Check a VIN

2011 Volkswagen Jetta fuel system complaints

Page 3 of 7: complaints 41 to 70 of 166, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2011 Volkswagen Jetta fuel system problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Feb 7, 2015 · Electrical, Fuel system · 49,500 miles · CA

On february 1, 2014 I turned on my car and headed to church at about 1 in the afternoon, everything appeared fine. After church I did the same; however, shortly after I had left the church parking lot the glow plug and battery symbols started flashing and suddenly my engine stopped. Out of nowhere my car stalled in the middle of the road, thank goodness I had managed to steer to the side and that the cars on the road managed to go around me because it could have turned out into a tragedy. I had never had any issues with my engine/battery nor did any of the dashboard warning lights light up prior to this incident. I tried turning my car back on several times but it was unresponsive. The battery and alternator sounded fine but for some reason the car just wouldn't start back up. Could it have been the fuel pump? My car runs on diesel and I have always fueled it with the appropriate fuel without any issues so what now? I had to push my car out of the middle of the road and call a tow service to tow my car home. Over the next week I drove a rental to work and called the volkswagen dealership and left multiple messages for parts and service and for the person in charge of extended warranty. It's been a week and they have not answered. My car has been out of a warranty now for a while, however I have maintained it and given it the proper care so it does not make sense that a 2011 vehicle would simply stall in the middle of the road without a warning. I am sure that this is a manufacturer's defect and I would like for it to be resolved promptly, I am sure I am not the only one that has had this issue in the past as I have seen multiple complaints online about this and there has even been a few recalls for previous diesel models regarding issues similar to mine.

Filed Jan 22, 2015 · Fuel system · 55,000 miles · TN

High pressure fuel pump failure, resulting in damage that required replacing the entire diesel fuel system. Repair covered under vw warranty, estimated cost (according to vw) had this not been covered was $8000. This failure was not due to mis-fueling, however the fuel tank was very low. I have no reassurances from the manufacture that this problem will not reoccur.

Filed Jan 8, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 69,000 miles · MA

Brought to dealer for a dpf light. Dealer diagnosed with a clogged particulate filter replaced under warranty. Picked up car drove about 5 miles and the glow plug light came on turned around and headed back to dealer car went into limp mode (on i93 rush hour traffic) shut car off in vw parking lot and tech could not get it to start again. Received a call next day with the hpfp failure news and the fragment went through the entire system. Dealer tested fuel and confirmed no gas in the 3/4 of a tank that is in the car currently.

Filed Jan 6, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 92,800 miles · NJ · fire

I had driven the car earlier that day (about 40 miles) with no problems. I got home at about 7:30pm and parked the car outside our house. At about 2am, I heard a beeping car horn. I looked outside and saw flames coming out of the front drivers side of our beautiful 2011 jetta sportwagen. I dialed 911, the car continued to burn until the fire dept arrived and put it out. The car is a total loss. I'm only happy it wasn't parked inside a garage where the fire would have destroyed our house as well. No work had been done on the car recently and no aftermarket options were installed. I have only one question - what could cause a completely cold car (not driven in over 6 hours) to suddenly burst into flame?? Thank you.

Filed Dec 18, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 55,102 miles · WA

November 2014 incidents: two incidents of failing to start. First incident: car failed to start once and started on second try. Second incident: car several times failed to start & engine made clanking noise. Had car towed to vw agency. Car started after unloaded from tow truck and agency found nothing wrong. December 2014 incident: car started, but after slowly driving to parking lot exit and before at full stop, at engine quit and would not restart. I put the car in neutral and backed down a slight grade to get car out of traffic; after coming to a stop the car started up.

Filed Dec 17, 2014 · Fuel system · 112,573 miles · IL

While driving, the hpfp pump failed. The glow plug light came on, started to blink, the car went into fail safe mode, and then died. All took place within 6 minutes on a highway. Car taken to dealer and confirmed that the hpfp failed and sent metal debris into the fuel system which contaminated all other fuel system components (pumps, lines, filters, housings, injectors, etc.) vw customer care provided excellent support during repairs which required replacing all components in the fuel system. This is being reported for tracking purposes.

