This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
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.
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.
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
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.
- Marietta, GA, USA
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
When applying the brake pedal I.e. to shift in D (when standing), it feels like being rearended. Intensity of the pulse or shudder varies, and sometimes does not occur. Last week, sutliff technician and service manager on duty felt the pulse, and in addition a display light epc came on, and the display said "service engine immediately". the car was in the shop three times over the past 3 or 4 months, and I was told every time that the error can not be reproduced. In addition to that, I took a picture at odometer reading 6048 miles, saying "steering column lock: Service now!", with an additional yellow steering wheel light on. I found both errors on blogs. However, sutliff VW claims that they can not read error codes from the vehicle, and that this does not allow any action. VW corporate advised sutliff also not to fix the issue.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Alexandria, VA, USA