2013 Volkswagen Golf

i was driving down the freeway on the way to work at 75 mph when all of a sudden my EPC went off in my 2013 volkswagon gti my entire car shut down (manual transmission) i lost all steering ability while on the freeway going 75 mph i couldn't get over to the shoulder due to loss of brakes due to entire car shutting down .i was almost smashed by a semi due to inability to steer my vehicle to total loss of power . i got the vehicle towed to a service shop they tell me that my timing chain had stretched and timing chain tensioner has failed, which caused significant damage to my engine . i bought the vehicle used and have taken meticulous car on it since i have owned it 3k oil changes ,proper oil ,proper, premium gas as notated milage based maintenance. the service center then notifies me that there was a class action lawsuit about failing timing chains and tensioners but when i called my local volkswagon dealership they told me it only covers up to125,000 miles but what i don't understand is that this issue almost cost me my life this is a known issue hence a class action lawsuit but to actually take care of the situation they refuse to do so i do enjoy the vehicle but i almost lost my life

Reported

Feb 2023

Incident date

Feb 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The low beam headlamp burned out. I replaced the bulb successfully, but then the headlamp needed adjustment to be aimed properly with the new bulb. I found instructions online to aim the headlamp. There are three adjustment points, covering both low and high beams, according to the online document. I will try to attach photo of this document. The three adjustments are labeled as: L1, L2H2, and L3. On my VW, there is no adjustment available for location shown as L3. I even drilled into the plastic headlamp housing looking for the hidden adjustment point, but there was none. As a consequence, I am unable to aim that headlamp properly: either the low beam is pointing too high or the high beam is pointing too low. I believe this presents a safety issue at night. To me, it is unbelievable that VW eliminated the L3 adjustment on this vehicle. As I said, the position of the L3 adjustment point was molded over at the factory, there was no opening for adjustment. That's why I drilled into the area, and still found no adjustment point. I have no idea how many other VW vehicles are impacted by this shortcoming, the owners will not find out until the headlamp burns out and there is no way to adjust the replacement lamp. This is a latent defect in design/manufacture.

Reported

Jan 2023

Incident date

Dec 2022

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Failed click-spring in the steering wheel- the airbags and horn are out of commission.

Reported

Oct 2022

Incident date

Jul 2022

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side seat overheated and burned the occupant. The burn injuries were minor and there was no medical attention sought. The contact mentioned that the front passenger side fan was failing as well. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but no failure was determined. The vehicle was taken to another dealer and the contact was informed that the rear passenger’s side door had mildew and mold and that there was a leak that caused electrical damage inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 40,000.

Reported

Aug 2022

Incident date

Nov 2019

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

1 injuries

The steering wheel clock spring was replaced on my vehicle as part of a recall in May 2016 by a local VW dealer. Within the last month I've received an "Error: Airbag" notification on my dash. My mechanic scanned the Air Bag Control Module for codes and there was 1 in memory: B1000 Igniter for Driver's Air Bag, Resistance Too Large". I understand that the defective Air bag clock spring replacement part is unavailable as it has been nationally on back order for the past year, and 7,000 vehicles are waiting for the part. This issue has affected everything controlled through the steering wheel, including my horn, making the otherwise perfectly good car unsafe and perhaps illegal to drive. Both the dealership and VW of American Customer Care have been unable to offer me an interim solution (at least offering a horn).

Reported

Jun 2022

Incident date

May 2022

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Car shut off while driving on the freeway at a high rate of speed. EPS and Check Engine light came on. Luckily was able to pull over without hurting anyone. Local repair shop said it is the timing chain system.

Reported

Feb 2022

Incident date

Sep 2021

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Misfiring after cold starts. After driving the car in freezing temperatures, problem sometimes happens when the car is allowed to sit and water in the intercooler melts. It may start fine, but then starts misfiring when pulling into traffic and creates dangerous merges. Misfire goes away in the first 30 seconds to 2 minutes or so of starting the vehicle. Several dealer complaints but they have so far refused to install their own TSB repair under warranty. The most recent dealer visit had them replace the anti-shudder valve. The problem reoccurred two days later.

Reported

Jan 2022

Incident date

Jan 2022

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Clock spring failure with airbag error light on, and steering controls & horn not functioning. Car previously had clock spring fixed under recall in Aug 2016 (car mileage 55,619), and now had the exact same issue occur in Nov 2021 at 79,596 mi. Original recall did not fix issue, service records available.

Reported

Dec 2021

Incident date

Nov 2021

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

7 times now, I have heard a “pop” while turning the steering wheel & the airbag light has come on. The horn will not work after this happens. Each time, it has occurred at low speed, whilst making a turn or merely backing out of my driveway. 6 times of the 7 times, I have taken it to the Hansel VW dealership in Santa Rosa, CA & they have told me it was the clockspring in the steering column & they have replaced it. The 1st time, it was replaced under the vehicle’s warranty, 4 of the other times it was replaced under the parts warranty. On 3/18/20, the part was out of warranty & I had to pay for it, but was not charged for labor. On 9/25/21, I was backing out of my driveway, when it occurred for a SEVENTH time. As I have recently relocated, I will be taking it to the Niello VW dealership in Sacramento on 10/6/21 for repair. I am in the process of contacting VW of America Dates of clockspring replacement: 01/28/2015 05/05/2017 03/06/2018 05/29/2018 03/18/2020 07/27/2020 10/06/2020 (scheduled)

Reported

Sep 2021

Incident date

Sep 2021

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, HE SHIFTED INTO THIRD GEAR AND THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND SHUT-OFF WITH THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED A TOW TRUCK TRIED TO BOOST THE BATTERY AND IT FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE BATTERY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE STILL FAILED TO RESTART. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

Reported

Mar 2021

Incident date

Mar 2021

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

REAR SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURED RESULTING IN A SHARP LOOSE PIECE OF STEEL. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, AND THE CAR STARTED TO MAKE AN UNEXPECTED METALLIC NOISE. THIS LOOSE PIECE COULD HAVE RUPTURED THE TIRE AND CAUSED A SAFETY ISSUE OR ACCIDENT. THE REPAIR SHOP DEEMED THE CAR NOT DRIVABLE DUE TO SAFETY. I PAID TO HAVE BOTH REAR SPRINGS AND SPRING PADS REPLACED. THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 51K MILES. THIS IS A SURPRISING FAILURE AND I WAS CONCERNED FOR MY AND OTHER OWNER'S SAFETY. THIS SAME EXACT FAILURE IS THE SUBJECT OF AN NHTSA RECALL FOR 2015 AND LATER VW GOLFS, THE SAME MODEL I HAVE. I CONTACTED VW AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR.

Reported

Jan 2021

Incident date

Dec 2020

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE. BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY.

Reported

Aug 2020

Incident date

Aug 2020

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY REAR PASSENGER COIL SPRING BROKE. *TR

Reported

Jun 2020

Incident date

Jun 2020

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

MY VW WAS RETROFITTED AS REQUIRED TO MEET FEDERAL EMISSION AND CALIFORNIA STANDARDS FOLLOWING THE VW EMISSIONS SCANDAL RELATED TO VW DIESEL VEHICLES. MY CAR'S ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND THE DEALER REPORTS IT NEEDS A DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER. HOWEVER, THE PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE NATIONWIDE. THE EMISSIONS ARE NOW OUT OF COMPLIANCE. *TR

Reported

Apr 2020

Incident date

Apr 2020

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH SUNNYVALE VOLKSWAGEN (1025 E EL CAMINO REAL, SUNNYVALE, CA 94087, 408-739-7321) AND WAS INFORMED THAT DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Reported

Sep 2019

Incident date

Aug 2019

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND I CANNOT TURN OFF THE ENGINE.

Reported

Sep 2018

Incident date

Sep 2018

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

THE GTI STARTED MAKING CLACKING SOUNDS, AND SHAKING WHILE ON BUT STOPPED. THEN THE EPC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. AFTERWARDS, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL AND WOULD SHAKE A LOT MORE. WHEN TAKEN TO AUTOZONE FOR DIAGNOSTICS OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE REPORT READ: "PERFORM ENGINE DE-CARBON PROCEDURE." THE COIL PACKS WERE FINE.

