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 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated he smelled a strong odor of carbon dioxide inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test however, no failure was found. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the vehicle did not have a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tank. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Glow plug warning light flashed and check engine light came on accompanied by a loss of power while driving. Dealership diagnosed the problem as a failure of the high pressure fuel pump.
My car is a 2012 VW Jetta tdi, clean diesel. I was driving from san diego ca to las vegas nv. It was over 100 degrees. I was traveling on interstate 15 North about 70 miles per hour. 80 miles from las vegas, glow light indicator came on, car lost power. I pulled over and car stalled, would not restart. Called VW, told them about the glow light indicator. They agreed to tow the car to lv. We sat on the road side for more than 4 hours in 100+ degree heat. VW repaired the car in 6 days, no cost to me except rental car. Cause was described as 'metal shavings in fuel system' later referred to as high pressure fuel pump failure. VW replaced the entire fuel system (injectors, lines, filter, fuel pump etc). However at this time I do not know if the same type of hpfp was used or a newly redesigned one. I am trying to clarify that. This is obviously a design flaw of some type. It can not be caused by bad fuel. The fuel filter would have caught any metal shavings. Any metal in the fuel downstream of the fuel filter had to come from the car itself. Not only that, having followed the recommended maintenance schedule for my car, my fuel filter was replaced at 20K miles. pics.tdiclub.com/data/516/2012_jetta.pdf similar complaint (NHTSA action number : EA11003) does not seem to cover 2012 models so I am filing this one instead.
The 2012 Jetta tdi sportwagen was working perfectly as we drove to a local concert in the park. After stopping for approximately 2.5 hours for the concert my wife, eight-month old child and I started the vehicle to head back home, at this time the vehicle started and was working properly. After driving approximately one-mile I pushed the accelerator to go over a small bridge and the vehicle had almost no power then the glow pug lights and the check engine light came on. I then pulled into a parking lot to shut off the vehicle to be sure we were safe and did not cause any damage to the vehicle. After a minute I tried to restart the vehicle and all seemed ok again for about a 1/2 mile and then the same problem occurred, very low power glow pug light and check engine light came on. We were only two miles from home so as the engine temp was good I continued home on surface streets with little power and made it home. Called our local dealer and drove to them the next day, they seemed to know the issue when I called and as expected, the same issue as so many others! the high pressure fuel pump, (hpfp) had failed and metal shavings were strewn throughout the fuel system. Volkswagen replaced the entire fuel system under warranty but the real issue remains. When will the NHTSA or Volkswagen step up to recall vehicles and correct this chronic problem! I am fortunate that my family was not injured but reading many others statements it will only be a matter of time before someone is killed or seriously injured as a direct result of the fuel pump failure problem. There was a 1/2 tank of fuel and this was definitely not a fueling problem. I personally and always fuel the vehicle, use major chain brands and always diesel!
My car has aprox 39K miles. Hearing a metallic grinding sound in my engine while driving. Took it to a VW dealer. They told me it's a high pressure fuel pump failure and that not to drive it as is. 1 week later, picked up my "repaired" car to only have a howling sound coming from engine within 1 hour of picking it up. Brought the car back next day and was told it's the auxillary fuel pump failing. That was replaced. Picked up my car yesterday and today I have a high pitched howling sound again from the same part of my engine. Returning the car again to VW tomorrow. I am afraid to drive my car. Apparently this a common problem with VW tdi high pressure fuel pumps. Car can die on me any time. So far repairs covered under power train warranty. This is looking like a lemon to me.
- Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA
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Engine light and ECM (engine control malfunction) light both come on. Have taken this new car in 6 times in 2 years, and the lights are on, yet again. After VW replaced sensors (four times), and wiring (module), and harness....all under warranty, this is still a problem. And I do not know if it is a safety defect or not. I want to know that before a crash, fire, or fatality happens. Please....if this is happening to your vehicle, make it known to this site. Thanks.
