2011 Volkswagen Golf Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 19%of 110 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 6,555miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2011 Volkswagen Golf, 19% of the 110 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 6,555 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While exiting the off ramp of the highway at 1100 at night the car died and I was lucky enough to make it to the side of the road as traffic behind me was locking up their brakes and swerving to avoid a collision. After an expensive tow and finally getting the vehicle to the dealer I was told the high pressure fuel pump had exploded in the tank sending metal into the whole fuel system. I am told the repair bill will cost around $6500 to fix. …”
NHTSA complaint #10750213, filed 2015-08, 54,000 miles“I own a 2011 vw gti 2-door dsg. I have experienced a false neutral about 7 times in the 5+ weeks I have owned this car. Specifically, it happened twice on 08/27/2011. Each time I have been in manual mode...it occurs when I am coasting to either slow down or stop...then attempt to accelerate...though the car mfd tells me it is in gear (I.e. 3), the car is in neutral...the accelerator does nothing but rev the engine...the car remains coasting. …”
NHTSA complaint #10422843, filed 2011-09, 1,800 miles“I was driving my 2011 gti dsg in tiptronic mode...and it was in 4th gear according to the dashboard reading...I was coasting in 4th as a semi was making a left turn across the side of the road I was traveling...after he was clear, I went to accelerate, and experienced a false neutral ...the dsg said I was in 4th gear...but it was revving as in neutral. I had to shift out of tiptronic and then downshifted to 3rd before it would catch and put me back in gear.”
NHTSA complaint #10417112, filed 2011-08, 988 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“I was driving the car (GOLF tdi) equipped with dsg transmission in manual mode in 4th gear at about 35mph and I had to slow down for a car to turn right in front of me. After the car turned right I changed the gearbox in 2rd gear and pushed the accelerator pedal and the car didn't accelerate (move), only the engine revved at about 3500-4000 RPM (like being in neutral mode, basically the transmission not engaging the engine). I had to move the gearshift selector in drive mode (automatic) and the car after a few seconds began to accelerate. …”
NHTSA complaint #10454615, filed 2012-04, 8,475 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11025440Oct 14, 2025Cautions about using aftermarket transmission flush machines and aftermarket transmission fluids.
- 11008861Sep 17, 2024Fluid requirements
- 11008851Sep 17, 2024Engine Misfire Diagnostic Aid
- 10238310Jun 21, 2023Automatic Transmission Fluid Requirements
- 10214473Jun 14, 2022Auto Trans fluid requirements.
- 10209446Mar 29, 2022Customer states rattle noise from the underbody heat shields Customer states coolant leak Oil level sensor leaking Customer states MIL-on, fault P2422 stored in ECM Customer…
- 10202587Oct 26, 2021Customer states MIL-on with P0087 P0149 P053F in the ECM Customer states MIL-on with any combination of P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P1D74 and/or P1D75 in the ECM Customer…
- 10202349Oct 13, 2021Customer states MIL-on with P0087 P0149 P053F in the ECM Customer states noise from front suspension Customer states noise during clutch pedal operation Customer concern of…
- 10201488Sep 13, 2021Customer states MIL-on with P0087 P0149 P053F in the ECM Customer states noise during clutch pedal operation Customer states no crank/no start. Vehicle is towed in. Customer…
- 10201487Sep 9, 2021Customer states MIL-on with P0087 P0149 P053F in the ECM Customer states noise during clutch pedal operation Customer states no crank/no start. Vehicle is towed in. Customer…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 9% |
| 2022 | 25 | 31% |
| 2021 | 1 | 14% |
| 2019 | 13 | 21% |
| 2018 | 4 | 14% |
| 2017 | 5 | 4% |
| 2016 | 5 | 6% |
| 2015 | 14 | 11% |
| 2014 | 2 | 17% |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2012 | 9 | 19% |
| 2011 | 21 | 19% |
| 2010 | 7 | 10% |
| 2005 | 2 | 11% |
| 2004 | 3 | 11% |
| 2003 | 2 | 8% |
| 2002 | 4 | 5% |
| 2001 | 7 | 6% |
| 2000 | 5 | 6% |
| 1999 | 4 | 6% |
| 1998 | 4 | 22% |
| 1997 | 3 | 43% |
| 1995 | 2 | 5% |
| 1994 | 1 | 2% |
| 1989 | 3 | 18% |
| 1986 | 1 | 8% |
| 1985 | 3 | 30% |
Other parts of the 2011 Volkswagen Golf
48 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsEngine
15 complaintsAir bags
12 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 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