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Model-year record

2010 Volkswagen Golf
Image: Wikimedia Commons contributor · See source file

2010 Volkswagen Golf

See the complaints, recalls, crash rating, and fuel economy in the public record. Then check the mileage and history of the car you found.

This page shows records, not a buy or avoid call.

The same model year can include a well-kept car and a neglected one. Use these records to plan what to check. Use the specific-car check when you know the mileage.

Complaints filed

69

Reports to NHTSA, 2010

Safety recalls

4

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Not rated

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

29

EPA estimate

Known issues

Fuel System issues lead owner complaints (32% of 69 reports), followed by air bags (16%).

Fuel System32% · 22 reports
Air Bags16% · 11 reports
Engine And Engine Cooling13% · 9 reports
Electrical System7% · 5 reports
Power Train7% · 5 reports
Fuel/Propulsion System6% · 4 reports
Service Brakes4% · 3 reports
Engine3% · 2 reports

+ 7 more component categories with fewer reports.

Share of all 69 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 10618555, ODI 10583653, ODI 10559285, ODI 10485995, ODI 10482481.

Individual complaint reports(69)

Showing the 50 most recent reports
Service BrakesJul 2024 · ODI 11603240Details +

The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the ABS control module. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC)); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 107,000.

Reported
Jul 2024
Incident date
Jul 2024
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11603240 at NHTSA →
Service BrakesJun 2024 · ODI 11595139Details +

The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Golf. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) however, the dealer declined to repair the vehicle due to the ABS and ESC warning lights being illuminated. The contact stated that the dealer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced a failure with the ESC and ABS warning lights being illuminated. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Reported
Jun 2024
Incident date
Jun 2024
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11595139 at NHTSA →
Air BagsJul 2022 · ODI 11473147Details +

Shortly after acquiring this car, an airbag light appeared on the dashboard after my sister adjusted the passenger side seat. The airbag indicator showed that it was off afterward, despite my sister being adequate weight to require the airbag. Continued problems ensued when the seat would show that it was occupied (airbag on and seatbelt chime when unbuckled, even though there was no one in the seat). Now this happens sporadically, and it is unknown whether the airbag will be operational or not whenever I start the car. Often, turning the car off then back on will allow for the airbag to show it is on for a passenger. I have seen in other locations online that this is an issue that has affected other people online with this model of car.

Reported
Jul 2022
Incident date
Jul 2022
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11473147 at NHTSA →
Power TrainSep 2021 · ODI 11432070 · crashDetails +

I call my call Inspector Gadget because it shifts on it's own. I could be braking and it leaps forward as if I put it in 4th or 5th gear. I heard of gears "slipping" but it is the reverse - it's rev's on it's own and speed increases. I was told it might be the manifold but I can't get that confirmed from auto mechanic and it won't pass smog now.

Reported
Sep 2021
Incident date
Jul 2021
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
Crash
Open ODI 11432070 at NHTSA →
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)Oct 2020 · ODI 11364700Details +

ABS WARNING LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY FOR MANY MONTHS- GO ON AND OFF ALONG WITH AIRBAG WARNING FREQUENTLY- SEVERAL MECHANICS COULD NOT DIAGNOSE. RECENTLY BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AT SAME TIME AS ABS AND AIRBAG WARNINGS. BRAKE SYSTEM CHECKED OUT FINE. ON REPLACEMENT OF WHEEL SPEED ABS SENSOR, DISCOVERED CENTRAL ABS CONTROL MODULE ERROR (DTC 01130). VW HAD ALREADY ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL ( 45F2) FOR THE ABS SENSOR IN SEVERAL 2009 AND 2010 JETTA/GOLF, BUT IN A LIMITED VIN RANGE. THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM IN THIS 2010 GOLD IS THE FAULT OF THE FAULTY ABS CONTROL MODULE FOUND IN OTHER 2010 GOLF CARS AND REFUSE TO HONOR RECALL OR TO LOG PROBLEM.

Reported
Oct 2020
Incident date
Oct 2020
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11364700 at NHTSA →
Air BagsJul 2020 · ODI 11338426Details +

ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. LOST OF ABS SYSTEM, STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM AND AIR BAG SYSTEM. THIS HAPPENS AT 4 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP.

Reported
Jul 2020
Incident date
May 2014
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11338426 at NHTSA →
Air BagsMay 2018 · ODI 11098770Details +

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO HERITAGE VOLKSWAGEN CATONSVILLE (6624 BALTIMORE NATIONAL PIKE, BALTIMORE, MD 21228), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. *TT *TR

Reported
May 2018
Incident date
Feb 2018
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11098770 at NHTSA →
Seat BeltsApr 2018 · ODI 11089488Details +

2010 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEATBELT DEFECT WITH NO WARRANTY SUPPORT. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT. *JS

Reported
Apr 2018
Incident date
Apr 2018
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11089488 at NHTSA →
Air BagsMar 2018 · ODI 11081882Details +

I FILED A VEHICLE BUYBACK WITH VOLKSWAGENS VEHICLE BUYBACK PROGRAM IN FEBRUARY OF 2016. I WAITED AND CALLED BACK AND FORTH TRYING TO FIND OUT ABOUT MY VEHICLE AND IF IT WAS GOING TO GET BOUGHT BACK. VOLKSWAGEN KEPT TELLING ME MY DOCUMENTS WERE INVALID AND I HAD TO RE-DO THEM EACH TIME AND SEND THEM BACK AND WAIT LONGER FOR A RESPONSE. ON 08/23/2017, THEY MADE ME RESET MY CLAIM BECAUSE THEY SUPPOSEDLY "FILED ME IN THE WRONG CATEGORY". AFTER THAT, ALL MY DOCUMENTS FINALLY GOT ACCEPTED, AND HAVE BEEN "UNDER REVIEW" FOR THE PAST 9 MONTHS. THEY HAVE BEEN REVIEWING MY DOCUMENTS AND HAVEN'T BEEN MOVING FORWARD WITH MY CASE FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS AND MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY WAITING TO BE TURNED IN. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBLE HEALTH EFFECTS IT MIGHT HAVE ON ME AND MY SURROUNDINGS BUT VOLKSWAGEN IS BEING NEGLIGENT AND IGNORING MY CLAIM, EVEN THOUGH IT IS 100% VALID BECAUSE I HAVE OWNED MY CAR SINCE 2014. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS CLAIM WITH CARE AND HELP ME FIGURE THIS OUT. IT HAS BEEN A VERY HARD STRUGGLE FOR ME AND I AM JUST DREADING TO GET THIS OVER WITH.

Reported
Mar 2018
Incident date
Oct 2016
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11081882 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemJul 2017 · ODI 11010598Details +

HAD TO REPLACE THE MAP SENSOR 3 TIMES IN 2 YEARS. MANIFOLD PROBLEM. THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. HAD TO PAY $700 EACH TIME TO FIX.

Reported
Jul 2017
Incident date
Jul 2017
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11010598 at NHTSA →
Air BagsMar 2017 · ODI 10968639Details +

TAKATA RECALL. THE DEALER DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS. IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN A YEAR NOW. I NEED TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE THAT CAR WITHOUT RISKING MY LIFE EVERY DAY.

Reported
Mar 2017
Incident date
Feb 2016
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10968639 at NHTSA →
Air BagsJan 2017 · ODI 10946727Details +

TAKATA RECALL - OFFICIAL RECALL IS DATED FEBRUARY 9, 2016. WE STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS, INCLUDING A WAY TO REMEDY THIS POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING ISSUE.

