Fuel System, Diesel. Review the 195 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 165 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 141 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

31 crash reports8 fire reports11 injury reports

Engine complaints

95 reports

Clear category filter

115,000 miles · Jan 28, 2013

EngineFuel System, DieselFuel/propulsion System

DRIVING UP A MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY, THE CAR LOST ALL POWER (EVEN WITH THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR). ONCE PULLED OVER, THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START AGAIN. THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IN THE TDI FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY AND SENT METAL SHRAPNEL THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10494957

60,000 miles · Jan 24, 2013

Engine

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE WITHIN THE EXHAUST CONTROL MODULE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE EXHAUST MODULE UNDER THE WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE FAILED AGAIN. A SECOND DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE IN THE EXHAUST SENSOR WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE EXHAUST EMISSION GATE TO OPEN OR CLOSE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE EXHAUST FLAP DOOR WAS LUBRICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10494590

75,000 miles · Jan 10, 2013

Engine

Read full complaint

MY 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN TDI HAS EXPERIENCED A DISTURBING NO-START CONDITION SEVERAL TIMES. CRANKING THE ENGINE DID NOT RESULT IN A START. ONLY AFTER REPEATED CRANKING (5-10 TIMES) DID THE CAR ACTUALLY START. FIRST IT WOULD NOT START SEVERAL TIMES, THEN START AND DIE IMMEDIATELY, AND FINALLY START, RUN VERY ROUGH,AND THEN SMOOTH OUT ITS IDLE. THIS ENTIRE SEQUENCE (WHICH HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH, TO VARYING DEGREES) OCCURRED IN THE DECEMBER-JANUARY TIME FRAME, WITH THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRING WHEN TEMPS WERE RIGHT AROUND FREEZING, WITH PRECIPITATION (RAIN-SNOW MIX) AND HIGH HUMIDITY. AT LEAST 2 TIMES, THE VEHICLE SIMPLY DIED SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING, WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE THROTTLE AND REVS DROPPED DOWN TO IDLE. IN ADDITION, THE CAR HAS DISPLAYED A SOLID CHECK ENGINE AND FLASHING GLOW PLUG LIGHT, WHICH HAVE COME AND GONE SEVERAL TIMES (INTERMITTENTLY: ONE DAY THEY WILL BE ON, THE NEXT DAY NOT). THE LAST SYMPTOM TO REPORT IS A P0638 OBDII CODE (THROTTLE BODY OUT OF RANGE). THIS CODE, HOWEVER, COULD BE A FALSE INDICATION THAT IS RELATED TO THE NUMBER OF FAILED ENGINE START ATTEMPTS? I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I HAVE A STRONG INDICATION TO SUSPECT, AFTER RESEARCHING OTHERS' EXPERIENCES ON SEVERAL ONLINE FORUMS, THAT THIS MAY BE RELATED TO THE ACCUMULATION OF WATER AND/OR ICE IN THE INTERCOOLER, WHICH THEN EITHER BLOCKS THE AIRFLOW OR BECOMES INGESTED INTO THE INTAKE. MY SYMPTOMS ARE CONSISTENT WITH THOSE REPORTED IN THE VOLKSWAGEN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) # 21 11 06 / 2025464 - FROZEN AIR CHARGE COOLER. HOWEVER, WHEN I PRESENTED THIS TSB DATA, ALONG WITH REPORT OF MY SYMPTOMS TO THE DEALER (AFTER THEY INSPECTED THE CAR AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING) THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT HELP ME, SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY PERIOD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10492197

58,500 miles · Dec 25, 2012

Engine

Read full complaint

MY VW JETTA HAD SAT FOR A FEW DAYS IN A INDOOR PARKING SPACE IN THE MIDWEST DURING WINTER DECEMBER TO BE EXACT. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, IT STARTED WEAK, THEN GAVE AN ERROR ON THE DISPLAY OF "ENGINE FAULT WORKSHOP.". THE CAT CONTINUED TO DRIVE, BUT LACKED POWER AND SEEMED TO SURGE. AFTER I RETURNED HOME, I DISCONNECTED THE LOWER INTERCOOLER HOSE TO FIND A LARGE ICE FORMATION AND WATER RESTRICTING THE OUTLET OF THE INTERCOOLER. THIS PROBLEM CAN CAUSE MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE AND IS CAUSED.BY THE EXHAUST GASES AND WATER VAPOR FREEZING IN THE INTERCOOLER. EVERY VW WITH THIS STYLE INTERCOOLER SETUP HAS POTENTIAL FOR THIS PROBLEM. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED DO TO ITS SEVERITY. ALSO, THERE IS A TSB ALREADY WRITTEN FOR THE "FIX". BUT VW HAS NOT INFORMED ANYONE, NOR WILL TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM FOR ANYONE BEYOND THE 36000 MILE WARRANTY. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490053