Filed Dec 11, 2014 · Fuel system · 69,774 miles · NC

Was driving in parking lot when vehicle suddenly died while underway and check engine light came on. Thankfully it happened at a relatively low speed and while not in traffic as there was little to no warning before the engine died completely causing loss of power, steering, braking etc. After towing vehicle to volkswagen of south charlotte, they indicated the high pressure fuel pump had failed resulting in metal particles from the pump being sent through entire fuel system. Dealer indicated cause was bad fuel, however, I also have a diesel truck that I fill up at the same station all the time and have never had issue with it. While vehicle was repaired under warranty by vw, after researching this, it became clear that this is a problem that is happening frequently enough that it is likely a design flaw that should be addressed by the manufacturer.

Filed Dec 2, 2014 · Fuel system · 68,500 miles · MI

Was driving my car on a 2 lane road when it bucked as if it had a cylinder go dead for just a second. Note: there is no warning when this is or does happen. It just does it.... But it was hit an miss. I looked at the dash pannel and seen the glow plug light flashing, check engine light was on and the message center service engine now. I was 40 miles from the closest vw dealer. So, I headed to the closest auto parts shop to see the codes it had produced. P1007, p0088 and p0087 are the ones I remembered. The car was running but obviously not good. It lacked any power,could barely pull itself up a hill unless you down shifted. It finally died at a intersection and would not restart. I got my truck and trailer and towed it to the dealer who stated it had suffered high pressure fuel pump catistrophic failure.... When they called they stated it was good and bad news. Bad news it was going to be 2-3 weeks in the shop. Good news is, there is so much damage (6500.00) worth that vw is paying for all the repairs plus I have a loaner car. The whole fuel systems has to be replaced. 1 in tank fuel pump and pre high pressure fuel pump and the primary hpfp the one that self imploded the injectors, and all the fuel lines and filters. Reason is the metal parts that floated thru the system could block any part of the fuel system or be hung up and if so, could return to the fuel tank and be pumped back in. With such close tolerances any thing could inturn re-destroy the system so total replacement is required. This was the first time in 35 years I was left on the side of the road. Thanks vw corporation for owning up to this issue and completing the repairs.

Filed Oct 6, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 70,000 miles · MA

Purchased this car new in 2011. Vw fixed the fuel exhaust ports. Engine light came on again and dealer stated that the particulate filter and catalytic converter both needed to be replaced. Also warned that the fuel pump had serious issues. I had one year left to pay this car off, it had 90k miles on it and I had to turn it in. How can they get away with selling a brand new car for $28k to have it crap out with no repercussions like this?

Filed Sep 25, 2014 · Fuel system, Transmission · 34,000 miles · OR

Driving on I-5 southbound in our 2011 vw jetta tdi; my car dropped horse power and the glow plug light started blinking. The car did not shut off, but the horse power was cut significantly. We stopped at the next interchange 6 miles away and called vw. They said it should be looked at and scheduled an appointment for the next monday. I turned the car off. It restarted and the glow plug light was not on. Car functioned normally on the drive home (35 miles). I took the car to the dealership on monday and they ran some tests. The hpfp on the engine was out. It sounds like it is a known issue. It is covered by my 60 power train warranty. But my car only has 34,000 miles. It sounds like there are quite a few issues on this type of tdi with the hpfp. Is this something the ntsb will be investigating?

Filed Sep 9, 2014 · Fuel system · 99,000 miles · WA

Driving the car at freeway speeds prior to taking the exit. When we took the exit, there was a sudden loss of power and the vehicle would not go over 1000 RPM. The vehicle was limped to the shoulder where it died and would not restart. Vehicle was towed to the mechanic shop where they are in the process of repairs. The vw is equipped with a 2.0l tdi engine and I have read multiple other reports of the same issues occurring involving the hpfp failing.

Filed Aug 26, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 15,000 miles · DE

Shortly after purchasing the vehicle new we experienced issues with the vehicle stuttering when driving and at times shutting off completely as if it stalled (the vehicle is an automatic with the dsg transmission). We took the vehicle to the vw dealership under warranty but the tech could not replicate the problem and sent us on our way and told us to comeback if it kept occurring. The problem persisted and we took the vehicle to the service department again and they said the problem could not be found and once again sent us away and told us to come back if the problem kept occurring. The vehicle is now stuttering and stalling much more often and the warranty has run out. I called the vw hq they told me to take the vehicle in and have the tech look at it which has cost me $112 in which they once again found nothing and recommended I let the car warm up prior to driving. It is currently summer and the low temperatures are around 70 and the highs are 85+. In addition this is a modern vehicle and had I know I was going to need to let it warm up I would not have purchased it. This isn?t the 50?s. My wife and I now feel the vehicle is unsafe to drive due to the fact it stalls out at unpredictable times causing a loss of power steering, power brakes. If vw does not fix this issue I will be trading it in due to their disregard for safety of my family.

