Recalls: Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf Wagon
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf Wagon
2009-11 Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf Wagon 2.0 TDI: potential fuel leak
In February 2012, a recall was issued for Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf models fitted with 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engines and manufactured between 2009 and 2011. In these vehicles, the engine’s fuel injection pulses could coincide with the natural frequency of the injector line, producing a resonance that creates additional stress in the fuel line. As a result, the injector line for the number two cylinder could develop small cracks and cause fuel to leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could therefore result. To fix, Volkswagen installed an improved fuel injector line for the number two cylinder and vibration dampers on all of the injector lines (PRA 2012/13017).
Pre-2011 Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf Wagon with DQ200 DSG: mechatronic unit
In June 2013, a recall was issued for Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf vehicles that were fitted with seven-speed DQ200 Direct Shift Gearboxes (DSGs) and manufactured prior to September 2011. In these vehicles, sulphur in the gear oil and an inorganic heat stabiliser in the plastic parts (iodine) of the mechatronic unit could cause metallic surfaces to suffer from electrolytic corrosion, particularly in conditions with high temperatures and humidity. Conducting particles could then settle between the circuit paths of the control unit and cause a short circuit and blow the gearbox fuse. If the fuse were to blow, the clutch would open and freewheel, resulting in a sudden and total loss of power to the wheels. Although other vehicle systems such as steering and braking would continue to function, the loss of power may pose a hazard to the occupants and other road users (PRA 2013/13626).
2010-13 Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf Wagon: diesel engine NOx emissions
In October 2015, a recall was issued for 2010-13 Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf Wagon vehicles with 1.6- and 2.0-litre EA189 diesel engines. According to the recall notice, ‘the emissions levels may not meet regulatory requirements when the affected vehicle is driven under normal conditions’ (see ‘Diesel engines: NOx emissions “defeat device”‘, below). For the 1.6-litre EA189 engine, a ‘flow transformer’ will be fitted directly in front of the air mass sensor and a software update will be introduced. The flow transformer is a mesh screen that reduces the swirl of the air flow upstream of the air mass sensor so that the sensor can more accurately measure intake air volume. For the 2.0-litre EA189 engine, a software update will be introduced which takes advantage of improved simulation of air currents inside the air intake system. Volkswagen aims to implement the software update from January 2016; the labour time for installing the updated software is around half an hour. Owners could determine if their vehicles were part of the recall by visiting volkswagendieselinfo.com.au (PRA 2015/14950).
2009 and 2010 model year Volkswagen Golf: ABS and ESC may not operate
In March 2017, a recall was issued for 2009 and 2010 model year Volkswagen Golf vehicles. In these vehicles, thermal overload within the ABS/ESC control unit could interrupt the current flow and this could prevent the ABS and ESC systems from functioning as intended; a warning light would also illuminate on the dashboard. In critical driving situations, the absence of ABS and ESC could increase the risk of a collision and injury to vehicle occupants. As part of the recall, the software for the ABS/ESC control unit would be updated to regularly check the operation of the unit (PRA 2017/15956).
2011-12 model year Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf Wagon: overheating of starter motor relay
In March 2018, a recall was issued for 2011 and 2012 ‘model year’ Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf Wagons. In these vehicles, a bent or broken spring could obstruct the clearance of the spindle in the starter motor relay. Over time, this could cause a blockage, a permanent current supply to the starter motor and overheating of the starter motor relay. If the current supply was not detected, overheating of the starter motor relay could cause local scorching damage and a possible vehicle fire. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16669.
2009-13 Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf Wagon: Takata airbag recall
In December 2018, recall campaign 69Q7 was issued for Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf Wagons that were available for sale in Australia from 6 February 2009 to 30 August 2013. These vehicles had Takata airbags and the propellant wafers in these airbags could absorb moisture over time. In the event of airbag deployment, excessive internal pressure could cause the metal inflator housing to rupture and metallic fragments could be projected through the airbag cushion towards vehicle occupants – these fragments posed a risk of serious injury and fatality. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/17197.
2010-13 Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf Wagon: Takata airbag recall
In June 2019, recall campaign 69Q7 was issued for Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf Wagons. These vehicles had Takata driver’s airbags and propellant wafers inside these airbags could absorb moisture over time. In the event of airbag deployment, excessive pressure in the airbag inflator housing could cause it to rupture and metal fragments could be projected through the airbag cushion and into the vehicle’s cabin. These metal fragments posed a risk of serious injury and fatality. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17582.
