2012 Volkswagen Golf Problems & Owner Complaints

Engine 11

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. MOSS BROTHERS VOLKSWAGEN OF MORENO VALLEY (27750 EUCALYPTUS AVE, MORENO, VALLEY, CALIFORNIA 92555, (951) 485-4188) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS CONTAMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 180-76-1675. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,986.”
NHTSA complaint #11113169, 2018

“WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT, HEARD A SLIGHT RINGING SOUND AS THE ENGINE SLOWED DOWN AND STALLED RIGHT AS WE STOPPED. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART AND THE "COILS" WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED IN THE DASH BOARD. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AS WE WAITED FOR A TOW TRUCK. THE PROBLEM WAS WITH A FAILURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE WERE WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR OVER A WEEK AS THE FUEL WAS BEING TESTED FOR CONTAMINATION (WHICH THERE WAS NONE) AND WAITING APPROVAL FROM VOLKSWAGEN FOR APPROVAL UNDER WARRANTY COVE…”
NHTSA complaint #10764539, 2015

“2012 VW GOLF TDI (DIESEL) VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING POWER ON ACCELERATION FROM A STOPLIGHT AND BEGAN CLICKING. CHECK ENGINE AND GLOW PLUG LIGHTS FLASHED. POWER WAS REDUCED TO 15% AND LIMPED TO SHOULDER. SHUT OFF ENGINE AND ATTEMPTED RESTART. ENGINE TURNED OVER BUT NO IGNITION. TOWED TO DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. DEALER REPLACED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, TANK PUMP, HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES, FUEL RAIL WITH BOTH SENSORS, ALL INJECTORS, FUEL RETURN LINES, FUEL FILTER, AND AUX FUEL PUMP. TANK AND FUEL LINES WERE FLUSHED AND CLEANED. ALL REPAIRS DONE UNDER VW 60K POWE…”
NHTSA complaint #10627186, 2014

Air Bags 10 3 crash 3 injury

“My vehicle struck a car from behind moving about 35 mph. Air bags did not deploy and I had a proceeding next injury. Why did the airbags not deploy? I have read that "A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury" for 2011-2014 Golf. I would like confirmation that this was supposed to happen, no airbag deployment. My car was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #11422285, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“THIS CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A VEHICLE CRASH. IMPACT WAS TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE PRIMARILY TO THE DOOR AND FRONT END. DESPITE THE SEVERITY OF THE IMPACT, NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OR THE STEERING WHEEL. I SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO THE SHOULDER AND AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10537374, 2013 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“I WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY IN DALLAS. THERE WAS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA TWO LANES TO THE LEFT OF ME. HE APPARENTLY WANTED TO TAKE AN EXIT THAT WAS RAPIDLY COMING UP. HE HAD A DRESSER IN THE BED SO HE ASKED HIS WIFE IF IT WAS CLEAR TO CUT ACROSS ALL 5 LANES TO TAKE THE EXIT. I WAS TWO LANES OVER AND REAR ENDED HIM. HE BRAKE WHEN HE SAW ME AND I HAD LITTLE TIME TO REACT, SO I HIT HIM FRONT DISTRIBUTED TO REAR DISTRIBUTED. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I'VE BEEN A POLICE OFFICER FOR 17 YEARS AND A FIREFIGHTER EVEN LONGER AND KNOW HOW AIR BAGS WORK. SINCE I ESSENTIALLY REAR ENDED HIM, I KN…”
NHTSA complaint #10510419, 2013 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Power Train 9

“DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL FAILED AT 81,200 MILES RENDERING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. FAILURE WAS 21,200 MILES AFTER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY EXPIRED. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND BEGAN TO SHIFT VERY STRANGELY, WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME AND PARK IT.”
NHTSA complaint #11143467, 2018

“LIKE MANY OWNERS OF VOLKSWAGEN TDI VEHICLES, THE 1-2 SECOND HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP IS VERY UNNERVING. IT CAN BE DANGEROUS WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC OR CROSSING AN INTERSECTION. IT HAPPENS DAILY AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO FIX IT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. VW UPDATED THE SOFTWARE ON THE TRANSMISSION BUT THAT "FIX" DIDN'T LAST MORE THAN A FEW MONTHS.”
NHTSA complaint #10871349, 2016

“CV JOINTS FAILED AT UNDER 38K MILES ON AUTOMOBILE.”
NHTSA complaint #10854895, 2016

Fuel System 8

“2012 VW GOLF TDI (DIESEL) VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING POWER ON ACCELERATION FROM A STOPLIGHT AND BEGAN CLICKING. CHECK ENGINE AND GLOW PLUG LIGHTS FLASHED. POWER WAS REDUCED TO 15% AND LIMPED TO SHOULDER. SHUT OFF ENGINE AND ATTEMPTED RESTART. ENGINE TURNED OVER BUT NO IGNITION. TOWED TO DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. DEALER REPLACED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, TANK PUMP, HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES, FUEL RAIL WITH BOTH SENSORS, ALL INJECTORS, FUEL RETURN LINES, FUEL FILTER, AND AUX FUEL PUMP. TANK AND FUEL LINES WERE FLUSHED AND CLEANED. ALL REPAIRS DONE UNDER VW 60K POWE…”
NHTSA complaint #10627186, 2014

