MYRModel Year Report

2011 Volkswagen Golf

◆ Worse than typical
2011 Volkswagen Golf
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:42:54.241Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
110
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2011

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Fuel/propulsion system

27% of complaints

Complaints per year

1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 13 complaints 1987: 4 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 17 complaints 1990: 10 complaints 1990 1991: 8 complaints 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 7 complaints 1994: 43 complaints 1995: 43 complaints 1995 1996: 3 complaints 1997: 7 complaints 1998: 18 complaints 1999: 64 complaints 2000: 88 complaints 2000 2001: 116 complaints 2002: 74 complaints 2003: 26 complaints 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005 2006: 12 complaints 2007: 2 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2009: 3 complaints 2010: 70 complaints 2011: 110 complaints 2011 110 2012: 48 complaints 2013: 43 complaints 2014: 12 complaints 2015: 131 complaints 2016: 85 complaints 2017: 117 complaints 2018: 29 complaints 2019: 62 complaints 2020: 6 complaints 2020 2021: 7 complaints 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 11 complaints
1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 13 complaints 1987: 4 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1988 1989: 17 complaints 1990: 10 complaints 1991: 8 complaints 1991 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 7 complaints 1994: 43 complaints 1994 1995: 43 complaints 1996: 3 complaints 1997: 7 complaints 1997 1998: 18 complaints 1999: 64 complaints 2000: 88 complaints 2000 2001: 116 complaints 2002: 74 complaints 2003: 26 complaints 2003 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2006: 12 complaints 2006 2007: 2 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2009: 3 complaints 2010: 70 complaints 2011: 110 complaints 2011 110 2012: 48 complaints 2013: 43 complaints 2014: 12 complaints 2015: 131 complaints 2015 2016: 85 complaints 2017: 117 complaints 2018: 29 complaints 2018 2019: 62 complaints 2020: 6 complaints 2021: 7 complaints 2021 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 11 complaints
1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 13 complaints 1987: 4 complaints 1987 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 17 complaints 1989 1990: 10 complaints 1991: 8 complaints 1991 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 7 complaints 1993 1994: 43 complaints 1995: 43 complaints 1995 1996: 3 complaints 1997: 7 complaints 1997 1998: 18 complaints 1999: 64 complaints 1999 2000: 88 complaints 2001: 116 complaints 2001 2002: 74 complaints 2003: 26 complaints 2003 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005 2006: 12 complaints 2007: 2 complaints 2007 2008: 1 complaint 2009: 3 complaints 2009 2010: 70 complaints 2011: 110 complaints 2011 110 2012: 48 complaints 2013: 43 complaints 2013 2014: 12 complaints 2015: 131 complaints 2015 2016: 85 complaints 2017: 117 complaints 2017 2018: 29 complaints 2019: 62 complaints 2019 2020: 6 complaints 2021: 7 complaints 2021 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 11 complaints 2023

2011: 110 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
198510
198613
19874
19889
198917
199010
19918
19926
19937
199443
199543
19963
19977
199818
199964
200088
2001116
200274
200326
200428
200519
200612
20072
20081
20093
201070
2011110
201248
201343
201412
2015131
201685
2017117
201829
201962
20206
20217
202281
202311

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Fuel/propulsion system

27% · 30 reports
Show complaint excerpts

The High-pressure Fuel pump failed during a routine drive at approximately 1500 RPMs. This caused an immediate loss of power while in traffic. Manage to limp the car to the nearest gas station in which the car finally died and would not start.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-26

Power train

19% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission.

Show complaint excerpts

2011 Golf tdi (Diesel) when down shifting into 2ND gear, the car often stalls. It sometimes happens when we slow down to make aleft turn, and the car stalls in fron of oncoming traffic. It has created a number a dangerous situation.

NHTSA ODI report, 2011-02-16

Fuel system, diesel

17% · 19 reports

Electrical system

16% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing horn and instrument cluster/panel.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-06-04

Engine

14% · 15 reports
CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-01-31

I was entering an intersection at 10MPH and halfway into the intersection, my car stalled and stopped. It slowly bumped the car in my rear. No injury or damage noted.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-09-14

Also filed under Electronic stability control (esc)

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2011Complaint volume 110 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2011-02-07Engineering analysisClosed 2015-03-27 High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
  3. I
    2011-08-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-12-02 Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage
  4. R
    2011-11-15Fuel system, diesel11V490000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2015-03-24Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-09-28 Air Bag Clockspring Failure
  6. R
    2016-01-15Air bags15V483000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2017-03-10Air bags16V078000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2017-11-13Recall queryClosed 2018-05-04 Air Bag Clockspring Failure
  9. R
    2018-03-16Air bags18V148000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    2018-04-18Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Clockspring Failure
  11. R
    2018-11-29Unknown or other18V329000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2019-12-20Air bags19V862000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2011 Volkswagen Golf — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Fuel/propulsion system: 30 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 21 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel system, diesel: 19 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 11V490000 · Fuel system, diesel
  • Recall 15V483000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V078000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V148000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V329000 · Unknown or other
  • Recall 19V862000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2011 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Volkswagen Golf is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Volkswagen Golf?
The most-reported component is fuel/propulsion system, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2011 Volkswagen Golf have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.