70 consumer complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Volkswagen Golf. Click any complaint to view the full owner description.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITYJuly 7, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 65 AND 70 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ENGAGED WHEN SUDDENLY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AND SMOKE BEGAN EMITTING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, THE SMOKE SUBSIDED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE IGNITION AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
Fire reported
NHTSA #10341796LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESJuly 20, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT RECALL # 98V160000, WHICH REFERS TO THE HOOD LATCH, APPLIED TO THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE SERVICE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER, THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE SERVICE DEALER.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESSeptember 16, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE'S HOOD FLEW UP WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE WINDSHIELD GLASS WAS SHATTERED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMApril 25, 2003
INSTRUMENT DISPLAY CLUSTER ON 96 PASSAT WAGON GLX TOTALLY FAILED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF ODOMETER AND TACHOMETER READINGS. PANEL WAS REPLACED FOR $500. WRITTEN LETTER TO VWOA WENT UNANSWERED. *JB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMMarch 13, 2003
ENTIRE DASH BOARD WENT DEAD AFTER A FEW DAYS OF EXTREME COLD WEATHER. I HAVE HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING WITH MANY OTHER VOLKSWAGEN'S AND FEEL THAT MANUFACTURER HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM PROPERLY. *JB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFebruary 15, 2003
ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL (FUEL, TEMP, SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER AND ODOMETER DISPLAYS) FAILED DURING COLD WEATHER. MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM CAN BE FOUND VIA A GOOGLE NEWSGROUP SEARCH.
SEAT BELTSNovember 12, 2002
THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION AND COULD BE INOPERATIVE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR JG *JB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMJune 7, 2002
CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE AND HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND. THEN, SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE SHUT OFF ENGINE AND OPENED HOOD. BATTERY HAD EXPLODED. BATTERY WAS FACTORY REPLACEMENT PART INSTALLED BY DEALER. *AK THE BATTERY HAD BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. CONSUMER WAS BURNED FROM THE BATTERY ACID. *YH
1 injury(ies)
NHTSA #8011305ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGJune 1, 2001
OIL IS LEAKING FROM CONNECTOR SENSOR AND THIS IS GETTING DOWN INTO ENGINE. *AK
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,EQUIPMENTMay 3, 2001
DOOR LOCK CYLINDER- SEPARATED FROM INNER ASSEMBLY , #2. WHILE IN HYWAY TRAFFIC, RADIO FAILED, FOLLOWED BY ,IN APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS, ENGINE CUTTING OFF ( FUEL/WATER GUAGE FUNCTIONED), COASTED TO ROADSIDE. ATTEMPTED TO START ENGINE, ACTED AS IF BATTERY DEAD. AFTER 1 HOUR WAIT, ATTEMPTED TO RESTART ENGINE, STARTER TURNED SLOWLY BUT DID NOT START ENGINE. HOWEVER, STANDARD ALARM SYSTEM SOUNDED. I TURNED OF ALARM BY INSERTING KEY IN DOOR (STANDARD PROCEDURE). TOW TRUCK GAVE BOOST AT BATTERY. VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STARTED . THE BATTERY LOW POWER THING, OCCURRED ABOUT TWO WEEKS PRIOR, IN VW DEALER'S CUSTOMER PICK UP AREA, AFTER DEALER HAD REPLACED A HEADLIGHT FUSE/ ALIGNED HEADLIGHTS/WHEELS. WHEN ALARM WENT OFF AND STARTER DID NOT TURN OVER ENGINE, SERVICE MANAGER IMMEDIATELY ARRIVED W/BOOSTER UNIT AND STARTED CAR. HE SAID BATTERY PROBABLY GOT LOW FROM TECHNICIAN HOLDING DOWN BRAKE PEDAL FOR EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME? DUH? I DID NOT THINK ANYTHING MORE ABOUT PROBLEM AT THE TIME(DENIAL). PROBLEM H. *AK
