NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
15 reportsClear category filter151,000 miles · Jul 14, 2019
Air BagsEngineExterior Lighting
TAKATA RECALL MY VOLKSWAGEN HAS MANY PROBLEMS THAT I BELIEVE ARE FACTORY DEFECTS. STARTING WITH THE AIRBAG FAULT WARNING THAT COMES ON AS SOON AS I START THE VEHICLE. THEN ITSTARTED LOOSING COOLANT TO TBE POINT THAT K WAS HAVING TO PULL OVER EVERY 30-50 MILES TO PUT MORE. AND THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE ENGIN HAS BEEN RUNNING FO…
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TAKATA RECALL MY VOLKSWAGEN HAS MANY PROBLEMS THAT I BELIEVE ARE FACTORY DEFECTS. STARTING WITH THE AIRBAG FAULT WARNING THAT COMES ON AS SOON AS I START THE VEHICLE. THEN ITSTARTED LOOSING COOLANT TO TBE POINT THAT K WAS HAVING TO PULL OVER EVERY 30-50 MILES TO PUT MORE. AND THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE ENGIN HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR ABOUT 5 MINS. THEN THE CHECK COOLANT COMES ON AND SHORTLY AFTER IT SAYS CHECK OIL PRESSURE TURN OFF ENGINE. IVE HAD TO PUT MORE WORK INTO THIS CAR THAN WHAT ITS WORTH. THE HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF RANDOMLY THE BRIGHTS DONT WORK OR WHILE IM DRIVING ONE WILL TURN OFF OR BOTH AT THE SAME TIME AND THIS HAPPENS ANYWHERE IF MY CAR IS IN MOTION. . THE IMAGE BELOW THAT SHOWS THE RADIATOR CONNECTOR THAT HAS KB WELD ON IT BECAUSE MY ENGINE GOT SO HOT THAT THE TOP HOSE BROKE OFF CAUSING A DOMINO EFFECT OF PROBLEMS ANLONG WITH COSTLY REPAIRS.
NHTSA ODI #11231751
100,000 miles · Jul 30, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineService Brakes
WITHOUT WARNING, THE ABS MODULE IN THE CAR FAILED, GIVING WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH AND MAKING THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE. RECALL WORK WAS PURSUED WITH THE A VW DEALER AND VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, BUT THE RECALL WORK WAS DENIED, SAYING THIS FAILURE WAS OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL. CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.
NHTSA ODI #11114457
140,455 miles · Mar 8, 2018
Engine
VEHICLE HAS 140,455 MILES ON IT AND WAS WELL MAINTAINED. AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH HEARD LOUD SOUND AND HAD TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. CAR WAS TOWED TO A VOLKSWAGEN SPECIALIST AND SAID THAT THE TIMING CHAIN THREW DUE TO THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER, A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE 2.0 TSI ENGINES FROM 2008-2012. MINIMUM FOR REPAIR WOULD BE $4,0…
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VEHICLE HAS 140,455 MILES ON IT AND WAS WELL MAINTAINED. AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH HEARD LOUD SOUND AND HAD TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. CAR WAS TOWED TO A VOLKSWAGEN SPECIALIST AND SAID THAT THE TIMING CHAIN THREW DUE TO THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER, A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE 2.0 TSI ENGINES FROM 2008-2012. MINIMUM FOR REPAIR WOULD BE $4,000 DUE TO BENT VALVES; MAXIMUM WILL BE ENGINE REPLACEMENT (~$9,000). GIVEN CAR'S AGE AND VALUE, NEITHER OPTIONS ARE WORTH FIXING AND I WILL HAVE TO SELL CAR FOR PARTS. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILURE IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH 2.0 TSI ENGINES YET VOLKSWAGEN DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL RELATED TO THE ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11076794
50,000 miles · Dec 30, 2017
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other
DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER WENT AND DESTROYED THE ENTIRE ENGINE THAT HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH VW THAT I FOUND OUT ABOUT AFTER THE FACT. LUCKILY IT HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY.