86,000 miles · Nov 30, 2012

EngineFuel System, DieselFuel/propulsion System

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE CAR STALLED CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF ALL POWER STEERING ALMOST CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND WRECK. I WAS ABLE TO STEER CAR TO SIDE OF ROAD AND STOP. ONCE STOPPED WAS ABLE TO GET CAR TO RESTART BUT WAS BARELY ABLE TO DRIVE HOME (PERIODICALLY DIED AND HAD TO RESTART, WOULDN'T STAY RUNNING OR IDLE). HAD CAR TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. THEY HAVE DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS LOW RAIL FUEL PRESSURE CAUSED BY FAILED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. THIS FAILURE CAUSED METAL SHAVINGS TO BE DISPERSED THROUGHOUT ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM. I'M TOLD THAT THE HP FUEL PUMP, LOW AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL REGULATORS, AND TANK FUEL PUMP ALL MUST BE REPLACED ALONG WITH A COMPLETE REMOVAL AND CLEANING OF ALL FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS. ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR IS BETWEEN $7,000 AND $10,000. THIS CAR IS A DIESEL TDI. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10486523

102,815 miles · Nov 23, 2012

EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, AT ABOUT 68 MPH, WHEN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER. THE CAR, HAVING A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, WAS STILL IN GEAR AND SLOWED DOWN VERY QUICKLY WITHOUT ANY WARNING TO OTHER DRIVERS (NO BRAKE LIGHTS). I TRIED TO PUSH IN THE CLUTCH AND COAST TO THE SHOULDER, AND SUCCESSFULLY MADE IT OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR RESTARTED, AND I MADE IT A FEW MILES TOWARDS THE DEALER BEFORE IT HAPPENED AGAIN, LUCKILY ON A LOW-TRAFFIC STREET. THE CAR WAS TOWED THE REST OF THE WAY TOWARDS THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FUEL SYSTEM DAMAGE. THE FUEL RAIL, INJECTORS, PUMP, TANK, AND ALL LINES WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AS THE RESULT OF THE PUMP FAILURE CAUSED BITS OF METAL FLAKES TO CIRCULATE ABOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE DIAGNOSIS AND LISTED REPAIRS WERE DETERMINED BY THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10485830

145,264 miles · Nov 7, 2012

EngineFuel System, DieselFuel/propulsion System

Read full complaint

TDI DIESEL ENGINE. ENTERED HIGHWAY, CAR STUTTERED, ENGINE DIED, DISPLAYED WORKSHOP CODE PROBLEM, GLOWPLUG LIGHT FLASHING. RESTARTED ONE TIME, TRAVELED TO PARKING AREA, ENGINE DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. CODE WAS P0087, FUEL PUMP PRESSURE FAILURE. NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS OR HINTS OF THIS ISSUE. SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE. VERY DANGEROUS, WAS DRIVING UPHILL, THE ONE RESTART ALLOWED ME TO LEAVE ROAD. DEALER NOTED NO FUEL CONTAMINATION. SYSTEM WAS PROPERLY PRIMED ON FUEL FILTER CHANGES. USED A ROSS-TECH CABLE AND SOFTWARE. REPAIR IS EXPECTED TO BE ABOUT $7000.00. PREVIOUS DIESEL 2001 MODEL WAS STILL RUNNING WITH 332,000 MILES WHEN THIS ONE WAS PURCHASED. TDICLUB.COM WEBSITE HAS NOTED MANY OF THESE FAILURES, SEARCH HPFP, HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. VW IS NOT FURNISHING PUMPS DESIGNED WITH THE US DIESEL FUEL QUALITY IN MIND. VW NEEDS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF THESE FAILURES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10483669

48,000 miles · Sep 26, 2012

Engine

Read full complaint

TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 10 FROM TALLAHASSEE, THE CAR ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING. AFTER DRIFTING ONTO THE SHOULDER THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT WAS ON. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF ANY PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE ENGINE STOPPING. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON, NO SPUTTERING, NO LOSS OF POWER ETC. AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS TO RESTART WITH NO SUCCESS, IT WAS TOWED INTO MARION FLORIDA. THEY COULD NOT TELL WHAT WAS WRONG AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE CLOSEST DEALER IN VALOUSA GA. THERE THEY FOUND METAL PIECES IN THE FUEL FILTER AND SAID THIS WAS GOING TO BE A MAJOR REPAIR. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10477176

50,500 miles · Sep 8, 2012

EngineFuel/propulsion System

Read full complaint

2009 JETTA VOLKSWAGEN TDI, WITH ONLY 50500 MILES ON IT. THE CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION AT 35MPH. THIS WAS DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. IN THE CAR WAS ME 32, MY WIFE 36, MY DAUGHTER OF 8 YEARS OLD AND SON OF 2 YEARS OLD. IT WAS A VERY SCARY EVENT. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP. IT TOOK THEM 3 DAYS TO LOOK AT THIS CAR AND AFTER I CALLED 15 TIMES, THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS FUEL PUMP HAD BEEN SLOWLY BREAKING DOWN INSIDE THE FUEL TANK, RUNNING THROUGH THE LINES AND INTO THE INJECTORS. THEY HAVE TOLD MY THIS COULD BE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE. I HAVE ALWAYS USED CLEAN DIESEL, AND FILLED UP AT NEW GAS STATIONS. THIS WAS JUST TODAY I SPOKE WITH THEM, AND I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCHING AND FOUND THIS TO BE CALLED HPFP ISSUE. FROM AS MANY CASES I HAVE SEEN POSTED ON THE INTERNET, THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10474344

88,000 miles · Aug 27, 2012

EngineFuel/propulsion System

STARTED MY CAR FOR THE SECOND TIME THAT DAY, NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. ABOUT A MILE AWAY I EXPERIENCED THE CAR SHUTTING DOWN. I DOWNSHIFTED INTO SECOND, TURNED BACK ON BUT WHEN I GAVE IT GAS IT SPUTTERED. I WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR 1.5HRS WAITING FOR TOW TRUCK. MECHANICS COMPUTER DESCRIBES THE PROBLEM AS LOW FUEL PRESS…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10472675

Official recalls

19V679000 · Unknown Or Other

Sep 25, 2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.

16V913000 · Electronic Stability Control (esc); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

Dec 20, 2016

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electronic Stability Control (esc)

Consequence: 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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

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

11V490000 · Fuel System, Diesel

Oct 3, 2011

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

10V621000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Dec 10, 2010

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. THE JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN, AND RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE NEW BEETLE AND THE NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FASTENING CLAMP ON A HYDRAULIC HOSE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THAT MAY BE LOCATED IN AN IMPROPER POSITION WHICH COULD CAUSE CHAFING AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL LINE. ADDITIONALLY, DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE MODEL, DEALERS WILL EITHER REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR, OR INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE FASTENING CLAMP AND ADJUST THE RELATED FASTENING CLAMP INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

09V333000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Aug 20, 2009

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2008 AND AUGUST 2009. THE WIRING HARNESS OF A TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) MAY HAVE CONNECTOR WIRES THAT WERE INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED. WITH INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED CONNECTOR WIRES, A TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FALSELY DETECT A HIGH GEARBOX OIL TEMPERATURE, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO ABRUPTLY SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE SELECTOR LEVER POSITION INDICATOR WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL FLASH. IN ADDITION, THE "DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL" INDICATOR LIGHT WILL BE ILLUMINATED, ALERTING THE DRIVER TO APPLY THE BRAKES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

09V164000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

May 19, 2009

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 25,594 MY 2006-2009 JETTA 5TH GENERATION EQUIPPED WITH 2.01 ENGINE. THE FASTENING SCREW CONTACT SURFACES ON THE DRIVESHAFT COVER PLATE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. SOME SCREWS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED PROPERLY DURING ASSEMBLY AND COULD LOOSEN OVER TIME, CAUSING A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE DRIVESHAFT SCREWS COULD LOOSEN TO THE POINT WHERE THE DRIVESHAFT DETACHES FROM THE GEARBOX.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE IS MOVING WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE DETACHED DRIVESHAFT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE THE GEARBOX HOUSING. A DAMAGE GEARBOX HOUSING COULD LEAK GEARBOX OIL ONTO THE STREET AND CREATE A RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND OTHER MOTORISTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVESHAFT SCREWS AND REPLACE THE SCREWS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

EA18003 · Air Bag Clockspring Failure

Opened Apr 18, 2018 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:driver Clockspring/spiral Cassette

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

Additional source detail variants (3)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Clockspring/spiral Cassette

Air Bags:frontal

Air Bags

PE11023 · Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage

Opened Aug 2, 2011 · Closed Dec 2, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Diesel

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.

EA11003 · High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure

Opened Feb 7, 2011 · Closed Mar 27, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Diesel; Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Fuel System, Diesel

Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump

PE10034 · High Pressure Fuel Pump Failure (hpfp)

Opened Aug 26, 2010 · Closed Feb 8, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Diesel

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.