The car had been driven all day with no problems. We parked for almost two hours and when starting the engine, it sounded loud, like a typical diesel (ours had always been very quiet). Drove out of the parking lot and merged onto the freeway. The yellow glow plug light started to flash (engine control malfunction) and the car engine died. We had to perform an emergency maneuver to pull over to the right hand lane and were able to coast into a parking lot. The car was towed to a VW dealer. We are on vacation and 1,500 miles from home. The dealer has informed me that they will need to replace the entire fuel pump and fuel line system due to fuel contamination(?). we have always been extremely conscientious and have only purchased major name brand diesel. The service manager informed me that this has happened 4 times in the last two years. We are on vacation and 1,500 miles from home, the repairs will take a week.
I went on a road trip prior to this visit, and had a scary issue with my car where it hesitated several times while driving, it was hesitating like it was out of gas but I just filled it up with of course the recommended gas which is diesel. After a couple of minutes it stopped, which I found to be unusual cause its to new to be doing this. Then I started to hear and notice that unusual noise coming from the front driver side of my car again but a little louder than before, it was annoying me so bad. I was hearing a constant rumbling, grinding noise while driving, the rougher the road the louder the noise, when I hit a bump the noise went with the bump, the smoother the road it was less loud but still there. I took it to VW and they had told me they scanned it and found no faults with the hesitation issue, than I took a ride with a technician who did hear the noise I was hearing, the technician even noted it on my papers. We then took out a similar vehicle but I could not hear the same noise, so the technician advised me to take it back again if it gets worse. I had told the technician it is not normal, no new car should be making these noises. Not to mention the person who had sold the car to me never thanked me for the purchase as well as told me to never talk to him again, when all I was trying to do was to get some help from him, but he had treated me like garbage and made me fend for my own. On this visit they had supposedly done a multipoint inspection on my vehicle, and once again stated everything to be normal, nothing stating about my tires.
On Thursday, January 16, 2014, at about 1145 hours, I was traveling sb I-15 in the number one lane, in murrieta, ca in my 2012 Volkswagen Jetta tdi, with my cruise control set at approximately 77 miles per hour. Without any prior warning, a warning light on my dashboard (later identified as the glow plug light) began to flash and I simultaneously lost power. Luckily, I was able to merge over to the winchester rd. Off ramp. As I slowed and came to a stop, my vehicle stalled and I was unable to restart it after numerous attempts. I was stranded in the center lane of a three lane off ramp where numerous vehicles nearly rear ended me. I immediately called 9-1-1 for assistance. As a result, a highway patrol unit arrived within several minutes to prevent me from being in an auto accident. I telephoned my insurance company after calling 9-1-1 in order to be towed to murrieta Volkswagen. Several hours later I received word from the dealership that they found numerous shards of metal in the high pressure fuel pump (hpfp) and gas line. The dealership also informed me that they would be submitting a claim to Volkswagen in order to repair the damages, which have been initially quoted at $4000. They also told me they would need at least a week to repair the vehicle. I have read numerous accounts online where tdi owners have complained of the exact same issues: Finding shards of metal in their fuel filters as well as experiencing a failure of the hpfp. No one else should have to endure the dangerous situation I found myself in yesterday, let alone the expense I am facing if Volkswagen denies the claim the dealership is filing on my behalf. Please help all of us. This is a widespread issue that Volkswagen has not corrected with their tdi clean diesel engines. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
VW Jetta tdi rear tank pump has no filter sock and fuel starved to high pressure aluminum pump without high pressure filter or manifold. No sign of metal shavings! cost of repair $10000 I phoned VW America as car was in warranty and they emailed back and said they would contact me and this did not happen.I had to pay the bill but my insurance covered me for most cost.lost 4 days of work and had to rent a car.this car is unsafe and I feel terrible saying this as I am a diesel lover. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Was on my way to work one morning while in the middle of my drive going 60mph my diesel glow plug light started to blink and the check engine light came on along with loss of power to my vehicle. Had to manage to avoid traffic and pull over to the side of the road and figure out what was wrong. Ultimately had car towed to VW dealership where I purchased car from. They looked over the car, test drove it and stated they didn't see anything wrong with it and reset the mil and I was on my way. The next day on my way to work again, glow plug light starts to blink along with check engine light on and loss of power to my vehicle. Have car taken back again and this time they state it was a bad fuel pump over the fuel tank and replace it and reset the mil and got my car back. That same day on my way home from work the lights come on again for a third time with loss of power to my vehicle. Take car back and this time they replace high pressure fuel pump. Haven't had any issues with it since but I suspect this is something that is occurring in alot of VW's from this year and felt the need to report it.
