18
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Deaths

This Problem Across All Years

All Engine Complaints

Showing 18 of 18
Nov 29, 2025

Junction between thermostat and water pump failed leading to total loss of coolant. At the time I was driving north on I-75 in heavy morning traffic at 65 MPH. I was able to steer the vehicle off the road without hitting anyone or coming to a complete stop. Had the vehicle towed to Jim Ellis VW of Kennesaw where they diagnosed the problem and replaced the water pump. The car had 18,762 miles on it at the time. Mechanic stated that the problem was oil from cam covers leaking onto water pump and was frequently seen. Vehicle had low coolant warning lights twice and I added several ounces of distilled water each time. Car had an engine warning light and was being taken to dealer for service that day. When the incident happened, there was an audible alarm for loss of coolant and a flashing yellow light on the dashboard. The car had been serviced and inspected at the dealership annually, there had been no reports of leaking oil from cam covers. There was no indication the water pump would catastrophically fail. The waterpump should not fail with this few miles on it. .

Nov 29, 2025

Junction between thermostat and water pump failed leading to total loss of coolant. At the time I was driving north on I-75 in heavy morning traffic at 65 MPH. I was able to steer the vehicle off the road without hitting anyone or coming to a complete stop. Had the vehicle towed to Jim Ellis VW of Kennesaw where they diagnosed the problem and replaced the water pump. The car had 18,762 miles on it at the time. Mechanic stated that the problem was oil from cam covers leaking onto water pump and was frequently seen. Vehicle had low coolant warning lights twice and I added several ounces of distilled water each time. Car had an engine warning light and was being taken to dealer for service that day. When the incident happened, there was an audible alarm for loss of coolant and a flashing yellow light on the dashboard. The car had been serviced and inspected at the dealership annually, there had been no reports of leaking oil from cam covers. There was no indication the water pump would catastrophically fail. The waterpump should not fail with this few miles on it. .

Nov 17, 2025

The fuel pump on my 2016 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen failed approximately three months after a safety recall repair for the suction jet pump (recall 20Y6). My independent mechanic explained that failure of the suction jet pump can cause fuel leakage or vapor transfer into the EVAP system, which may create pressure or vacuum imbalance inside the fuel tank. This can potentially damage other fuel-system components, including the fuel pump. My vehicle had no prior fuel-system issues. After the recall repair, the vehicle began experiencing symptoms consistent with fuel delivery problems, and the fuel pump ultimately failed. The mechanic who performed the repair noted that the failure was “highly likely related” to the suction-jet-pump defect because of the short time between the recall repair and the component failure. Volkswagen’s customer-service team stated that the fuel pump and suction jet pump are “unrelated,” but did not provide a technical explanation for that conclusion. Because both components interact within the sealed fuel/EVAP system, I am concerned that the recall defect or repair may have contributed to the fuel-pump failure. This problem may indicate a pattern of post-recall fuel-system failures involving suction-jet-pump malfunction, tank pressure changes, or collateral damage to in-tank components. I am submitting this report so NHTSA can review whether similar issues are occurring in other vehicles.

Nov 17, 2025

The fuel pump on my 2016 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen failed approximately three months after a safety recall repair for the suction jet pump (recall 20Y6). My independent mechanic explained that failure of the suction jet pump can cause fuel leakage or vapor transfer into the EVAP system, which may create pressure or vacuum imbalance inside the fuel tank. This can potentially damage other fuel-system components, including the fuel pump. My vehicle had no prior fuel-system issues. After the recall repair, the vehicle began experiencing symptoms consistent with fuel delivery problems, and the fuel pump ultimately failed. The mechanic who performed the repair noted that the failure was “highly likely related” to the suction-jet-pump defect because of the short time between the recall repair and the component failure. Volkswagen’s customer-service team stated that the fuel pump and suction jet pump are “unrelated,” but did not provide a technical explanation for that conclusion. Because both components interact within the sealed fuel/EVAP system, I am concerned that the recall defect or repair may have contributed to the fuel-pump failure. This problem may indicate a pattern of post-recall fuel-system failures involving suction-jet-pump malfunction, tank pressure changes, or collateral damage to in-tank components. I am submitting this report so NHTSA can review whether similar issues are occurring in other vehicles.

Jun 20, 2023

Car loses power due to clogged wastegate actuator and EPC light turns on and off. This has been confirmed by 2 different service centers. I have seen several cases of people saying they had the same problem which requires you to replace the entire turbo, which my car only has 67,000 miles. I have a 16 year old son who will drive my car and this could cause him an accident if he is not able to accelerate. This is clearly a faulty part as they've discontinued using the model of the original turbo.

