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

What owners actually said

888 reports

6,600 miles · Feb 6, 2010

Vehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT, DRIVER HAD MOVED FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO BRAKE. SUDDENLY, ENGINE SURGED AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE DRIVER APPLIED SIGNIFICANT BRAKE PRESSURE TO HALT VEHICLE AND TURNED OFF IGNITION. VEHICLE SUBSEQUENTLY DROVE NORMALLY AND DEALER INSPECTION FOUND NO PROBLEM. *CN

NHTSA ODI #10306895

20,000 miles · Feb 5, 2010

Engine And Engine Cooling

Read full complaint

MY VEHICLE DIDN'T START AFTER 12 DAYS OF SITTING, IT ALSO HAD A ROUGH START (NO START FOLLOWED BY DRIVER ASSISTED START) AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT 9 HOURS. I BELIEVE THE ROUGH START WAS A RELATED TO THE NO START. DATE OF NO START: 12/29/10 LOCATION: PHILADELPHIA OFFSITE AIRPORT LOT MILEAGE: > 20,000 GOT MY 20K SERVICE TWO DAYS PRIOR TO PARKING IT ON DEC. 17. IT SNOWED 22" ON THE 19TH AND THEN THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE DAYS IT WOULD THAW, FREEZE, RAIN ETC. IT RAINED APPROXIMATELY 3" DURING THAT TIME. GOT BACK DEC. 29TH AT NIGHT. THE ENGINE TRIED TO CRANK ONCE AND THEN DIDN'T DO MUCH AFTERWARD. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER (VW OF LANGHORNE) AND THEY FOUND WATER IN THE CYLINDERS BY REMOVING THE GLOW PLUGS AND MANUALLY CRANKING THE ENGINE. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS MESSING WITH THE DEALER THEY FINALLY DRIED OUT THE ENGINE AND FOUND WATER IN THE INTERCOOLER LINES. RAN FINE UNTIL 2/1/10. DEALER HAD ME PAY FOR THEIR TIME BECAUSE "THE ONLY WAY THIS COULD HAPPEN IS IF I DROVE THROUGH A PUDDLE OR IF IT WAS IN A FLOOD". THEY ARE WRONG. THE PARKING LOT IS NOT VALET (I KEPT MY KEYS) AND THEY HAVE A SNOW REMOVAL SERVICE. SNOW WAS NOT PLOWED INTO OR ON TOP OF MY CAR. NO OTHER WATER DAMAGE WAS SEEN IN OR ON THE VEHICLE ANYWHERE ELSE. DATE OF NO START: 2/01/10 LOCATION: NORTHEAST OF PHILADELPHIA MILEAGE: 21,000 CODES: NONE KNOWN SIGNIFICANT WEATHER BEFORE NO START: COLD, DRY TOOK TO DEALER (WHAT WAS DONE): NO AMBIENT AIR TEMPS: HIGH 36 (F) LOW 21 (F) JETTA STARTED FINE IN THE MORNING 6:30AM. LEFT WORK AT 6:00PM AND DID NOT START. THE SEQUENCE: 1) CRANK BUT DIDN'T TURN OVER 2) GOT IT TO TURN OVER AND START ABOUT 1 MIN LATER, NO MESSAGE ON MFD 3) KEPT FOOT ON ACCELERATOR IN NEUTRAL AT ABOUT 1300 RPM FOR 30-60 SEC. 4) RAN FINE ON 30 MIN DRIVE HOME THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT COULD RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS IF IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO GET A TOW IN THE WINTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10306424

16,000 miles · Feb 5, 2010

Power Train

Read full complaint

DURING THE COLD WINTER MONTHS IN NH. MY 2009 VW JETTA SPORTWAGEN TDI HAS EXHIBITED A ENGINE STUMBLE PROBLEM WHEN IT IS STARTED. THE CAR WILL START BUT RUN ROUGH AND ABRUPTLY STALL. IT TAKES ON AVERAGE OF 5 STARTS BEFORE THE ENGINE WILL STAY RUNNING IN A SMOOTH MANNER. MOST OF THE EVENTS HAVE BEEN AFTER DRIVING MORE THAN 30 MILES AND PARKING IT OVERNIGHT IN A NON-HEATED GARAGE AT 44F. ONE OCCURRENCE WAS IN MY WORK PARKING LOT AFTER SITTING 8HRS IN 30F WEATHER. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED A TOTAL OF 10 TIMES. THE PROBLEM OCCURS ABOUT ONCE A WEEK. MOST RECENTLY IT STARTED AND DIDN'T RUN ROUGH UNTIL I HAD PULLED OUT ON TO THE ROAD. THE ENGINE STARTED TO RUN ROUGH AND I HAD TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE. THE CAR HAD TO BE SHUTOFF AND RESTARTED BEFORE IT RAN SMOOTH. THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS 10F. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO VW SERVICE TWICE. THE CAR DOESN'T TRIGGER A CODE FOR VW TO DIAGNOSE, BUT THE PROBLEM IS VERY REAL. VW DOESN'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG AND NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE CAR COULD LEAVE MY FAMILY STRANDED IN COLD CONDITIONS OR POSSIBLY HIT WHILE THE CAR IS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10306304

