2011 Volkswagen Golf: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 110 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel/propulsion system (20% of complaints); the 2010 and 2012 and 2013 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 110 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Fuse F16 (30A) in the engine fuse plate, melted instead of breaking - causing half of the cars lights to stop functioning including turn signals and brake lights. Cannot be fixed with replacing the fuse as it was never tripped but instead the whole fuse plate needs to be replaced. No warning lights preceded the event, all lights went out while driving. VW dealership requires a new plate to be put in with no explanation of what caused the melt and no guarantee that it won't happen again. Multiple online forums suggest a similar finding, and even other models have tickets for recalls (same problem, same part) but not the 2011 Golf TDI.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2022
“Electrical Short caused catastrophic fire in engine compartment, suspected issue is a water leak due to faulty manufacturing. Leak was noted by Volkswagen repair facility and was to be inspected and repaired within 30 days”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2022
“The wire from the alternator to the underhood fuse block is not thick enough to handle the current from the stock alternator. This causes the wire to get too hot melting the fuse block at the 30 amp fuse causing headlight issues.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“Lost all lights, f16 and f17 fuses and the entire fuse box was melted. Fuses were arcing and shorting internally, but didn't fail. This is a very common issue it seems from researching online, but the dealer refuses to cover this manufacturing defect and major fire safety issue. This happened while the car was parked.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2020
“I was riding as the passenger in my vehicle. My foot was burnt by an electrical component that was dangling down underneath the glove box. It was the blower resistor. The blower resistor melted through plastic, then the blower resistor was hanging by wires when it burnt my foot. *cc *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2020
“2011 golf tdi 2door. Started throwing and error code of p2ba6. Took it for diagnostics and they stated that issue was a previous recall and was fixed already. I contacted vw directly to see how to go about the situation and they stated the car was fixed in 2011 and even though I only have 44k miles on the car they will still not fix the issue because it is out of warranty. In conclusion the part that had already gone bad and recalled has been fixed once they are refusing to replace the new part since it has been replaced. Clearly shows that the recalled part has not fixed the issue with it. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Diesel · May 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 volkswagen golf. Within less than two months of owning the vehicle, the horn failed to work. The dealer (anthony carvoni volkswagen, 12 meriden pl, melvillee, ny, 516-848-7315) diagnosed that the horn needed to be replaced and stated that it was not related to the air bag being electrically connected to the horn. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the horn and the driver's side air bag needed to be replaced. The contact was uncertain of what air bag recall repairs were completed before the vehicle was sold. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2018
“Takata recall year make and model recalled, but VIN doesn't match. Suspect clerical error with VIN please recall this vehicle to check and/or replace defective airbag inflator. Dealer and vw refuse to examine airbag inflators. They suggest contacting you.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2017
“Lighting check engine . I couldn't pass inspection on my vw due to: code p0106. Manifold absolute/barometric. Pressure ctrl. Range/performance”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Aug 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 volkswagen golf. While driving 45 mph, the contact noticed black smoke underneath the hood. The contact pulled over and observed flames. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who repaired the coil pack, harness wiring, and electronic control module. The vehicle caught fire twice after the repair. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 50,000. The VIN was unknown.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Golf by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
NHTSA has 110 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 Volkswagen Golf. The most complained-about area is fuel/propulsion system (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2011 Volkswagen Golf problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 29,000 miles or less.
Does the 2011 Volkswagen Golf have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, diesel. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.