Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 | 55% | — |
| 2022 | 11 | 14% | 0 miles |
| 2021 | 3 | 43% | — |
| 2020 | 2 | 33% | — |
| 2019 | 5 | 8% | 1,000 miles |
| 2018 | 2 | 7% | — |
| 2017 | 10 | 9% | 3,000 miles |
| 2016 | 8 | 9% | 70,000 miles |
| 2015 | 18 | 14% | 17,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2013 | 7 | 16% | 53,000 miles |
| 2012 | 6 | 13% | 25,000 miles |
| 2011 | 18 | 16% | 28,000 miles |
| 2010 | 5 | 7% | 45,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2005 | 2 | 11% | 55,000 miles |
| 2004 | 4 | 14% | 32,000 miles |
| 2003 | 4 | 15% | 118,000 miles |
| 2002 | 11 | 15% | 50,000 miles |
| 2001 | 15 | 13% | 90,000 miles |
| 2000 | 5 | 6% | 60,000 miles |
| 1999 | 9 | 14% | 90,000 miles |
| 1998 | 5 | 28% | 75,000 miles |
| 1995 | 12 | 28% | 203,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Vehicles infotainment system does not turn on at startup - several error messages for safety features by most importantly, rear camera does not work when infotainment system screen is down and requires the dealer to activate it or fully black screen. Took to VW three times and they cannot determine the issue. Says it's a software issue, but also showing "low voltage" warnings in computer diagnostics. Audi, owned by Volkswagen, just issued a recall for infotainment systems disabling rear cameras due to low voltage issues. The symptoms are identical to the VW issues. This is Audi recall internally coded 91Ei and it impacted many makes and models. I believe the components are possibly shared and the recall needs to extend to the GTI as well. Contacted VW and they have been unresponsive to me. I have video of the issue that shows the issue in more detail. …
Infotainment system fails to start/load. Infotainment screen provides multiple error messages such and "component protection active" and/ or "you can activate this function at dealer" and subsequently becomes inoperable, including multiple safety related features: Back up/ rear view camera freezes image or does not turn on at all. Autonomous emergency braking (front assist) fail light comes on. Park distance control fail light comes on. Have been to the VW dealer on two different occasions for these issues specifically and the systems and problems not resolved. They reset/ updated the infotainment system at 1st visit. System failed again/ unresolved. Took back to dealer and they called VW corporate for help. Picked up from 2nd visit and systems promptly failed again. Online search suggests common, unresolved problem. Thank you for aiding consumers in resolving these safety issues
The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the hill assist engaged the brake longer while the brake pedal was not depressed. The contact mentioned that the vehicle stalled afterwards. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200.
Travel Assist is disabled which includes Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist. The warning lights flash on and off, sometimes multiple times a second, sounding a loud beeping each time. It is triggered at engine start and persists through all speeds. I have experienced it 0-70 mph. The flashing lights and associated rapid beeping indicating the failure is extremely distracting while driving. Warning lights and warning sounds are designed to alert the driver to a potential safety issue so ignoring the lights and sounds is dangerous in the event it is a different caution/warning. However, also not ignoring it is dangerous because of the frequency of the warnings which causes the driver to look away from the road. …
Since shortly after purchase, the vehicle has experienced intermittent drivability and shifting issues along with repeated EPC and check engine warnings. Diagnostic trouble code P0111 (intake air temperature plausibility) has been present along with other electrical and engine management faults. A Volkswagen dealership diagnosis indicated that the intake air temperature sensor and an additional engine insulation "hood blanket" component (not originally installed on the vehicle) are required to address the issue. These components were presented as necessary to correct the fault and resolve intermittent shifting behavior. The shifting issue is intermittent but occurs during normal driving and raises safety concerns due to unpredictable drivability and transmission behavior. The vehicle continues to exhibit warning lights and unresolved performance issues despite multiple repair attempts. …
red power steering system light turned on and flashed/beeped 3X. steering wheel locked up and I could not turn. I was on the freeway in the far right lane and managed to force push the steering wheel to the right and slowly merge over to the shoulder. Volks in Kearny Mesa confirmed issue with steering gear after inspection on 6/21/2022. The steering gear needs to be replaced as the first step. No symptoms prior to malfunction. I could have died if I was in any other lane as there was a lot of cars on the freeway. I got lucky.
The contact owns 2019 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that while a complete stop, the Auto Start/Stop feature failed to engage and a message advising to manually start the vehicle by turning the ignition key was displayed. The contact stated that as he attempted to turn the ignition key, the key was stuck and the key fob fractured, causing the vehicle to go into Safe Mode. The anti-theft warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to push the vehicle to the side of the road with the assistance of bystanders. The vehicle was towed the contact's residence. The contact notified the dealer of the failure and ordered a new key. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
* "Starter system faulty", currently the supposedly damaged part has already been replaced * When this fault appears, all the vehicle's electrical instruments stop working, lights, radio, air conditioning, reversing camera, security systems, but the vehicle's engine remains on, this happens a few minutes after starting the car and the cabin. is above 90 degrees temperature. * part 5Q1.905.865 is defective under high temperatures. * No, but you can search for information on the Internet with the part number 5q1 905 865 and you will find hundreds of complaints from VOLKSWAGEN vehicle owners with this same problem. * The warning appears on the dashboard screen and in 3 seconds all the vehicle's electronic instruments turn off but the engine continues to run
Related recalls (3)
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf Sportwagen, 2019-2020 Golf GTI, and Jetta vehicles equipped with a conventional ignition switch. The ignition switch may fail, especially in high temperature environments.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 1, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Electrical system › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Electrical system › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles. The build of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle shift lever is not in "Park." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with…
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
NHTSA investigations
Engine stalling
By letter received on June 24, 2005, mr. Ronald m. Strickland of raleigh, nc, submitted a petition requesting that the agency investigate the performance of the ignition coil plugs on model year (my) 2000-2003 Volkswagen jetta, golf and passat sedans.the petitioner alleges that he had experienced multiple stalling events as a result of one or more ignition coil plugs malfunctioning on his 2002 vw jetta sedan.as a…
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
Which Volkswagen Golf years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2011 (18), 2015 (18), 2001 (15), 1995 (12) and 2002 (11) model years. Electrical complaints make up 16% of all complaints for the 2011.
Is there a recall for Volkswagen Golf electrical problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 23V-604 (switch, Aug 30, 2023); 19V-615 (control module, Aug 22, 2019); 18V-464 (control module, Jul 11, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Volkswagen Golf electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles; 52% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the ignition (9 mentions), followed by the wiring (6).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.