As I was driving my 2011 Jetta tdi sportswagon, I noticed a steam coming from under the hood, and diesel smell inside of the vehicle. When I opened the hood there was diesel all over the engine and belts, and large amount of steam was coming out. When I took of the engine cover and started the car I noticed that there was a leak in the 2nd cylinder injector pipe. I do not have warranty on the vehicle, but this issue should be fixed and paid by VW. There is smell in the vehicle, foam is soaked with diesel, and belts might have less life in them. Please address this issue so this would be fixed at no cost to me.

- Wasilla, AK, USA

I was approaching a highway intersection, and the vehicle's glow-plug light came on. The engine immediately shut down, and I was able to stop just short of the intersection. The vehicle would not start again. Aaa took the vehicle to the local dealership via flatbed. The dealership initially thought the problem was water in the fuel, but after flushing the fuel system, the vehicle still would not start. At that point, they took apart the fuel pump, and discovered that the pump had failed internally, and put metal shavings into the fuel system. Repair quote was approximately $10,000.

- Niceville, FL, USA

While driving at 75 mph on the highway the vehicle lost power. The check engine light began flashing, as did the dpf light and the pre-heat coil light. I was able to get the vehicle off the highway and into a driveway before it quit. Would not start again. Had vehicle towed to dealership the next day. Was informed that the hpfp failed, and that the pump and fuel distribution system had to be replaced. Service director indicated that the repair bill would be $10-11,000. VW is covering the cost of the repair. Am grateful that I had dropped my wife and young daughter off at home, and that I was not in heavy traffic when this occurred.

- Chelsea, MI, USA

Traveling in the left lane on 95 N outside baltimore md at 65 mph my vehicle's gas pedal stopped responding and the car began to lose power and lurch forward and eventually die as the yellow diesel engine indicator along with the yellow engine indicator began blinking. I was able to avoid two lanes of traffic and coast over two lanes to an off ramp before the steering wheel locked. After contacting VW roadside assistance the vehicle was towed to heritage VW located at 9215 harford road #2 parkville, md 21234 (877) 398-1963. It was after 9:00 P.M so the vehicle was left in the lot and all the paperwork was dropped in the box. The service department cited a fuel pump malfunction along with a faulty fuel gauge as the issue. This is the second time we have had to submit a report to your Agency for the exact same issues (please see reference number 10417213), the agents information is listed below. [xxx] [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Brooklyn , NY, USA

Filled up with 13.455 gallons of #2 ulsd diesel on 01/25/12 with 11,363 miles on the vehicle. Prior to filling the vehicle had less than a 1/4 tank of diesel. On 02/05/12 was traveling in vehicle at approximately 45 mph and started to hear pinging noises from the engine bay. Slowed to a stop where the engine died and refused to start. The vehicle had 11,721 miles on it, 358 miles (90% which were highway miles) since the previous fueling. Vehicle was towed to local VW dealer where I was told the tank was dry and hpfp had failed as a result. Contested the fact that the tank was dry given the fact the vehicle had slightly less than 1/4 tank prior to the failure and that it was impossible that it had run dry given the fact that the tank had been filled to the top at the prior filling and that I had not driven enough distance to have used up the fuel. VW tech confirmed that the gas gauge was operational and correct. VW dealer replaced hpfp under warranty but would not listen to me with regards to running the tank dry.

- Boston, MA, USA

I was operating the car on a highway when the car lost all power in traffic. I was lucky that I was able to get to the side of the road without a serious incident occurring. I was a bit shaken as the car just totally failed in traffic. The cause according to the dealer is catastrophic failure of the injector pump (diesel). Dealer informed me that the injector pump, injectors, injector lines, primary fuel lines, primary fuel pump, and the fuel tank all had to be replaced because the injector pump totally came apart and distributed metal throughout the fuel system. This car has less than 21K on it. Dealer admitted that the injector pumps are of questionable quality and there is a history of failure due to inferior parts in the pumps. Dealer said that the new pump is upgraded and after the entire fuel system is replaced the car will be trouble free. Dealer also noted that the fuel pumps are designed to operate on european diesel which contains sulfur for lubricity. Us diesel which has low sulfur is destroying the pumps. Seems as though a total recall should be ordered to remove these bad injector pumps. Dealer stated the total cost of the work in excess of 10K which will be paid by VW at no cost to me.

- Dayton, TX, USA

Reference: NHTSA action number: EA11003 - please add us to ongoing investigation our 2011 Volkswagen Jetta sportwagen tdi only 4 months old with 3500 miles - failed on the highway while trying to accelerate around a dangerous situation. The a blinking glow plug light came on and the car went into limp mode (no power) on the highway at high speeds. (fwiw - a baby + pregnant wife driving). Able to reproduce afterwards - pressing a hard throttle/accelerating would disable the vehicle into limp mode. Report came back the entire fuel system - hpfp needed to be replaced. A brand new vehicle should not have a failure like this from just filling up the tank the previous day. We have kept all receipts, logged miles and had the state dept shut down the station and pull a full lab report on the fuel. Everything check out ok by the state standards.

- Boynton Beach, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the vehicle did not have the vibration damper isolations installed in the fuel injection lines. The dealer and the manufacturer were contacted and they advised the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 11V490000 (fuel system, diesel) and denied assistance with repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 7,000.

