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Model Year Problem Record

Volkswagen Golf 2011 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2011 Volkswagen Golf: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

110Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
6Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
11Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
10Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Fuel and Propulsion System53 complaints

53 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 11V490000.

Engine26 complaints

26 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train21 complaints

21 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags12 complaints

12 complaints; 4 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 15V483000, 16V078000, 18V148000, 19V862000.

Unknown Or Other4 complaints

4 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 18V329000.

Vehicle Speed Control4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

11V490000Reported October 3, 2011 - 168,275 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on October 3, 2011. The campaign covers an estimated 168,275 vehicles across all affected models.

15V483000Reported August 4, 2015 - 415,825 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on August 4, 2015. The campaign covers an estimated 415,825 vehicles across all affected models.

16V078000Reported February 10, 2016 - 659,493 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on February 10, 2016. The campaign covers an estimated 659,493 vehicles across all affected models.

18V148000Reported March 6, 2018 - 363,713 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on March 6, 2018. The campaign covers an estimated 363,713 vehicles across all affected models.

18V329000Reported May 16, 2018 - 252 vehicles potentially affected

Unknown Or Other. Recall covering the unknown or other system, reported to NHTSA on May 16, 2018. The campaign covers an estimated 252 vehicles across all affected models.

19V862000Reported December 4, 2019 - 226 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on December 4, 2019. The campaign covers an estimated 226 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA11003Opened February 7, 2011 - Closed March 27, 2015

High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA11003Opened February 7, 2011 - Closed March 27, 2015

High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA18003Opened April 18, 2018 - Open

Air Bag Clockspring Failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA18003Opened April 18, 2018 - Open

Air Bag Clockspring Failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA18003Opened April 18, 2018 - Open

Air Bag Clockspring Failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE11023Opened August 2, 2011 - Closed December 2, 2011

Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage. Resulted in recall campaign 11V490000.

PE15010Opened March 24, 2015 - Closed September 28, 2015

Air Bag Clockspring Failure. Resulted in recall campaign 15V483000.

PE15010Opened March 24, 2015 - Closed September 28, 2015

Air Bag Clockspring Failure. Resulted in recall campaign 15V483000.

PE15010Opened March 24, 2015 - Closed September 28, 2015

Air Bag Clockspring Failure. Resulted in recall campaign 15V483000.

RQ17009Opened November 13, 2017 - Closed May 4, 2018

Air Bag Clockspring Failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

RQ17009Opened November 13, 2017 - Closed May 4, 2018

Air Bag Clockspring Failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

201128
201221
20138
201414
201512
201611
20174
20182
20192
20203
20211
20223
20231
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.