NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
50 reports62,000 miles · Aug 14, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THEN THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
NHTSA ODI #10748774
68,000 miles · Apr 20, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
PASSENGER HEADLIGHT, FOGLIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL BEGAN TO REPEATEDLY CYCLE OFF AND ON, THEN EVENTUALLY DIED. OPENING FUSE BOX IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT REVEALED A MELTED FUSE (F16). THIS SAME MELTED FUSE PROBLEM AFFECTS MULTIPLE OTHER VW AUTOMOBILES SUCH AS THE TIGUAN, JETTA, AND GOLF. THERE IS A RECALL OUT ON THE TIGUAN ONLY WHICH SHO…
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PASSENGER HEADLIGHT, FOGLIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL BEGAN TO REPEATEDLY CYCLE OFF AND ON, THEN EVENTUALLY DIED. OPENING FUSE BOX IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT REVEALED A MELTED FUSE (F16). THIS SAME MELTED FUSE PROBLEM AFFECTS MULTIPLE OTHER VW AUTOMOBILES SUCH AS THE TIGUAN, JETTA, AND GOLF. THERE IS A RECALL OUT ON THE TIGUAN ONLY WHICH SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO OTHER MODELS USING THE SAME FUSE BOX, IRRESPECTIVE OF MAKE/MODEL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10711859
91,450 miles · Jan 9, 2015
Fuel System, Diesel
DURING THE MORNING RUSH HOUR COMMUTE, WHILE TRAVELING AT 60MPH ON EAST BOUND HIGHWAY 70 (AT THE 70/270 INTERCHANGE) IN ST. LOUIS, MO THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND ALL ENGINE POWER WAS LOST. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE CAR 4 LANES TO THE FAR RIGHT SHOULDER AND TURN ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS. ANY ATT…
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DURING THE MORNING RUSH HOUR COMMUTE, WHILE TRAVELING AT 60MPH ON EAST BOUND HIGHWAY 70 (AT THE 70/270 INTERCHANGE) IN ST. LOUIS, MO THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND ALL ENGINE POWER WAS LOST. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE CAR 4 LANES TO THE FAR RIGHT SHOULDER AND TURN ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS. ANY ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE CAR WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. AS THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS 3 DEGREES (-9 WITH WINDCHILL) I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED A TOWING SERVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT VW/AUDI SHOP, WHERE THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE HPFP (HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP) HAD FAILED AND WILL REQUIRE ITS REPLACEMENT AS WELL AS THE REST OF THE FUEL SYSTEM ($6,000-$8,000 REPAIR ESTIMATE). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10671226
60,000 miles · Nov 7, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
WHILE DEPARTING A PARKING LOT ONTO A PRIMARY ROAD, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING; THE CAR IMMEDIATELY BEGAN LOSING POWER. I RETURNED TO PARKING AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO AN AUDI DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10653233
33,200 miles · Sep 19, 2014
Power Train
AUTOMOBILE WAS TRAVELING ON BQE IN NEW YORK CITY AT ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND REFUSED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. ALL FORWARD POWER WAS LOST. THE DRIVER ROLLED THE CAR ONTO THE RIGHT LANE AS THERE WAS NOT A SHOULDER. THE DRIVER STOPPED THE CAR AND TURNED IT OFF. THEN TURNED THE CAR ON AND WAS …
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AUTOMOBILE WAS TRAVELING ON BQE IN NEW YORK CITY AT ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND REFUSED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. ALL FORWARD POWER WAS LOST. THE DRIVER ROLLED THE CAR ONTO THE RIGHT LANE AS THERE WAS NOT A SHOULDER. THE DRIVER STOPPED THE CAR AND TURNED IT OFF. THEN TURNED THE CAR ON AND WAS ABLE TO GAIN POWER AND DRIVE. THE AUDI REPAIR SERVICE CENTER INDICATED A FAULTY MECHATRONIC OR DSG UNIT, WHICH MATCHES THE RECALL 09V-333. AUDI INSISTS THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL LISTED ABOVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10637672
101,000 miles · Jul 30, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL8 THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GLOW PLUG SENSOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED…
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TL8 THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GLOW PLUG SENSOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 11V490000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) AND 09V377000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
NHTSA ODI #10617638
5,000 miles · Jul 21, 2014
Fuel System, Diesel
HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. SECOND TIME WAS IN MAY 2014 AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES. BOTH TIMES THE CAR STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AUDI REPLACED THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM FROM THE INJECTORS TO THE FUEL TANK. I HAVE SPOKEN TO A FEW OTHER AUDI OWNERS AT THE DEALER WHO HAVE HAD MULTIPLE DIESEL FUEL PUMP FAILU…
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HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. SECOND TIME WAS IN MAY 2014 AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES. BOTH TIMES THE CAR STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AUDI REPLACED THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM FROM THE INJECTORS TO THE FUEL TANK. I HAVE SPOKEN TO A FEW OTHER AUDI OWNERS AT THE DEALER WHO HAVE HAD MULTIPLE DIESEL FUEL PUMP FAILURES ON TDI CARS AND SUVS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10614953
