2011 Volkswagen GTI Engine Problems

“My vw GTI has a failing timing chain tensioner that caused my valves to collide with pistons and required a rebuild of the engine (excluding timing chain). The engine is not timed correctly and has lost a ton of power and is rattling, if I continue to drive it will most likely cause the engine to seize again. The vehicle was stationary and initially broke upon turning it on.”

“While accelerating off the ramp the car stalled and started to shake. It created a very dangerous situation since I almost got rear ended. Besides, being immobilized on the side of the very busy highway is dangerous as well. It turned out that one of the coils have failed and caused car to shake and loose the power. Couple of people that I know experienced the same issues with their vws. In my case they went at 54k miles.”

“I purchased my car new and always had the dealer I bought it at do the service work. At the 100000 mile service interval I asked what I had to do with the timing chain and was assured that nothing needed to be looked at or replaced. At approximately 130000 miles I was traveling on I-88 at speed with heavy traffic when all of a sudden I lost all power and had to coast thru 4 lanes of traffic to make it to the right shoulder. I let the car cool down and when I was able to get it started 30 minutes later I nursed it home. …”

“Walking out to my vehicle in sub-freezing weather to return home, I attempted to start the vehicle and when the engine caught it made a loud rattle and died quickly. This same situation occurred on subsequent ignition cycles all with the same result. Vw has released a service bulletin pertaining to this common issue which is to check the timing chain tensioner. When this tensioner fails it can render the engine useless. I have removed the timing chain cover and the tensioner has failed and does not hold tension to the chain. …”

“Ongoing engine misfire issues. After 3 visits to dealership and replacement of coils, fuses, relays, etc, root cause determined to be a short between the after run coolant pump which causes a voltage draw and confuses the ECM. After talking with vw technician, I learned that this same exact part on audi vehicles is under a safety recall for the shorting issue that my pump is having because the short can cause fires. However, the vw part is not under recall. My family could have been put in grave danger because this part is in my car and has not been recalled. …”