I was trying along at 50 mph and the globe diesel light came on and the engine light came an. I kept trying to drive it to get to a safe place to leave my vehicle to get it towed. VW could not determine if was fuel contamination or faulty fuel pump. I couldn't move the car when I got to a stop. If this is a known issue to the VW company why are they trying to blame the consumers that I put the wrong fuel in my vehicle. VW installed the fuel guard which was a recall, and covered the rest of the parts but now I am left with a year old car that I hope has no longer further issues due to VW not recalling and fixing an issue with the fuel pump.
I have a VW Jetta tdi. The diesel high pressure fuel pump went bad while I was driving 70 mph on the highway. Lost all acceleration, had to coast 2 lanes over to get to shoulder. Had to have vehicle towed in to dealer for service.
My wife and I were merging into traffic at highway speeds when the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta sportwagen tdi engine stalled. I was able to get the car off the road onto a grass embankment before a semi truck passed within inches of driver side. The car would not restart. We called VW roadside assistance and were towed to the nearest VW dealership. Upon mechanic inspection, I was advised that the fuel system had failed, specifically the high pressure fuel pump. The repair required the entire fuel system to be replaced, as shards of broken metal and debris contaminated the fuel tank, pumps, lines, filters, etc. VW agreed to make the expensive repairs under warranty (estimate $6K) but not without advising me that they were not liable to make repairs under warranty due to "diesel fuel contamination". I was advised to purchase fuel from "reputable" diesel fuel stations without being asked where I bought gas (shell and gulf near my home). VW asked mechanic to pull 1 liter fuel sample for testing at VW. Mechanic reports the sample pulled appeared to be a clean diesel fuel sample. He left the sample out overnight to settle and look for phase separation of water/fuel. He saw no separation in the morning. I have loved my diesel car, but VW has not yet satisfied me with their customer service. My safety and reliability concerns have been very much discounted, and I have been made to feel like this was my fault.
Around noon time this past Saturday my son was returning from a neighborhood store and the car stalled at the roadside about 1/2 mile from home. He called and reported the cel and "coil" light blinking on the instrument panel. I was able to start the car, confirming the same lights were blinking and drove the rest of the way home. At home I called the VW service rep and made an appointment that same afternoon. We proceeded to take the car in a short while and it stalled again enroute - would not restart & had to call for a tow. After telling the VW service mgr what had happened he immediately called for a mechanic to bring some tool and proceeded to take the top of the fuel filter housing. As he suspected there were small filings of metal in the fuel filter housing. He then told me there was an issue with the some hpfp failures and they would be replacing it with one from another mfgr. He also said VW dealt with resolving this issue by replacing the entire fuel system. I am reporting this issue because I have read multiple instances on the internet of this happening and VW reporting that in many cases owners had contaminated the fuel system with gasoline. I fuel all the cars for our family and have never put gasoline in our Jetta's fuel system. I have all our fuel receipts from this year, and up till a few months ago had all our 2012 receipts as well. My wife is the high-use driver of this vehicle. I think I'm very fortunate this didn't happen to her on the freeway during her commute to/from work.
2013-07-19 - driving at 25mph, engine becomes unresponsive, error light comes on, engine stops completely, loss of steering and brake power, was able to coast to side street. Vehicle would not restart. Had to call a tow truck. VW service team manager asserts metal shavings in fuel injector indicate contamination of fuel system. Does not indicate what driver behavior could prevent this, nor does he disclose publicized tdi high pressure fuel pump problems. Most recent fueling 2013-07-17. Fuel receipt reads: $12.99 gallon diesel 2 pump #10 with two days of uneventful driving prior to fuel pump failure, suggests misfueling not responsible.