NHTSA ODI #11057665
96,000 miles · May 4, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineService Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE CHECK ENGINE, ABS, BRAKE, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, AND EPC INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ESTIMATED THAT THE REPA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE CHECK ENGINE, ABS, BRAKE, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, AND EPC INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ESTIMATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,500-$2,000. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL OTHER TIMES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V913000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER DENIED THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SINCE THE ABS MODULE CONTROL FAILED TO WORK, THE RECALL REPAIR COULD NOT BE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
NHTSA ODI #10983465
73,729 miles · Feb 22, 2017
Engine
FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, I NOTICED OCCASIONAL MISFIRES UPON STARTUP AND ACCELERATION. THEN, THE VEHICLE BEGAN RUNNING LOUDLY AND CONSUMING A LOT OF OIL. THE VEHICLE ALSO SHUDDERED WHILE DRIVING. ONE MORNING, THE CAR SHUDDERED AND BUCKED WHILE I ATTEMPTED TO START IT, AND ULTIMATELY FAILED TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE ENGINE LI…
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FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, I NOTICED OCCASIONAL MISFIRES UPON STARTUP AND ACCELERATION. THEN, THE VEHICLE BEGAN RUNNING LOUDLY AND CONSUMING A LOT OF OIL. THE VEHICLE ALSO SHUDDERED WHILE DRIVING. ONE MORNING, THE CAR SHUDDERED AND BUCKED WHILE I ATTEMPTED TO START IT, AND ULTIMATELY FAILED TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THIS IS NOT A BATTERY ISSUE; THE BATTERY IS ONLY A FEW MONTHS OLD AND WAS TESTED IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS (HOLDS CHARGE AT 100%). I HAVE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO TWO MECHANICS AND THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILURE LEADING TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. ACCORDING TO THE FIRST MECHANIC, THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR APPROXIMATELY $4500. ACCORDING TO THE SECOND MECHANIC, THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER NEEDS REPLACING AND THE TOP HALF OF THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED, LEADING TO A QUOTE OF $2800 FOR REPAIR. THE MECHANIC STATED TO ME THAT HE HAS ALREADY PERFORMED APPROXIMATELY 8 OF THESE REPAIRS ON VOLKSWAGENS IN THE LAST YEAR AND DIRECTED ME TO INVESTIGATE A PENDING NEW JERSEY LAWSUIT AGAINST VOLKSWAGEN FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT. IF MY ENGINE HAD FAILED WHILE AT SPEED ON A ROADWAY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA ODI #10956215
61,000 miles · Feb 6, 2017
Electrical SystemEngine
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE 60000 MILES; 6 MONTHS LATER ENGINE COILS FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #10949818
87,000 miles · Nov 12, 2016
Engine
PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING DUE TO A KNOWN DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER WHICH VW HAS SENT A TSB ABOUT BUT REFUSES TO DO A RECALL TO REPLACE. INSTEAD THEY EXPECT CUSTOMERS TO PAY $1500 TO HAVE THE NEWLY UPDATED TENSIONER INSTALLED. ENGINES ARE FAILING BOTH UNDER AND JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AN…
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PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING DUE TO A KNOWN DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER WHICH VW HAS SENT A TSB ABOUT BUT REFUSES TO DO A RECALL TO REPLACE. INSTEAD THEY EXPECT CUSTOMERS TO PAY $1500 TO HAVE THE NEWLY UPDATED TENSIONER INSTALLED. ENGINES ARE FAILING BOTH UNDER AND JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND CONTROL OF THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE ABILITY TO STEER AND MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE STOP IN TRAFFIC.
NHTSA ODI #10925617
74,317 miles · Feb 1, 2016
Engine
SECONDARY AIR INJECTION HOSE FOUND TAPED AFTER VW WARRANTY EXPIRED. HAD TAKEN CAR IN SEVERAL TIMES TO THE WOODLAND HILLS VW DEALERSHIP AFTER THE UPC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED TO NO AVAIL.
NHTSA ODI #10823372
75,000 miles · May 4, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineService Brakes
I PURCHASED MY 2009 GTI FEB 2015 AND THE CARFAX WAS GREAT; HOWEVER, THE ABS CONTROL MODULE RANDOMLY FAILED ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER CAUSING LOSE OF STEERING AND CONTROL, THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND IT WAS VERY SCARY. LOUD WARNING BEEPS WENT OFF AND WARNING LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. THE WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUED FLAS…
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I PURCHASED MY 2009 GTI FEB 2015 AND THE CARFAX WAS GREAT; HOWEVER, THE ABS CONTROL MODULE RANDOMLY FAILED ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER CAUSING LOSE OF STEERING AND CONTROL, THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND IT WAS VERY SCARY. LOUD WARNING BEEPS WENT OFF AND WARNING LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. THE WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUED FLASHING UNTIL I TURNED IT OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED THE ENGINE, THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE NO LONGER LIT AND DROVE IT HOME. I TESTED MY CAR AGAIN MINUTES AFTER ARRIVING HOME. IT SEEMED FINE, BUT THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN AFTER JUST A MINUTE OF DRIVING IT. I TOOK IT TO THE VW DEALER SERVICE CENTER. THEY DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE TO BE THE ABS MODULE. IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE COST IS $2,260. I CALLED VW AND THEY DO NOT COVER THE REPAIR COSTS. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY CONSIDERING THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND THE DANGER THIS MALFUNCTION IMPOSES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10714388
Official recalls
2Dec 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)
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: 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
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: 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.
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
1PE09035 · 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