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2010

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Read full complaint

I PURCHASED A 2009 JETTA TDI. THIS IS MY 3RD JETTA TDI, 2004, 2006, AND NOW A 2009. AT 3,500 MILES THE BRAKES ON THE 2009 TDI BEGAN MAKING A HIGH PITCH WHISTLING NOISE AT SLOW ROLLING STOPS. AFTER A COUPLE OF STOPS IT WOULD STOP AND THEN REAPPEAR AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS. I CALLED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NORMAL AND SHOULD EVENTUALLY STOP. AT 7000 MILES IT STILL WHISTLES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THAT RUST WAS FORMING ON THE ROTORS AND THE WHISTLING SOUND WAS THE BRAKES SCRAPING THE RUST OFF. I WAS TOLD THAT MY BRAKES WERE FINE. I ASKED IF THIS WAS A PROBLEM I WOULD HAVE TO LIVE WITH, WHISTLING BRAKES FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR? HOW EMBARRASSING TO OWN A NEW CAR AND THE BRAKES WHISTLE WHEN YOU PULL UP TO A STOP SIGN. I CALLED VW AMERICA AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULDN'T TELL ME ANYTHING. THEY DEPENDED UPON THE DEALERS TO PROVIDE THEM WITH ISSUES/CONCERNS. NEITHER OF MY PREVIOUS 2004 OR 2006 JETTA TDI'S BRAKES WHISTLED. SO VW IS THIS NORMAL? IF SO, THEN I HAVE PURCHASE MY LAST WHISTLING JETTA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10303694

100 miles · Jan 15, 2010

Electrical SystemVisibility

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2009 AND POSSIBLY 2010 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED AND ONLY RESTARTED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED. UPDATED 02-26-2010. *BF UPDATED IVOQ 06/01/10 VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER 4 TIMES FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION AND SYSTEM IS NOT REPAIRED. DEALER TOLD ME THAT VW ENGINEERING STATED THAT THIS IS PROPER OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM AND NO REPAIRS ARE NEEDED. DEALERS EMPLOYEES ARE AWARE OF THE SAFETY HAZARD ASSOCIATED WITH LACK OF PROPER OPERATION AND STATE THAT THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND THAT IT IS NOT IN PROPER WORKING ORDER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10299845

10,000 miles · Jan 13, 2010

Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVisibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS SYSTEM FAILED IN SNOW STORM. PARTS REPLACED COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. 8 TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED. DEALER CAN NOT FIND CAUSE. NO START SITUATION, TWICE. DEALER CAN NOT FIND CAUSE. TRANSMISSION NOISE. DEALER CAN NOT FIND CAUSE, WILL REPLACE TRANSMISSION IF NOISE CONTINUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10299573

25,980 miles · Jan 12, 2010

Tires

TIRE VALVE STEM CRACKED DURING TIRE FILLING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10299491

7,000 miles · Jan 7, 2010

Power Train

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS SHE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH HER VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THERE IS A RECALL# 09V333000, POWER TRAIN, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL AT LEAST FOUR TIMES AND EACH TIME THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETE THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2009. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA ODI #10298585

11,000 miles · Jan 6, 2010

Steering

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH INTO A SLIGHT CURVE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN A STRAIGHT POSITION AND WOULD NOT TURN TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER BEGAN TO EXERT AGGRESSIVE FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND SUDDENLY, THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE VIN WAS REJECTED FROM THE SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000. UPDATED 3/12/10 *CN THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR. UPDATED 06/11/10.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10298453

12,000 miles · Dec 31, 2009

Fuel System, Diesel

Read full complaint

POSSIBLE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE IS ONCE IN A WHILE WHEN THE CAR IS OFF AND PARKED THE ENGINE FAN WILL COME ON RUNNING VERY HIGH AND THE CAR SMELLS. THIS OCCURRED ABOUT 4 TIMES IN 4 MONTHS. THEN IN THE 5TH MONTH OF OWNERSHIP, WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, I HEARD A BEEP, LOOKED DOWN AT MY DASH AND BEFORE I COULD FINISH READING THE MESSAGE THE CAR DIED. THE DASH INDICATED SOMETHING ABOUT GET TO A WORKSHOP, THEN THE MESSAGE DISAPPEARED AND THE COIL LIGHT CAME ON. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THANKGOODNESS NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME OR WE WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT, I PUSHED THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. I WAS 80 MILES FROM HOME AND JUST MINUTES FROM GETTING ON THE MAIN FREEWAY. I WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW DEALER. IT WAS A WEEKEND SO THE SERVICE DEPT WAS CLOSED. MONDAY I WAS TOLD THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM WENT OUT AND WAS GOING TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. IT WAS REPLACED. IT'S BEEN 4 WEEKS SINCE IT WAS REPLACED AND TODAY WHEN I DROVE 25 MILES AND PARKED MY CAR, THE ENGINE FAN CAME ON RUNNING VERY HIGH, AND LOUD WITH THE SMELL OF BURNT RUBBER AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WILL BE TAKING IT INTO THE DEALER NEXT WEEK, THEY ARE CONCERNED WITH THE SMELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10297692

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