5.8
fairly significant- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 14,575 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valve malfunction. VW's PCV valve, also sometimes called the oil separator valve, which is found on many of their cars/SUVS becomes faulty around 40-50K miles. What often happens is the the valve fails to vent internal engine pressure, which causes the pressure to build up within the engine. Eventtually the pressure will find some place to vent, usually out of weakest oil gasket point, often being the rear main seal and valve cover. Since the exhaust is behind the engine, there is a chance that oil can spray onto the hot exhaust. My golf leaked oil from the rear main seal when the PCV failed. Even though the car was under warranty, VW didn't want to diagnose the problem unless I was willing to pay for it. This malfunctioning PCV valve is a regular problem on VW's and could pose a root failure leading to a potential vehicle fire.
- Martinsburg, WV, USA
From 3 months of ownership until now 12 months I have been experiencing multiple engine misfires. I've taken it to the dealership but that has been hopeless. They simply clear the code and it pops back up on my way back home. It's a little frustrating when you pay $40,000 for a car and experience problems in as little as 2000 miles.
- Brooklyn, NY, USA
Was driving down the freeway when the car lost coolant. Discovered road debris had punctured the secondary heat exchanger located on the lower front passenger side. The front facia provides absolutely no protection from debris and other damage was noted on the exchanger surface. Had to pull over as the engine overheated and get the car taken to the dealer for repairs. This seems to be a design flaw - searching the internet there are several incidences of punctured heat exchangers.
- Gilbert, AZ, USA
- Talbott, TN, USA