Reported

May 2018

Incident date

May 2018

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

THE PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO WHEN MY CAR HAD 50K MI. RIGHT AFTER IT HAD BEEN SERVICED BY THE DEALER. INITIALLY, THE YELLOW ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON OCCASIONALLY (E.G. ON IN THE MORNING AND THEN OFF IN THE AFTERNOON). NOW THE YELLOW ENGINE LIGHT IS STEADY ON AND THE ENGINE MAKES SOME WEIRD NOISE WHEN STARTING. THE FAULT CODE P2015 (FROM OBD-II DIAGNOSTIC SET) INDICATES THAT THERE IS AN INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS MAKING AN UNUSUAL RATTLING NOISE WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING IDLE AND FUEL PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN AFFECTED. THE CAR USED TO RUN 27.5 MPG AND NOW IT IS RUNNING ABOUT 24 MPG ON AVERAGE. SOME OF THE FORUMS AND INTERNET SITES THAT I VISITED SAID THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS SO FREQUENTLY ON THE 2.0T TSI ENGINE USED ON VW GTI AND AUDI A3 BETWEEN 2009 AND 2015 THAT VW EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THIS PART TO 120K MI. OR 5 YRS. (WHICHEVER COMES FIRST). HOWEVER, WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALER THE MECHANIC SAID THAT, AFTER CHECKING THE VIN, THIS RECALL/WARRANTY DOES NOT APPLY TO MY CAR. PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET SAYS OTHERWISE AND TOLD ME TO TRY ANOTHER DEALER. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS NO OTHER DEALER NEARBY. THE LOCAL DEALER WANTS $ 1,400.00 TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD AND CLEAN THE INJECTION VALVE. MY CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED ONLY BY THIS DEALER. I HAVE THE SERVICE RECORDS OF ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE.

Reported

May 2018

Incident date

May 2018

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

TAKATA RECALL. INSIGNIFICANT UNUSUAL SOUND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. IT SOUNDS LIKE CLICKS. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY OR WHILE DRIVING.

Reported

Apr 2018

Incident date

Jun 2016

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE - CAR STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NORMAL OPERATION, DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, NO SIGNS OR WARNING PRIOR.

Reported

Oct 2017

Incident date

Oct 2017

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

ON TWO OCCASIONS, ABOUT TWO WEEKS APART, THE POWER CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE ALTERNATOR LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND ON AGAIN ONCE OR TWICE, THE CAR STARTED AGAIN, AND THE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ON. ON THE FIRST OF THESE OCCASIONS, THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A CITY STREET. IT WAS A MINUTE OR TWO AFTER FIRST STARTING THE CAR THAT DAY. THE SECOND WAS ALSO ON A CITY STREET. THIS ALSO OCCURRED JUST AFTER STARTING, WHILE TURNING A CORNER. ON A THIRD OCCASION, ABOUT ONE WEEK BEFORE THE ABOVE-MENTIONED TWO INCIDENTS, THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON AND POWER WAS DIMINISHED, BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT CUT OUT TOTALLY. THIS OCCURRED ON AN EXPRESSWAY, AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR SOME TIME. AFTER DROPPING IN SPEED, THE ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL BEFORE THE CAR STOPPED. BOTH PROBLEMS WOULD APPEAR TO BE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. VW CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLD ME THAT AS THERE WAS NO LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD, THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM.

Reported

Sep 2017

Incident date

Sep 2017

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

THE EPC STARTED COMING ON, IT LOSES POWER AND SOMETIMES CUTS OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING. MY SPEED SLOWS DOWN TO 3 MILES AN HOUR.

Reported

Jul 2017

Incident date

Jul 2017

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, BRAKING AND STEERING

Reported

Feb 2017

Incident date

Feb 2017

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

TAKATA RECALL ONE YEAR HAS PASSED SINCE THE RECALL WAS INITIATED FOR THE DRIVERS AIRBAG FOR MY VW VEHICLE AND TO DATE MY I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY VW AND THERE WEBSITE STATES NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 16V078 HAS QUOTE "REPAIR NOT YET AVAILABLE." THIS IS BOTH DISAPPOINTING AND WORRYING SINCE NOT A SINGLE VW AFFECTED VEHICLE APPEARS ON YOUR PUBLISHED PRIORITY GROUPS LIST OR THE "COMPLETED SO FAR" LIST. DESPITE THE FACT THAT I LIVE IN TEXAS WHICH IS DEEMED A PRIORITY ZONE A ! I REALIZE THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM TO TACKLE BUT LACK OF INFORMATION AND UPDATES ONLY MAKES PEOPLE WORRY AN INCIDENT COULD OCCUR RATHER THAN INSTILL CONFIDENCE THAT A SOLUTION IS FORTH COMING.

