2019 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack problems

POWER TRAIN

The transmission lurches and studders at stops with roughly 60K miles on it. The dealer believes it to be the mechatronic unit. I am put at risk because the car begins to move, stops, and then begins again moving. Cars behind me may believe I am accelerating from a stop and rear end me. There are no warning lamps, messages, or anything whatsoever, the issue generates no codes for dealer techs to diagnose.

NHTSA complaint #11709174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

When I take my foot off the brake to accelerate, the car jerks backward and shudders. It feels as though it’s about to stall. When pressing the gas pedal, the car also has delayed acceleration. Both of these issues create dangerous driving conditions. The car hesitates when accelerating from a stopped position, nearly causing me to be rear-ended at traffic lights on multiple occasions. I’ve also experienced a couple of close calls while making right turns on red, as the car hesitates and won’t accelerate immediately. I feel unsafe driving the vehicle. Have had the car to one independent mechanic, the sister dealership of where it was purchased from, and two VW dealerships. They have acknowledged an issue as they have replaced the motor mounts and mounting plate. It did not resolve the issue. The car does operate as designed. There are no fault codes or engine lights so they have advised me to continue driving until it gets worse. It is unsafe to drive since there is an issue with accelerating. The service team at Mossy VW replicated the backward jerking motion during a test drive and confirmed that the vehicle is exhibiting a delayed throttle response. While the mechanic submitted a Volkswagen Technical Assistance (VTA) request, he reiterated that no repairs could be performed without a fault code.

NHTSA complaint #11636066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

When I take my foot off the brake to accelerate, the car jerks backward and shudders. It feels as though it’s about to stall. When pressing the gas pedal, the car also has delayed acceleration. Both of these issues create dangerous driving conditions. The car hesitates when accelerating from a stopped position, nearly causing me to be rear-ended at traffic lights on multiple occasions. I’ve also experienced a couple of close calls while making right turns on red, as the car hesitates and won’t accelerate immediately. I feel unsafe driving the vehicle. Have had the car to one independent mechanic, the sister dealership of where it was purchased from, and two VW dealerships. They have acknowledged an issue as they have replaced the motor mounts and mounting plate. It did not resolve the issue. The car does operate as designed. There are no fault codes or engine lights so they have advised me to continue driving until it gets worse. It is unsafe to drive since there is an issue with accelerating. The service team at Mossy VW replicated the backward jerking motion during a test drive and confirmed that the vehicle is exhibiting a delayed throttle response. While the mechanic submitted a Volkswagen Technical Assistance (VTA) request, he reiterated that no repairs could be performed without a fault code.

NHTSA complaint #11636066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

When I take my foot off the brake to accelerate, the car jerks backward and shudders. It feels as though it’s about to stall. When pressing the gas pedal, the car also has delayed acceleration. Both of these issues create dangerous driving conditions. The car hesitates when accelerating from a stopped position, nearly causing me to be rear-ended at traffic lights on multiple occasions. I’ve also experienced a couple of close calls while making right turns on red, as the car hesitates and won’t accelerate immediately. I feel unsafe driving the vehicle. Have had the car to one independent mechanic, the sister dealership of where it was purchased from, and two VW dealerships. They have acknowledged an issue as they have replaced the motor mounts and mounting plate. It did not resolve the issue. The car does operate as designed. There are no fault codes or engine lights so they have advised me to continue driving until it gets worse. It is unsafe to drive since there is an issue with accelerating. The service team at Mossy VW replicated the backward jerking motion during a test drive and confirmed that the vehicle is exhibiting a delayed throttle response. While the mechanic submitted a Volkswagen Technical Assistance (VTA) request, he reiterated that no repairs could be performed without a fault code.