(this car is a Jetta tdi diesel, tdi option is not available in pull-down list above) after exiting highway, I smelled diesel fuel. Parked at destination and observed fuel leaking from under hood and pooling on ground. Tow truck was called & was told to get fire dept there to clean up spill. Fire dept spread material on ground and opened car hood. We could see spray marks of fuel from injector or lines, spray marks down passenger side of car from splashing up on highway drive I was told to not start car and keep persons away from car until tow truck came. When vehicle was put on tow truck bed, more fuel gushed out from underbody of car. Car has been serviced only at VW dealer, last date of 4/12/13. This happened when I was approx 50 miles from home on a Saturday night, so the vehicle was towed to a VW dealer in that town (grand rapids, mi). Upon checking fuel gauge in car, it was down 1/8 to 1/4 of a tank further than it should have been.
Received a letter from Volkswagen America for "service action campaign code: 20T8 subject: Certain 2009-2012 model year vehicles with tdi clean diesel engine install misfueling guard May 21, 2013" to install the misfueling guard VW part #5K0 201 400. Made an appointment with jim ellis Volkswagen located at 1860 cobb pkwy S marietta, ga 30060 ph: (770) 955-6565 to install the misfueling guard. After the fuel guard was installed, discovered that none of the diesel fuel nozzles at area fueling stations in atlanta, ga and charleston, SC fit the misfueling guard because the nozzles are too small to deactivate the lock-out mechanism. Car can only be refueled with extreme difficulty by very slowing trickling in diesel fuel to avoid triggering the fuel pump back-pressure auto-shutoff safety feature. Requires 10 to 15 mins to partially fuel the car and diesel fuel will foam and run out of the fuel tank neck. Contacted Volkswagen America and jim ellis to remove the misfueling guard, who as of this writing, are refusing to do so per VW America directives. Instead, the dealer provided a diesel fuel nozzle adapter 000-072-709 with latex gloves, which is not suitable for the average non-mechanically oriented driver and a huge inconvenience that significantly diminishes the value and utility of the vehicle. Part must not be lost and carefully wiped dry and kept clean after each use. A new driver may not be aware of or understand how to use the nozzle adapter. Neither VW America nor jim ellis advised me the misfueling guard would not fit a great number of diesel fuel nozzles commonly found at area refueling stations prior to having it installed. Had I known this, I would not have allowed the misfueling guard to be installed.
On 5/31 we filled our tdi after getting 515 miles on our previous tank of fuel. 5/31 was my last diesel fillup in my tdi before my issue came about. At that visit on 5/31 we added 14,207 gallons of fuel to our 14.5 gallon tank. About 12 days passed from our last fillup and after 405 miles or 3/4 of a tank of fuel usage since our last fuel up on 5/31 we went on Sunday 6/9 to start our vehicle.it started and then quickly died. We then tried to turn the vehicle over again and it would turn over but the engine would not ignite seemed to be a fuel issue to my husband) but in all efforts he tried to jump our vehicle.... no fix. On Monday we called for a tow we arrived to the dealership and the dealership got our car into the shop... diagnostics stated that we had gasoline in our diesel vehicle... at no time did we ever or have ever put gasoline in our car we have had this car for almost 29K miles and are other diesel product owners. We were blamed over and over again that we put gasoline in our car but thankfully we saved the receipt of our last fill up that stated we did put diesel in our vehicle the dealership stated they had to drain our fuel tank and replace our fuel filter.... this would be at a cost of almost $300. We stated to them we wanted a sample of the fuel drained and they did give us this. Our argument to the dealership was why would our vehicle now decided not to start or run after of a tank of fuel and almost 420 miles on the tank of fuel. It seems very odd. The dealership was very quick to pass the buck to the gas station reading the reports and complaints I am not the only one this has happened to. Volkswagen owners state that there are known issues of the fuel system in the dsg tdi and still has not been recalled. I feel like I may also be another victim of this blinded known corporate problem. Someone needs to be held accountable.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Godfrey, IL, USA