Reported

Feb 2017

Incident date

Feb 2017

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

TAKATA RECALL - I RECEIVED A NOTICE OF THIS RECALL ALMOST A YEAR AGO, AND JUST CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NO PROJECTED DATE FOR THE REPAIR. AFTER READING ABOUT THIS, IT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING VERY DANGEROUS TO BE LEFT UNREPAIRED WHILE DRIVING.

Reported

Feb 2017

Incident date

Apr 2016

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,700.

Reported

Jan 2017

Incident date

Jan 2017

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG TO IMPLEMENT A FIX FOR THE TAKATA DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAG RECALL? MAKES ME NERVOUS TO DRIVE THE CAR AND FRUSTRATED THAT THERE IS AN UN-ACTIONED RECALL.

Reported

Dec 2016

Incident date

Dec 2016

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

TAKATA RECALL, IT'S BEEN 5 MONTHS SINCE I GOT THE NOTICE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STILL HAS NO PART TO REPLACE THE DEFECTED PART.

Reported

Oct 2016

Incident date

Apr 2016

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60MPH) ENGINE SHUT DOWN ABRUBTLY AND GLOW PLUG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THIS RESULTED IN HAVING TO COAST ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC WITH DIFFICULTY IN STEERING AND BRAKING TO NARROW SHOULDER AREA. ENGINE WOULD CRANK OVER BUT NOT RESTART. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. DIAGNOSIS IS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE, A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES.

Reported

Aug 2016

Incident date

Aug 2016

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

TAKATA RECALL/EMISSIONS RECALL - VW HELLO, MY NAME IS [XXX] AND I OWN A 2013 VW GOLF TDI. I AM VERY CONCERNED AT THE AIRBAG RECALL BECAUSE I DRIVE OVER 150 MILES/DAY JUST TO AND FROM WORK. ON TOP OF THAT, I ALSO DRIVE YOUNG CHILDREN IN MY VEHICLE ON A DAILY BASIS AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE UNTIL THE AIRBAG SITUATION CAN BE RESOLVED. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR, AND AS A LOYAL CUSTOMER, I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. I CANNOT DRIVE AROUND A CAR THAT COULD POTENTIALLY KILL ME DUE TO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND I CANNOT PUT OTHERS WHO RIDE IN MY VEHICLE AT RISK. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SOMETHING MUST BE DONE. ON TOP OF THIS ISSUE, THE EMISSIONS RECALL IS STILL UNRESOLVED. I AM VERY UPSET AT ALL OF THE ISSUES THAT I AM EXPERIENCING WITH MY VEHICLE AND IT IS UNACCEPTABLE! PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE. THANK YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Reported