Filed Aug 9, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 54,000 miles · CA

I was operating the car on a highway when the vehicle experienced a sudden reduction in power and the dash displayed a flashing glow plug light and solid check engine warning lights. I immediately pulled to the side of the road where the engine was shut off. The engine failed to restart and was towed to a volkswagen dealership. The service manager told me that the cause was a catastrophic failure of the (hpfp); it totally came apart and distributed metal throughout the fuel system. Injector pump (diesel), injectors, injector lines, primary fuel lines, and primary fuel pump. The car only has 54,000 miles on it.

Filed Aug 9, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 54,000 miles · CA

While driving the engine light came on and the car lost power. We were on a rural road so we could pull to the side of the road safely, if this had happened on a freeway we could have been in danger of being rear ended. Once stopped the care would not restart. Had to be towed to vw dealer. The high pressure fuel pump had failed.

Filed Aug 8, 2014 · Fuel system · 56,610 miles · CA

I purchased a used 2011 vw jetta sportwagen tdi on monday, july 28, 2014 and 5 days later on august 2nd, the car died. I had been driving for about an hour mostly on the highway and then some moderately winding foothill roads. I stopped at a stop sign and when I accelerated into the intersection the engine abruptly died and would not restart. The engine turned over when the key was turned, but it wouldn't start. Fortunately, people in the vehicles behind me helped push my car to the side of the road. It was towed to a nearby repair shop specializing in foreign cars for evaluation. They found the diesel fuel pump had failed and they said there are metal shavings throughout the fuel system.

Filed Jun 30, 2014 · Fuel system, Transmission · 30,515 miles · CA

Glow plug light started blinking, then the engine light came on. Shifting became erratic. Pulled into a service station, and once the vehicle was turned off, it wouldn't restart. After basic checks, the fuel pump was pulled for inspection and metal shavings were found. In researching the repair, the independent station suggested putting things back together, and having it towed to the dealer, as it was suspected to be a known issue with the bosch high pressure fuel pump. In fact it was, and while the car was two months out of warranty, the dealer went ahead and covered the repair under the unrelated drivetrain warranty. I consider myself incredibly lucky that this wasn't 15 minutes earlier, when I was traveling at highway speeds, on an incredibly full freeway. It could've been a major accident if I had suddenly lost power. Considering there are entire websites devoted to tracking this issue, I can't believe that there hasn't been a recall.

Filed Jun 18, 2014 · Fuel system · 41,000 miles · FL

Driving at 45 MPH, engine did not stall but lost power. Motor stalled after about 10 seconds. After putting in neutral and rolling to a stop the motor would not restart. After towing to local vw dealer, was told the mechanical fuel pump failed. They said it was 4-5 thousand job but vw was picking up the repair and not charging it out to our extended warranty. Was given a loaner car until repairs are made. No indication of how long. Is this an admission by vw that a serious problem exists with tdi models?

Filed May 27, 2014 · Fuel system · 79,000 miles · CA

High pressure fuel pump failure. Always fueled up with ultra low sulfur diesel.

Filed May 15, 2014 · Fuel system · 45,000 miles · MA

Car was running smooth and parked in the driveway and then wouldn't turn over. Battery power was fine, hoses were fine(vacuum ok) and then identified that fuel might be the problem, used multimeter to identify that fuel pump under back seat was dead and promptly ordered a new one and replaced it. Not expected for a car with 45,000 miles and a 2011 diesel but this is apparently a common problem. Had it in for regular maintenance at the dealer too.

Filed May 14, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 57,750 miles · CA

I was in the drive thru of mc donalds then came a terrible rattle from under the car, 10 seconds later the car turned off. Turned it back on and glow plug light was flashing parked the car immediately. Turned it back on and had little to no power then came to a halt, tried to turn it back on and would not start. Had it towed to vw there looking at it I'm waiting on a response. This is not supposed to happen this early. I always had it serviced at the dealer. On time. Help us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! From the other complaints my stress has hit a limit. If it costs 10k to fix. Then I could of bought a bmw or whatever. 24k + 10k = 34k I'm sad :(

Filed May 12, 2014 · Fuel system · 72,000 miles · IN

The vehicles glow plug light started flashing, the car started running sluggish, I quickly pulled into a gas station. I turned off the car and when I tried to restart it, it would crank but not start. I had it towed to my mechanic, who after some investigation discovered the high pressure fuel pump failed and sent metal shavings throughout the fuel system. Lines, intake, fuel injectors all have been affected. I am being quoted several thousands to repair. This should simply not happen, I see it as faulty engineering!

