2011 Volkswagen Golf Problems & Owner Complaints

Fuel/Propulsion System 30

“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 be…”
NHTSA complaint #11546719, 2023

“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 fi…”
NHTSA complaint #11445727, 2021

“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 MENTI…”
NHTSA complaint #11217698, 2019

Fuel System 23

“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. *…”
NHTSA complaint #11325657, 2020

“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 HAP…”
NHTSA complaint #10619140, 2014

“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 PROP…”
NHTSA complaint #10597995, 2014

Power Train 21

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10907394, 2016

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #10750213, 2015

“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 ENGIN…”
NHTSA complaint #10682871, 2015

Electrical System 18 1 fire 1 injury

“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”
NHTSA complaint #11327322, 2020 · 1 injury(ies)

“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”
NHTSA complaint #11464271, 2022 · fire

“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 probl…”
NHTSA complaint #11496080, 2022

Engine 15 1 crash 3 fire

“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”
NHTSA complaint #11464271, 2022 · fire

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11173312, 2017 · fire

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10723924, 2015 · fire

Air Bags 12 2 crash 1 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH , ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER THE ACTUAL IMPACT AND NOT DURING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CHEST CONTUSION, MULTIPLE BRUISES TO HER BODY AND FACE, A SPRAINED LEFT FOOT AND BURNS TO THE CHEST AND RIGHT HAND FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. UPDATED 11/07/12*LJ”
NHTSA complaint #10474188, 2012 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG DIDN'T GO OFF.”
NHTSA complaint #11081082, 2018 · crash

“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 NOTI…”
NHTSA complaint #11140999, 2018

Engine And Engine Cooling 11

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10672117, 2012

“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 FUE…”
NHTSA complaint #10453398, 2012

“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”
NHTSA complaint #10451977, 2012

Unknown Or Other 4

“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 MENTI…”
NHTSA complaint #11217698, 2019

“THE 2011 VW GOLF TDI SHUT OFF WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED.”
NHTSA complaint #10790432, 2015

“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 IN…”
NHTSA complaint #10444557, 2011

Vehicle Speed Control 4 1 crash

“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”
NHTSA complaint #10543609, 2013 · crash

“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 O…”
NHTSA complaint #10521142, 2013

“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”
NHTSA complaint #10483260, 2012

Exterior Lighting 3

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11466179, 2022

“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?”
NHTSA complaint #10889280, 2015

“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 LIGH…”
NHTSA complaint #10380139, 2011

Steering 3

“THE 2011 VW GOLF TDI SHUT OFF WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED.”
NHTSA complaint #10790432, 2015

“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 HAP…”
NHTSA complaint #10619140, 2014

“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”
NHTSA complaint #10483260, 2012

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2 1 crash

“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”
NHTSA complaint #10543609, 2013 · crash

“LIGHTING CHECK ENGINE . I COULDN'T PASS INSPECTION ON MY VW DUE TO: CODE P0106. MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE/BAROMETRIC. PRESSURE CTRL. RANGE/PERFORMANCE”
NHTSA complaint #11022637, 2017

Service Brakes 2

“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 HAP…”
NHTSA complaint #10619140, 2014

“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”
NHTSA complaint #10406281, 2011

Structure 2 1 crash

“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”
NHTSA complaint #10724128, 2015 · crash

“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, SHOWE…”
NHTSA complaint #10415496, 2011

Suspension 1

“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).”
NHTSA complaint #10779518, 2015