Fed up with my unreliable VW Golf
02-September-2010
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Fed up with my unreliable VW Golf

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I have always had old bangers whilst bringing up my family; I just couldn't really justify the expense of a new car.  However having put both children through university at great expense, I decided to treat myself.

I test drove a few models, but had a good feeling for this VW Golf.  You pay a bit extra but with German reliability you don't mind to certain extent.  I bought VW Golf 1.6SE FSI vehicle in May 06.  It has been back to the workshop about seven times for various problems since I have owned it.

I recently broke down on motorway (17/10/06); the car just lost power in fast lane which is extremely dangerous.  My wife and I were on hard shoulder for hour and half on this occasion.  A tow truck came out and he managed to get the car started.  The plan was that he would then follow us to the next junction, but we never actually got there as it broke down again with same problem.  In the end we had to be towed to my home address.

VW Golf keys

I rang Volkswagen in Leicester the next day for there prognosis whereupon the advised me to bring the car in.  I told them it wouldn't start and we arranged for VW Assistance to come over, get the car started so that I could get to the garage.  The car came back two days later and they informed me that it was all okay now they had updated the software.  I didn't quite understand that!

Two days later I broke down again, same problem as before; yet again towed to garage by VW Assistance.  The man who came out stated that he knew what the fault was as he plugged it into his laptop on the side of the road, he was 99.9% certain and he would be telling the garage when we got the car there.

I rang the next day to be told that the problem wasn't what the roadside assistant had said and that it was something else – very confusing!  By now I've pretty much lost the all confidence in this car not knowing if I'm going to make it to my destination or not.

During the week they have it in the workshop again; they ring me to say that on test run it has broken down again.  Strangely, they, they ask me who I used to tow me in before as they needed to get it back to VW Leicester.

After a week at the menders they proudly tell me my car is ready for collection, whoopee I thought!  Sadly my excitement was cut short, because when I picked the car up there is a rattle coming from the engine that wasn't there before.  Also they didn’t put the grill back on that covers the tow hook at the front of car.

I am taking my Volkswagen back to Leicester on Mon 30th Oct.  I really don't want this car anymore.  I have bought a load of rubbish and I would really like my money back, or perhaps a different that may restore my faith in Volkswagen again.

Ihave spoken with VW customer services but heard nothing since.


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I own a Golf FSi 59 reg, less then 30k on the clock. Electronic failure - yes, the infamous ESP OFF light - will cost upwards of £1000 to fix (until the next time). I have driven Golfs for 20+ years but never again. This is scandalous and potentially dangerous. VW should hang their heads in shame.
*be9spirit  04-Aug-2010 17:14

 
I have 2 golfs 1 had a cut out orob it went too vw 4-5 time to sort it out they could not find prob its an intermitend fault it was a relay switch that the solder is faulty and comes lose and stalls the car change this and its sorted
*andy  17-Jun-2010 16:58

 
abs light is on and my golf wont start ? anyone got any ideas before I set it on fire!!!!!!!!
*nbr  09-Jun-2010 12:14

 
Buy a Honda and your problems will be over.
Buy a Honda and your problems will be over.
Buy a Honda and your problems will be over.
*adnoh  01-Jun-2010 23:22

 
For no apparent reason my L reg golf wont start=after a 3 mile drive it started to cut out so I turned round to go home and after me restarting it 4 or 5 times and driving on it decided to not even turn over-all my lights are working yet it wont even try and turn over-any suggestions would be appreciated
*claire  01-Jun-2010 16:58

 
My golf 1.6 doesn't start, there is a spark from the plugs, and engine turns over nicely. And a couple of days before, when it did start, the car would rev up to about 4000 rpm and the revs just flicker around, and while it did this there was a ticking noise coming from the relays? Any ideas? Cheers guys.
*James  31-May-2010 11:59

 
You are on a hiding to nothing there I'm afraid, VWs are notorious nowadays for being unreliable. There are countless other accounts on the net if you look, basically all VAG products (for some years now) have been substandard in most areas, including bad engineering (steering bushes wearing out on Passats in less than 5000 miles for instance), low quality components (seat material wearing though on a 60k mile Golf last week I heard of) to just plain bad design (water pouring onto back seats of Passats from the drip rails when you open the rear doors in the rain, and ignition keys placed so close to the wiper stalk on all pre-2000 Polos and Seats that you inadvertantly turn the wipers on everytime you turn the ignition key)

Overrated rubbish, buy jap or korean next time!
*Steve  21-May-2010 21:56

 
We have had a similar experience with our '04 volkswagen golf. We have paid €800 this month to the Volkswagon dealer that we bought the car from. €300 on one occasion when it had to be towed in, and we were told they could find nothing wrong, another €500 for a new fan belt and temperature gauge and the problem has actually got worse since we paid this money last week.
I will not be getting another Volkwagon.
*Mary Farrell Dublin  27-Apr-2010 09:32

 
@ Shivers... ABS pump is problematic all the way from 1991 golfs to present.

@ Frustrated Have the relays been looked at and also, has the fuel filter/pump been checked?

Could also be a heating issue. Temperature sensor.
*Chris.  21-Apr-2010 19:26

 
I have a similar problem with my Golf CL. The car has been to numerous garages, deaers etc, non of who can fix the fault. Car starts perfectly evfery time )hot or cold) and will run for about 12-15 miles OK. The it stops,as if ignition was switched off. Wait for 4-5 minutes, it starts OK and will run perfectl;y for another 6-8 miles and same again. Everyt fuel and ingnition componant has been changed. It loos like the birch next time""
*Frustrated Golf Owne  21-Apr-2010 16:14

 
I am a member of the ESP light on club with my 2006 VW Golf. Took it to my dealership, who said if I hadnt had it serviced( which is true, used my own mechanic) at a VW dealership, there is nothing they can do. Browsed through several forums online to discover this is an inherent problem with the Golf, and in fact the fault is not a serviceable part. Awaiting a reply from VW UK to see if they are going to fix my car and fit the bill, all 100%. VW customer service advised me they were aware of the problem with the brake pressure unit/ABS pump. Has anyone been lucky enough to have had VW fix this problem for them??
*Shivers  16-Mar-2010 00:30

 
I bought a v reg golf 2 month ago there is a ticking noise coming from the engin that stops after about 10mins and somtimes it wont start? iv put a new battery on because I flatternd it trying to start it,also the passenger side lock doesnt work and sometimes the windows go down by themselfs pls if any1 has any idears I like the car but regreat buying it
*dazabloggs  25-Feb-2010 17:33


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