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.
While driving straight on a city highway, the car stalled, and would not restart. This happened in moderate traffic, but we were able to coast out of the road and into a parking lot. The dealer where we bought the car analyzed the fuel system, and ruled that out. He found a bad fuse related to the fuel pump, and claims at this time that it is probably an electrical issue. At this time, the exact cause remains unknown. This is the third time that we've had the same problem, though the previous two times the dealers claimed that it was a fuel system issue.
The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the vehicle jerked, the check engine warning indicator illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted, but the failure recurred. The was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the fuel injector system failed. Four injectors, the fuel rings, the ignition coil, and the wires were replaced. The contact stated that the windshield wipers failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the windshield wiper motor failed. The windshield wiper motor was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000. Updated 01/12/16; 04/19/18
Car with approximately 56,500 miles. About 50 miles after fueling with diesel fuel from a sunoco station, glow plug light started blinking, check engine light on and car entered a "limp mode". was attempting to accelerate onto a highway from an on ramp. Would not allow me to go over 25 miles per hour. Brought to nearest VW dealership. Was told the high pressure fuel pump had essentially disintegrated and there are metal shards throughout the entire fuel system, which will need to be replaced. Fuel sample sent to VW for testing. Awaiting to hear from dealer whether or not this will be covered under warranty.
The car, 2011 VW Jetta tdi, stalled while driving on the highway for the third time. This is third repair to the high pressure fuel system. Metal debris were found per dealer. The second time was approx 1 1/2 yrs ago while my wife was driving on the freeway with 2 kids. The first time was approx 3 yrs ago.
- La Habra Heights, CA, USA
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38,875 miles - total collapse of the fuel line due to an internal failure of the tank fuel pump (hpfp). VW dealer inspected and found metal in the fuel system. VW dealer tested the fuel in my tank and it showed clean diesel fuel with no contaminants. VW paid dealer to replaced fuel system components & cleaned tank, unit in tank & hard lines. Adapted injectors, bleed fuel by stem and tested. I've retained records, communication, and sample of gas in tank at time of collapse. One problem after another with vehicle.
While driving on the freeway, the diesel coil light started flashing and our vehicle lost power. We pulled off of the road, the vehicle stalled, so we had the vehicle towed to the dealership. Dealership determined it was a fuel system failure(metal in the system) and sent the fuel to be tested. Test result said insufficient lubricant in fuel, therefore repairs not covered under extended warranty. Dealership informed us that we needed to be using "toptier" diesel. We researched this (having never been told this before) and realized we had purchased diesel from a "toptier" listed station (shell). Dealership told us to make a claim with our insurance company since it was an "outside influence" that caused the failure. Insurance company is investigating whether or not this is a valid claim.
The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving approximately 45 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel failed and needed to be drained. In addition, the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Vehicle began stuttering and lost power. After an additional 20 seconds shut down and would not restart. It appears to be a problem with the diesel fuel pump as metal debris were found. Dealer claims VW must test fuel however I know the car has always been properly fueled and has the fueling safeguard device installed.
Manual transmission tdi sportwagen. Driving 30 mph in 4th gear. Flashing glow plug warning light went on. Vehicle lost power and speed. Attempted to downshift. Engine immediately shut off and RPM went immediately to 0. lost power steering and brakes. Did not have enough speed to bring vehicle to curb. Vehicle stopped at intersection and had to be towed. Dealer diagnosed as hpfp failure.
The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving at 65 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact merged to the right side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the number two and three fuel injectors were faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.
I was driving to work, which includes crossing a toll bridge daily. I was on the bridge, which is only a 2 lane bridge, when all of a sudden my diesel engine failure light began to flash. I lost acceleration and was able to pull off to the shoulder safely and turn off the car. I sat there for a few minutes contemplating if I should call aaa to get a tow to the dealer. Seeing as I was only about 5 miles from the VW dealer, I decided to see if my car will make it there. It started back up no problem and I was able to accelerate back into traffic and make it to the dealer with no further issues. I explained the problem to the service rep. And they checked in my car and I waited for them to call me with the issue. Later in the day, I received the call from the service rep., and he informed me that the high pressure fuel pump failed, and they will have to rebuild the fuel system, as there were metal particles found in the gas and gas lines. He said this sometimes happens when a customer may use biodiesel fuel or a lower grade of diesel. He also said that they would have to send the gas samples off to VW lab to review in order for the repairs to be approved since I have the extended warranty. I am shocked that this occured, seeing as my car is only 4 years old and less than 50K miles on it. Thankfully, there was not an accident and no one was hurt.
