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.
We filled up the tank with diesel at gas station on the road and the car started stalling 3 days later. It would only start after an hour of "rest". after 3 of these incidents, we took it to the dealer to find out that the car had gasoline mixed with diesel, or "contaminated fuel". they flushed the car and changed the filters at a cost of $1275, but warn that it may require a full overhaul! (cost estimated at $8K). So I asked, how I am suppose to know what's good diesel or not" is there a test? some way of knowing" the dealer had no suggestions nor guidance on this regard. Now we find on the web forums, that this is not an isolated case and that there are many cases (in fact the dealer mentioned a few were in the shop for the same issue) escalating this issue from the random misuse of gas or contaminated gas. Net, there's an issue when you have a car you can't rely on because of the diesel supplies. I am very disappointed and concerned that this new car will stall again and leave us stranded.
As I was entering the on ramp to get on the highway, under normal acceleration, there was a hissing sound and the car stalled in the middle of the highway lane where multiple cars were getting on and off the highway. I was forced to pull to the side of the exit ramp where I waited 45 min for a tow truck to get us while cars flew past my fiancee and I, putting our lives in danger. I had the car towed to the dealer where I purchased the car. Today, 11/26/2012, I was told that the hpfp(high pressure fuel pump) had failed and would be replaced under the warranty. I am waiting for further information as to whether there are any more malfunctions or not. This seems to be a common problem that vwoa has failed to acknowledge and is putting peoples lives in danger.
Vehicle engine stopped while vehicle was stopped. Would not restart. Towed to dealer. Dealer service reported rust in fuel canister. Claims cause of failure was bad fueled. $7200 in parts and labor. Based on several blogs, I suspect hpfp failure was part malfunction but VW does not admit to this.
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.
I was driving my VW Golf tdi about 15 mph due to heavy traffic when coil sign began flashing and the service engine soon alert appeared. After approximately 200 yards the vehicle stopped and would not start again. There was no accident because traffic lights turned red. The vehicle was pushed from the intersection to the curb and towed to a VW dealership. Fuel pump, fuel filter housing, all fuel injectors, fuel lines, and high pressure fuel pump were removed and replaced with new parts. The vehicle is now operating.
- Irvine, CA, USA
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I was driving my vehicle at approximately 35mph, after just having left a store. All of a sudden the engine started making a "clunky" sound and the hud displayed "service engine". I pulled to the side of the road and shut off the engine. I tried to refire the engine thinking perhaps there was a hiccup in the fuel lines. The vehicle restarted with the same clunky sound, and abruptly stalled within 5 seconds.
Had driven car 20 miles that day. Went inside for 15 minutes, came back. Unable to start car. Unable to engage engine. Lights and shifters all working. 5 attempts by 3 different people over next hour and unable to start car. VW tow truck driver unable to start car. Next morning VW able to start car. VW dealer attributes problem to water/algae in fuel. Line cleaned and fuel replaced by dealer. Car picked up. Car driven 15 miles total after pick-up. Left car for 5 minutes, returned to car but unable to restart car. Multiple attempts failed. Tow truck driver able to start car after 5 minutes of constantly engaging engine. Being investigated by VW dealer now.
When accelerating onto the highway, the check engine light flashed "service engine immediately" and the glow plug light flashed. VW service was called, they indicated that the car should not be driven. It was towed to the nearest dealership where they indicated that the fuel pressure was too low. They replaced the fuel pressure regulator with no improvement. They then indicated that the high pressure fuel pump was faulty and replace the pump (part number 03L130755A), the pipe (03L130235S), seal (N 90451902), valve (057130764H).
Car stalled on freeway off ramp in traffic, and would not restart. The car was blocking traffic, and needed to be towed to dealership to be repaired. The dealer stated that the high pressure fuel pump (hpfp) had failed.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Rye, NY, USA