RoadVitals

1994 Volkswagen Golf Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
41
Latest Oct 15, 2003
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
5
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jul 17, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 41 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Volkswagen Golf. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 41 · page 1 of 2

Electrical
Filed Oct 15, 2003
Fire reported

SECONDS AFTER PULLING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, SMOKE STARTED COMING INTO THE CABIN FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR VENT. THE VEHICLE IGNITED INTO FLAMES. *AK THE SMOKE HAD COME FROM THE DRIVER SIDE VENTS. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10038328
Incident
Aug 21, 2003
Mileage
72,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Aug 6, 2002

REAR SEATBELTS WILL NOT PULL OUT OF RETRACTOR. DEALER HAS REPLACED RETRACTORS THREE TIMES. CAUSE UNKNOWN.*AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT SEATBELTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BACK SEAT HAVE BEEN (FAULTY) REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES IN 1995 WHEN CAR WAS BRAND NEW. (RECORD FROM DEALER HAVE BEEN ARCHIVED) CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY AN VW REP THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN THE 1995 VW GOLF'S, AND FEELS SHE SHOULN'T HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. *SCC

NHTSA ID
8015585
Incident
Aug 1, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Aug 6, 2002

THE CAR STALLS OUT OF NO WHERE WHILE I'M DRIVING. I RECENTLY CHANGED THE FUEL FILTER W/ THE TUNE-UP BUT IT STILL DOES THAT. CAN IT POSSIBLY BE THE FUEL FILTER? I HEARD ABOUT THE FAULTY FUEL PUMP. HOW ABOUT IT? DOES 1994 GOLF HAVE ONE? PLEASE, LET ME KNOW. THANK YOU!*AK

NHTSA ID
765247
Electrical
Filed Feb 1, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WOULD INTERMITTENTLY COME ON AND OFF AND THE FACTORY INSTALLED ALARM SYSTEM WOULD NOT ACTIVATE, DEALER STATED THAT THE HARNESS AND THE WIRES FROM THE DASHBOARD TO THE FUSEBOX ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE TAIL-LIGHTS WERE COMPLETELY MELTED AND THE CAR NEEDED TO BE RE-WIRED. *TT

NHTSA ID
564235
Incident
Dec 1, 2001
Brakes
Filed Jan 31, 2001

THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY A TOWING SERVICE WITH EMERCENCY BRAKES ACTIVATED. TOW COMPANY CLAIMS VEHICLE WAS TOWED WITH REAR WHEELS LIFTED ON WHEEL DOLLY. WHAT TYPE OF SAFETY VIOLATION WOULD THIS BE CONSIDERED IF IF MY DAUGHTER WERE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. WOULD THEIR BE ENOUGH HEAT TO TO WARP AND DESROY REAR ROTORS AND DESTROY BRAKE PADSWITH EMERGENCY BRAKE ACTIVATED. TOW COMPANY DENIES ANY WRONG DOING OR CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. WAS THIS A DANGEROUS SITUATION?*AK

NHTSA ID
740258
Incident
Jan 28, 2001
Interior & seats
Filed Jan 10, 2001

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY TO AVOID A DEER, AND DRIVER'S SEATBACK BROKE, CAUSING DRIVER TO FALL BACKWARD. DRIVER HIT STEERING COLUMN, BUT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES, THE SEAT BROKE ON THE LEFT SIDE. *SLC

NHTSA ID
877894
Incident
Oct 23, 2000
Interior & seats
Filed Dec 13, 2000

THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK CYLINDER SNAPPED WHEN TRYING TO UNLOCK VEHICLE IN A DARK PARKING LOT, ALL LOCKING AND UNLOCKING MUST BE DONE ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE, THE BROKEN LOCK CYLINDER IS EASILY REMOVED AND MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A BRAKE IN WHEN UNATTENDED. *MJS

NHTSA ID
785105
Incident
Dec 10, 2000
BrakesElectrical
Filed May 12, 2000
Fire reported

THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AT A RELATIVELY SLOW SPEED (THANK GOD) WHEN THE BRAKES FELT FUNNY. PULLED THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT, AND LOTS OF SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF IT. WHEN WE JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR, WE SAW FLAMES SHOOTING OUT THROUGH THE HUBCAPS. THE POLICE CAME RIGHT AWAY AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. SUBSEQUENTLY THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A VW DEALER (WHO DID A COMPLETE CHECK UP ON THIS VEHICLE IN SEPT. 1999). THEY SAID THE CALIPER FROZE AND CAUSED THE FIRE. THEY ALSO SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAS NEVER BEEN USED SINCE I'VE HAD THIS CAR (AUG. 1999). THIS MORNING THE DEALER CALLED AND SAID HE WAS REPLACING THE CALIPER ON THE OTHER SIDE, TOO, FOR SAFETY REASONS!!!

