISSUE WITH MY CAR AND I HAVE MAINTAINED MY VEHICLE TO STANDARDS OUTLINED BY VW. MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP AND I DID NOT RECEIVE A FULL QUOTE FOR THE SCOPE OF WORK NEEDING TO BE DONE FOR TWO BUSINESS DAYS. I WAS TOLD THERE ARE METAL SHARDS IN MY HPFP. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM - INJECTORS - PUMP AND ALL THE PARTS FROM FRONT TO BACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE COST IS $7500+TAX (CND). I HAVE NOW BEEN IN A RENTAL VEHICLE FOR 7 DAYS AND THE PARTS ARE EXPECTED TODAY (SEPT 10/14)? I'VE BEEN TOLD IT WILL TAKE 22 HRS. I HAVE ASKED FOR ALL THE PARTS BACK. AFTER READING MANY BLOG POSTS ABOUT HPFP FAILURES ON LINE IN BOTH THE US AND CND I AM PERPLEXED WHY A TOTAL RECALL HAS NOT BEEN PLACED ON VW. I AM OUT OF WARRANTY BUT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED AND APPARENT TO VW FOR YEARS. I CALLED VWOA BUT THEY DO NOT RECOGNIZE "THE CAR" AND NEITHER DOES VW CND. I HAVE DRIVEN VW TDI'S SINCE '01 AND KNOW DIESEL FUEL-THIS WAS NOT MISFUELED. VW KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM. I AM DEVASTATED AS I CAN NOT AFFORD THIS REPAIR-I CAN NOT AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER CAR-I CAN NOT SELL THIS CAR WITHOUT REPAIRING IT. I FEEL VWOA AND CANADA AND GERMANY ARE ALL LIABLE FOR NEGLIGENCE REGARDING SAFETY. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED ON THURS SEPT 4/14. *TR

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

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

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

2011 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF TDI, STARTED SHAKING WHILE DRIVING. I JUST MADE IT TO THE RIGHT LANE WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED COMPLETELY, LEAVING ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED A FAULTY FUEL PUMP, LEAVING RESIDUES OF METAL IN THE ENGINE. CAR IS LITTLE OVER 40,000MILES, 5,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. VW HOWEVER AGREED TO FIX THE ISSUE FOR FREE. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A $10,000 REPAIR. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE PEOPLE, THEY HAVE SEEN SEVERAL ISSUES LIKE THIS, RELATED TO DIESEL GOLF. LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, BUT THE ENGINE SHUTTING ON A HIGHWAY WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IT SEEMS TO BE A PRETTY COMMON ISSUE, SUCH THAT VW WILL FIX IT FOR FREE INSTEAD OF CHARGING CUSTOMERS. I AM NOW WORRIED THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN IN ANOTHER 40,000 MILES. I AM PURCHASING EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT VW SHOULD RECALL AND REPLACE ALL FAULTY PUMPS. *TR

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

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