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.
The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph and applying the brakes in an attempt to avoid another motorist, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for diagnosis. The contact was informed that the fuel injector line would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 33,000.
Approximately a year ago, my engine began to give a clear sense of the car shuddering or rocking back and forth. While sometimes the feeling would occur even when stopped at a light, the vast majority of the time this occurred while I was driving at consistent low speeds. In almost all cases, I was attempting to maintain a consistent speed around either 13pmh or 30 mph. Eventually, I found the rocking motion very easy to reproduce. I'd set the car to 30 mph via cruise control and drive down a straight road with very slight upward and downward slopes. While it happens even on flat ground, I found that a slight decline is most likely to reproduce the feeling. My best guess is that there's something about the way the fuel supply system/transmission is trying to determine whether or not diesel needs to be supplied to the engine. The fuel supply system seems to almost cut out because giving diesel would produce a speed too high, and then it comes back on suddenly, because giving it no diesel would cause the car to slow too much. While sometimes this is simply a nuisance, I have had on many occasions felt that it was a genuine safety hazard since I couldn't predict how the engine would react. This in combination with overly strong engine break when letting off of the accelerator and delayed acceleration when stepping on the peddle that can cause inconsistencies and safety hazards when maneuvering in stop and go traffic on the highway. I've mentioned this problem every single time I've taken my car in for it's regularly scheduled maintenance. The vehicle has a diesel dsg engine, and as I've been told by service technicians and representatives, some of the things like strong engine breaking are associated with this type of engine. However, the car's rocking motion certainly goes beyond anything that could realistically be considered normal and safe.
I had just exited the highway, when the engine died at 35 mph. The car would not restart afterwards. The dealer indicated that the fuel system was contaminated with metal shavings. This appears to be another case of failure of the high pressure fuel pump with the 2.0 tdi engine. Only diesel fuel has *ever* been used in the vehicle. As per VW's tsb, the dealer tested the fuel and indicated that it was ok. VW covered the replacement of the entire fuel system under warranty. Otherwise, this would have cost approximately $10K.
Tdi diesel Jetta with 30,000 miles by original owner was being driven 35 mph city secondary streets, vehicle abruptly lost power. Coasted to side of road. Police were called, they ascertained that location was safe enough until tow. Towed to dealer. Dealer said fuel pump had failed. Vehicle had been to dealer a few days before for 30,000 mile service. Diesel fuel almost always purchased at same 3 yr old busy station, and car was running on same tank of fuel as when it was serviced. There was no warning of problems, no hesitation, no loss of power, no warning lights before total shutdown of engine. On a freeway, this could have been very dangerous.
The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for routine maintenance the engine warning light illuminated. The dealer performed a diagnostic; the failure was located at the fuel pump filter. The dealer advised that the fuel used contaminated the fuel pump filter with dibris. The fuel pump was replaced, however the failure was not corrected; the engine light illuminated and the vehicle made a loud noise while driving. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileage was 20,200.
- Ligonier , PA, USA
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Never received the recall notice for leaky fuel lines by my local dealer. My car developed a leak and almost caused a crash as it shut down while driving down the road.I am furious as I now also learned there is fuel pump failures being investigated by your organization and the dealer doesn't want to replace it right now while they are doing the fuel lines? this car is 14 months old there is no reason why this shouldn't all be replaced and warrantied for much longer I don't believe these cars are safe or dependable to drive and it's brand new! I think VW has done a horrible job and I don't want to ever buy a VW again.
Car engine stopped suddenly while driving. Drifted to side of road; car would not restart. Had to pay $250 for tow to dealer. Service person called to say there was metal in my fuel system/tank, but they didn't know what was wrong. He also accused me of putting the wrong gas in my car. I informed service person that it took 5 seconds on the internet to learn about the NHTSA investigation into the many high pressure fuel system failures that cause engine to stop running. Interestingly, he called back 2 hours later and acknowledged that fuel system and powertrain and other stuff need to be replaced. This is an unsafe car. I could have been going 65 on the freeway with a small child or other people in the car, all of whom could have been seriously injured when car suddenly looses all power and momentum. Many online complaint reports are for second failures, after repair. I do not trust the service dept. Of any Volkswagen dealer and have no confidence that the problem is eliminated. I am afraid to drive the car.
2011 Jetta tdi diesel - second occurrence of engine stall due to high pressure fuel pump (hpfp) failure while driving at 40 plus miles per hour. Car stalled and would not restart and had to be towed to dealer. This is the second time that this car has been towed due to a defective design which results in the high pressure pump failing sending debris throughout the system. NHTSA says in concluding statements dated 12/21/12 that (NHTSA recall no. 11V-490) 'the action taken by Volkswagen is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation. I can assure you that the defect remains and is potentially a serious safety issues as the car suddenly stalls while in motion. As this is the second replacement of the fuel system the defect remains a problem and the consumer is exposed to not only safety issues but high costs in repair at $10,000+ if the car is not under warranty. The trend is continuing with 2012 tdis as well. Please force VW to address this issue as I now have an unsafe car.
A warning light came on, and the engine began performing poorly at 75mph on a busy highway. Slowing to exit about a mile further, the engine abruptly stalled and quit on the off ramp. The repair report indicated that it was an internal high pressure fuel pump failure. It caused metal pieces to spread throughout the fuel system. The total for parts only was $4445. Problem is being blamed on fuel quality in the us.