“GLOW PLUG AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR APPEARED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH IN VICINITY OF THE M-10 FREEWAY IN DETROIT, MI. VEHICLE POWER UNEXPECTEDLY CUT OUT, FORCING ME TO MANEUVER OFF OF THE ROAD AT A SPEED LOWER THAN SURROUNDING TRAFFIC. I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ON 19 AUG FROM THE DEALER AND EXPERIENCED AN IDENTICAL PROBLEM IN VICINITY OF 9 MILE ROAD AND MIDDLEBELT IN FARMINGTON HILLS, MI. VW LATER INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ASSOCIATED WITH A FAILURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. *TT”
NHTSA complaint #10537810, 2013

“CAR PURCHASED NOVEMBER 2011. AUGUST 29, 2012 (MUCH <10,000 MILES) REPORTED ROUGH SHIFTING OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO VOLKSWAGEN OF ALEXANDRIA. TOLD THAT EXPERIENCE WAS NORMAL. TRUSTED MECHANIC AND USED VEHICLE. MARCH 18, 2013--COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT. ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE MOVING AND ABRUPTLY BROUGHT CAR TO A STOP. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT PROMPTED RECALLS FOR THIS CAR IN AUSTRALIA, CHINA, AND JAPAN. BROUGHT INTO VOLKSWAGEN OF ALEXANDRIA AND TOLD PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO COMPUTER ERRORS CONTROLLING TRANSMISSION. JULY 10, 2013--(@15,000 MILE…”
NHTSA complaint #10524360, 2013

Fuel/Propulsion System 8

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. MOSS BROTHERS VOLKSWAGEN OF MORENO VALLEY (27750 EUCALYPTUS AVE, MORENO, VALLEY, CALIFORNIA 92555, (951) 485-4188) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS CONTAMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 180-76-1675. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,986.”
NHTSA complaint #11113169, 2018

“GLOW PLUG LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE LOST POWER. ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. TOW TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND OTHER PARTS. COST OF WARRANTY REPAIR WAS ABOUT $7000.00.”
NHTSA complaint #10871728, 2016

“I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM LONG TRIP AND HAVE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COM ON AND DISAPPEARED BY SELF. I MADE APPOINTMENT FOR REGULAR 60K MAINTENANCE AND ADDRESSED LIGHT ISSUE AND DIRTY TAIL PIPE TO THE SAN TAN VW DEALER AND THEY RESPONSE WAS THAT "CAR IS DIESEL AND FOR DIESEL IS NORMAL TO SMOKE AND LIGHT WILL NOT COME AFTER SOFTWARE UPDATE. NOW AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED I HAVE DIAGNOSIS THAT WHOLE EXHAUST SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACE (EXHAUST SYSTEM IS UNDER RECALL INVESTIGATION). ESTIMATE TO FIX EXHAUST IS $6000. VW OF AMERICA REFUSE TO FIX THE ISSUE, CAR IS NOW POLLUTING, SMOKING AND CAR IS NOT SAFE…”
NHTSA complaint #10822361, 2016

Electrical System 6

“At first, my vehicle dashboard warning light came on saying I have 9 different lights out(headlight, high beam, brake light, turn signals, etc). I thought it was odd for all these to go out at once, so I took it to the dealership for them to look at it. They couldn’t find anything and gave it back. It went off for a while but then the warning lights came back on. I again took it to the dealership, they told me I would have to leave it for an unknown amount of time for them to look at it. I wasn’t able to do that because it was my only motive transportation. After looking online to see if anyon…”
NHTSA complaint #11465640, 2022

“MY LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP STATED THERE IS A RECALL ON CERTAIN VW MODELS FOR THE CLOCK-SPRING LOCATED INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING A TERRIBLE NOISE WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, WHICH VW ATTRIBUTES TO THE CLOCK-SPRING. THEY TOLD ME THE 2012 GOLF TDI MODEL IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BUT APPARENTLY THIS CLOCK-SPRING PROBLEM IMPACTS OTHER MODELS. THEY WARNED THE PROBLEM WILL GET WORSE AND EVENTUALLY IMPACT THE STEERING, AIRBAG, TURN SIGNALS, HORN, AND OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL. THEY QUOTED THE COST TO REPLACE THE CLOCK-S…”
NHTSA complaint #11011753, 2017