NHTSA complaint #11636066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

I was making my final trip of my move from Minneapolis to the Denver area and was on [XXX] traveling West in the right lane. The truck ahead was moving from the right lane to the left to give room to a car stopped on the right shoulder. There was another car in the left lane so I couldn’t move to the left. The truck was soon blocking much of the left lane so the car in the left lane was slowing as I slowed. I then applied my brakes and the pedal went all the way to the floor without actuating the brakes! Fortunately, by then there was room between the truck and the car on the shoulder and I was able to miss both as I sailed by. Pumping the brake pedal restored the brake function. Thinking that I must be low on brake fluid, I pulled off the highway at the next large service station. The brake fluid reservoir was full. I continued to my new home and at my first opportunity I went to the nearest VW dealership and left it for several days to be checked. No error codes so they did nothing. VW customer service arranged for another dealership to check it out. No error codes and not able to reproduce the problem so they did nothing. About a month later I was one a trip on a very hilly rout. Costing down a steep section I applied the brakes as I started to be more than 10 mph over the speed limit. The pedal went about 80% to the floor! But there was braking this time. Pumping the pedal restored normal brake function. VW customer serviced had arranged for yet one more dealership to look at the car. Again, not surprisingly, they couldn’t reproduce the problem and no error codes so they did nothing. I consider this to be a significant safety problem. As VW would not fix the problem, even as the car is still under warranty, I replaced the master cylinder at my own expense and have taken the car on a 2500 mile trip with no sign of the braking problem I have more confidence in the car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11573196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Several times now, my 2019 VW Golf Alltrack S while driving has flashed a warning saying "ignition switched off" and then "check starter system". I can still apply the brakes, steer, and accelerate, but various electrical systems stopped working, including the speedometer. I've brought it to a VW dealer, but they said they couldn't find an issue. Several places online say that this is an ignition switch issue and that it was fixed once they replaced the ignition switch.

NHTSA complaint #11545891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

While driving, all vehicle gauges and HVAC suddenly stopped working. Car beeped, and screen said "pull over safely" (or something like that), and then said "Check starter system". Turned car off, and then eventually it turned back on. Same thing happened again, but I was able to continue driving (engine kept running), with no HVAC, no speedometer, no tachometer, nothing. I don't know if turn signals or exterior lights were working.

NHTSA complaint #11539008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

After being in hot sunlight all day(95+ degrees), car started and about three minutes into drive the engine and all electronics died while going approximately 15mph, warning display flashed up on center lcd display that ignition was off, please pull over, and then to check the starter. The power steering turned off so I had very limited steering. The car would not restart, took about 5 minutes of waiting and had to remove the key and reinsert it before it would start again. I was only going 15mph on an empty residential road, so no damage, but if it happened on a busy highway it might have resulted in a crash. Dealer could not reproduce the fail, but read codes that showed the ignition switch was faulty, and they replaced that. The car was at the dealership to look at another issue(the blind spot monitor lights not turning off), and I picked it up from the dealership minutes before this ignition switch issue occurred. They found no issues or error codes with the blind spot monitoring or any other electrical system, the ignition switch issue only occurred after the car was sitting outside in direct sunlight for 5 hours. I believe the heat was the issue, I have found multiple online forum posts where owners of 2019 VWs of different models have the same issue on hot days.

NHTSA complaint #11539035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

While driving, all vehicle gauges and HVAC suddenly stopped working. Car beeped, and screen said "pull over safely" (or something like that), and then said "Check starter system". Turned car off, and then eventually it turned back on. Same thing happened again, but I was able to continue driving (engine kept running), with no HVAC, no speedometer, no tachometer, nothing. I don't know if turn signals or exterior lights were working.

NHTSA complaint #11539008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

While driving, all vehicle gauges and HVAC suddenly stopped working. Car beeped, and screen said "pull over safely" (or something like that), and then said "Check starter system". Turned car off, and then eventually it turned back on. Same thing happened again, but I was able to continue driving (engine kept running), with no HVAC, no speedometer, no tachometer, nothing. I don't know if turn signals or exterior lights were working.

NHTSA complaint #11539008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Windshield cracked while it was parked. Four people were in the car on a trip from Reno to San Francisco. No one heard or saw anything hit the windshield before they stopped for breakfast. When they came back to the car they found that the windshield had a crack about 12 inches long. There was no sign of a stone or other object that might have caused the crack. there was no chip in the glass either.

NHTSA complaint #11531201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

On July 5, 2023 the electronics in our 2019 VW Golf Alltrack S, stopped working, while that car was been driven on a highway. The following was no longer operational, (while the car was still in motion): gauges such as speedometer, tachometer, fuel indicator and engine temperature; controls such as turn signals, wipers, dashboard and car indicator lights, also the infotainment system, used at that time for driving directions, was no longer operating. The car engine was still running; however, safely pulling to the side of the road was hardly possible, as the turn signals and lights no longer worked. After the car was stopped and the engine was turned off and on few times, the above-listed electronics started working again. Prior to this incident, the car has been driven daily and has not been parked for an extended period of time; it also has been serviced in accordance with the manufacturer requirements. A few weeks prior to this incident, the car was serviced / inspected by an authorized VW dealer. The same dealer examined the car, next day after the incident, and determined that a faulty ignition was the cause of the issues. Replacing that part (under warranty) required few days, as an incorrect part was ordered by the dealer. The loss of key controls and gauges mentioned above, and required for a safe vehicle operation, created a dangerous situation, which should be investigated, in order to determine if design issues exist and require further actions, to prevent such incidents.

