My 2009 Jetta sportwagen tdi has experienced a disturbing no-start condition several times. Cranking the engine did not result in a start. Only after repeated cranking (5-10 times) did the car actually start. First it would not start several times, then start and die immediately, and finally start, run very rough, and then smooth out its idle. This entire sequence (which has happened at least 4 times in the last month, to varying degrees) occurred in the December-January time frame, with the first incident occurring when temps were right around freezing, with precipitation (rain-snow mix) and high humidity. At least 2 times, the vehicle simply died suddenly while driving, when I took my foot off the throttle and revs dropped down to idle. In addition, the car has displayed a solid check engine and flashing glow plug light, which have come and gone several times (intermittently: One day they will be on, the next day not). The last symptom to report is a P0638 obdii code (throttle body out of range). This code, however, could be a false indication that is related to the number of failed engine start attempts? I took the car to the dealer, and they could not figure out what the problem is. I have a strong indication to suspect, after researching others' experiences on several online forums, that this may be related to the accumulation of water and/or ice in the intercooler, which then either blocks the airflow or becomes ingested into the intake. My symptoms are consistent with those reported in the Volkswagen technical service bulletin (tsb) # 21 11 06 / 2025464 - frozen air charge cooler. However, when I presented this tsb data, along with report of my symptoms to the dealer (after they inspected the car and could not find anything) they told me that they could not help me, since the vehicle is out of its warranty period.

- Mukwonago, WI, USA

My VW Jetta had sat for a few days in a indoor parking space in the midwest during winter December to be exact. When I started the car, it started weak, then gave an error on the display of "engine fault workshop.". the cat continued to drive, but lacked power and seemed to surge. After I returned home, I disconnected the lower intercooler hose to find a large ice formation and water restricting the outlet of the intercooler. This problem can cause major engine damage and is caused.by the exhaust gases and water vapor freezing in the intercooler. Every VW with this style intercooler setup has potential for this problem. It should be recalled do to its severity. Also, there is a tsb already written for the "fix". but VW has not informed anyone, nor will take care of the problem for anyone beyond the 36000 mile warranty. Even though this is a design flaw.

- Madison, WI, USA

While driving the dash warning lights illuminated and the car stalled causing complete loss of all power steering almost causing me to lose control and wreck. I was able to steer car to side of road and stop. Once stopped was able to get car to restart but was barely able to drive home (periodically died and had to restart, wouldn't stay running or idle). Had car towed to repair shop. They have diagnosed problem as low rail fuel pressure caused by failed high pressure fuel pump. This failure caused metal shavings to be dispersed throughout entire fuel system. I'm told that the hp fuel pump, low and high pressure fuel regulators, and tank fuel pump all must be replaced along with a complete removal and cleaning of all fuel system components. Estimated cost to repair is between $7,000 and $10,000. This car is a diesel tdi.

- Texarkana, TX, USA

I was driving on the interstate, at about 68 mph, when the engine completely shut down without any warning whatsoever. The car, having a manual transmission, was still in gear and slowed down very quickly without any warning to other drivers (no brake lights). I tried to push in the clutch and coast to the shoulder, and successfully made it off the highway. The car restarted, and I made it a few miles towards the dealer before it happened again, luckily on a low-traffic street. The car was towed the rest of the way towards the dealer and diagnosed as a failed high pressure fuel pump, causing catastrophic fuel system damage. The fuel rail, injectors, pump, tank, and all lines will need to be replaced as the result of the pump failure caused bits of metal flakes to circulate about the fuel system. The diagnosis and listed repairs were determined by the Volkswagen dealer.

- North Pekin, IL, USA

Tdi diesel engine. Entered highway, car stuttered, engine died, displayed workshop code problem, glowplug light flashing. Restarted one time, traveled to parking area, engine died and would not restart. Code was P0087, fuel pump pressure failure. No previous problems or hints of this issue. Sudden engine failure. Very dangerous, was driving uphill, the one restart allowed me to leave road. Dealer noted no fuel contamination. System was properly primed on fuel filter changes. Used a ross-tech cable and software. Repair is expected to be about $7000. Previous diesel 2001 model was still running with 332,000 miles when this one was purchased. Tdiclub.com website has noted many of these failures, search hpfp, high pressure fuel pump. VW is not furnishing pumps designed with the us diesel fuel quality in mind. VW needs to correct this problem, there have been a lot of these failures.

