Volkswagen GOLF Reliability by Year
Best & Worst Years, Problems & Recalls — NHTSA Data

Safety Recall

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My vehicle has (2) serpentine belts, and (2) Belt Tensioners. (1) Tensioner is for the belt that engages the Water Pump, Alternator, Power Steering and then has (3) Idler Pulleys. The other one is the AC Tensioner, that belt routes from the AC Compressor to the Crank and the AC Tensioner. The AC Compressor is a dual belt pulley. So the AC Tensioner is suppling the power for the Accessory Belt to spin, and operate the cooling system, charging system, and power steering. Recently the Accessory Belt ripped, and since the belts and the tensioners have yet to be serviced, I planned on doing both tensioners and belts. Upon replacing the components with new ones, the AC tensioner rubs against the Accessory Belt, which will def cause the belt to rip. Further investigating, I saw the original AC Tensioner has a cut out on the side of the housing made, so that the Accessory Belt will not rub against it and spin freely. I called VW Service, O Reillys, Auto Zone, Advanced Auto, and none of the tensioners have the cut out, they all have the same tensioner that is being sold. So what do I do now? Vehicle is not drivable, and without the correct part, this vehicle is unable to safely drive. Once that belt rips, cooling system won’t work, charging system and power steering. My vehicle has almost 200K and is mechanically sound, I maintain the maintenance on this vehicle to a T. Yet I am unable to purchase a part that is needed to ensure this vehicle continues to operate safely, due to a complete engineering design mistake. In which it seems to be completely covered up, because how many people will really service the tensioner. Well I did, and I would like my vehicle to run again, seeing as how the manufacturer decided to make this shortcut, and cross there fingers and hope no issues arose

While driving on the freeway the car stopped accelerating and would only rev when gas pedal was pressed. I coasted to the fast lane shoulder and put on hazard lights. CHP had to stop freeway traffic to push me to the side of the freeway. Car eventually restarted and let me put into gear. I drove to Auto repair store and they scanned car. Code U0103 came back: No communication with gear shift module.

I'M HAVING ISSUES WITH A P0106 CODE. IT CONTINUOUSLY COMES OFF AND ON. I HAVE HAD THE MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACED, I HAVE HAD THE INTAKE CLEANED AND RELATABLE PARTS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AT RANDOM TIMES, AND WILL JUST GO AWAY ON IT'S OWN. I HAVE READ THAT MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO UPDATE THE ECM WHICH HAS THEN FIXED THE ISSUE. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE AN EXPENSE TO THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE FOR AN UPDATE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THE SLAVE CYLINDER WENT BAD ITS PORING FLUID OUT IT COMPLETELY FAILED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT HAS EXACTLY 34,272 MILES IT SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED AT THAT MILEAGE AND AGE I KNOW OF 3 OTHER PEOPLE AROUND THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO BECAUSE ITS STARTING TO LOOK LIKE A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL IF IT HAD WENT OUT COMPLETELY ON THE HIGHWAY SINCE AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER WOULDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO SINCE YOU CANT CHANGE GEARS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (CHARLES MAUND VOLKSWAGEN LOCATED AT 6900 BURNET RD, AUSTIN, TX 78757, PHONE NUMBER: (512) 458-1111) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED BUT A LITTLE OVER A YEAR LATER, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PART WAS REPLACED BUT ANOTHER YEAR LATER, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED A THIRD TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY AT 40 MPH, A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING THE DEER. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SKIDDED AND THE ABS FAILED TO ACTIVATE. IT WAS UNKNOWN WHAT THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AFTER THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,085.

TAKATA RECALL A VW DEALER SERVICE INVOICE STATES THEY COMPLETED THE RECALL ON THIS CAR, BUT YOUR WEBSITE SAYS IT IS INCOMPLETE, ACCORDING TO MY VIN. VW OF AMERICA SENT ME RECALL NOTICES IN MARCH & APRIL OF 2018. COMMUNITY VW, SANTA MARIA, CA 93456 [805 348-3221] INVOICE DATE: 12/19/17 CUSTOMER NUMBER: 50792 TECHNICIAN NUMBER: 34657 I WOULD LIKE TO VERIFY THAT THE WORK WAS ACTUALLY DONE. IS THERE AN IDENTIFYING MARK, LABEL OR NUMBER THAT I CAN SEE SOMEWHERE ON THE AIRBAG? THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. JENNINGS VOLKSWAGEN, LOCATED AT 201 WAUKEGAN ROAD, GLENVIEW, IL, WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR UNLESS THE CONTACT PAID FOR THE REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT NHTSA APPROVED THEIR REMEDY AS PERMANENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

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

TAKATA RECALL - I HAVE CALLED SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS IN CHICAGO SINCE THE RECALL IN 2016 AND STILL NO ONE HAS THE REPLACEMENT. THERE COULD BE DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES FOR NOT HAVING THIS TESTED AND CORRECTED.

TAKATA RECALL. IN APRIL 2016 I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL FROM VOLKSWAGEN REGARDING THE TAKATA AIRBAGS. AT THAT TIME, I CALLED TO SET-UP AN APPOINTMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WASN'T A FIX FOR IT YET. I'VE CALLED INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE PAST YEAR AND HAVE RECEIVED THE SAME RESPONSE. I CALLED AGAIN ON MAY 17TH, TO ASK ABOUT THE STATUS AND RECEIVED YET THE SAME RESPONSE. WHEN I MENTIONED THAT I KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE HONDA'S--WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED--WHOSE AIRBAGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, SHE SAID THAT HONDA OWNERS, HAVE DIED AS A RESULT OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS, WHEREAS VOLKSWAGEN OWNERS HAVEN'T. I REPLIED THAT I INTERPRETED THAT TO MEAN THAT VOLKSWAGEN ARE DRAGGING THEIR FEET BECAUSE NO ONE HAS DIED, AND IT'LL TAKE A DEATH IN ORDER FOR THEM TO COME UP WITH A FIX, WHICH OF COURSE WAS DENIED.

I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON THE FREEWAY, IN THE FAST LANE, AT 70 MPH WHEN THERE WAS A BLINKING YELLOW WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH. THE LIGHT RESEMBLES AN ELECTRICAL COIL AND IS REFERRED TO AS A GLOW PLUG LIGHT. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY STALLED. I PUT ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS BUT WAS UNABLE TO GET TO THE RIGHT DUE TO TRAFFIC AND A DEAD ENGINE. AS A RESULT WE HAD TO STOP IN THE CENTER DIVIDER. IT TOOK 45 MIN FOR THE TOW TRUCK TO ARRIVE. THIS WHILE TRAFFIC FLEW BY. THE FAULT WAS IDENTIFIED AS A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP) FAILURE BY THE DEALERSHIP.

Since shortly after purchase, the vehicle has experienced intermittent drivability and shifting issues along with repeated EPC and check engine warnings. Diagnostic trouble code P0111 (intake air temperature plausibility) has been present along with other electrical and engine management faults. A Volkswagen dealership diagnosis indicated that the intake air temperature sensor and an additional engine insulation “hood blanket” component (not originally installed on the vehicle) are required to address the issue. These components were presented as necessary to correct the fault and resolve intermittent shifting behavior. The shifting issue is intermittent but occurs during normal driving and raises safety concerns due to unpredictable drivability and transmission behavior. The vehicle continues to exhibit warning lights and unresolved performance issues despite multiple repair attempts. The dealership has not identified a clear root cause, and prior repairs including sensor and EVAP-related components have not resolved the condition. Given the involvement of transmission-related drivability concerns and repeated unresolved electronic faults affecting engine performance, I am filing this complaint as a potential safety-related defect affecting normal vehicle operation.

Headlight lens assembly of both headlights is cracking excessively. Upon review of online forums, this is happening frequently to many consumers. This impacts headlight output and looks to be manufacturing defect. Recently reported to dealer who indicated they have seen many of these recently and so far most have been handled by warranty but they would take pictures and submit. If this is known mfg defect why are their not proactive remedy/replacement?

I was almost rear ended because Hill hold assist did not disengage quickly. I’ve driven manual transmission for over 40 years and find this hill hold dangerous!

The last few months my schedule changed and I'm driving in the dark now. The auto dimming mirror does not function as expected, it is too slow in response to prevent glare and blinding from vehicles behind me. By the time the mirror decides to dim I'm already blinded from the glare and can no longer see what is in front of me. Also, since it does not dim to the edge I still get blinded from the glare around the perimeter of the mirror (there is no way to adjust this to prevent it). Since this mirror is also "rimless" (no plastic cover on the edge) the polished edge causes light refraction thereby blinding me in daylight. Currently the only way to prevent glare from the mirror is point it down to the floor rendering useless and dangerous.

Faulty door wiring harness leading driver side blinkers to stop working, windows randomly rolling down, rear collision detector errors, engine start/stop errors.

red power steering system light turned on and flashed/beeped 3X. steering wheel locked up and I could not turn. I was on the freeway in the far right lane and managed to force push the steering wheel to the right and slowly merge over to the shoulder. Volks in Kearny Mesa confirmed issue with steering gear after inspection on 6/21/2022. The steering gear needs to be replaced as the first step. No symptoms prior to malfunction. I could have died if I was in any other lane as there was a lot of cars on the freeway. I got lucky.

The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and it was determined that there was a leak in the evaporative emissions system after scanning the vehicle and retrieving DTC: P0456. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.

While driving with the cruise control set to 55 mph, the car began an uncommanded acceleration. When I looked down on the dashboard display I noticed that the cruise control target speed was set to 95 mph. I switched of the cruise control and resumed manual control of the speed. When I switch the cruise control back on I observed the target speed rapidly increase from the intended 55 mph to 95 mph accompanied by moderate vehicle acceleration. I again switched off the cruise control and resumed manual control of the speed. Sometime later during the drive a cruise control error message appeared on the dashboard. Subsequently the problem was identified as a faulty cruise control switch (part number 5G0-959-442-AE-ICX). The switch was replaced and the fault has not reoccurred over a few hundred miles of driving. While this malfunction can be overridden using the normal cruise control disconnect procedures, uncommanded acceleration poses a safety risk to driver and other motorists or pedestrians.

The sunroof exploded while driving without warning and with no impact. The sliding cloth cover was closed at the time, so thankfully little to no glass entered the car, but it was very loud and, had the cover been open, would have filled the car with glass. The sunroof has since been fixed through my insurance, but it took 8-9 months to get completely fixed, and the local VW dealership refused to work on it and had no recommendations.