Jun 20, 2023

Car loses power due to clogged wastegate actuator and EPC light turns on and off. This has been confirmed by 2 different service centers. I have seen several cases of people saying they had the same problem which requires you to replace the entire turbo, which my car only has 67,000 miles. I have a 16 year old son who will drive my car and this could cause him an accident if he is not able to accelerate. This is clearly a faulty part as they've discontinued using the model of the original turbo.

May 22, 2023

The EPC light has been continuously coming on for almost a year. It has been taken to the dealership 5 times and they cannot fix it or find the cause of it. At times when driving it enters "limp mode". Other times it has acted like it was overheating. And twice it has completely shut down. The vehicle is now out of warranty and no fix has been put in place. The EPC light will still randomly come on. VW has not addressed or come up with cause for this very common issue on their vehicles.

May 22, 2023

The EPC light has been continuously coming on for almost a year. It has been taken to the dealership 5 times and they cannot fix it or find the cause of it. At times when driving it enters "limp mode". Other times it has acted like it was overheating. And twice it has completely shut down. The vehicle is now out of warranty and no fix has been put in place. The EPC light will still randomly come on. VW has not addressed or come up with cause for this very common issue on their vehicles.

Jul 11, 2022

Dealer maintained 2016 VW Golf Sportwagen - coolant level kept getting low. Recent dealer visit indicated a leak in the thermostat housing. This seems to be a common issue with many such VWs, and in some cases other owners have reported multiple repeated failures of this housing. My car only has 66K miles and i haven't had any of my other cars have this issue over 25years of various car ownership.

Jul 11, 2022

Dealer maintained 2016 VW Golf Sportwagen - coolant level kept getting low. Recent dealer visit indicated a leak in the thermostat housing. This seems to be a common issue with many such VWs, and in some cases other owners have reported multiple repeated failures of this housing. My car only has 66K miles and i haven't had any of my other cars have this issue over 25years of various car ownership.

Dec 11, 2020 76,000 mi

2016 VW GOLF SPORTWAGEN EXPERIENCED A COOLANT LEAK AT THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING/WATER PUMP AT APPROXIMATELY 76,000 MILES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 1.8 ENGINE. DIAGNOSED BY THE VW DEALER AS WELL AS A SEPARATE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. BOTH RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING/WATER PUMP.

Dec 11, 2020 76,000 mi

2016 VW GOLF SPORTWAGEN EXPERIENCED A COOLANT LEAK AT THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING/WATER PUMP AT APPROXIMATELY 76,000 MILES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 1.8 ENGINE. DIAGNOSED BY THE VW DEALER AS WELL AS A SEPARATE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. BOTH RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING/WATER PUMP.

Nov 11, 2020 65,000 mi

THERMOSTAT HOUSING LEAKING WITH JUST A LITTLE OVER 60K MILES - JUST OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. COST IS ABOUT $1000 AS IT IS POORLY PLACED FOR REPLACEMENT. HAVE READ MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS.

Nov 11, 2020 65,000 mi

THERMOSTAT HOUSING LEAKING WITH JUST A LITTLE OVER 60K MILES - JUST OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. COST IS ABOUT $1000 AS IT IS POORLY PLACED FOR REPLACEMENT. HAVE READ MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS.

Mar 16, 2020 33,700 mi

TOOK CAR IN FOR A USED CAR INSPECTION, COOLANT LEAK NEAR THERMOSTAT HOUSING WAS FOUND. COULD SMELL COOLANT WHILE DRIVING. FIXED UNDER WARRANTY.

Mar 16, 2020 33,700 mi

TOOK CAR IN FOR A USED CAR INSPECTION, COOLANT LEAK NEAR THERMOSTAT HOUSING WAS FOUND. COULD SMELL COOLANT WHILE DRIVING. FIXED UNDER WARRANTY.

Jun 8, 2019 49,500 mi

WHILE DRIVING, THE EPC WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE ENGINE LOWERS ITS SPEED. SOMETIMES ENGINE OVERHEATING WARNING ALSO COMES ON AT THE SAME TIME. HAVE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT ENGINE OFF AND RESTART TO CLEAR THE EPC WARNING LIGHT. VW SERVICE DEPT. SAYS THEY DON'T KNOW WHY THIS HAPPENS AND NO FIX CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.

Jun 8, 2019 49,500 mi

WHILE DRIVING, THE EPC WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE ENGINE LOWERS ITS SPEED. SOMETIMES ENGINE OVERHEATING WARNING ALSO COMES ON AT THE SAME TIME. HAVE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT ENGINE OFF AND RESTART TO CLEAR THE EPC WARNING LIGHT. VW SERVICE DEPT. SAYS THEY DON'T KNOW WHY THIS HAPPENS AND NO FIX CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.