PE09035 · Vehicle Stall/loss Motive Power

Opened Jul 17, 2009 · Closed Nov 19, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:manual Transmission

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) TRANSMISSIONS, WHICH FEATURE A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC GEARBOX WITH TWO WET RUNNING CLUTCHES (DUAL CLUTCH) IN WHICH THE CLUTCH MECHANISM AND GEAR CHANGES ARE ELECTROHYDRAULICALLY OPERATED BY A MECHATRONIC CONTROL UNIT.THE DSG MECHATRONIC CONTROLLER INCLUDES EXTENSIVE SELF DIAGNOSTIC FUNCTIONS AND STRATEGIES TO ENSURE SAFE OPERATION AND PREVENT SYSTEM/COMPONENT DAMAGE IN THE EVENT OF COMPONENT FAILURES OR HARSH OPERATING CONDITIONS.THE BASIC HIERARCHY OF FAULT MODES INCLUDES SOME THAT ONLY RESULT IN THE STORAGE OF A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) AND CAUSE NO LOSS OF FUNCTION, SOME THAT STORE A DTC AND REDUCE VEHICLE OPERATION TO A LIMP HOME MODE, AND SOME THAT STORE A DTC AND CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF MOTIVE POWER (I.E., OPEN CLUTCH).THE DRIVER IS ALERTED TO THE LATTER TWO MODES BY THE DASH GEAR POSITION INDICATOR (PRNDS) FLASHING. ONE OF THE CONDITIONS THAT RESULTS IN INTERRUPTION OF MOTIVE POWER IS EXCESS GEARBOX TEMPERATURE.THE SYSTEM INITIALLY RESPONDS TO INCREASED GEARBOX TEMPERATURE BY RAMPING DOWN ENGINE TORQUE.IF THE TEMPERATURE KEEPS RISING THE MECHATRONIC UNIT RESPONDS BY OPENING THE CLUTCH.IN A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT SUBMITTED TO NHTSA ON AUGUST 20, 2009, VOLKSWAGEN DESCRIBED A POTENTIAL DEFECT IN THE WIRING HARNESSES OF THE DSG GEARBOX TEMPERATURE SENSORS USED IN APPROXIMATELY 16,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2009 AND 2010 VOLKSWAGEN (EOS, JETTA AND GTI) AND AUDI (A3 AND TT/TT ROADSTER) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DSG TRANSMISSIONS AND BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 2008 THROUGH AUGUST 2009 (NHTSA RECALL NO. 09V-333, VOLKSWAGEN RECALL NO. 37E3/S7 AND AUDI RECALL NO 37E4/J7). VOLKSWAGEN PROVIDED THIS DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFECT, THE WIRING HARNESS OF A TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE DSG MAY HAVE CONNECTOR WIRES THAT WERE INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED BY THE CONNECTOR SUPPLIER DURING A LIMITED PRODUCTION PERIOD.WITH INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED CONNECTOR WIRES, A TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FALSELY DETECT A HIGH GEARBOX OIL TEMPERATURE, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO ABRUPTLY SHIFT TO NEUTRAL.IF THIS HAPPENS, THE SELECTOR LEVER POSITION INDICATOR WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL FLASH.IN ADDITION, THE DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL INDICATOR LIGHT WILL BE ILLUMINATED, ALERTING THE DRIVER TO APPLY THE BRAKES.IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.VOLKSWAGEN ESTIMATED THAT LESS THAN ONE PERCENT OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN THE DEFECT CONDITION. ODI IDENTIFIED 40 COMPLAINTS THAT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR DEFECT CONDITION DESCRIBED BY VOLKSWAGEN.VOLKSWAGEN RECEIVED 139 COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THE CONDITION, WITH 7 INVOLVING VEHICLES REPORTED TO ODI, RESULTING A 172 TOTAL COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND VOLKSWAGEN.ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS INVOLVE THE MY 2009 AN 2010 VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL 09V-333. ODI ALSO IDENTIFIED COMPLAINTS OF HARSH/JERKY SHIFTING IN SOME VOLKSWAGEN VEHICLES WITH DSG.VOLKSWAGEN ATTRIBUTED THIS CONDITION, WHICH TYPICALLY OCCURS AT VERY LOW SPEEDS, TO EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE BUSHINGS OF THE TWO SOLENOID VALVES IN THE MECHATRONIC UNIT THAT CONTROL CLUTCH OPERATION.VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT THE THIS CONDITION IS A SAFETY DEFECT BECAUSE THE CHANGES IN SHIFT QUALITY DEVELOP GRADUALLY OVER TIME, DO NOT CAUSE A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND HAVE NOT RESULTED IN ANY FATALITIES, INJURIES OR SERIOUS CRASHES (THERE WERE THREE REPORTED PROPERTY DAMAGE INCIDENTS RESULTING IN MINOR BODY DAMAGE IN VERY LOW SPEED, PARKING MANEUVERS).VOLKSWAGEN ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM IN THE FIELD WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES THE REPLACEMENT OF POTENTIALLY AFFECTED MECHATRONIC UNITS AS WELL