Car failed to start was towed to hallmark VW who informed us that it was a hpfp failure. Research suggests this is an ongoing issue as NHTSA does have an investigation into this issue. Awaiting fuel sample from analysis but have receipt from fuel in vehicle stating "diesel fuel".

- Clarksville, TN, USA

My wife was trying to merge onto a busy highway and the motor died. She was able to coast to the breakdown lane. I feel this could have been a deadly had it happened in front of a loaded gasoline tanker truck or someplace where there was no breakdown lane or in the high speed lane. This should be a safety recall that VW should take seriously.

- Ashby, MA, USA

Esp error. Car would not start. Condensation in charge air intake system caused failure in esp system and air intake.

- Maplewood, NJ, USA

While driving at 25 mph near my home glow plug warning light came on. Stopped car. Then restarted and glow plug light stayed on. Shortly thereafter check engine light came on. I drove the short distance home and noticed severe loss of power. Did not drive the vehicle again and at first opportunity had vehicle towed to local dealership. According to dealer vehicle suffered a catastrophic failure of fuel system and needs to be completely replaced; this includes but not limited to fuel rail, high pressure fuel pump, all pipes and hoses, subsidiary fuel pumps, and high pressure cleaning of fuel tank. Volkswagen has accepted responsibility under limited powertrain warranty.

- Summerland, CA, USA

The vehicle was valet parked. The valet attendant reported that the vehicle shut down as she was driving it up the ramp out of the parking garage. She also reported a knocking sound and that the "check engine" light was on. Upon entering the vehicle, I was unable to start it. I had the vehicle towed to the VW dealership. They told me that the high pressure fuel pump had failed and that they had seen other cars coming in with this same problem. Service department paperwork states: "defective high pressure pump-metal in system" and "found fault P0191." Vehicle speed at time of incident is estimated based on valet attendant's description.

- San Diego, CA, USA

Engine sputtered and quit while driving on the interstate at normal speed. Was able to coast to a stop safely due to proximity of exit ramp. Would not restart. Vehicle towed to Volkswagen dealership where they claimed fuel contamination, resulting in failure of the high pressure fuel pump. Repairs were not covered by warranty because they claimed fuel contamination was the cause. I have the fuel receipt from the previous fill-up where it shows bp diesel was used. I have complete service records and maintain the vehicle in perfect condition. This is a serious problem with the design of Volkswagen's fuel pump.

- Hebron, KY, USA

Happened last night, with my 6 yr old daughter in the car, and wife driving on the freeway! check engine light, and fuel injector/glow plug light blinking, car shutdown, but fortunately was able to pull off to the side but still next to freeway on/off ramp. Car would crank over but not start. Called aaa tow to VW dealer where the car was purchased. I drove the car earlier that morning on a fairly long trip (over 100 miles), and started noticing the fuel economy wasn't as good as I normally would get (40 mpg), but it was raining heavy that morning so that's what I attributed it to, but only seeing 30 mpg after all freeway driving was suspicious to me. VW dealer said the high pressure fuel pump failed and contaminated the entire diesel fuel system and all the parts will need to be replaced and fuel system cleaned out.

- San Jose, CA, USA

The car's engine stopped functioning while driving on I-80 on the way to work in the morning. I was in the far left lane and had to use hazard signals to pull the car to the right shoulder during busy commute traffic. The engine glow light indicator and the malfunction indicator lamp were on during the failure. The car did not restart and a tow truck took the vehicle to the nearest dealership. Metal debris was present inside of the fuel pump and fuel filter.

- Salt Lake City, UT, USA

Four failures in four months.this is a repeat failure with my diesel fuel system. I previously reported the first two occurrences on this site. Volkswagen of America has now replaced my entire fuel system including the tank. This was only after repeated requests after four times to dealer for service for this issue--total time my car was in for service was 45 days over July through Oct. 19, 2012. I was aware of the fuel pump failure after researching glow plug light flashing tdi and limp mode immediately upon the first time the lights started to flash on July 6, 2012. I went to dealer and they could not diagnose the problem. July 17 it happened again they found metal shards in the fuel filter and replaced the fuel pump...I requested they replace entire fuel system, explaining to the voa customer care person that metal shards go throughout the system, denied. Picked up my car on July 31 (after 15 days in shop). On Sept. 17 warning lights/limpmode again. I again request they replace entire fuel system, no, only the pump in the tank. Pick up car Sept. 28 (12 days in shop). Four days later on Oct. 2, again warning lights/limp mode. Back to dealer, again request vofa to replace fuel system. No only the fuel rail. Dealer replaces fuel rail, takes for a test drive and it failed on them. Finally voa agrees to replace the fuel system...but not the tank. Only clean the tank. I request new tank, Volkswagen of american tells me I can go inspect the cleaned out tank...how will I see inside the tank...voa cust service tells me then I better bring a flash light. Mind you I was dealing with the same cust serv rep [xxx] the entire time. They decide to replace tank. Pick car up Oct. 19 (18 days in shop). Waiting for it to happen again. Only a matter of time and hope I don't get in accident due to it. Very stressful. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Doylestown, PA, USA

