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THE WORST PROBLEMS FOR EVERY VOLKSWAGEN MODEL AND GENERATION

Car problems happen. But there's something we can do about it.

By matching owner complaints with recall, investigation and technical service
bulletin data we've come up with a list of the most common VW problems for every
model and generation. We've even ranked vehicles by their reliability.




TRENDING PROBLEMS

A few problems that keep popping up. There's plenty more where that came from.


 1. FRONT ASSIST PROBLEMS
    
    VW's collision avoidance technology is detecting objects that don't exist.
    When that happens it slams on the brakes and ends up putting unsuspecting
    occupants in harm's way. A lawsuit wants the automaker to do more than
    simply suggest that …
    
    Continue reading article "Front Assist Problems"


 2. EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION
    
    Volkswagen wants you to know that burning through a quart of oil every 1,000
    miles is within their 'acceptable' range. We have a different definition of
    acceptable. VW has settled an oil consumption lawsuit in the past, is there
    any hope fo…
    
    Continue reading article "Excessive Oil Consumption"


 3. OIL SLUDGE IN THE 1.8L TURBO ENGINE
    
    From 1997-2005, VW manufactured a 1.8-liter turbocharged engine with a tiny
    3.7 quart oil capacity. That’s simply not a lot of oil to compensate for the
    amount of heat this engine generates. Complaints sparked a class-action
    lawsuit with an…
    
    Continue reading article "Oil Sludge in the 1.8L Turbo Engine"

All Problems


WHAT OWNERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THE MOST

Sorting out which topics, problems, and model years have the most overall
complaints from owners on CarComplaints.com.


WORST ISSUES VIEW ALL PROBLEMS

 * oil sludge resulting in engine failure in the 2002 Passat
   
   49 complaints

 * engine failure from oil sludge in the 2003 Passat
   
   44 complaints

 * ABS module failure in the 2009 Jetta
   
   31 complaints

 * engine failure from low oil pressure in the 2003 Passat
   
   29 complaints

 * radio stopped working in the 2011 Jetta
   
   29 complaints

 * stereo not working properly in the 2010 Jetta
   
   23 complaints

 * oil sludge problem in the 2003 Passat
   
   22 complaints


WHAT BREAKS THE MOST VIEW ALL TOPICS

 * Engine
   
   1224 complaints

 * Interior
   
   408 complaints

 * Electrical
   
   361 complaints

 * Transmission
   
   321 complaints

 * Windows
   
   215 complaints

 * Brakes
   
   209 complaints

 * Cooling System
   
   147 complaints


YEARS TO AVOID VIEW ALL YEARS

 * 2009
   
   361 complaints

 * 2010
   
   353 complaints

 * 2011
   
   331 complaints

 * 2012
   
   316 complaints

 * 2003
   
   296 complaints

 * 2006
   
   292 complaints

 * 2013
   
   244 complaints


THE LEAST RELIABLE VW MODELS

Some models just can't seem to get out of their own way. We've created a list of
the least reliable GMC models using data such as complaint volume, average cost
of repairs, age of the car when it breaks down, and recall frequency.

All Models


 1. VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
    
    Reliability25th of 25PainRank™26.33Complaints926Learn more about the
    Volkswagen Passat


 2. VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
    
    Reliability24th of 25PainRank™22.93Complaints1244Learn more about the
    Volkswagen Jetta


 3. VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN
    
    Reliability23rd of 25PainRank™22.22Complaints338Learn more about the
    Volkswagen Tiguan


 4. VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS
    
    Reliability22nd of 25PainRank™19.66Complaints57Learn more about the
    Volkswagen Atlas


KEY NUMBERS


 1. 28 MODELS
    
    Each with their own trim levels, bodystyles, and special blend of headaches.


 2. 52 GENERATIONS
    
    A group of years for a specific model with the same design, features, and
    problems.


 3. 32 MODEL YEARS
    
    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.


 4. 3,790 COMPLAINTS
    
    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.


 5. 15,171 SERVICE BULLETINS
    
    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.


 6. 317 RECALL CAMPAIGNS
    
    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.




WORST GENERATIONS

A generation is a group of model years where little, if any, changes were made.
They tend to have the same problems and some generations have horrible
reputations for reliability. Here's a handful you should avoid.

