2011 Volkswagen Golf Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 10%of 110 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,100miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2011 Volkswagen Golf, 10% of the 110 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,100 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.
“During regular slow traffic driving conditions my 2011 Volkswagen GOLF tdi displayed the engine control malfunction light on my instrument panel. I quickly pulled over and turned off the engine. After waiting several minutes I started the vehicle again and the light turned off. After about 10 minutes of driving, the light came on again and I noticed an extreme loss of power. I pulled over again within a few minutes and turned off the engine. This time I waited almost 15 minutes before trying to start the vehicle again and it would not start. …”
NHTSA complaint #10453398, filed 2012-03, 22,000 miles“I started my car on 12/10/2011, during which it was around 28 degrees. A few seconds later, the car stalled. After starting it a second time, I drove the car to between 3-5 MPH, at which time it stalled again. On the third try, I was able to keep the engine running, but the engine ran rough for the first few minutes. On january 4 following another bout of cold weather, the car's engine refused to start even after multiple attempts. It was towed to the dealership where they attempted to start it. According to the dealership, it started immediately. …”
NHTSA complaint #10444557, filed 2012-01, 18,500 miles“Upon attempting to accelerate the engine would not rev above approximately 1500 RPM. I was barely able to get the car moving. After reaching about 10 MPH the car stalled in the middle of the street. Fortunately, due to the time of day there was not much traffic and I was able to safely coast to the side of the street. I reported the issue to my local vw dealer and inquired if the issue was related to vw service bulletin ??frozen charge air cooler ?? Dated 9/6/2011. During a subsequent visit for an unrelated repair the dealer technician experienced the same issues. …”
NHTSA complaint #10444314, filed 2012-01, 14,700 miles“Was told by vw service that intercooler had condensation that froze and this is a known issue. Currently more than 600 awaiting modifications and parts are unavailable for up to 6 weeks. Temporary fix applied but problem reoccurred when temperature dropped below 25 degrees f. Dealer now has vehicle due to ice remaining instead of melting. No timetable, no fix.”
NHTSA complaint #10444668, filed 2012-01, 22,000 miles“Vehicle has 5800 miles, has been running perfectly. Driving on I-70 in maryland at 70mph, suddenly the vehicle stalls as the glowplug warning light lit.”
NHTSA complaint #10410717, filed 2011-07, 5,842 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10251639Mar 7, 2024Frozen Charge Air Cooler, Engine no start updated to include Parts ordering notification.
- 10250798Feb 22, 2024VW Engine oil quality standards
- 10245607Nov 22, 2023VW Engine oil quality standards
- 10241177Aug 21, 2023Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
- 10239653Jul 10, 2023Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- 10238307Jun 20, 2023Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards, updated to include model year 2024.
- 10238306Jun 20, 2023Engine Oil Consumption Measurement Instruction and Work sheet.
- 10238300Jun 15, 2023Gasoline quality information in regards to gasoline engine performance.
- 10238297Jun 15, 2023Diagnostic Aid for engine misfire.
- 10237427May 30, 2023Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 14 | 17% |
| 2019 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2011 | 11 | 10% |
| 2010 | 9 | 13% |
| 2006 | 2 | 17% |
| 2005 | 2 | 11% |
| 2004 | 4 | 14% |
| 2003 | 1 | 4% |
| 2002 | 13 | 18% |
| 2001 | 23 | 20% |
| 2000 | 13 | 15% |
| 1999 | 16 | 25% |
| 1998 | 3 | 17% |
| 1995 | 4 | 9% |
| 1994 | 2 | 5% |
| 1993 | 2 | 29% |
| 1991 | 1 | 13% |
| 1989 | 3 | 18% |
| 1988 | 1 | 11% |
| 1985 | 2 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2011 Volkswagen Golf
48 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
21 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsEngine
15 complaintsAir bags
12 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 Oct 28, 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