Vehicle regularly experiences loss of propulsion after cresting hills. Varying pressure on the throttle pedal produces no change. Incidents last approximately two seconds before normal operation returns. Does not stall.

- Sunnyvale, CA, USA

High pressure fuel pump failed traveling 60mph, car begins to stumble (more often then every hundred miles-now less than every 5 miles), engine almost dies out multiple times, RPM drops to near zero, check engine light turns on, hundreds of MINImetal flakes found in fuel system/fuel canister. Car driven to dealer (showed picture of metal in fuel canister). Hamilton imports (VW dealer) had initial tech on 081412 diagnosis problem as "normal for diesel fuel." Called 081512 to service manager john, left message, he replied stating metal in fuel is "normal." On 081612 email VW of America, in regards to the problem, call from service adviser on 081712 and are looking further into the problem. Later that day, called service adviser, they ordered a complete fuel system and apologized for the initial delay and not fixing the car correctly. Received a call from the dealer, 082812, the car is ready for pickup. A complete new fuel system was installed (injectors, high pressure fuel pump(failed), fuel rail, electric fuel pump in tank, all piping).

- Cream Ridge, NJ, USA

While on a trip driving 35 mph, the high pressure fuel pump (hpfp) on my 2010 Jetta tdi failed, causing the car to lose power. The squiggly light came on and I pulled into a parking lot where the car stalled and would not start again. Had we been on the freeway, it could have caused a serious accident, hence the complaint. Also, I have some concern that VW America is blaming customers by suggesting this happens when gasoline instead of diesel is used. I want to state unequivocally as the only one who ever fills up the tank that I have always put diesel in the tank and have a receipt indicating I had put in diesel the day before the car stalled. I believe this may be a design flaw of the hpfp and if so, the car should be recalled and the issued fixed.

- Vallejo, CA, USA

2010 VW Jetta tdi - high pressure fuel pump problems resulting in pieces destroying fuel system. Damage estimated at $10,000. Car spent one month last year in the shop for related issues.

- Atlanta , GA, USA

While driving on a residential street below the posted speed limit of 25 mph, odd knocking noises were heard. The driver came to a stop at a stop sign where there was a complete loss of power - the engine had stopped. The diesel indicator light came on. After a brief pause, the driver tried to start the car unsuccessfully. The driver then called roadside assistance, and the vehicle was towed to a VW dealer within 2 miles of the incident. The service agent immediately met the driver, and the vehicle was immediately towed to service away from the view of other VW customers. After 6 hours, the service agent at the VW dealer informed the driver that there was a complete destruction of the high pressured fuel pump along with the need to replace the entire fuel system. Driver has maintained diesel receipts and mileage log throughout the ownership of the vehicle. 2 stall incidents (from which the driver was able to restart the vehicle) occurred 11 months earlier in September 2011. No other notable incidents have occurred. Driver has also completed the recommended maintenance schedule by VW and the several service bulletins issued. The incident occurred on a slightly warmer day in los angeles about 85 F. it occurred after about 45 miles of freeway driving and an initial 30-minute stop at a coffee shop. The day before the incident, the driver just had received the vehicle back from an auto body repair shop in which exterior repair work was done to replace the rear bumper. Damage to the rear bumper occurred in a minor accident about 3 weeks prior and about 700 miles previous. Driver cannot be sure if the 2 events -- the accident and subsequent repair work and the failure of the fuel system -- are related. Driver was sure to indicate to the auto body repair shop that vehicle was a diesel, and that gasoline should not be used.

- Encino, CA, USA

Malfunction indicator, service engine now warning, complete shut down. I've been through this before -- 12000 miles ago. Tow to dealer, wait for word. Covered under powertrain warranty this time -- complete fuel system replacement again. Was told the hpfp installed this time was a new, more robust version. This time dealer suggested that the problem was due to low level of fuel in tank and suggested that I never let the tank get below 1/4. tried to get some assurance that this issue would be covered in the future outside of the standard warranty -- but didn't get any. A car subject to frequent 10000 dollar repairs isn't worth much, is it?

