MYRModel Year Report

2011 Volkswagen Golf

◆ Worse than typical
2011 Volkswagen Golf
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:00:16.239Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Volkswagen Golf Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2011 highlighted. 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: 41 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: 73 complaints 2003: 26 complaints 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005 2006: 12 complaints 2007: 2 complaints 2008: 1 complaints 2009: 3 complaints 2010: 69 complaints 2010 2011: 110 complaints 2011 2012: 48 complaints 2013: 43 complaints 2014: 11 complaints 2015: 129 complaints 2015 2016: 85 complaints 2017: 115 complaints 2018: 29 complaints 2019: 62 complaints 2020: 6 complaints 2020 2021: 6 complaints 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 11 complaints 2023
2011: 110 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
198510
198613
19874
19889
198917
199010
19918
19926
19937
199441
199543
19963
19977
199818
199964
200088
2001116
200273
200326
200428
200519
200612
20072
20081
20093
201069
2011110
201248
201343
201411
2015129
201685
2017115
201829
201962
20206
20216
202281
202311

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 27%

27% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 30 distinct reports on file.

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, 20230926

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 17%

17% of complaints: fuel system, diesel — 19 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%

15% of complaints: electrical system — 16 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
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, 20200604

ENGINE 14%

14% of complaints: engine — 15 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
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, 20190131

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, 20130914

POWER TRAIN 12%

12% of complaints: power train — 13 distinct reports on file.

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20110216

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2011 — complaint volume: 110
I 20110207 — EA (closed 20150327)

High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure

I 20110802 — PE (closed 20111202)

Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage

R 20111115 — fuel system, diesel

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

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 O

Campaign 11V490000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20150324 — PE (closed 20150928)

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

R 20160115 — air bags

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.

Campaign 15V483000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170310 — air bags

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.

Campaign 16V078000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20171113 — RQ (closed 20180504)

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

R 20180316 — air bags

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.

Campaign 18V148000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20180418 — EA (open)

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

R 20181129 — unknown or other

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.

Campaign 18V329000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20191220 — air bags

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.

Campaign 19V862000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2011 Volkswagen Golf — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (30 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, diesel issues (19 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 11V490000 (fuel system, diesel) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V483000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V078000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V148000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V329000 (unknown or other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V862000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1994 ▲ 2013 ▲ 1995

WORST YEARS

◆ 2015 ◆ 2001 ◆ 2017

See all years ranked →

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 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.