2011 Volkswagen Golf Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
83/100
#4 most-complained of 19 Golf years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2011 Volkswagen Golf has 110 owner complaints and 6 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 83 out of 100 — #4 highest of 19 Golf model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is fuel system (48 complaints, 44% of the total). Complaints report 4 crashes, 3 fires, and 2 injuries.
- Complaints
- 110
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 29.5
- 26.5 city / 35 hwy
Top 2011 Volkswagen Golf problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System48 (44%)
- Engine29 (26%)
- Transmission & Powertrain21 (19%)
- Electrical System20 (18%)
- Airbags12 (11%)
- Brakes4 (4%)
- Other4 (4%)
- Steering3 (3%)
- Structure & Body2 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (1%)
2011 Volkswagen Golf recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V862000Dec 4, 2019Airbags226 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
- NHTSA 18V329000May 16, 2018Other252 vehicles
Unknown or other
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
- NHTSA 18V148000Mar 6, 2018Airbags363,713 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
2011 Volkswagen Golf fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26.5 MPG
- Highway
- 35 MPG
- Combined
- 29.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,725
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Golf years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Volkswagen Golf a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 Volkswagen Golf ranks #4 of 19 among Golf model years (Complaint Index 83/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 110 complaints and 6 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Volkswagen Golf?
- The most reported problem areas are fuel system (48 complaints), engine (29 complaints), and transmission & powertrain (21 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 28,000 miles.
- Does the 2011 Volkswagen Golf have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2011 Volkswagen Golf, most recently reported 2019, covering airbags, other, and fuel system.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Volkswagen Golf?
- EPA rates the 2011 Volkswagen Golf at 29.5 MPG combined (26.5 city / 35 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,725. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.