- Lebanon, VA, USA

Traveling on interstate 10 from tallahassee, the car engine suddenly stopped running. After drifting onto the shoulder the engine light was on and the glow plug light was on. There were no indications of any problem prior to the engine stopping. No indicator lights came on, no sputtering, no loss of power etc. After many attempts to restart with no success, it was towed into marion Florida. They could not tell what was wrong and I had to have it towed to the closest dealer in valousa ga. There they found metal pieces in the fuel filter and said this was going to be a major repair. Please contact me if you need more information about this incident.

- Lakeland, FL, USA

2009 Jetta Volkswagen tdi, with only 50500 miles on it. The car died in the middle of intersection at 35mph. This was during rush hour traffic. In the car was me 32, my wife 36, my daughter of 8 years old and son of 2 years old. It was a very scary event. I had it towed to the nearest VW dealership. It took them 3 days to look at this car and after I called 15 times, they told me that this fuel pump had been slowly breaking down inside the fuel tank, running through the lines and into the injectors. They have told my this could be extremely expensive. I have always used clean diesel, and filled up at new gas stations. This was just today I spoke with them, and I have done some researching and found this to be called hpfp issue. From as many cases I have seen posted on the internet, this should definitely be a recall.

- Candler, NC, USA

Started my car for the second time that day, nothing out of the ordinary. About a mile away I experienced the car shutting down. I downshifted into second, turned back on but when I gave it gas it sputtered. I was on the side of the road for 1.5hrs waiting for tow truck. Mechanics computer describes the problem as low fuel pressure.

- Miami, FL, USA

Felt a shudder in the drive train; a few seconds later the glow plug light began to flash; the multi-function computer flashed that there was an engine fault and to service the engine; the engine shutdown and I pulled over to the side of the road; engine would not restart; dealer analysis revealed the high pressure fuel pump failed apparently sending shards of metal particles downstream of the pump; pump and other hardware downstream of the pump are scheduled for replacement

- Champaign, IL, USA

While leaving a concert, the vehicle was fine leaving the parking lot. Once we increased speeds to 45 mph, the engine completely shut down. The dials on the dashboard all fell to zero and the gas pedel no longer worked. We coasted into a small campground area off to the side of the road. After trying to restart the car three times, it finally started and we proceeded to go down the road, only to make it 500 more yards and pulled in to a hay stack pad. After numerous attempts to start while sitting on the phone wiht our insurance company, the car started once and died after sitting idle for three minutes. We then attempted to start it one last time and drove 25 mph to the nearest gas station. We all got out of the car, locked it up thinking it may have something to do with an antitheft feature. We got back in the car and were able to drive 41 miles home at hiway speeds. The following day we drove 5 miles into town and it died again going 25 mph. The closest volkswagon is another 25 miles away.

- Ellensburg, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta tdi. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. As the contact merged the vehicle to the shoulder, it restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who inspected the vehicle and stated that the failure was due to a blown turbo. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the repair was covered under warranty. The failure mileage was 73,800.

- Wappinger Falls, NY, USA

Vehicle is a 2009 Jetta sedan - tdi (diesel) vehicle shut down while driving. Flow plug light flashed on dash along with display of "engine fault workshop" vehicle would not restart. Pulled code of P0087 fuel rail/system pressure low. Towed to dealer, boucher VW in franklin, wi. Dealer confirmed fault was a high-pressure fuel pump failure.

- Wind Lake, WI, USA

I was driving up a hill in a neighboring town and my car lost all power almost instantly. My ""mdf" read "engine fault workshop" and my glow plug light (since this is a diesel powered vehicle) started rapidly flashing. I was able to shift the car to neutral and coast to the top of the hill, then once reaching the apex of the hill, coast into a grocery store parking lot. My car was completely dead, and I had to tow it to the dealer.

- Hughes Springs, TX, USA