2009-15 model year Volkswagen Mk.6 and Mk.7 Golf Wagon DSG: pressure accumulator crack and loss of power
In October 2019, recall campaign 35D8 was issued for 2009-15 model year Volkswagen Mk.6 and Mk.7 Golf Wagon vehicles. Due to a production fault, a crack in the transmission’s pressure accumulator (within the mechatronics housing) could occur. If the pressure accumulator cracked, oil and pressure would be lost in the hydraulic system of the gearbox. If this occurred, the transmission of engine power would be interrupted, similar to depressing the clutch in a vehicle with a manual transmission – this increased the risk of a collision and injury to vehicle occupants. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17886. AustralianCar.Reviews understands that the recalled vehicles had seven-speed DQ200 DSG transmissions.
2011-13 Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf Wagon with 7sp DSG: loss of drive
In April 2020, recall campaign 34J5 was issued for Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf Wagon vehicles that had seven-speed dual clutch (‘DSG’) transmissions. In these vehicles, a fluid leak could lead to a loss of pressure in the gearbox. This pressure loss could interrupt the transmission of power between the engine and gearbox, causing a loss of drive – this increased the risk of a collision and posed a hazard to both vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2020/18258.
Problems and faults: Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf Wagon
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
1.4 Twincharger (TSI) engine: stretched timing chain
In an autobild.de article published in April 2012, a Volkswagen employee admitted that its 1.4 ‘Twincharger’ TSI engine was susceptible to stretched timing chains. According to Volkswagen, worn stamping tools caused:
- The holes in the chain links to miss the targeted manufacturing tolerances; and,
- Small burrs on the chain links that would cause abrasive wear to the timing chain.
If the timing chain stretched, the change in the engine’s camshaft timing could cause the valves and pistons to collide such that the engine would have to be re-built or replaced. A common symptom of a stretched timing chain is a rattling noise from the engine bay (see video below).
It is understood that the manufacturing defect was rectified for post-2012 1.4 TSI ‘Twincharger’ engines, though Volkswagen has not identified the production dates or engine codes of affected engines. As such, the 118 TSI CAVD in the Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf Wagon may be susceptible to this problem. According to Volkswagen, the number of poorly manufactured chains was in the ‘low hundreds’.
Volkswagen USA: DQ250 DSG fault and extended warranty
In December 2009, Volkswagen USA initiated a ‘Customer Satisfaction Campaign‘ for 2007-09 ‘model year’ Volkswagen vehicles that had six-speed DSG transmissions.
Faulty component and jerky gearshifts
According to Volkswagen, the six-speed DQ250 DSG transmissions of a limited number of 2007-09 ‘model year’ Volkswagen vehicles had a faulty component inside the transmission’s Mechatronic unit. Specifically, the bushings of two solenoid valves inside the mechatronic unit could wear prematurely, causing the clutches inside the transmission to ‘operate less smoothly than before’ and provide jerky gearshifts. According to Volkswagen, the vehicle remained safe to drive since it did not affect forward or rearward motion of the vehicle. As part of the ‘Customer Satisfaction Campaign’, Volkswagen would replace mechatronic units that were identified as faulty by Volkswagen’s diagnostic tool.
Extended DSG warranty
As part of the Customer Satisfaction Campaign, Volkswagen extended the warranty on the DQ250 DSG transmission to ten years or 100,000 miles (160,900 kilometres) – whichever occurred first – from the vehicle’s original ‘in-service’ date. The ‘in-service’ date was defined as the date that the vehicle was delivered to the original purchaser/lessee or, if the vehicle was a demonstrator, the date that the vehicle commenced service.
Under the extended warranty, the Volkswagen dealer was responsible for diagnosing and repairing the DSG transmission at no cost to the owner provided that the vehicle was maintained in accordance with the requirements in the owner’s manual.
Diesel engines: NOx emissions “defeat device”
Australian-delivered Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf Wagons powered by 1.6- and 2.0-litre diesel engines that were available for sale from 2010 to 2013 had software in the electronic control module (ECM) that could sense – via sensors measuring the position of the steering wheel, vehicle speed, the duration of the engine’s operation and barometric pressure – when the vehicle was undergoing emissions testing. The ECM would then run a ‘dyno calibration’ to produce lower nitrous oxide emissions during testing. At all other times, the ECM would run a separate ‘road calibration’ which reduced the effectiveness of the emission control system, specifically the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) or the lean NOx trap.
Based on testing conducted by the EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB), NOx emissions for the ‘road calibration’ were 10 to 40 times higher than US standards – this led the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue a notice of violation under the Clean Air Act.As a result, these vehicles did not meet the environmental standards claimed by Volkswagen.
77TSI, 90TSI and 118TSI engines
- For the 77TSI variant (fitted with the 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine), there have been reports of high oil consumption.
- For the 90TSI and 118TSI variants (fitted with the 1.4-litre turbocharged and turbo/supercharged engines), misfiring may be due to problems with the injectors.
Problems and faults: Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf Wagon
- A lack of drainage may result in rainwater accumulating in the bottom of the doors.
- The alarm may be set off for no apparent reason – a software update is available for this problem.