May 2016

Incident date

Apr 2016

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED AT 130,000 MILES COSTING $5000 TO REPLACE THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND 4 INJECTORS. THIS IS A DIESEL ENGINE, SO 130,000 HIGHWAY MILES IS NOTHING. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE DIESEL POWERED CARS AND TRUCKS IN THE PAST THAT HAVE GONE PASSED 300K MILES BEFORE A MAJOR REPAIR WAS NEEDED. THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A "ECONOMY CAR" AS PER WHAT THE SALESMAN STATED. I DO NOT KNOW OF ANY OTHER VEHICLE THAT COST'S $5000 TO REPLACE A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. $5000 IS 1/3 THE VALUE OF THE CAR. THE CAR STALLED ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF A INTERSECTION WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR. RECOMMENDED MAINT ON THE CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN DONE AT THE CORRECT TIME AND MILES. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS CASE'S ON THE TDI FORUM THAT MANY OTHER VW TDI OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, SOME EVEN TWICE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM AND NOT TO MENTION BUT A SERIOUS MISLEADING OF THE PUBLIC IN WHAT A ECONOMY CAR" SHOULD BE. SO WITH ALL THIS BEING SAID NOW, I HAVE TO ADD THAT I CAN NOT AFFORD THIS "ECONOMY CAR" ANY LONGER AS THAT I CANT TRUST IT TO BE SAFE AND RELIABLE TO DRIVE. RECENTLY, I HAVE TRIED TO TRADE THIS CAR IN THE VARIOUS NEW CAR DEALERS ON A MORE SIMPLIFIED SAFE VEHICLE TO NO AVAIL. THE DEALERS HAVE ALL TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD TAKE THE CAR IN ON TRADE, BUT WOULD GIVE ME ONLY AT THE MOST $1000 ON A TRADE BECAUSE THEY STATED THEY CAN NOT SELL IT AS USED WITH THE DIESELGATE BLACK CLOUD ON THIS CAR. SO I AM ON THE HOOK TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON A CAR THAT IMO IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AND THAT HAS NO RESALE VALUE DUE TO VW OF AMERICA CHEATING ON THE VEHICLE EMISSIONS SYSTEM.

Reported

Apr 2016

Incident date

Apr 2016

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

I DO NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE THIS CAR DUE TO THE AIRBAG RECALL HAS NO REMEDY AT THIS TIME, ITS BEEN 1.5 YEARS SINCE THE TAKATA AIRBAG FIASCO. AIR BAGS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES BEING SOLD NEW OR USED. THIS AIRBAG MIGHT KILL ME, THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO. WHY HASN'T THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MANDATED THESE VEHICLES BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD DUE TO IT IS AN UNSAFE PRODUCT TO OPERATE AND THERE IS NO FIX IN SIGHT?

Reported

Apr 2016

Incident date

Apr 2016

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

ON 5 AUG 2015, AT APPROXIMATELY 9:00 PM, MY 2013 VW GOLF TDI SUDDENLY DIED WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE IN LEXINGTON, KY. I NARROWLY ESCAPED BEING HIT BY A TRACTOR TRAILER IN THE REAR END WHEN THE CAR DIED. I HAD PREVIOUSLY PUT $20 WORTH OF DIESEL FUEL IN THE CAR EARLIER THAT MORNING SO THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES AFTER FUELING BEFORE THE CAR SUDDENLY DIED. AFTER THE CAR DIED, IT WOULD NOT RESTART SO I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL VW DEALER IN LEXINGTON, KY. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING (6 AUG) AND DROPPED OFF THE KEY AND EXPLAINED TO THE ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER (MERRITT) WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPT BACK AROUND 3:30 LATER THAT DAY TO CHECK ON THE STATUS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP) HAD FAILED. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE STILL DIAGNOSING THE CAR TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE AND WHAT PARTS WERE GOING TO NEED REPLACED. SINCE THE HPFP IS A KNOWN ISSUE IN THE VW DIESEL MODELS, HE RECOMMENDED THAT I CALL CORPORATE VW OF AMERICA AND OPEN A NEW CASE WHICH I DID AND PROVIDED THE CASE NUMBER BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. YESTERDAY (7 AUG), I GOT WORD FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE ENTIRE FUEL SUPPLY SYSTEM HAD METAL SHAVINGS IN IT AND THAT ALL MAJOR PARTS WERE GOING TO NEED REPLACED, FUEL PUMP, INJECTORS, FUEL LINES, ETC AND THAT THE ESTIMATED BILL HAS GOING TO BE BETWEEN 5-7 THOUSAND DOLLARS. VW OF AMERICA ALSO CONTACTED ME YESTERDAY AND LET ME KNOW THAT THEY HAD BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE LEXINGTON DEALERSHIP AND TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD LET ME KNOW BY MONDAY, 10 AUG IF THEY WOULD COVER THE PARTS AND LABOR PAST THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION DATE SINCE THE HPFP FAILURE IS A KNOWN ISSUE ON THE VOLKSWAGEN TDI MODELS. I WILL UPDATE THIS AS I RECEIVE NEW INFORMATION. I AM RETIRED MILITARY AND A CURRENT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE.