Reported
Jan 2017
Incident date
Feb 2016
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10946727 at NHTSA →
Air BagsDec 2016 · ODI 10937277Details +

TAMARA RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS FAILED TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG EVEN THOUGH IT PRESENTS A POTENTIAL SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I WOULD LIKE AN UPDATE FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE REPAIR AND DATE I CAN TAKE MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. IT IS HAS BEEN TOO LONG WITH NO FIX IDENTIFIED. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

Reported
Dec 2016
Incident date
Dec 2016
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10937277 at NHTSA →
Air BagsDec 2016 · ODI 10934182Details +

TAKATA RECALL... I'M IN ZONE A, TEXAS, AND MY CAR HAS STILL NOT BEEN FIXED! WHEN AND HOW WILL I BE CALLED UP TO GET THESE FIXED? I'M KEEPING THE CAR UNTIL MID-2018.

Reported
Dec 2016
Incident date
Feb 2016
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10934182 at NHTSA →
Air BagsNov 2016 · ODI 10923809Details +

"TAKATA RECALL". SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR A TAKATA AIRBAG IN MY VEHICLE. SINCE THEN, I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE A SCHEDULE FOR AIRBAG REPLACEMENT. THE NHTSA WEBSITE REFERENCES A "SCHEDULE" & "PRIORITY" FOR REPLACEMENT OF TAKATA AIRBAGS, BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED. THE ONLY SCHEDULE INFORMATION I HAVE FOUND ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE INDICATES THAT OLDER VEHICLES IN HOT & HUMID CONDITIONS ARE AT HIGHER RISK. PRIORITY 1 VEHICLES ON THE NHTSA LIST INDICATE THAT FAILURE IS MORE LIKELY IN PRIORITY 1 LOCATIONS AFTER 6-9 YEARS. MY VEHICLE IS MORE THAN 6 YEARS OLD & HAS SPENT MOST OF IT'S LIFE WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED, IN VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA WITHIN A FEW MILES OF CORROSIVE SALT WATER IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. SEVERAL FRIENDS, CLIENTS & FAMILY HAVE REFUSED TO RIDE IN MY VEHICLE DUE TO ITS' AIRBAG RECALL & PROXIMITY TO HIGH HEAT & HUMIDITY. I AM ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT MY PERSONAL SAFETY. WHEN IS MY VEHICLE ELIGIBLE FOR AIRBAG REPAIR?

Reported
Nov 2016
Incident date
Nov 2016
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10923809 at NHTSA →
EngineAug 2016 · ODI 10893291Details +

THE MAIN (REAR) ENGINE OIL SEAL IS LEAKING WITH ONLY 51,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT OF THE ENGINE OIL SEAL OR IMPROPERLY MOUNTED FROM THE VW FACTORY. THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM WITH VW OWNERS. THE COST OF THIS REPAIR SHOULD BE FULLY COVERED BY VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA.

Reported
Aug 2016
Incident date
Aug 2016
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10893291 at NHTSA →
Air BagsMay 2016 · ODI 10864712Details +

VW SHOULD PUT CUSTOMERS IN LOANERS UNTIL THE AIRBAGS ARE SAFELY REPLACED. IT'S NOT RIGHT TO SEND SOMEONE A NOTICE, STATING THEIR AIRBAG MAY MALFUNCTION AND KILL YOU WITHOUT OFFERING A SAFE MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. WE ALSO HAVE A HONDA CRV AND THEY HAVE PROVIDED A LOANER UNTIL THE AIRBAG IS REPLACED.

Reported
May 2016
Incident date
May 2016
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10864712 at NHTSA →
Fuel/Propulsion SystemDec 2015 · ODI 10811970Details +

ENGINE FAILURE ON ROAD. SERVICE IS CLAIMING IT IS A FUEL PUMP ISSUE.... HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP.

Reported
Dec 2015
Incident date
Dec 2015
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10811970 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemJan 2015 · ODI 10671435Details +

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SIMPLY SHUT OFF. I TURNED ON HAZZARDS, PUT CAR INTO PARK, RESTARTED, PUT CAR BACK INTO DRIVE AND DROVE AWAY. THIS WAS ON THE I-35 FRONTAGE ROAD AND I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN REARENDED / KILLED. HAPPENED ONE OTHER TIME ON THE BQE IN NEW YORK SEVERAL MONTHS PRIOR. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT I WAS TOLD BY THE AUTHORIZED SERVICE DEPT. "PROBABLY A GLITCH, WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN." WAITING FOR A THIRD INCIDENT WHERE I'M NOT SO LUCKY.

Reported
Jan 2015
Incident date
Dec 2014
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10671435 at NHTSA →
Fuel/Propulsion SystemSep 2014 · ODI 10638450Details +

I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT PREPARING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A RATTLING NOISE. AFTER THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I PROCEEDED TO MAKE MY TURN AND AFTER EXITING THE INTERSECTION THE VEHICLE STARTED TO HESITATE AND EVENTUALLY STALLED. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY AND TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT IT WOULD NOT START. I CALLED AAA AND MY LOCAL VW DEALER AND HAD THE CAR TOWED THERE FOR REPAIR. I WAS TOLD THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE DIESEL FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THAT IT WOULD BE REPLACED AS A "GOODWILL" BY VW SINCE MY CAR WAS JUST OUT OF THE 5 YEAR 60K WARRANTY. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM WAS REPLACED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE FUEL TANK ITSELF WHICH WAS CLEANED. EVERYTHING WAS TAKEN CARE OF BY VW WITH NO CHARGE TO ME, AND A LOANER CAR WAS PROVIDED. *TR

Reported
Sep 2014
Incident date
Jul 2014
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10638450 at NHTSA →
Fuel SystemAug 2014 · ODI 10618555Details +

2010 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FUEL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IN JULY 2013, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER, FOR A DIAGNOSES, THEY INFORMED HER, THE FUEL SYSTEM HAD COMPLETELY MALFUNCTIONED AND SENT METAL SHARDS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER, THE AC WASN'T FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. IT WAS TAKING 10-15 MINUTES TO GET COLD. IT WAS DETERMINED THE AIR COMPRESSOR WAS FAILING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE RECEIVER AND EXPANSION VALVE. *JB

Reported
Aug 2014
Incident date
Jul 2013
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10618555 at NHTSA →
StructureJun 2014 · ODI 10597866Details +

THE HEAD LINER IN MY VW GOLF IS FALLING APART AROUND THE REAR DOME LIGHT. THE MATERIAL HAS SEPARATED FROM THE ROOF AND IS BLOCKING MY REAR VIEW. THIS IS A FOUR YEAR OLD CAR WITH UNDER 70,000 MILES ON IT. VW HAS REFUSED TO COVER IT UNDER MY WARRANTY. *TR

Reported
Jun 2014
Incident date
Jun 2014
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10597866 at NHTSA →
Seat BeltsJun 2014 · ODI 10595916Details +

I DRIVE A 2010 VW GOLF TDI. IT HAS BEEN USED AS A WORK VEHICLE JUST TO DRIVE BACK AND FORTH FOR ALL OF ITS LIFE EXCEPT RECENTLY AND KEPT EXTREMELY CLEAN ON THE INSIDE. THE REAR SEAT BELTS HAVE ONLY BEEN USED FOR THE LAST 3 MONTHS WHEN MY DAUGHTER MOVED INTO A TODDLER SEAT. THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT IS DEFECTIVE AND WILL NOT WIND BACK UP NOW BEING UNUSABLE. *TR

