I exited the interstate and came to a stop. The glow plug light started flashing and the car had no power and stalled. I restarted the car and it had no power. It stalled again and would not start. I had it towed to a Volkswagen dealership and they found that the high pressure fuel pump had failed and contaminated the entire fuel system resulting in costly repairs.

- Casa Grande, AZ, USA

Driving at steady speed of around 20 mph when suddenly speed and rpms decreased with glowplug light flashing. Noticed a loss of power. Car would pick up speed very slowly. Did not force engine in any way. 5 minutes later the car died. Tried starting car back up but would not start. Had it towed to known local mechanic shop. Was told it was a fuel system issue in which the filters and injectors were being clogged up therefore damaging the entire fuel system, which was a known common problem in this that Volkswagen did not acknowledge, and repairs would cost around $6K-7K to replace the whole fuel system. Very unhappy with this situation and disappointed with Volkswagen at the fact that nothing has been done to help the customers that drive their vehicles considering the amount of complaints regarding this issue.

- Waukegan, IL, USA

The fuel pump failed causing the vehicle to loose power and come to a stop on a major highway. This is a diesel VW which seems to be a common problem, but Volkswagen did not acknowledge that even though the local dealer has done 2 of these since January. It is costing me 8000 to replace the entire fuel system. I have taken car to an independent shop and debating on making repairs at this point.

- Allentown, PA, USA

While driving, there was a brief grinding noise, and the motor suddenly stopped providing power, the power steering stopped, and every warning light came on. Fortunately I was on a city street in very light traffic and could coast safely to the curb. I tried to restart it, and the engine would crank, but without ignition. I had the car towed to the dealer, and they told me that the high pressure diesel fuel pump had disintegrated, and had to be replaced with a new redesigned one. This they did at no cost, for which I am very grateful.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

Diesel fuel pump failure which clogged fuel fitter and injection system which in turn caused engine to cut out.

- Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, USA

Car appeared to be sluggish as I was driving back to the office from lunch. As I approach the last major intersection before getting on the highway, the car started to make a very loud ticking/knock sound that was rev dependent. As I accelerated on the highway two faults came up on the instrument cluster. They were a flashing glow plug light and the phrase engine fault workshop. I was just reaching the speed limit at this time but power began to fade (in heavy traffic, luckily I had not yet moved into other lanes). I managed to drive at 40 to 45 mph to the next exit and safely parked the car. The car was towed to the local VW dealer who noted that the hpfp (high pressure fuel pump) had failed and taken out the entire fuel system (the car is diesel powered). The diesel fuel in the tank was tested and came back uncontaminated. It had been 54 miles since my last fill up on 2/2/2013.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

This car is a VW Jetta tdi (turbodiesel). Driving on I-96 between lansing and brighton the Jetta began to run roughly with a loss of power. The traffic was very slow due to a snowstorm, so I was able to continue driving. The car ran increasingly rough and eventually stopped. The car was towed to my local dealership, germain VW in ann arbor. The report was fuel system failure due to the hpfp breaking apart. The entire fuel system will need to be replaced and the fuel tank fully cleaned of metal fragments.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Driving up a mountain highway, the car lost all power (even with the gas pedal to the floor). Once pulled over, the vehicle wouldn't start again. The high pressure fuel pump in the tdi failed catastrophically and sent metal shrapnel throughout the entire fuel system.

- Running Springs, CA, USA

While traveling at posted speeds car suddenly lost power, flashing glow plug light came on in engine, car could no longer maintain highway speeds. Previously car had numerous instances when starting from a stop having hesitation or failure to accelerate normally creating potential hazards with cross traffic. Apparent failure of the high pressure fuel pump (hpfp) on the diesel engine. This is the second failure of the hpfp in this car, first was replaced by dealer warranty and they advised me of the initial replacement.

- Pueblo West, CO, USA

This is the second complaint filed on this car. The ref # for the first NHTSA complaint is voq 10484807. On Nov 26, 2012 (date taken from dealer repair invoice) I picked the car up at the dealership after the initial failure repairs. I reset the trip meter (I don't remember the exact mileage the vehicle had when I picked it up). Later that same day (26 Nov 12) I took the car back to the dealership and told them the engine was making a weird sound. The mechanic agreed that the engine was making a weird sound and said he thought it was the new secondary fuel pump making the noise. The dealership agreed to order a new secondary pump for the car and they told to continue driving the car until the new pump arrived. On or about 12 Dec 2012, the car suffered another rapid deceleration failure identical to the one that occurred on 26 Sep 2012 with the exception that the engine did not completely quit. I was able to limp the car home (top speed was approximately 20 mph) using side streets and staying off the freeway. The trip meter had 349 miles on it when I got home. I called the dealership and had the car towed to them. They replaced the fuel tank pumps (apparently there are two pumps in the fuel tank). While they were test driving the vehicle, to return it to me, they experienced a rapid deceleration (from their description it appeared as the same failure I had just experienced). The dealership called me and told me they were at a loss to explain the failure and they would have to call the VW tech line for help. VW told them they thought the problem was the hpfp. In total, all three fuel pumps were once again replaced. To VW and hoy-fox credit these repairs were done at no cost to me (except for the tow bill). The car is now on its third hpfp in less than four months. Bottom line, in my opinion, the VW tdi hpfp is a safety hazard and should be recalled.