Reported

Aug 2015

Incident date

Aug 2015

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

THE REAR BRAKES (MAINLY DRIVER SIDE) ON MY 2013 SPORTWAGON TDI, ARE STICKING BAD.. MILEAGE HAS DROPPED 10 MPG-ISH, AND THEY ARE REALLY EMITTING QUITE A BIT OF HEAT.. SO OBVIOUSLY THE BRAKES ARE STICKING, BUT I CANT FIND THE REASON... I ASKED THE DEALER IF THEY COULD TAKE A LOOK. AND THEY SAID THAT IT JUST NEEDS NEW PADS AND THE CALIPER SLIDERS GREASED. SO I HAD THEM ALL REPLACED. IT SEEMED TO BE BETTER GETTING NORMAL MILEAGE AND LESS HEAT AND NOW A COUPLE DAYS LATER ITS BACK TO STICKING. TOOK THE CENTER CONSOLE APART TO SEE IF THERE WAS A BIAS IN THE CABLES SHOWING A STUICKY CABLE OR SOMETHING AND I COULD SEE THEY WERE DEAD EVEN... WENT AWAY FOR SOME TIME AND NOW ITS BACK AGAIN..

Reported

May 2015

Incident date

Sep 2014

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

I WAS SITTING IN TRAFFIC AND WHEN I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE THE CAR JUST DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS FOR PEOPLE COULD GO AROUND ME SO I COULD FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET TO SAFETY. AS SOON AS THE CAR DIED I TRIED TO TURN THE KEY TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN. ONCE I DID THAT A BUNCH OF LIGHTS CAME ON AND GOT A CLICKING SOUND ONCE I TURNED THE KEY. I THEN QUICKLY PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND WAS ABLE TO START THE ENGINE. COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE TRYING TO CROSS A DANGEROUS INTERSECTION. I TOLD DEALER AND THEY WROTE IT UP BUT FOUND NOTHING. *JS

Reported

Feb 2015

Incident date

Jun 2014

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER, TURNED ENGINE OFF. DRIVER RESTARTED ENGINE, CHECKED UNDER HOOD. ENGINE STARTED, BUT THERE WAS A STRONG VIBRATION AND HIGH PITCH METAL ON METAL SOUND. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER DIAGNOSED A FAILURE OF HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. FUEL PUMP AND ALL COMPONENT PARTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. NOTE: DIESEL FUEL ONLY USED ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR

Reported

Jan 2015

Incident date

Jan 2015

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

I DRIVE 50 MILES ONE WAY TO WORK. DROVE CAR TO WORK AND PARKED FOR THE DAY (6 AM), WENT OUT AFTER WORK TO START CAR AND CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER. CAR ACTED AS IF THE MOTOR WAS LOCKED, CAR IS A MANUAL DRIVE SO I LEFT CAR IN GEAR AND ROLLED BACK WARD TO BUMP MOTOR. CAR ATTEMPTED TO START AND WHEN FINALLY STARTED IT RAN VERY ROUGH. READ ON INTERNET REGARDING POSSIBLE INTERCOOLER ISSUE AND TOOK CAR TO DEALER. DEALER FOUND A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER IN INTERCOOLER. DEALER UNAWARE OF TSB FOR THIS ISSUE BUT WAS ABLE TO FIND IN VW DATA BASE. TSB EQUIPMENT WAS INSTALLED, CAR HAS WORKED FINE UNTIL THIS EVEN AFTER WORK SAME SYMPTOMS ONLY CAR DID NOT REQUIRE BUMPING OF MOTOR. *TR

Reported

Nov 2014

Incident date

Oct 2013

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 2 MILES AFTER STARTING MY CAR THE DIESEL GLOW PLUG WARNING LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND IT FELT LIKE I LOST POWER. I GOT TO A SAFE PLACE ABOUT 500 FEET AFTER, PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND STARTED IT AGAIN IT SEEMED OK FOR A MINUTE BUT THEN IT STARTED FLASHING AGAIN THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I TURNED IT OFF AND IT WOULDN'T START, IT MADE A LOUD WHINE & CLICKING NOISE. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE BEARINGS FAILED IN THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. *TR

Reported

Oct 2014

Incident date

Oct 2014

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

DRIVING IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC AT AROUND 35-40 MPH. PRIOR,TO THIS INCIDENT, CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND TROUBLE FREE. ENGINE DIED, SUBSEQUENTLY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND I NEEDED TO STEER VEHICLE TO SHOULDER OF ROAD. I CONSIDER MYSELF TO BE AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER AND WAS ABLE TO ADJUST TO SITUATION, CONCERNED THAT A LESS EXPERIENCED DRIVER COULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT IN THE SAME SITUATION. *TR

Reported

Sep 2014

Incident date

Sep 2014

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

I WAS ENTERING THE FREEWAY AND ACCELERATING WHEN I REALIZED THAT MY CAR WOULDN'T GO FASTER THAN 40MPH. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AT THE NEXT EXIT AND THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. IT WOULD NOT LET ME GO PAST THE SLOWEST SPEED THAT I HAD REACHED WHILE EXITING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND IT WOULD NO LONGER START. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP WHERE IT TOOK NEARLY A WEEK TO GET THE CAR FIXED. THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE FUEL LINES; THE FUEL PUMP AND ALL LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD MY CAR FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT AND THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 15000 MILES ON IT. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT "SOMETIMES THESE THINGS HAPPEN" AND THAT I WAS FORTUNATE IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY (+$5K WORTH OF DAMAGE). THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE TO PREVENT IT, OR PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE. MY CAR IS A VOLKSWAGEN GOLD TDI (DIESEL). *TR

Reported

Aug 2014

Incident date

Jun 2014

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

OUR VW GOLF CAME WITH CONTINENTAL CONTIPRO CONTACT TIRES. WITH LESS THAN 9300 MILES ON THE CAR, WE HAD A CATASTROPHIC TIRE FAILURE. AS WE ENTERED THE FREEWAY ON RAMP, OUR TIRE INDICATOR LIT UP TELLING US TO CHECK THE TIRES. LESS THAN THREE MINUTES LATER, IN A HIGH SPEED ZONE LIMITED TO ONE LANE BECAUSE OF CONSTRUCTION, WITH NO SHOULDER, OUR FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE COMPLETELY SEPARATED, LEAVING US WITH LIMITED CONTROL OVER THE CAR AND FEW OPTIONS TO AVOID A CRASH THAT POTENTIALLY COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A HUGE PILE UP AND FATALITIES. CHECKING A WEBSITE REGARDING CONTINENTAL TIRES AT CONSUMER AFFAIRS.COM, I SEE HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE TIRES FAILING AT LOW MILEAGES. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE AT RISK. *TR

Reported

Aug 2014

Incident date

Aug 2014

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

WHEN I TURNED THE KEY TO START THE CAR , THE DASH LIGHTS FLICKERED AND TURNED DIM. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT DOES WHEN THE CAR BATTERY WAS DEAD BUT SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AS I LEFT TO GET TO THE PHONE , FLAMES STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE HOOD. I GOT TO A PHONE AS SOON AS I COULD AND CALLED 911. THE CAR WAS PARKED DOWN THE STREET FROM OUR HOUSE BECAUSE OF A SNOW STORM. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT THE CAR WAS DESTROYED. *TR