48,500 miles · Jul 10, 2014
EnginePower Train
GOING 55 MILE AN HOUR, REAR TURBO SEAL GOES OUT, SUCKS ENGINE OIL OUT OF CRANKCASE. I COAST TO A STOP. LOAD ON A TRAILER. HAUL TO A AUDI DEALER. STILL UNDER WARRANTY THEY REPLACE ENGINE. NOW THEY SAY TRANSMISSION IS NOT REPAIRABLE. NOW I HAVE TO PAY FOR NEW TRANSMISSION. DRIVE TRAIN WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. NEVER BUY ANOTHER AU…
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GOING 55 MILE AN HOUR, REAR TURBO SEAL GOES OUT, SUCKS ENGINE OIL OUT OF CRANKCASE. I COAST TO A STOP. LOAD ON A TRAILER. HAUL TO A AUDI DEALER. STILL UNDER WARRANTY THEY REPLACE ENGINE. NOW THEY SAY TRANSMISSION IS NOT REPAIRABLE. NOW I HAVE TO PAY FOR NEW TRANSMISSION. DRIVE TRAIN WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. NEVER BUY ANOTHER AUDI AGAIN. AUDI HAS HAD THE CAR FOR 2 MONTHS STILL DON'T HAVE THE CAR BACK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10609735
19,500 miles · Jul 5, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
ON MY WAY TO WORK MY CAR STALLED /LOST POWER ,GLOW PLUG LIGHT WENT ON THEN I COULDN'T RESTART MY CAR. I HAD TO TOW MY CAR TO MY DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR. THE NEXT DAY THEY CALLED ME THAT THEY HAVE TO ORDER ALOT OF PARTS AND REPLACE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM: FUEL PUMP, HPFP, FUEL LINE INJECTORS AND SEALS AND THEY HAVE TO CLEAN …
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ON MY WAY TO WORK MY CAR STALLED /LOST POWER ,GLOW PLUG LIGHT WENT ON THEN I COULDN'T RESTART MY CAR. I HAD TO TOW MY CAR TO MY DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR. THE NEXT DAY THEY CALLED ME THAT THEY HAVE TO ORDER ALOT OF PARTS AND REPLACE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM: FUEL PUMP, HPFP, FUEL LINE INJECTORS AND SEALS AND THEY HAVE TO CLEAN THE TANK! I WOULD LIKE TO INFORM YOU THAT I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND ONLY ME WAS USING THAT CAR. I HAVE NEVER USED ANYTHING BUT HIGH QUALITY DIESEL FUEL FROM SHELL GAS STATION LOCATED ON DEMPSTER STREET IN SKOKIE,IL. I BUY ULSD ONCE A MONTH AND HAVE ALL THE RECEIPTS FROM THIS YEAR ( AND IF NECESSARY FROM DAY ONE FROM MY BANK CREDIT CARD HISTORY) BECAUSE OF THIS I AM 100% SURE THAT ANY CLAIM THAT I USED WRONG FUEL IS WITHOUT BASE. IF THE ULTRALOW SULFUR DIESEL FUEL RECOMMENDED BY CAR MANUFACTURERS DOESN'T MUCH SPECIFICATION THIS SHOULD BE RESOLVED BEFORE PUTTING DIESEL CAR ON THE MARKET.I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THAT ALL MAINTENANCE ON MY CAR WAS DONE ON TIME AT AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIPS.I CHANGE OIL EVERY 4K MILES INSTEAD 10K AS MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDING MY AUDIS' WARRANTY EXPIRES NEXT MONTH AND I HOPE THAT AUDI WILL EXTENDED MY WARRANTY FOR ANOTHER 4 YEARS/50K MILES!!! IF NOT I HAVE TO GET RID OF MY CAR THAT I WAS PLANNING TO KEEP FOR LONG TIME. BAD HPFP CRAFTSMANSHIP AND DESIGN SHOULD BE CORRECTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF AUDI/VW WANTS TO SELL DIESEL CARS IN US! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10608307
78,500 miles · Apr 22, 2014
Fuel System, Diesel
2010 TDI AUDI A3. UPON ACCELERATION THE CAR HESITATED AND THE ENGINE STARTED JERKING. THE "GLOW PLUG" LIGHT STARTED BLINKING THEN THE CAR STARTED LOOSING POWER AND CAME TO A STOP. COULD NOT RESTART. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM. HAD IT TOWED TO DEAL…
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2010 TDI AUDI A3. UPON ACCELERATION THE CAR HESITATED AND THE ENGINE STARTED JERKING. THE "GLOW PLUG" LIGHT STARTED BLINKING THEN THE CAR STARTED LOOSING POWER AND CAME TO A STOP. COULD NOT RESTART. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHICH TOLD ME THAT I HAD PUT BAD DIESEL IN IT AND IT CAUSED METAL PARTICLES TO CIRCULATE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM DOING CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE. EVERYTHING THAT THE DIESEL HAD TOUCHED WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I TOLD DEALERSHIP THAT I ONLY USE DIESEL FROM THERE LIST OF "GOOD" DIESEL STATIONS. THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $7,345 TO FIX. IF THEY PUT THE SAME PARTS BACK IN IT TO REPAIR IT, WHAT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN???? I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SERVICED BY THE BOOK - THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. THIS NEEDS INVESTIGATING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10584339
Official recalls
5Jan 30, 2018
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Feb 10, 2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with 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 frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
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.
Sep 30, 2009
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 AUDI A3, TT, AND TT ROADSTER PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 29, 2005 AND AUGUST 26, 2009. THE CLOSING FORCE OF AN INTERNAL SPRING OF THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE IS NOT ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO HOLD THE VALVE CLOSED UNDER EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS POSSIBLY ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUDI DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE WITH AN IMPROVED VALVE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-253-2834.
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.
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
4PE11023 · 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
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.
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.
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