NHTSA ID
722588
Incident
May 5, 2000
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 23, 2000

THE VEHICLE "BUCKS" UPON ACCELERATION ESPECIALLY DURING RAIN. NLM

NHTSA ID
784622
Incident
Jan 2, 2000
Engine
Filed Jun 10, 1999

THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND LOSE POWER, THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE POWER RELAY SWITCH AND THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. *SLC

NHTSA ID
782502
Incident
Jul 1, 1998
Visibility
Filed Jun 7, 1999
Fire reported

ELECTRICAL DEFROSTER: DEFOGGER CONTROL SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE . MANUFATURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
838982
Incident
Jun 3, 1999
Visibility
Filed Jun 7, 1999
Fire reported

ELECTRICAL HEATER: DEFROSTER:DEFOGGER CONTROL SWITCH CAUGHT FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ID
838981
Incident
Jun 3, 1999
Seat belts
Filed Apr 19, 1999

PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WON'T RETRACT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE INTO REPAIR SHOP FOR THE SECOND TIME. ON MARCH 18, 1999, CONSUMER WILL BE BRINGING VEHICLE BACK INTO REPAIR SHOP ONCE AGAIN FOR SEAT BELT FAILURE. THUS FAR, DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
835928
Incident
Mar 1, 1999
Seat belts
Filed Mar 11, 1999

SEAT BELTS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA ID
544296
Incident
Jan 1, 1997
Seat belts
Filed Jan 8, 1999

WHEN PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR IS OPENED, THE SEATBELT IS PULLED OUT AND DOES NOT RETRACT. IT HAS TO BE MANUALLY PUT BACK INTO PLACE. THE BELT ALSO GETS CAUGHT IN DOOR. DEALER HAS TRIED TO FIX SEAT BELT, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
833222
Interior & seats
Filed Dec 31, 1998

HOOD LATCH CAN LOOSEN ANYTIME, CAUSING THE LATCH TO MOVE. IT MIGHT DISENGAGE THE HOOD STRIKER FROM THE LATCH. *AK

NHTSA ID
832907
Incident
Sep 20, 1998
Brakes
Filed Dec 1, 1998

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 98V195000 IN THE MAIL. NOTIFIED THE DEALER FOR AN APPOINTMENT. INFORMED NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR REAR BRAKE LINES. WILL NOTIFY OWNER WHEN PARTS DO BECOME AVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
831482
Incident
Nov 16, 1998
Interior & seats
Filed Nov 25, 1998

LOCKS ON VEHICLE CONTINUALLY FREEZING AND LOCKING UP.

NHTSA ID
542786
Interior & seats
Filed Nov 24, 1998

HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (98V160000). NOTIFIED THE DEALER. INFORMED NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE HOOD LATCH. WILL NOTIFY THE OWNER WHEN THEY DO BECOME AVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
831246
Incident
Nov 16, 1998
BrakesInterior & seats
Filed Nov 2, 1998

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED TWO RECALL LETTERS. RECALL 98V195000 "REAR BRAKE LINE, " AND RECALL 98V160000 "HOOD LATCH." WHEN THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE RECLL LETTERS, DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY PARTS FOR THE VEHICLE. SINCE THEN, IT HAS BEEN A MONTH, AND STILL THE PARTS REMAIN UNAVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
829917
Incident
Sep 9, 1998
BrakesInterior & seats
Filed Oct 28, 1998

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED TWO RECALL LETTERS. ONE LETTER WAS CONCERNING THE REAR BRAKE LINE, THE SECOND LETTER WAS CONCERNING THE HOOD LATCH. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, THE DEALER MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR INSPECTION, BUT CANCELED BECAUSE THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO FIX THE DEFECT. THESE DEFECTS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH RECALL NUMBERS 98V195000 AND 98V1960000. *AK *NLM

NHTSA ID
829608
Incident
Sep 23, 1998
Electrical
Filed Oct 26, 1998

BEGINNING ON DATE ABOVE, IGNITION FAILED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING COMPLETE LACK OF POWER. PULL-OFF TO ROADSIDE WAS UNEVENTFUL. EVERY DAY SUBSEQUENTLY IGNITION HAS FAILED WITH SIMILAR UNPREDICTABILITY, SOMETIMES ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS AT HIGH SPEED. RESTART SO FAR HAS BEEN NORMAL. IGNITION SWITCH APPEARS TO OPERATE NORMALLY, BUT OCCASIONALLY BREAKS CONTACT WITHOUT ACTION OF THE DRIVER CAUSING UNPREDICTABLE AND UNEXPECTED SHUTDOWN OF IGNITION. THIS FAILURE COULD BE THE CAUSE OF SERIOUS INJURY OR FATALITY IF IT OCCURRED IN HEAVY AND OR FAST TRAFFIC WHERE TIME AND SPACE FOR RECOVERY ARE INSUFFICIENT. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THIS DEFECT.

NHTSA ID
700088
Incident
Oct 20, 1998
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 15, 1998

ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH DUE TO FAILURE OF THE SPARK PLUGS, DISTRIBUTOR CAP AND ROTOR.

NHTSA ID
542028
Incident
Jun 1, 1998
Seat belts
Filed Sep 23, 1998

THE SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT ONCE DRIVER UNHOOKS THEM. TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND HAD THEM REPLACED. PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
828135
Incident
Dec 15, 1996
Brakes
Filed Aug 21, 1997

REAR BRAKE LINE LEAKED DUE TO A RUPTURE, CAUSING PASSENGER'S FRONT TIRE TO LOCK UP AND VEHICLE SKIDDED. BY ALTERNATELY RELEASING AND APPLYING PRESSURE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND REGAIN CONTROL. *AK

NHTSA ID
518344
Incident
Jul 1, 1995

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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