Filed May 8, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 64,854 miles · NJ

Glow plug & check engine lights came on , engine died 30 seconds later. Would not restart, towed to dealer, diagnosed hpfp catastrophic failure, metal debris in fuel system. Whole fuel system replaced, tank through to injectors. No warning of fault condition with no time to pull off to side of road, left stuck in middle of highway.

Filed May 1, 2014 · Fuel system · 68,000 miles · NC

While driving through town 35 MPH my tdi sportwagon glowplug light started flashing. I immediately turned into a parking lot within seconds and put the transmission in park. The car sounded like it was not firing on a cylinders. I turned the car off. After that it would not start back up. From what I have read, it has to do with the high pressure fuel pump. This made things unsafe and their are no visible signs of leaks/ corrosion/ or signs of wearing. The malfunctioning fuel system caused my car to fail and stall in a busy intersection. The fuel system should be recalled. At least the pump system.

Filed Apr 25, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 127,754 miles · MD

Went to pass a vehicle and I felt a surge then a siren sound started coming from the right side of engine. Was told by dealership it was a vacuum issue and it was safe to drive. When I got to dealership they told me it was a blown turbo. Wondering if this is tied to the incident I had with the high pressure fuel pump failing around 100k. Too many major catastrophic issues with this car. I've been quoted 15,000 for repairs on a car I'm still making payments on and only cost 28k to begin with.

Filed Apr 22, 2014 · Fuel system · 23,000 miles · CA

Driving on surface street at approximately 40 MPH. In 2011 jetta sportwagen tdi with only 23000 miles ."service now! " warning came on and car immediately stalled in the middle of traffic and would not restart. Had to be towed to vw dealer, has been there 5 days so far waiting for high pressure fuel pump replacement. From investigation, this is not an obscure event, is known to occur with this model and year tdi (diesel) engines. If this occurred on a high speed freeway, I could have easily been struck and killed when car suddenly stopped.

Filed Mar 31, 2014 · Fuel system · 33,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 volkswagen jetta tdi. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled and experienced a reduction in power. The contact was unable to restart the engine. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel injector system and fuel pump had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 33,000.

Filed Mar 27, 2014 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 65,000 miles · GA

I was cruising at 60 MPH this morning when the glow-plug warning light began to flash and the cruise control was shut off immediately causing an unexpected deceleration. I pulled into the emergency lane and the engine shut off once I came to a stop. The engine would not restart and the glow-plug light was joined with the check engine light. I had it towed to my mechanic who read the computer codes as "low fuel pressure to the injectors". He looked into the fuel filter and found metal shaving. He stated those shaving point to a complete failure of the high pressure fuel pump (hpfp). I owned this car for only two weeks and, based on volkswagen's reputation and the reputation of the tdi diesel engine I expected to own this car for years. The repair costs are now estimated to be half the purchase price I paid less than a month ago.

Filed Mar 25, 2014 · Fuel system · 45,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure was recurring but the vehicle was able to be restarted after several minutes. The check engine and glow plug warning light would also illuminate after the failure had occurred. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who diagnosed that the fuel system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45000.

Filed Mar 13, 2014 · Fuel system · 72,200 miles · PA

While driving on 95 north through phila my 2011 jetta tdi began to lose power. I could not accelerate and the vehicle eventually came to a stop. It would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and after evaluation I was told it was the high pressure fuel pump that failed. This was going to be an extensive repair but vw was going to pay for the repair. The vehicle will be in the shop for approx. 4 to 5 days they say. There was approx 72,200 miles at the time of the failure.

Filed Mar 10, 2014 · Fuel system · 23,000 miles · CA

The high pressure fuel system failed in our car when we were on a busy city street. 'engine control malfunction' light started flashing and suddenly our car was stalled. When we looked in the manual it said to get the car to a vw dealership asap. We had to hold up traffic until the car was finally towed. Not only that, this happened during late night around 10 pm and all the service centers were closed. After a painful 2 days we just found out that out high pressure fuel system had to be replaced. This is a big structural damage with the car and I no longer feel safe owning or driving it.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2011 Volkswagen Jetta?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history