“MY ISSUE SEAMS SIMILAR TO A FILING LAST YEAR "10654071". I STARTED THE CAR TO LEAVE FROM WORK, AND I RECEIVE NINE SEPARATE EXTERIOR LIGHT FAULTS. IT AFFECTED BOTH THE FRONT RIGHT, LEFT REAR, RIGHT REAR, SIDE MARKER LIGHTS, AND PLATE LIGHT. ALL STOPPED WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. THERE WAS NO WARNING. AND NO FUSES WERE BLOWN. I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I WAS LUCKY THAT ONE HEADLIGHT CONTINUED TO WORK. THIS MADE FOR A VERY DIFFICUL.”
NHTSA complaint #10794651, 2015

Structure 4 1 crash 2 injury

“I WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY IN DALLAS. THERE WAS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA TWO LANES TO THE LEFT OF ME. HE APPARENTLY WANTED TO TAKE AN EXIT THAT WAS RAPIDLY COMING UP. HE HAD A DRESSER IN THE BED SO HE ASKED HIS WIFE IF IT WAS CLEAR TO CUT ACROSS ALL 5 LANES TO TAKE THE EXIT. I WAS TWO LANES OVER AND REAR ENDED HIM. HE BRAKE WHEN HE SAW ME AND I HAD LITTLE TIME TO REACT, SO I HIT HIM FRONT DISTRIBUTED TO REAR DISTRIBUTED. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I'VE BEEN A POLICE OFFICER FOR 17 YEARS AND A FIREFIGHTER EVEN LONGER AND KNOW HOW AIR BAGS WORK. SINCE I ESSENTIALLY REAR ENDED HIM, I KN…”
NHTSA complaint #10510419, 2013 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“THE HATCHBACK EDGES ON THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLES HAVE A KNIFE POINT THAT IS JUST UNDER SIX FEET OFF THE GROUND. UNLOADING THE CAR IN THE GARAGE I MISJUDGED THE CLEARANCE AND SUFFERED A PAINFUL PUNCTURE WOUND ON TOP OF MY HEAD. I FELL TO THE GROUND AND THE WOUND BLED PROFUSELY. THESE EDGES NEEDED TO BE ROUNDED OFF OR OTHERWISE BLUNTED. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10514757, 2013 · 1 injury(ies)

“WHEN THE TEMPERATURE REACHES ABOVE 80 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT THE DRIVERS DOOR AND THE PASSENGERS DOOR WILL NOT LATCH CLOSED PROPERLY. IF YOU TRY TO CLOSE THE DOORS, THEY JUST BANG AGAINST THE FRAME AND SWING OPEN. ONCE THE TEMPERATURE OF THE DOOR COOLS DOWN, THE DOOR WILL EVENTUALLY LATCH. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO WAIT TILL MORNING TO PROPERLY CLOSE THEM SHUT. THE DEALERSHIP IS ASKING $600 TO REPAIR THIS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THESE DOORS SHOULD LOCK PROPERLY BEFORE DRIVING AWAY.”
NHTSA complaint #11012343, 2017

Exterior Lighting 3

“INTERMITTENTLY, DASHBOARD MFD WOULD INDICATE THAT ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS FAILED. SHUT OFF ENGINE AND PULLED OUT KEY. INSERTED KEY AND RESTARTED AND ALL WOULD BE FINE. GOT TO THE POINT THAT LIGHTS WERE IN FACT NOT WORKING. PULLED OUT FUSES AND WHEN I PULLED THE 30A FUSE (F16?) I NOTICED THE FUSE AND FUSE BOX WAS MELTED. I CLEANED THE CONTACTS ON THE FUSE WITH SANDPAPER AND A WIRE BRUSH. I ATTEMPTED TO USE THE BRUSH ON THE FUSE BOX BUT TO NO AVAIL. I INSERTED THE FUSE BACK IN AND THE LIGHTS WORKED. NEXT MORNING, I TURNED THE KEY ON AND MFD INDICATED ALL THE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. I OPENED THE HOO…”
NHTSA complaint #11266012, 2019

“MY ISSUE SEAMS SIMILAR TO A FILING LAST YEAR "10654071". I STARTED THE CAR TO LEAVE FROM WORK, AND I RECEIVE NINE SEPARATE EXTERIOR LIGHT FAULTS. IT AFFECTED BOTH THE FRONT RIGHT, LEFT REAR, RIGHT REAR, SIDE MARKER LIGHTS, AND PLATE LIGHT. ALL STOPPED WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. THERE WAS NO WARNING. AND NO FUSES WERE BLOWN. I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I WAS LUCKY THAT ONE HEADLIGHT CONTINUED TO WORK. THIS MADE FOR A VERY DIFFICUL.”
NHTSA complaint #10794651, 2015