- El Paso, TX, USA

Jetta wagon tdi clean diesel vehicle was being driven about 35 mph on busy road with full tank of fuel. Vehicle started stumbling and losing power. Within 30 seconds of stumbling vehicle then stalled. Initially was able to be restarted but was stumbling severely and was only able to creep a few feet before stalling. Vehicle was unable to be restarted and had to be towed 23 miles to nearest dealership where the intercooler (charge cooler) was found to have iced up and contain ice and water. This seems to be known issue with the vehicle as VW has a tsb out on the issue. The dealership stated that they actually had another vehicle with the same issue come in the day after ours and last winter had many with this issue. This appears to be a known issue and is clearly a safety issue if it can cause the vehicle to suddenly and unpredictably loose power and stall. VW tsb # 21 11 06 / 2025464 references this issue.

- Newburyport, MA, USA

VW Volkswagen Jetta sportwagen tdi 2009. Was driving about 35 mph when engine loses most of its power. A glow plug indicator light turned on and I saw an engine fault/workshop error. I quickly turned onto a side street and stopped the engine. After a couple minutes I restarted the car but it still had low power. After about 10 seconds it stalled and could not be restarted. Had it towed to a VW dealership and 5 days later they ran diagnostics and said it was a failed fuel pump and that metal shards were throughout the fuel system and everything needed to be replaced.

- Sugar Land, TX, USA

I started my car and for the first time ever, it hesitated and failed to start. I restarted my car and it started. I proceeded to drive home and about a half mile into the drive it hesitated and lost much of its power. A flashing glow plug warning light came on and then a quick message on the display about an engine failure and bring to service. I was about a mile from my VW dealership and drove towards it. About a quarter of a mile later, the car (still hesitating - now I know it is called "limp mode") made a grinding noise from the passenger side of the engine bay, and the car lost all power and stopped in traffic. I had to have it towed to the dealership, where they diagnosed a high pressure fuel pump failure. The entire fuel system (fuel tank, 3 pumps, all fuel lines, common rail fuel delivery system, fuel filter holder, fuel filter, fuel injectors) were replaced under power train warranty. I am the only person to fill this car with diesel fuel and always do so at reputable stations. The fuel was tested and did not contain gasoline or any additives. This car was first purchased in North Carolina and is a us vehicle. I bought it from the original owner (at 6200 miles) and drove it to Canada. It is registered in Ontario. I have had all service done in buffalo NY at northtown VW while under warranty and this repair was also performed (as per VW of America restrictions) in buffalo NY. I had to pay the expense of having it towed from toronto to buffalo.

- Toronto, On, Canada, NY, 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

On September 26, 2012 while traveling in Arkansas, eastbound on interstate 30, at 75 miles per hour, my 2009 VW Jetta sports wagen tdi suffered a high pressure fuel pump failure. I was told by the little rock VW dealership that I had contaminated fuel. I filed an insurance claim. The insurance company had an independent lab do an analysis on the fuel. The insurance company denied my claim because the fuel was not contaminated. The insurance company informed me that the NHTSA has revived numerous complaints about high pressure fuel pump failures on Volkswagen tdi engines. I want to add my vehicle to that list with an independent lab analysis stating that the fuel was not contaminated. It is definitely a safety hazard when your vehicle stops on a congested highway. Additionally, with repair bills for this failure ranging from $6,000 to $10,000 the NHTSA should require VW to recall their vehicles with the tdi engines.

- El Paso , TX, USA

Car stalled 5 times over a two day period duel to a failure of the fuel pump. Dash board warning said "engine fault workshop" and glow plug warning light came on. Owner manual said to bring into shop soon. Dealership found metal shavings throughout the fuel system that was caused by a failed high pressure fuel pump. The warning lights first came on when their was a near empty condition in the fuel tank. I have heard that this has happened to others when fuel is low. Cost for repair would have been around $6000, but VW warranty covered this. If this stall had happened on the interstate it would have been very dangerous. As it was I had a police car push me out of an intersection during rush hour to a safe spot.

- Chicago, IL, USA

I was on the exit ramp of the interstate and the go to workshop warning came on along with the glow plug warning light. Vehicle lost power, I was able to get to a side street and turned off vehicle, it restarted and seemed fine drove about 2 miles and stopped for a light, car stalled and warning lights came back on. Car did not restart had push to side of road and tow home. Towed to dealer first of week. Found to be high pressure fuel pump failure of the diesel engine. This is the second one to go bad first one at 135380 miles and now at 228605 miles only 93225 miles on repair job. VW repaired the first one, replaced entire fuel system at no charge, do to faulty hpfp. Even though this pump has less miles they will not help with repair cost. Both times car died at a major intersection and had to be pushed to side of road.

- Lakeland, FL, USA

I was on the exit ramp of the interstate and the go to workshop warning came on along with the glow plug warning light. Vehicle lost power, I was able to get to a side street and turned off vehicle, it restarted and seemed fine drove about 2 miles and stopped for a light, car stalled and warning lights came back on. Car did not restart had push to side of road and tow home. Towed to dealer first of week. Found to be high pressure fuel pump failure of the diesel engine. This is the second one to go bad first one at 135380 miles and now at 228605 miles only 93225 miles on repair job. VW repaired the first one, replaced entire fuel system at no charge, do to faulty hpfp. Even though this pump has less miles they will not help with repair cost. Both times car died at a major intersection and had to be pushed to side of road.

- Lakeland, FL, 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

I was stopped at a traffic light on a busy street when my Jetta tdi sport wagon made a loud rumbling noise and stalled. It would not restart and was towed to the dealer. The dealer found metal shavings in the fuel system and suggested this was due to gas contamination of the diesel fuel since I had just fueled my car. However the diesel fuel was not contaminated with gas and the dealer replaced the entire fuel system, blaming this on a pump failure. I'm glad it did not happen 15 min earlier when I was traveling 55mph.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA