2011 Volkswagen Golf vs 2012 Volkswagen Golf
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2011 Volkswagen Golf | 2012 Volkswagen Golf |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 110 | 48 |
| Recall campaigns | 6 | 6 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 1,210 | 1,284 |
| Investigations | 5 | 5 |
| Crash reports | 4 | 4 |
| Fire reports | 3 | 0 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 26–32 | 26–32 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 28,000 mi | 17,775 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Volkswagen Golf | Volkswagen Golf |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion System | 30 | 8 |
| Power Train | 21 | 9 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 19 | 7 |
| Engine | 15 | 11 |
| Electrical System | 18 | 6 |
| Air Bags | 12 | 10 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 11 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 3 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 28 | 5 |
| Loss of power | 13 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 8 | 6 |
2011 Volkswagen Golf
2012 Volkswagen Golf
Compare all Volkswagen Golf vs Volkswagen Golf years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.