See All Generations


 1. 5TH GENERATION JETTA
    
    Years2006–2010Reliability46th out of 46PainRank™25.09Complaints445Learn more
    about the 5th Generation Jetta


 2. 5TH GENERATION PASSAT
    
    Years2006–2010Reliability45th out of 46PainRank™19.98Complaints216Learn more
    about the 5th Generation Passat


 3. 4TH GENERATION JETTA
    
    Years2000–2005Reliability44th out of 46PainRank™18.53Complaints332Learn more
    about the 4th Generation Jetta


 4. 6TH GENERATION JETTA
    
    Years2011–2018Reliability43rd out of 46PainRank™17.82Complaints343Learn more
    about the 6th Generation Jetta


RECENT VW NEWS



There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down
it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car
problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email
alerts over at CarComplaints.com.


 1. NHTSA WANTS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE FUEL INJECTOR SYSTEM IN THE 2018-2020
    ATLAS AFTER REPORTS THAT IT MIGHT BE LEAKING.
    
    Anytime there's a threat of engine fire it sparks (sorry) the agency's
    interest. The investigation will look at the 3.6L engine in the 2018-2020
    model years, covering roughly 190,000 vehicles.
    
    keep reading article "Investigation Opened Into Leaking Atlas Fuel Injector
    Concerns"
    Posted on April 3, 2021Source carcomplaints.comTagged#investigation


 2. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT DURING YOUR EGGNOG AND SUGAR COOKIE HANGOVER (NO
    JUDGEMENT), VW ANNOUNCED THE 2012-2014 BEETLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED TO
    REPLACE THEIR DANGEROUSLY DEFECTIVE TAKATA AIRBAG INFLATORS.
    
    The script is very much the same as previous Takata recalls. The propellant
    inside the inflators becomes extremely volatile due to heat and humidity
    exposure over time to the point that, when the airbag is deployed, the
    inflator actually explodes and sends shards of metal out into the cabin.…
    
    keep reading article "2012-2014 Beetle Recalled to Replace Takata Airbag
    Inflators"
    Posted on December 28, 2020Source carcomplaints.comTagged#recall


 3. VOLKSWAGEN RECENTLY ISSUED A 2-FOR-1 SERIES OF RECALLS FOR OWNERS OF THE
    2020-2021 ATLAS CROSS SPORT AND 2021 ATLAS.
    
    Both campaigns are to fix issues that can cause a sudden and dangerous loss
    of control.…
    
    keep reading article "Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport Owners Get a 2-for-1
    Series of Recalls to Prevent a Sudden Loss of Control"
    Posted on December 1, 2020Source carcomplaints.comTagged#recall
 4. 


 5. A NEW CLASS-ACTION SAYS VW'S FRONT ASSIST TECHNOLOGY APPLIES THE BRAKES
    RANDOMLY AND WITHOUT WARNING.
    
    Customers who complain are typically given two not-so-great options, live
    with it and document the malfunctions or disable the feature entirely.
    
    The Missouri-based class-action says that's unacceptable and wants VW to
    take ownership of the problem. That includes covering any related repairs or
    costs associated with the system malfunctioning under warranty.
    
    keep reading article "Volkswagen's Front-Assist Emergency Braking Can
    Activate For No Reason, Says Lawsuit"
    Posted on August 7, 2020Source carcomplaints.comTagged#lawsuit


 6. THE LEAD PLAINTIFF THAT SUBMITTED A NATIONWIDE CLASS-ACTION AGAINST
    VOLKSWAGEN FOR DEFECTIVE SUNROOFS HAS HAD A CHANGE OF HEART?
    
    He has requested a voluntary dismissal of the entire lawsuit which was filed
    back in April of 2020. Sounds like someone got a new sunroof behind closed
    doors.…
    
    keep reading article "The Sunroof Leaks Continue, But The Lawsuit Will Not"
    Posted on July 30, 2020Source carcomplaints.comTagged#lawsuit

See More News


HAVING CAR TROUBLE?


TELL US WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOUR VEHICLE

The best way to find out what's wrong with a vehicle is from the people who
drive them. Not only do owner complaints help us rank vehicles by reliability,
but they're often used to spark class-action lawsuits and warranty extensions.
Plus, they're a great way to vent.

Add a complaint

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This site is part of a network of free resources for car owners and is not
associated with Volkswagen. We recommend you always seek car advice from a
qualified mechanic before making any repair decisions. Problem data is gathered
from CarComplaints.com and is based solely on reports received from vehicle
owners. Recall, investigation, and TSB data is from NHTSA. Safety and crash data
from IIHS and NCAP. Proudly made in Vermont. ©2007 – 2021 Autobeef, LLC