Reported
Jun 2014
Incident date
May 2014
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10595916 at NHTSA →
Fuel SystemApr 2014 · ODI 10583653Details +

HAD JUST REFUELED VEHICLE A DAY PRIOR WHEN ON LUNCH BREAK VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING. UPON ENTERING A HEAVILY CONGESTED INTERSECTION THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED CAUSING STEERING, BRAKING AND CONTROL TO BE COMPROMISED. STARTED VEHICLE TO MOVE OUT OF HEAVY TRAFFIC AND DROVE DIRECTLY TO AN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP. UPON INSPECTION THE REPAIR FACILITY DISCOVERED METAL PARTICLES THROUGHOUT FUEL SYSTEM CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS LISTED ABOVE INCLUDING STALLING AND LOSS OF CONTROL. *TR

Reported
Apr 2014
Incident date
Apr 2014
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10583653 at NHTSA →
Fuel SystemJan 2014 · ODI 10559285Details +

THERE WERE THREE SEPARATE STALLING INCIDENTS WITHIN 1 YEAR (9/2012-6/2013). AFTER EACH INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP FOR EVALUATION. THE VEHICLE WAS WITHIN THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY DURING THIS TIME, AND NO PROBLEMS WERE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BY THE TECHNICIANS. FINALLY, ON 1/7/2014, THERE WAS A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. *TR

Reported
Jan 2014
Incident date
Jan 2014
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10559285 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemDec 2013 · ODI 10557979Details +

FIRST SYMPTON WAS A FAULTY WARNING LIGHT STATING, INCORRECTLY, THAT A BULB WAS DEAD. REPLACED HEADLIGHTS UNDER ADVICE FROM DEALER THAT THE ERROR WAS DUE TO FAULTY VOLTAGE FROM A DYING BULB. CONDITION WORSENED. INFORMATION CENTER BEGAN STATING THAT ALL BULBS WERE OUT EACH TIME YOU STARTED THE CAR AND THEN FINALLY, LIGHTS BEGAN TO FAIL. THE CAR LOST ALL EXTERIOR PASSENGER SIDE LIGHTS AND HAD ONLY INTERMITTENT USE OF REAR DRIVER SIDE LIGHTING. DEALER THEN DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS A MELTED FUSE BOX BUT COULD NOT GIVE REASON FOR MELTING. NO MODIFICATIONS HAVE EVER BEEN MADE TO THE CAR. A QUICK INTERENET SEARCH REVEALED MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ACROSS MANY VOLKSWAGEN MODELS AND THAT THE DEALER'S FIX OF JUST REPLACING THE FUSEBOX MAY NOT ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM WHICH MAY BE DUE TO A WIRE TO THE FUSE BOX. OVER $700 SPENT TO DATE ON REPAIRS WITH NO UNDERSTANDING OF WHY VW FUSE BOXES ARE MELTING AND WONDERING HOW LONG TILL MY NEW BOX MELTS TOO. *TR

Reported
Dec 2013
Incident date
Nov 2013
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10557979 at NHTSA →
Power TrainApr 2013 · ODI 10507329Details +

THE GOLF IS THE TDI DIESEL VERSION. IS EQUIPPED WITH A DSG STYLE AUTO TRANSMISSION. THE SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS BECAME VERY ROUGH AND AND VEHICLE SPEED SURGED UP AND DOWN WHILE IN GEAR. CLUNKING NOISES FROM ENGINE/TRANNY COMPARTMENT. SPEED HARD TO MAINTAIN. HAS BEEN IN VW DEALER SHOP TWICE NOW FOR ATTEMPTED REPAIRS. FIRST REPAIRS ENTAILED REPLACEMENT OF "MECHATRONIC" UNIT. WAS REASONABLY SUCCESSFUL FOR ABOUT 500 MILES AND THEN FAILED IN SAME FASHION AGAIN. *TR

Reported
Apr 2013
Incident date
Feb 2013
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10507329 at NHTSA →
Fuel SystemNov 2012 · ODI 10485995Details +

I HAVE A 2010 VW GOLF TDI. I WAS DRIVING ALONG AT 25 MPH WHEN MY GLOW PLUG & CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, AND MY TACHOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO, INDICATING A STALL. THE POWER STEERING ALSO STARTED TO CUT OUT, BUT I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER. TRIED STARTING THE CAR AGAIN AND GOT NOTHING. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A VW DEALERSHIP DOWN THE STREET, AND ON MONDAY 11/19 THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND SENT METAL FRAGMENTS THROUGH THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I WAS TOLD THAT THE BILL WOULD BE AT LEAST $5,000 FOR THIS KIND OF FIX. OH YEAH, THIS ALSO COMPLETELY RUINED MY TRAVEL PLANS FOR THANKSGIVING, AS VW REFUSED TO GIVE ME A LOANER CAR WHILE THIS DOCUMENTED WARRANTY ISSUE WAS BEING DEALT WITH. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL CASES OF 2009-10 TDI FUEL PUMP FAILURES WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS. APPARENTLY, THERE HAVE BEEN THREE REVISIONS OF THIS PUMP SINCE THEN, AND I AM DUE TO GET THE NEWEST ONE. BUT, THERE IS ALSO TALK THAT ULTRA-LOW-SULFUR DIESEL FUEL IN THE US IS NOT PROVIDING THE PROPER LUBRICITY, AND THUS CAUSING THE PUMPS TO FAIL (THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE IN EUROPE). NONETHELESS, FURTHER INVESTIGATION BY THE NHTSA SHOULD RESULT IN VW DOING A PROPER RECALL AND REDESIGN, RATHER THAN QUIETLY FIXING AN INHERENT FLAW ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS. EVEN WITH MY CAR FIXED, I'LL STILL BE WONDERING WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. WHICH ALSO MAKES ME WONDER IF I SHOULD JUST SELL IT AND BE DONE WITH VW. VERY FRUSTRATING. *TR

Reported
Nov 2012
Incident date
Nov 2012
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10485995 at NHTSA →
TiresNov 2012 · ODI 10485506Details +

2010 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MALFUNCTION OF TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, THERE HAVE BEEN FIVE FALSE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT INDICATIONS FROM THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS). THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN FOUND NO INDICATION OF LOW PRESSURE IN ANY TIRE. THEY RESET THE TPMS VIA A PROGRAM SOFTWARE UPDATE. *JB

Reported
Nov 2012
Incident date
Nov 2012
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10485506 at NHTSA →
Fuel SystemOct 2012 · ODI 10482481Details +

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON A FEW SECONDS AFTER I HAD MERGED A FEW LANES OVER ON THE FREEWAY (101S @HOLLY DURING RUSH HOUR). GLOW PLUG LIGHT FLASHED ONCE OR TWICE. WITHIN 60 SECONDS, THE CAR HAD DIED WHILE TRAFFIC WAS SPEEDING UP ON BOTH SIDES OF ME. PUT ON EMERGENCY FLASHERS. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR STARTED AGAIN, NOR DID I HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD (I HAD 2 LANES ON MY RIGHT, 2 ON MY LEFT). AFTER TRYING TO START IT FOR A MINUTE OR SO, CALLED 911. AFTER 10 - 15 MINUTES, CHP CAME AND STOPPED ALL TRAFFIC, PUSHED ME TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH HIS CAR. CAR STILL WOULD NOT START. TOW TRUCK CAME A WHILE LATER, TOWED ME TO VW DEALER (BOARDWALK) WHICH WAS NEARBY. DEALER: BOARDWALK VOLKSWAGEN, REDWOOD CITY, CA STATUS: FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. PROVIDED ME RENTAL CAR. TOOK 1 WEEK. ALL IN ALL, GAVE ME GOOD SERVICE. THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM. HERE IS WHAT THEY DID UNDER WARRANTY (PER THE RECEIPT): * REPLACED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP * REPLACED AUXILIARY FUEL PUMP * REPLACED FUEL FILTER HOUSING AND FILTER * REPLACED ALL INJECTOR LINES * REPLACED 4 INJECTORS * REPLACED FUEL RAIL * REMOVED AND REINSTALLED FUEL PUMP INSIDE GAS TANK * DRAIN AND REFILL DIESEL * ROAD TESTED RECHECK OK * VENDOR CODE (BOSCH) AND (CBF) NOT A VERY OPPORTUNE TIME FOR A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, WHILE CRUISING ON THE BUSY RUSH-HOUR HIGHWAY, AND IT HAPPENED VERY FAST. NEVERTHELESS, NO ONE WAS INJURED, AND THE CAR IS NOW BACK ON THE ROAD. I KNOW SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THESE CARS OF THIS VINTAGE, AND I WILL ENCOURAGE THEM TO CONTACT VW TO TRY AND REPLACE THE PUMP BEFORE IT FAILS. ON THE TRICLUB FORUM, THERE ARE EXAMPLES OF THIS SAME THING HAPPENING 100S OF TIMES TO THESE CARS. HERE IS MY ENTRY: HTTP://FORUMS.TDICLUB.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?P=3978779 SOMEONE ON THE FORUM ENCOURAGED ME TO FILE AN INCIDENT WITH NHTSA, SO I AM DOING THAT HERE. *TR

Reported
Oct 2012
Incident date
Oct 2012
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10482481 at NHTSA →
Fuel SystemOct 2012 · ODI 10479279Details +

ENTERING THE FREEWAY AND A HIGH SPEED, ENGINE LIGHT AND IGNITION COIL LIGHT APPEARED WHEN I REACHED THE END OF THE ON-RAMP. LOST ALL PROPULSION 30 SECONDS LATER; THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER, BUT BARELY MADE IT SINCE I HAD TO MOVE SEVERAL LANES OVER AND AVOID TRAFFIC GOING AROUND ME. IF I WAS MOVING SLOWER, I WOULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON ONE OF THE LANES. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHER CASES OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE FOR THE TURBO DIESEL ENGINE, MY VEHICLE IS JUST ANOTHER ONE. *TR

Reported
Oct 2012
Incident date
Oct 2012
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10479279 at NHTSA →
EngineSep 2012 · ODI 10476937Details +

I HAVE A 2010 GOLF TDI MANUAL TRANSMISSION CAR. THE CAR WAS STALLED DURING DRIVING, AFTER JUST DOWN SHIFTED FROM 2ND GEAR TO FIRST GEAR. AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE COMPLETELY, I STILL COULDN'T RESTART THE CAR RIGHT AWAY. I HAD TO WAIT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, AND TRIED AGAIN. THE CAR STARTED ON THE NEXT ATTEMPT. I EXPERIENCE THE SIMILAR TYPE OF STALLING SOON AFTER I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE, AND IT PERSISTS AND RECURS QUITE OFTEN. OTHER TIMES, ALSO DURING DRIVING, MOSTLY NOTICEABLE IN 4TH GEAR SPEED, THE CAR COULD ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST POWER, FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS, ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE WAS NOT STALLED OR STOPPED. I ALSO NOTICED AFTER A DIFFICULT START, THE DRIVING IS LESS SMOOTH. AND WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED AND COMPLETELY TURNED OFF, THE ENGINE/FAN WOULD KEEP ON RUNNING IDLE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. AND DURING THAT IDLE TIME, A LARGE AMOUNT OF HEAT IS DISPENSED OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT HOOD. *TR

Reported
Sep 2012
Incident date
Sep 2012
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10476937 at NHTSA →
Fuel SystemAug 2012 · ODI 10468962Details +

I GOT INTO MY CAR AS NORMAL, AND BEGAN TO DRIVE. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES OF DRIVING, I CAME TO A RED LIGHT ON A BUSY STREET. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I WAS TOLD THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED, AND THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM HAS TO BE REPLACED... AFTER I GOT HOME, I QUICKLY GOOGLE SEARCHED THE ISSUE AND APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON A BAD DESIGN BY VOLKSWAGEN AND BOSCH... *TR

Reported
Aug 2012
Incident date
Aug 2012
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10468962 at NHTSA →
Fuel/Propulsion SystemJun 2012 · ODI 10462683Details +

FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN FUEL FILTER HOUSING WHICH WILL LEAD TO THE EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE HPFP AND COULD BECOME A POTENTIAL HAZARD ON THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO FAILURE YET BUT I JUST WANTED THIS TO BE RECORDED AS THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER FAILURES OF THIS SORT WHICH COULD LEAD TO MORE SEVERE ACCIDENTS. *TT

Reported
Jun 2012
Incident date
Jun 2012
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10462683 at NHTSA →
Fuel/Propulsion SystemJun 2012 · ODI 10460945Details +

UPON CHANGING MY FUEL FILTER, A LARGE AMOUNT OF METAL FLAKES WERE DISCOVERED IN THE FUEL HOUSING. THEY SEEMED TO BE LINKED TO THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. VW HAD TO REPLACE DUE TO A FAILURE STARTING IN THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP. *JS

Reported
Jun 2012
Incident date
Jan 2012
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10460945 at NHTSA →
Fuel SystemMar 2012 · ODI 10451342Details +

**************NOTE: THIS IS A DIESEL ISSUE.******************** DIESEL HIGH PRESSURE PUMP FAILED (HPFS) AT 39,793 MILES. THE CAR STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY AND WOULD NOT RESTART. DEALER FOUND METAL SHAVINGS INSIDE FUEL FILTER. ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFS), 4 FUEL INJECTORS, AUX FUEL PUMP, TANK PUMP, ALL RUBBER/PLASTIC LINES IN FUEL SYSTEM, ALL METAL LINES IN FUEL SYSTEM AND FUEL TANK. DESPITE BEING OUT OF WARRANTY, VW PAID FOR THE REPAIR (OVER $6000 DOLLARS IN PARTS NOT INCLUDING LABOR.) WAS TOLD THAT, IF THE PROBLEM RECURS THE CAR IS COVERED FOR 12 MONTHS / 12000 MILES. AFTER THAT, I AM ON MY OWN. *TR **************NOTE: THIS IS A DIESEL ISSUE.********************

Reported
Mar 2012
Incident date
Feb 2012
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10451342 at NHTSA →
Engine And Engine CoolingMar 2012 · ODI 10450585Details +

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF TDI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED BUT THE DIAGNOSTIC WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TEST DRIVEN, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

Reported
Mar 2012
Incident date
Jan 2012
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10450585 at NHTSA →
Fuel SystemFeb 2012 · ODI 10449335Details +

IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE 40K SERVICE ON MY 2010 VW GOLF TDI WITH 39,300 MILES, THE DIESEL GLOW PLUG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGHLY. APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS LATER, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND FRAGMENTS OF METAL IN THE FUEL SYSTEM AND REPLACED THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM (APPROXIMATELY $5000 IN PARTS NOT INCLUDING LABOR). VW AGREED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BUT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THEY WILL PAY FOR THIS REPAIR IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. ALSO, VW WAS UNABLE TO TELL ME IF THE REPLACEMENT HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IS THE SAME DESIGN AS THE ORIGINAL ONE THAT FAILED. I AM CONCERNED THE FUEL PUMP COULD FAIL AGAIN AND THIS TIME CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IT THE CAR WERE TO STALL ON THE INTERSTATE. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT, SHOULD THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAIL AGAIN, IT COULD COST BETWEEN $8000 AND $10,000 TO REPAIR. IT APPEARS THAT VW IS REPAIRING CARS, WITH A FIX THAT OFFES NO ASSURANCE THAT THE PROBLEM WONT RECUR AND, THE NHTSA MAY GETTING AN ACCURATE REPORT ON THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURES. *TR

Reported
Feb 2012
Incident date
Feb 2012
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10449335 at NHTSA →
Engine And Engine CoolingFeb 2012 · ODI 10448033Details +

UPON MAKING A LANE CHANGE TO MERGE INTO A FASTER MOVING TRAFFIC LANE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED NORMALLY FOR ONE SECOND THEN LOST ALL ENGINE POWER LEAVING ME IN A DANGEROUS POSITION. UPON DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH, THE ENGINE STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AFTER WHICH IT WORKED NORMALLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 20 TIMES SINCE. IT USUALLY CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION SUCH AS LEAVING THE CAR WITHOUT POWER IN AN ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE DURING A LEFT TURN OR MOVING TOO SLOWLY IN A MERGING MANEUVER. SOMETIMES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL ALSO COME ON AND THE GLOW PLUG WARNING LIGHT STARTS FLASHING. CLOUDS OF WHITE SMOKE ALWAYS APPEAR AT THE TAIL PIPE DURING THE POWER LOSS. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED A SENSOR 4 TIMES WHICH MAKES THE WARNING LIGHTS GO OUT, BUT THE ENGINE CUTTING OUT PROBLEM IS NEVER ADDRESSED. VW SIMPLY STATE "CANNOT REPRODUCE PROBLEM" AND RETURN THE VEHICLE. THE BEHAVIOR IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

Reported
Feb 2012
Incident date
Sep 2010
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10448033 at NHTSA →
Engine And Engine CoolingJan 2012 · ODI 10445811Details +

I DEC 19TH 2011 I EXPERIENCED WHAT I BELIEVE WAS A HARD START. WEATHER IN THE MORNING WAS IN THE TEENS, AFTERNOON IN THE LOW 40S. LEAVE WORK, GET IN CAR, PUT KEY IN IGNITION & TURN TO ON POSITION, PUT SEAT BELT ON, AND START. CAR STARTS RIGHT AWAY BUT IS IDLING ROUGH, SHAKING VIOLENTLY LIKE A WASHING MACHINE OFF BALANCE. I DROP INTO NEUTRAL AND REV IT UP TO 2K, STILL IDLES ROUGH FOR ABOUT A MINUTE MORE BUT DOES NOT STALL. I EXPERIENCED SOMETHING LIKE THIS ONCE WHEN MY SUBARU LEGACY'S #2 INJECTOR QUIT, A MISFIRING BOXER ENGINE DOES NOT IDLE SMOOTH. THE RIDE HOME WAS UNEVENTFUL, STOPPED AT THE BANK AND RESTARTED FINE. EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL THIS MORNING, TEMPS IN THE LOW 40S. WHAT I BELIEVE HAPPENED TO MY CAR WAS MOISTURE ACCUMULATED IN THE INNER COOLER AND WAS INGESTED INTO THE INTAKE TRACT CAUSING A "HAMMERING EFFECT" AS THE ENGINE TRIED TO COMPRESS THIS MOISTURE. VW HAS ISSUED A TSB #21 11 06/2025464 BUT NO RECALL AS YET. WHEN I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE THEY FOUND NO MOISTURE SO NOTHING WAS DONE. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE COULD INGEST THIS MOISTURE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE CAR TO STOP AND STRAND IN AN UNSAFE LOCATION. A RECALL AND FIX SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TT

Reported
Jan 2012
Incident date
Jan 2011
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10445811 at NHTSA →
Engine And Engine CoolingJan 2012 · ODI 10445783Details +

INTER-COOLER DESIGN IS DEFECTIVE IN THAT IT ALLOWS CONDENSATION AND SLUDGE TO BUILD WITHIN THE CHARGE AIR INTAKE SYSTEM WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY FREEZES AND THAWS WITH LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AND IT MOVES FURTHER AND FURTHER WITHIN THE INTAKE SYSTEM UNTIL THE CONDENSATE AND SLUDGE BECOME DRAWN INTO THE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD AND BECOMES DISCHARGED INTO THE CYLINDERS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO HYDRO-LOCK AND FAIL. CAUSING POTENTIAL FOR PERMANENT AND CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE UPON RESTART. CURRENTLY FOR THIS MODEL, THE REPAIR IS COVERED UNDER THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY ALONG WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE CHARGE AIR INTER-COOLER SYSTEM WITH A REDESIGN. IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER THIS REDESIGNED SYSTEM INDEED SOLVES THE ROOT CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IF THE CAR IS BEYOND THE YEARS/MILES OF THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER'S OR EXTENDED WARRANTY, VW WILL NOT SUBSIDIZE THE REPAIRS TO THE ENGINE, NOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CHARGE AIR SYSTEM...EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM WAS DIRECTLY CAUSED BY THEIR DESIGN. THE OWNER WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LARGE EXPENSE OF GETTING THE CAR RUNNING AGAIN. *TT

Reported
Jan 2012
Incident date
Jan 2012
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10445783 at NHTSA →
Air BagsDec 2011 · ODI 10440237 · crashDetails +

AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN CAR REAR ENDED A TOWED VEHICLE. THE TOWED VEHICLE SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH AND THE VW GOLF SPEED WAS 70-75 MPH. THE GOLF'S FRONT-END WAS DESTROYED (ALONG WITH IT'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), AND WAS IMMOBILIZED. BUT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND THE BODY SHOP OWNER QUESTIONED WHY THE AIR BAGS FAILED WITH THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE INCURRED. WHEN CONTACTED, THE VW REPRESENTATIVE WAS MORE INTERESTED IN MY HOSPITAL EXPENSES THAN THE FACT THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE HIGHWAY PATROLMAN WHO WORKED THE ACCIDENT, SAID HE WAS ALREADY INVOLVED IN A LAWSUIT WHERE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND A FATALITY OCCURRED. HE SAID THE CAR IN THAT ACCIDENT WAS NOT A VW. ALSO, AFTER I HAD LEFT FOR THE HOSPITAL, A FIREMAN TOLD MY WIFE HE HAD NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DUE TO SOMETHING ELECTRICAL SMOLDERING. HE DIDN'T ELABORATE. *TR

Reported
Dec 2011
Incident date
Dec 2011
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
Crash
Open ODI 10440237 at NHTSA →
Fuel SystemOct 2011 · ODI 10430594Details +