Morning rush hour traffic in new orleans (center lane) when glow plug light started flashing and no power to change lanes. At this time, trying not to get run over, I managed to get over and coast to an off ramp into the lower 9th ward(scary). Car was dead and would not start. Brought to a dealership and was told it would be 1 week before it could be looked at it. Not knowing if it was covered under warranty no rental was given and had to be picked up by wife, 100 miles away. One week later was notified the high pressure fuel pump had failed and extended warranty would cover the cost for $109 bucks. It's amazing how I bought the extended warranty and a major part goes out and I got no rental and it's going to cost me money. VW doesn't stand behind their product.end result from owning a VW tdi, getting run over at 5 a.M in the morning, being stranded in the lower ninth ward of new orleans for 3 hours scared to get out of car, ride with wrecker for 1 hour to dealership, no rental car to get back to work, wait for 1.5 hours for family member to come get me, wait for 1 week to be told the repair cost would be @7K and a remanufactured part would be put back, cost of $109 for warranty, another weeks wait for repair and best off being stuck with a car that has no trade in after anyone checks carfax. While being stranded and checking internet find out VW is having major problems with this and it could have been prevented with a recall.
I was driving on the expressway at night during traffic hours when my engine malfunction light started flashing. I was doing 50mph when my engine shut off. I was in the middle lane and traffic was flying by me on both sides of my car so I was afraid to get out the vehicle. Lucky for me a tow truck seen me in distress and helped get me and my car off the expressway. I took my car to the dealership and they told me it was the high pressure fuel pump disintegrated and sent metal shards throughout the entire fuel system. VW tried to accuse me of putting regular gas in a low diesel fuel engine. But I had my receipts for proof. VW needs to investigate further. Since a vehicle shutting off during traffic hours is a safety hazard. If the tow truck hadn't seen me when he did the results might have been fatal.
The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta tdi. The contact stated that while the brakes were depressed the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnose that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure was 16,690 and the current mileage was 16,700.
Traveling in the left lane on 95 N outside baltimore md at 65 mph my vehicle's gas pedal stopped responding and the car began to lose power and lurch forward and eventually die as the yellow diesel engine indicator along with the yellow engine indicator began blinking. I was able to avoid two lanes of traffic and coast over two lanes to an off ramp before the steering wheel locked. After contacting VW roadside assistance the vehicle was towed to heritage VW located at 9215 harford road #2 parkville, md 21234 (877) 398-1963. It was after 9:00 P.M so the vehicle was left in the lot and all the paperwork was dropped in the box. The service department cited a fuel pump malfunction along with a faulty fuel gauge as the issue. This is the second time we have had to submit a report to your Agency for the exact same issues (please see reference number 10417213), the agents information is listed below. [xxx] [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
On May 14, 2012 while driving home from work on California I-15 North. I was stuck in traffic around the tamecula area, and traveling 15-20 mph to due to the traffic. I stopped my vehicle because traffic stopped. Traffic began to move once again, I pressed the accelerator and my vehicle began to move once again. When I reached 15 - 20 mph, my vehicle suddenly started to lose power and slow down. I receive a orange blinking amber light on my dash console. I down shift, and pressed the accelerator once again and vehicle produced little power. I referenced the blinking orange amber light in owner's manual and the manual stated the light meant "engine malfunction" and to contact dealer immediately. I as proceed on I-15 North, when I had to travel up a hill, the vehicle begin to decelerate even if I down shift. The next morning May 15, 2012 I took the vehicle to the local Volkswagen dealership to diagnose the vehicle. Later that after noon, I was contacted by the dealership stating the fuel sensor had gone bad and needed to be replaced. The dealership replaced the fuel sensor and I picked up the vehicle on Thursday May 17, 2012. On Friday May 18, 2012 I drove the vehicle to work. On the way home, around the same area on the I-15 North tamecula city limits. Again my vehicle experienced the same malfunction as before, lost of power, lost of acceleration, and blinking orange amber light. I stopped the vehicle turned it off and back one I proceeded to go, and 20 miles later received the blinking orange amber "engine malfunction" light and "check engine" light. I took the vehicle to the dealership on the May 19, 2012 and later that day was told the fuel sensor and fuel pump had go bad. It is May 29, 2012 and the dealership still has the vehicle. Dealership unable to determine the problem, and how to fix vehicle. Vehicle was purchased brand new in August 2011.
With little or no warning, engine stalled in busy intersection during evening rush hour. Luckily car cost into adjacent parking lot. Had car towed to local VW dealer who said total fuel system had to be replaced due to high pressure fuel pump failure. Repair took several weeks.
My 2011 VW Jettas high pressure fuel system stopped working and the car will not start. The dealer said that is was caused by the fuel. The repairs are well over $8000. I understand that NHTSA is looking into this problem because it has happened to so many other VW diesel Jetta cars. I have now talked to over 15 people in my area that have had the same issue with the fuel system. I own numerous other diesel trucks that fill up at the same filling station and have not had this problem. Please do something about a recall so this is covered by VW. I can see if this problems was just a few cars, but the tdi web site lists thousands of cars that this has happened to.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Winter Garden, FL, USA