2011 VW diesel Jetta six speed manual. The computer is programmed to shut the engine off at about 750 RPM this number appears to be arbitrary or possibly picked for some fuel economy tradeoff. The problem is that this causes some very dangerous conditions in traffic. Normally a diesel can be brought down to nearly zero and still power up and out of a stop. Gas engines are not so good at this but to some extent this is an engine condition that should be anticipated and successfully recovered from. VW has taken the other road. If one does not rev the engine excessively, even on very slight inclines, the computer lets you get about ten feet into the intersection and turns the engine off. The guy behind you has to slam on his breaks if he is looking (your brake lights are off because you are not using them to stop.) or if he is looking at his left turn lane, his phone or whatever, pow. Or you get half into an intersection crossing from the stop sign and get dropped in the middle of the road until you can go through the evolution of events allowing a restart. Restart evolution also contributes to the danger as it takes so long. I have driven manual transmissions exclusively for 40 licensed driving years and a few years prior to that on the farm. One should not have to drive with one's heel on the top of the gas pedal, but over-revving the engine is the only way to safely start out from a stop sign. This should never have gotten past the engineers. Unless of course they are not guys who enjoy driving. Even the dealer's master mechanics are puzzled that they stall it every time they try to drive it.

- Isla Vista, CA, USA

My 2011 Volkswagen Jetta sportwagen tdi had it's fuel pump fail leaving my wife and child stranded. The car was started and suddenly lost power on the roadway. Car was towed to dealer where it was determined that the fuel pump had failed. Pump failure was catastrophic sending metal shards throughout the fuel system (tank, fuel lines, filters, etc.) this has been documented by many others with this engine (back to 2009). As of yet there has been no recall by VW. VW is currently testing my fuel and has ordered parts for repair. The replacement part will be the same part # as the one that failed. Most people have had this happen while out on the road, essentially stranding them in a dangerous environment. I love my car, but I want it to be safe.

- The Woodlands, TX, USA