I'M A VW GOLF TDI CANADIAN CUSTOMER WHO SUFFERED A HPFP FAILURE IN THE US ON SEPT 22ND, 2011. THE CAR STALLED AT 35MPH, WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP IN TEWKSBURY, MA WHO CLAIMED I HAD CONTAMINATED DIESEL FUEL IN MY CAR AND THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PUMP FAILURE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MONTREAL, CANADA AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND ARRIVED ON SEPT 30TH. FUEL LAB TEST RESULTS DID NOT CONFIRM ANY TYPE OF FUEL CONTAMINATION, VW CANADA MIGHT COVER THE REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY BUT WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE PUMP FAILED IF THE FUEL WAS OKAY AS I CONSIDER THIS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. I'D LIKE TO MENTIONED I ONLY FUELED FROM SHELL WHILE TRAVELING IN THE US. IT LOOKS LIKE THERE WERE OVER 170 OTHER COMPLAINTS INCLUDING SOME MISFUELING EVENTS AND IT SEEMS THAT THE US QUALITY OF DIESEL AND/OR POOR PUMP DESIGN (BY BOSCH) MIGHT BE THE CAUSE. *TR

Reported
Oct 2011
Incident date
Sep 2011
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10430594 at NHTSA →
Fuel SystemAug 2011 · ODI 10421170Details +

SINCE I FIRST BOUGHT THE TDI GOLF IT HAS BEEN EASY TO STALL, SOMETIMES STALLING WHILE STILL IN MOTION GOING DOWN THE ROAD. AT APPROXIMATELY 20K MILES STALLING BECAME SOMETIMES UNAVOIDABLE NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS YOU GAVE IT FROM A STOP. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND STALL, LEAVING ME DEAD IN THE WATER IN DANGEROUS TRAFFIC!! NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS I GAVE THE CAR OR HOW MUCH I SLIPPED THE CLUTCH IT WOULD STILL SOMETIMES STALL AFTER PROPELLING ME INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE DRIVEN A MANUAL TRANSMISSION MY ENTIRE LIFE AND I KNOW HOW TO WORK A CLUTCH... THIS PROBLEM IS NOT NORMAL AND MANY FRIENDS WHO I HAVE HAD DRIVE THE CAR AGREE WITH ME. AT APPROXIMATELY 19,000 MILES THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND BLINKED AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE. THE CAR WOULDN'T GO ABOVE 20MPH. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEM. AT APPROX. 23,000 MILES THE CAR STALLED 4 TIMES IN A ROW AFTER CRANKING THE ENGINE AND ATTEMPTING TO PULL STRAIGHT FORWARD OUT OF A PARKING LOT. AT THIS POINT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT ALSO CAME BACK ON AND BLINKED. THE CAR PERFORMANCE NOW IS TERRIBLE AND IT IS GOING INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY AND THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTINUING EXPENSIVE ISSUES I MAY HAVE THAT EXCEED THE WARRANTY PERIOD WITH THIS CAR. PLEASE HELP!!! *TR

Reported
Aug 2011
Incident date
Aug 2011
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10421170 at NHTSA →
Fuel SystemAug 2011 · ODI 10418105Details +

2010 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF TDI; ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS VERY NOTICEABLE LOSS OF POWER LASTING 2-5 SECONDS USUALLY WHILE ACCELERATING; NO STALL NOTED BUT VERY DISCONCERTING. HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN 20 TIMES. ALSO, HAS VERY SENSITIVE CLUTCH WITH EASY STALLS FROM START IN 1ST GEAR, HAVE DRIVEN MANUAL-TRANSMISSION CARS FOR 20+ YEARS AND HAVE NEVER STALLED A CAR WITH SUCH EASE AS THE TDI GOLF. HAS CREATED MULTIPLE DANGEROUS SITUATIONS BUT NO ACCIDENTS. CAR HAS 8K MILES ON IT SO FAR. *TR

Reported
Aug 2011
Incident date
Aug 2011
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10418105 at NHTSA →
Fuel SystemJul 2011 · ODI 10410209Details +

VW GOLF TDI, 2010. I HAVE 12,000 MILES IN IT. MANUAL TRANSMISSION. STALLING PROBLEM AND OCCASIONAL DECREASE OF POWER FOR SECONDS. NEVER PUT A DROP OF GASOLINE INSTEAD OF DIESEL FUEL. STALLING ONLY OCCURS UPON SHIFTS FROM 1ST INTO 2ND GEAR AT SLOW SPEEDS AND ONLY OCCASIONALLY, I HAVE TO BE UNUSUALLY CAREFUL WHEN DOING IT. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ONLY MANUAL TRANSMISSION CARS THE PAST 20 YEARS, THIS IS NOT A DRIVER MISTAKE OR INEXPERIENCE WITH MANUAL TRANS. NO OTHER CAR GAVE ME PROBLEM LIKE THIS. TEST-DRIVING THE 2010 JETTA GAVE ME THE SAME TROUBLE. *TR

Reported
Jul 2011
Incident date
Jun 2011
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10410209 at NHTSA →
Fuel SystemJun 2011 · ODI 10408900Details +

I WAS ON A 350 MILE TRIP, AND I STOPPED AND FILLED UP WITH DIESEL AT A CHEVRON STATION ABOUT 60 MILES INTO THE TRIP. I HAVE THE RECEIPT THAT SAYS "DIESEL" ON IT. THE CAR STARTED FINE AND DROVE FINE UNTIL I STOPPED ABOUT 200 MILES LATER. THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART RIGHT AWAY. AFTER TRYING IT A FEW TIMES IT STARTED. I FINISHED DRIVING THE LAST 90 MILES WITHOUT PROBLEMS AND STOPPED THE CAR AND SHUT IT OFF. THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AT ALL. THE NEXT MORNING THE CAR STARTED AND RAN ROUGHLY FOR 30 SECONDS, THEN SMOOTHED OUT AND RAN FINE. I DROVE TO THE DEALER. I HAD READ ABOUT HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP) PROBLEMS WITH THESE CARS AND TOLD THEM TO CHECK IT OUT. THEY CALLED THE NEXT DAY AND SAID THE PUMP WAS FINE BUT THAT THEY WERE STILL INVESTIGATING. TWO MORE DAYS LATER THEY SAID THE HPFP WAS BAD DUE TO CONTAMINATED FUEL AND IT NEEDED $8,000 IN REPAIRS. THEY SAID THEY TRIED TO BURN A SAMPLE OF THE FUEL AND IT BURNED, AND THEY SAID THAT DIESEL WON'T BURN, SO THEREFORE THEY SAID THERE WAS GAS IN THE TANK. THEY TOLD ME TO CALL MY INSURANCE SINCE IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I CALLED THE CHEVRON STATION WHERE I BOUGHT THE FUEL, AND TO MY AMAZEMENT THEY TALKED TO THEIR DISTRIBUTOR WHO AGREED TO PAY THE CHARGES. I FEEL VERY LUCKY. I THINK THIS IS VOLKSWAGEN'S PROBLEM WITH THESE PUMPS, GIVEN ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS AND NO COMPLAINTS FROM CHEVY AND FORD DIESEL PICKUP TRUCK DRIVERS ABOUT "CONTAMINATED FUEL" SINCE WE ALL BUY FUEL AT THE SAME PLACES. NOW I'M SCARED THAT I'LL BE PAYING THE BILL THE NEXT TIME THIS HAPPENS. THE CAR IS A 2010 VW GOLF WITH ONLY 19,000 MILES. THE DEALER TOOK 3 WEEKS TO FIX THE CAR. *TR