- Tampa, FL, USA

Malfunction indicator, service engine began flashing, vehicle shut down and wouldn't restart. From first warning light to shut down was maybe 10 seconds or less. Towed to dealer and two weeks later I had a completely new fuel system. Apparently there was metal in the fuel system that got there from the hpfp. Dealer repeatedly suggested that I must have filled the tank with gasoline instead of diesel. I don't appreciate the shift in blame. I understand the repair (covered under warranty) runs close to 10K dollars. Yikes.

- Tampa, FL, USA

Traveling home on interstate highway/check engine light came on, ,,,,car made funny noise up front, ,,,lost acceleration. Pulled off onto an off ramp, ,,,off to side of road..I turned vehicle off. Would not restart. Called tow truck to bring it home. Next morning had it towed to dealership where purchased. Told it was a "bad diesel" problem....(I'd purchased 1/2 tank diesel fuel 24 hrs prior to this at station I'd not bee to before.) subsequently they drain tank, replaced fuel filter, still wouldn't turn over. Said the high pressure fuel pump was destroyed. Gelled up stuff in filter, ,,what look like rust flakes.... estimate for repair into thousands.....called insurance co. And started a claim for loss.called VW usa. To report this. Last nite got phone call from VW lady saying the were going to replace my whole fuel system and they would cover cost ! good for me, but not sure I want to keep a car that is so touchy about it's fuel. Dealer ship called today to say the same about repair....and felt it was an accumulation of damage from water in fuel.... how is one to know with confidence what exactly they are pumping from a diesel fuel pump. Will probably trade car......car at shop for 1 1/2 weeks now....this has been an eye opener. Phone call last.

- Fulton, NY, USA

My 2010 Jetta tdi broke down on me while I was three hours away from my home. The service rep. Said he has had a few cars come in with the same problem. He stated it was due to bad fuel or water in the fuel line. I know I had put diesel in when I filled up that morning. He stated we had probably received bad fuel when we had filled up. We were on a road trip (8hrs one way) and I had driven about 5 hours before it died!!! we were traveling at approx. 65 mph when the flashing glow plug light indicator began to flash. The car then started to lose acceleration and we pulled over where the engine finally shut down and it would not restart. I had to have the car towed to the closest VW dealer. They are replacing the entire fuel system. How am I supposed to know what fuel station has good diesel? I know the fault was not mine. I can't afford to be without my car again for 2 to 3 weeks. As soon as I get my car back I will be trading it in even though I am upside down on my loan. I loved my tdi but with this issue always being a threat I will not be able to recommend this car to anyone. VW needs to fix this issue.

- Saugus, MA, USA

This was a high-pressure fuel pump failure. At 03:52 on 060812 I filled my car's tank with 9.4 gallons of diesel fuel at the camino petroleum station at el camino real 698, South san francisco, ca. (mileage: 43375.) note: I have never mis-fuelled this vehicle; I have been a commercial motor vehicle driver for 25 years. At approximately 08:00, while driving southbound on ca interstate 5 at exit #262, the glow plug indicator light began to flash and the engine's power output decreased. I pulled into the button willow (California) rest stop, then into a parking stall wherein the engine stopped running; it would not start again. The car was towed to the family auto group Volkswagen dealers shop (in bakersfield, ca) where high-pressure fuel pump failure was diagnosed. I have been informed by family auto group's service representative that Volkswagen's power train warranty will cover the cost of repairs. It is my understanding that the car's entire fuel system (from the fuel tank to the fuel injectors) has been replaced due to system-wide contamination by metal particles from the high-pressure fuel pump. The cost of repairs arising from this sort of thing is estimated to be from $6,000 to $10,000 in parts and labor.

- Sfo, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta tdi. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled in the middle of the roadway. The vehicle coasted to a stop as the contact merged to the shoulder. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle after twenty minutes, but the vehicle did not start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who stated that they were unable to produce a failure code. The contact was informed that the entire fuel system needed to be replaced. The repair was covered by warranty. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 26,079. Updated 6/15/12 the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired, the consumer was informed the metal shavings which originated in the fuel tank manufacturing process had migrated to the main line and caused a total blockage of fuel supply to the engine and this was the cause of the entire problem. Updated 06/21/12

- Lutherville, MD, USA