“WHEN STARTING MY GOLF TDI I RECEIVED SEVERAL WARNING MESSAGES ON THE CAR'S INFORMATION SCREEN TO CHECK TURNING LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS AND RUNNING LIGHTS ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE CAR. THE RIGHT HAND HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKELIGHTS WERE OUT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAULT WAS A MELTED FUSEBOX. THE INTERNAL WIRING OF THE FUSEBOX OVERHEATED AND MELTED THE PLASTIC OF THE BOX AND THE PLASTIC OF THE FUSE WITHOUT BREAKING THE CIRCUIT. ACCORDING TO MY REPAIR SHOP, THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AFFLICTING AS MANY AS ONE MILLION VWS OF VARIOUS YEARS. I SAW THAT VW HAS INITIATED RECALLS FOR THIS…”
NHTSA complaint #10654071, 2014

Vehicle Speed Control 3 1 crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED THEN CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND SOMEONE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. UPDATED 08/15/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACCELERATOR STUCK WHEN HE BACKED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY ON INCLINE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BY ITSELF AFTER GOING DOWN AN INCLINE AND AROUND THE CORNER.”
NHTSA complaint #10514288, 2013 · crash

“2012 VW GOLF TDI (DIESEL) VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING POWER ON ACCELERATION FROM A STOPLIGHT AND BEGAN CLICKING. CHECK ENGINE AND GLOW PLUG LIGHTS FLASHED. POWER WAS REDUCED TO 15% AND LIMPED TO SHOULDER. SHUT OFF ENGINE AND ATTEMPTED RESTART. ENGINE TURNED OVER BUT NO IGNITION. TOWED TO DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. DEALER REPLACED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, TANK PUMP, HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES, FUEL RAIL WITH BOTH SENSORS, ALL INJECTORS, FUEL RETURN LINES, FUEL FILTER, AND AUX FUEL PUMP. TANK AND FUEL LINES WERE FLUSHED AND CLEANED. ALL REPAIRS DONE UNDER VW 60K POWE…”
NHTSA complaint #10627186, 2014

“CAR PURCHASED NOVEMBER 2011. AUGUST 29, 2012 (MUCH <10,000 MILES) REPORTED ROUGH SHIFTING OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO VOLKSWAGEN OF ALEXANDRIA. TOLD THAT EXPERIENCE WAS NORMAL. TRUSTED MECHANIC AND USED VEHICLE. MARCH 18, 2013--COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT. ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE MOVING AND ABRUPTLY BROUGHT CAR TO A STOP. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT PROMPTED RECALLS FOR THIS CAR IN AUSTRALIA, CHINA, AND JAPAN. BROUGHT INTO VOLKSWAGEN OF ALEXANDRIA AND TOLD PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO COMPUTER ERRORS CONTROLLING TRANSMISSION. JULY 10, 2013--(@15,000 MILE…”
NHTSA complaint #10524360, 2013

Steering 2

“MY LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP STATED THERE IS A RECALL ON CERTAIN VW MODELS FOR THE CLOCK-SPRING LOCATED INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING A TERRIBLE NOISE WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, WHICH VW ATTRIBUTES TO THE CLOCK-SPRING. THEY TOLD ME THE 2012 GOLF TDI MODEL IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BUT APPARENTLY THIS CLOCK-SPRING PROBLEM IMPACTS OTHER MODELS. THEY WARNED THE PROBLEM WILL GET WORSE AND EVENTUALLY IMPACT THE STEERING, AIRBAG, TURN SIGNALS, HORN, AND OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL. THEY QUOTED THE COST TO REPLACE THE CLOCK-S…”
NHTSA complaint #11011753, 2017

“READING SOME ONLINE FORUMS, MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING A CREAKING SOUND COMING FROM COMPONENTS RELATED TO THE STEERING SYSTEM. IT OCCURS WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE EXACT DIAGNOSIS IS NOT POSTED ON ANY OF THE FORUMS BUT IT DOES MAKE VW OWNERS NERVOUS. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION, REGARDLESS OF THE SPEED.”
NHTSA complaint #10983886, 2017

Seats 1

“Heated seats get extremely hot. Smell of burning. Possible to catch fire or burn people Vw patrick volkswagen auburn ma confirmed that electrical inspection to rule out seat recall No. No recall has been submitted yet When i first bought the car in 2025”
NHTSA complaint #11736484, 2025

Service Brakes 1

“ABS pump and module have failed according to my mechanic. ABS lights and traction control lights are on all the time. If I were to drive this car on the road, and I would have to make an emergency stop, my brakes would lock up and I would slide. This is an extreme safety hazard.”
NHTSA complaint #11690351, 2025

Unknown Or Other 1

“KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WILL NOT TURN OFF.”
NHTSA complaint #10723789, 2015