Reported
Jun 2011
Incident date
Jun 2011
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10408900 at NHTSA →
Fuel SystemJun 2011 · ODI 10407044Details +

THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED ON MY 2010 VW GOLF TDI WHILE DRIVING. IT CAUSED THE CAR TO SHUT OFF IN AN INTERSECTION. THE CAR THEN HAD TO BE PUSHED OUT OF THE INTERSECTION AND TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE FUEL PUMP DAMAGED THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM ONCE IT FAILED. THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS KIND ENOUGH TO DO IT UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

Reported
Jun 2011
Incident date
Jun 2011
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10407044 at NHTSA →
Engine And Engine CoolingJun 2011 · ODI 10404539Details +

2010 VW GOLF TDI - ENGINE DIED AFTER ACCELERATING WHILE ENTERING A HIGHWAY FROM A PARKING LOT. I HAD TO COAST BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT AT A DANGEROUSLY SLOW SPEED. IF THERE HAD BEEN ONCOMING TRAFFIC IT COULD LIKELY HAVE LED TO AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR DID RESTART AFTER PARKING AND TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON. I DID NOT LOSE POWER TO ANY OF THE ELECTRONICS, ONLY TO THE ENGINE. THE TACHOMETER WENT TO ZERO AND THE ACCELERATOR WAS UNRESPONSIVE. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS APPROX. 34K MILES ON IT. *TR

Reported
Jun 2011
Incident date
Jun 2011
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10404539 at NHTSA →
Fuel SystemApr 2011 · ODI 10398313Details +

2010 VW GOLF TDI LOSS OF POWER AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. THIS HAPPENED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AT 17500 MILES AND THEN AGAIN AT 18,800 MILES. THE VW DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP UNDER WARRANTY AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT. I UNDERSTAND VW IS HAVING 2009-2010 HPFP PROBLEMS AND IS CLAIMING THAT 90% OF THE FAILURES ARE DUE TO FUEL CONTAMINATION. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING DIESEL CARS FOR 10 YEARS NOW AND I'M THE SOLE DRIVER OF THIS CAR. THERE WAS NO FUEL CONTAMINATION IN THIS CASE. *TR

Reported
Apr 2011
Incident date
Jan 2011
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 10398313 at NHTSA →

This page shows the latest 50 reports to keep it usable. The count above includes every complaint NHTSA has returned for this model year.

Recalls(4)

Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.

Air BagsJun 2018 · 18V148000Details +

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.

Open full NHTSA recall record →
Air BagsOct 2016 · 16V078000Details +

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Open full NHTSA recall record →
Fuel SystemMar 2011 · 11V490000Details +

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2009-2012 JETTA AND JETTA SPORTWAGEN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 AUDI A3 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L TDI COMMON RAIL DIESEL ENGINE/CLEAN DIESEL ENGINE. THE FUEL INJECTION PULSES COULD COINCIDE WITH THE NATURAL FREQUENCY OF THE INJECTOR LINE #2, IN SPECIFIC LOAD AND RPM CONDITIONS. THIS RESONANCE CREATES ADDITIONAL STRESS IN THE FUEL LINE.

Risk: DUE TO THE RESONANCE CONDITION, INJECTOR LINE NUMBER 2 COULD DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE. LEAKING FUEL IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED FUEL INJECTOR LINE FOR THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER ON CERTAIN VEHICLES AND WILL INSTALL VIBRATION DAMPERS ON ALL OF THE INJECTOR LINES. VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS TO HAVE THE VEHICLES REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Open full NHTSA recall record →
Service Brakes · 16V913000Details +

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Sedan, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GTI, Rabbit and Audi A3 vehicles, and 2010 Volkswagen Golf A6 vehicles. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) control unit may fail during ABS or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) activation, possibly causing a loss of vehicle control.

Risk: A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control module software to improve the module's self-testing abilities. Any module that fails the new diagnostic test will be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

Open full NHTSA recall record →

A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.

Investigations

4 NHTSA investigations on record

Investigations are agency reviews, not findings that a vehicle is defective.

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 Model Year (MY) CC, Passat, Eos, Golf, GTI, Tiguan, Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen models.Contamination of the clockspring can cause the ribbon cable to tear resulting in loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag and any steering wheel mounted controls.The loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag will result in illumination of the air bag warning light and will prevent operation of the front driver air bag in a crash of sufficient severity requiring a commanded deployment.In November 2017, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ17-009) after the agency received 90 complaints alleging failure of the clockspring in the subject models.Several of the complaints allege failure of the clockspring after receiving the recall remedy.The majority of the complaints allege the same failure mode without being included in the original recall, 15V-483.In its March 2018 response to ODI's Information Request under the Recall Query, Volkswagen provided approximately 700 consumer complaints and field reports on the recalled vehicles.These reports allege clockspring failure similar to the NHTSA reports described above.To date, NHTSA has received approximately 154 allegations of clockspring failure since the recall has launched.The total of 852 reports shown in the table above eliminates 6 duplicative reports received by ODI and the manufacturer.An Engineering Analysis has been opened to further evaluate the scope and effectiveness of the remedy associated with 15V-483 and perform a thorough review of the design changes implemented by Volkswagen and its suppliers to address this issue.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI identification numbers: 11080741, 11079877, 11079805, 11079124, 11076709, 11076645, 11076297, 11076249, 11076133, 11075756, 11075726, 11075358, 11075259, 11075055, 11074920, 11074565, 11073090, 11072745, 11072457, 11072089, 11071933, 11071880, 11071630, 11071592, 11067396, 11067061, 11066738, 11066601, 11066511, 11065909, 11065871, 11065262, 11064701, 11064564, 11064544, 11064531, 11063961, 11063501, 11063095, 11062772, 11062464, 11062353, 11062344, 11061463, 11061310, 11061311, 11060735, 11058154, 11057519, 11057477, 11057341, 11056793, 11056243, 11056063, 11055639, 11054279, 11052812, 11052678, 11052384, 11052228, 11051336, 11051155, 11051074, 11048803, 11047037, 11044226, 11043653, 11039142, 11033893, 11033330, 11032548, 11025475, 11025356, 11024647, 11023423, 11020570, 11020312, 11019415, 11019067, 11015441, 11015431, 11014595, 11014016, 11013709, 11013415, 11012596, 11011753, 11006668, 11006521, 11006307, 11006181, 11005301, 11003865, 11001780, 11001783, 11001334, 10994184, 10993360, 10993524, 10992490, 10985926, 10983678, 10981220, 10980831, 10980941, 10980549, 10979418, 10971152, 10967344, 10967155, 10959968, 10958624, 10957279, 10956488, 10949129, 10947562, 10945122, 10936498, 10936543, 10933950, 10927311, 10925421, 10924034, 10915612, 10915569, 10911171, 10902066, 10898733, 10896537, 10896510, 10895526, 10893938, 10891686, 10864967, 10863742, 10861984, 10851242, 10822505, 10821562, 10818403, 10795068, 10794402, 10788738, 10787804, 10782544, 10780725, 10780145, 10779145, 10776477, 10775448, 10763492, 10763423, 10763289, 10762670, 10760644, 10758777, 10749901, 10748922

Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage

By letter dated October 3, 2011, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it will conduct a safety recall to address a defect in approximately 168,275 model year (MY) 2009-2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Jetta Sportwagen, Golf, and Audi A3 vehicles equipped with the 2.0L TDI Common Rail Clean Diesel engine (NHTSA Recall No. 11V-490).The recalled Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen vehicles were built from May 2008 through September 2011, the Golf vehicles were built from May 2009 through September 2011, and the Audi A3 vehicles were built from September 2009 through September 2011.According to Volkswagen, in U.S. applications of the above cited TDI vehicles including engine codes CJAA and CBEA, the fuel injection pulses could coincide with the natural frequency of the injector line #2 in specific load and RPM conditions.This resonance creates additional stress on the fuel line which a small number of parts (based on the statistic spread of line strength) cannot withstand over its lifetime.As a contributing factor, VW indicated that a supplier used tube material with scratch marks from a grinding process during certain production periods.Lines manufactured in these periods were installed in vehicles produced in the following 10 months:December 2008, January-February 2009, October 2009, March-April 2010 and September-December 2010.Injector lines using this material exhibit a significantly higher failure rate.Dealers will replace injector line #2 in all vehicles built in these months.In addition, as a precautionary measure, all recalled vehicles will have vibration dampers installed on all four fuel injector lines.Analysis of NHTSA complaints, VW complaints, VW field reports and warranty claims found allegations of injector line leakage in 443 subject vehicles.The leaking line was not identified in 62 of the vehicles.For the 381 that did provide information about which injector lines were leaking and/or replaced, 358 (94%) involved an injector line #2 leak/repair.Almost three-quarters of the injector line #2 leak/repair incident vehicles were built in the 10 months identified by VW, which accounted for approximately one-quarter of the recalled vehicles.The failure rate for injector line #2 in vehicles built in the 10 months affected by the supplier line scratching issue is 6.0 incidents per thousand vehicles (IPTV).The failure rate for injector line #2 in other production months of recalled vehicles is 0.8 IPTV.The leak/repair rates for the other injector lines are all well under 1 IPTV.The action taken by Volkswagen is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation. The agency will continue to monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure

The Office of Defects Investgation (ODI) opened EA11-003 on February 7, 2011, based on 160 complaints to ODI and Volkswagen involving high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and Golf and Audi A3 TDI vehicles and questions regarding fuel sample results provided by Volkswagen as part of its response to PE10-034.During EA11-003, ODI analyzed design information, field experience and test data for MY 2009 through 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Golf and Touareg and Audi A3 and Q7 vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Volkswagen has not identified any design or manufacturing defects in the subject TDI Clean Diesel pumps and has stated that the subject pumps were designed, tested and approved for use in the United States market, with substantial design margins for fuels that are out of specification.Volkswagen believes that misfueling with gasoline is the primary cause of HPFP drivetrain failures in the field.Only the Q7 vehicles were built with misfuel protection devices.In May 2013 Volkswagen initiated a service campaign to install misfuel protection devices in all MY 2009 through 2012 Jetta, Golf and A3 vehicles.Volkswagen implemented misfuel protection devices in all of the subject models beginning in MY 2013. ODI?s analysis of HPFP drivetrain failure incidents indicates that most failures do not result in engine stall while driving and, when pump drivetrain failure does result in stall while driving, it is usually preceded by numerous warning symptoms (e.g., glow plug warning lamp, chime, limp mode, and driveability symptoms).The failure data for the subject vehicles show relatively low stalling rates (less than one percent at three years in service) for each of the pump designs used in the subject vehicles.There have been no reports of crashes, injuries or fatalities related to the alleged defect. Based on these facts, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.For additional information, see the closing report in the document file for EA11-003.

High Pressure Fuel Pump Failure (HPFP)

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and Volkswagen (VW) have received a total of 160 complaints and field reports alleging incidents of engine stall and/or loss of power that appear to be related to high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in certain model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and MY 2010 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 vehicles equipped with TDI clean diesel engines.Approximately half of the reports indicate that the failure resulted in an engine stall incident, with many of these alleging stall incidents at highway speeds in traffic with no restart.There has been one minor crash alleged to have resulted from HPFP failure in the subject vehicles.In response to ODI's information request for PE10-034, VW indicated that it had found no defect related to motor vehicle safety with relation to the TDI Clean Diesel fuel system at issue in this investigation and attributed problems with HPFP failure to operation with gasoline contaminated diesel fuel.Volkswagen stated that even a small amount of gasoline in the diesel fuel may disrupt the necessary lubrication required and may cause the HPFP to fail.In response to concerns that fuel contamination was the major cause of HPFP and related fuel system failures, VW issued a Technical Service Bulletin in May 2010 (VW TB V011011 2023624 and Audi TB A011008 2023360-1), with instructions to inspect the diesel fuel for vehicles requiring fuel system service that have symptoms associated with HPFP failure.The bulletin states that fuel system damage incurred by use of fuel not complying to ASTM-D-975 Grade 2 S15 (B5 or less biodiesel content) standards will not be covered under warranty. Volkswagen also provided information about 121 mis-fueling incidents reportedly acknowledged by consumers or dealers and test results for about 50 diesel fuel samples taken from complaint vehicles in late-August through early-October 2010.The mis-fueling incidents include about 20 reports involving incorrect fueling by dealer sales or service personnel and generally report symptoms such as rough running, stalling and/or no start within a few miles of refueling the vehicle with gasoline.Volkswagen indicated that the testing of fuel samples from complaint vehicles found that nearly 90 percent contained high amounts of gasoline.Volkswagen implemented design changes for the HPFP in May 2008, September 2009 and November 2010 to improve the robustness of the pump when used with poor quality fuel.ODI analysis of HPFP failures identified from all sources shows failure rates of 0.53% for MY 2009 vehicles and 0.11% for MY 2010 vehicles.This investigation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA11-003) to continue to investigate the issues with mis-fueling and HPFP design identified during the Preliminary Evaluation.

Crash-test ratings

2010 Volkswagen Golf 2-DR. w/SAB NHTSA source

Overall
Not rated
Frontal
Not rated
Side
Not rated
Rollover
Not rated

2010 Volkswagen Golf 4-DR. w/SAB NHTSA source

Overall
Not rated
Frontal
Not rated
Side
Not rated
Rollover
Not rated

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Fuel economy by trim

TrimEngineDrivetrainCityHwyCombined
Golf2.0L 4-cylFront-Wheel Drive293932
Golf2.0L 4-cylFront-Wheel Drive293732
Golf2.5L 5-cylFront-Wheel Drive233026
Golf2.5L 5-cylFront-Wheel Drive223025

EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.

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Compare the year-by-year record

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2010 Volkswagen Golf: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2010 Volkswagen Golf?

Owners filed 69 NHTSA complaints about the 2010 Volkswagen Golf. This is raw owner-reported complaint volume with no production or exposure normalization, so it is not a reliability score or a best/worst-year ranking.

What are the most common problems on the 2010 Volkswagen Golf?

The most-reported problem areas are Fuel System (32% of complaints) and air bags (16%).

How many recalls does the 2010 Volkswagen Golf have?

4 recalls have been issued that affect the 2010 Volkswagen Golf, covering components such as air bags. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Volkswagen Golf get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Volkswagen Golf between 25 and 32 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.