Skip to content
Air bagsPart report

2011 Volkswagen Golf Air bags Problems

Complaints
12about this part
Share
11%of 110 total for the year
Median mileage
50,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Volkswagen Golf, 11% of the 110 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 4 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My car has been listed as having defected airbags on the driver side. The GOLF tdi, which I have, is also recalled for the emissions scandal. I plan on driving it until 2018, when I have to turn it in. I am guessing vw will try to ignore this recall.”

NHTSA complaint #10946705, filed 2017-01, 50,000 miles

“Takata recall hello NHTSA, I am writing to express a concern that I have regarding my 2011 vw GOLF tdi. My concern is that vehicles affected by both the takata recall and the vw clean diesel tdi emissions scandal will not be given equal priority by vw throughout the airbag recall and replacement process. Specifically, I worry that the impending buy-back of older tdi diesel models like mine will cause vw to give those airbag replacements a much lower priority in comparison to other vehicles that require a replacement. …”

NHTSA complaint #10873212, filed 2016-06, 48,000 miles

“Yesterday I received a letter from vw saying my car was subject to a recall for a takata airbag issue. The letter said parts are not yet available to make repairs and to do nothing at this time. My neighbor has a honda crv that was also affected by the recall. They were provided with a rental car and told not to move the honda until notified to do so. As I understand this is a potentially deadly problem, why am I being instructed to continue driving my car when my neighbor was told not to move theirs under any circumstance? The letter lists NHTSA 16v078 .”

NHTSA complaint #10863571, filed 2016-05, 60,000 miles

“Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen GOLF. The contact stated that the recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 16v078000 (air bags) was received in april. After contacting the dealer and the manufacturer on multiple occasions, the contact was informed that the parts needed for the recall remedy were still not available and no estimated time for receiving the parts could be provided. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.”

NHTSA complaint #10919683, filed 2016-10, 100,000 miles

“Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen GOLF. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 16v078000 (air bags). The contact stated that the parts needed for the recall remedy were still not available and that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available. ..updated 11/21/16”

NHTSA complaint #10917954, filed 2016-10

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2021114%
201923%
201776%
20161012%
20152116%
2014433%
2013921%
20121021%
20111211%
20101116%
2006217%
2005632%
2004311%
20031142%
20022230%
20013228%
20001618%
199912%
199816%
1995614%
199412%

Other parts of the 2011 Volkswagen Golf

Fuel system
48 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
21 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsEngine
15 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2011 Volkswagen Golf

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology