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2011 Volkswagen GTI Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 55 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Volkswagen GTI, most often about the engine (38% of complaints, typically around 68,000 miles). It is 9th of 25 GTI model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2011 Volkswagen GTI problems
Engine
21 complaints · 38%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen GTI. While the vehicle was at the dealer for routine maintenance, the technician discovered that the water pump failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.
60k miles timing chain tensioner failed at idle in my garage causing catastrophic engine damage. Vwoa declined assistance despite tsb existing for updated part. Vwoa cited reason of failure as improper maintenance. All my maintenance was done on time or early at vw dealers with the exception of 3 oil changes I…
Transmission
16 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 19,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
False neutral with dsg transmission: I was in manual mode when I downshifted as I came into a corner. Once around the corner I depressing the throttle, the engine began to rev freely as if in neutral for several seconds. I was able to regain power by allowing the RPM to drop to idle, then down shifting into second.…
The vehicle is a 2011 Volkswagen GTI equipped with a dsg transmission. The GTI is not offered as choice when selecting vehicle model using this on-line compliant form. Occasionally the vehicle fails to accelerate or accelerates very slowly when attempting to move forward from a complete stop. When this occurs the…
Electrical
8 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 56,500 miles.
Ongoing engine misfire issues. After 3 visits to dealership and replacement of coils, fuses, relays, etc, root cause determined to be a short between the after run coolant pump which causes a voltage draw and confuses the ECM. After talking with vw technician, I learned that this same exact part on audi vehicles is…
The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that he lost the function of the steering wheel, horn, controls, and air bag. The air bag warning indicator light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and it was diagnosed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The contact was informed…
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 9%This is my third Volkswagen GTI in three years, and for the second time in the 6 years I've owned this car, the headliner has detached and fallen down onto passenger. Three times if you count the sunroof visor shade cloth. This happened on both previously owned vw models as well. Volkswagen is incapable of making a…
This is my third Volkswagen model, particularly golf GTI model in ten years, and for the third time, like clockwork, the air con has died before 48k miles on the odometer. All signs point to a faulty sensor on the compressor that dies, and typically shrapnels the compressor, dry, and other critical air con systems…
Fuel system
3 complaints · 6%Engine will stall and die within 5-20 seconds after starting. Happens on a warm engine after it sits for 45-60 minutes. Happened multiple times, each after engine has reached operating temperature. This is potentially a deadly problem if the car dies on a street, as it won't steer or have propulsion! Had it seen at vw…
Ongoing engine misfire issues. After 3 visits to dealership and replacement of coils, fuses, relays, etc, root cause determined to be a short between the after run coolant pump which causes a voltage draw and confuses the ECM. After talking with vw technician, I learned that this same exact part on audi vehicles is…
Air bags
3 complaints · 6%Put my key into the ignition and recieved, "error: airbag" now my airbag light is on and I didnt do anything to my electrical or airbag system.
The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that he lost the function of the steering wheel, horn, controls, and air bag. The air bag warning indicator light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and it was diagnosed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The contact was informed…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2011 Volkswagen GTI recalls
Other: unknown or other
Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began november 29, 2018. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 eos, 2012 passat, 2012-2016 cc, 2015-2016 e-golf, 2011-2015 touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 tiguan, and 2011-2016 golf and 2011-2013 gti 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.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on january 15, 2016. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 volkswagen cc, and passat, 2010-2013 eos, 2011-2014 golf, gti, jetta, and tiguan, and 2012-2014 jetta sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Air bag clockspring failure
Summary
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 i
Air bag clockspring failure
Summary
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 i
Air bag clockspring failure
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of steering wheel clock spring/steering column control module (sccm) failures in model year (my) 2012 volkswagen passat and cc models.the sccm is a module within the steering column that incorporates a spiral conductor (a ribbon cable) to electrically connect the steering wheel to the vehicle's electrical system while allowing for the turning of the steering wheel.complainants alleged that that the clock spring failed while driving and without warning.when the sccm fails electrically, an air bag warning light is illuminated on the dash of the vehicle.if a vehicle with a failed sccm were to be invo
Questions about the 2011 Volkswagen GTI
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Volkswagen GTI?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (21 complaints, typically around 68,000 miles); transmission (16 complaints, typically around 19,000 miles); electrical (8 complaints, typically around 56,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 Volkswagen GTI have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 16, 2018 (other). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2011 a bad year for the Volkswagen GTI?
- It is 9th of 25 GTI model years by number of complaints, with 55 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.