Skip to content
BrakesPart report

2011 Volkswagen Golf Brakes Problems

Complaints
2about this part
Share
2%of 110 total for the year
Median mileage
19,025miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the brakes of the 2011 Volkswagen Golf, 2% of the 110 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,025 miles.

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.

“While driving at approx 75 MPH in the fast lane of an interstate freeway my 2011 vw GOLF tdi shut off. Without warning, the glow plug lamp began flashing and check engine note came on the dash. At the same time the car lost all power and began running very rough. While negotiating traffic in an attempt to pull over (quite dangerous without power and tractor trailers now passing my slowing car) the car shut off taking the power brakes and power steering with it. …”

NHTSA complaint #10619140, filed 2014-08, 38,000 miles

“My brand new 2011 vw GOLF tdi manual car stalls at launch much too easily. I have driven manual transmission cars for 40 years and have found it much worse than the mazda miata which was poor. This is a problem with all of this model, as confirmed by my test drive, magazine reviews, and the salesperson. It may be do to the hill climbing feature which locks the brakes upon stopping so that you have to overcome the brakes to move. I am scared a car will hit me from behind.”

NHTSA complaint #10406281, filed 2011-06, 50 miles

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202319%
202222%
2021229%
201912%
201827%
201754%
201645%
201586%
201418%
2013512%
201212%
201122%
201057%
200515%
200414%
200234%
2001109%
20001214%
199912%
1998211%
199549%
1994820%
1990220%
1989424%

Other parts of the 2011 Volkswagen Golf

Fuel system
48 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
21 complaints
Electrical system
18 complaints
Engine
15 complaints
Air bags
12 complaints
Engine cooling
11 complaints
Other or unknown
4 complaints
Vehicle speed control
4 complaints
Exterior lighting
3 complaints
Steering
3 complaints
Electronic stability control
2 complaints
Body 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 Oct 31, 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