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEMApril 25, 2001
AFTER CONSUMER TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND THEN STARTED IT BACK ON CAR ALARM CAME ON AND STAYED ON.CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER HOOD TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. THEN, CONSUMER SMELLED SMOK, AND REALIZED THAT WIRING SYSTEM BURNED OUT NOTHING THAT WAS MOTORIZED WAS WORKING. CONTACTED DEALER AND DEALER WAS WILLING TO FIX PROBLEM AT OWNERS COST.*AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,STRUCTUREMarch 23, 2001
DROVE INTO PARKING LOT. HEARD A NOISE & VEHICLE STOPPED. SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER HOOD, THEN FLAMES SHOT OUT. FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT OUT FLAMES. GAVE INDICATION OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, CAUSING FIRE. PRIOR TO PROBLEM ,HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP 11 TIMES FOR ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMING ON/ DOOR LOCKS, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOT HONORING EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WAS SOLD.*AK
Fire reported
NHTSA #884033STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHERMarch 21, 2001
WITH LESS THAN A YEAR OF PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE WOULD LEAK INSIDE ON FLOOR ON PASSENGER SIDE. TWICE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. CAR WAS TAKEN IN DUE TO ENGINE CHECK LIGHT NOT TURNING OFF, AND WAS WRONGLY DIAGNOSED AND THEREFORE WRONG PART WAS FIXED. WHEN COMPLAINT WAS MADE THAT THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO LIGHT UP, THE CAR WAS ONCE AGAIN TAKEN IN AND THROTTLE BODY WAS TO BE CHANGED. VEHICLE NOW MAKES A LOUD NOICE WHICH WAS DIAGNOSED TO BE AN ENGINE BLOCK.
SUSPENSIONDecember 3, 2000
DRIVING AT APPROX. 30MPH, BALL JOINT OF FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE CAUSING FRONT WHEEL TO FALL OFF. CAR CAME TO A SCREETCHING HALT!. *AK
STRUCTURENovember 28, 2000
THE LEFT DOOR HAS A LOUD NOISE WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING. IT NEEDS TO BE WELDED. DEALER SAID THAT VOLVO ISN'T RESPONSIBLE, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS HAPENED WITH OTHER VOLVOS. ARE THERE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS FAILURE? VOLVO IS VERY MUCH AWARE OF THE PROBLEM FROM OTHER VEHICLES AND THE DEALER WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. PLEASE HELP! *AK
TIRESOctober 31, 2000
2 SIDEWALL FAILURES OUT OF 6 TIRES (DOT NUMBER: MKHCFJWR19 TIRESIZE: 195/60R14)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGJune 7, 2000
THE SERPENTINE BELT CRACKED. YH
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESJune 7, 2000
PRIOR TO RECALL HOOD LATCH FAILED (98V-160). YH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGJune 7, 2000
COOLANT LEAKED DUE TO WATER PUMP FAILURE. YH
VISIBILITYJune 7, 2000
WINDSHIELD CRACKED. YH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGJune 7, 2000
VEHICLE STALLS WHEN STOPPING AT LIGHT, EXPERIENCING ROUGH IDLE AS WELL. YH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGJune 7, 2000
THE SERPENTINE BELT CRACKED. YH
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESJune 7, 2000
PRIOR TO RECALL HOOD LATCH FAILED (98V-160). YH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGJune 7, 2000
COOLANT LEAKED DUE TO WATER PUMP FAILURE. YH
VISIBILITYJune 7, 2000
WINDSHIELD CRACKED. YH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGJune 7, 2000
VEHICLE STALLS WHEN STOPPING AT LIGHT, EXPERIENCING ROUGH IDLE AS WELL. YH
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESOctober 7, 1999
CONSUMER TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS, AND DEALERS DID NOT HAVE PARTS AVAILABLE. *AK
POWER TRAINJune 4, 1999
DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY FAILED, CAUSING PIECES OF INTERNAL COMPONENTS TO CUT THROUGH DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING ON TRANSMISSION CASE. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE IN THIS VEHICLE. FIRST CAUSED VEHICLE TO BE IMMOBILIZED IMMEDIATELY IN TRAFFIC. SECOND AND MOST RECENT, RENDERED VEHICLE UNABLE TO MOVE UNDER IT'S OWN POWER, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. ALSO, SINCE TRANSMISSION CASE WAS PENETRATED IN NO LESS THAN SIX LOCATIONS, GEAR OIL WAS RELEASED ONTO ROADWAY, CAUSING AN IMMEDIATE HAZARD FOR OTHER DRIVERS. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN AMONG OTHER OWNERS OF THIS AND SIMILAR MODELS. THERE IS SPECULATION AMONG ENTHUSIASTS THAT IT IS DUE TO THE USE OF RIVETS INSTEAD OF BOLTS TO SECURE THE RING GEAR (CROWN WHEEL) IN THE DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY. THIS IS APPARANTLY A COST-CUTTING MEASURE. VOLKSWAGEN MAKES AVAILABLE A KIT THAT INCLUDES BOLTS TO REPLACE THOSE RIVETS. STANDARD VW WARRANTY REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR SUCH A FAILURE CALLS FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION WITH A REBUILT UNIT, BUT THE REBUILT UNITS ALSO USE RIVETS INSTEAD OF BOLTS. FOR THIS FAILURE, VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA'S DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER IS DENYING WARRANTY REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF AFTERMARKET (NON-VW) PARTS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE WHICH ARE NOT RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGMay 21, 1999
THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER SAID HE CANNOT KEEP TENSIONERS IN STOCK, THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 40% OF 1996 AND LATER MODELS OF GOLFS COMING IN TO HAVE THE TENSIONERS REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE HOLDING ASSEMBLY. THE COST OF THIS WAS QUOTED IN THE $300.00 RANGE. THE DEALER IS VERY SURPRISED THAT A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN CALLED. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMApril 24, 1999
EXTENTED WARENTEE NOT ACCEPTED,HAD TO PAY PARTS AND LABOR. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT,UNKNOWN OR OTHERMarch 21, 1999
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON CONSTANTLY, FAILED OXYGEN SENSOR TWICE. DOOR LOCK LITERALLY FELL OUT OF DOOR AND LEFT HOLE, WAS REPLACED. STEREO DISPLAY FADED OVER LIFE OF CAR (3.5YRS) UNTIL NOW UNREADABLE. CANNOT BE FIXED MUST BE REPLACED. CAR NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE. *AK
SEAT BELTSJanuary 10, 1999
THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT BUCKLE COMPLETELY FELL APART. IT WAS BEING USED FOR AN INFANT CAR SEAT CARRIER. WHEN I WENT TO UNBUCKLE THE BELT, TTHE ENTIRE BUCKLE FELL APART AND COMPLETELY CAME OFF THE STRAP. IT HAS ALREADY BEEN FIXED BY DEALERSHIP AT NO CHARGE. I AM INTERESTED IN KNOWING IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND HOW WILL IT WITH STAND AN ACCIDENT? I REALLY DO NOT FEEL SAFE USING THE SEAT BELTS WITHOUT MORE INFORMATION. THE DEALER STATED HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT AND THAT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO ANY OTHER PART OF THE BELT. PLEAS HELP
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESDecember 31, 1998
DOOR LOCK HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES.
STRUCTUREDecember 31, 1998
DOOR PANEL AND HANDLE REPLACED.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMDecember 31, 1998
ELECTRICAL FUSE FAILED.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESNovember 30, 1998
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK CYLINDER FAILED. YH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICNovember 5, 1998
VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILURE DURING WET WEATHER CONDITIONS ON TWO OCCASIONS, ONE INCIDENT RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSeptember 29, 1998
ELECTRICAL FAILURE RESULTING IN REPLACEMENT OF EVERY LIGHT IN THE CAR MORE THAN A FEW TIMES.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMJuly 1, 1998
ALTERNATOR FAILED. QCAW
VISIBILITYJune 29, 1998
SUN ROOF MAKES NOISE SINCE OWNERSHIP.
POWER TRAINJune 29, 1998
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
STRUCTUREJune 29, 1998
DOOR MOLDINGS FALLING OFF.
SUSPENSIONJune 29, 1998
TIRES WORN PREMATURELY DUE TO ALIGNMENT PULLING.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGApril 11, 1998
COOLING FAN FAILED. ALSO REAR BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGApril 6, 1998
COOLING FAN FAILURE. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICApril 6, 1998
REAR BRAKE FAILURE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFebruary 27, 1998
PROBLEM IDLE SURGING, SEVER DIAGNOSIS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, BAD CHIP IN ECM COMPUTER, UPDATE CHIP, WIRING PROBLEM-CUT WIRES ING THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT OF FUEL INJECTORS, REPLACE BOTH OXYGEN SENSORS, THROTTLE BODY SWITCH BAD-REPLACED, ALL TO NO AVAIL.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFebruary 27, 1998
BAD CHIP IN ECM COMPUTER.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFebruary 27, 1998
OXYGEN SENSORS FAILED.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLFebruary 27, 1998
THROTTLE BODY SWITCH FAILED.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFebruary 25, 1998
HORN BUTTON DIFFICULT TO FIND IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGNovember 4, 1997
COOLING SYSTEM/RADIATOR HOSE DEFECTIVE.
STEERINGOctober 27, 1997
GEAR BOX POPPING OUT OF GEAR.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSeptember 9, 1997
ENGINE ECM FAILED.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGSeptember 9, 1997
TERMINAL CONNECTOR FOR AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILED.
STRUCTUREJuly 25, 1997
THE RUBBER DOOR MOLDING HS SEPARATED AWAY FROM DOOR FOR THE THIRD TIME IN ONE AND ONE HALF YEARS.
STEERINGApril 11, 1997
POOR STEERING ASSISTANCE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGApril 11, 1997
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING.
POWER TRAINApril 11, 1997
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
POWER TRAINApril 11, 1997
TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ENGAGE INTO 5TH GEAR AND IS MAKING GRINDING NOISE.
STEERINGApril 11, 1997
FITTING HOSE LEAKING CAUSING POWER STEERING TO PERFORM POORLY.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLApril 11, 1997
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING ROUGH IDLE.
EQUIPMENTApril 10, 1997
AIR CONDITIONER FAN FAILED.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGApril 10, 1997
OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED.
EQUIPMENTMarch 6, 1997
CIGARETT LIGHTER ADOPTER, AFTER BEING PUSHED IN, POPPED OUT AND THE ELEMENT STAYED INSIDE, CAUSING AN OVERHEATING PROBLEM, SAW SMOKE. *AK
AIR BAGSJanuary 2, 1997
DRIVER REARENDED CAR IN FRONT AND THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY . *AK
Crash reported
NHTSA #806955AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTSSeptember 12, 1996
OTHER: AIR BAGS DEPLOYED APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS AFTER THE IMPACT, ALSO SEAT BELT LOCKED UP AND CAN'T BE REAPPLIED.
Crash reported1 injury(ies)
NHTSA #508599SUSPENSIONMarch 22, 1996
WHILE TRAVELING 30MPH, VEHICLE OVERCAME WITH SMOKE, IMPAIRING VISION. DRIVER LOST CONTROL, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. *AK
Crash reported1 injury(ies)
NHTSA #981134AIR BAGSDecember 18, 1995
DURING FRONTAL COLLISION DRIVERS AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. EXPLAIN IN MORE DETAIL. TT
Crash reported
NHTSA #976749AIR BAGSDecember 18, 1995
DURING FRONTAL COLLISION PASSENGERS AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. EXPLAIN IN MORE DETAIL. TT
Crash reported
NHTSA #976749