Reported

Feb 2014

Incident date

Feb 2014

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

Fire

ON JULY 16TH, 2013, AT 9:10 PM, I HAD DRIVEN, MY VW GOLF, 11 MILES, AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, OF 59 MPH. I WAS USING THE CRUISE CONTROL. UPON ARRIVING, AT MY FREEWAY EXIT, I BELIEVE I TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL, OR TAPPED THE BRAKE. I DON'T RECALL WHICH. I HAD BEEN DRIVING MY 2013 GOLF, FOR 11 MILES, AT THE FREEWAY SPEEDS, OF 59 MPH. OTHER VEHICLES WERE PASSING ME, WITH THESE OTHER VEHICLES GOING FASTER, THAN MY CAR. I WAS GOING SLOWER THAN THEM. MY CAR WAS NEW, AND I AM RETIRED. SO I DO NOT NEED TO TRAVEL SO FAST. AFTER ALLOWING THE 2013 VW GOLF, TO SLOW DOWN, I PUSHED THE SERVICE BREAK PEDAL. THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDAL, WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I QUICKLY THOUGH, AIR WAS IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM, SO I TRIED TO PUSH THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDAL, AN ADDITIONAL 2 TIMES. SO I HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS FAST VEHICLE TRAVELING, AT 59 MPH. THE CAR BECAME AIRBOUND. SO I WAS ABLE TO SWERVE THE VW GOLF, IN A RIGHT TURN MANEUVER. TO AVOID, CRASHING, ACTUALLY, T-BONING, THE CROSS TRAFFIC. THE 2013 GOLF, DID NOT ROLL OVER, IT JUST SLID SIDEWAYS, THE VW BECAME AIRBOUND. AND HIT THE MIDDLE MEDIAN, SIDEWAYS. THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, SNAPPED OFF, AT THE SPINDLE. THE BRAKE HOSE SNAPPED, BUT THERE WAS NO BRAKE FLUID, LEAKING OUT, OF THE BRAKE HOSE. IT IS MY OPINION, THERE WAS ZERO BRAKE FLUID, IN THIS NEW VW CAR. NOTHING IS BEING DONE. I HOPE, THE CAR, WILL BE PICKED UP, VERY SOON. THE CRASHED VW, IS PARKED RIGHT HERE, IN FRONT OF MY HOME. I FIRST THOUGHT, THAT SOME PERSON SABATOGED, MY CAR. BUT, HERE IN FRONT OF MY HOME, THERE ARE NO LEAKS. THE TOW TRUCK, DRIVER, WAYNE IS HIS NAME, HE DECLARED, TO ME, THAT HE DID NOT HAVE TO CLEAN UP, ANY BRAKE FLUID, AND THE VW OF AMERICA, [XXX] REPRESENTATIVE, TOLD ME, THAT THERE WAS ZERO BRAKE FLUID, IN THE CAR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Reported

Aug 2013

Incident date

Jul 2010

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

Crash

AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY, I WAS DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND THE ENGINE CUT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE LANES DUE TO LACK OF POWER AND POWER STEERING, SO I TRIED TO RE-START THE ENGINE WHILE COASTING IN THE FAST LANE. THE HUD INDICATED THAT I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK, SO I STOPPED THE CAR IN THE FAST LANE IN ORDER TO DO SO. THE ENGINE STARTED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY. THE CAR WAS 6 WEEKS OLD AT THE TIME, AND HAD ABOUT 1100 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. *TR

Reported

Aug 2013

Incident date

Jul 2013

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 48 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL COLLAPSED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE MEDIAN. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500.

Reported

Jul 2013

Incident date

Jul 2013

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

Crash

BRAND NEW CAR DRIVES SOMEWHAT ERRATIC. TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER FOR ALIGNMENT CHECK. WAS ADVISED BY DEALER THAT CAR IS DELIVERED WITH SUSPENSION ADJUSTED OUTSIDE OF MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS. NO REASON GIVEN WHY. I CONSIDER CAR UNSAFE AS IT DOESN'T DRIVE AS EXPECTED. CHECKING SOME OWNER WEBSITES, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. *TR

Reported

Dec 2012

Incident date

Dec 2012

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 5 MILES PER HOUR AND MY CAR STARTED LOSING POWER......LIKE IT HAD A CLOGGED FUEL FILTER. BRAND NEW 2 WEEKS OLD I THOUGHT NOT POSSIBLE. I TRIED TO SAFELY GET IT TO THE LEFT LANE DODGING TRAFFIC WITH MY SLOW MOVING CAR. IT WENT TO 20 MPH AND IT DID NOT COMPLETELY STOP BUT REFUSED TO GO FASTER THEN 20 MPH. GOT HOME WITH IT LET IT SIT HALF AN HOUR. STARTED RIGHT UP AND RAN FIND. DEALER CHECKED HPFP DISINTEGRATED INSIDE ITSELF SENDING METAL SHAVINGS THROUGH OUT. COMPLETE FUEL SYSTEM REPLACED.....NICE FOR A 2013 BRAND NEW CAR. WHAT HAPPENS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENS WILL THE DEALER REPLACE AGAIN? *TR *JS

Reported

Sep 2012

Incident date

Sep 2011

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.

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.

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.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.

Risk: A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.