Hpfp catastrophic failure started vehicle and while driving experienced loss of power. Diesel glow plug illuminated and mfd message read "service now". stalled at traffic light and would not restart. Towed to VW of corpus christi the next day. VW repaired at their cost. Never fueled with anything but diesel. Repair ticket indicated that 'diesel looked ok". I was fortunate that this did not occur at highway speed. I believe that the complaint was closed too early by the NHTSA and is not due to misfueling as you have been convinced by VW but rather a design flaw in the hpfp. I have lost confidence in this brand and the NHTSA due to this issue.
Driving down the highway at about 55mph, started switching lanes and stepped on the gas to accelerate. The car sputtered and the engine vibrated. The car felt like I was going to stall driving in the high-speed lane. The yellow check engine light came on and epc light started flashing. Swerving back into the lower speed lane I couldn't even keep the car at 55mph. I had to pull over on the highway to see if I could make sense of it. After turning off the car and then back on, the lights went off and the car was fine. I took it too the mechanic and they said they couldn't find anything wrong after $85 diagnostic. The car ran fine for 2 days until the same exact thing happened while driving on the highway again. This occurred on and off intermittently about every 1-2 days for about 2 weeks. Three trips to the mechanic within those 2 weeks and with each visit there was a computer connected to the car and a full systems diagnostic reported that there was nothing wrong with the car. It became dangerous for me to drive the car and even more so to drive it on the highway. After the second week the lights finally came on and stayed on and the problem was diagnosed as the engine misfiring in 2 of the cylinders. The mechanic changed with the ignition coil on 12/15.2014. The engine ran completely fine without any issues until last week, 3/19/2015. At 3 months and only 28,000 miles on the car the same problem started to reoccur while getting onto the highway and attempting to accelerate from 40-45mph. It started just as it did before intermittently and about 2 weeks later the engine and epc lights were on permanently again. After the mechanic confirmed that it was the same issue with the same component we changed the same part again. I am expecting to be changing it again in 3 more months, if I still have the car.
4:45 am at 45 mph, the engine sputtered then two dash lights showed up, I pulled over to check what they meant. One said pre glow before start up; if flashing malfunction in the diesel engine, the other was the engine malfunction which said emission malfunction. I had the vehicle towed to local garage they determined it was a fuel pump issue and showed me all the metal shavings in the fuel metering valve. They told me to take it to VW as there are many bulletins on the problem.
Outside temp was 3 degrees F, approx 0730 on 16feb15 I had been on shift the car had not been started for 48 hrs. I started the car, and went back inside the work building for approx. 5 min. When I went back to the car I noticed a large fluid spill emanating from the bottom of the engine compartment. I immediately turned off the vehicle. After requesting assistance from a co-worker it was discovered that when the ignition switch was activated large amounts of diesel fuel was spurting from the top-front portion of the fuel pump. The vehicle has been left off, is currently awaiting tow, diagnostic and repair estimates.
Was driving our 2011 Jetta sportwagen tdi 25 mph and check engine light and engine heater light were flashing. Car went into safe mode with very little throttle control. Took to dealer and was told a catastrophic fuel system failure occurred and the entire fuel system needs to be replaced. Found other car owners online have had similar issues. It is being covered under warranty but if this is an on going problem should be addressed. This would be a huge expense over $6,000 if not under warranty.
On February 1, 2014 I turned on my car and headed to church at about 1 in the afternoon, everything appeared fine. After church I did the same; however, shortly after I had left the church parking lot the glow plug and battery symbols started flashing and suddenly my engine stopped. Out of nowhere my car stalled in the middle of the road, thank goodness I had managed to steer to the side and that the cars on the road managed to go around me because it could have turned out into a tragedy. I had never had any issues with my engine/battery nor did any of the dashboard warning lights light up prior to this incident. I tried turning my car back on several times but it was unresponsive. The battery and alternator sounded fine but for some reason the car just wouldn't start back up. Could it have been the fuel pump" my car runs on diesel and I have always fueled it with the appropriate fuel without any issues so what now" I had to push my car out of the middle of the road and call a tow service to tow my car home. Over the next week I drove a rental to work and called the Volkswagen dealership and left multiple messages for parts and service and for the person in charge of extended warranty. It's been a week and they have not answered. My car has been out of a warranty now for a while, however I have maintained it and given it the proper care so it does not make sense that a 2011 vehicle would simply stall in the middle of the road without a warning. I am sure that this is a manufacturer's defect and I would like for it to be resolved promptly, I am sure I am not the only one that has had this issue in the past as I have seen multiple complaints online about this and there has even been a few recalls for previous diesel models regarding issues similar to mine.
High pressure fuel pump failure, resulting in damage that required replacing the entire diesel fuel system. Repair covered under VW warranty, estimated cost (according to VW) had this not been covered was $8000. This failure was not due to mis-fueling, however the fuel tank was very low. I have no reassurances from the manufacture that this problem will not reoccur.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Greenville, NC, USA