6.0

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
13,116 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2011 Volkswagen Golf engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Volkswagen Golf Owner Comments

problem #9

Jan 022012

Golf

  • 12,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 mph, the vehicle stalled and the check engine and the service engine soon warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who diagnosed that the inter-cooler had ice inside the hoses. The dealer repaired the inter-cooler with a new kit; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 12,000.

- Arlington , VA, USA

problem #8

Mar 242012

Golf 4-cyl Diesel

  • 22,000 miles
During regular slow traffic driving conditions my 2011 Volkswagen Golf tdi displayed the "engine control malfunction" light on my instrument panel. I quickly pulled over and turned off the engine. After waiting several minutes I started the vehicle again and the light turned off. After about 10 minutes of driving, the light came on again and I noticed an extreme loss of power. I pulled over again within a few minutes and turned off the engine. This time I waited almost 15 minutes before trying to start the vehicle again and it would not start. I thought I was out of diesel as the low fuel light had also just come on so I called someone to bring me 5 gallons of diesel thinking maybe I was out. After refueling, the vehicle still wouldn't start so I had it towed to the closest VW dealer. The dealer said it was the fuel pump and I am currently waiting for it to be repaired. This happend on a Saturday and it is now 4 days later.

- Waveland, MS, USA

problem #7

Mar 062012

Golf 4-cyl Diesel

  • 13,845 miles
2011 VW Golf tdi 6-speed manual. My car was at the VW dealership to have an intercooler kit installed (tsb 2025464). On dealer's test drive, car abruptly stalled and would not restart. All power lost, car had to be towed off of roadway. Finally diagnosed as a malfunctioning high pressure fuel pump. 03L-130-851-ax was the replacement part number. Repair description stated that the common rail fuel pressure was too low, so the car's ECM would not allow injection - even in a limp-home mode. This left the one-year-old car with under 14,000 miles dead on the roadway.

- Haddon Township, NJ, USA

problem #6

Jan 032012

Golf

  • 22,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Was told by VW service that intercooler had condensation that froze and this is a known issue. Currently more than 600 awaiting modifications and parts are unavailable for up to 6 weeks. Temporary "fix" applied but problem reoccurred when temperature dropped below 25 degrees F. dealer now has vehicle due to ice remaining instead of melting. No timetable, no fix.

- Benton Harbor, MI, USA

problem #5

Dec 102011

Golf 4-cyl

  • 18,500 miles
I started my car on 12/10/2011, during which it was around 28 degrees. A few seconds later, the car stalled. After starting it a second time, I drove the car to between 3-5 mph, at which time it stalled again. On the third try, I was able to keep the engine running, but the engine ran rough for the first few minutes. On January 4 following another bout of cold weather, the car's engine refused to start even after multiple attempts. It was towed to the dealership where they attempted to start it. According to the dealership, it started immediately. The dealership is currently looking into the issue. They believe the problem is related to the intercooler pipes freezing during cold temperatures. When it thaws, water enters the engine and hydrolocks it, preventing it from starting or stalling the engine if it is already running. This issue poses several safety risks, especially if the car stalls in the midst of high-speed traffic.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #4

Jan 032012

Golf 4-cyl Diesel

  • 14,700 miles
Upon attempting to accelerate the engine would not rev above approximately 1500 RPM. I was barely able to get the car moving. After reaching about 10 mph the car stalled in the middle of the street. Fortunately, due to the time of day there was not much traffic and I was able to safely coast to the side of the street. I reported the issue to my local VW dealer and inquired if the issue was related to VW service bulletin ""?frozen charge air cooler"?? dated 9/6/2011. During a subsequent visit for an unrelated repair the dealer technician experienced the same issues. The technician determined that the service bulletin was applicable and attempted to order the repair kit. The service advisor informed me that VW agreed that I was experiencing the symptoms related to the service bulletin, but the recommended repair has proven ineffective and they would not install the kit. I was informed that VW has, as yet, no permanant solution and that the temporary solution is to allow the "??charge air cooler"?" to thaw and dry out any remaining water. I have been advised that the situation is likely reoccur. If this issue happens in heavy traffic I would be likely be unable to move out of danger safely.

- Charleston, IL, USA

problem #3

Dec 072011

Golf

  • 12,100 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that the vehicle would stall while driving at various speeds and experience difficulty starting. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the starter was replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,100. The VIN was unavailable.

- Charlestown, RI, USA

problem #2

Sep 012010

Golf 5-cyl

  • 1,500 miles
Engine RPM surges/spikes 500-800 RPM's from idle when attempting to slowly accelerate from a stop or near stop causing the vehicle to lunge forward unexpectedly. This surge/spike occurs primarily when on slight uphill grades or inclines and after releasing the brakes and gently applying throttle pressure. This seems to occur when the hill assist system is activated. Examples: Surge/spike occurs when on a slight grade or incline from a stop or near stop such as pulling up a driveway, trying to inch forward in stop-and-go traffic, or when accelerating normally from a stop. It is as though you pumped the throttle for a second then released it. If the vehicle is on a very steep upgrade incline it is not as noticeable as the brakes are not immediately disengaged when the surge/spike occurs due to the hill assist system engaging the brakes. If the vehicle is on a down grade decline or level road the engine RPM usually accelerates and operates normally. The VW authorized service department has confirmed this to be not normal. They have been claiming to investigate the RPM surge/spike with no solution after several service appointments in the past year and over 15,000 miles.

- Victor, NY, USA

problem #1

Aug 232011

Golf 4-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,400 miles
2011 Golf tdi automatic (dsg) transmission. Cold start, stalled while pulling onto main road, no accident only because oncoming traffic stopped.

- Lunenburg, MA, USA

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