- Patuxent River, MD, USA

I was traveling on a pa interstate when a warning light began flashing on my dashboard. I immediately lost acceleration in my vehicle, and when I pulled off to the shoulder of the road diesel fuel was running from beneath my vehicle off to the should of the road. I was unable to make it to the nearest exit and had to wait for assistance from the police and a towing company. There was no warning that anything was going wrong until it happened. The events all happened within 20 seconds of each other, with no other warning.

- Hummelstown, PA, USA

Note: Tdi (diesel) engine, high-pressure fuel pump (hpfp) failure. Driver was driving 75 mph on the interstate when the engine malfunction (flashing coil) light illuminated and the car stalled. Car coasted to a stop, but would not restart. Called manufacturer roadside assistance and they promptly sent a flatbed tow truck to Transport vehicle to dealership. The dealership determined there was metal debris in diesel fuel filter and in high-pressure fuel pump (hpfp) and that the hpfp had failed destructively distributing metal debris throughout the fuel system. Entire fuel system (tank to injectors) was replaced under warranty by manufacturer. Updated 11/07/11

- Prattville, AL, USA

The diesel fuel high pressure fuel pump failed causing metal particles to contaminate the entire fuel system.

- St Louis, MO, USA

2011 VW Jetta tdi began to feel sluggish around 7,200 miles. At 8240 going 35 mph car died and would not start. Told entire fuel system needs replaced.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

During short drive home, the glow plug light started flashing, the car then went into limp mode. When I got home, 2 miles later, the car died and would not start. I hauled the car to the VW dealer and they said my hpfp failed. VW is going to fix it under warranty, I produced the last 4 fuel fill ups showing no gas had been put in the car. This was a 2011 Jetta tdi, manufacture date unknown, but car was purchased in January.

- Shreveport, LA, USA

Crack in supply line to #2 injector. Fuel spray all over back of engine/engine compartment and onto ground while driving, fuel mist/film all over back of car. "engine control failure" warning light came on. Stopped to investigate, noticed diesel smell, but didn't see anything else (it was dark). Restarted, light no longer illuminated. After about 2 miles, light came back on along with "check engine" warning light. I was close to home, so I came on to the house. There I noticed a stronger diesel smell, the film on the back of the car. Got flashlight and noticed the fuel dripping and the fuel in the engine compartment. Called VW 24 hour roadside assistance and had the car towed to nearest dealer on the next morning, a Saturday. Their diagnosis (Monday) was cracked fuel line. I asked which cylinder/injector, she said #2. I asked them to save parts and to document and informed them that there was an investigation. The repair should be completed by end of day on Tuesday. Part had to be over-nighted from somewhere else.

- Ocean Isle Beach, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the high pressure fuel hose fractured and caused the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the high pressure fuel hose was replaced. The failure mileage was 21,015.

- Brick, NJ, USA

Engine power loss, unpredictable throttle behavior and unknown engine RPM response to accelerator pedal position 8/30 new car dealer fueled full tank of diesel 6pm: Stoplight intersection pull away on grn light:: engine RPM drops to idle in middle of intersection uncontrolled situation as traffic behind didn't have any warning of slow in middle of intersection, no brake lights, forced traffic braking to avoid overrunning my stalling car. 7:40pm: In-town driving:: dropout of RPM loss of power momentarily <2000rpm no consequence 8/31 7:55am: Rh turn from level roadway to moderately steep inclined side street:: engine RPM dropped completely to idle and sustained loss of power < response: Maintained accelerator pedal position during drop then depressed expecting RPM recovery continuing to wot when no change in RPM {brake to hold car on incline} release pedal and startover> no consequence 7:56am: LH turn into park:: no throttle response RPM drop from low RPM to idle < response: Maintained accelerator pedal position watching for RPM power recovery or pickup in RPM to no effect {brake to stop car from hitting structure in front of parking place} startover> dangerous circumstance with obstacle in front of car parking spot with 2 ft. Remaining to pull car out of traveled roadway and into the parked position. I did not like the loss of engine control unpredictable throttle behavior and unknown engine power response to driver input. First indication that these repeating engine fails are not benign.

- San Diego, CA, USA

Vehicle lost power above 1000 RPM while driving on freeway. After coasting to a safe location, found engine compartment soaked with fuel. Vehicle had left a trail of fuel behind it. Vehicle was repaired by dealer: Fuel line from the common rail to injector #2 was replaced.

- San Diego, CA, USA

While driving my 2011 Volkswagen Jetta tdi sportwagon on interstate 94 in Michigan I observed white smoke coming off my vehicle engine. There was no warning light. Due to the heavy smoke and diesel fumes I pulled the vehicle to safe location and sought service. The vehicle developed a heavy leak in one of the fuel injection lines on top of the engine block. The vehicle was covered with diesel fuel from front to the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired by Volkswagen.

- Pa, PA, USA

While driving on the highway we started to smell diesel fuel. When we stopped we noticed fuel dripping from the car. Volkswagen was contacted to come tow the car to the nearest dealer. Before they would tow the car they requested that I have the fire department come out and certify the car safe to tow. Once the dealer diagnosed the problem they stated one of my O rings had weekend causing a #2 injector line leak. They replaced the part, cleaned up the car and returned it to me.

- Ramona, CA, USA

Vehicle will accelerate and decelerate upon acceleration at a stop sign, or most often when traveling at 25-45 mph. Suspect link to recent investigation into fuel line leakage. Service manager at dealership has stated he feels as though he has "been hit from behind" at and mph up to freeway speeds in his 2011 Jetta tdi.

- San Diego, CA, USA