NHTSA complaint #11530947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

On July 5, 2023 the electronics in our 2019 VW Golf Alltrack S, stopped working, while that car was been driven on a highway. The following was no longer operational, (while the car was still in motion): gauges such as speedometer, tachometer, fuel indicator and engine temperature; controls such as turn signals, wipers, dashboard and car indicator lights, also the infotainment system, used at that time for driving directions, was no longer operating. The car engine was still running; however, safely pulling to the side of the road was hardly possible, as the turn signals and lights no longer worked. After the car was stopped and the engine was turned off and on few times, the above-listed electronics started working again. Prior to this incident, the car has been driven daily and has not been parked for an extended period of time; it also has been serviced in accordance with the manufacturer requirements. A few weeks prior to this incident, the car was serviced / inspected by an authorized VW dealer. The same dealer examined the car, next day after the incident, and determined that a faulty ignition was the cause of the issues. Replacing that part (under warranty) required few days, as an incorrect part was ordered by the dealer. The loss of key controls and gauges mentioned above, and required for a safe vehicle operation, created a dangerous situation, which should be investigated, in order to determine if design issues exist and require further actions, to prevent such incidents.

NHTSA complaint #11530947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

On July 5, 2023 the electronics in our 2019 VW Golf Alltrack S, stopped working, while that car was been driven on a highway. The following was no longer operational, (while the car was still in motion): gauges such as speedometer, tachometer, fuel indicator and engine temperature; controls such as turn signals, wipers, dashboard and car indicator lights, also the infotainment system, used at that time for driving directions, was no longer operating. The car engine was still running; however, safely pulling to the side of the road was hardly possible, as the turn signals and lights no longer worked. After the car was stopped and the engine was turned off and on few times, the above-listed electronics started working again. Prior to this incident, the car has been driven daily and has not been parked for an extended period of time; it also has been serviced in accordance with the manufacturer requirements. A few weeks prior to this incident, the car was serviced / inspected by an authorized VW dealer. The same dealer examined the car, next day after the incident, and determined that a faulty ignition was the cause of the issues. Replacing that part (under warranty) required few days, as an incorrect part was ordered by the dealer. The loss of key controls and gauges mentioned above, and required for a safe vehicle operation, created a dangerous situation, which should be investigated, in order to determine if design issues exist and require further actions, to prevent such incidents.

NHTSA complaint #11530947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

This vehicle has experienced cracked front rims on two separate occasions resulting in sudden air pressure loss to the tire and an emergency stop and a ruined tire. Additionally, this car has worn the front tires aggressively ever since new. There is an existing recall on 2019 Alltracks that is the result of improperly machined front wheel bearings and has resulted in a number of incidents surrounding the front wheels and the drivability issues. This recall apparently doesn't impact my vehicle, but seeing that VW recommends not driving the vehicle until the repairs are made and with the issues that appear similar to the recall, I am concerned that recall should be expanded.

NHTSA complaint #11504407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

I was driving during the afternoon on a local road at approximately 30 mph. When I approached a traffic light with car brake lights showing ahead of me, I gently tapped my brakes in anticipation of possibly needing to slow down or stop. Instead of an expected gradual slowing of the vehicle, I was surprised when the brakes seemed to grab and the car stopped abruptly as if I had stepped down hard on the brake pedal. Fortunately, the situation appeared to return to normal in an instant when I let up on the brakes. The incident has not reoccurred.

NHTSA complaint #11489503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

I was driving during the afternoon on a local road at approximately 30 mph. When I approached a traffic light with car brake lights showing ahead of me, I gently tapped my brakes in anticipation of possibly needing to slow down or stop. Instead of an expected gradual slowing of the vehicle, I was surprised when the brakes seemed to grab and the car stopped abruptly as if I had stepped down hard on the brake pedal. Fortunately, the situation appeared to return to normal in an instant when I let up on the brakes. The incident has not reoccurred.

NHTSA complaint #11489503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

Multi-system failure - multi incidents; Dealership has confirm and 'corrected' but several electrical/engine issues persist. Vehicle has been inspected by three VW dealerships (Royal Motor Sales in San Francisco, Serramonte, CA and Kalispell VW in Montana). Several issues were observed while driving - multiple system failure warnings, and also engine failure multiple times. The last time the engine failed while driving 75 miles an hour and there was no where to pull off nor shoulders.

