2011 Volkswagen Golf: engine stalls while driving

Filed Oct 12, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 93,000 miles · CA

My golf tdi suffered a catastrophic failure of the high pressure fuel pump (hpfp) causing my vehicle to stall in the middle of traffic. Luckily every warning light on my dash lit up about 30 seconds prior to complete failure allowing me to begin to merge from the left hand lane and coast with my hazards on to the right lane. From initial symptom to complete vehicle failure was less than 1 minute. Searching online this is a common failure, one that results in upwards of an $8000 repair.

Filed Mar 3, 2015 · Fuel system · TX

Tl*the contact owns a 2011 volkswagen golf. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Feb 12, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 114,550 miles · MI

2011 vw golf tdi (diesel engine). After driving from rainy weather into freezing and snow conditions, the car was parked for several hours in a 50 deg. Garage. When the car was next started, it would struggle to start and stall out. I have read of several issues with the volkswagen golf tdi engines and know about condensation in the intercooler freezing, then thawing, causing water to build up in the intercooler piping. I removed the intercooler to engine intake pipe and drained about a cup of water and intercooler. If this water was drawn into the engine, it could have destroyed the engine. This is a well documented issue on several volkswagen forums. My vehicle is not under factory warranty and does not qualify for any volkswagen factory updates without significant cost to me.

Filed Jan 13, 2015 · Engine · 12,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 volkswagen golf. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the check engine and the service engine soon warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who diagnosed that the inter-cooler had ice inside the hoses. The dealer repaired the inter-cooler with a new kit; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 12,000.

Filed Oct 28, 2014 · Fuel system · 58,500 miles · AL

Check engine light came on. Took vehicle to an independent repair shop and after it was checked out mechanic stated the fuel pump and fuel system were contaminated with metal shavings. Mechanic advised that the engine could stall and not restart at any time if repairs were not made. Took the vehicle to the local volkswagen dealership and received the same diagnosis. Dealership service manager stated that the repairs were not covered under warranty but nonetheless that volkswagen would repair the fuel system at no cost. Vw dealership suggested that the vehicle had been misfueled, leading to the fuel pump failure. That was not the case. The vehicle has never been fueled with anything but diesel fuel.

Filed Jun 12, 2014 · Fuel system · 91,000 miles · CA

Stalled while traveling full speed on the freeway in the desert, glow plug light and check engine light came on, was almost hit by several trucks while attempting to coast to the nearest off ramp 1/4 mi away, at the end of the off ramp vehicle stalled, again almost hit by several more vehicles. We were able to push the car off middle of the offramp to the side of the road. Dealer states high pressure fuel pump failure, known issue with my make/model/year of vehicle. Stalling on freeway is a very dangerous issue. Many owners have had multiple failures of this part as it wasn't designed properly for us diesel specs (was designed for europe.) vw needs to address this issue. This was not an issue of misfueling, I have only used diesel from brand name stations, your current investigation blaming this on misfueling is incorrect, it is clearly a part defect. The latest redesigned part for the 2013 model year has had failures as well (third redesign of part.)

Filed Oct 24, 2013 · Electrical, Fuel system · 48,993 miles · WI

High pressure fuel lines were leaking large amounts of fuel. Fuel leaked on to alternator, car stalled on highway and required towing.

Filed Sep 14, 2013 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 60,000 miles · CA · crash

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. I put the car in park, turned off the car and restarted it and drop it to the nearest parking lot. This is a vw golf tdi 2011!

Filed May 16, 2013 · Fuel system · 30,800 miles · NV

Engine warning light, loss of power, engine stall. Dealer said fuel pump failed, contaminated complete fuel system. Entire fuel system must be replaced. *tr ## VIN failed ##

Filed Jan 22, 2013 · Fuel system · 55,000 miles · CA

I was driving on i15 southbound, the engine malfunction symbol appeared on my dash board and all of a sudden the car lost power and stalled. After paying over $800.00 in towing fees to the nearest vw dealer in ontario california. The dealer is asking if gasoline was put in the tank. They are saying that metal shards were found and gasoline is the only cause of that malfunction. I am the only driver of the car and I have never put gasoline. I always fill up at the same gas station due to the fact that not all gas station have diesel.

Filed Jan 16, 2013 · Fuel system · 14,000 miles · NY

We filled up the tank with diesel at gas station on the road and the car started stalling 3 days later. It would only start after an hour of "rest". After 3 of these incidents, we took it to the dealer to find out that the car had gasoline mixed with diesel, or "contaminated fuel". They flushed the car and changed the filters at a cost of $1275, but warn that it may require a full overhaul! (cost estimated at $8k). So I asked, how I am suppose to know what's good diesel or not? Is there a test? Some way of knowing? The dealer had no suggestions nor guidance on this regard. Now we find on the web forums, that this is not an isolated case and that there are many cases (in fact the dealer mentioned a few were in the shop for the same issue) escalating this issue from the random misuse of gas or contaminated gas. Net, there's an issue when you have a car you can't rely on because of the diesel supplies. I am very disappointed and concerned that this new car will stall again and leave us stranded.

Filed Nov 26, 2012 · Fuel system · 46,000 miles · TX

As I was entering the on ramp to get on the highway, under normal acceleration, there was a hissing sound and the car stalled in the middle of the highway lane where multiple cars were getting on and off the highway. I was forced to pull to the side of the exit ramp where I waited 45 min for a tow truck to get us while cars flew past my fiancee and I, putting our lives in danger. I had the car towed to the dealer where I purchased the car. Today, 11/26/2012, I was told that the hpfp(high pressure fuel pump) had failed and would be replaced under the warranty. I am waiting for further information as to whether there are any more malfunctions or not. This seems to be a common problem that vwoa has failed to acknowledge and is putting peoples lives in danger.