NHTSA complaint #11464370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Multi-system failure - multi incidents; Dealership has confirm and 'corrected' but several electrical/engine issues persist. Vehicle has been inspected by three VW dealerships (Royal Motor Sales in San Francisco, Serramonte, CA and Kalispell VW in Montana). Several issues were observed while driving - multiple system failure warnings, and also engine failure multiple times. The last time the engine failed while driving 75 miles an hour and there was no where to pull off nor shoulders.

NHTSA complaint #11464370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Multi-system failure - multi incidents; Dealership has confirm and 'corrected' but several electrical/engine issues persist. Vehicle has been inspected by three VW dealerships (Royal Motor Sales in San Francisco, Serramonte, CA and Kalispell VW in Montana). Several issues were observed while driving - multiple system failure warnings, and also engine failure multiple times. The last time the engine failed while driving 75 miles an hour and there was no where to pull off nor shoulders.

NHTSA complaint #11464370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I experienced two leaks inside my car due to a VW manufacturer defect with sun roof drain tubes. The first time it happened my car was three months old. At 20 months it happened again causing extensive staining in the interior of my car. No where in my maintenance schedule was I told to clean out drains. The dealer is saying I'm liable because the drain clogging was environmental. I say the drains should not be clogging this much on a new car. There are numerous instances of leaks and vehicle buy-backs for VW Alltracks, as well as other VWs for this. I paid the dealer $250 to unclog the drains because I have no choice but now I'm out of luck with the replacement of the headliner. The dealer admitted it's no where written that unclogging those drains is required.

NHTSA complaint #11421493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

COOLANT LEAKING FROM THERMOSTAT HOUSING WATERPUMP MODULE CAUSING ENGINE ISSUES. COMMON ISSUE ON THE VW EA888 GEN 3 ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #11407230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

KEY FOB LEFT ON TOP OF CAR WHILE TRYING TO PUT CAR SEAT IN, WHICH ALLOWED CAR TO START (PUSH TO START) AND MOVE, HOWEVER KEYS FELL OFF CAR DURING MOVEMENT. WHEN DONE WHILE PARKED THIS WILL NORMALLY LEAD TO A BEEPING SOUND AND A WARNING THAT THERE IS NO LONGER A KEY IN PROXIMITY, AND TWO BIG YELLOW LIGHTS COME UP ON THE DASHBOARD. HOWEVER, AS THE KEY FELL OFF THE ROOF WHEN THE CAR WAS ALREADY IN GEAR/MOVING, NO WARNING SOUND OR DASHBOARD LIGHT CAME UP (CAR ACTED AS IF EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO LONGER A KEY IN RANGE). THIS LED TO A SET OF LOST KEY FOB/HOUSE KEYS AND BEING STRANDED ONCE PARKED.

NHTSA complaint #11386904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

ISSUE WITH AUTOMATIC DSG TRANSMISSION AFTER 3 DAYS OF OWNERSHIP AND 182 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. ISSUE FIRST HAPPENED WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AFTER IT TURNED GREEN. AFTER SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND THE CAR LOST POWER, FREE REV'D AND AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5 SECONDS WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE 2ND GEAR QUITE ROUGHLY. PRESENTED AN ERROR MESSAGE THAT STATED "TRANSMISSION IN EMERGENCY MODE: REVERSE NOT AVAILABLE." PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT UNDER IT'S OWN POWER AND POWER CYCLED THE IGNITION. ERROR CLEARED, NO WARNING LIGHTS AT THAT POINT. HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW HOURS LATER WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, A SERIES OF SUDDEN JERKS AND AN ABRUPT LOSS OF POWER, TRANSMISSION APPEARED TO BE IN NEUTRAL. CEL AND OTHER WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. ONCE THE CAR SLOWED IT ENGAGED FIRST GEAR AND LIMP MODE. IT WAS ONLY POSSIBLE TO DRIVE AT ABOUT 10 MPH IN THIS STATE. IT WAS QUITE ABRUPT DECELERATION IN A NORMAL TRAFFIC PATTERN AND WAS DIFFICULT TO AVOID GETTING REAR-ENDED AND PULLING OVER SAFELY. SCAN TOOL ERROR CODES ATTACHED. INDICATES CLUTCH 2 OPENING AND CLOSING UNINTENTIONALLY.

NHTSA complaint #11323353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.